"Work in progress?" Topic

Not sure about this. But would folk care to share images of stuff that is far from done…and we all know may never be done?

We all show units on great bases, with wonderful photography and backgrounds.

What about at the embryo stage? Let me show what I have on the go. Zastrow cuirassiers from Black Hussars. Plus the horses for the 2e company of Louis XVIII musketeers after the First Restoration.

Would it be fun to see things at this stage as well as the admirable completed work? If so, why not share?

What about at the embryo stage?

Because I'm sick of looking at all my half-finished labors, and I figured no one else would want to look at it, either?

Not for me, but when people are doing skillful conversions etc like above well worthwhile to post Liam cheers! :)

You will find in other genres it is very common to post in progress pics, if conversion have been done I think it should be compulsory, great work on those figs/horses.

I agree. A few shots of " how these figures panned out" can be very instructive!

Working on the Zastrow today.

Louis XVIII Household are a much bigger challenge to create. Let me do the Cross of St Louis on each pistol cover and shabraque corner and I will post again.

I can just imagine how many of you would like to add this unit to the ridge at Mt St Jean. About as much enthusiasm as Wellington showed for the Royalist soldiers, I suspect

Here are some old pics (but still in progress!) of a) converted Belgian carabiniers.

b) converted French Old Guard foot artillery

and c) converted Dutch line infantry

Looking good Liam! Please post further progress.
Nice work Lord H!

I love to see conversions like Lord Hill's. Even if they always are work in progress!

Dutch line are really clever? Austrian heads on…….the bodies?

Austrian heads on Austrian bodies but with greenstuff over the gaiters.

They work so well. Almost better than they would as Austrians somehow! Probably just because they are so unique.

The DB Carabiniers are clever. Perry Dragoons with French Carabinier heads? Epaulettes and a rolled cloak and all they need now is a coat of paint! Much debate here recently about which shoulder for the cloak, but much easier to model over the left shoulder and no-one will notice!

Perry Dragoons with French Carabinier heads?

Yes, that's it – I've been thinking about trying to do some Dutch Carabiniers too (I love those bicorne hats) but they have odd saddlecloths. Mind you, your greenstuff saddlecloth modifications have given me new hope r.e. what can be achieved!

I'm so confused about rolled cloaks and which shoulder is "correct" – as you say, the left shoulder is much easier to model! Also, to me, the left shoulder makes more sense in terms of defending yourself in a fight. It would be unlikely that an adversary would be able to get a cut in to your right shoulder (your swordarm would block it) but, in contrast, the whole of your left side would be exposed to swinging blows (because you're holding the reins with that hand). That's definitely where I would want some protection at any rate.

Any chance of seeking opinions before I take things further?

I am stuck with the lace on the shabraques of the Zastrow. The one on the left is nearest to correct, but I cannot get the stripes better than this. My excuse is that I failed to sand the surface absolutely smooth before spraying and the slightest bump spreads the line. So this is white, black, yellow, black white. Middle is the simplest one and, to the naked eye looks good, but not in a photo. On the right is just a yellow stripe in white and that is a cinch and very forgiving.

My eldest prefers the left one, my wife the right and I really cannot decide. None is totally correct I know

The one on the right for me.

Do you know what?

I just wanted some one to respond…anyone. Mrs F is sitting tonight with a Negroni (her second) saying "I told you so"

I favour the one on the left, but cannot improve on the lines. I am not Rafa….however much I use his book, or Francesco Thau. If I had sanded the edges, I could have done better. The figures are just incredible. You should see the cords on the trumpet….the texture is so well moulded.

Also for me the one on the right, clean and at the end makes the right effect even if not historically accurate.

I prefer the one in the middle, as more visually striking than the other two.

Thanks folks. I am still agonising. To the naked eye, the central one works best…one does not see the imperfections in the black line, but the camera surely does.

The one on the left is nearest to correct but really does not work in 29mm in my hands. Somewhere the stripes need black to look remotely like the originals. I may now try the right hand one but with the thinnest black line on its inner border.

Much appreciated to be able to bounce these ideas around. Thanks all

deadhead, I'm still working on the 14th. light dragoons. No pictures, I'm depressed enough with the results so far, it's been 7 months.

Funny thing…..I think that was the idea that prompted me to start this topic. Never fully thought it through, but it was the image of work half done, at an impasse, simply stuck, needing help or inspiration.

I know what you mean. we will all show the 14th LD when they are painted, based and at their best. How many of us would like to see figures at just the stage you describe? I

I surely would!

Some day, some day, I hope! What will happen when I have a unit of Highlanders to paint,oh those tartans!

I admire your patients about the thin lines at the saddle cloth, I am doing Prussian cuirassiers 7YW at the moment, those thin lines on the sabretache and the laces, drive me close to insanity

All are now done. It is now the Royal monogram, the FAR with a crown, that is proving the challenge.

Was it not you who told be years ago how to do the stripes, surely?

I showed my Eureka Gardes du Corps back then, but regretted the poor striped edging. I then was told paint the outer colour, then the second one in, as thick as you want, but almost up to the outer one. Then the next one inside that, the same. I can get very thin stripes now doing that….but some one taught me. I was sure it was von W!

My new Black Hussar G du C have five overlapping layers of paint to get to the base colour!

But Highlanders? I have tried a couple of times. 71st sure, but tartan………..?

Yes – Yes – it was me – wait till you see the result – seems my brain is using that odd glucose like mad painting those insane thin lines, I need tons of chocolate, well, doing something for my BMI

How about a drafting pen for those thin lines or is that cheating?

I tried that but could not find one fine enough. Any suggestions?

No such thing as cheating!

I do have three oil based pens, something called Uni paint markers. Permanent and waterproof. They claim 0.8-1.2 mm…but seem to prove thicker than that!

Thanks again von W, I knew it was you and the idea is simply brilliant

I've found "Staedtler pigment liner 0.1" to work for 25/28mm figures.

Thanks for the advice oldbob – I've also been looking for a pen for thin black lines, just ordered a staedtler pigment set.

any such a fine liner – 0.1 mm – available in metal, like gold or silver?

I hoped this topic might inspire something like this. I too am off to the nearest super-stationery store.

here some of my examples of free hand lines, not Napoleonic Period – but a challenging enterprise, all painted traditionally with a brush

Black Hussar 28 mm

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That Royal monogram made me go back to what I have done for my Zastrow Saxons, FAR.

The chest cross belt red lines are incredible, but the crowned R is what really got me.

I am also inspired by the crossed belts on the back holding the cuirasse. A nice contrast to pure white. Back to work tomorrow.

Your work is in a totally different league. Some would be discouraged by seeing this sort of thing as "I cannot reproduce this". But we can learn and try. Brilliant.

That Royal monogram made me go back to what I have done for my Zastrow Saxons, FAR.

The cross belt red lines are incredible, but the crowned R is what really got me.

I am also inspired by the crossed belts holding the cuirasse. A nice contrast to pure white. Back to work tomorrow.

Your work is in a totally different league. Some would be discouraged by seeing this sort of thing. "I cannot reproduce this". But we can learn and try. Brilliant.

Wow, that royal monagram is incredible – tell me again, what pen do I need for that? (ignoring the fact I will also need a new pair of eyes and new, stable hands)

It was traditionally painted with a brush and paint, to make the flow easier – I used a mix of acrylic and artist water colour.
Luckily it was only a FR and not a FRW.

I don't think that my work is in a different league, there are lots of talented and inspiring painter here.

by the way the cross belts were of a yellowish leather and not white, so it is not painted for contrast but as colour.

Thanks for the info re the cuirasse belts. I have started to redo those for 1812 Zastrow and they do look far better. I presume same applies, although I read that the belts were "buffed"……

For 1812 I need to paint an FAR with a crown as yours. But on yellow, less striking. Almost tempted to do in black first and then the white within………might try that….

Will not turn out like yours!

Getting on with the Musketeers but some finishing touches still needed;

Work in progress still;