Continental Infantry

As with the Brits, I intend to work through this part of the project by production-line painting.  The first stage will be assembly, followed by a sprayed base coat.  After assembling these guys, it seems a little more daunting than the Brits.  This is probably due to the increase number of models; this time I am painting almost 50 men.  Also, there is an increased number of colours to be painted on these.  My chosen colour scheme for the first batch at least will be blue with red trim/waistcoats, and natural coloured legging/gaitres.  Only time will tell if this is too ambitious.

After assembling all the minis yesterday (I forgot to take a pic sorry), I have now sprayed them blue ready for the painting to begin.

The first stage of painting, and the easiest to carry out was to shade the blue.  I used Army Painter "Blue Shade" to do this.

After the shading was dry, I highlighted back up to add some depth to the blue.  This is definitely the place to stop for one evening, as I am tired, and my wife wants to watch Game of Thrones (Ah, what would we do without DVR lol).

The Next step will be to start adding colour to break up the blue.

American War of Independence Project

So here we are, my first of the new style hobby projects.  I will post better pictures in the gallery when they are all done.

The plan used is to batch paint in stages.  It may work, or it may not, who knows at this stage.  The first task is to acquire some minis.  This was achieved by purchasing some Perry minis from those nice chaps at Firestorm Games.  Armed with my first purchases (a box of Brits and 2 boxes of Continental Infantry) I started the project.  The plan was to do a 400 point force for each faction before going back and expanding both of these up to 600 points.  The first to be assembled was the British.

On assembly I spotted the error in my plan.  I had forgot the Perry Miniatures box contained 36 Infantry and 2 Casualty models.  This meant that I was a model down (Requiring 36+ Officer).  This was quickly rectified as the Perrys allow for individual frames to be ordered, so an extra command frame was bought.

Then on to the assembly...



So here are the British troops all assembled and eager to be painted.  3 Units of 12 Light Infantry, and an Officer to lead them.

Things were looking good, as it took an evening to prep and assemble them.  The plan was to then Spray them the next day, and try to do one or two areas of colour each night.  For example, get the red jackets done, then the flesh and muskets and so on.  This plan worked quite well, as it allowed the models to be painted in quite an efficient manner.  Hopefully it will work well when I get to the continental troops as well (the observant will have noticed from the tenses used that I have actually completed (mostly) the British at this point.  I was going to add to this post after every stage, but I was too eager to get the painting done.




Stage 2 and 3.  Firstly a red spray.  When this was dry, ink was applied to shade the red, and areas to be painted darker (hat and gun) were based in black.  Stage 3 was then to highlight the red up to a nice smart red that the King would be proud of.


The next stage was to base all the areas that are to be painted white in a light grey.  It was at this stage that the models started to look like "proper British" soldiers.  Sorry for the rubbish casts on the pictures, the lighting in the room is quite terrible, and my wife had taken the painting lights.


Some white detailing has now been applied, and the dark blue trim on the jackets.  Really starting to look the part now.

My excitement for the project at this point was greatly increased.  I thought at first that painting them would be a chore (I am not used to painting such bright colours over so many models), but it proved me wrong, and I had already started looking towards my next purchases at this point.  However, due to a promise to my wife to finish painting task before starting another I remained determined and carried on with the project (I was going to get a stack of Dragoons from the Perrys, they will be got, as a reward when I complete the Continentals).  I have ordered a stack of basing materials (tufts, shrubs etc.) but will probably get both the starter forces done then have a basing binge.



The (mostly)finished Brits.  As mentioned, the bases still need doing.  The flags really bring out the unit, and I love the red-coat vibe.  I want to add some Napoleonics to my schedule now ;-)

Time to start the Continental force, I will post again when they are done (or maybe if I get the time in work, I will post as the project progresses).

When both are done, I will try to get some of the terrain from Renedra painted and put up a Video.  

Back after a long break

Hi,

   After a long break, which I believe is justified as it was brought on by the following situations in real life:

1. Writing up PhD Thesis
2. Attending a conference in Munich to present work
3. Preparing for PhD Viva Examination
4. Moving house over the start of the new year
5. Graduating from my PhD
6. Getting a new job.

All of these have greatly reduced my hobby time over the past few months.  However, we are gearing up to bring new content and videos as soon as we can.

Adding to the current content, we hope to include battle reports for the following games:

• Muskets and Tomahawks
• Force on Force
• Songs of Drums and Shakos/Tomahawks
• Saga
• This is not a test
• Frostgrave
• Black Ops
• Lion Rampant
• Warmaster Ancients

We are also looking into getting into Napoleonic gaming, if we can find a rule-set we like.  At the moment, we are looking at Blucher in 6mm, and or Age of Eagles in 15mm.  We also have Sharp Practice to read through.

We have enthusiastically planned several hobby projects that I hope to have time to go into here, provided my real-life workload doesn't prevent this.  We have planned projects for the above games, which will hopefully be painted with WIP posts here, followed by gaming.  We feel we played too much of certain games, and didn't diversify, therefore leading to us getting a little bit burned out.  By cycling gaming projects we hope to avoid this.

The first project that I have started are a pair of forces for Muskets and Tomahawks.  I plan on doing a British and a continental force, so this can be used for gaming ASAP. I will post details on that shortly.  This project falls under our new outlook on wargames.  Before, we have sought to have insane collections of one particular army/faction.  This is good, but we think we have stumbled on a better way of doing things, at least for us.  As it is often the case that one ore more of us gets over excited about a game/period/scale, it sometimes makes it awkward to get others as enthusiastic.  This leads to delays, and projects not being completed.  It is our goal now to make sure that we have at least two armies in each pet project before we expand.  This means that as I am planning muskets and Tomahawks, I will ensure I have at least 2 basic armies, so others in the group can play the game before going insane and buying everything I can find for one force.  If people want to get their own forces, then this is a bonus.  Likewise, one of our group, Ceri, wants to do a couple of asymmetrical style Vietnam scenarios, or a campaign (probably using Force on Force).  He will collect both sides for this campaign, with others jumping on if they want.  In this way, if one (or more) of us have an exciting project, then we can all benefit from joining in, without the need for multiple redundant collections.  If the period/system is popular, extra players joining in enables larger battles to be fought.  It sounds complcated, but it works out much more cost efficient (I have sooooooo many Iron Hands (10k of HQ choices alone) that I will never be able to field them all without buying a basketball court to play on lol, if I had bought both sides from a campaign (a Forgeworld book for example) I would have spent less, and probably got more use out of them.  To clarify the plan a little (I am busy typing this whilst drinking a coffee and working at the same time, very confusing) here is the current penciled in schedule for my projects (order may change lol)

• American War of Independece/Revolutionary war
• Aim to get 400 point of British troops and the same for the Continental Army
• Starting Forces consist of: 
• 36 Light infantry plus Officer for the Crown
• 32 Provincial Troops, 14 Light Infantry, 2 Officers for the revolutionaries
• These forces will be expanded on (Britain will probably get a little more expansion) by the addition of cannon, mounted troops, Indians, more infantry, and whatever else takes my fancy.
• Warmaster Ancients
• two 1,000 point armies from Magister Militum for the Crusades
• WW2 (Either force on force, Chain of Command, or Bolt Action)
• About a platoon level of Early War 20mm French and German
• Black Ops
• A Counter Terrorist Team, some sort of criminal element, and a piece of terrain to fight over.

Obviously this plan may change (especially as I have to crowbar painting a Frostgrave warband for a game next week into there lol.

WIP Stormhost Heroes

Finishing the last 2 of the Stormhost from starter set.  Will probably move onto another force then, most likely undead.

I have some GW minis on order and I got a box of 40 Mantic minis for £20, which I will use for summoned skeletons (been watching Hot Fuzz so nearly spelled it skellingtons!). These will bulk up the force nice as I don't really want to spend vast amounts on models which may never see the game.  May get the Mantic zombie horde too, as GW ones suck and the Mantic look really good.

As you can see, I went for shiny black armour with gold trim on Relictor.  he is a Priest after all, and looks a little like a chaplain ;-)

When I get the undead done, I may go back to these, adding some Retributors and Judicators as well as the 2 other heroes.  Still thinking of doing a guest army.  Will consider it more if we get some funding in place.  Will do a chaos power for each of us (coincidentally we are a core of 4). Will see what models my wife likes, and can then take one power each.  If we all aim for 1000 points (40k) with minimal overlap, it should work out awesome for both.  At the moment though I have priorities (thesis then venue) but afterwards we will see.

Happy gaming

Expanding the channel

A quick and very heartfelt thanks to everyone who has watched a video on our YouTube channel.  It has come a long way from our Cloverfield style shakycam beginnings. We would however  like to deliver more content. 

This endeavour will envolve a few things, firstly expanding the YouTube channel after my thesis.  Looking to get a proper video camera (instead of phone) and eventually a proper venue.  Looking to get a website done as well, with videos and cool hobby stuff on it. Oh and channel logo T-shirst and maybe dice!

Get in touch with any suggestions.  




Probably going to use Patreon to fund it, as I am guessing it will not be free to do this lol.  So far the list of planned additions are:-

1. A new Camera
2. A "proper" room to record videos in, with more room to manoeuver 
3. If we can a rig with camera above the board to give overview.  
4. Web site to host some vids, maybe some exclusive "bonus" content.
5. Visiting events etc.
6.  Ideally we will have an option for players to challenge us.
7. Hobby vlog.
8. Some banter/review vids (we would like to review stuff, but budget is budget)

I will post more details when I have them, but I feel that this will make more regular content for you guys, and improve it.  When we started this out, we didn't think anyone would watch it.  Our videos have improved a lot, and it would be great to take them to a higher level with your help and support. It is great to look at the mostly positive attitude of our viewers, we are a small group (nowhere near the level of cat videos, but I am afraid bubbles wont demean herself to fall down stairs on command) but we are growing.  if there are any suggestions of what you guys would like us to add to the channel we are open to suggestions (within reason). In the mean time, happy gaming, and thanks for watching.

ps If anybody would like to come for a challenge game (or even an unchallenging fun game over a beer) you are welcome.  We haven't got a proper venue yet, but we can certainly arrange something even if it involves a trip to Firestorm.

Troops done

The Stormhost troops have been painted.  Just the two heroes to go.

Then decide what to add next.  May get some judicators to add some ranged punch.

Hobby update

Sorry it has been a while.  So busy writing thesis and working :-(

Got some time to myself today so started to work on my Stormcast for Age of Signar.  really good fun to paint.