Dont Panic Mr Mainwaring!

My dive into the lead pile continues! I had some Artizan British World War Two infantry that I had undercoated ages ago as part of a project that just never took off. I was probably diverted by another Napoleonic Battalion or my venture into the Wars of The Roses. As they were sitting looking at me from the top of the heap, I thought that I might as well paint them. The problem was that I had no idea what colours to use or where to start. As usual, the internet was my friend. A quick check on you tube and I found plenty of help and so decided to jump in.

Artizan WW2 British Infantry

Artizan WW2 British Infantry

I wont presume to give a step by step guide as to how I painted these figures. I am still learning and I suspect have a long way to go before I am any near competent or have any expertise in what uniforms the British wore in what part of WW2. I would simply refer you to the you tube video below. I used my usual block paint and Army Painter quick shade for these figures and I was fairly pleased with the result – they’ll do for the wargames table. I must say that the Artizan figures themselves were superb! Beautifully sculpted and cast and a joy to paint.

The finished section of Artizan Infantry

The finished section of Artizan Infantry

Encouraged by my initial results, I decided to have a go at painting the Warlord games Dad’s Army Set. I had bought these ages ago, when they were first released. I love the show and I also have an interest in the Home Guard – I didn’t serve, before any one else says it, but my Step Granddad, Victor Beer, did. He was in ‘H’ Company of the Torquay Home Guard. I have been researching some family history and so it seemed appropriate to carry on and paint the Warlord figures.

Jack Jones and his Van!

Jack Jones and his Van!

I had also acquired a diecast version of Jack Jones Butchers van that featured in the show. One of my favourite episodes was the one featuring the rifle drill. When it came to painting these figures I followed the guidance in the Art Master Studio you tube video ‘How to paint Artizan WW2 British Infantry’. Having watched the video through once, I actually painted along to it, pausing it if I needed to and pretty much followed the instructions and paint guide exactly.

I very much enjoy these video’s. Toby, the guy doing the painting, is extremely good at explaining exactly what to do and the fact that it is in real time allows you to see how the paint actually goes on and how he uses his brush. I am a great fan of ‘Toby’ – never met him but his painting skills are superb and he reminds me of Bob Ross in his relaxed delivery! As an aside, if you would like to learn how to paint horses, his video is my ‘go to’ guide!

Dads Army!

Dads Army!

Having painted Corporal Jones, I then carried on and paintedĀ  Captain Mainwaring, Sergeant Wilson, Private Pike and Private Godfrey. Private Walker and Private Frazer are on the painting bench at the moment. There’s still a bit of work to do – I’ll base them once they are all painted – I think that I might opt for flatter MDF bases rather than the plastic ‘plinth’ style supplied. With the Vicar, Verger and Warden Hodges still to paint and the Dad’s army Characters in Civvies also to do, I think the this project will keep me busy for a week or so!

THE COMMERCIAL BIT

If you are looking for paints, bases or almost anything to help you with your modelling and wargaming, visit my shop below. At the time of writing, we are still offering worldwide free postage!

THE ARCANE SCENERY SHOP

You can purchase the Dads Army Set here:

DAD’S ARMY

 

3/1 Royal Scots Battalion Completed

It’s been a month since my last blog article. The social distancing and lockdown rules haven’t really influenced the speed of my output. I am fortunate in that we have been able to continue to run the business, albeit under difficult conditions, so if anything, work has increased. I have maintained my slow and steady out put and over the last month and I have completed another Battalion for my Napoleonic army. This one represents the 3/1 Royal Scots Battalion who were present at Waterloo as part of Pictons 5th Division.

Royal Scots Command

Royal Scots Command

Just a note about how I decide what regiments to paint for my army. The idea is to use the order of battle at Waterloo as a base for my collection. I am not trying to recreate each unit as it appeared on the day. Most of the games that I play with my gaming buddies are ‘generic’ games, rather than being based on a particular battle. I suspect that this is increasingly the case for most wargamers these days. This means that I am happy to use a bit of artistic licence when it comes to my battalions.

2/44th advance!

2/44th advance!

A case in point is one of the battalions, the 2/44 East Essex, that I painted for the 9th Brigade. My battalion has these troops in great coats but I know that it was unlikely that any of the British troops serving at Waterloo were in great coats, despite the bad weather. However, I saw these models as part of a Kickstarter from Michael Percy’s Three Armies range and I liked the look of them, so they were painted and added to my collection.

3/1 Royal Scots Battalion

3/1 Royal Scots Battalion

Along with the great coated troops, I bought two other battalions. As they had been languishing in my lead pile for some time, I thought it was a good idea to get these troops painted and thought that they could be the 3/1 Royal Scots, completing the British 9th Brigade, commanded by Sir Dennis Pack, and in turn, completing the British contingent of the 5th Infantry Division. To finish the division, I really need to paint the four battalions of Hanoverian Landwehr under Colonel Von Vincke. It is unlikely that this will happen anytime soon. There are far more interesting troops that were at Waterloo before I start another 96 red coats!

Batch Paint in progress

Batch Paint in progress

I painted the figures following my usual block paint and dip process. I made the mistake of painting them in one big batch. The problem with this method is that it takes a long time to get to a finished result when painting 24 figuresĀ  in one go and I got a bit bogged down in the process. I usually paint in batches of 8 or 12 and I think that in future, I will go back to the smaller quantity. Once the main colours are blocked on, I paint the models with Army Painter Dark Tone quick shade.

Block painting finished

Block painting finished.

When the ‘dip’ has dried thoroughly, I spray the figures with matt varnish and then re paint most of the white strapping, which has become ‘dirtied down’ by the shade. You can leave this extra stage but I like the cross belts to stand out – I think that it helps the look of the figure’s on the table.

Figures after quick shade and matting.

Figures after quick shade and matting.

Then it’s on to basing and mounting in their movement trays. I base four figures on a 40mm by 40mm base, I tend to use Sarissa MDF bases for metals and Renedra plastic bases for plastics. You can use either for both! I also have designed my own movement trays for Black powder, so that I can name my regiments. It’s always good fun in the game when you can give your orders to a specific unit – ‘the 3rd Battalion of the of the Royal Scots Foot will advance’!

Royal Scots in their movement tray

Royal Scots in their movement tray

So another battalion is ready for battle. I now have 17 Battalions of British, KGL and Hanoverian troops in my army – I still haven’t finished with the British Army – I would like to complete a KGL brigade but as I have said before, painting redcoats has become a bit tiresome. I think that some Brunswick troops would look nice…

THE COMMERCIAL BIT

If you are looking for paints, bases or almost anything to help you with your modelling and wargaming, visit my shop below. At the time of writing, we are still offering worldwide free postage!

THE ARCANE SCENERY SHOP

The Black powder movement trays can be found here:

BLACK POWDER MOVEMENT TRAYS

I’m not sure if the Three Armies range is still commercially available – the link that I did have does not now work. The flags are from my favourite flag supplier:

GMB FLAGS