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Miniatures Adventure => Age of the Big Battalions => Topic started by: Suetonius Paullinus on October 30, 2016, 05:10:41 PM

Title: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: Suetonius Paullinus on October 30, 2016, 05:10:41 PM
I've painted up a tester for my Army of the Potomac project. Honestly, I do prefer painting Confederate rag tags, the dark blue of the Federals is one of my least favourite colours..

(http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m146/CiaphasCain_album/ACW/58C1EDFB-968E-4CD7-933A-995580D80479_zpssjjv3fpl.jpg) (http://s103.photobucket.com/user/CiaphasCain_album/media/ACW/58C1EDFB-968E-4CD7-933A-995580D80479_zpssjjv3fpl.jpg.html)

Needless to mention the figures are marvellous and a joy to build  8)

I've used Americana Prussian Blue, what's your favourite paint for their uniforms??

Cheers

SP
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: joekano on October 30, 2016, 06:10:04 PM
Sorry it wasn't fun to paint, but it looks really good!
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: sepoy1857 on October 30, 2016, 09:00:58 PM
Nice brushwork. For coats and caps I use Andrea Blue set - 3, 1, 5 and for trousers Vallejo Air UK Mediterranean Blue and a base coat, then lightened with Vallejo UK Pru Blue for highlights. Vallejo Panzer Aces Panzer Crew uniform black (or whatever it's called) for hats, haversacks, packs, etc.
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: Ray Earle on October 30, 2016, 09:04:48 PM
Nice work.  :D

I tend towards Vallejo dark Prussian blue myself. It's one of those colours im never convinced I get 'right'.
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: Suetonius Paullinus on November 02, 2016, 08:57:24 PM
I've got a new dark blue recipe for my Federals. The nearly black blue might be historically more accurate but it also looked a bit too..flat? Anyhow, here the result:

(http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m146/CiaphasCain_album/ACW/D9108822-9E5D-49BA-9282-F8B1853246B7_zpsyunhxkg5.jpg) (http://s103.photobucket.com/user/CiaphasCain_album/media/ACW/D9108822-9E5D-49BA-9282-F8B1853246B7_zpsyunhxkg5.jpg.html)

All painted with Citadel/ GW paints, the dark blue is 'Kantor Blue'.

Cheers

SP
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: rebelyell2006 on November 02, 2016, 10:13:58 PM
You can get away with a lighter blue.  Contractors liked to water down their dyes, and even a good dye would fade anyway.
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: sepoy1857 on November 04, 2016, 09:03:24 PM
It's actually not as dark as 95% of painters think (especially the sack coats and caps!). (http://www.angelfire.com/oh3/civilwarantiques/cwimages/1st2011printcat_descrips1-33-26.jpg)

Some states like NY were using cheap Jean cloth for their state contract caps, jackets, and overcoats (which would have been lighter yet because of the white cotton showing through the weave). http://www.bristolhollow.com/product_p/fjc1.htm (http://www.bristolhollow.com/product_p/fjc1.htm) and http://www.bristolhollow.com/category_s/1833.htm (http://www.bristolhollow.com/category_s/1833.htm).
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: Suetonius Paullinus on November 06, 2016, 06:05:32 PM
@sepoy1857
Great pics!

One of the included skirmishers and an old style Captain with new style arms:

(http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m146/CiaphasCain_album/ACW/9C11AAB5-C6B5-4E5E-B89D-46C295A9F09E_zpsqeekoygy.jpg) (http://s103.photobucket.com/user/CiaphasCain_album/media/ACW/9C11AAB5-C6B5-4E5E-B89D-46C295A9F09E_zpsqeekoygy.jpg.html)
(http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m146/CiaphasCain_album/ACW/6B33ABBC-046D-4630-960A-281174E464AB_zpsuvotisn7.jpg) (http://s103.photobucket.com/user/CiaphasCain_album/media/ACW/6B33ABBC-046D-4630-960A-281174E464AB_zpsuvotisn7.jpg.html)

I like my officers wearing the frock coat but the old figures are now showing their age.
Not being helped by the constant improvement the Twins are delivering   ;)

Cheers

SP
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: Knight of St John on November 06, 2016, 08:04:00 PM
Very nice painting.
Michael.
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: Elbows on November 06, 2016, 09:01:56 PM
Nice painting.  It's great that both sides now have a new box of plastics.  I'm ashamed, as an American, to say that the Civil War and Revolutionary War have never been high on my list of interests...but I might have to try a project sometime.
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: sepoy1857 on November 07, 2016, 01:57:49 AM
SP - No problem. Brilliant brushwork - love them. I had the same problem with the Andrea's blues looking flat too, but I figured out if I used the 2nd highlight straight out of the pot rather than watering it down it looked better in the end. I'll try to get some pics of mine up.

*UPDATE* They came today...all I can say is Wow! Amazing stuff. These are going to be fun to build and paint up.
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: Suetonius Paullinus on November 08, 2016, 07:29:33 PM
@Sepoy1857
   8)

I've found a spare Confederate officer whom I decided to draft into the Union army!
Heresy, I know but I found the old school figure a tad unsatisfactory and the sack coated officer a little bit too little officer like..
I'm not too sure about the double breasted frock coat but I've seen photographs depicting Union officers wearing it.
My somewhat pathetic green stuffing attempt of a sash should look okay once painted I hope.

(http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m146/CiaphasCain_album/ACW/FD364593-6515-4AA8-9224-3EA01DFCF9B0_zpsjlhfxyk4.jpg) (http://s103.photobucket.com/user/CiaphasCain_album/media/ACW/FD364593-6515-4AA8-9224-3EA01DFCF9B0_zpsjlhfxyk4.jpg.html)
(http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m146/CiaphasCain_album/ACW/FB1E96B6-56CF-4401-A7DA-9218D0B50837_zps7q4bh6zg.jpg) (http://s103.photobucket.com/user/CiaphasCain_album/media/ACW/FB1E96B6-56CF-4401-A7DA-9218D0B50837_zps7q4bh6zg.jpg.html)
(http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m146/CiaphasCain_album/ACW/7E0F45ED-FA4D-4A35-BF58-9ADFD02CEC2C_zpsexdbgqpa.jpg) (http://s103.photobucket.com/user/CiaphasCain_album/media/ACW/7E0F45ED-FA4D-4A35-BF58-9ADFD02CEC2C_zpsexdbgqpa.jpg.html)
(http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m146/CiaphasCain_album/ACW/14149D0A-174A-4A1F-B120-968E4E9260A6_zpsqhkqqn4n.jpg) (http://s103.photobucket.com/user/CiaphasCain_album/media/ACW/14149D0A-174A-4A1F-B120-968E4E9260A6_zpsqhkqqn4n.jpg.html)

What do you think?

Cheers

SP
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: Andrew_McGuire on November 08, 2016, 07:38:39 PM
Splendid painting, but I believe the kepis for the Army of the Potomac always had a corps badge on the crown - one of the reasons I prefer the Army of the Cumberland.
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: Arthur on November 08, 2016, 07:55:01 PM
I've found a spare Confederate officer whom I decided to draft into the Union army!
Heresy, I know but I found the old school figure a tad unsatisfactory and the sack coated officer a little bit too little officer like..
I'm not too sure about the double breasted frock coat but I've seen photographs depicting Union officers wearing it.

There's nothing wrong with Union officers in double-breasted frock coats, Andy : field grade officers wore them while company grade C.O's had single-breasted frocks. Your officer will be a major, a lieutenant-colonel or a colonel, that's all.
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: sepoy1857 on November 09, 2016, 01:33:01 AM
There's nothing wrong with Union officers in double-breasted frock coats, Andy : field grade officers wore them while company grade C.O's had single-breasted frocks. Your officer will be a major, a lieutenant-colonel or a colonel, that's all.
I'll second that! It's spot on.
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: General Lee on November 11, 2016, 11:06:06 AM
Nice work SP! I use Kantor blue as well and yes, the blue would have been that dark
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: ARKOUDAKI on November 11, 2016, 07:27:10 PM
Looking good Andy/SP!!!!!!!!! I also think the blue you are using is a bit too dark. As for your putty work, practice makes perfect matey, so just keep working on it. I didn't think I could sculpt things for ages and then some years back finally decided to give it a go...I am not a pro but I think I can do a lot of things with putty nowadays, and it really is just down to have some tools (clay shapers for me!) and getting in a lot of practice. So keep up the good work.

@Sepoy, how do you find the Andrea blue set in practice? Please do share, as I am thinking of getting this set...already have Andrea's white, black, flesh, and red....good stuff!
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: Flashman14 on November 11, 2016, 09:34:03 PM
I think the blue is great - that should be your Napoleonic French infantry blue as well, readers.

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f__1bRGewgs/VGv76fmxMgI/AAAAAAAACCk/aNPxIoTqi_I/s1600/100_1853.JPG)

(http://cf.ltkcdn.net/costumes/images/std/96158-285x425-Young_Union_Soldier.jpg)

(http://image.pennlive.com/home/penn-media/width960/img/patriot-news/photo/2013/07/portrait-series-union-re-enactors-at-gettysburg-battlefield-fbf58306df9683b7.jpg)
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: General Lee on November 11, 2016, 10:26:53 PM
What Flashman said!
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: huevans on November 12, 2016, 12:29:25 AM
You don't need a sash on that US officer, Andy. Most of the lads would have left it in the regimental baggage. And the corps badges were not always worn. The double breasted coat means that he is a field grade officer, as already noted.

All you need are the epaulettes and to file off the lace on the lower sleeve, as you have done.
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: Miantanomo on November 12, 2016, 12:56:09 AM
It's definitely dark, but I like it. Its a good look!
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: rebelyell2006 on November 12, 2016, 03:13:41 AM
I think the blue is great - that should be your Napoleonic French infantry blue as well, readers.

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f__1bRGewgs/VGv76fmxMgI/AAAAAAAACCk/aNPxIoTqi_I/s1600/100_1853.JPG)

(http://cf.ltkcdn.net/costumes/images/std/96158-285x425-Young_Union_Soldier.jpg)

(http://image.pennlive.com/home/penn-media/width960/img/patriot-news/photo/2013/07/portrait-series-union-re-enactors-at-gettysburg-battlefield-fbf58306df9683b7.jpg)

On the other hand, the sack coats worn by older reenactors are a lighter blue, because they are usually 10 years old or older, and worn often enough to replicate a sack coat worn on a daily basis for a few months.  My sack coat is dark because I have worn it for about a total combined amount of time of about 2 weeks.
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: Oldgamer on November 12, 2016, 08:38:27 AM
I think your very dark blue looks spot on and l am hoping my paint jobs will look half as good as yours do.....!
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: Suetonius Paullinus on November 19, 2016, 07:19:57 PM
Thanks for all your comments guys!!

I've finished the officer:

(http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m146/CiaphasCain_album/ACW/3B2F93BD-58D2-44F3-8114-B4880F10F33F_zps4bpuzjaj.jpg) (http://s103.photobucket.com/user/CiaphasCain_album/media/ACW/3B2F93BD-58D2-44F3-8114-B4880F10F33F_zps4bpuzjaj.jpg.html)
(http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m146/CiaphasCain_album/ACW/2336C157-A4C0-4E5A-BB1A-7B23AD6E604C_zpsdtbs7iuw.jpg) (http://s103.photobucket.com/user/CiaphasCain_album/media/ACW/2336C157-A4C0-4E5A-BB1A-7B23AD6E604C_zpsdtbs7iuw.jpg.html)

In the end I kept the sash and gloves as it looks so officer&gentlemanesque 8-)

Hope you like him

Cheers

SP
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: Gunner Dunbar on November 20, 2016, 08:03:04 AM
Nice, I agree, the blue is great, I like your dark grimy painting style, very atmospheric, your pants colour is nice to, I don't paint ACW much, but always seem to go to sky blue with mine, I will try your grader colour next time.
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: sepoy1857 on November 22, 2016, 01:32:19 AM
@Sepoy, how do you find the Andrea blue set in practice? Please do share, as I am thinking of getting this set...already have Andrea's white, black, flesh, and red....good stuff!
Excellent stuff. I believe it is well worth the price. They seem just a bit higher in quality than even Vallejo Model Colour IMO. The shades are very close together so no mixing is needed to achieve the right colour. Here are some pics of the colours I use for Union Infantry. For trousers I use Vallejo Air Mediterranean Blue as the base colour and lighten with either Vallejo (Air) UK Pru Blue or Vallejo Air Pale Blue.  Hope that helps! :)

Well apparently the pics didn't show up...not sure what I'm doing wrong. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153908679022187.1073741847.606222186&type=1&l=fd426a715f (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153908679022187.1073741847.606222186&type=1&l=fd426a715f)

(https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153908679107187&set=a.10153908679022187.1073741847.606222186&type=3&theater)
(https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153908679102187&set=a.10153908679022187.1073741847.606222186&type=3&theater)
(https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153908679352187&set=a.10153908679022187.1073741847.606222186&type=3&theater)
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: Khurasan Miniatures on November 23, 2016, 12:24:55 PM
Great stuff, cracking brushwork.
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: Kingscarbine on November 24, 2016, 07:43:47 PM
Hi,

Can the Union figures be used as Rebs or mixed with the Confederate infantry box?
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: sepoy1857 on November 27, 2016, 12:30:05 AM
Hi,

Can the Union figures be used as Rebs or mixed with the Confederate infantry box?
Hi Nuno! It depends how much of a stickler you are for authenticity. I am using some for North Carolina troops because they were the only Confederates that worse sack coats (other than the occasional captured US or civilian sack coat).
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: Melnibonean on December 02, 2016, 08:33:49 AM
Looking lovely.
I just picked up a box of these today with the intention of painting them up for Sharp Practice.
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: Unlucky General on December 02, 2016, 05:57:55 PM
For my eyes, easily the best ACW paint jobs I've ever scene. Your technique is flawless.
Title: Re: Perry Plastic Union Infantry
Post by: Kingscarbine on December 03, 2016, 03:39:39 PM
Hi Nuno! It depends how much of a stickler you are for authenticity. I am using some for North Carolina troops because they were the only Confederates that worse sack coats (other than the occasional captured US or civilian sack coat).

Thanks that's very useful info.