"The Russian Army Refused To Engage With Napoleon’s Grande Armée..."

"...Of more than 500,000 European troops. They simply retreated into the Russian interior."

This 28mm scale metal model is sold by “Wargames Foundry", and can be purchased as part of their RN023 Infantry in Oilskin Covered 1812 Shako Marching set. The figure is one of eight similar-looking Napoleonic Russian soldiers sculpted by Alan Perry, with all of the infantrymen wearing heavy clothing to protect them from the cold conditions of their country's freezing winter.

As I decided to pigment the miniature using the 'official' palette shown on the Nottingham-based company's website, I primed the "regular" with a couple of coats of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown. Ordinarily, I'd next give the fellow a generous splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and a dry-brush. But on this occasion I wanted to try out a new time-saving technique I'm trialling, where I don't do this until towards the very end of my paint-job. This means that I no longer need to repeatedly keep touching up the 'finished areas' of the model whenever my wandering brush-tip strays onto a part of the long jacket.

"Warlord Games" WIPs - These two artillery teams are slowly being progressed

I also took full advantage of the figure's all-encompassing coat by simply using a little "Citadel" Abaddon Black on his shoes and leggings, as well as his knapsack, sabre and cartridge belt. Indeed, the need to pick out the soldier's infamous white leather straps with White Star by "Duncan Rhodes' Two Thin Coats" was pleasantly doable, even after I discovered the Russian's sword tassel was also white - at least according to an illustration I used. All of these areas, along with the scabbard's tip, shako straps and any other spots requiring a dab of "Vallejo" Gold", were later 'weathered' with a small dash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

I next applied a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil to the model's tin water bottle and musket barrel, before using "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade on the rest of the rifle. At this point I did momentarily consider whether I was going to flock the miniature's base with grass or snow, as the poor Russian appeared to be participating in the Patriotic War of 1812 and the French retreat from Moscow. In the end I decided upon my usual 'green' stand, so I could always mingle the figure/s into a 'warmer weather' Napoleonic unit without too much fuss at a later date.

"Steel Fist Miniatures" WIPs - This Foot Knight will wear red and white to represent Francesco II of Gonzaga

Alongside my latest addition to my miniscule, yet disconcertingly growing 28mm Napoleonic collection, I have made some considerable progress on the two cannon artillery teams I require to fill out my Confederate force's first artillery battery. I had been painting these 15mm plastic pieces from "Warlord Games" Epic Battles Black Powder American Civil War range separately. However, having found subsequently assembling them and pigmenting the large gun a 'right royal pain', I have put my remaining unit together on its stand.

In addition, I have tentatively started slowly working on another of the Renaissance Knights manufactured by "Steel Fist Miniatures" as part of their ten-figure Foot Knights Deal. I've still heard absolutely nothing from the company about either my missing models or second order. But am trying to be positive that they will all eventually arrive, so thought perhaps applying my brush to a second sculpt might help 'push' the gaming gods in my favour...