Not a lot of hobby time this week but I've started uniforming the first regiment of Hat figures.
I seem to remember a time when 1/72 were much easier to see, stayed in focus and stood still to be painted, as well as a time when I could happily paint for several hours. Sighh....
Well, do or die but I think when these are done, the next unit on the table will be 4 glossy toy soldiers.
Born and raised in the suburbs of Montreal, 5 years in the Black Watch of Canada Cadets, 5 years at the Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean followed by 4 in the navy. 25 years with CPC in IT simultaneous with 23 years running a boarding kennel. Inherited my love of toy soldiers from my mother's father. Married with a pack of Italian Greyhounds and 3 cats. Prematurely retired and enjoying leisure to game, maintaining our 160 yr old farmhouse and just living.
I empathise regarding the painting Ross! Nice figures all the same.
ReplyDeleteThey are. Could had fun with these 20yrs ago but on the bright side, they'll look just fine on the table.
DeleteYou know what Ross, I have never really enjoyed painting since I got glasses. I think focussing between the reading and distant parts of the varifocal lenses is the problem. I cannot sit long either 'cos of my back.
ReplyDeleteWe must be getting old.
Take care,
Paul.
Perish the thought Paul!
DeleteIs it just me or are scales getting smaller I'm sure I could paint 15mm figures once upon a time ! , at least 40mm and 54mm seem okay .
ReplyDeleteI painted some 15's this summer. To my surprise they were easier! I think it was that I could see what I was missing so did a sort of impressionist painting!
Deletehmm "couldn't" that should have read!
DeleteRoss, I know have to wear my reading glasses to paint. I don't like that. This likely lad seems to be coming along nicely, hope his buddies are too. You have given me pause to think about doing 1/72md scale figures. Many moons ago, I have vast numbers (it seemed to me) of MPC knock offs of Airfix ACW figures. I think these new fellas could make me want to go back to plastics again. How are you prepping/undercoating them to prevent the "F" word....flaking...
ReplyDeleteCheers;
Eric
Those mpc figs from the 80's were the basis of my reborn ACW armies.
DeleteI wash them in detergent, brush on an undercoat of acrylic paint often burnt sienna or grey but medium blue here, with a tiny bit of acrylic varnish mixed in. Gesso would probably be better.
Then I block in the main colours, sometimes with a few highlights, add equipment, flesh etc then a dark wash and finally acrylic varnish. Seems to hold up pretty well.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI'm using grey Gesso these days on pretty much everything. I'll maybe see about getting a box and trying that out. If it works, I might be tempted. Thanks for the tip.
DeleteEric