Wednesday 29 November 2017

"In 1799, The 36,000 French Troops In Italy Were In A Desperate State..."

"Supplies of all sorts were inadequate, discipline was breaking down, desertion was increasing..."
This 28mm plastic French Fusilier can be assembled from the numerous components found within the “Victrix Limited” French Napoleonic Infantry 1804 – 1807 boxed set, and will accompany a number of additional fusiliers, grenadiers and voltigeurs which I plan to use for Bob Cordery's "The Portable Wargame". Painted to represent the Infantry of the Line as shown in “Austerlitz – The Empire at its Zenith” by “Histoire & Collections”, the model has only taken a staggering six years to finally complete and is the last of my four weekly submissions for this year’s Mo’Vember Challenge.

The miniature was originally primed with "Citadel" Skull White and had its boots, rifle, pouches, backpack and hat undercoated with Chaos Black. I then began the slow process of 'picking out' all his straps with either "Vallejo" Dead White or Heavy Sienna, and subsequently washing them with either Pale Grey or "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.
"Victrix Limited" Napoleonic French - These two miniatures are approximately half-way finished
The soldier's uniform was painted using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and an old OOP pot of "Citadel" Asurmen Blue, whilst his cuffs and collar were treated to a layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Bloodletter. Finally, the wooden areas of his musket received an application of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, and the metal parts some "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil.

Ordinarily, I don't like to post models on this blog which haven't been properly based, but as this figure will ultimately be one of four super-glued upon a 40mm x 40mm square base, I thought I'd make an exception. In addition, it gives me an opportunity to voice how frustrating an experience I found returning to this miniature after so long was, due to "Games Workshop" (yet again) changing their painting range in between times.
Draconian Statue WIPs - The "Frontier In Space" monument has been primed, coated, washed and dry-brushed
Indeed, the Nottingham-based company's decision to step away from their excellent "Citadel" Foundation paints and washes in 2012, was my main motivation for turning to the "Vallejo" Extra Opaque Game range in the first place. Fortunately, I think Heavy Red and Heavy Blue make a fair substitute for the OPP "Citadel" Mechrite Red and Mordian Blue, especially as I understand the colour consistency of the French uniform during the Napoleonic Wars was somewhat intermittent due to weathering and differing dye pigmentation anyway.

Momentarily stepping away from so detailed a painting subject, I was rather pleased to recently receive half a dozen small resin plinths from "Telfer Model Design". These stone bases will hopefully help me turn a few of my 'superfluous' models into scenic statues, and I've wasted no time in taking a spare Draconian from the "Warlord Games" "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" range and pinning it in place.

28 comments:

  1. Nice work dude. I know what you mean about the GW paints I really liked some of the washes they did but the ones that came after just seem dark and don't cover as well.

    Nice job on the plinth statues I presume these are for terrain purposes?

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    1. Thanks Simon. As memory serves I think the change from "GW" Foundation paints is actually the reason that my Napoleonic project faltered all those years ago, as the new paints were/are inferior and definitely look different imho.

      Yep, the statues will be for scenic purposes and just a bit of fun :-)

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  2. There seems to be no end of paint ranges now a days. It seems a long time ago that I was pushing oil paints over a Historex plastic figure trying to get a seamless blend.

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    1. Yes... I remember painting my first "Citadel" lead minis with Humbrol Enamels, Phil - sends a shiver down the spine these days.

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  3. Only six years to paint a figure! You must be so relieved to have finally finished him! 10 out of 10 for your persistence but 0 out of 10 for your procrastination.

    I stopped using GW paints years ago after being so frustrated at them dropping certain colours and changing others. Now I stick with Foundry paints, which have remained unchanged for years. Plus, I love their triads of colours. A great idea.

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    1. Thanks Bryan. I've certainly heard good things about "Foundry" paints and their triads. I simply went with "Vallejo" as they seemed more obtainable, and apart from their washes, I'm very happy with them.

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  4. Sis years?! Brilliant! I feel so much better about my snail like production rate. :D

    Nice job though Simon.

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    1. Cheers Michael. I'm hoping it won't be six years before the next one is finished :-)

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  5. Great progression with your naps Simon, and the statue and base look great

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    1. Thanks Dave. Hopefully all the mini WIPs on show in this post will be finished soon.

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  6. Merveilleux travail! Bien joué mon amie :-)
    I am SO looking forward to seeing these guys in their respective units - they are certainly going to be a sight to behold!
    As for GW and their ever-changing paint range (surely they don't do it as part of their aggressive marketing do they?!) and increasingly 'daft' names, I take it you already know about the "Coat d'arms" range of acrylic paint????

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    1. Cheers Greg :-) Yes, I did use some of "Coat D'arms" range (and still use their varnish), but have found them hard to obtain at times, which is why I ultimately went with "Vallejo".

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  7. Only historical army I ever completely finished painting was a French Napoleonic one. I even managed to complete a similar Austrian army too. Of course, the fact they were Irregular Miniatures 2mm miniatures helped a great deal, but I can always say I painted a full Napoleonic French army! lol :)

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    1. LOL Roy :-) But well done nonetheless, as that's more than I've yet managed!!

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  8. Nice french infantry type , only 119 more to do ?!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks Iain - And that'll just be the French fusiliers finished ;-)

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  9. I really like how your French soldier has turned out. The detail has been lovingly picked out but the face is just awesome. Well done sir. The statue looks nice, but when will we see the real thing? You have so many projects on the go that delays do seem inevitable, cough-Biromites-cough, but how many years! I think you should just stick to 10 or so ranges and this should help keep down the painting backlog!!!!

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    1. Cheers Undercoat. I have an entire faction of Draconians based, ready for painting, along with some Ogrons and Vervoids. I have a big plan for my backlog coming with the next post ;-)

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  10. Your French figure has turned out really well, you could easily have an army by the year 3000 at your current rate of production (teehee).
    Seeing the Draconian statue made me think you'd won an award for something or other...

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    1. LOL Joe :-) I've a few "Doctor Who" statues in my sights, so keep an eye out for them.

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    1. Thought you'd be pleased Dave - Its a slippery slope so I'm told ;-)

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  12. I hate painting Napoleonic's, so 6 years a figure is about my speed as well. Don't rush them, take your time get bored and start again seem to be my theme tune with their regard.

    Still 1 done is still one done. Bravo sir.

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    1. Thanks Clint. I'm hoping to get the rest of the four-mini base finished within the next six years ;-)

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  13. Nice work on the Nappie there. :)


    The Extra Opaque paints take some getting used to. I don't like the Vallejo washes having tried them, so use a mix of Secret Weapon, Army Painter, plus my stash of Badab Black and Devlan Mud (I still have unopened pots of each of the originals)

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    1. Cheers Leon. Yep, I too don't like the "Vallejo" washes and stick with "Army Painter" and "Citadel". The old washes are fab, and I also horde a few pots of Badab and Devlan, plus Thrakka Green ;-)

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  14. Very nice Frenchies. At the rate youre painting them though mate, you might want to just have one soldier = a regiment. :P

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