"Victrix French "how-I-did-it" on Martin's Models" Topic

Hello all,
Just a new page on my blog – Martin's Models – which showcases my very first Napoleonic 28mm unit.

link

Hope you enjoy.

-Martin

nice job martin,

cheers
matt

Very nicely done!

hussarbob1746.webs.com

Great job – I especially like the basing and the fact that the blue is a bit lighter than sometimes used, looks like a unit of old salts in the field

Nice painting but the blue – too light – change the haedgear into a Raupenhelm and you have very nice Bavarians.

Great , I need to know more about airbrushing , where should I start ?

Très bien!

Thanks for all the positive comments, folks. Very much appreciated! I hope the article inspired some of you to try my technique.

Keithandor – the problem with airbrushing is the old question of 'right tool for the right job'. If you just want to undercoat and basecoat, an external mix brush is fine.

However, if you want to some quality work, or be able to adjust the flow and strength of the paint onto the surface, a double-action internal airbrush is a must.

I'd recommend any double action 'brush by Iwata or Paache for a beginner. Try for something with a large cup on top (known as a gravity feed,) or better still, one with exchangeable cups.

You'll need an air compressor, as those cans of compressed air you find in hobby stores get used up fast! Any compressor which feeds into a storage tank is fine, but I'd strongly recommend you grab a water trap to go with it – this stops your airbrush going 'splosh!' when water vapor compresses inside the compressor, turns into droplets, and squirts out the nozzle onto your beautifully painted, almost-finished, model.

I hope that helps. Happy airbrushing!

Crikey! They are very nice indeed.

Really nice figures, and you do them justice!

Nice painting style a pleasure to look at.

In the basing hints MacrossMartin mentions Sliflor grass tufts. Does anyone know who sells them in the U.S.

Nice work & nice "how to." The white clothes look very well done in the instruction photo. I've always done it the other way around – that is, white undercoat, then shade the creases/recesses, then maybe another coat for highlight. Thanks for the post, Dean

Silflor grass tufts available at scenicexpress.com

Martin.
I downloaded pics of your battalion from e-bay a couple of days ago as I'm painting the same. I showed the pics to a friend today and pointed out my almost finished 30-figure Victrix French battalion. His silence was eloquent! Critics! Who needs 'em. Anyway I just thought I should congratulate you on your work. {I know there should be a question mark after 'em but I couldn't find it on the keybaord through the tears.}
Mike

Or spell keyboard

Thanks Martin
I am getting a compressor for father's day :) Mainly for cleaning bike parts etc etc
But I'll be getting a little airbrush to do some experimentation.
Thanks for the tips.
Lots of airbrushes on ebay , not sure which one to get.

"Nice painting but the blue – too light – change the haedgear into a Raupenhelm and you have very nice Bavarians".

Ahh give me a break,…
Not this old chestnut.
And I suppose you were there as the material came off the table at some dinky haberdashery shop in 1810?
Not to mention sun fade, dirt, grime and constant re-washing (by hand).

BTW, I was very temped to but a bid on these guys, but someone (lucky sod) beat me to it.
Great work!

I won't jump into the blue fight – I did say these chaps were my first Naps in this scale, and I'm happy with them. (So is the chap who bought them!)
Thanks again for the comments, everyone. Good for the ego, don'chaknow… ;)

Keithandor – like I said, Iwata or Paache, Iwata for sheer quality, Paache for simple, unbreakable sturdiness. Don't get an Aztec, unless its interchangability is a must have feature for you. (Nothing wrong with Aztec, except they need a lot of cleaning!)

Trailape – I actually sold this battalion twice! But one customer was willing to wait a month for me to finish the battalion, and buy it unbased. (The rules he's using don't use 20mm frontages.) If you like, I can add another unit to the painting table for you.

Drop me a mail at macrossmartin AT yahoo DOT com.

Ok thanks Martin , looking at a few kits on ebay , so gravity fed is better than suction ?

So I want a double actions os I can adjust both paint and spray mix , and gravity fed.

What would you expect to pay for one ?

Hi Martin
Thanks for the offer!
Email sent.
Cheers

Very nice job mate…I have been looking at these models for a long time now, this might have just pushed me over the edge

Steve W
If your after some VICTRIX drop me a line, I might have some un-opened boxes you can get at a discount!
trailape@hotmail.com
(I over indulged)
Cheers

might do mate, have to get some money together first

Hin Steve W
No Rush, I'll hold them for you if you tell me what you want.
Send a email.
Cheers

Hey Martin
Did you get my email?
Cheers

Hey trailape! – check your email, chum. ;)

Keithandor – a decent 'brush with all the usuful trimmings shouldn't fetch more than $150, tops.

So how much would a set of these go for then? I am tempted

Hi
I think about $179 USD AUD.
Cheers

Marc –
Trailape is my new marketing manager! ;)

Seriously, Marc, Trailape is correct – $179.00 USD Australian, plus postage, which I'm happy to quote on. Just be aware that there will be a delay, as I currently have 3 Battalions in progress as commissions.

Feel free to drop me a line at –
macrossmartin AT yahoo DOT com
- If you would like further details.

You are kidding me right – approx £77.00 GBP UK pounds for 24 assembled, fully painted, based and be-flagged Victrix.

You are soooo underselling your talents. They look far too good for that price. I think you need a new marketing manager.

Thanks for the response though

If he is getting more commissions at his prices, then they must be priced right.

Nice looking unit, BTW.

E$ach to their own, but personally I feel he could charge more, hence my surprise. I could not bear to sell painted 28mm figs for £3.00 GBP a pop – could you? But that is capitalism I suppose.

How's the little Princess by the way – about time she "whupped your bear butt" again I reckon, as reward for her bravery

Marc, if you'd like to pay more, by all means, don't let me stop you…;)

Seriously, though, DAF is absolutely correct – the prices reflect the reality of what I can currently generate in commissions. If I have collector's fighting to get in line for the next unit I produce, my prices will go up – that's the market. If you like, you could consider my current price as an 'introductory offer.'

…possibly for a limited time only… ;)

Re the coats- I have to say from seeing original uniform items, that French 'Imperial blue' is very dark indeed. I'm sure that the coats would have fallen to pieces long before the cloth could weather down to the shade depicted.

Really high quality painting however.