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Wise Words. . .

Yes, yes.  We've seen this photograph here before, but it helps illustrate the point below very nicely I think.  Holger Eriksson dragoons, painted in the uniforms of The Imperial Gendarmes.  One of John Preece's originals is at the back, and the two replacement figures I painted are at the front.


"Admittedly, there is a need for quite a high level of detail in models intended or skirmish action where  1 model = 1 man.  But in games where one model is supposed to represent 33 men, the real aim is not to show a set of immaculate individuals, but to convey the impression of a whole seething unit.  Painting skills are well within our grasp which will allow large numbers of men to be painted [relatively] quickly to give a good impression of whole units, where far more time  and energy might be expended in making each one look brilliant, but far too strikingly individualistic.  Moulding and casting philosophies could well be linked in with this type of altered emphasis. . ." -- Paddy Griffith, "Variations on a Theme", Miniature Wargames #2.


This echoes how my own painting has evolved over the last 30+ years.  When I began back in the mid-1980s, I spent considerable time trying to add as much detail as possible to my 15mm Napoleonics.  Ah, callow youth.  It is hardly surprising that it took forever just to finish one unit of, say, 20 figures much less an entire corps like the kind I aspired to at the time.  In more recent years, and with my switch to large units of 25-30mm 18th century figures, I have gradually become more comfortable with the idea of painting neatly and to the best of my ability, but I leave certain small details to the imagination.  Not only does the bare bones approach keep me sane, but I actually have managed to paint quite a few large units of infantry, cavalry, and artillery. . .  if not in a particularly rapid way, then at least to eventual completion during the last almost ten years.  

Figures like those by RSM95, Holger Eriksson (above), Suren/Willie, and Spencer Smith lend themselves well to this more practical style of painting as do the more detailed castings by the likes of Minden, Fife&Drum, and Crann Tara, which still look good even if you chose not to paint in and highlight each gaiter button sculpted onto the castings.  My one exception to this rule concerns command and special one-off vignettes where it is fun to lavish a bit more time and attention on groups of three-five figures that will, very probably, be examined more closely than units of infantry, for example, that feature 60-80 figures wearing more or less identical uniforms and kit.

-- Stokes

Comments

Peter Douglas said…
Very wise words indeed. I like the two foot rule. My units should look good on the table from two feet away.

Nice cavalry by the way.
Cheers PD
My Dear Heinz-Ulrich,

The basic issue is simple: does what you are doing make you happy? Are you pleased with your efforts? Obviously, you have reached the very mature understanding that the part of the hobby that we are interested in is the play of the game with nicely done miniatures. There are members of the hobby who will play with anything no matter how poorly painted. Then we have others who will paint and paint and paint and never seem to get anything on the table top. Those choices are okay - but apparently not for either of us.

Thank you for the insight into where you are at with your painting and gaming.

Gerardus Magnus
Archbishop Emeritus
Der Alte Fritz said…
I would feel as if I had let the little men down if I gave them anything less than my best effort.

I know that a lot of details on the figures can't be seen at gaming level or a few feet away, but I WOULD KNOW that something was missing, so I can't do it.

Fritz
Ah, but Jim, you have perfected a way to address all of the great detail in your figure painting AND still crank 'em out at an amazing pace. For those of us (raises hand) who are, shall we say, slower in wielding the brush,we must content ourselves with fairly basic rank and file. However, where my command and special vignettes are concerned, and for which I use as often as not Minden and Fife and Drum figures, I too feel a certain obligation to those small pewter men to paint as much detail as I can manage. And admittedly, a casting with all of its modeled lace, buttons, and badges properly painted is a sight to behold.

Best Regards,

Stokes

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