As part of this blog I thought I would show the process of painting which I developed during my Napoleonic project. To start you need to obtain your figurines. I got them from various manufacturers such as Essex Miniatures (www.essexminiatures.co.uk), Lancashire Games (www.joomla.lancashiregames.com) & Minifigs (www.miniaturefigurines.co.uk). I obtained unpainted ones to match some of my other units and either used the unit as colour template or appropriate artwork from the interwebs or books.
I would sort out which figures would go into each unit and ensured they would all rank up using an appropriate sized unit base and white tack. A lot of my units did not have the appropriate command unit which required a leader, standard bearer and musician. I purchased from eBay an inexpensive flag printing program (flag printing!) to help with the flags which I printed out on my laser printer and cut to shape. Next was to prepare the figure by removing unwanted flash by knife or file.
I through a period of evolution using different figure holders (paint pots, corks etc.) I settled on using a hot glue gun to stick about 4 infantry / riders or 3 horses to a wide lolly pop stick. These stick and glue are easily bought from craft shops such as Hobbycraft (www.hobbycraft.co.uk).
Once a figure had been completely painted it would either be glued directly to the unit base or a figure base. The bases I have had cut from Warbases (www.warbases.co.uk) as a custom order. I also magnetised my figure bases and unit bases underneath using strips of magnetic tape from Magnetic Display (www.magneticdisplays.co.uk). A unit base would also have magnetic steel or ferrous (Magnetic Display) equivalent on top cut to the base shape so that the individual figures could be mounted on and re-arranged dependent on the unit formation. To help with basing I also primed the bases a brown colour such as leather brown spray (www.thearmypainter.com). More of the basing later.
My preferred primer colour for foot and riders is a white spray. For cavalry and artillery I use a grey spray both colours from Halfords (www.halfords.com). These paints are primer for car bodies but they adhere and cover metal and plastic readily. Wearing cheap latex gloves I hold the stick up a reasonable to stop the figures taking on too much and spray them outside. It is important to note spraying inside is messy and harmful to your lungs unless using an appropriate spray booth which can be expensive.
I like my Napoleonics 'bright' by just using block colours. I did not need to go all 'professional' with various shades on the block colour except for skin. I only wash skin, leather and weapons. Usually I would be painting half a dozen sticks at a time so about 24 figures. I would paint each colour one at a time on all figures and letting them dry before moving onto the next colour. As I tend use acrylic paint they tend to dry within minutes. Being able to not handle the figures directly helps to dramatically speed up the painting process.
Once all the figures have been painted and any colour that had run had been tidied up I started to black line each figure. This is quite simply painting each colour change with a thin black line between the colours. This makes the figure 'pop'
I would then concentrate on finishing the basing. I would paint each base connected directly onto the figure a mat brown colour (Pebble Mosaic 2 from Dulux) which I have had previously mixed at Homebase (www.homebase.co.uk). When dry I carefully using a Stanley Knife cut them from the stick and remove any excess dry glue from under the figure base. I also remove the dry glue from the stick which enables me to use stick many times. I then use superglue to adhere each figure, ranked up correctly, to its base.
The brown bases are then carefully covered, missing any previously painted parts of each figure with a homemade base concoction. This is made by mixing Pebble Mosaic 2 paint, fine sieved sand and water together in an container (I use old playdoh tubs) which can be made airtight. As long as the mixture is not too runny or thick it will dry in 30 minutes. It is important the container is airtight or the next time you open the container it will be like concrete. Sometimes adding a little water and / or paint invigorates the mix.
Once the basing material has dried it is onto dry bushing the bases. I use the following Dulux matt mixed at Homebase, firstly Wholemeal Honey 2 (Citadel Vomit Brown) and when dry Georgian 17 (Citadel Bleached Bone). When all dry I paint the base edges Pebble Mosaic 2 (Citadel Graveyard Earth). Before flocking the bases a grass green I spray varnish each base of figure(s) again outside as the fumes are noxious. Do not spray to close or in high humidity as the spray makes the models take on a cloudy white appearance which completely spoils all your hard work.
Lastly I attach and fold the flags to each flag or standard after the flag is positioned it is painted with dilute PVA glue to give it some rigidity and durability when dry.
To store the figures I use box files with the internal spring clip removed. The bottom is lined with steel paper, previously mentioned. As the bases are magnetised everything sits quite still and comfortable in the box unless the box is shaken.
Well that is the last post for 2018. A happy and prosperous New Year to all. In 2019 and beyond I may post occasionally.
Huzzah …. Huzzah …. Huzzah ….!
