Work in Progress

Here are a few pics of my current project. As we have an ACW game coming up as our next club game, I thought that it was time to add some command figures to my collection. Unfortunately, I didn't have any "run of the mill" mounted officers in my unpainted box so Hood, Jackson, Stuart , and Bobby Lee will be reduced to commanding my troops on my next outing!

In these two shots we see the Wargames Foundry CSA Personalities glued to fender washers after being trimmed of what little flash that there was. I am trying something new by gluing the riders to the horses before painting. I am hopeful that it will result in a stronger glue bond between the rider and mount. I am worried that it may make painting the riders a bit more difficult...

In these two photos we see the figures covered in the black Gesso that I use as primer. It is always a little unnerving to me when I slather on the Gesso and much of the detail on the figures disappears under a dark blob! However, within 30 minutes the Gesso has dried, and shrunk, enough to reveal all the fine details of the figures. As you can see in the blurry, ill-lit cell phone picture below...

More after the Gesso dries completely! Keep checking back to see how I ruin these lovely figures with my mediocre painting methods!

I've Gone Missing

There is a reason for my recent silence. Your humble correspondant was captured in a trench raid in late March and has only just escaped. In a daring escape organized by Lt. J.Thompson we recently escaped back to our own lines... Hurrah! Our return to our lines will allow me to resume my reporting on my gaming projects.

That sounds much better than admitting that I have been very busy lately with all the usual obligations - work, family, and so on. I have been organizing a "pile" of 25mm First Crusades Saracens to send away to a painting service. I was inspired to finally get these guys "done up" after picking up the Fields of Glory rules which had a nice guide to organizing a Saracen army. So after sitting in my closet since 1998, it looks like Saladin may finally take the field soon.

I am STILL painting my 1914 Germans. The first batch is very close to being finished. After that it will be a few machine gun teams and command types to round out my Bosche line unit. I have some Jagers (jaegers?) to do after that. I have been using this fantastic site Tom Weiss as painting inspiration. I hope my figures turn out half as well!!

Scott Pasha has loaned me Patrols in the Sudan to review. In addition, I have been reviewing Habitants and Highlanders for our upcoming French and Indian game.

See, I am doing something...

Here is some proof that I am working on my WW1 collection. These dusty soldiers are seen in a couple of work-in-progress pictures. Since the picture was taken this batch of Old Glory Germans have been mounted on bases but the bases have not been flocked yet - I am a great procrastinator! I have 'finished' two full sections of riflemen for the Price of Glory rules system. I am looking forward to having enough sections to stage a game soon.