Perry Dragoon Tester

[Anna Elizabeth]

Hello Everyone. I've got one Perry Miniatures French Dragoon essentially done, except for basing and varnish, and I thought I'd post to get feedback.





Do you see anything obviously wrong? He's for 2nd Dragoons. Before I continue with the whole unit, I'd like to know if  I've made any errors. I can take it, I'd like him to be correct. If anyone can offer tips or corrections, I appreciate it.

[Captain Canada]

It looks good.  A couple points that might help:

Put a wash on the wool saddle cover and then highlight back with the same colour. 
I think the riding trousers are deerskin, and would be more buff than gray.

That having been said I would be happy to play with those figures

[Anna Elizabeth]

Thanx! Those are easy fixes, the riders aren't glued down yet. 13 more to do, they are mostly based with Black on the metallic area and Scarlet where appropriate.

[Arthur]

You've got him about right. If you want to be finicky about it, the shoulder straps should be green piped red rather than solid red. The breeches were indeed either deerskin or sheepskin but some artists render them with a greyish tinge, possibly to reflect aging. I'd opt for a dull shade of buff myself but that's just a personal preference. 

[Anna Elizabeth]

You've got him about right. If you want to be finicky about it, the shoulder straps should be green piped red rather than solid red. The breeches were indeed either deerskin or sheepskin but some artists render them with a greyish tinge, possibly to reflect aging. I'd opt for a dull shade of buff myself but that's just a personal preference. 

Oh, that's a nice reference, thank you!

I could fix the shoulder boards easily enough. I have the Osprey about Dragoons and Lancers, but the only thing I had on 2nd Dragoons was the back of the Perry box.

I guess I need the little numbers on the saddle cloth, too?

[Arthur]

If you're enough of a masochist to feel like painting regimental numbers on both the saddlecloth and portmanteau, by all means knock yourself out 

I hotlinked the plate above from Alexis Cabaret's Mont Saint-Jean website, which is a superb online resource for the 1815 campaign:

http://centjours.mont-saint-jean.com/index.php

I don't think it has an English language option but if you click on the Unités/Nation button everything is very intuitive from then on. 

[Anna Elizabeth]

Bookmarked, thank you.

Maybe I can find little number decals that would work.....

[Dave C]

Lovely work Anna. Can you share with us how you got the brass helmets to look so lifelike?

[Anna Elizabeth]

Lovely work Anna. Can you share with us how you got the brass helmets to look so lifelike?

Thanx!

Yes, it's pretty easy. I basecoated with Vallejo Model Air Black, it dries pretty quickly, but I'd think whatevers acrylic you're using will work.

After, I used Vallejo Model Color Brass, and overbrushed, like wet drybrushing, if that makes sense, over the Black. This one had probably 2 coats.

After that was dry, I did the turban, and washed the whole helmet with Secret Weapon Flesh Wash, and after that was dry I took a fine brush and refined the edges and detail with more Brass and just a spot of Model Air Steel, just a spot or two here-and-there.

The Brass and Model Air Steel flow well.

EDIT: Here's the video where I learned how to overbrush metallics:

[Greystreak]

That's a fine job, Anna, and I wouldn't worry about the trouser overalls colour--the French wore everything from grey to 'natural' linen white overalls over top of their precious deerskin breeches to preserve them.

If you're comfortable 'freehanding' numbers on the shabraque, give it a try; you can always go over the white numbers in green again if it doesn't work out to your satisfaction.  I used to worry that my freehand numbers/letters were too naff, but with a little practice you may surprise yourself. I'm a very average painter, yet was still able to get the 'royal monogram'--'A' for Alexander I--on some Russian Dragoons (below), so experiment and see how it goes for you.  

[Anna Elizabeth]

I wouldn't call those Russians "average". They look superb.

And thank you. I think I will try free-handing the numbers, nothing to lose.

[olicana]

Good job, Anna. Now get down and give me 11 more, you can do it!

[Anna Elizabeth]

Good job, Anna. Now get down and give me 11 more, you can do it!

13 more! XD

And thank you.

[gustav]

Have to say nice job.

If you can work out how to do the numerals can you let me know
I gave up at doing mine freehand - just could not get them right in the space on the valise.

[Anna Elizabeth]

Have to say nice job.

If you can work out how to do the numerals can you let me know
I gave up at doing mine freehand - just could not get them right in the space on the valise.

Thanx Gustav.

*If* I get the freehand numerals to work, I'll let you know. If not, I'm still thinking small decals.