"First foray into the American Revolution" Topic

A friend introduced me to Sharp Practice last year and I really enjoyed the mechanics. Firstly, though a confession, I know very little about warfare during the black powder era so despite enjoying the game I grappled with the idea of getting into a new period, reading about it and collecting the figures. I think it was Matthew Spring's book "With zeal and with bayonets only" that convinced me that the American Revolution opened up a rich vein of military history with lots of interest.

So I've taken the plunge and started putting together a British and Continental force. Here's the first batch and there's a bit more about it on my blog if that's of interest:

Sharp Practice and the American Revolution

The Redcoats are coming

Welcome. I find it a period that offers a variety of the things wargamers want. Battles from skirmish to army level, colorful uniforms, mixed terrain. More Information seems to be available every year.

Your figures look great.

Check out this site.
allthingsliberty.com

link

Excellent Work!

Very nice TP!
Looking forward to your battle reps in the future too.

Great work!

Those figures look great.

Xin/Jeff

Nice work

They look GREAT! Welcome to the period is is rich and fascinating.

Welcome to the era. I wasn't initially a fan of the era either. For me it was seeing the high quality relatively affordable figures hitting the market a few years ago that sucked me in. Just look at what Giles has done on his Tarleton's Quarter site as well as the units Bill posts here. Once you get into an era and start reading about it in greater detail it gets much more interesting. So hope you enjoy the ride, and your figures look great.

Tell us how you are doing that grass effect – looks great!

nice work!

Wow very nice!

Tell us how you are doing that grass effect – looks great!<q/>

The grass is done in two layers. First layer is with flock, this creates a good base layer. I then use static grass and lay that over the flock layer, I find this adds depth and variation. The small shrubs are from Army Painter, but any other tuft supplier would do. Glad you like them.

Thank you – what brand/color is the static grass? That's a great blend.

Yes, very well done.

Great job there!

Welcome aboard. Always good to see new blood.

Flashman: Go here:

scenicexpress.com

Everything you could ever use in basing is there.
Then go to Woodlands Scenic Youtube videos to learn ho to apply it.

Well done. It is an era lingering on my sidelines. Models like that make me want to give it a try.

I've now worked on some light infantry, these are all Wargames Foundry sculpted by the Perrys (except for the casualty figures, which are Perry plastics from their AWI British infantry box.

Excellent job – figures are beautiful.

I love those!
(I'll be needing some Lt. Bobs, and like these Foundry's you've superbly painted here very much, top of my order list now)

Very nice.

Now have the bases flocked and done the same for the sabot bases that will make them easier to move in formations. I've also made up some bases for casualties, to record shock and simply to fill a space where a figure has been removed. A few more pics and details on my blog The Tactical Painter

Some work in progress, rather than finished pieces here. Now working on the Americans, again basing most of these on the Perry plastics. Blue is a tricky colour and I've struggled to find a way to get this right. I was aware the blue facing on my British were on the bright side so worked to find a way to mute this.

They actually look even more muted under natural light:

This first lot are closely followed by more in the paint queue:

A Perry 6 pounder and crew will join my British:

The Warbases ammunition and water cart will be supports:

And the lovely Perry metal skirmishers will be a nice contrast to the brighter uniforms of the regulars:

Wow!! You are an excellent painter. Well done.

Awesome job!

Bob

Beautiful figures! Your shading techniques are incredible.

Excellent figures and outstanding painting. Very well done.

Very nice.

I now have three groups of Continentals for the core force for Sharp Practice. They just need varnishing and flocking. The lovely Perry riflemen are not too far behind them, so not long before I have enough figures to start playing.

The three groups of Continentals are now finished, as are the wonderful Perry riflemen. More pictures on the blog The Tactical Painter AWI Continentals

Added a 6 pounder to the British:

Excellent job – thanks for posting.

And here are the latest updates. Some state line troops, loosely based on a Connecticut regiment, but the brown jackets and red facing should make them fairly versatile.

Then an ensign and drummer for the Continentals.

And another leader for the Continentals:

A British leader for my infantry in roundabouts and round hats:

Some sabot bases for the British leaders:

And a deployment point for the British:

Lastly a water wagon and an ammunition wagon:

Awesome job. My only nits would be to recommend ditching the Betsy Ross doodle flag and make sure the leather straps on your Brit Light are all black leather.

Sadly agree. The Betsy Ross flag is a myth.

make sure the leather straps on your Brit Light are all black leather.

I've done that for the lights in roundabouts but I was under the impression the early uniforms had the cartridge pouch straps in white? Happy to be corrected.

And thanks for the heads up on the flag, didn't know that.

Light gear usually in black. :-)

Enough Rebels now painted and based to make up two of the core forces for a Sharp Practice skirmish. Just need a few pieces of terrain and I hope to be getting these on the table for the first time in a few weeks. Some more pictures on my blog if you're interested Perry Continentals

I haven't posted in a little while so here are the latest additions. Firstly some casualty figures to fill those empty slots in the sabot bases when a man is lost (the figures are Perry, either metal or plastic):

Then some civilians to populate the table or act as minor characters in scenarios:

Some more additions to the Americans, firstly some Continentals in coats and hunting shirts:

Some Militia:

Last, but not least a cart – something to be protected or looted depending which side it takes.

TP, they all look fantastic, and you've gone that aesthetic extra mile by having casualty figures for slot swaps too (well done)!