Colonel John F. Hartranft

[vlpbruce]

Hello everybody.

I have been making more mistakes on Matty than I have been getting things right, so I think it best to step away from her for a little while.

I have wanted to build and paint a portrait of my Civil War ancestor for quite some time now. His name was John F. Hartranft, and my Great-Great Grandfather was his Uncle. He started the war as a Colonel, and ended up a Major General. I won't go into great detail as to where he fought, but I will say he started at First Bull Run, and ended his combat career at Petersburg. After the War, he was appointed Commandant of Capital Prison in Washington DC, and was the governor of Pennslyvania. I want to show him as a Colonel at Antietam, ordering the assault that took Burnside's Bridge.

I have vsited the battlefield many times, and have actually seen one of his uniforms in the Pennsylvania State Museum.

This will be my first attempt at sculpting, so I am not real sure how he will look.

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I started with the Verlinden Union Infantry officer and Academy Figure.


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After some "surgery" that would probably make Doctor Frankenstein queasy, here he is:





A little bit of brass rod, and some trial and error (and more error) the basic pose:



I'm hoping to have more to show very soon.

Thanks for looking in.

[TRM]

Ambitious project and a fantastic tribute to your heritage! Looks like you are off to a fine start. Keep at it!

[Leon]

Going to be a great tribute to your ancestor Bruce! Your off to a good start.

[vlpbruce]

Thanks guys.
I have been wanting to do this one for quite a while, and just finally got enough guts up.

[John Everett]

Just as a heads-up, the "skinnier" the arms and legs of the armature, the more detail you can add to the clothing on the figure. If the arms and legs are at a fully developed thickness, you will find it difficult to add the curves and folds of loose fabric. It's less of a problem if you're only sculpting heavier, less flexible types of fabric.

[captfue]

Great start. Cutting up Yankees sounds like fun...

[armorguy]

Sounds like a great project, you started good fella. I like the wire figure.

[tobias5555]

Great idea.

[Tojo72]

Very interesting project,will be checking in.

[kaytermarram]

I am in with big interest! Love figure sculptors, you know!

Frank

[vlpbruce]

Welcome aboard everybody.
I hope I do him proud.
John, the coats were wool, so it shouldn't be too bad to do.

[kaytermarram]

Hell, doing wool isn´t as easy as one might think! Remember, this is heavy coat with a special surface on it, which should be visible in this scale. Have seen figures done this to the max, so I am even more curious about your efforts!

Frank

[vlpbruce]

Actually Frank, the coats aren't really that heavy (at least the officers' I have isn't). I am pretty sure the higher ranked officers could afford lighter, tighter weaves.
I am trying to find the pictures I have of his coat I took when I saw it.

[wbill76]

Nothing like a personal connection to the subject to give you some good motivation Bruce! Looking forward to seeing you bring him to life. Just watch out for the summer rates on your electricity bill...the lab equipment is hell on the grid.

[vlpbruce]

I'll be careful Bill .
Welcome aboard.

[deafpanzer]

Great start on the Colonel... count me in too!

[vlpbruce]

Thanks Andy.
Welcome aboard.

[dennis]

Good luck with this tribute to your ancestor Bruce, I am looking forward to seeing more.

[vlpbruce]

Thanks guys. Welcome aboard.
I'm hoping to have more to show later today.

[vlpbruce]

Hello everybody.
I have been making a little progress.
I started in on his pants. I see it needs a lot of cleanup, but he's heading in the right direction (I think). Hopefully, I 'll gt some time in on him this weekend.



Thanks again for looking in.

[Leon]

Looking good Bruce! Your doing a fine job.

[TRM]

Every little bit! Looking good Bruce! Hope you can squeeze in the time this weekend!

[vlpbruce]

Thanks guys. Like I said, this is all new to me.

[kaytermarram]

Ah, progress! Please Bruce, do some detail close ups of the trouser! Here, I cannot view very much detail. What are his shoes? Did you use the shoes of a figure or do you have to sculpt them? In the last case it would have been better to finish them before adding the trouser. Remember: Sculpting from the inside out! Cannot wait to see the progress, go on and mix the sculpey!!

Frank

[vlpbruce]

Thanks Frank. There really isn't much detail on the pants yet, but when I get some on, I'll try to get some closeups.
As for the shoes, they are from the officer figure. They look to be the right pattern I have seen in the pictures of him.