Commission painting update!

 Right then, so back to the business of painting model soldiers!

I'm currently basing 24 strips (12 bases) of Warlord Epic Spanish Scutatri for customer Leo in the United States as part of his 72 strip order, the final 12 bases set for July. Really enjoying painting these and trying to capture those typical Spanish shield designs.

This coming week I'll be painting two more British Infantry battalions for Mark Lodge which completes his second 'batch'. I have spaced these out over the month as the 18mm AB Napoleonics are very demanding to paint compared with say an Essex Miniature because the detail is so much finer, an example being the strap work which on an Essex figure stands up more which makes accuracy easier. This said the results are very pleasing, latest battalion being the 81st Foot with Buff facings and thus belts.

Need to gold edge the drum and flag pole heads.

Old John Cunningham of course still has plenty left here to work through over the next couple of months at least! A box of Austrian infantry firing line and more Stretlsi units of 24 figures each. John told me that has now covered most of the 96 different poses available in his units and I estimate to have painted at least 20 such units so far which must be an incredible sight on the tabletop.

For Noel in Ireland I have yet another Epic ACW order for July, being mounted cavalry and Zouaves.

I also need to finish the remainder of the Space Hulk figures for David which were exchanged for his copy of 'Battle Cry' ACW 150th Anniversary Edition boardgame ( my painting time for the game which is very hard to find anywhere except at very high cost.).

Overall I'm pretty well booked but will be in a position to accept one more rolling commission once Leo's Ancients are completed and shipped in July. and I'm discussing another possible Warlord ancient project at the moment to replace this.

Model railway progress.

I continue to enjoy the challenge is building my first model railway 'micro' layout and am now at the stage where I begin to add the fine details such as post and wire fence, model sheep, lighting/lamps etc platform furniture/trolleys , flower beds, postbox in the street, maybe a milkman, leaning bicycles etc, the list goes on. I started with a 1960's Ford Anglia on the road over the bridge as my Father had one and I remember going to the car showroom as a boy with him to purchase it so it's pre nostalgia. Lovely little resin printed models and they come pre painted for £4.50. I'll be ordering more 1950's/60's models to dress the road up a bit more. A few more shots.

Graham Farish 3F 'Jinty' tank loco (front) and 4F tender loco (rear)

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