Yet again, another 54mm figure from Pegaso. This time it's a private of the 2nd Coldstream Guards at Waterloo. Not a very demanding figure but it is very well sculpted and the parts go together well. The figure forms part of a commemorative boxed set of two figures, one French and one British. I have also included a picture of the two figures comprising the set.
As has become amply clear from recent posts, my main activity for the last few months has been modelling as opposed to painting and gaming with minis. I have rediscovered a passion and fascination that had lain dormant over the years but which suddenly returned with a vengeance mostly thanks to the long months of pandemic isolation. That's not to say I'm not doing any gaming at the moment but it's solely down to board games with the lads of the gaming group. We are currently running the epic Axis and Allies Global War 1939 - a multi player and veritable behemoth of a game which hardly sits comfortably on a table tennis table and which requires multiple sessions to complete. Clearly it has to be left set up and kudos to Dan for his passion and dedicated wargames room as well as to his gentle wife Yuliia for allowing six unruly man-children into her home every Tuesday.
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| Board gaming on an epic scale - Axis & Allies Global War 1939 |
On the modelling scene, I have recently completed two new 54mm Napoleonic figures - a French foot artillery officer and a French line infantryman, both from Pegaso Miniatures. Bases are from Il Basetta, an italian artisan supplying custom made wooden plinths specifically for miniatures. The figures are painted mostly in Vallejo acrylics with exception of the metallics for which I use AK True Metal paints. The mud spattering on the line infantryman was done in oils.
Been a while since I sat down to post something. Doesn't mean I haven't been busy though. Since my last post (gosh, was it eight months ago?), I've completed a few models, managed to actually play a tabletop game (and promptly lost!), have a couple of projects in progress, and have been having regular weekly evening meetings with my gaming group for board gaming. Been on a nice trip in February too.
Once I overcome my posting apathy I hope to eventually post something on some or all of the above.
Today I'll start off with a 54mm Chasseur a' Cheval Garde 1815 from Pegaso Models. Pegaso produce beautiful models, their casting is clear and very crisp making their models really nice to paint. The figure is cast in white metal and is painted entirely with acrylics (Vallejo). This has long been languishing in my war chest and I finally found a good enough reason to fish it out. One of my gaming buddies turned 60 last month so I reckoned it would make a great special occasion present to someone who appreciates this stuff. As a matter of fact it was very well received.
Would've been nice to add an engraved brass plate but I just didn't have the time to find a decent supplier. If anyone knows of a good one I would be happy if they could drop me a name.
Anyway, hope you like it!
Last February I had published a work in progress post of a 54mm French Napoleonic Hussar. Those who missed that post can see it here. The figure has been ready for a couple of months now but being the lazy bugger that I am, it took me all this time to come round to take a few half decent pictures suitable for publication.
The figure itself is from M Model and is painted entirely with Vallejo acrylics. No oils. The figure is finished in ultra matt varnish but the horse has been finished in satin. All reins and buckles are scratch built. This is my second 54mm figure, the first one having been done quite a few years ago and can be seen here. These figures take up quite some time to finish and obviously the level of detail is much higher but they are also very rewarding when complete. And they certainly make eye catching show pieces in any collector's cabinet!
My current project is a 1:72 scale diorama of an Avro Lancaster inspired by a recent visit to the Derwent dam in the UK. This is the place where the famous 617 Squadron made their practice runs before their raids on the Ruhr dams. The build is still in its very early stages (hampered by domestic refurbishment works) so I expect it will be some time before I will be able to present anything of this project. Until then keep well!
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| Monument to 617Sqdn with Derwent dam in the background |
Having finished the 54mm French Hussar (more on this in a future post) and not really having any particular thing going, a couple of weeks ago I decided to paint another Front Rank MAA just as a filler between projects. Rather than present the finished figure, I am posting a set of step-by-step pics showing the gradual build up to the finished knight. Now I know I’ve already done something similar in the past but I like presenting these kind of ‘tutorials’ in the hope that someone might find them useful or somehow inspirationanal. And it's my blog anyway, so there! All pics are taken by mobile phone so apologies for the low quality. Hope you enjoy anyway!
I failed to take pics of the initial phase but it is mainly black primer followed by a base coat of black brown for the horse and saddle. The caparison will be showing a rampant bear motif on a green field with a dark red border. The process kicks off by sketching a basic figure of the bear in brown earth. The first pic picks up from here. All colours Vallejo except for Games Workshop Nuln Oil wash.
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| The rampant bear on the right is filled in with details using a mixture of browns and buff on a field of black green. The border is black red. The basic sketch which forms the basis of the front of the caparison can be seen on the front quarter on left. |
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| To create a separator between the rear quarters I created an ‘embroidery’ pattern with a petalled flower motif |
| Once highlighted, the green field seemed too bare (excuse the pun!) so I added a yellow cross of St Andrew. The ‘embroidery’ pattern is carried on around the caparison border. |
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| The front sinister quarter is completed but the bear resembles more of an otter! |
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| Starting dexter side now. Same process. Sketch, detail, field, border, and finally cross. |
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| Front dexter bear rampant detailled. |
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Field, cross, and border all base coated. I used brown earth as a base for the yellow cross
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| A plant & flower motif is added to the interior lining of the caparison to make it look that little bit richer |
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| Front armour and main saddle strap added |
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| Same stage sinister (left) side |
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| I added some random curly patterns to the saddle to represent wood inlay. Armour washed in GW Nuln Oil | |
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| Base is flocked and horse is complete. Note the saddle pin. |
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| Work now starts on the figure with the face and jupon. I went for a simple linen look so as not to elaborate the model too much. |
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| Lance arm, armour, scabbard and all leather belts still to be done |
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| Added lance pennant and finished! |
