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Yet another lively representation of some 18th Century hussars by Richard Knoetel. I never tire of looking at this particular branch of service. . . and, lately, daydreaming about how I might eventually paint those Minden Prussian hussars.


Well, not much painting the last few days here at Stollen Central. Real life, looking after Young Master Paul, a new translation project that rolled in the other day, and our annual Abba Fest (to celebrate the coming summer solstice and Midsommar. . . I must keep the Grand Duchess in touch with her Swedish roots) last night precluded productive painting. Sadly, there are just so many hours in the day!

But, today is Fathers' Day here in the United States, and I have requested some painting time this afternoon and evening, which the Grand Duchess, in her infinite wisdom, has granted. So, after the three of us enjoy coffee and maybe something sweet in a local cafe, it's back to Zum Stollenkeller for some basecoating and other work to get those final 16 Huzzah musketeers started and prepare those Holger Eriksson dragoons for eventual basecoating.

Finally, thanks to those of you who expressed and interest in and purchased my surplus of Revell SYW Prussians and Austrians. All of the figures in questions have found new homes, and I know they will be painted, used, and enjoyed in your own army projects. "Charge!" say I. Now get thee to the painting table and get cracking.

And to any visitors who feel that the Grand Duchy of Stollen project has lost what set it apart at the outset now that I am making the transition to metal figures -- I actually received a somewhat strident message the other day, taking me to task for this -- all I can say is that I still have the misguided Irwin-Amadeus II, his loyal and long-suffering manservant Hives, the nefarious General Phillipe de Latte, and the stalwart Oberfeldwebel Klatschen among others in my bag of tricks. And you can continue to read about their (mis-) adventures occasionally in future posts along with my musings about figure painting, tabletop battles (coming very soon), hussar uniforms, and the like. The Grand Duchy of Stollen project is alive and well, moving full steam ahead, and the completion of the initial Sittangbad-sized order of battle before too long is at last within sight. Stay tuned!


The Next Day. . .

Managed to get two coats of black acrylic paint onto the figures as a basecoat and cut out the bases for those 30 Holger Eriksson dragoons, using heavy cardboard scavanged from the back of an old, long gone pad of graph paper. Not much of a start, but a start nonetheless. If all goes well today, I'll begin applying green to the bases and flesh to the faces of the Huzzah musketeers this evening.

Comments

Bluebear Jeff said…
If I might offer a suggestion regarding the Minden Hussars . . .

Avoid green as a uniform color. Pick something that will contrast well with your green playing surface instead.

The hussars are such nice sculpts that you should pick uniforms that will make them "stand out" on your lovely green table top.

Meanwhile enjoy your painting time.


-- Jeff
3:42 PM
Fitz-Badger said…
It never ceases to amaze me how partizan or zealous some people can get over choices of figures (or other aspects of gaming). To each their own. I always enjoy seeing the variety of approaches to the hobby.
Happy painting!
4:41 PM
Martin said…
Hear! Hear! Well said Jeff and Fitz! The miniatures we use in our games are just 3-D representations so we can enjoy the spectacle of brightly uniformed troops coming to grips, while they obey our commands. The make and model make little difference. I understand that there are those with souls so dead, known as boardgamers, that employ what we would consider just the base (GASP!) of our miniatures.

As far as the Hussar Uniform Question goes; the brighter and more outrageous the better. Let the locals think the Circus has come to town!
9:36 PM
marinergrim said…
Glad to read that you're starting your heir on the coffee at such a young age. Mine are well into their teens ans still won't take to the stuff.
Enjoy YOUR hobby and stuff what other people want you to do in the appropriate filing bin.
6:37 AM
WSTKS-FM Worldwide said…
Jeff -- Good point. Thanks for the suggestion.

Fitz -- Yep, I agree. There's plenty of scope for various approaches. Thanks for your continued interest and support.

Martin -- Ditto. And I'll actually keep using my plastic Revell regiments of infantry and cavalry (shudder) along side my metals for some time to come.

Paul -- Yes, and my wife has even given his a small taste of a frozen Starbuck's espresso frapuccino. . . and he LIKED it! We've created a caffeine monster I fear. Just the smell of the java bug animates him!
4:24 PM
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