Some 3D printed samples!

These turned up in the post last week and I had no idea who sent them until Tony2 asked me if I had received any samples! They are of course digital sculpts and prints in resin  and are the first examples of small scale figures using this technology that I have seen close up. You might  recall the lovely 40mm scale RHA gun crew that the late Ian Smith and I had made about 5 years ago which was my first and last foray into 3D wargame figures (reminder below and I'm still astonished!). 

I see so many files on offer now that it's clear the technology has moved on massively now in the smaller scales. These are 10mm scale, they are quite chunky and to my eyes the horses are somewhat cartoonish, but I'm keen to see how they will paint up. They are also quite brittle and one bayonet was broken BUT clearly there is huge potential. Graham Cummings sent me a link to MC Miniatures yesterday and they sell some really nice looking files for Napoleonics as I had been looking for Brunswickers for Tony. Graham is having some printed but his photo certainly looked most impressive. 

So what do you think about the potential of this technology and it's impact on the hobby? Of course you don't need to even own a printer as there are services out there who will print for you!

Below: From 3D file to painted figure. 40mm scale RHA officer. Commissioned by Ian Smith and myself and printed by Graham Cummings.

More Epics for Waterloo and more 3mm's.

It's been very busy on the commission painting front as I have been working on adding more cavalry for Tony's Waterloo game next month. This batch of figures was shipped off yesterday consisting of 170 British/KGL cavalry (4x Hussars and 4 x Light Dragoons plus 10 Scots Greys to complete the unit), 240 Prussian Landwehr, both British and French personality sets and an experimental Brunswick battalion being a simple paint conversion from the French infantry as Tony requested. Tony will be texturing the bases himself.

Next are another 20 French infantry strips for Charlie followed by another 30 ACW strips for Chris in NZ. After that I'm going to focus on some metals, 15mm Peter Pigs for Graham, 2mm DBA for Geoff, 10mm Fantasy for Simon and then work through 20mm's for Old John which are lots of Polish Winged Hussars!

I have decided that it's about time I had a dedicated FB page for my service so it's now called 'Advance the Colours' bit corny I know but all I could come up with up that's better than 'Lee's Painting Service'.

I'm really not finding a lot of time or enthusiasm to paint for myself but I'm happily jogging along with more 3mm's. I have two DBA armies on the go together as well as the ECW's. This week I've finished 6 bases of Celt-Iberians (warband 3) towards an ancient Spanish army and now have a couple more hoplite bases prepped up for the Greeks. I'm pleased to say that Zoe at Magister Militum has taken up my offer and is using my photos to advertise  their 3mm figures.

I used this internet image as inspiration for the Celtiberians dress and shield designs.

It's Easter and the sun is shining!

Looking forward to a nice Easter roast dinner on Sunday with all the kids and grandkids round as it's been a while since we have all been together. Having a couple of days break from the commission work as it's been hard going recently trying to get as much done for Tony2's Waterloo project whilst keeping up the other Epic scale commitments. In May I might well ease back generally on the Epics and catch up with the other scale stuff I have here, 15mm Peter Pigs for Graham, 2mm's for Geoff, 10mm fantasy for Simon and of course 20mm's for Old John. I thank you all for your patience and ongoing support and only wish that I had two pairs of arms!

Last seven days has seen me painting four regiments of Light Dragoons, the 11th/12th/13th and 1st KGL. Tony will be taking care of all the basing now which frees me up more time to paint. Next are Hussars and Brunswick infantry (from French line) plus the British and French command packs.

I think I might have another DBA bash this morning, Late Carthage v Rome, sticking with the original version of the rules for the time being as I'm happy with them so far. I'm going to finish off the hoplite army, so far 6 bases (below) and also going to do a Spanish army which consists of lots of 'Warband' bases with colourful oval shields. There is something about DBA in this tiny scale that really appeals to me and the Magister Militum ancients range is gradually being expanded.

First 6 elements of Hoplites with some crafty Romans lurking behind them! 3mm.

Have a good Easter break all.

Epic Waterloo!

I'm currently working on painting loads of cavalry towards Tony2's refight of Waterloo planned for June at his home in Portugal. With his permission I share a few photos of the 15' x 5' table being gradually set up for the game. Obviously not all these figures have been painted by myself, the majority were done by the Sri Lankan painting service but I have done all the Prussians, all the French Guard cavalry, artillery etc and this week I'm finishing off 4 regiments of British and KGL Light Dragoons with Hussars to follow.