The park drag

As I am still waiting for the results of another biopsy, I have had the time to build another carriage, a bit bigger and with a different colour. Here it is!

First, let me tell you what park drags were.
Park drags were coaches in which to see and be seen. Wealthy owners took them to horse races, country picnics, elite summer resorts, or simply on tours.

As I mentioned it in my last post, I asked my friend Julie Campbell  http://www.juliecampbelldollartist.co.uk/ from England to create people to sit on the coach and I received them yesterday. They are just amazing.

First, the coachman:

He is a strong man, with big side whiskers and a ruddy face, able to control 4 frisky horses and a heavy vehicle in all weathers, rain or snow on hills and slopes. And the roads were probably not as smooth as ours, with a lot of potholes... Julie managed to give that impression so realistically! His face shows he has no problem to control his four grey horses.

The first two passengers:

The old lady probably had too much brandy in her tea and she's taking a nap, her hands tucked into a fur muff for the cold. She looks very quiet, though I think real passengers were very scared to ride a coach, considering the height and the lack of protection in case of a problem. Have sweet dreams, lady!

Her companion, maybe her son, looks slightly amused, watching her asleep. Both wear warm winter clothes and he wears gloves.

Julie has really given that scene a lot of atmosphere because each character has its own personality and there are amazing details, such as tiny, tiny buttons or the old woman's bonnet ! I really love them and they add so much to the scene.

I will add some props, like baskets and bags behind the passengers.

Now here is a view of the coach with the first 3 characters

and a close-up of the coach...

Next, Julie will create two or three more people who will sit behind. I must say I can't wait to see what she will imagine.....!

This common project has been a challenge for both of us and we have exchanged a lot of ideas on Line, but I am really happy with the outcome.

As I can't stop working, I am building a hearse with a pair of black horses, inspired from this old photo...

Thanks for your comments on my previous post, I will reply to each of them but be assured it is always to read from you.

All the best,

Patrick