Tuesday, February 16, 2016

'L'amour' from SidneyR - 'The Proposal'


For the fourth Theme Round, once again we visit the fictional Flemish town of Laarden, which I’ve been building in 28mm.  This time, Mademoiselle Brochet is receiving a proposal from the dazzlingly over-dressed Antoine de Gautier, a young Flemish cavalier who you might remember striking a pose in the front rank of my second Theme Round submission while being immortalised in oils.  The rakish Antoine is accompanied by his “battle dog”, Ares, who he has prepared for the visit a set of ludicrous ribbons as outlandish as his own.  At least Antoine has not arrived without a gift for his paramour – a Valentine’s gold engagement ring  - and a declaration of his love.



Mademoiselle Brochet is dressed more sensibly that our heroic chevalier, although she’s still wearing Laarden’s civic colours: yellow on her somewhat extravagant hat, and blue ribbons on her own dog, Aphrodite.  A cluster of Laarden chickens have stolen into the scene, the hen clucking excitedly around the new town cockerel.  And maybe, given time, the dogs of the Chevalier de Gautier and Mademoiselle Brochet might even find themselves amorously involved.


Will young Antoine’s proposal be accepted?  Will Ares and Aphrodite fall in love? Perhaps we’ll find out in a later Themed Round.


I wanted to keep this Themed Round set in the Flemish town of the first three rounds, repeating colours, scenes and figures already painted.  And, because I love telling a story, and in a similarly daft fashion, I’ve put young Antoine in the same buff yellow as in Round 2, albeit with more ribbons, an outrageous hat and a ridiculous wig.  Mademoiselle Brochet is dressed with blue and yellow, the same colour as the Laarden militia’s standard from Round 2.  The cobblestones and the chickens featured in themed rounds 1 and 2, but fortunately no lazy workmen have (typically) turned up this time.  The figures are Dixon Miniatures for Antoine, and Warbases for Mademoiselle brochet and the animals, plus some hand swaps, and a lot of greenstuff and brownstuff putty!


Rather sentimental, and a long way from the realities of seventeenth century warfare.  But then, it is Valentine’s Day today!


35 comments:

  1. Just incredible as always, Mr. Roundwood!

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  2. I LOVE his wig. Absolutely brilliant stuff Sid.

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    1. I actually toned the height of the wig down slightly. It did get truly outrageous at one point!

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  3. Outrageous fashions back then. Great work. cheers

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    1. Truly mad fashions... just part of the reason to love the period!

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  4. Brilliant work. As always it's the little touches that make it

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    1. Wigs, beauty spots, mercury-infused facial powder and ribbons and cravats everywhere. Think an analogue-version of Duran Duran!

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  6. Ah-ha Chickens! Fabulous work again, I can't wait to see the denizens of Laarden in a group shot at the end of the challenge.

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    1. The Chickens of Laarden - I'll have you know, Michael, poultry is one of the town's main exports....

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  7. Ok I am lost for words Sidney, you have my vote. Absolutely stunning!

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  8. Cracking stuff Sidney. That wig is awesome!

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  9. Beautiful piece of work Sidney and very creative!

    Christopher

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  10. Sidney, I love these Laarden vignettes. Wonderfully painted, but even more wonderfully thought up, composed, and stories built upon them.

    KEEP IT UP!

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    1. Robert, that's very kind. More from Laarden next time as well, hopefully...!

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  11. This is so lovely! I can't wait to see the entire village of Laarden, chickens, dogs and fashionable citizens!

    Snowlord, can this be tagged as a Sarah's Choice?

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    1. Sarah, thanks so much! Laarden is nothing if not a haunt of the fashionable and sartorially "progressive" elements of Flemish high society. Heaven knows if they can actually fight in a battle, though ...!

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  12. Very nice, Sidney! Great scene and brushwork! What came first the big wigs, the big hats, or the big collars!? ;)

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    1. Thanks David. It's like when you go shopping - don't you get the whole outfit at the same time? Well, maybe not a buff yellow outfit, but you get the idea.... ;)

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