Lightbox Photographs of the Sutleress Vignette. . .

A better photograph of the various and sundry supplies stacked behind the sutleress tent. Bundles, barrels, and bales of stuff along with a hammered tin lantern on top of the pile.

Here are two final photographs of the sutleress vignette, taken in the 'ol foamcore board lightbox a short while ago, this time against my preferred neutral light blue background. The figures are, as mentioned many times already, from the various sub-ranges of 30mm Suren (Willie) figures. The supplies and provisions come from several different manufacturers, including Minden Miniatures, Eureka, and (I think) Foundry. The table and tent were scratch-built with white card for the former, copier paper for the latter, and bits of toothpicks.

Except for the alkyd oil fleshtone, everything was painted with acrylic washes over a base of white acrylic gesso. Two coats of acrylic gloss varnish were then applied to everything in the vignette as and when it was finished. Last of all, the base was finally treated with sand (stained with a Raw Umber acrylic wash) and then Woodland Scenics fine grass scatter material was added with several clumps of tree foliage glued atop that, to approximate clumps of weeds. Now, I don't know about you, but I feel like some fresh bread, cheese, and wine looking at the various goodies these ladies are displaying for sale on their tabletop.

-- Stokes

And here's a fairly nice shot of the front side of the same vignette, showing various foodstuffs atop and beside a scratch-built table made from two layers of thick white card and bits of toothpicks for the legs.

Here's an RSM Painting Update

Here's a picture illustrating my (S-L-O-W) progress with the second company of Stollen's Leib (Grand Duchess Sonja's Own) Grenadiers. You can see I'm doing things a bit differently this time, altering the painting process to keep it interesting basically. This evening, I'll do the white gaiters and, if that goes reasonably quickly, and time allows, the red breeches. Still lots to do, but I like the way these fine fellows are shaping up along side the completed 1st company that's standing in formation just off camera, to the left here. Until tonight then!

Presenting the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere!!!

Here they are, with the rearmost nine figures still drying, three squadrons of the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere, now in the service of the Grand Duchy of Stollen. And now, it's onto that artillery!

Having a "No Day". . .

F or the almost 20 years that she lived in Mexico, one of my late mother's Irish friends frequently mentioned having a "No Day." A day with no social obligations, chores, tasks, or other work that interfered with whatever personal interests took one's fancy on the day in question. Since today -- a gray and chilly Saturday -- is Mom's birthday, the Grand Duchess is out with friends, and the Young Master is ensconced on the sofa in the TV room with a cold, yours truly is taking his own such No Day. I think Mom would approve of my decision to make the world go away, as the old Eddie Arnold song intoned, even if only for a little while. So, I will spend Saturday afternoon focused on that first squadron and small regimental staff of Eureka Saxon cuirassiers. These have stood waiting untouched over on the painting table for almost three weeks while we skied and otherwise gadded about with snowy, winter outdoor activities. I hope to share a painting update Sunday...

The Grand Duchy of Stollen

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