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Miniatures Adventure => Age of the Big Battalions => Topic started by: lethallee61 on 29 August 2014, 10:10:47 AM

Title: First steps in a very long journey.
Post by: lethallee61 on 29 August 2014, 10:10:47 AM
I've always wanted a painted Napoleonic army. It's been like a gnawing hunger since I got my first set of Airfix figures over 45 years ago. Until now, I've resisted the temptation, doubting my ability to pull it off.

One of my best gaming mates has started a British Napoleonic army, motivating me to finally get off my bum and start on the opposition.

So - here is my first effort. This is what 4 days with a magnifying visor (the spirit is willing, but the eyes are weak) strapped to my head got me. Hope you like them.

(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag372/leesheppard31/Cuirassiers_zps534704f9.jpg) (http://s1373.photobucket.com/user/leesheppard31/media/Cuirassiers_zps534704f9.jpg.html)

Only a few hundred more figures to go.... ;)
Title: Re: First steps in a very long journey.
Post by: Dr DeAth on 29 August 2014, 10:14:04 AM
If there all as good as those it's going to be a fantastic army - four painted and based figures in 4 days, so you should be done in a couple of years then  lol

Keep us posted on your progress
Title: Re: First steps in a very long journey.
Post by: Melnibonean on 29 August 2014, 11:59:02 AM
Lovely work.
But why limit yourself to a few hundred? This is a Naopleonic odyssey. When you factor in Austrians, Russians, Prussians, Italians, Neapolitans, Poles, Germans... You could, potentially, be looking at a couple of thousand!  ;D
Title: Re: First steps in a very long journey.
Post by: janner on 29 August 2014, 11:59:29 AM
Great start  :D
Title: Re: First steps in a very long journey.
Post by: PAULSPENCE on 29 August 2014, 12:02:45 PM
Very well done indeed!

Interested to see what's next.

You can't go wrong with Napoleonics as there's so much choice of troops and battles.

Cheers,

Paul
Title: Re: First steps in a very long journey.
Post by: Ray Rivers on 29 August 2014, 12:56:50 PM
Doing a large army is a long slog.

The good news is you have a friend who you can fight. I would recommend coordinating your painting of units so that you both can get gaming as soon as possible. Seeing your troops on the tabletop in action is a great motivator to keep your interest in adding more to your army.

Nice start, BTW!
Title: Re: First steps in a very long journey.
Post by: OSHIROmodels on 29 August 2014, 01:08:06 PM
They look grand  8) 8)

Best of luck with the rest  :)

cheers

James
Title: Re: First steps in a very long journey.
Post by: Emir of Askaristan on 29 August 2014, 01:10:03 PM
Nice work. It is indeed a long and winding road, one that goes ever on...(to quote some people!). However, if the course is stayed, the end result is always worth it.

(Ive never used the visors, I use an angle poise lamp with a magnifier lens built in and a daylight bulb behind it. I still sometimes get a little cramp and tired but generally its very good. Keep it up and if it helps, its a winner).

Title: Re: First steps in a very long journey.
Post by: Gary Peach on 29 August 2014, 01:11:43 PM
If thats the 1st then cant wait to see the rest.
Title: Re: First steps in a very long journey.
Post by: lethallee61 on 29 August 2014, 01:52:26 PM
Thank you everyone for your kind words of support. It's very humbling to have your efforts appreciated by those who you've admired for many years.  :)

Next on the painting table are some Imperial Guard Grenadiers.

And then more Cuirassiers, and French Line and, well, you all know how it goes...
Title: Re: First steps in a very long journey.
Post by: Leapsnbounds on 29 August 2014, 01:59:34 PM
Did I see Captain Beefheart.  Yes, it is a long journey, but it is worth it.
Title: Re: First steps in a very long journey.
Post by: Legion1963 on 29 August 2014, 03:33:21 PM
Indeed. Jolly good show. I am not really into painting armies so i can not tell you what to do to speed it up. But variation is good way (as far as i'm concerned) to stay focused and still enjoy yourself. Enjoy being a keyword here i gues.  8)
Title: Re: First steps in a very long journey.
Post by: janner on 30 August 2014, 01:53:24 PM
Which rule set are you going with?
Title: Re: First steps in a very long journey.
Post by: nelsons-signal on 30 August 2014, 04:01:38 PM
Abselutely comprehensible!
I never get the 1/32 French Line Infantry by Airfix - yust the Guard Inf. :-[
Not to mention the missing 1/32 Cavalary or  Artillery that was offered much later by Esci.  :-[ :-[

Born to early - and a steady thorn in my flesh. Don't stay damaged - guard yourself and do it !  :D
Title: Re: First steps in a very long journey.
Post by: fitterpete on 30 August 2014, 05:50:57 PM
Very nice start.
It will go  by quicker than you think.

What make are the cuirassier?

Pete
Title: Re: First steps in a very long journey.
Post by: lethallee61 on 31 August 2014, 12:12:42 AM
Janner - initially we are going with the Warhammer Historical "Waterloo" rules, but may branch out into something else once we know what we are doing. Our goal is to have fun while crossing an item off our bucket lists (collecting a Napoleonic army).

fitterpete - these are plastics by the genius twins, the Perrys.

Now, if only someone would produce plastic French artillery. I'm hoping for a lot of new releases to coincide with a certain anniversary next year. ;)

BTW - if anyone has set of Warhammer Historical "Waterloo" that they don't want - please let me know. We've only got one copy between us at the moment.
Title: Re: First steps in a very long journey.
Post by: warburton on 01 September 2014, 11:40:37 PM
Very nice start.
Title: Re: First steps in a very long journey.
Post by: janner on 04 September 2014, 08:25:35 AM
Might I suggest you also take a look at Black Powder :)
Title: Re: First steps in a very long journey.
Post by: Melnibonean on 04 September 2014, 12:07:24 PM
Now, if only someone would produce plastic French artillery.


Yes... We can live and hope that this day will come. :?
Title: Re: First steps in a very long journey.
Post by: RC_Robert on 06 September 2014, 11:50:43 PM
Starting with cavalry.  Impressive !

Instead of a magnifying visor have you tried simple reading glasses?  The magnification is less but they are more comfortable.
Title: Re: First steps in a very long journey.
Post by: lethallee61 on 07 September 2014, 12:23:15 AM
Warburton - yes, I have the Black Powder rules, and just got the Albion Triumphant Vol 2 supplement. We'll probably graduate to those rules after we've got our heads around the whole Napoleonic army building schtick with the "Waterloo" rules, especially if we want to expand to other armies or players down the track.

RC_Robert - sadly, my eyesight has deteriorated to the point where my reading glasses just don't cut it anymore for the detailed painting required, and the visor is the best option I've discovered so far. One of the many problems of getting older.  :?
Title: Re: First steps in a very long journey.
Post by: IronDuke596 on 07 September 2014, 04:24:20 PM
Re the vision issue, I have found that a large magnifying light on an angle poise arm and bracket plus one's reading glasses works well for me.

I think the vision goggles/glasses would disorientate me especially if I moved my head too quickly.

This is a very good start to your collection. Well done! :)
Title: Re: First steps in a very long journey.
Post by: wrgmr1 on 10 September 2014, 04:22:57 AM
I found 3.0 readers work better than a magnifying headset which is usually only 2.0 in magnification.

Lovely work. Distinctive colors and good looking horses.

You also realize you have fallen into the dark, dank, pit of Napoleonics. The more you paint, the more you want, the more you buy, the more you paint. It's kind of like morning coffee, you have to have it every day. Try to give it up and you end up going back. :)