Wednesday 21 January 2015

Napoleon WIP 2

Another WIP post tonight I'm afraid. I've put a bit of effort in here and there to proceed with the central section of my Napoeon command base and the hours are finally beginning to bring some reward.

I tried another video as the last one seemed to go down well and I actually find it quite fun although I was a wee bit nervous on this one. The video's are best viewed on a tablet or laptop as the quality isn't great on phones, so I'm told by Mai!  Anyway I have decided when I'm doing vids I'll pop in a couple of still pics on the blog to. Not much info on the video this time, I'll save that for finished items from now on.

My Napoleon as you will know if you follow my blog regularly was completed quit recently (although I'll probably lighten Marengo's legs at the bottom). I've now added 2 orderlies in cornflower blue as well as marshall Bertheir and general Duroc (maybe the feathers in Durocs hat should be black?).

I tried out Rafa's blues from his book for French uniforms however in the end with Bertheir and Duroc I settled for different Vallejo blue mixes with black and then white and I'm really happy with them. I am now out the loft so I'll post the names later. The colours work very well and are quite rich when dark and subtle when White is added so I now have 2 nice blues for my future French troops!

I still have a little detail on the saddle of the orderly that's in campaign dress. I plan to add a row of buttons on each leg and also a little extra detail on the saddle cloth. The colour of the chasseur horse shows pretty orange however thankfully the colour is not in real life and the shading is actually really nice.

The artillery piece is a BH Russian gun that conveniently already had a miscast wheel so is appropriate for 1812-13 and even 1814 at a push.

This is a lovely little set of figures from Mr Barton, I can't remember where I picked them up? Though I know I gave a set to the David's for their collection. I had a bit of bother cleaning up the figures as there was a good deal of flash around certain areas however as I say I can't remember where I picked them up so I have no idea how old they are but this set must have been cast a good number of times over the years?

Anyway I hope to post the completed base soon, and it is true that a French army is much sexier than a Russian or Prussian army to paint up, especially the commands!

Happy wargaming
Paul

31 comments:

Craig said...

Absolutely stunning!

Paulalba said...

Thanks Craig, the shades don't come out well in the pics or vid but they are there. I really enjoyed doing the gold work for a change.

Phil said...

A fabulous staff of command!

Stryker said...

Now there's a command stand that should allow a +1 on any die roll - excellent!

Sgt Steiner said...

Usual work of art.....

Rodger said...

Absolutely wonderful!

Carlo said...

Beautiful work Paul!

Matgc said...

Indeed, this is a piece of art. Simply amazing.

Paulalba said...

Thanks phil, glad you approve!

Paulalba said...

Thanks Ian as I'll probably be fighting against him with my prussians I hope not.

Paulalba said...

Thanks Mr steiner!

Paulalba said...

Thanks Rodger!!!

Paulalba said...

Thank you Carlo!

Paulalba said...

Thanks Matgc, glad you like it!

John (VonBlucher) said...

Paul,
They are lovely!! How close is your Blue to the shas=de on the Corp French command base?

This is some more of the inspiration I'm in need of to get me going again.

Paulalba said...

Hi john, I never even thought to check, yes the shade is closer to your blue. For Berthier I mixed Vallejo intense blue no52 with black but kept it dark as its really rich then when you hit it with a little white it calms to a lovely controlled rich blue.

Durouc was don with Vallejo no 53 mixed with black then progressively lightened then final highlight with a touch of white added. Both colours came up great!

davetaylor said...

Fantastic work! The level of detail you are achieving at 15mm is spectacular.

Cheers
Dave

Paulalba said...

Thanks Dave glad you like them! Have to keep checking myself after viewing your latest scifi masterpieces to tell myself I don't have the time to do every area of wargaming!

Abel near Orlando, FL. USA said...

Hey Paul, hope the New Year finds you & yours doing well.
I've seen illustrations of Duroc with a red uniform and white feathers in his hat, as he was the Marshal of the Palace (I believe). That's how I plan to paint him for my Napoleon and staff set, I've had mine since 1997, just waiting to be able to do it justice!

Be well!

Ken said...

Those command figures are absolutely gorgeous! I've always thought your painting style was second to none - but you have excelled yourself!

Jonathan Freitag said...

Impressive brushwork, Paul!

Sun of York said...

Excellent, and that is a very good blue on Berthier. I am still finding getting the right shade of blue a challenge.

Paulalba said...

Hi Abel thanks and to you to. Yeah I've seen the pics in red also. Look forward to seeing how he comes out. It's an eye catching uniform.

Paulalba said...

Thanks Ken that's really kind of you. I have been slowly changing my paints from foundry to Vallejo and I'm finding a lot of positives with the pigment if Vallejo. Strangely enough the 2 orderlies are done using half foundry half Vallejo on the uniform and the shades haven't came out quite as nice as the Vallejo only shades?

Paulalba said...

Thanks jonathan, there been a lot of fun to do.

Paulalba said...

Thanks SoY, yeah I've been searching for the right shade of blues for my french troops and I definitely think I've got it this time, at least shades I'm happy with.

Jason Meyers said...

I've always been a fan of your work Paul, but I have to say this is the best I've seen (or very near the top)

I've heard Napoleonics referred to as "the beautiful game" and this command stand could really be used at the case and point. If you presented that top pic alone and stated these were 28mm I would believe you.

Gonsalvo said...

Truly magnificent looking figures, Paul!

Paulalba said...

Thanks Peter very much appreciated!!!

Paulalba said...

Thanks Jason, your far to kind! I don't think we can get any better encouragement than someone saying our troops look like a larger scale.

peter said...

Wonderfull painted figures! Great little diorama to!

Greetings
Peter