RDG Miniatures Marine de la Garde Drummer 54mm

[Neil Merryweather]

As most people know by now, I generally only convert stock figures into something else, or even sculpt them myself. This means I very rarely buy a figure just because I like it and want to paint it. Well this is one of those rare figures, and, flushed with my recent painting success, I have decided to dive into this right now, while the mojo is high. I really love the arrogant pose and the uniform is neither khaki nor navy so that will be a breath of fresh air.
He is sculpted by Nello Riviecco and is available in several scales from RDG Miniatures, but I stuck with my usual 54mm, which will be quite a challenge as there’s a LOT of detail to paint.
Here are all the bits


I started with some of the separate equipment, just to get my eye in after a few weeks away from the paintbrushes

Just as I had gotten the confidence up to start on the figure himself (but fortunately in good time..) I discovered a hideous great mould seam I had missed before priming.

So thankfully I was able to sort that before I had got too far along
So that's it for now
Cheers
Neil

[Jim R]

Looks very nice. I have no doubt you'll make a great job of it. Is it moulded resin or a 3D print?

[Tim Marlow]

Good to see something Napoleonic on the go. Lots of detail for a 54mm chap as well. Nice one 👍

[flyjoe180]

Wonderful work on the rucksack and drums Neil. Figure looks good. Glad you spotted that mould seam before painting.

[Neil Merryweather]

Looks very nice. I have no doubt you'll make a great job of it. Is it moulded resin or a 3D print?

It's moulded resin Jim ( hence the seam line) but taken from a 3D printed original, which is how it can be available in several scales - 75mm and 120mm I believe, and also as a bust at 200mm.
Unfortunately mould lines are worse on resin figures moulded in silicone rubber because it means there's a step which, in bad cases, actually distorts the figure; rather than just a thin line of plastic, which IS a pain to remove but doesn't generally affect the proportions. I often use my less motivated moments to fettle seam lines on my next project, making useful progress without the need for much concentration

[PaulinKendal]

This looks great, Neil - I've just looked it up on RDG Miniatures and, as you say, the pose is superb.

I'm put off Napoleonics in part because the vast majority of figures are extremely conventional, static poses. This goes to show what's possible. I'll look forward to seeing what you do with it.