I'm doing a small Crimea project (Cossacks, Page 4)

[meninobesta]

I also use winecorks for handling minis during painting
After sometime using this method I've started to hotglue washers on top and in the bottom of the corks
the bottom one helps to stabilize
the top one protects the corks when you're removing the mini from it

Anyway, great project!

[matakishi]

those russian sailors are excellent sculpts. 

I'm enjoying painting the whole range, they're great wargame sculpts, well-defined, deep detail and accessible posing.

[matakishi]

The sailors are done.

[Roo]

Like all your projects, well planned, well executed and extremely good!  Shows how effective planning can be scaled up as you roll units off the production line...good lesson to us all!

[Bloggard]

Like all your projects, well planned, well executed and extremely good!  Shows how effective planning can be scaled up as you roll units off the production line...good lesson to us all!

absolutely. Top class.

[matakishi]

That's kind of you to say so.
I originally planned a smaller set of miniatures with eight bases of infantry and four bases of cavalry to a side. As I progressed through the painting I realised that I could increase the infantry to ten bases a side without any problems so the plan changed.
Later the plan changed to twelve bases. Twelve bases meant I could field six two-base infantry units if I wanted to play using Neil Thomas's rules. I still planned to brigade the cavalry and only have two cavalry per side though.

Recently I decided to make each cavalry regiment two bases instead of one anyway. I realised that, despite many years of wargaming, I've never owned a pair of 'regular' armies like these. Matched armies that utilise infantry, cavalry and guns are a wargaming staple and yet I've never assembled any (other than a large but abortive ACW attempt 22 years ago).

This then is my 'armies' project and I probably won't do another so I may as well do this properly. It's interesting (to me at least) that the final figure count that I've settled on is the same as a Crimean plan I made four years ago and dismissed as 'too many' to cope with.

Things change

[matakishi]

I'm working on the last British infantry unit now which will complete the infantry for this project (200 figures)

Updates:

French



Expanded Moscow Regiment



Expanded Rifles





Project page: https://www.matakishi.net/crimean-war-2021.html

[Plynkes]

Wonderful stuff, Paul. It's lovely seeing this all come together.

[Emir of Askaristan]

Lovely, really like your French and the rifles too. Your light basing helps lift the colours too.

[CapnJim]

On then.  Those are some very nicely done figures/units.  It'll be interesting to see them on the battlefield!

[Eric the Shed]

looking fabulous Paul

[matakishi]

Soldiering on (haha, see what I did there) here's the final British unit, the 13th Somersetshire Regiment.



With that unit done, all the infantry is complete for this project.
Here they are.



https://www.matakishi.net/crimean-war-2021.html

Not the biggest army in the world but eminently suitable for my 6'x4' table.

[Ray Rivers]

Not the biggest army in the world but eminently suitable for my 6'x4' table.

I think they look great. One of your larger projects I do believe.

Looking forward to seeing the cavalry and artillery.

[vodkafan]

Interesting to read how the project grew. And the fact you have never had an "army" project till now. I hope you get a lot of pleasure from your games with it. Looking forward to seeing the cavalry and artillery.
Your work has always been a big inspiration to me, just wish I could emulate your methodical approach...

[matakishi]

Interesting to read how the project grew. And the fact you have never had an "army" project till now. I hope you get a lot of pleasure from your games with it. Looking forward to seeing the cavalry and artillery.
Your work has always been a big inspiration to me, just wish I could emulate your methodical approach...

Thank you, I admit I was surprised when I thought about it. I've played hundreds of Napoleonic, ACW, ECW etc. wargames, but only ever with other people's toys. I'm thoroughly enjoying this project.

Here's the first of the cavalry, Russian lancers from Foundry.



and the 17th Lancers from Great War miniatures.



11th Hussars and some Zouaves on the painting table.



https://www.matakishi.net/crimean-war-2021.html