General von Drosselmaier (center) and his retinue of officers watch in disbelief as the sun sets on their carefully laid plans, and the Zichenauer forces march gaily into the village of Pelznikkel, during my refight of Charles Grant's 'Action' in August 2008. The figures are a mix of MiniFigs and RSM95. Looking back through the various photographs I've snapped over the last few years, I was surprised to see that I have painted quite a few mounted generals and aide de camps. In fact, there is a plastic tub with 12-15+ such figures on the shelf to my left where my armies are quartered when not fighting tabletop encounters of one sort or another.
Typically, I paint two or even three such figures at a time, using them to take much needed breaks between those more labor intensive larger units of infantry and cavalry that are the hallmark of the growing Grand Duchy of Stollen collection. While I set out to paint all of my figures to a pleasing standard, these personality figures usually get a little more careful attention and a bit more in the detail department. So, they almost always end up taking longer than is absolutely necessary. But I have discovered in the last few years that I actually enjoy the process of painting figures, especially personality figures, more that I thought previously. Then again, maybe it's just the onset of middle age? ;-)
Here' s a much brighter photo, showing the flamboyant cammander of the Stollenian cavalry arm, Count Pavel Petrovich Buttinski and his dour aide astride a dun horse, painted during July 2008. The count served in the armies of 
Last of all, here is an obligatory close-up of General Buttinski's front. I remember being especially pleased with how all of the black lining turned out around the silver lace on the good general's saddle cloth, coat, and waistcoat. Definitely would not want to do this for normal infantry, cavalry, and artillery figures in their hundreds, but it certainly brings one's tabletop "personalities" to life.
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-- Jeff