"Soldiers! The Second Polish War Has Begun."

"Russia swore eternal alliance with France and war against England."

This 28mm scale metal model is sold by “Wargames Foundry", and can be purchased as part of their FN101 - Fusiliers In Greatcoat Marching set. The figure is one of eight identical Napoleonic French soldiers sculpted by Michael and Alan Perry, and has been painted to suggest the line infantryman is en route back to his homeland during the Retreat from Moscow - albeit I'll be using grass flock for all my basing for this project.

As I decided to predominantly pigment the miniature using the 'official' palette shown on the Nottingham-based company's website, I undercoated the Fusilier with a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Citadel " Abaddon Black. I then applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade to the Frenchman's trousers, before patiently 'picking out' all of his leather straps with some "Two Thin Coats" White Star, as well as a delicate splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

"Wargames Foundry" - These French Fusiliers are slowly having their details 'picked out'

I next applied the odd dab of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown to the model's water bottle and chest strap. Once I had subsequently layered the soldier's firearm with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna I applied a shade of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to both of these areas. The figure's greatcoat was treated to some "Vallejo" Sombre Grey, washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and very carefully dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Sombre Grey. Finally, I applied a dollop of "Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow to the fellow's pom-pom, doused it with "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade, and highlighted it with (more) "Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow.

With my 'test piece' completed, I have started making some good progress on three more of the French Fusiliers. I do find anything Napoleonic rather intimidating to be honest, so these days tend to tackle the uniform's infamous white straps quite quickly, as the miniatures simply don't seem quite so daunting once these areas have been finished.

"He imagined himself at the Emperor’s side, fighting some great, last stand against an unknown foe."

In addition, I'm definitely saving quite some considerable time (and frustration) by not giving the entire model an overall wash and dry-brush of it's main colour until towards the end of my painting process. In the past, I've done this at the start, and then repeatedly been forced to tidy up the area whenever my brush-tip has inadvertently strayed whilst working on an adjoining area. Now, I need no longer grind my teeth trying to blend a second (or even third) shade over a small 'repair'. But rather just apply an admittedly much more careful dry-brush just the once.

Finally, I've managed to polish off yet another of my 28mm plastic Horus Heresy Space Marines by "Games Workshop". One of ten MK VI Legion Tactical Marines I aim to field as part of my core traitor force, the figure was predominantly painted using "Citadel" Sons Of Horus Green, "Vallejo" Gold and Gunmetal, with plenty of "Citadel" Nuln Oil and Agrax Earthshade thrown in...