A few mods I had made: on the 1st figure from the left, I modified the shako plate. On the 3rd, I added a scarf. On the last one, I modded the trousers. I thought I'd add a bit of variety.
2011-02-22
6 less to go...
I've just finished these 6 miniatures! I'm quite pleased with the results. I managed to paint a couple of hours a day for a week, that is more than average. Early stage of the project I guess! Yes, I paint really slow.
A few mods I had made: on the 1st figure from the left, I modified the shako plate. On the 3rd, I added a scarf. On the last one, I modded the trousers. I thought I'd add a bit of variety.
I also tried to vary the trousers colours (white being the norm). I gave them a campaign look. The only unpainted area is the pompons, as I'll see later how I arrange my companies.
On this one (above) you can see the shako that I have modified. 'hope you like them!
A few mods I had made: on the 1st figure from the left, I modified the shako plate. On the 3rd, I added a scarf. On the last one, I modded the trousers. I thought I'd add a bit of variety.
2011-02-18
blocking the colours
Still no highlight what so ever at this stage, but I've added the white piping on the uniform, added white on top of grey belts, and a few other bits. I also like to give a quick brown coat on the bases, this gives at once more character to the miniature.
I really like the poses of these Perry sculpts, they're very dynamic!
I really like the poses of these Perry sculpts, they're very dynamic!
2011-02-15
first colours
Next: red collars and white piping!
2011-02-13
painting faces
I've decided to do 6 chasseurs in parallel. First step (well, after cleaning the miniatures from flash and undercoating in black): flesh colours.Here are two close-up (well, I won't zoom any further, you would start noticing all the imprecisions).
And for the whole batch (click for better view):
I think I'll paint the belts next, then the blue of the uniforms, then the white piping.
note: I've actually slightly modified 3 of the miniatures (using putty). More on this when I come to paint those special areas!
And for the whole batch (click for better view):
I think I'll paint the belts next, then the blue of the uniforms, then the white piping.
note: I've actually slightly modified 3 of the miniatures (using putty). More on this when I come to paint those special areas!
2011-02-09
test mini
Ok, don't get too enthusiastic, and don't expect me to keep posting as often in the future!! This mini was painted a week ago when I was experimenting blue colours. That is an officer from the young guard command pack, but that is fine for light infantry. In the end, I decided to go for the following:
black undercoat, Dark Prussian Blue coat, highlight in Prussian Blue (all Vallejo paints). The pompon isn't painted yet, I've got to decide to which company it belongs!
(btw I've never tried the "3 tones technique" that is described in many places.)
so here it is:
It's difficult to take photos. How to get the best light, zoom or no zoom, macro or super macro mode, flash or no flash... I'll need to improve in this domain too - so please don't be harsh on me. Overall I'm quite pleased with the result (the miniature, not the photos). I do not intend to compete with the quality of a Sascha Herm's painting! but it should still be a very reasonable standard. The 2nd picture renders the colours best.
The officer wears the surtout (a sort of campaign jacket). That saved me from painting the white piping... Actually to be honest, I painted the piping to start with! Til I realized that was a mistake...
black undercoat, Dark Prussian Blue coat, highlight in Prussian Blue (all Vallejo paints). The pompon isn't painted yet, I've got to decide to which company it belongs!
(btw I've never tried the "3 tones technique" that is described in many places.)
so here it is:
The officer wears the surtout (a sort of campaign jacket). That saved me from painting the white piping... Actually to be honest, I painted the piping to start with! Til I realized that was a mistake...
minis received!
After 3 weeks waiting, a small packet was delivered to my desk at work (I always get deliveries at work, in case I have to sign). The first 4 boxes of light infantry! There is a LOT of flash to be cleaned up, more than I have experienced before..
see by yourselves (from top to bottom, packs FN71, FN73, FN74, FN76)
I can't wait to start working on them!
see by yourselves (from top to bottom, packs FN71, FN73, FN74, FN76)
I can't wait to start working on them!
2011-02-08
Goals
Time for the first real work update. This consists in the work I have been doing upstream: how many miniatures I'll need, which manufacturer packs to order, how I intend to base the companies. I've always liked to know where I'm going! This doesn't have to be definitive sketch of what will be done (I'm likely to adapt things as I go along), but should give a good picture of the final result.
The usual struggle is to decide how to base the 6 companies. I've looked into different solutions, but I don't like to see a company (4 minis each) spread over multiple bases. Hence I can't have 6 minis per base. With the option I've chosen, I'll have two bases of two Chasseurs companies (8 minis), and two bases of 1 flank company (4 minis). And in case flank companies should be deployed as skirmishers, there will be four skirmishers bases (2 minis).
Now, 24 minis to represent a bataillon is the general use and reflects the 1:20 ratio that is targeted. HOWEVER! I want nice Eagle/Fanion stands... this will add miniatures, but should give a special look to the unit. Add a Chef de Bataillon walking in front of the line, and that makes a total of 28 minis per bataillon. Yes, that's a bit much, but let's face it, it looks much better. If it comes to wargaming one day, one could always say that the stand doesn't count in the numbers.
Another thing to point out about basing. I've seen this on Saxon Dog blog and really liked it: allow some space on the bases in front of the companies. I'll simply do the same!
I've also drawn this other picture to illustrate how the miniatures will be organized:
notes:
1 drummer behind each Chef de Bataillon
1 extra chasseur Captain per bataillon (in the rank)
1 sapeur within the carabiniers company of the 1st bataillon
1 NCO per bataillon (these are minis from line infantry and will need modifications, such as epaulettes)
1 mounted colonel
There won't be any greatcoat (theoritically, the Chef de Bataillon decides if the whole bataillon wears the greatcoat or not). I'll try to give them a slight campaign look.
I've also been training before hand on getting a nice blue colour for my light infantry. But that will be for the next post!
----
edit: on the 2nd picture, the FN codes redirect to the Perry Miniatures packs. In the end I'll be using:
FN71 light infantry, regiment command (1 pack, using 6/6)
FN72 light infantry, bataillon command (1 pack, using 4/6)
FN73 light infantry, chasseurs (4 packs, using 20/24)
FN74 light infantry, flank companies (3 packs, using 15/18)
FN75 light infantry, flank companies, skirmishing (3 packs, using 18/18)
FN76 light infantry, chasseurs, lentil-shaped pompon (1 pack, using 6/6)
FN83 young guard, command (1 pack, using 1/6)
FN04 mounted infantry colonels (1 pack, using 1/3)
FN13 line infantry, NCOs (1 pack, using 2/6)
FN16 line infantry, casualties (1 pack, using ?/6)
Now, 24 minis to represent a bataillon is the general use and reflects the 1:20 ratio that is targeted. HOWEVER! I want nice Eagle/Fanion stands... this will add miniatures, but should give a special look to the unit. Add a Chef de Bataillon walking in front of the line, and that makes a total of 28 minis per bataillon. Yes, that's a bit much, but let's face it, it looks much better. If it comes to wargaming one day, one could always say that the stand doesn't count in the numbers.
Another thing to point out about basing. I've seen this on Saxon Dog blog and really liked it: allow some space on the bases in front of the companies. I'll simply do the same!
I've also drawn this other picture to illustrate how the miniatures will be organized:
notes:
1 drummer behind each Chef de Bataillon
1 extra chasseur Captain per bataillon (in the rank)
1 sapeur within the carabiniers company of the 1st bataillon
1 NCO per bataillon (these are minis from line infantry and will need modifications, such as epaulettes)
1 mounted colonel
There won't be any greatcoat (theoritically, the Chef de Bataillon decides if the whole bataillon wears the greatcoat or not). I'll try to give them a slight campaign look.
I've also been training before hand on getting a nice blue colour for my light infantry. But that will be for the next post!
----
edit: on the 2nd picture, the FN codes redirect to the Perry Miniatures packs. In the end I'll be using:
FN71 light infantry, regiment command (1 pack, using 6/6)
FN72 light infantry, bataillon command (1 pack, using 4/6)
FN73 light infantry, chasseurs (4 packs, using 20/24)
FN74 light infantry, flank companies (3 packs, using 15/18)
FN75 light infantry, flank companies, skirmishing (3 packs, using 18/18)
FN76 light infantry, chasseurs, lentil-shaped pompon (1 pack, using 6/6)
FN83 young guard, command (1 pack, using 1/6)
FN04 mounted infantry colonels (1 pack, using 1/3)
FN13 line infantry, NCOs (1 pack, using 2/6)
FN16 line infantry, casualties (1 pack, using ?/6)
Q&A
Ok, I'll try to make these questions/answers short:
Q: why Light Infantry
A: I like the blue dominant of their uniform. They are also slightly less known and documented than the line Infantry.
Q: why the 5th?
A: not too large numbers (not too much to paint!). And as part of the VI corps, one could easily imagine alternative wargaming scenarios where the 5th could be dispatched on a different front. That is, of course, if one day I start wargaming...
Q: why Perry Miniatures?
A: they're the best. Price isn't the most important thing (I paint slowly, and not large numbers), though they're amongst the cheapest anyway! the most important is they are probably the best researched and most realisticly sculpted French miniatures.
Q: why 1815?
A: As Perrys are the best make, and as they do French Naps for the 1815 period only, it has to be 1815, even though this is not the most prestigious year for Napoleon and his armies...
Q: how to research the uniform?
A: I own some of the famous Rousselot plates, and there is also very good (legal) information on the web. I rely a lot on two websites (both in French...)
Mont-Saint-Jean by A. Cabaret
L'Histoire Autrement by B.Coppens
(oh, and yes, I am French... that helps to read those...)
Comments are here for you (readers) to ask further questions, but I doubt I have many readers yet (though surprisingly, I got a comment of the Joker himself on my first post!)
Q: why Light Infantry
A: I like the blue dominant of their uniform. They are also slightly less known and documented than the line Infantry.
Q: why the 5th?
A: not too large numbers (not too much to paint!). And as part of the VI corps, one could easily imagine alternative wargaming scenarios where the 5th could be dispatched on a different front. That is, of course, if one day I start wargaming...
Q: why Perry Miniatures?
A: they're the best. Price isn't the most important thing (I paint slowly, and not large numbers), though they're amongst the cheapest anyway! the most important is they are probably the best researched and most realisticly sculpted French miniatures.
Q: why 1815?
A: As Perrys are the best make, and as they do French Naps for the 1815 period only, it has to be 1815, even though this is not the most prestigious year for Napoleon and his armies...
Q: how to research the uniform?
A: I own some of the famous Rousselot plates, and there is also very good (legal) information on the web. I rely a lot on two websites (both in French...)
Mont-Saint-Jean by A. Cabaret
L'Histoire Autrement by B.Coppens
(oh, and yes, I am French... that helps to read those...)
Comments are here for you (readers) to ask further questions, but I doubt I have many readers yet (though surprisingly, I got a comment of the Joker himself on my first post!)
2011-02-07
Introduction
Hi all. I decided I'd share my miniatures painting experience with you.
As a matter of fact, I've been painting French Napoleonic minis for a few years. That doesn't mean that I have painted large numbers, nor have I exceptional skills. No, I'm slow at this, I research my work before hand, and I am not intending to join a wargame club before years.
However, I've managed to keep painting regularly 28mm minis for over 3 years now, focusing on a 1815 French army. I've completed a bataillon of Old Guard chasseurs, a bataillon of Young Guard tirailleurs, a battery of the Guard, and a Guard artillery train (I may post pictures of these later). Yes, the usual "beginner" mistake: painting the Guard first. But don't forget, I paint for pleasure before I paint for gaming: gaming is not on the horizon yet.
As time comes to start a new project, I'll try to document it online. I enjoy following painting/wargaming blogs and intend to bring my own contribution to the community. And who knows, I may inspire some of my readers?
Time to announce my new project has arrived
...
drums roll
...
it will be the regiment of 5e Rgt of Light Infantry!
The 5th light served in the VI corps at Waterloo which was initially used as reserve before being involved against the Prussians on the French right instead. Also named "regiment d'Angouleme", its 1st and 2nd bataillons were present during the Belgian campaign and it numbered just under 900 men.
As with my previous projects, I'll be using Perry Miniatures (28mm), I'll use a 1:20 ratio (900 men => about 45 miniatures), I'll use the march attack pose, and I'll base them following usual standards. There will be additional skirmishers for when the flank companies are deployed.
I'm currently waiting for two parcels in the post... one with the first 4 packs of Perry miniatures (FN71, FN73, FN74, FN76), and one with 6 Vallejo paints to complete my set of colours. In the meantime, I'll precise my project.
As a matter of fact, I've been painting French Napoleonic minis for a few years. That doesn't mean that I have painted large numbers, nor have I exceptional skills. No, I'm slow at this, I research my work before hand, and I am not intending to join a wargame club before years.
However, I've managed to keep painting regularly 28mm minis for over 3 years now, focusing on a 1815 French army. I've completed a bataillon of Old Guard chasseurs, a bataillon of Young Guard tirailleurs, a battery of the Guard, and a Guard artillery train (I may post pictures of these later). Yes, the usual "beginner" mistake: painting the Guard first. But don't forget, I paint for pleasure before I paint for gaming: gaming is not on the horizon yet.
As time comes to start a new project, I'll try to document it online. I enjoy following painting/wargaming blogs and intend to bring my own contribution to the community. And who knows, I may inspire some of my readers?
Time to announce my new project has arrived
...
drums roll
...
it will be the regiment of 5e Rgt of Light Infantry!
The 5th light served in the VI corps at Waterloo which was initially used as reserve before being involved against the Prussians on the French right instead. Also named "regiment d'Angouleme", its 1st and 2nd bataillons were present during the Belgian campaign and it numbered just under 900 men.
As with my previous projects, I'll be using Perry Miniatures (28mm), I'll use a 1:20 ratio (900 men => about 45 miniatures), I'll use the march attack pose, and I'll base them following usual standards. There will be additional skirmishers for when the flank companies are deployed.
I'm currently waiting for two parcels in the post... one with the first 4 packs of Perry miniatures (FN71, FN73, FN74, FN76), and one with 6 Vallejo paints to complete my set of colours. In the meantime, I'll precise my project.
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