I have been meaning to update for some time (always excuses, I know), but it's been a juggle working on other web-related projects. I am officially caught up, however, and so can devote a moment to some small bit of proof that I am working on the dolls that I had begun when I started this blog.
Here at the right is a riding coat for James ~ nothing fancy but I love the vibrant "cadmium pale" (I absolutely cannot resist that gouache color ~ everything should be cadmium pale in the world when I paint with it). I took the design from a simple 1840s cut. James ought to have something fancier, so I might make more than one style (he is, after all, all about excess). And of course I have will have to make a horse and a hound (or two) to go with this when all is said and done!
I also finished his West Point Academy cadet's uniform. This is two separate pieces, which is nice because then he can wear those white pantaloons with other coats, etc. And while I personally have a horror of white trousers, I do not doubt for a moment that James would have worn them and fancied them (as well as ones in "buff"). I've never thought of James as someone who would care for the dreary black suits that would dominate the latter half of the century.
While I have not been working on these dolls as much as I have meant to, I hope to step up. I have in addition to these piece here a pair of boots to go with the trousers (riding boots, of course!), and a fancy vest about which I have mixed feelings.
Next on the to-do is a winter coat and yes, I need to work on something for poor Emmaline. It'll probably be either wedding attire or a formal fancy attire for a ball for the both of them. And hopefully before Christmas!