Wow its been a month since I posted. Well not a lot has happened painting wise in the last few weeks, I started some Prussians but then the World cup started and the NZ games are in early morning. I've also managed to injure myself in several ways playing football so hobbling around trying to get wargames figures out simply hasnt appealed. And then yesterday I had the undisputed pleasure of having a blood clot removed from lower back which has bought me much happiness, it was all my wildest dreams come true, big needles, big scalpels and I can't sit down and I aint painting anything standing up or laying on my front.
But a new month and Im in the mood for painting.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Pictures from last post.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
May 19th
No pics as of yet -My painting usually occurs between 8.30pm and 11pm and at the end of a night I'm too lazy to then sort out a shooting area and then upload them to the camera etc. I will do it with the finished figures but not with half painted
Currently I am finishing the Russian Finland Dragoon Regiment, Prussian Landwher Cav, some Generals and another Prussian gun crew for a game that is being planned in a few weeks time. At the moment for the cavalry I'm painting the riders only and will then do the horses en-masse with some ink washes and a spray can (Somehting I picked up off (http://itinerantwargamer.blogspot.com/). The Russian Dragoons are Old Glory and I realised half way through that I had made a booboo in the order in that my troopers are 1804 helmet but the Officers are 1812 helmet. Gosh darn it ! But its my own fault.
This weekend I plan to rebase my existing Allied Infantry units onto double bases (as currently 24 single based figures causes some issues) and then also have them boxed properly. I have also painted two new standard bearers (one Russian Count Astabsky Grenadier and one Prussian 16th Infantry) as my existing standards are for the wrong units.
My first Perry Dragoon is almost done and man does he look fantastic. I only started one figure as I couldn't resist it and hopefully soon I can finish the rest of his unit, the Italian Garde Dragoons and the rest of the plastics (Neopolitan Infantry, Belgian Infantry, Highlanders and a Perry Hussar unit (yet to be decided)
Also progressing is my 15mm force - . So far I am 25% of the way through the III Cavalry Corps of the Grande Armee and I think in total I have enough figures for 2 Corps and 1 cav Corps. I have decided to base my figures for AoE as i)I have the rules and ii) They suit what I want to do as I wish to do refights but not blow and arm and a leg on figures and iii)The base size matches (near enough) some other rulesets. I took part in the Christchurch Napoleonic refights in the 90's and they were great fun and its something I plan to get into again even if its for a one off demo game.
I like 15mm but as I have substantial 28mm armies I dont really have the desire to have 15mm armies made of millions of figures (eg : 20+ infantry to a battalion) so I quite like the smaller unit representations (eg 24th Dragoons is 3 bases of 2 figures each ) - it also allows me to play larger scale games than encounter actions my 28mm armies get (Limited to Table size not figures)
Currently I am finishing the Russian Finland Dragoon Regiment, Prussian Landwher Cav, some Generals and another Prussian gun crew for a game that is being planned in a few weeks time. At the moment for the cavalry I'm painting the riders only and will then do the horses en-masse with some ink washes and a spray can (Somehting I picked up off (http://itinerantwargamer.blogspot.com/). The Russian Dragoons are Old Glory and I realised half way through that I had made a booboo in the order in that my troopers are 1804 helmet but the Officers are 1812 helmet. Gosh darn it ! But its my own fault.
This weekend I plan to rebase my existing Allied Infantry units onto double bases (as currently 24 single based figures causes some issues) and then also have them boxed properly. I have also painted two new standard bearers (one Russian Count Astabsky Grenadier and one Prussian 16th Infantry) as my existing standards are for the wrong units.
My first Perry Dragoon is almost done and man does he look fantastic. I only started one figure as I couldn't resist it and hopefully soon I can finish the rest of his unit, the Italian Garde Dragoons and the rest of the plastics (Neopolitan Infantry, Belgian Infantry, Highlanders and a Perry Hussar unit (yet to be decided)
Also progressing is my 15mm force - . So far I am 25% of the way through the III Cavalry Corps of the Grande Armee and I think in total I have enough figures for 2 Corps and 1 cav Corps. I have decided to base my figures for AoE as i)I have the rules and ii) They suit what I want to do as I wish to do refights but not blow and arm and a leg on figures and iii)The base size matches (near enough) some other rulesets. I took part in the Christchurch Napoleonic refights in the 90's and they were great fun and its something I plan to get into again even if its for a one off demo game.
I like 15mm but as I have substantial 28mm armies I dont really have the desire to have 15mm armies made of millions of figures (eg : 20+ infantry to a battalion) so I quite like the smaller unit representations (eg 24th Dragoons is 3 bases of 2 figures each ) - it also allows me to play larger scale games than encounter actions my 28mm armies get (Limited to Table size not figures)
Friday, May 7, 2010
Friday Night Basing
So I pulled out my Allied cavalry as it occurred to me I only had 1 unit painted (The last game I sneakily substituted some Westphalian\French Cav). So I started the simple task of glueing them to cardboard and I guess I got a little carried away as I have done;
12 Russian Cuirrassiers, 18 Russian Dragoons,16 Prussian Uhlans, 12 Prussian Dragoons,20 Prussian Artillery Crew, 8 Russian Horse Artillery,30Prussian Landwher,30 Prussian Reserves,20 Prussian Line and 6 Prussian Mounted Generals. So lots of Blue to paint !
And remaining to base\paint are
50 Pavlov Grens,30 Russian Musketeers(Bicorne), 20 Russian Line, 20 Grenadiers,16 Russian Jager,140 British, 12 KGL Hussars, 20 Austrians,36 French Cav and 40 French Infantry (YESH).
Where did all these figures come from ?
Ive also picked up a ready made DBA army - Ancient Britons.
12 Russian Cuirrassiers, 18 Russian Dragoons,16 Prussian Uhlans, 12 Prussian Dragoons,20 Prussian Artillery Crew, 8 Russian Horse Artillery,30Prussian Landwher,30 Prussian Reserves,20 Prussian Line and 6 Prussian Mounted Generals. So lots of Blue to paint !
And remaining to base\paint are
50 Pavlov Grens,30 Russian Musketeers(Bicorne), 20 Russian Line, 20 Grenadiers,16 Russian Jager,140 British, 12 KGL Hussars, 20 Austrians,36 French Cav and 40 French Infantry (YESH).
Where did all these figures come from ?
Ive also picked up a ready made DBA army - Ancient Britons.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
May Musings
I finally got the camera out after some painting. I've been doing a good 1.5 hours a night most nights and I have to say I'm enjoying it. I'm painting a mix of figures as I have found that I just bump from project to project and never finish anything, so if I mix three projects at once I can then progress each one. There is a method to my madness you know :).
Below are the 95% finished Voltigeur Company of the 4th Neopolitan Infantry. A few touch ups are needed here and there (the faces and some other areas) - I also did the command elements (not pictured) and I need to glue a new standard on the Eagle. I really like the uniforms - the mix of colours appeal to me and the Victrix figures are great.
Next in line are the Grenadiers and a standard inf company. They should look quite snappy with the mix of white and red.
95% finished Pavlov Grenadiers (and a dead frenchman). Again some slight touchups needed (and a standard !) but they look quite good for my ability. The drum needs some work though as I never have a clue what the drums are supposed to look like. I have a tonne of casualty figures that Im also doing as though to add some flavour or even make some larger bases for my generals.
Russian Cuirrassiers (Old Glory) - I started these three a while back and I cant even remember what unit they are supposed to be. So start again ! Have only worked on the white uniform and face basecoast so far as am working over old painting. My notes are all on my work PC so will need to reorganise and get things noted everywhere (with the figures might help !)
And some more 15mm French\Naples types. These are TTG\Battleline figures that I picked up yonks ago -some gnomish characters but what the hell - Ill paint them anyway. Left to right - Neopolitan Chevaux-Leger,Line Lancers (Unit number to come) and some Dragoons (unnumbered as well)
And finally the beginning of Princess Arabella's Army, not sure what this uit is as I have to make the history of this imagination nation. I vaguely recall the lads in green are Irish mercenaries while the Red coated fellows are the Foot artillery. Again these were half painted figures I started working on again. hopefully the next lot are more detailed and crisp. im going to have fun developing this "nation" and I have even been making flags.
And even better news is that I now have some Perry Dragoons and Hussars :). Some more Neopolitan\Italian dandies are going to be shown off.
Below are the 95% finished Voltigeur Company of the 4th Neopolitan Infantry. A few touch ups are needed here and there (the faces and some other areas) - I also did the command elements (not pictured) and I need to glue a new standard on the Eagle. I really like the uniforms - the mix of colours appeal to me and the Victrix figures are great.
95% finished Pavlov Grenadiers (and a dead frenchman). Again some slight touchups needed (and a standard !) but they look quite good for my ability. The drum needs some work though as I never have a clue what the drums are supposed to look like. I have a tonne of casualty figures that Im also doing as though to add some flavour or even make some larger bases for my generals.
Russian Cuirrassiers (Old Glory) - I started these three a while back and I cant even remember what unit they are supposed to be. So start again ! Have only worked on the white uniform and face basecoast so far as am working over old painting. My notes are all on my work PC so will need to reorganise and get things noted everywhere (with the figures might help !)
And some more 15mm French\Naples types. These are TTG\Battleline figures that I picked up yonks ago -some gnomish characters but what the hell - Ill paint them anyway. Left to right - Neopolitan Chevaux-Leger,Line Lancers (Unit number to come) and some Dragoons (unnumbered as well)
And finally the beginning of Princess Arabella's Army, not sure what this uit is as I have to make the history of this imagination nation. I vaguely recall the lads in green are Irish mercenaries while the Red coated fellows are the Foot artillery. Again these were half painted figures I started working on again. hopefully the next lot are more detailed and crisp. im going to have fun developing this "nation" and I have even been making flags.
And even better news is that I now have some Perry Dragoons and Hussars :). Some more Neopolitan\Italian dandies are going to be shown off.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
15mm
The starting 8 Neopolitans, 8 Pavlov Guard and 2 french casualty figures (for the lulz) are coming along very nicely. They only have the straps and some tidy up to do and then I can move onto finishing the Neopolitans and then the Pavlovs. The Voltiguer company really really stand out - white uniform, pink facings and yellow\green plumes - they look like Liquorice allsorts :). but I am very pleased (pics to come tomorrow).
And I have undertaken the final task for my 15mm ( as in painting them). The Spanish 15mm army started in 1997 with TTG figures (now battleline) and those Spanish figures are actually very very good. I also have Essex and some other ranges and they are all equally comparable. Today I based (for painting) 100 odd spanish (Line,Guard,Militia,Dragoons, Guns) and hopefully they will join the other 200 odd I have. Then the next problem will be the rules but until they are painted they wont be based. Hopefully the local RSA gamer secene get the 15mms going. I dont know how many iterations and rulesets this army has been designed for but each change has meant getting more figures (I'm a sucker for planning in advance)
My french however are a real "bastard" lot. They are the spawning of winning numerous EBAY and Trademe auctions and consist of Old Glory, Essex, Minifigs,lancashiregames,TTG\BL,AB and god knows what else. A wired mix of figures but I plan to try and get all the figure types into Division\Corps so that at least together they look uniform. While the TTG\BL figures are gnomish I actually dont mind them too much when they are all together. but when its mix amd match it looks like a freak show has come to 1812.
Below is a very old pic (2 years old) of the first 15mm Spanish I painted in 1997 for Shako. They are TTG\BattleLine figures and they match most other manufacturers that I have. Of course in 1997 the internet was a newish thing and Research on Spanish uniforms was on existant so the uniforms are a bit of a mess.
But I digress - this only starts when my Neopolitans are finished (and maybe the 92nd Foot, possibly the Russian Cuirrassiers and Dragoons, some more Prussian Militia and maybe even some Uhlans)
And I have undertaken the final task for my 15mm ( as in painting them). The Spanish 15mm army started in 1997 with TTG figures (now battleline) and those Spanish figures are actually very very good. I also have Essex and some other ranges and they are all equally comparable. Today I based (for painting) 100 odd spanish (Line,Guard,Militia,Dragoons, Guns) and hopefully they will join the other 200 odd I have. Then the next problem will be the rules but until they are painted they wont be based. Hopefully the local RSA gamer secene get the 15mms going. I dont know how many iterations and rulesets this army has been designed for but each change has meant getting more figures (I'm a sucker for planning in advance)
My french however are a real "bastard" lot. They are the spawning of winning numerous EBAY and Trademe auctions and consist of Old Glory, Essex, Minifigs,lancashiregames,TTG\BL,AB and god knows what else. A wired mix of figures but I plan to try and get all the figure types into Division\Corps so that at least together they look uniform. While the TTG\BL figures are gnomish I actually dont mind them too much when they are all together. but when its mix amd match it looks like a freak show has come to 1812.
Below is a very old pic (2 years old) of the first 15mm Spanish I painted in 1997 for Shako. They are TTG\BattleLine figures and they match most other manufacturers that I have. Of course in 1997 the internet was a newish thing and Research on Spanish uniforms was on existant so the uniforms are a bit of a mess.
But I digress - this only starts when my Neopolitans are finished (and maybe the 92nd Foot, possibly the Russian Cuirrassiers and Dragoons, some more Prussian Militia and maybe even some Uhlans)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Suppliers
Now Im quite an open and honest guy and I understand that figure manufacturers may have issues. Like the issues the Calpe Miniatures guy had with his vulcaniser which lead to some supply issues. Thats fair enough - he warned people about it and it was all above board.
I have dealt with many suppliers, Foundry\Front Rank\Caliver\Baccus\Old Glory\Victrix and they have been excellent. The small orders I have made form Foundry were dispatched the next day and the others were fairly the same. The lads at Victrix were excellent and helped me out when my nephew lost my instructions for the French Line - they sent me a pdf replacement via email. Teresa at Old Glory 25s is fantastic and my hats go off to most suppliers, Front Rank great, Redoubt great, Doug at MSC is fantastic.
All excellent except for Black Tree Design who are, quite frankly, the worst.. Dealing with this company is like shoving your head through a woodchipper only you have it turned off halfway through. I have had two orders take over 6 months to complete, the last order was made in August 09 and in Oct i recived half of the order. My attempts to get old of them have been wrought with failure and even though a call to the UK from old NZ all I get is "Oh yes we have it" and then nothing. It is damn April now and Im still waiting for my final figures (12 figures and a resin halftrack0. I have almost given up chasing them and am tempted to get my cousin to turn up at thier premises and ask WTF ? I do however recieve all their damn promotional emails yet any question in my order goes to the big loop hole in the sky.
Nothing erks me more than this.
To cheer myself up Im going to look at some 15mm AB french I have and maybe Ill paint some while Im doing the 28mms
I have dealt with many suppliers, Foundry\Front Rank\Caliver\Baccus\Old Glory\Victrix and they have been excellent. The small orders I have made form Foundry were dispatched the next day and the others were fairly the same. The lads at Victrix were excellent and helped me out when my nephew lost my instructions for the French Line - they sent me a pdf replacement via email. Teresa at Old Glory 25s is fantastic and my hats go off to most suppliers, Front Rank great, Redoubt great, Doug at MSC is fantastic.
All excellent except for Black Tree Design who are, quite frankly, the worst.. Dealing with this company is like shoving your head through a woodchipper only you have it turned off halfway through. I have had two orders take over 6 months to complete, the last order was made in August 09 and in Oct i recived half of the order. My attempts to get old of them have been wrought with failure and even though a call to the UK from old NZ all I get is "Oh yes we have it" and then nothing. It is damn April now and Im still waiting for my final figures (12 figures and a resin halftrack0. I have almost given up chasing them and am tempted to get my cousin to turn up at thier premises and ask WTF ? I do however recieve all their damn promotional emails yet any question in my order goes to the big loop hole in the sky.
Nothing erks me more than this.
To cheer myself up Im going to look at some 15mm AB french I have and maybe Ill paint some while Im doing the 28mms
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)