Monday, July 30, 2012

Dismounted French Dragoons of the 18e Regiment


I was going to post some of my first 1914 Brits in greyscale but I really couldn't face any more monochrome this week so I'm going to run with these lads instead - all in their Napoleonic technicolour glory.

This batch of dismounted dragoons have been patiently sitting on my workbench, mostly done, for nearly a year now. They came as part of one of the Perry plastic boxed sets. I have quite a few of these in the parts bin and thought I should get some more fielded so to be better able to play Peninsular skirmish games. 



I already have the mounted version of the 18th Regiment done so I thought I'd have these troopers on foot in the same lurid-yet-marvelous pink facings. Sorry for the monopose, but I sort of got into a rhythm assembling these while listening to an audiobook and they all turned out a little cookie cutter. Oh well, I'll just have to do another batch in a few different poses so the whole group has a bit more variety.


'Proper' dragoon green can be a very tricky colour to achieve and for years I've had a hard time sourcing a decent shade. Recently I found that Foundry has an excellent 'Dragoon Green', all conveniently sorted into three levels of shading. A tad expensive but highly recommended. If memory serves I think I used Army Painter Quickshade on these boys as well...


I decided to paint the eyes on this group, which I normally eschew, but thought I would give it a go. Nope. Interesting, but way too much hassle for too little gain, especially when you see this stuff en mass and at about 4 feet away (that and I kinda suck at it and I'm just too bloody lazy).

Ok, next will be some test models of 1914 British for my greyscale project...


38 comments:

  1. wow! They look absolutely amazing, lovely painting.

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  2. Beautiful, beautiful work. Best, Dean

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  3. Nice to see some more of your wonderful Napoleonics on here again. Excellent job on these guys!

    Jason

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    1. Yeah, its been awhile since the little tyrant has demanded reinforcements. Even though I'm really enjoying my current forays I must say Naps are still my favourite...

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  4. Absolutely gorgeous and only a year in the making! ;) Tremendous work Curt.

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    1. Yeah, I have an embarrassment of projects, all in various level on completion, hiding the surface of my desk. Oh well, it does keep me interested.

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  5. Amazing models, Curt. But... they are in full colour!!!

    Very nice.

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  6. They look wonderful! Green looks great and btw I'm a huge fan of Foundry paints so I don't mind paying a bit extra as it's IMHO worth it.

    Also, I quit painting eyes about year and half ago as like you I discovered it's not worth it at 28mm and in fact unless you paint them spot on every time it will actually detract from the paint job.

    Christopher

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    1. Thanks very much Christopher. Yes, if you botch the eyes it can really bugger-up the rest of the figure. If I were doing pure skirmish gaming with just a few figures per side I'd consider it, but I'm used to my method now and I don't feel wanting.

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  7. Graet job again!!

    I´m trying to stop painting eyes in my "big projects" too, but I still paint them for skirmish game miniatures.

    Cheers.

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    1. Thanks! You have such a fine hand that it seems quite easy. I'm too much of an old warhorse to change my habits, it seems!

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  8. Lookingbgood, lovely pink!

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    1. GW Tentacle Pink! Great shade for these lads (and certain lancers). Now, sadly, out-of-production...

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  9. Excellent work Curt , I can just see them clambering into cover . But where are the horse holders and thier chrges eh?!

    I agree re eyes "way too much hassle for too little gain". Mostly you can never see them even if painted anyway they are too far away as you say.

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    1. Thanks Dave! Yes, I'd love to do up some horseholders and chargers. The trouble is finding horses that are standing/grazing without reigns and period-specific saddlery/tack.

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  10. Great stuff dude. I botch the eyes every time I try it. Best avoided.
    Are the other Foundry paints as good?

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    1. Thanks! I hear you about the eyes, buddy. Yes, I can vouch for most of the Foundry line (I got a whack of them while they were on one of their rare promotions). They're a bit pricey but, as I said, if you can take advantage of one of their periodical sales it will take the edge off.

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  11. Those are damn nice Curt, damn nice.

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  12. Excellent painting Curt, they look superb, its not something you see everyday and great colours used, I do like a bit of pink on a Napoleonic uniform!

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    1. Cheers Ray. Yeah, I just need to track down some horse-holders now and I'd be set.

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  13. Lovely painting Curt, and fantastically shocking pink trim - magenta?

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    1. Thanks Tamsin. Yes, magenta is probably a better description of the colour even though its GW Tentacle Pink.

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  14. Curt

    I almost didn't recognize your blog with all the colour in the figures! They look great. And I thoroughly agree with not painting eyes. I've seen way to many Napoleonic Panda Bears and Raccoons on the table.

    Cheers
    PD

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    1. I know! I almost burned my retinas getting these guys done. Seriously though, it was nice to return to Napoleonics as its my favourite period.

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  15. They look great Curt, since you will be adding other poses you are excused the monopose ;0)

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  16. Excellent stuff, nice to see you getting back to some colour. They really 'zing' after the greyscale figures.

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  17. That pink really does pop! Nice figures, I do not like eyes, but yours did come out pretty neat.

    John

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    1. Thanks John. They still look a little like dolls to me but there it is - I'm not going to fiddle with them.

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  18. Very nice minis! Great painting!

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Thanks for your comment! As long as you're not a spam droid I'll have it up on the blog soon. :)