I was beginning to wonder if I was going to find a few hours to finish these guys off before Christmas when suddenly, everything went quiet. Covid made a sneaky flank attack with the new variant bringing back tougher restrictions, the weather turned wintery and my wife closed her dog grooming shop a few days early so didn't need her gofer. Suddenly I had some time to myself while still awake.
 |
| More shiny toy soldiers ready for the wars. (and a 2nd coat of green on their bases!) |
At first it was tricky getting the painting style to match the ones I painted 2 years ago, but it seems to be becoming natural and by the time I had them glossed I was having trouble identifying which 6 of the 16 were new figures.
It helped that one of the things I did instead of painting this week was to rearrange my hobby space. I now have a more comfy set up and chair and can make better use of the available lighting. In fact, it was good enough that I was able to clearly watch my hands shake as I tried to paint the stripes. Can't help but think that's likely to get worse rather than better but I've just about managed to adjust my painting style to minimize the impact.
Now, do I stick with painting for the French Rev or turn to Elastolin and Prince Valiant........wonder what the last game of the year will be....hmmmm.....any requests?
Stripes turned out well, shakey hands and all ;)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've been teaching myself techniques to minimize the issue. The shiny toy look helps :)
DeleteAlways nice to get things straight into action - if you've got enough French Revolution figures for a 'saving Christmas' scenario, perhaps the revolutionaries trying to ban Christmas and the citizens having to get presents to each other avoiding the Revolutionary Guard could work.
ReplyDeleteHmm good idea but I've only been painting for the coalition vs repubic so have hardly any civilians. BUT a Chistmas Eve surprise attack against a Coalition held town or redoubt might just work?
DeleteI think they are charming Ross and deserve an immediate outing.
ReplyDeleteRob makes a good suggestion for a scenario!
Regards,
Greg
Thanks Greg. They are the leading contender now.
DeleteMatching figures after a few years gap in painting is a problem - I'm told you should keep a 'painting diary' to compair paint - but I never do .
ReplyDeleteGiven that I tend to rely on a few basic colours and mix them as needed by eye, I'm not sureI could accurately record proportions. I blame any variations on a mix of campaign fading and variations in materials used by suppliers :)
DeleteThe figs look splendid. Always nice to get a lull on the eve of the Yule. One vote here for Prince Valiant :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm leaning towards the Prince Valiant as the first game of the new year, preferably on the 1st with French Rev as the last game of the year.
DeleteI got a chuckle out of some of your turns of phrase, such as "some time to myself while still awake" and, regarding lighting, "it was good enough that I was able to clearly watch my hands shake as I tried to paint the stripes".
ReplyDeleteThe minis look good.
I've always found stripes difficult, and plaids even worse, but I love various figures that need plaids (Scots, some dwarves, etc.). Someone needs to invent striped paint and plaid paint. ha ha
Happy Yule!
The problem with tartan paint is that it never seems to 'sett' right! :)
DeleteHa!
DeleteSpot on!
>I was able to clearly watch my hands shake
ReplyDeleteIf it's any consolation, you should see how much one's hands shake after 4 or 5 "large, double-doubles" over a 3-hour stretch. There's a reason why I don't paint longer'n 4 hours, y'know(!).
Yeah I've heard some people's hands shake after too much caffeine or not enough of other things....
DeleteGreat figures, they deserve a game now…
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'm afraid that they'll need to be patient till after Christmas!
DeleteAnother fine set of shiny lively figures ...
ReplyDeleteThanks Mark
DeleteHi Ross: what a joy to see these figures progress to their painted status. You’ve done a great job of capturing the ragged look of Revolutionary French armies.
ReplyDeleteShaking hands notwithstanding, the striped trousers are ace.
Merry Christmas to you and yours. M
And to you Mike!
DeleteVery nice indeed Ross…
ReplyDeleteAs long as both hands are shaking at the same time … it’s not so bad…
It’s when they just do their own thing that the trouble starts…
All the best and a Merry Christmas… Aly
Good thing I had a bit of practice when I was young and at sea and trying to paint 15mm highlanders when I was off watch.
DeleteRoss, these figures are just charming. I'd vote to blood the new recruits. French Revolution!
ReplyDeleteCheers;
Eric
Noted! Is solidly ahead.
DeleteThis close, those figures look fine, Ross. They'll look at least as good viewed from a more usual war gamer's distance. The trick I used to minimize hand tremble was to brace my left hand (holding the figure) against something (edge of the desk, usually) and the back end of the paint brush against my cheek. This technique enabled by to paint reasonable shield patterns on my 15mm Byzantine figures. True, one is hunched over like Quasimodo, and needs to stretch the corpus delicti from time to time...
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Ion
Thanks Ion, not sure I could manage that. I just anchor both elbows on the table, look at where I want the brush to end,relax my muscles and go. Not sure my fuzzy eyes could see 15mm shield patterns let alone paint them.
DeleteWassail ! War of 1812 for last game of the year.
ReplyDeleteWassail indeed. I'm afraid 1812 is off the menu though.
DeleteEither game would be good…Nice work on the Revolutionary fellows. I’m waiting to see which Muse visits in the New Year as far as my own painting goes…
ReplyDelete