Charlemagne (Charles the Great)

Since GF already mentioned it in a thread, I'm going ahead and post some more pics of my Charlemagne figure I did this year.
It is not 100% historically accurate but got heavy influences from this Dürer pic and also other pictures of Francis II, wearing the Imperial Regalia:



Since I cannot sew myself, I asked someone to create an outfit based on some different Charlemagne pictures. She couldn't create a copy of the real coat with the things she had, so we brainstormed and came up with our own version - which he could have worn in an alternate reality and with a view into the future. So we added the double headed eagle of the holy roman empire and the Fleur-de-lys which represents the french part.  

I know this might not please the historically correct people, but I can live with those changes. I might change the front part of the outfit in the future, if I can get a better material for it but otherwise it is good for me.


Here are some WIP pics first of the crown, printed by Ovy:







And the finished figure, slightly repainted the head to cover the scars a bit more and make him look slightly older. Also gave him real hair.
The Orb and the ring are from Illusion. So it was a big cooperation. I just did the head and crown and told was in dialogue with the seamstress about the look of the outfit all the time.













Last but not least, I also created the Throne of Charlemagne:

Original:


My version:

What a great figure, even when his outfit might not be historical its still a fantastic work and a fantastic cooperation between some really talented folks. The throne is really nice too, I didn't even know his throne was still around to these days, very interesting.

Nobody really knows what he looked like so you have a lot of leeway. Durer's depiction is as good as any other.  I love what you have done - both the character and the throne. There isn't much point trying to replicate the clothing too closely because the depictions show the regalia from a later time period. Apparently, Charlemagne was known for dressing simply, even on official imperial business.

That is excellent. The finished project, with the throne, environment and all the work done by everyone is just amazing. Again, congratulations on your win.

Fantastic work! Awesome figure!

How exquisite!!! You captured the look of those portraits so beautifully. The headsculpt you chose is also a great interpretation of that Durer portrait. Even better that you added real hair, and to top it off....you included the throne!

I was admiring this earlier on my phone, and glad I'm looking at it on my computer screen now. Absolutely gorgeous rendition of Charlemagne based on the Durer portrait and Franz II. The work on the costume, the crown, the head, and the throne is just excellent. You can futz with the loros (the scraf-like element) to make it hang a little over the belt like in the Franz II portrait. Or have it hang out, like in Durer's rendition of Charlemagne. Your decision to include the throne was brilliant, as was your rendition of it. If you are looking to add to all this down the line, consider some cushions and drapings -- I have a vague memory that somewhere there is a reconstruction of what would have gone over the bare panels. Thank you for sharing, and congratulations again for your fully-deserved prize. Cheers also to Ovy and Illusion for helping out with this remarkable project.

Such a glorious masterpiece, these kinds of historical recreations are growing on me. It's awesome what can be accomplished between collaborators like this, a tremendous project in itself and everyone delivered. Beautiful craftsmanship and photography, and kudos again for the win. I only wish the coat flowed a bit more naturally, but understandable with the material used, and then we probably also wouldn't be able to see all of the intricately detailed embroidery.

Oh this looks fantastic! And I LOVE that it was a collaboration! That makes the project all the more precious.

Thanks all for the kind words. I'm also a big fan of collaborations in the hobby, since we have so many great specialists for various tasks. Why not make use of that?
I already worked with several people to make me stuff for my Pizarro back than and I have more ideas for future characters (not all historical)

It will be harder and harder to find characters not made by big companies (coo already have a Barbarossa at pre Order now and HH released their Caesar already - and I'm sure we will see more and more historical personalities over the next few years.) But it is still fun to have projects like this.

In between, this board keeps me inspired (and I need to find more time to comment)

You're welcome, Valiarde! Thanks again for sharing your amazing creations with us!

And I totally agree about collaborations -- these should be encouraged, imo. Because this hobby is a 'mixed media' hobby, it's almost impossible to 'master' every single craft that goes into these figures on one's own. Of course, there are some incredible artists who do it all and do it well, but many of us don't have the time or energy to be a perfectionist in every area. So it's always nice to see skills combined like that.

I hope you will do more historical figures in the future -- it doesn't matter if an official company has already made the same person, because your version of them will always be more unique and interesting compared to a mass-produced one.  I mean, despite the fact that Hot Toys started making most of the SW characters I had originally planned to make, I decided to press on with my original plan and to create my own custom versions anyway. Sometimes there's an extra appeal of having something that is one-of-a-kind. : )

skywalkersaga wrote:You're welcome, Valiarde! Thanks again for sharing your amazing creations with us!

And I totally agree about collaborations -- these should be encouraged, imo. Because this hobby is a 'mixed media' hobby, it's almost impossible to 'master' every single craft that goes into these figures on one's own. Of course, there are some incredible artists who do it all and do it well, but many of us don't have the time or energy to be a perfectionist in every area. So it's always nice to see skills combined like that.

I hope you will do more historical figures in the future -- it doesn't matter if an official company has already made the same person, because your version of them will always be more unique and interesting compared to a mass-produced one.  I mean, despite the fact that Hot Toys started making most of the SW characters I had originally planned to make, I decided to press on with my original plan and to create my own custom versions anyway. Sometimes there's an extra appealing of having something that is one-of-a-kind. : )

Well said, S.

Wow, just wow ! The Character is amazing and the throne and Hall. The sunlight behind the beautyful window is fantastic. Thanks for showing

Whoa! Truly impressive craftsmanship!

Phenomenal build of a hugely important figure in western history. Great work! Bravo!