A Bit More Hussar Progress. . .

I played hooky from grading student papers this evening so that I could paint. And you know what? My conscience doesn’t hurt me one bit!

So, here are three picture updates of the first squadron and regimental staff. If you look very closely, you’ll see the crimson breeches peeking out from under the blue dolman and pelisse combo and as yet still black “schwaraden”, the leggings that came up to the mid-thigh. I think I might paint these yellow just to brighten things up a bit.

I also did the white base on the plumes plus the silver sabers and bronze trumpet. So, these fellows are beginning to look a bit more like soldiers and less like small hunks of plastic with black gesso all over them! And now, it’s beddy-bye. My neck and shoulders demand it. Sleep well, men!

Comments

CWT said…

An impressive regiment is shaping up. I especially like your painting on the horses - something I always struggle with.

C

12:49 AM

A J said…

Painting cavalry has always been my bugbear job too. You're doing a fine job there, Stokes. I look forward to seeing them in their final glory.

8:27 AM

Conrad Kinch said…

Onward hussars! I always find it very hard to motivate myself when painting cavalry, they just take so damn long. I'm considering brown spray for my next bunch and then pinning the chaps on later.

May I recommend some Hussar related reading?

The Point Of Honor by Joseph Conrad
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/17620
http://librivox.org/bookfeeds/the-point-of-honor-by-joseph-conrad.xml (audiobook version)

9:44 AM

The 18th century? What's the Fascination?

Hessian musketeers by All the King's Men Toy Soldiers of Snellville, Georgia, U.S.A. Just a quick post post today, but I thought the above question might be interesting food for thought. Obviously, there is an array of possible periods, theaters, and conflicts that might catch our eyes. But what is it about the era 1700-1799 -- either real, or imagined? Is it the commanders and politics? The fairly straightforward tactics? The myriad of uniforms and flags? The variety and scope of the conflicts? The patchwork of various and sundry petty states, (at least in Central Europe)? I'm very interested to learn your thoughts. Don't be a lurker! Please leave a comment -- or even two or three. Have a nice day everyone!

An Early July Hussar Update. . .

Marginally neater in appearance with green bases, girths, and ivory horse markings added, but I need to neaten up some hooves now before moving onto the rest of the tack. W here in the world did June go? While I still ponder the answer to that question, how about a quick painting update on the first batch of 14 Minden Austrian hussars and Nadasdy? Good. I'm glad we are of a like mind. Still on the sloppy side, but I've managed to move things along, painting the green bases, white (ivory) horse markings, and beginning the miles and miles of tack adorning the various horses. I always like to begin with the girths spanning the horses' ribs which helped hold the saddles in place. Even with the figures mounted individually on temporary painting bases, these can be kind of tricky to access, but there we are. I've also used various Army Painter washes (Mid-Brown and Strong Tone) as well as their Speed Paint (Grim Black) to make the manes and tails of the horses a bit m...

Basic Reds Done at Last. . .

S till quite a way to go with the current batch of 20 human figures and a horse (of course), but they're actually starting to look like something after all of the red distinctions. Quite a bit of painting in hour-long sessions the last week as and when time has allowed. Mostly applying the basic dark red to facing areas and turnbacks followed by the inevitable touch-ups to clean up wobbly edges and those misplaced, minute splotches of Citadel Khorne Red. They're looking like so many Austrian infantry regiments of the era at this point, but the eventual flags will turn them magically into the Anhalt-Zerbst Regiment, more or less, of the AWI period. But I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. One frustrating point (ahem) of sad discovery. I've started trying to use those Winsor & Newton 'Series Seven' brushes (#1 rounds) purchased last spring, and the blasted things simply will not keep a point. Very frustrating since I have heard over the y...

The Grand Duchy of Stollen

Search This Blog