Next on the Painting Table. . .

Familiar Mollo illustrations of period specific Russian troops. The plates from this particular book just have a certain something about them that I actually prefer to more recent book and online sources.

General Paul von Stollen and staff were received well by our son on his 12th birthday last week, so I have started on the next phase for his planned Christmas gift: a two-gun battery of Russian artillery.

Six Minden crew each and a mounted officer for good measure. Fairly simple, easy uniforms to paint although I have taken my time applying washes of scarlet over some very dark red to a pleasing blend of highlights and lowlights.

The black hats and gaiters are done as are the black facings and turnbacks on seven of the figures. Once I finish that, then I'll take care of the fleshtone (doing things a bit out of order this time). And then the smaller details.

Years ago, I painted some Revell Austrian SYW horse artillery as Russians -- Some of you old timers might remember. -- but the Minden figures are much nicer. They should be spectacular once painted, glossed, and manning their guns when the Young Master unwraps them on Christmas Morning.

-- Stokes

Comments

Rob said…

Is it wise doing Russians for the Young Master? They can be uncommonly hard to shift.

3:45 PM

tradgardmastare said…

Glad the gift was received well and I look forward to seeing the battery progress.

2:14 AM

Ross Mac rmacfa@gmail.com said…

Should be a memorable present.

Hopefully he doesn't regularly read your blog.....

9:22 PM

David Morfitt said…

I do agree about the Mollo book; I still find it one of my most inspiring volumes.

Glad to hear your son liked his gift. How could he not? ;-)

Good luck with the Russian artillery and I look forward to seeing progress on them.

Cheers,

David.

11:17 AM

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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