Berdan's Sharpshooters

Digital Artwork

Software: Corel Painter 2021

Model: Laura Ehlen, IFBB Pro Figure competitor

Berdan's 1st and 2nd regiments of US Sharpshooters were elite units in the Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War. These soldiers were deployed as skirmishers and snipers on the battlefield and did not follow the traditional linear style of warfare. Unlike the majority of Union troops, the sharpshooters wore a dark forest green frock coat with dark rubber buttons(manufactured by Goodyear), issued a Prussian style backpack and kit, tough hide gators for traversing difficult terrain, and most importantly were armed with the Sharps model 1859 breach loading rifle for increased rate of fire. Throughout the war the traditional uniform kit was replaced slowly replaced by more a a mix-matched batch of gear as supply and reissuing became more strained.
My Bio
My artistic theme derives from my love of military history and an appreciation of the female fitness physique. I combine these two subjects together by first depicting the female model in modern context and then reimagining them in a historical or fantasy setting. Though the concept of a female soldier is rooted in reality, their placement in my artwork is often fictional. I am fully aware that swapping the gender roles in my artwork could be seen as pushing a certain political or idealogical agenda but that is simply not the case. Furthermore, I am by no means trying to rewrite history or dishonor fallen soldiers in war. Nor am I trying to be pretentious by creating some kind of controversial narrative.

I have served in the United States military and have been deployed to a combat zone overseas. I have the utmost respect for my brothers and sisters in arms. However, I am also an artist and I must create what I am passionate about. All of the female models depicted in my artwork are real life people. I try to take special care in drawing them as close to their real appearance as possible. I feel that if I intentionally exaggerate their physiques, it does them a disservice to the hard work they've done to develop their musculature. As for my historical themed renderings I try to stay as true to accuracy and authenticity as possible despite the intentional disregard of gender. In summary, I aim to create nothing more than a playful cosplay of female characters.