Another day another French line infantry unit, just the one this time, entirely Perry complete with command, honour guard and sapper. First here's some work in progress and photos of my travelling kit.
This is my hotel room set up , I had to go to the other side of the island so I brought some figures and paints and as I like people showing how they work I thought I'd share how I do it.I tend to paint the blue jackets first, in a rapid wet brush style and then flesh followed by brown for muskets and backpacks, I've used them in this condition before at a push, then steel, gold red, white, company colours, light blue, orange, a kind of wine dregs purple and green and then a couple of lighter brown colours for the varied water bottles then it's just flags and flocking, probably a title of a blog post down the line! I use a cass art sable 00 for detail work, flesh , gold , red and white, a lot of the heavy lifting, blue and grey is done with a super cheap synthetic 1 from a big pack of brushes from the Works, the other older synthetic is also from the Works and is used to apply water rapidly and clean up as I go so I don't have to go back and repaint. I use a plastic takeaway lid as a pallette, I've also got a travelling little lamp that plugs into a phone charger that I usually use in addition to any existing lights. There's no wash or highlights, I'm using the black primer to give me black for boots and shakos etc and to give me shadow and shade so effectively all the colours are highlights and actually better if I don't do a full coat except for white.
Next up will be the last of the French line infantry units I have with me , so you'll get a rest until I'm back on them in April! I'm looking forward to a change, it'll be French dragoons that I don't have bases for, Austrian or Hungarian infantry , Austrian Cuirassiers or a Confederation of the Rhine unit that's all the choices I have out here!
All the best
Iain
Another great looking unit Iain, and the hotel set up is very practical, and keeps everything in easy reach.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave, it's a compact set up but gives me everything I need!
DeleteBest Iain
Pretty smart set up with your travel paint box. Lovely looking unit.
ReplyDeleteThanks Richard, happy with the unit and the travel set works!
DeleteBest Iain
The Elting book is the best! Very handsome figures with highly effective groundwork atop the bases too. I agree, it is a fascinating sidebar of the hobby to see how others go about preparing units for the tabletop.
ReplyDeleteKind Sunday Regards,
Stokes (Michigan, USA)
Thanks Stokes, I thought it was worth sharing, glad you approved!
DeleteBest Iain
Have the hotel maids commented on your painting and setup? Fine looking Frenchmen, as always.
ReplyDeleteNo I tidy up so nothing gets damaged! I'm used to packing away at the end of the night at home to be honest, conditioning!
DeleteBest Iain
Impressive! I've never dared to carry painting tools when travelling, I admire your capacity. Really cool.
ReplyDeleteThanks Suber, it's because I'm travelling for work, so I may as well move my hobby with me!
DeleteBest Iain
A nice looking unit and a useful travelling paint box…
ReplyDeleteI’ve taken miniatures and paints on holiday with me… There is always a few moments in the day when you can get some paint on some toys.
All the best. Aly
Thanks Aly, if I was on holiday my wife would kill me if I tried to take some figures with me!
DeleteBest Iain
Great looking French infantry, Iain. All the more impressive being painted while in temporary lodging.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dean, nice to keep the hobby going!
DeleteBest Iain
Lovely French infantry Iain! I often take my box of paints and some figures away to the coast on a weekend, it’s good to get some painting done if it’s raining…
ReplyDeleteThanks Cyrus, sounds like a good idea to me!
DeleteBest Iain
I wondered how you were managing it Iain, and especially with regard to lighting as hotel rooms can be quite dim. Lovely stuff.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lawrence, it's actually a hotel light as I'd left my little light elsewhere but your right, they tend to be dark and dingy, I'm sure they would say atmospheric!
DeleteBest Iain
Looking very grande! Almost sharpe! ha ha
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, they do look great! Interesting to hear about your travel/hotel approach, too.
Thanks Fitz, very funny!
DeleteBest Iain
I am very impressed you have the motivation to take the stuff along and then to work on it, stuck in a hotel room, Iain.
ReplyDeleteYou have mentioned/hinted at it...but obviously, you are away from home working for a considerable length of time...possibly even overseas??
Hi Keith, yes , I think I did say before I'm in Jamaica for three months, came out January 20th, go back April 16th in time for Easter, it's a long time if I'm not painting and actually almost all my war of the roses figures, a big chunk of my Italian Wars collection were painted aboard and quite a lot of the napoleonics were assembled abroad, it's better for my liver if I'm painting miniatures, otherwise I'll end up in the bar!
DeleteBest Iain
Jamaica...pretty cool...I definitely missed that. You will have to do some freelance work for Tourism Jamaica....!
DeleteI don't think I'll be up to your standard Keith!
DeleteBest Iain
Another very nice unit, your French army is growing very nicely. Enjoyed reading about your technique and your travel work station
ReplyDeleteThanks Donnie, always interesting to see how others work I think?
DeleteBest Iain
I am absolutely blown away by how many complete units of Napoleonics you are cranking out! You will need to do a march in revue at some point and put them all out on a table (if you can find one large enough!) to see what they look like all together. I'm sure it would be a spectacle!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tim, the end is in sight with the French, maybe Christmas?
DeleteBest Iain
Fascinating to see yourtravelling set up Iain, something that frankly I would never consider doing if travelling abroad, but then I've never spent that much time away from home! The finished product is very effective and should look great once flocked etc.
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve, I once spent nine out of twelve months abroad so if I want to do the hobby I need to find a work around, not great for homelife and I've tried to cut it out but needs must!
DeleteBest Iain
Iain, funny you mentioned the bar. My wife said that a big plus to the hobby was that she would know what I was up to and probably not much in the bar. Trips can either be dull or exciting, but to take one's hobby in baggage is the best. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteYes it's really good for your health this hobby! Don't generally find work trips dull, busy and a bit tough sometimes but it's great to unwind with something nonalcoholic!
DeleteBest Iain
bringing the lamp for the hotel set up is pretty smart. I find rooms to be too dark. 😁
ReplyDeleteIt's only a little one my wife got me for painting on the sofa but the lead got in the way, perfect for travelling and going in hotel rooms!
DeleteBest Iain
Echoing the above comments Iain, the travel box is amazing and, as you are away with work (in the Bahamas you lucky person) what a great way to 'wind down'. Then again, there is the pool, beach, snorkelling (less in the bar perhaps) etc etc. I wish you all the best for the trip and hope that whatever you do is as good as these figures.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris, not much of a swimmer but it's a nice place to work!
DeleteBest Iain
Nice set up and good looking troops.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dai!
DeleteBest Iain
Ah that's a great traveling kit, and the minis came out great of course!
ReplyDeleteThanks on both counts SD!
DeleteBest Iain