Saturday 31 August 2019

Keeping busy - tidying bases, cleaning and varnishing.

Right, so the Perry's are on the way and Andy now has my Sash & Sabre cuirassiers and Highlander command. The latter will be travelling out with Daughter number two and Grand daughters Lilly and Violet week after next and the Perry's could just take any time as usual. Packages seem to arrive in Spain within a few days and after that who knows where they go until they arrive at Ador Correos, still they get here eventually.

I'm using the time to work through all of my units in order to bring all of the bases up to a standard style and allowing all infantry units to form up in line with the command in the centre. It's been a little messy but it's done now. All the of the figures have also been given a thorough clean with a soft brush and warm water, they were quite dusty. Any of the original figures that were matt varnished have been given a coat of Vallejo satin after the clean up, which is now my standard varnish. The 60th Rifles were one such unit but the Satin sheen has really lifted them, although I know varnish is very much a matter of taste.




Having worked through the British I then did the French. The vast majority of the French were those I originally purchased from Andy early last year. With my additions of extra command groups etc they are actually the work of several painters, one being myself. The style does vary but I simply mixed them in all seven battalions and where shades of blue etc do differ with units I put that down to the ravages of the Peninsular weather, I like the overall appearance. Again I have tied in the bases, I know they are quite thick but need to be if I am to pick up or move what are very weighty figures.

Once everything is finished I plan a grand revue with them all gleaming!






10 comments:

  1. Very nice and I am very interested in the Satin varnish. My matt varnish is very effective - but perhaps too much so!

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    1. Hi Norm, I do like the satin varnish, been using it for years now.

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  2. Busy, and effective, splendid units!

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    1. Thanks Phil, I like the animation in the Sash & sabre figures, those French are really on the move!

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  3. I do like the paint jobs on the 60th, both colourful and weathered at the same time; also the colour tones used don’t clash and I agree that the satin varnish brings out the paintwork better than Matt on these figures - but it’s horses for courses in terms of varnish.

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    1. Hi Rob, those rifles were not painted by myself but a really effective job done on them and I think the satin helps bring out a little more detail.

      Hows the ECW's coming along?

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  4. A satin finish gives a very pleasing result I think. It certainly works well here, as does the slightly variegated appearance of your French units. Perfect campaign dress in my view. Eager to see the review when it comes.

    Best Regards,

    Stokes

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    1. Thank you Stokes. I'm pleased with the results, it's taken over a year to them all organised into units with the bases standardised. If I were staring again I might possibly go for a different, less chunky base style but this is very practical.

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  5. Lee
    A wonderful collection and as you say the satin varnish lifts the figures, I used to use it all the time now I gloss and Matt over although there are many occasions I'm tempted to leave them with just the gloss varnish

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    1. Cheers Graham, I can see myself painting these 40mm's for years to come now, or for so long as I can afford to buy them!

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