Here are a few French Napoleonic officers and NCOs that I've knocked out for a large skirmish game I'm organizing next month. The scenario will be set within the battle of Aspern-Essling (1809), specifically focusing on the bitter struggle for the churchyard of Aspern. (I'll post a 'Worst Case Scenario' once the dust has settled.)
Most of these castings are from Perry Miniatures except for the officer with the drawn sword and bicorne, which is a Victrix plastic figure. I've tried to do them up to fit in with voltigeur, line and grenadier companies.
I've kept the groundwork fairly neutral so the figures can fit in with either North European or Peninsular games without too much squinting.
In the spirit of full disclosure I have to say that not all the uniforms shown here are correct for the 1809 campaign. A few of these chaps are wearing uniforms which follow the later 1812 Bardin regulations. Meh. I've found that with the greying of my hair I've become less concerned about straying from the period's orthodoxies - my toy soldiers' sartorial sins have very little to do with my enjoyment of them, especially once they're on the tabletop, the dice are rolling and the lads are having a good time.
Up Next: A few more French, perhaps an Austrian or two and a bit of Mechanicus.
Brilliant work Curt! Really love your take on Naps. Skirmish gaming would also be the only way I could get bothered with these blighters.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nick! You'd probably enjoy 'Sharp Practice' as it gives a good game and it can be tweaked to give a great swashbuckling feel.
DeleteReally wonderful work Curt. It should be one great looking game.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rod, I hope it comes off well. The nice thing with Napoleonics is that even is the scenario is a bust the tabletop usually looks good. ;)
DeleteCracking work Sir, tremendous!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mr. Awdry, you are too kind.
DeleteLovely work Curt. Who cares if the uniforms aren't spot on for the date? :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful brushwork Curt!!
DeleteFor some daft reason I can't comment on your blog. I can only leave a reply message???? Oh blogger how I love your quirky ways!!!!
Two 'Rejects' in one - how wonderful! Thank you Tamsin and Ray!
DeleteFantastic work Curt!
ReplyDeleteCheers Rodger!
DeleteSeven works of beauty Curt!
ReplyDeleteAh, you are too kind Francis, but thank you.
DeleteLovely painting on these Curt, they have a real worn campaign look about them. I have also just enjoyed trawling back through your 'Worst Case Scenarios' posts, look forward to see what you come up with for these Naps.
ReplyDeleteThank you Pat! I'm delighted you took the time to look at some of the old scenarios. There are a few stinkers in there but we had a lot of laughs with them all.
DeleteWonderful painting Curt on some favourite sculpts of mine as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carlo. Yes, I agree, these Perry sculpts are just terrific. They have a very lived-in, old campaigners feel about them.
DeleteNicely done - love the Perry's Nappy line
ReplyDeleteThanks Miles, and yes I agree it's probably the best line out there (though Hick's recent work for Brigade Games is awesome).
DeleteExcellent!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kym!
DeleteWell done, I agree wholeheartedly about not getting over-excited about French Napoleonic uniforms.
ReplyDeleteJohn
They are lovely things but being too pedantic about them can be a drag on the enthusiasm.
DeleteVery nice work.
ReplyDeleteCheers Adam!
DeleteVery nice Curt!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sander!
DeleteMore gloriousness. And uniforms shmuniforms
ReplyDeleteHaha! Good attitude Martin.
DeleteCool, you could call it the start of the "Seven Men of Gascony" at Essling.
ReplyDeleteAhem, I think you'll find you're on to something there...
DeleteC'est magnifique!
ReplyDeleteTerribly excited to see what mayhem you have in store for these guys!
I take it you will be using Sharpe Practice?
Have you seen that Osprey is coming out with a Napoleonic skirmish set later this year - Chosen Men. It's by Mark Latham - same guy that recently did Broken Legions and before that Legends of the Old West and some other WHW titles. I'm not holding my breath in anticipation or anything, but I'll probably pick them up for a look - they're inexpensive and have pretty pictures. I don't dislike Broken Legions or LOTOW, I'd totally play them again, but I don't LOVE them, either so...
Thank you Tim! Yes, we'll be using Sharp Practice as it gives a very good game (though the size of the scenario will be stressing the limits of its scale design). I've seen the ads for 'Chosen Men' and like you, I'll probably pick it up for the pretty pictures and scenario ideas.
DeleteDamn yer eyes , and your devil may care attitude to counting buttons!
ReplyDeleteToo right ... and when they look that good why worry!
Haha, thanks Dave!
DeleteThese are bloody gorgeous, I've got some French Dragoons lined up on the painting table - if they're half as good as these I'll be happy
ReplyDeleteVery kind of you Kieran, though by the look of that excellent Arab Revolt railway engine you're working on you will do a brilliant job on the dragoons.
DeleteGreat looking napoleonic french, I'm also doing 1809 and I have to admit to being slightly blasé about uniform regs as in plastic cavalry virtually all of it is 1812 + very nice finish I will try and emulate your neutral ground finish.
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks Iain! Yes, I have Perry dismounted dragoons serving for early period Penninsula so you're not alone. If it looks right at 3 feet then run with it - for most of us this is not Euro Militaire we're looking for.
DeleteExcellent work indeed Curt! I have a Sharp Practice project in the wings to be shown at a latter date,:-)
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Oooh, that sounds fun, I look forward to hearing more on this project. You must rope Nick into this - I'd love to see him break ranks and do-up some Horse & Musket figures. ;)
DeleteBrilliant work as always my friend! Can't wait to see them up close. I have some Hapsburg opponents under the brush right now...
ReplyDeleteAwesome Greg! I can't wait to see them guiding their columns to victory (or at least something that the Haplessburgs can spin into a 'victory'...)
DeleteVery nice work. Cheers
ReplyDeleteThanks Brendon!
DeleteReally nice painting work!
ReplyDeleteCheers Juan!
DeleteI'm rubbish at Napoleonics, so I'm really impressed when I see them painted to such a high standard - nicely done, Curt!
ReplyDeleteFrom seeing your work I'm sure you would do a fine job on them Ev, but they can be darned fiddly. Thanks for the thumbs up.
DeleteSplendid Painting Style! Love it.BB
ReplyDeleteThank you Paul!
Delete