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Did You Say Another Painting Challenge??!!

Two gun crews with a couple of heavy cannon.  From left to right: a Minden crew, one by RSM95, and two heavy guns also by RSM95.  I plan to paint each crew in a different uniform, probably Saxon and Bavarian, though the Hanoverians were certainly colorful too.

My group of wargaming friends and acquaintances scattered across the globe has collectively found that painting challenges tend to make things happen at our respective painting tables.  While not high-pressure situations -- and anyone is free to change his plans, stated aims, or to drop out if real life interferes -- these events instill a healthy drive to get things accomplished.  And many of us in the hobby could certainly use this kick in the seat of the pants from time to time.

On that last note, a wonderfully jolly professor from Denmark, from whom I took a course on late 19th Century Scandinavian literature while at the University of Minnesota in the fall of 2000, made a similar observation about graduate students once when I visited him during office hours to discuss a term paper project.  There is a related joke out there, which I heard some years later, that goes something like this:

Q: How many graduate students does it take to change a light bulb?

A: Only one, but it takes him or her a dozen years. . .


Badda-bing, badda-boom!  Anyway, we have decided to stage a third such painting challenge, commencing on February 15th and lasting until April 15th of this year.  And here are the two units I will pledge to complete in that time.  Another battery of artillery, and a battalion of Croats.  It should be fun to work on a couple of smaller, less demanding units than has been the case recently.  Let me hasten to add, though, that I've really enjoyed the first two painting challenges, and can't recall when I was ever so productive at the painting table.  These challenges really light the painting fire and bolster your enthusiasm to keep going through those more tedious parts of the painting process.  Painters, on your marks!

 A 30+ battalion of RSM95 Croats with a few Austrian officers, NCOs and musicians thrown in.  I have a few more from Minden on the way to add a few more poses to the unit as well as some NCOs and drummers in more correct Croat dress.  It should be quite an eye-catching unit once complete.  I'm envisioning fictitious uniforms -- brown with Alizarin Crimson facings and yellow/gold lace.  In any case, oil glazes over a white basecoat once again.  Can't wait!

Comments

Will Scarvie said…
What a great idea. May I ask, politely, whether anyone is allowed to join in the fun? I have three units of 18th century infantry sitting on my painting table awaiting motivation, you see...
Bloggerator said…
The RSM Croats are among my favourites and very versatile for the converter with a razor saw and dremel tool.

Greg
Concentrationally,

Yes, please feel free to throw your hat in the ring.

Best Regards,

Stokes
Greg,

Tell me more! What kinds of conversions have you done to these figures?

Best Regards,

Stokes
Bloggerator said…
Hungarians primarily, Stokes. Shorten the klobuk (hat), remove the rolled cloak and add small triangular turnbacks t the front of the jacket - instant 1740-45 Hungarians.

G

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