My Flat Collection (2 Viewers)
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johnnybach
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The last couple as a group anddon't know why I threw in this French horse artillery figure for pianting?..
Another very nicely painted set Ray. I particularly like the way the painter has used a fine-line waterproof pen to highlight different areas - such as to suggest feathers in the plume - and also defined the fingers on the gloves etc.
Nice - jb
PS. Just had a result with Zinnfiguren Schmalkalden. I have been in conversation with Frank Dittmar - who I think is the owner. I wanted to order some English Knights - and he originally wanted me to send payment by IBAN - which is very expensive via UK Banks. The stumbling block was that Paypal is apparently expensive in germany - so I agreed to re-imburse him for his Paypal fee. Turned out it was just €5 extra - and we had a deal! As this saved me €35 for an IBAN - I was only too pleased - and now means that 31 Knights are currently winging their way from them to me. Goes to show that with a little negotiation, you can often achieve a deal - and get what you want.
Take a look here: http://www.schmalkalder-zinnfiguren.de/
Best - jb
Thank you JB, I thpught the subject of the Duchy of Berg was a little different and the colors really Gaudy and just outrageous for war 
As far as the detail, it is quite amazing to me, I've tried several prodicts to duplicate the fine lines so well detailed in the artists rendition and I just flounder, smudge and generally botch detail at this level. Do you think this is pen and quill?
I haven't got a clue on the execution, if you look at the Seconf group of figures he's done Pharoahs Ostrich hunt, I believe he does the same thing in white on the Ostrich feathers?
Ray
As far as the detail, it is quite amazing to me, I've tried several prodicts to duplicate the fine lines so well detailed in the artists rendition and I just flounder, smudge and generally botch detail at this level. Do you think this is pen and quill?
I haven't got a clue on the execution, if you look at the Seconf group of figures he's done Pharoahs Ostrich hunt, I believe he does the same thing in white on the Ostrich feathers?
Ray
johnnybach
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Thank you JB, I thpught the subject of the Duchy of Berg was a little different and the colors really Gaudy and just outrageous for war
As far as the detail, it is quite amazing to me, I've tried several prodicts to duplicate the fine lines so well detailed in the artists rendition and I just flounder, smudge and generally botch detail at this level. Do you think this is pen and quill?
I haven't got a clue on the execution, if you look at the Seconf group of figures he's done Pharoahs Ostrich hunt, I believe he does the same thing in white on the Ostrich feathers?
Ray
Hi Ray - I'm pretty sure that the black lines are fine-line pen, I think, as they appear too regular to have been done with a brush. The white on black of the ostrich feathers - I'm not so sure about - as they look like they have been overpainted on - but could be a mixture of paint and fine-line pen - in white.
I have used a black 0.05 pen for lining - which are waterproof - and dry after about a minute or two, so figures can be handled without smudging then, especially if you are using a magnifying lamp - which hastens the drying. Useful for lining and shadow areas on 30mm figures - but you have to wait that minute or so - or else they could smudge too. I only paint/line such figures on one side at a time - as clumsy fingers CAN cause smudging on the other side, if you're not very careful. After painting is finished - I use varnishes to seal everything in. I use gloss - as I like them that way - but you can get matte varnishes too.
After trying to paint my own - I really do take my hat off to those people who paint them for a living - but practice is the key - the more you do - the better you get at it.
Quite fancy that Chariot myself - so now that I know the producers - and that they CAN accept Paypal for payments ( albeit if you pay the small fee), they are on my radar for some future purchases. Thanks for the painted illustrations - I'll keep some for the future - as painting guides. jb
Wolfgang_UK
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...
As far as the detail, it is quite amazing to me, I've tried several prodicts to duplicate the fine lines so well detailed in the artists rendition and I just flounder, smudge and generally botch detail at this level. Do you think this is pen and quill?
I haven't got a clue on the execution, if you look at the Seconf group of figures he's done Pharoahs Ostrich hunt, I believe he does the same thing in white on the Ostrich feathers?
Ray
Hello Ray,
thank you very much for putting these fine figures up as well. If anybody asks "Why flats" show him a picture of a group like this and I guess no further questions will be asked.
As for the fine lines again I think every painter has got his/her own little secret. Yes, you can draw such fine lines with a brush. I think these figures where painted useing waterbased paint - see how most of the different tones where painted next to each other rather than on top of each other. Since the colours also do look very bright my guess is that either Tempera or Gouache Colour has been used.
If you use black (or white) China Ink on top of a Tempera/Gouache coat useing a high quality brush - and a steady hand - you got your fine lines.
Add one drop of water to two drops of ink and you get the thinest, dense black paint you could possibly ask for and it will "sit" just fine on the T/G painted surface.
Sealing with an oil-based semigloss clear laquer is mandantory and this extra laquer-coat will give you the "artsy" Oil Colour finish on your figures.
It does take practise but it is controllable and it sure works.
Great group of figures once again - still enjoying this thread a lot!!!
Kind Regards
Wolfgang:salute::
As far as the detail, it is quite amazing to me, I've tried several prodicts to duplicate the fine lines so well detailed in the artists rendition and I just flounder, smudge and generally botch detail at this level. Do you think this is pen and quill?
I haven't got a clue on the execution, if you look at the Seconf group of figures he's done Pharoahs Ostrich hunt, I believe he does the same thing in white on the Ostrich feathers?
Ray
Hello Ray,
thank you very much for putting these fine figures up as well. If anybody asks "Why flats" show him a picture of a group like this and I guess no further questions will be asked.
As for the fine lines again I think every painter has got his/her own little secret. Yes, you can draw such fine lines with a brush. I think these figures where painted useing waterbased paint - see how most of the different tones where painted next to each other rather than on top of each other. Since the colours also do look very bright my guess is that either Tempera or Gouache Colour has been used.
If you use black (or white) China Ink on top of a Tempera/Gouache coat useing a high quality brush - and a steady hand - you got your fine lines.
Add one drop of water to two drops of ink and you get the thinest, dense black paint you could possibly ask for and it will "sit" just fine on the T/G painted surface.
Sealing with an oil-based semigloss clear laquer is mandantory and this extra laquer-coat will give you the "artsy" Oil Colour finish on your figures.
It does take practise but it is controllable and it sure works.
Great group of figures once again - still enjoying this thread a lot!!!
Kind Regards
Wolfgang:salute::
Thank you JB, I thpught the subject of the Duchy of Berg was a little different and the colors really Gaudy and just outrageous for war
As far as the detail, it is quite amazing to me, I've tried several prodicts to duplicate the fine lines so well detailed in the artists rendition and I just flounder, smudge and generally botch detail at this level. Do you think this is pen and quill?
I haven't got a clue on the execution, if you look at the Seconf group of figures he's done Pharoahs Ostrich hunt, I believe he does the same thing in white on the Ostrich feathers?
Ray
Hi Ray - I'm pretty sure that the black lines are fine-line pen, I think, as they appear too regular to have been done with a brush. The white on black of the ostrich feathers - I'm not so sure about - as they look like they have been overpainted on - but could be a mixture of paint and fine-line pen - in white.
I have used a black 0.05 pen for lining - which are waterproof - and dry after about a minute or two, so figures can be handled without smudging then, especially if you are using a magnifying lamp - which hastens the drying. Useful for lining and shadow areas on 30mm figures - but you have to wait that minute or so - or else they could smudge too. I only paint/line such figures on one side at a time - as clumsy fingers CAN cause smudging on the other side, if you're not very careful. After painting is finished - I use varnishes to seal everything in. I use gloss - as I like them that way - but you can get matte varnishes too.
After trying to paint my own - I really do take my hat off to those people who paint them for a living - but practice is the key - the more you do - the better you get at it.
Quite fancy that Chariot myself - so now that I know the producers - and that they CAN accept Paypal for payments ( albeit if you pay the small fee), they are on my radar for some future purchases. Thanks for the painted illustrations - I'll keep some for the future - as painting guides. jb
Hello JB,
Thanks for the advice, I look forward to seeing what you've picked up in both finished and unfinished forms.
Ray
johnnybach
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Thank you Wolfgang,
you are correct in the Tempera/ Gouache paint used, while the bright colors tend to lean the Painting style more towards the "Toy" side, as opposed to realistic, I enjoy them immensely.
here are 2 figures I picked up recently from a gentleman in Germany, in a darker style, but very well done.
Ray
johnnybach
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This is my version of when you receive a package from Russia, Ray........
First comes that familiar knock at the door ................and then.......................
[/URL
The opening .......and .................they are in layers of cardboard... arranged around the edge ............Layer 1.
[URL=http://s1192.photobucket.com/user/johnnybach43/media/Flats%20and%20Semi-rounds/PIC_3386_zpsif0kgsxu.jpg.html]
Layer 2.
Layer 3.
layer 4.
And that's it - the start of a new adventure in Flat painting.
Though when I'm going to find the time.......................
[/URL
This is my version of when you receive a package from Russia, Ray........
First comes that familiar knock at the door ................and then.......................
The opening .......and .................they are in layers of cardboard... arranged around the edge ............Layer 1.
[URL=http://s1192.photobucket.com/user/johnnybach43/media/Flats%20and%20Semi-rounds/PIC_3386_zpsif0kgsxu.jpg.html]
Layer 2.
Layer 3.
layer 4.
And that's it - the start of a new adventure in Flat painting.
Though when I'm going to find the time.......................
Wow JB! Sweet group of castings! Just beautiful, can't wait to see you turn those lumps of tin into a great record of heraldry and pageantry!
Should be fun to watch, I'm sure you'll do a spectacular job, can't wait!
Ray
johnnybach
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Hi Ray - thought I'd give you a peek at my first four "Famous Knights of England", which are underway at the moment.
Reading from the left - I have Sir John Fitzalan - with his wife, handing him a cup of something nice! Then Sir Edmund Crouchback: Sir John de Warenne ( all in stages of development - and lastly, Sir Simon de Felbrigg, Standard Bearer to King Richard II, whose Standard is being carried by him - who is nearing completion.
These are all from Zinnfiguren Scmalkalden, in Germany, where I obtained them by post - after talking them into using the Paypal method of payment. Wunderbar!{sm3}jb
Reading from the left - I have Sir John Fitzalan - with his wife, handing him a cup of something nice! Then Sir Edmund Crouchback: Sir John de Warenne ( all in stages of development - and lastly, Sir Simon de Felbrigg, Standard Bearer to King Richard II, whose Standard is being carried by him - who is nearing completion.
These are all from Zinnfiguren Scmalkalden, in Germany, where I obtained them by post - after talking them into using the Paypal method of payment. Wunderbar!{sm3}jb
johnnybach
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Ha! I don't always, Ray - but don't tell anyone - and they'll never know!!
I'm doing them in my favourite medium - which is gloss - which I think really highlights the colours. Hope to complete Simon later this evening. Just 30 more to go then{eek3} jbSo displaying a collection of flats is always a difficult problem for me, we are all familiar with how a slight bump to a display case can send round figures toppling, this phenomenon is only exponentially multiplied in the world of the flat, making thing like display cases rather impractical. I have finally found a reasonably priced source for my prefered storage method. I simply cut foam to fit, glue felt to foam and cut the bases into the felt to hold them in place. I hate the standard box where you can never see the set, these boxes with clear acryllic covers are exactly what I like, safe storage and a classy way to view the sets.
Ray
Ray
So displaying a collection of flats is always a difficult problem for me, we are all familiar with how a slight bump to a display case can send round figures toppling, this phenomenon is only exponentially multiplied in the world of the flat, making thing like display cases rather impractical. I have finally found a reasonably priced source for my prefered storage method. I simply cut foam to fit, glue felt to foam and cut the bases into the felt to hold them in place. I hate the standard box where you can never see the set, these boxes with clear acryllic covers are exactly what I like, safe storage and a classy way to view the sets.
Ray
Hi Ray,
I very much like the the boxes you are using to display the flats. Can these boxes also be attached to the wall in order to display the flats in a manner similar to a wall mounted curio? Also, do the boxes come in a variety of sizes?
Warmest personal regards,
Pat
Hi Pat, great minds think alike! I am in the process of looking for something to mount these to the wall?
Here is alink to where i got these but i'll bet with a good search of the web you could find anything you need.
Ray
http://www.gemsondisplay.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?ViewPerPage=24000
Hi Ray,
Thanks for the link and for the information. Please let me know if you succeed in finding appropriate items which allow you to attach the cases to the walls. My flat collection is quite small (at the moment), and the size of the collection lends itself very well to being displayed on a wall.
Thanks for your help!
Warmest personal regards,
Pat
Finally! after weeks on the road for work looks like I've got almost a week at home, got some catching up to do!
Got this set from St. Pete about a month ago, also bought some interesting paper models coming out of Russia.
This is a Bavarian Chevau Leger command group Laying up for the night at an Inn on the road, directions and beer included!
Got this set from St. Pete about a month ago, also bought some interesting paper models coming out of Russia.
This is a Bavarian Chevau Leger command group Laying up for the night at an Inn on the road, directions and beer included!
Wolfgang_UK
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Hello Ray,
another great set and background presentation. Amazing what can be done with papermodels for a background.
Now looking at the different figurines I think I have spotted a tyrolian peasant. Are we going to see the epic episode of the tyrolian struggle for freedom including the battle at Mount Isel plus Andreas Hofer and all of that soon????{sm4}
Great stuff as usual and any further info on those cardmodels are highly welcome ...^&grin^&grin^&grin
Thank you very much for sharing
Kind regards
Wolfgang
another great set and background presentation. Amazing what can be done with papermodels for a background.
Now looking at the different figurines I think I have spotted a tyrolian peasant. Are we going to see the epic episode of the tyrolian struggle for freedom including the battle at Mount Isel plus Andreas Hofer and all of that soon????{sm4}
Great stuff as usual and any further info on those cardmodels are highly welcome ...^&grin^&grin^&grin
Thank you very much for sharing
Kind regards
Wolfgang