A good start to 2025!

I'll mostly let the photos do the talking for this post! I 

2 Battalions of 3D printed Dutch militia for Stephen (160 3D printed Epic compatible figures)

Another batch for Old John (finished today).

As you can see from the photos I am also putting together some cut down Epic ACW's for a dedicated Fire and Fury, reduced size bases (stands) of 6 infantry, It's just something I had wanted to return to for years and this is such an affordable and quick way to do it, it will keep me occupied for a few months ahead at least! Painting is fast and furious for this one but they look OK in massed ranks I think? So far nearly 80 bases down already, I'm starting with a Division per side of about 4 to 5 brigades plus artillery.

'Gulliver' 1/72nd Confederate cavalry and Strelets Austrian infantry 1705.

 Really enjoyed painting these 12 plastic cavalry, made in Germany in 1993 by 'Gulliver'. Lovely horses, three are attached to the base by just one leg so I added a small touch of super glue to strengthen the joint. These are of course for Old John.

Next is another box set of Strelets Austrian infantry, this time in Attack poses, 30 figures. These go with the Marching pose set I painted last week (below). I also painted 14 French Engineers, resin prints by BUM of Spain!

After these I'll be starting work on the first 4 battalions of 3D printed Epic compatible Dutch Belgians for Stephen, each of 80 figures.

In the New Year I'll have another exciting and substantial new commission on the way from Mark but more on this after Christmas.

Latest video - John's ACW's.

 I'm enjoying myself - in conjunction with John of course - putting these photo montage videos together! This one looks at just some of the ACW's painted for John over the last 14 years plus a step by step series of images painting the some Confederate cavalry.

'Old John' The Movie !

 As I'm very much enjoying the progress of my YouTube channel I recently invested in a subscription to Power Director in order to work on improving my video editing ability. The latest offering from 'Gruff Mumbling Productions' represents a slight step forward in that it is by way of a series of images of figures that I have painted over the last decade or more for Old John with a narration overlaid. Early days but I'm slowly getting the hang of things!

John and I are now going to work on another video featuring as many of the ACW figures as possible that I have painted for his huge collection. I hope to improve on the production quality. 

THis one features some of my personal favourites as well as a few shots of John's wargame room and table as well as the man himself. There are also a couple of shots of WSS Les Higgins cavalry I painted for Tony ('Foy') some time back. Not exactly seamless quality but fun to do.

A new cornfield & more Mahdists!

 Oh yes, it's cornfield time again! I just could not resist making another one for my AWI project, this time a non hex based field but with the same lift out centre section that can accommodate a single base unit for DBAWI. Same plastic product, not cheap at £16.00 but well worth it and I enjoyed making it. The field is 120mm x 80mm so can only really be used one way facing but that's fine on my small table.

I'm busy packing up the Indian wars project ready for collection by Mark hopefully before Christmas but still getting plenty of painting in, another 20 bases of Epic ACW's for Noel with more for Old John next before starting on some of the 3D Dutch Napoleonics units for Stephen so ticking over nicely.

The final 10 painted figures for the Pony Wars commission! 5 Indian scouts mounted and dismounted.

Currently painting some British Artillery for the Sudan project having added more Dervish and Beja troops for the Mahdist army.

More Sudan progress!

A quick photo post, Peter Pig 15mm Colonial range so far. Added 3 bases of Mahdist cavalry, one of camels and Highlanders in kilt plus a British command base (couldn't resist a redcoat on there).Really enjoying painting these. Just arrived in the post are more Mahdist infantry, British artillery and Egyptian infantry.