Départ en croisade des Normands 1096, departure of the Norma

[stephane42]

Hello everyone,
It's been a while since I posted. I had to finish this diorama first: the departure on crusade (first crusade) of the Normans.
Duke Robert CourteHeuse gathers his 441 knights (I didn't make 441 otherwise I wouldn't have finished yet...) to go on a crusade.

The figurines are 90% Reconquer design and 10% Northern Crusades.
Enjoy the photos:














All the shields are made in house like the banners. It's taken from the Bayeux tapestry as well as historical comics.
Good day to all

[Peter]

Wonderful work with a lot of very nice painted figures! Thanks for sharing!

[stephane42]

Thank you Peter for your comment.

[Konrad]

Without question one of the most vivid scenes I have ever seen.
A clean and colorful painting.
And the photos are very well done.
The first one in particular is very well taken.
My respects to those Normans.

[MABO]

I also like the dio, as much as I like the Normandie. Very great job. Super painting and arrangement of figures and landscape. Is the church scratchbuild?

[Bill Slavin]

Very nice work, nice attention to detail. And I like your treatment of the foliage - I was going to say fall, but probably spring if they are off to the Crusades!

[Ben90]

Your scene looks fantastic! Wonderful work!

[Rich W]

Beautiful work. Very interesting topic.

[stephane42]

Thank you very much for your comments.
It took me two years to do it.
I searched a lot to create the vegetation. The trees are real small trees to which I added small stems which are stems of real flowers and then flocking.
The foliage is for autumn because they left at the end of September on a “pilgrimage”.
The church is entirely scratch-built.
It's true that photos are also important because the only way to show it on the web. But it will be visible in Montbrison in France in October...

[C M Dodson]

Very nice work indeed.

The painting is excellent and so are the compositions and story being told.

The foliage brings the whole thing together in my opinion.

Well done indeed.

Best wishes,

Chris

[k.b.]

Absolutely brilliant piece of work Stephane. I love absolutely everything about this diorama of yours, subject, trees, church and the delightful banner and shield designs. You mention that many were inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry. Does that mean you painted them all by hand? If so, they are magnificent. If I were to add some constructive criticism I might say that a few extra folds in the banners fluttering in the air could have been more convincing. I think they’re all a bit flat. Saying that I would need to research real photos of flags and the effect wind has on them to fully substantiate my comments. I’m just giving you my first thoughts on what is really a monumental work of art. Perhaps some areas of trampled grass could also have added to the realism as the effects of heavily armored mounted knights having walked all over it would certainly have changed it considerably.
All in all I take my hat off to you Stephane and thank you for posting here on Bennos.

[T. Dürrschmidt]

I have never seen a scene like this. Crusader depart for the holy land. Such a great idea! My favourite picture is the first one. I like it a lot!

Deus lo vult.

[stephane42]

Thank you for your super laudatory comments, I would say too laudatory. I don't think I'm at the top but I aim for realism. Thank you for your comments which help me improve.
The flags fly with some folds but the photos don't make it clear enough. It's true that the grass could have been more crushed...I can still fix that.
All the "coats of arms" were made with a printer on decal paper to be flawless because painting them by hand I wouldn't do it with as much regularity.
Best regards.
Deus vult!

[JurgenH]

Wonderful work .I am thrilled.
Jürgen

[Kekso]

Awesome diorama. Me like it.

[Iceman1964]

Great diorama, professional pictures, perfect trees and super figures painting.
Best compliments Stephane !!!!

[stephane42]

Thank you men,

[Santi Pérez]

Another of your wonderful historical dioramas, stephane42. I love everything about it, both the figures and the scenery. A superb masterpiece.

Santi.

[sansovino]

Wonderful theme, creation and colorful painting. I can really immagine how the knights were starting in a small norman town their crusade. Your scene remind me also a little bit of an old movie with Charlton Heston: The warlord.

[Michael Robert]

Very beautiful diorama, Stéphane, and close to my heart. I live in Normandy and this story touches me directly.
Actually, I have never seen these figures before: "Reconquer" and "Northern Crusades" you say. Will try to track them
Greetings
Michael