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Pontonier Update #5: The Tiny Details. . .

We're getting very close to the two wrapping things up with the pontoniers.  Right on schedule.  It's rare when that happens.  And I'll bet you didn't know that actor David Soul (of Starsky and Hutch fame) had an ancestor who fought for the Grand Duchy of Stollen, did you?  Can you spot him?

Another nice painting session this evening after the Young Master's bedtime, and I finished up a few remaining tiny details, including brass buttons, wigs, and hair in a few different colors as well as retouching the brass buckles on some of the figures where these are not covered by gaiters.  

Except for the pontoons, which I'll finish tomorrow, I'm satisfied, and will call the two companies of pontoniers done except for retouching a few of the green bases.  I might even be able to apply my usual two coats of acrylic gloss varnish tomorrow too.  And then on Sunday, it's time to turn my attention to General von Bauchschmerzen and his uhlan escorts luring in the background.  

I must admit, it is a very nice feeling when painting goes so quickly and easily, but then I think that's due more to the high quality of the Minden figures, which are easy to paint to a good standard, than it is to any great skill on my part.  Who knows?  But I do like the way things have turned out.

 -- Stokes


Here's another vintage Scandinavian Christmas greeting card (it reads 'Happy Christmas Wishes') that I suspect is Norwegian given the farm wife's sweater and the mountains in the background.  Along with her farm's nisse and the cat of course.  The tradition goes that you set out a bowl of warm, rich cream porridge in the barn for the nisse on Christmas Eve to keep him happy and content, ensuring continued good fortune for the coming year.


Comments

Pierre le Poilu said…
Are nisse musical? Do they sing christmas carols and winter songs? Is the banjo a traditional nisse instrument?

Nice figures by the way.
5:02 AM
tidders said…
Pontooniers looking good, will make a great setup when finished

-- Allan
6:14 AM
Jiminho said…
Is David Soul Sr. the fellow in the pontoon with an oar but without a tricorn?

I have to say that you seem to have mastered the "porcelain figurine" look with these figures. It is a unique look (to my mind, judging from wg figure painting sites on-line) and both striking and effective. Well done!
11:26 AM
WSTKS-FM Worldwide said…
Thank you for your kind comments, men! Yes, Mr. David Soul is indeed the blond gentleman in the pontoon holding an oar. I'd even say that the face of this particular casting looks very much like the actor in his 1970s prime. I don't know how musical nisse are, or if banjos are their traditional instruments. This is actually the first illustration I can recall that depicts a nisse playing a musical instrument. Any native-born Norwegian visitors out there who might care to enlighten us on this particular point? Please feel free to weigh in here.

Best Regards,

Stokes
12:23 PM
CelticCurmudgeon said…
My Dear Heinz-Ulrich, Greetings,

The figures are lovely. Do you have an idea for rules for them now that they are almost done? Will work on the pontoon bridge move according to how many pontooniers are available? Is there an officer figure in overall command? Can the men fight or are they simply all potential POWs?

Warmest holiday regards from the Cancellery. If only the cook could get your stollen recipe correctly done....

Gerardus Magnus
Archbishop Emeritus
2:16 PM
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