Thursday, August 30, 2012

Chasseur painted and complete!


Hi all!

Well, my sculpt and painting of a guard for Napoleon is done!

Here he is above.  The figure that served as the basis is to the right.

I had to sculpt on a new leg (and remove the old) cut away the staff and adjust the arm, get rid of the epaulets, add the gun, add the lace, make the pelisse, make the colpak and associated hat bits, sculpt on a new hand, add a moustache.. well, and I guess that's it!:)

There are a few things I wish I could retouch, and I know I made a few mistakes (trousers instead of boots, maybe) but overall I am happy with this; it was a fun project, and importantly it saved me about 18 bucks!:D

Looking at the photos now, they are pretty bad.  I'll have to take new ones tomorrow:(



Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Did a little more work on Napoleon's guard...


Hey all!

Well, someone mentioned that for most of the time Napoleon's guards needed to be in full dress.  So, I added the proper bits to the headgear, and a pelisse.  I think they turned out fine!  I have to say, the details are so important... even after taking these photos I went back and added a hand poking out from under the pelisse, worked on the fur texturing some more, and then worked with the back of the pelisse to get it "sitting" more naturally.  I really enjoy working with the green stuff!:)


Converted a guard for Napoleon


Hey all!

Okay... I decided I needed to do one of Napoleon's chasseur guards for the stand.

However, I really didn't want to spend all that money on a pack of figures... so I decided to convert one!

I used, as a base, this Young Guard figure from Perry.  I had to get rid of a leg and resculpt it... then add the lace and all of that... redo the arm and add a gun... added a moustache... and of course do the colpak.  Overall, though, he turned out well (although the picture looks TERRIBLE.)  He'll look good when he is all painted up:)

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Napoleon stand planned out... take a look!


Hey all!

Well, I've got the basic layout, I think, of my scene for Napoleon himself!

You can see it above... and I included close ups below!



This is a pair of generals reviewing an order of some sort, as an ADC looks at some distant soldiers and tries to ID them.


Officers write out orders, as orderlies prepare to take them.


One particularly cranky looking general is approached by an adjunct, while his hangers-on watch.


A marshal has arrived and is waiting for Napoleon.


Napoleon himself sits, checking a map, while he is brought a beverage.

There are two possible changes/additions... first, if I can find another horse that is standing still, I'll add it to the stand, maybe for an adjunct.

Second, I am not sure where to put my tray of wine and cheese!  Considering balancing it on a bench and sticking it on a stand.

So... there you go!

Monday, August 27, 2012

(Very small) Food!



Well, I didn't have any work to do on the figures for the Napoleon diorama, so I did something else!

This will go on a bench somewhere... the bottle and cup I bought (I can't remember where... I have to look it up), the tray is actually an upside down shield, and the cheese is greenstuff!  Fun!

I may add either a knife and/or some bread.  Let's see!:)

Okay... can Napoleonic folks help out here?

Hey all!

Okay, the figures are ordered... I was hoping that folks could help out.  I know some about my Napoleonics, but I certainly don't know enough about the officers and the fancy outfit guys!:)

So... what am I looking at in these packs?

The one below... what are those different officers?  Particular regiments or ranks?  What are their responsibilities?


And what about this pack?  Who are all of these folks?  Who is that guy with the hat in his hand, and what on earth is he doing?  And most importantly; does anyone have any advice as far as uniform painting for these guys?


Anyway, I'd really appreciate any help from those who know Napoleonics FAR better than I!:)  Thanks!

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Miniatures ordered from Neal

Well... I hate you all.

That said, I ordered the pack of the Generals, rather than the cool hangers on.

I also picked up the pack of guys writing orders, some grass tufts, and a bunch of GW paints... mine are all dry:(

So, when they arrive I'll get cracking!:)

Friday, August 24, 2012

Can I get everyones input on some miniatures?

Hi all!

Okay; I am starting in on a new 28mm Napoleonics project, and I was hoping for some input!

I have this figure sitting around from my last subscription to Wargames Illustrated:


I've had it sitting for a while, and last night I decided that I'd finally get to painting it!

So, what I am going to do is the traditional big scene of Napoleon and his generals/officers.  He is going to be sitting at the front, alone, as seen above.  A number of officers will be sitting behind him, with several waiting respectfully a little ways back, as if they don't want to disturb him.

I am going to use a few packs.  The first I am using is this one from the Perry Twins:


I love this set, particularly because of the table and the officers writing orders at it.

However, I am torn about which set to use along with this.  There are two I am looking at.

The first is this one, of French generals.


The second is this one, of "random" French officers.


I only want to use one of these two, as the costs for using all three are just a bit much for me (unless someone out there wants to split those costs and the figures!)

I like the set of generals because it is appropriate; those are the guys who would be around Napoleon.

However, I like the LOOK of the second set far more; very colorful, and I love that there are representatives of so many different cool units of the French Napoleonic army.  But no generals?  Is that possible?

So; what does everyone think?  Which should I use?  Just as an FYI, this is purely for display; it is not for actual gaming.

Thanks in advance for the input!

Monday, August 20, 2012

28mm Perry Union Siege Artillery


Hey all!

Hung out at a buddy's place last night, and we started taking down his huge zombie set-up and started thinking about what should go up in its place.  Right now it is down to either a 28mm AWI setup or a 15mm WWII setup.

However, in the meantime we took out his redoubt pieces and played around a bit with them.  We stuck a pair of Perry 28mm Union siege guns in there just for kicks, and I thought I would take a few photos!


Sunday, August 19, 2012

Wow... a few flash makes ALL the difference!


Wow.  Compare the top (with my new flash) and bottom (old flash) picture.  Check out the difference the new flash (a gift from my ever-generous father in law, who picked up a new flash for himself) makes.  Wow.


Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Oh boy, THAT isn't good

So, like most folks I was looking through that leaked GW future release schedule.  Looked fine; lots of stuff for The Hobbit... and even though there were a few eyebrow raising ones, it was fine...

And then...






Seriously?  Bofur on Cold Drake?

Oh boy.  Listen, Peter Jackson, meet me at camera 3.

Okay.  I get it.  The movie needed humor, so you made Gimli a bit funny.  You DID sort of leave out what an unmitigated bad-ass he was, but fine.  At least you included the bit with Galadriel in the Directors Cut.

But holy mother of God... if you take Bofur and make him out to be the fat funny dwarf, and then on top of that make him ride a DRAGON, of which there is only ONE at that point in Middle Earth... holy crap I will lose my mind.  LOSE MY MIND.

PJ, don't mess this up please.


BTW, on an unrelated note, the ACW collection sold, and I hope it is making the new owner happy!  Now I just need to find a home for those Gutter Runners!  Seriously, make an offer, ANY offer!:)