A wee bit behind my time with the self-imposed July 31st deadline, but I managed to complete a myriad of the small details remaining during a 2.5-hour session in the painting chair Friday evening (August 1st). I won't bore you with a long list of these. Suffice to say that most are too small for anyone but me to notice at more than arm's length.
If these were the old crude Peter Laing 15mm castings, then ok. Splash on the general uniform colors in lighter tones to show up on the table before moving on to the next batch of figures. However, many tiny nuances have been masterfully sculpted onto the Eureka castings, so it seems a shame to ignore them altogether. I know, I know. But one should at least make an attempt to suggest some of the finer points of uniforms and equipment if and when possible when working with miniatures in sizes 18mm or larger.
But that's just me.
In any case, I was able to address these tiny areas in fairly short order with only a few mistakes to fix along the way. Acting fast and wicking away the paint before it sets with a clean, damp brush always helps of course. A tip provided to me now many years ago by Bill Protz.
All that remains now on these 14 cuirassier figures are two buttons on each cuff, a few sword knots (where visible), some limited dry-brushing on the horses, and any final touch-ups before I address the bases and source a standard in the regimental color ('coffee brown' in 1733) for the squadron. Once the figures have received their usual 2.5 coats of acrylic gloss varnish, then it will be time to think about which unit to tackle next. A few spring to mind, but of that more anon.
I must admit that I look forward to a return to my preferred Minden and Fife&Drum castings. These Eureka Saxon cuirassiers have been a real challenge to get through during the last several months. Purchased in late September or October 2016, as an early 5oth birthday gift to myself, they are almost done at long last. And thank goodness!
Were I to repeat the exercise, I think Jim's Austrian cuirassiers for the SYW would be a better fit for Saxony's von Polenz regiment as it appeared in the the early 1730s (above image generously provided by Allan Tidmarsh). The large three-button cuffs on the former would certainly be more suitable than the two-button arrangement on Saxon cuirassier uniforms of the 1750s and '60s as modeled on the Eureka castings. Live and learn as the saying goes.
On a loosely related note, and where returns are concerned, the most recent Charles Grant title (Tabletop Teasers: Volume One -- The Return) arrived at the start of the week, and it's full of smaller scenarios that can be adapted easily to one's own favorite periods, table set-up, and available collections. Massive tables that can be left in situ, thousands of figures, and scads of free time to play the game are not necessary. . . Encouraged, but not necessary. ;-)
I really must set up my table again and try out a few of the scenarios therein. Perhaps the Young Master might be up for a game or two? I'll have to float that idea to him.
Happy Saturday Everyone!
-- Stokes
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