A close-up of the dark gray being applied with a feather touch and an old 000 sable that has served me well for 20+ years believe it, or not.
So, how are we faring with those horse grenadiers?
Well, getting very near the end, or rather nearer. This weekend, I have spent various painting sessions, usually no more than 60-90 minutes at a time given the tedious nature of the work, applying dark gray highlights here and there to the various areas of horse tack. Yes. I know, I know. It's official. I need my head examined.
Once dry and at arm's length, however, it adds some nice dimension to the figures and the overall impression they make. Blame the work of Doug Mason and others as featured so long ago in Miniature Wargames and early issues of Wargames Illustrated, which has always been my pot of gold at the end of the proverbial painting rainbow where my own efforts with the brush are concerned.
Just a few more brush strokes -- dabs really -- to get the bridles highlighted, and then silver and brass oils for the stirrups, bits, and various tiny buckles on the bridles plus the two trumpets. Then, touch-ups, trumpet banners, as well as the cords, tassels, finial, and colonel's standard. Little by Little if you'll excuse the mid-1980s Robert Plant reference.
-- Stokes
A Painting P.S.
Yes, there are indeed a few tight spots when painting cavalry already mounted in pairs to their permanent bases, but anything to reduce the number of steps necessary before the figures are all done, you understand, since the number of miniatures is effectively doubled when tackling riders AND horses.
Good lighting is a must, of course, and when working on smaller bits, I try to think like a dentist or surgeon and look for the best angle of approach as far as the lighting and brush go. It might not work for everyone, and it is certainly somewhat unorthodox, but it works reasonably well for me.
However, I have found recently that the old eyes sometimes need help focusing, or take a moment to do so. Sigh. I fear the time for bifocals may be at hand when the next eye exam comes around this fall. It will be time for the Grand Duchess to put me in a home for the aged (or the criminally deranged) before you know it.
Comments
As an aside i found myself exchanging pleasantries with Mr Plant himself at a festival in a village in Shropshire this spring.
However if I may be the voice of temptation dragging your standards down with the slovenly 80/20 rule? Depending on the definition of the harness you could get 80% of the result from 20% of the effort by gently pulling a drybrush of mid grey across the harness. Keep a brush nearby dampened with thinner and if you splodge on the horse muscle just wipe it off while wet.
On the other hand if you take pleasure in the craftsmanship involved, then be damned to me and my new fangled work efficiency sloppiness and more power to you.
John
Best Regards,
Stokes
Peter