Something New - The Battle of Strasbourg 357 AD

 

My next little Roman project uses two Soldiers kits sculpted by Laruccia. The scene depicts two combatants at the Battle of Strasbourg (Argentoratum) in 357AD. The foot figure is SR49 a Roman Infantry Officer and the mounted figure is SR-63 a Roman  Cataphract (Scola Scutariorum Clibanariorum). The setting is just prior to the battle.

 

Strasbourg was a battle fought between the armies of Caesar Julian and the Alamanni tribal confederation under King Chnodomar in what is known today as Alsace France. The battle was a hard fought but decisive victory for the Roman Army. The Cataphract Cavalry didn't fare well in the battle so our cavalryman's smile will soon be gone.

 

This piece is just in it's infancy, especially with so many other projects on the burner (3 busts and two other figures). I am excited about this one though as I haven't completed a mounted figure in quite some time.

Centurio Quintus Sertorius Festus - Completed

 

Finished at last. As I said in my last post I had to replace the mile marker with a watering trough but I am very happy with the end results. Now on to finishing a few other in-progress pieces as well as starting a few new projects for the fall and winter.

Centurio Quintus Sertorius Festus - Update #7

 

The plaid cloak is finished and further detail work done as well. A step by step on this pattern technique is shown below. I am on the home stretch with this figure. A few more details and completion of the architectural feature to be added in the corner of the base. This has changed from my earlier idea of a mile marker which may not have been accurate for the time period, to a watering/drinking trough that will be the subject of my next post.

 

The plaid pattern is painted in oils and is a earthen toned pattern that was copied from a photo found by my friends over on the MedRom forum site. The red-brown lines were painted first using a mix of Brown Madder, Mars Yellow and Titanium White. Where the lines intersect, pure Brown Madder with a touch of Cad Red Deep was applied. Once dry every other line had a thin Indigo line applied, both vertically and horizontally. Lighter shades of Indigo were applied where the blue lines intersect and the whole was allowed to dry for a few days. A unifying neutral wash of Raw Umber, Mars Black and Burnt Sienna was applied overall to enhance the shadows. 

 

For those that may question the authenticity of my choice of pattern on this cloth, here is a link to my source material:

 

http://www.antiquities.org.il/t/item_en.aspx?CurrentPageKey=3&searchcond=and&mosaics_dict_id=471,457,373

 

The beginnings of the gold work on his greaves. Base and shadow, no highlights.