The Grand Duchy of Stollen

Here is a panoramic shot (Can you tell I'm in the midst of teaching a film course?) of the sixteen infantry privates currently in progress. Managed to work in a couple of paiting sessions this afternoon and this evening after dinner, to finish the red facings and turnbacks of the second batch of Huzzah figures. Still a way to go until completion, but they are starting to fall into place. And here is our familiar friend, now sporting snazzy red facings and turnbacks before the trusty weather radio.

Idealized "spring cleaning" 1950s-style. Why, this could almost be my maternal grandmother! Except that she had "help", as they called it in the American South of the time, who came in a few times a week to take care of the kinds of activities depicted above. No painting this past week due to a nasty headcold, which sapped the desire to do much in the evenings besides watch movies online. But I've come to a momentous decision, which might possibly benefit other mid-18th Century gamers. I've decided to sell my pile of unpainted plastic Revell Prussian and Austrian figures! Yes, yes. I know. Some of you will, undoubtedly, see this as heresy given that the Grand Duchy of Stollen project began its run using these same figures. However, as you know, I've gradually made the move over to various "old school" brands of metal figures, and it's highly unlikely that these plastics will ever see the light of day for painting purposes. So, what ...

Here is a progress photo, showing the second batch of Huzzah figures on the painting bench. So far, just the larger areas and flesh have been painted along with the hatlace, yellow/black pompoms, and musket slings. If there is any time this weekend (doubtful since we have dinner guests this evening and I've got student projects to review and grade tomorrow), I'll start the red facings and turnbacks. Bad alliteration notwithstanding, here are a couple of promised photos, showing where I stand with the second batch of Huzzah musketeers. Lately, I've been painting in 30-60 minute bursts (I usually prefer a couple of hours between breaks or other activities) when the baby is asleep during the afternoons, or in the evenings after bedtime. The trouble is that I must then read and plan the lesson for the next day of my May Term film course. So, sadly, there has not been as much painting time as I would like. Still, the Grand Duchy of Stollen project is moving ahead even if a...

Just time for a quick update this morning. Painting continues, albeit s-l-o-w-l-y since I am teaching my usual May term course, which meets for three hours daily for four weeks. And that means lots of nightly reading and preparation with little free time left over for painting. Nevertheless, I have managed to fit in a little painting time here and there, so the middle batch of Huzzah Prussian musketeers is coming along. Look for a progress photo here later today.