4/13/2015

28mm Charging Chasseur à Cheval in 360° Spin




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cursor left or right to spin the picture.

  

4/12/2015

28mm Charging Chasseur à Cheval Wargames Foundry Conversion


 Hello Folks,

Well, here it is, finally done.  I actually want to tell you alot of things and share with all my frustrations while working on this figure, but for now, I can not think of anything to complaint.  Yeah... I'm not going to lie to you I am quite happy with it.  However this does not mean it could not be improved.  I made alot of compromise to make this figure complete.  Even though it seems like taking forever.

Right now, I just want to relax.  I hope you share my joy of completing a figure.  You know, you all know, what is like when you finish a long project.

So I'm not going to say much, please enjoy.  I sincerely hope you do.

Warm regards,

Ben







Size comparison

Detail of the horse head

Detail of the leopard saddle



VS

4/11/2015

28mm Offensive Miniature British Rifleman

Hello Folks,

After looking at the voting, I can not contain my excitement even though I know the result is not in...  I don't care.  I decide to start working on it anyway LOL~

British Rifle is one of my favorite unit in Napoleonic era and I'm glad I finally paint one.

The contempt and grimy look




 Facial detail

Original sculpt



 hand painted numbers.



The challenge this time is all about the face.  I am no longer satisfied with the blank stare.  So I decide to paint face with expression from now on.

After careful consideration with his posture, I decide to give this gent an arrogance look.  With the British long and proud history of military tradition, this fellow is defiant and contempt of the mighty French empire.

As a clinical painter (I love clean work),  This time I decide to add some mud to the trouser.  Mixing baking soda and paint, I paint it to simulate mud with texture.  However, I decide to only paint mud on one knee.  Logically, we humans usually kneel on the same knee.  Afterall, we are creatures of habit.

Offensive Miniatures did an excellent job on their figures.  IMHO they are good is because the animation of the sculptures are believable and natural, not to mention interesting.  However, if you want to push the even further then watch out for the missing details such as buckles and cuff buttons.  Also, this figure is a tad smaller than Perry and Victrix figures.

As you can see, the Offensive Miniature figure is smaller next to Victrix plastic.


How ever, I don't think it makes too much difference for gamers. But you can clearly see the difference. Since I only have one set from OM, I can not speak for other figures from their company.

The reason I have not done the base is because I decide to custom order them.  Once they arrived I will build them.

Anyways, rambling on again. but hopefully this explain my train of thought.  Whether plain or complex uniform, there is always a challenge waiting for us.

Best regards,

VS

28mm Wargames Foundry The Charging Chasseur a Cheval Conversion


Hello Folks,

Something Jen and I cooked up over the weekend.  This time it is the famous "Charging Chassuer" painting by Theodore Gericault.  I start out with the classic Wargame Foundry version and tweak a little.  Since Wargame Foundry is 25mm, I decide to made the horse larger to match the Perry's Miniature so they look a little better sitting next to each other.

There are few things I want to accomplish on this figure, here are my train of thoughts:
1. To match the painting as close as possible.
2. at the same time to preserve the style of orginial miniature.
3. Match the size of Perry's Figure in 28mm

It was difficult for me and now I have even more respect for the sculptors.  I had to made some compromises but at the same time trying to keep the spirit of the painting.

I hope you enjoy.  I will probably paint it in the coming month.

 Primed version.

 Conversion with kneadatite.


Size comparison on before and after, the right models are from Perry Miniature.

The original version.

Here are more pictures from different angles:

 Fatten the horse stomach to match the size of Perry Miniatures and add correct anatomy.

 Added horseshoes and reshape hooves.

 Reposition the tassle on the hat and add horse rein.

The opposite angle where widen and enlongate the horse's buttock and neck.

VS

4/10/2015

28mm Victrix 92nd Gordon Highlander Flank Regiment of Foot


Hello Folks,

Here's my 2nd 28mm.  This time it is the plastic Victrix 92nd Gordon Highlanders regiment of foot:


The kilt is going for the muted look because of wool.



 To break up the disc like shape of the pot, I decided to add some dents to it.

 The B.O. stands for Board of Ordnance.  The up arrow is the marking, 92 is the regiment number.


 Chest details, the canteen strap buckle is not sculpted on, so you need to add it yourself

All four buckles on the backpack needs to be paint it on.

 More sensible distance.


 Notice the lip on the face sculpt is thicker, so decided to paint it open mouth.

 The Gordon Highlander tartan pattern.

Size comparison with Reaper Master Series paint.


My humble thoughts on the Victrix plastic highlander figures:

Victrix did a beautiful job sculpting and provide an oppotunity for us be able to purchase large amount of these multi-pose figures at a good price.  I like the dynamic poses and freedom to assemble these men in action rather than all marching.  Another great thing about this box is that there are kneeling figures, which, in my limited knowledge in the world of 28mm plastic figures, Kneeling figures are not common in other box sets.

About the scuplting, the figure is well porportioned with crisp details easily able to recognise what you are painting.  So for a detail fan like me is a true joy.

My favorite part of the whole sculpt is the head dress, which natually flows with deep nice details and rich textures.  Although a bit difficult to express black with highlight, the sculpting itself help to define it for me with out having to resort to drybrushing.

The backpack I also liked.  The box offered four different styles: with shoes, with pot, with a small bag, and plain.  I think its fantastic that Victrix offer such variety of options rather than just a plain one.  After some thought, I decide to use the backpack with pot.  Now after examing I realise the pot is done in a perfect circular shape almost like a disc.  Therefore need to rough it up a little and added dents to it to give a little more character.  Another thing worth noting on the backpack is that there are no sculpted buckles on the straps, which something you might consider adding when painting this figure.

The water canteen have nice texture wood grain on it.  I decide to paint the Board of Ordnance with the arrow marking and regiment number on it.  In my  research it is not necessary to have, but does gives a contrast to the blue background and the ease of recognition on the battlefield.  However, I wish Victrix include the waterslide decals with the kit like some of the 1/35 figure kit offer.  That would be nice.  Again, there are no buckle sculpted on the strap, you might want to paint that on there for accuracy reasons.

The face is something to watch out for.  The lower lip of the sculpt is a bit large so I decided to paint him open mouthed.  The nose is also a bit wide but could easily disguise with shadow to make it narrower. As for the of the head, the hat, the visor, the ears, all top notch.  The ribbon on the back is even sculpted!  Fantastic.

Anyways, I am rambling on.  As you might able to tell,  I am quite excited about the world of 28mm .  I want to thank you all for reading if you get this far, and thank my partner Jen.  Without her, all our projects could not be such joy and realised.

Comments and criticisms are most welcome.

VS