42nd Highlanders and Scots Greys test paint.

I have completed the 16 figure Highland Battalion, the 42nd foot. I can't tell you how much time I spent on those kilts before going with this simple dark green/blue scheme. I have found that tartans with a distinctive yellow in the pattern are easier to paint in 15mm, but I wanted this to look darker to reflect the 'Government sett'. Overall, it is a speed paint job, but I'm working back to add a few extra details here and there.

I had the two Scots Greys in my old spares box, so I had a test paint in preparation for the full nine figure regiment to come. I'll be going with 3 cavalry to a 'block' so 3 block units for the British and 4 block units (12 figures) for the French. I cannot paint grey horses to save my life so all will be a lighter shade like these.

A British line battalion is undercoated with another to follow.

Edited to add this latest shot of the Swiss battalion - natural light. I'm trying to improve the quality of my images.

French Light Infantry.

I have completed the 12 figure Light Infantry unit, this could be a '4 block' C&C N unit. Gave them some extra highlights over the magic wash which seem to stand out well.

Next up will be a 16 figure battalion of highlanders, again I have given them a few extra touches as I go, the first 8 you see about half painted or so. The tartan will be the last thing painted.

Also a close up shot of another 10mm Penrdaken AWI unit finished this morning.

Firstly - Essex Miniatures 15mm French Lights.

10mm Pendraken AWI battalion in mixed hunting shirts and uniform coats.

More 15mm Essex Napoleonics.

IN my spare time I have been beavering away at the Essex French and having finally made up my mind to use 16 figure line units I have completed the first 5. I added an officer figure as a test paint,  I like the Essex horses. I'm currently finishing off a 12 figure light battalion, these will be just 3 figures per base, 4 bases strong. Commands & Colors remains firmly in my mind as I paint these up, so the possibility of using each base of figures as representing a 'block' is what decided the unit size.

I'll be starting the Brits next and once I have 5 battalions finished I'll do some cavalry maybe. Couple of months and I could in fact have two small armies ready to play with, but I'll see how it goes. I'm finding I can paint these battalions up very quickly now, the Essex castings are perfect for my style and I'm using the magic wash over the undercoat which gives a nice painting surface that does not seem to absorb the brightness of the paint so much, and then again as a varnish wash at the end as I like this  slightly shiny finish. I then touch in light flesh to the faces and hands and strengthen and highlight the belts etc and plumes.

On the commission painting front I'm bang up to date, the priority now is the 300 odd figures left to complete the 10mm AWI project so I'll add some pics of these as I progress.

Blast! ...still can't get the lighting correct.

I had hoped these would turn out much better than they have, I tried a different lamp spectrum but it's too red now. Anyway, some close ups of some the figures for 'Old John' I wanted to send him for his files. I'l try adding more blue light next time to see if I can get more balance. These are metal 20mm figures, I must add a link to John's blog here as he can provide more information on the manufacturer and ranges etc. I understand John owns the masters/moulds for many of the old 20mm ranges. They really are a joy to paint.

I'm just finishing off a Swiss line infantry battalion, had to do it after browsing 'stryker's' blog, let's face it, who can resist them? Pictures once all completed and based over the weekend.

Sedgemoor rebel infantry and Hesse Kessel regiment 20mm

Thought I would just add a couple of pics of the latest 20mm figures completed for 'Old John'. I really enjoyed painting the Rebel infantry and they are nice figures with loads of character.

I think these are old Warrior and Minifigs. The Hessians (in front) are Les Higgins I'm pretty sure.

Commission work - 20mm Cavalry.

These are part of the ongoing painting commission I'm doing for 'Old John'. Lovely old school charm and I try to give them a paint job that matches the style of the figures. John supplies me with a colour reference plate for each unit so it makes things easier. They just need their final matt varnish and tomorrow it's onto a unit of 12 Hesse- Kassel infantry followed by 27 'Sedgemoor' rebels - they should be fun. After that it's back to the 10mm AWI project as I have 300 figures left to complete the American infantry for early July.

Magic Wash - as referred to above is being used only after all normal painting is done, it gives a beautiful result and really brings out all of the paint shades and adds depth at the same time. It should not be confused with the 'Army Painter' style washes, I understand why people use them but I'm not keen on them myself. It takes a final coat of Vallejo varnish well, and I said before I'm now adding a few subtle 'pop' highlights after the MW and before the final varnish.

John's cavalry.

'Magic Wash' and some experimentation.

I have recently been chatting via email to Kevin Louth (Fat Wally) and discussing painting methods and techniques. I am currently experimenting with the Magic Wash formula that he uses and so far I'm really pleased with the results on my own 15mm Napoleonics. A few photos for you look at for now and I will explain in more detail just how I'm using this method. One tip Kev did me was highlighting over the wash to give the figures extra 'pop'. If you look closely you can how a few fast dots of highlight really do pop out at you. I don't general use the Foundry 'Flesh light' but in this case just lining the noses and highlighting the chin etc really works well.

I'll leave you with a couple of links (one to Kevs fantastic web site, with loads of great pics), and a link to the original 'Magic Wash' article.

Here are some of my 15mm Essex French with the wash applied and highlighted over. It's quick to do.

Kevins 'Fat Wally' site ..... just look at all of those beautiful figures!!!!

Dr Fausts painting clinic - magic wash.

Almost ready for the magic wash!

And some 20mm Boyne figures for the collection of 'Old John'. I'll have them all finished tomorrow so I'll post a few pics of the 3 cavalry units.