The Emperor's Beautiful Daughters. (1 Viewer)

[johnnybach]

Absolutely John - they will be first on my list for delivery around July/August. I think I will get a couple of pieces from the list I've made, each year to build up that part of my collection from then on. Nice lad Nik - very obliging, so hope he can put up with me again!^&grin

Hey Jeff - I don't drink it ALL at once you know - lasts at least 10 days Thanks again for the reminder - now where did I put that brush?{sm2}

 

[johnnybach]

Six more figures joined their friends today - some still requiring sabres - so don't look too hard! It's starting to look a bit busy down there already - and there are still sixteen crew members to paint up yet. I'm going to need a bigger desk again - and quite soon.^&grin

 

[johnnybach]

The pic. below shows the progression of colours when painting the Gunner carrying the bucket of water for the spongeman to use with his "sponge" after the gun has been discharged. He does this to ensure that any smouldering remenants of the previous charge have been removed before the next cartridge is rammed home. The "sponge" was actually a shaped wooden core, with a sheepskin cover fitted over it. I'm painting them black - as after a few swipes in the barrel, that's how they would have looked.

Note the usual colour progression of the figures, from left to right - with a completed figure on the right. Note also that I like to paint the arm and the body detail before glueing the arm in place - as I find it far easier to do the bucket/cuff/body details when separate.

All completed figures at the rear now have their Gunner's Sabres attached.

 

[aujj65]

Johnny, only ten days!???? {sm2}{sm4}

I know I've said this before, but there is a really smooth looking finish to these castings and you appear to be getting a nice paint finish.

{bravo}}{bravo}}

Jeff

Btw, I have made a mental note to myself to be on the look out for any artillery sets at the London show next month which have potential for a lick of paint, it's been ages since I have done any painting.

 

[johnnybach]

I use small glasses - to see me through the week!

Glad you are liking them Jeff - I think they're just great - and paint up very quickly. My casting chum, John Parslow, has had a peek at the thread - and is very pleased with how they are turning out too, which I'm pleased about. Glad to hear you're intending to dust off a brush or three again. I'm getting more and more into this Artillery Lark. "Nine Mile Snipers", we used to call 'em - though I think the Napoleonic mob had to be a lot closer than that.

Thanks again for reminding me about the ATS Napoleonic sets. I intend ordering the Mounted Horse Artillery set to begin with - though I will ask Nik if he will double up the front pair (maybe they could change horse heads around a bit) - as I would like it to look something like the illustration below - if possible. Looks like the lead pair are just linked to the second pair by traces - so should be easy enough to do.

Good luck at the London Show - hope you find something good. jb

 

[Scott]

A full Battery with crews in 54 mm will be awsome!

 

[johnnybach]

Rather, Old bean - I think that they will be "Jolly Good" too. ^&grinjb

 

[johnnybach]

Latest update on progress can be seen below. Out front are the Gunners carrying the water buckets who are developing nicely. After I paint on buttons and cuff details, I can fit on the arm with the bucket. Other figures are Gunner with shot cartridge - and the loader with his ram-rod at his feet. After painting, the hand half-way up the shaft fits into the left wrist socket and the ram end is glued at his right toe. Again, easier to paint off the figure - and reach tricky uniform parts before fitting. jb

 

[johnnybach]

Latest pic on development of the bucket carriers - shows that four are now at the stage where tunic buttons are required (front and back views - but no varnish yet). Another loader (right figure) is just about completed - but his base is not yet dry - and a third cannon (right) has been completed. The picture is now - not just busy - but positively congested!{sm3} May start negotiations for use of "La Commandante's" sewing table, to accomodate my Battery for the next pictures! Good job - a Pacifist - She ain't!^&grin (Ouch!). "Hello Dear!". Plenty more to go yet - keep watching. jb

 

[johnnybach]

The four bucket carriers have now been completed - by adding in the little details like cuffs, brass buttons on jacket/waistcoat etcetera - and finishing off the facial details. It is surprising how different you can make their faces, by eye detail and moustaches - and dabs of colour on the cheeks. I have hidden away the bucket-men in amongst all of the other completed figures - see if you can spot the five - as I have just one more to do of these. For some reason, these figures I found were the trickiest to do - as the arm and bucket was painted and fitted seperately.

I had to count them several times^&grin^&confuse - but have now completed 22 figures - so 11 more to go and this project will be complete (this far). I will add more figures and equipment to my Battery as time goes by - beginning later this year. On with the last eleven now - will post some more starters later on. jb

 

[aujj65]

Blimey you have been busy Johnny! Only 11 to go, well that’s the weekend taken care of then…...:wink2:^&grin

Jeff

 

[johnnybach]

Gotta get a wriggle on Jeff - Have just heard the Canadian Mounted Pipers are on the 'plane!

 

[johnnybach]

This time - (see front row) I have begun the Gun Commander ( Corporal), to show how I go about the order of painting. As usual, from the left - the white belt starts it off. Then the Blue parts painted - then red. Note that I outline his stirpes on the left arm with red - before painting the yellow stripes. I will then paint the outer blue - to thin the red stripe down to just a thin outline (see complated figure at the far right). Note the addition of black before any buttons are done - Brass for jacket, silver for black gaiters - once the feet are painted entirely black. Hope that makes sense? This is a much easier figure to paint - as the arm can be fitted before painting. Note that I have tried to vary the arm position a little for each figure. jb

 

[johnnybach]

And here are the six Gun Commanders - Cororals all - out in front and just about ready to take command, move out of harms way - drop the arm - and let loose a devastating volley of shot.

Just a few bases to paint green - the odd sabre to fix on - and we're not far off. Took a tad longer than the weekend to get them this far - in bits and pieces of work. After these take their places - there's just six more to go before all gun crews will be ready to go! jb

 

[aujj65]

Hi Johnny,

That's a lot of green! Are you sure you have a permit for that amount? ^&grin

Great thread! :smile2:

Jeff

 

[johnnybach]

I've applied for Special Dispensation from the Sainted Hughie - ( "And I mean this in all sincerity folks").

And if you remember him - the you're almost as old as me!{sm3}

I thought that this one might get a bit "samey" Jeff - as all of the six gun-crews are basically the same. However, if you and others have enjoyed them "coming to life" - then that's fine. They have certainly been one of the easier groups to paint up - maybe because of the restricted pallet of basically red white blue and black - for a lot of the uniform. Nice to paint too - covered nicely. One of the most enjoyable things I have done lately - and only six more to go - then PLAYTIME!^&grin

Must be one of the only times when the guy who made the castings (JP), liked the look of them so much - he's decided to have a go himself! And good on ya! JP - it's like swimming. Once you get in - it will feel lovely!

 

[johnnybach]

Latest update shows that all Corporal Gun Commanders have now been re-united with their crews. You may also note that I have slipped in another Officer and Spongeman ( the proper name for the guy with the ram-rod in hand). I had been quietly painting these with left over dribs and drabs of paint on my pallet, all along - and they suddenly became "finished" at about 1,00a.m. this morning. (time flies - when you're having fun!).

I have now just four figures to complete - and of course the rearmost 3 cannon to finish off - and this project will be done, for now. Along the way though, I have learned that there are a number of associated items that I can add to my battery ( like ammo caissons and horse artillery - thanks Jeff!) so - to paraphrase Bernard Cornwell - "These troops will march again".

I will, of course - post pics of my remaining four - as they develop - and the completed Battery. See you later? johnnybach

 

[aujj65]

Hi Johnny,

You have shown yourself to be a very talented and prolific painter in your short time on this forum. These have come on in no time.


{bravo}} {bravo}} {bravo}}

Jeff

 

[johnnybach]

Well Jeff - nice of you to say so - but I've never thought of myself as quite as talented as some of the painters that I have seen around, especially since joining the Forum - more of an adequate journeyman me! However, I only have myself to please - and as long as they satisfy my desire for Toy Soldiers to play with - they'll do for me. I'm just fulfilling ALL of the boyhood fantasies I had when I was a lad - but couldn't afford back then. I think I'm more than making up for that now.

It's also a whole lot more fun and intensly satisfying to know that you've painted them yourself - rather than going out and just buying them "off the shelf". I can't imagine just doing that. I'm glad they are around thogh - as when I see something new - I often start thinking ...."I wonder how I could do that".^&grin

 

[johnnybach]

I have just about finished the last four figures - though the bases are not quite dry, so here's a pic. Just a few tiny finishing bits to go (sabres need fitting on for three of them. Then it will be a last inspection for everything - and the Battery will be ready to fire - as one! There should be 33 figures there - but every time I start counting - I get lost. I will re-arrange tomorrow - and try to give you a "special" pic!

That means, I will try and get one in focus!^&grin 'ere - someones nicked the big grin smillie wottsit!