OPP - Big Game Hunters

OPP = Other People's Painting

     Last year I began collecting figures for games set in Africa. These figures by Copplestone had caught my eye long ago and I knew it was only a matter of time before I'd purchase them. At around the same time I was seeing some work done by forum mate "Timmo" and knew if opportunity presented itself I'd like to commission some figures to be done by him. After talking for a bit, I remembered these hunters and within a couple messages the painting had been arranged. I waited with much anticipation and it wasn't long before he was finished with these incredible pieces. My camera does not do them justice. Its a rare thing for me to have figures painted by somebody else, but I'm glad I did and I couldn't be happier.

     Basing was done by me and is not yet finished as I've yet to decide on what ground cover I want to include. It could take some time and I'd appreciate any suggestions. In the meantime I'll peruse the Lead Adventure Forum for inspiration.

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Indian Mutiny - Foundry Officers

About a month ago I traded a fellow for some Foundry Indian Mutiny figures. When the box arrived, I was elated at the contents. Not only was the fellow generous in the number of figures, but they were all in good order. I had already headed down the path to collecting Indian Mutiny figures by acquiring a number of those recently released by Iron Duke, but these miniatures cemented my plans. I went straight to work in stripping the old primer off some of the officers. The inspiration provided by opening up a box full of new figures told me I needed to get my brush on the period soon to maintain my interest. These three chaps are the result. When planning to paint these figures I knew the colors would result in a rather simple palette so I wanted to focus on execution of brushwork and trying to make the most out of the limited palette. Instead of using a single white or off-white for example I finished the hat waving gentleman with four different hues/variations of white and each of those with at least four shading and/or highlighting steps. The gentleman in the blue pants went through 4 stages of highlighting at a minimum on every piece but the sword hilt and brass on the scabbard. Overall I have to say I'm happy with both the experience of painting these as well as the finished product, which is rare territory for me. Thanks Rob!

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In the Flesh. The Foundry Expert Flesh Set

Over the years, I've led a continuous search for a favorite set of flesh tone paints. Earlier this year, after reading posts by Giles over at Tarleton's Quarter, I decided to try the Foundry Expert Flesh set. Time slipping away as it does, I only recently had the opportunity to finally use the paints I had acquired this spring. Below is a quick photo sequence following the use of the set from primed figure to final flesh stage. Hopefully this will help people see what they can expect from the set, albeit through the use of my questionable brushwork.

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Anglo-Saxon Levy Archers

These figures were recently painted to be part of Nicole's Anglo-Saxon force for Saga. When assembling the figures, all but one of the original bows broke in half. I wasn't sure if I had just been on the receiving end of a bad batch or if this is common place so I just engineered my own by using left overs from trimmed 80mm pikes. Since these will be high traffic playing pieces, I figured it wasn't a bad idea and they turned out looking ok.

The blog entry over on "1000 Foot General" in regards to Dark Age Color Palettes was the jumping off point for the overall color scheme. I avoided adding anything fancy or even simple embroidery as to play up their role as "levies" in the game mechanics. In the end, I used a Mig Productions filter for the first time and although the results were subtle, I do think it made a difference in tying the figures together. The bases are Litko with magnetic bottoms.

The building is a simple 4Ground building as yet untouched past assembly.

12 Gripping Beast Figures, Litko Bases

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Pvt George Ross (Revolutionary War Veteran)

	During my recent visit to the Shiloh Battlefield and National Cemetery in Tennessee, I was surprised to find a single grave belonging to a Revolutionary War Veteran, Pvt George Ross. Using "Find a Grave" and various other websites I was able to glean some basic information including the following entry:
"This deponent is now nearly 78 years old. Sworn to before me March 7, 1833.S/ James Martin, M his mark S/ J. M. Ross, Q U State of Tennessee, Hardin County Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Justice of the peace in Hardin County George Ross who being duly sworn, deposes and saith, that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than three months in the foot as a private & after that he served not less than 12 months as a private in the horse service up to the year 1782 and for such services he claims a pension. He further states that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory, at the time of being Examined in the circuit court of Hardin County before the circuit Judge of said County on the 14th day of November 1832, he could not recollect the different captains' companies he served under in the revolutionary war, but since that time recollects that he served three months as a private in militia foot companies in Captain Millar's company in Colonel William Bratton's Regiment was called out regularly sometime in the month of February 1780 & returned home sometime in the month of May 1780 & recollects being called out again (to the best of his recollection) in the month of October 1780 in the Horse service as a private in Colonel William Bratton's Regiment in the company commanded by James Martin in the State of South Carolina who will Testify of his services in the Army & who he have since found out is still alive & that he served in said Company not less than eight months & then returned home & after sitting [?] five or six weeks we joined the said Regiment (in the said Martin's company) the Regiment then under the command of General Greene at Russell's ferry on the Congaree River & marched to attack the British at Orangeburg & also recollects being one of a party who was sent under the command of Colonel Hampton & defeated a party of the British at the quarter house &after that Service two tours more in said James Martin's company of two months each tour in the year 1782 in which time they were employed as scouting & foraging parties, under the direction of General Henderson, intercepting scouting & foraging parties of the British &c further saith that when he was not immediately in the Army he was continually in readiness to march against the British or Tories." Birth: 16 Jul 1760 in South Branch, Potomac River, Virginia, USA Death: 21 Aug 1846 in Olive Hill, Hardin, Tennessee, USA

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Rall Regiment

After a long time on the painting table, years in fact, I've finally put the last touches on the Rall Regiment. My plans for these figures are to represent the Trenton survivors for the Battle of Brandywine. Probably not my best paint job ever, but its not the worst either.

24 Figures, Perry Miniatures, Litko Bases, GMB Flags

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About Bases - Litko & Shogun

     A few years ago when searching for movement trays I came across a company I had not heard about, Shogun Miniatures. As I was magnetizing my older kids' fantasy figures' bases the steel movement trays Shogun offered fit the bill perfectly. When my order arrived, they contained a few samples of the "Mag Bases". I was intrigued as they were sturdy, well made, and thin. I had always used Litko for nearly all my basing needs, but these got me thinking. I knew I had a couple of situations where I needed trays and magnetic bases. Namely TFL ACW and AWI SP variants.

Before I get too long winded, a few notes about their movement trays.
• They have ZERO sharp edges and corners, not even mildly pointy. This was a problem I had way back in the 90's when I experimented with metal bases.
• They can be made in custom sizes and they are really inexpensive.
• They can be primed, painted, protected and still hold magnets.
• They can be purchased with or without flanged edges.

     For TFL ACW, I want to individually base these figures, on 20x20mm bases, as depending on the situation and troop experience they can or cannot assume a skirmish formation. The problem is I don't want to move up to 80 figures individually each turn should they all be activated. The obvious solution was movement trays and preferably magnetic. I had originally purchased enough Gale Force Nine bases to cover the job, but I found these less desirable than I had hoped. The main reasons were that they were not clean on the sides and it took a fair amount of time to trim all the excess material off as well as them being so thick. I had thought about going with Litko as usual and as I did for my AWI skirmishers. However, when my order of Shogun trays arrived and I saw the sameples, the answer was right in front of me. These bases didn't need any special treatment and their trays made everything easy. The inexpensive nature of the movement trays meant I could load up for many different situations. Most ACW groups being 8 at full strength, I could get 160mm wide movement trays in either single or double ranks and simply place them together for formations. Pretty much cake at that point.

    For AWI skirmishers, I started basing these individually on 25x25mm using Litko bases and base bottoms for use in both skirmish games and placing them together on magnetized movement trays in 2's and 3's as is called for depending on troop grade in British Grenadier. After some warping on some larger wood bases, I decided to make the switch to Shogun for not only these, but as Shogun does custom sizes, I will be having some done for larger rank and file bases.

     There are a number of situations for which I will continue to use Litko. Namely Saga round and oval bases as well as hexes for use in such things as gladiator games. Now, there is little reason for magnetized bases in games like Saga or gladiator games, but I noticed he convenience of moving and storing miniatures with magnetic bottoms immediately. I can take a group of a warband or set of gladiators, put them on the steel tray, place it in the display cabinet and not have to worry whether or not I'll drop them if one of my kids practices their latest tackling technique on my leg or if I flinch suddenly stepping on a LEGO (the enemy of fathers' feet everywhere).

    The nice thing about both of these companies is that they represent the excellent choices we have. Both companies have great products and I've experienced great customer service from both. They've both rushed me items on short notice and I'll never forget Litko making sure I'd have a set of custom movement items for my oldest son's X-wing collection, on short notice and before Christmas. Hopefully the accompanying photos will give you an ideas as to thickness and other particulars.

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