Wretched Prattling- Aaaargh blogger, forum farmers

Not really worthy of a post, more a twatter like comment, anyway on with my 'wretched prattling' ......I made four attempts to leave a reply to Exiles latest post and each time I got half way (or there abouts) in my reply the comment box reset itself.... wotcha, anyone else have this problem?

I guess I could have taken an approach similar to one of those tedious knobs who have to use 10 forum responses to make a 3 line comment (I like to think of them as share farmers, growing their post count) but that's not right really is it? I do get a smile when these individuals make a post and then set about in supplying up to 90% of the replies, is that the digital equivalent of talking to yourself?

Of some interest to a very few of you....... I have actually set about sorting out the painting bench!!! Could it be I'm about to set pigment to lead, I have a feeling in my waters that it could be. Been doing a bit of reading lately and my eyes and brain matter have come through the experience with flying colours. Not all that interested in commission work, too rusty for that malarkey, though a bit of paint splatting on some my own gear seems to be more and more likely.

Observation: More than rolling dice

It was with some interest that I recently read Sydney Rounwoods post "Being There" it seemed particularly poignant in light of recent events in my own gaming world, sometimes a game can feel like simply going through the motions, for some of us we need more. 

Jose and Drew look like they are hatching a cunning plan to spring on Napoleon "and dont the kids love it"

An objective with a back story, nothing complicated, can make all the difference as to whether your invested in a game or simply there just to roll some dice. Sydney's post is a timely reminder that game night can be much more that slurping tea and out quoting one another with tape measures cocked and ready. The most important thing to my mind is to engage the players and give them a reason to care why they are moving their little trays of lead.  That is not to say that some people aren't happy just rolling dice and quoting Oman, Bowden or Duffy, personally I prefer to at least have a reason other than rules require you to toss little polyglobs and cubes of plastic about the house. Maybe that is what makes ImagiNation gaming so appealling to some historical gamers......


I shan't bore you any longer with my silly ramblings but rather point you to Mr Roundwoods post and let you decide the value in "Being There".
 

WIP Regiment la Reine 18thC

I have been able to do a bit more on these chaps lately and a quick tidy up will see them finished. Perhaps I will have my camera working properly be then for some better quality photo's too, I think the poor ol' gal might be on her last legs as her poor ol' gizzmo-tronic brain seems to squeak and fart along at an alarmingly slow pace.......

Anyway back to the figures hat, cap tassels and leggings need a bit of attention as does the hair, seeing as these castings will be used for musket and tomahawk lapels have been ignored and a blue waistcoat added. There are also one or two obvious brush over runs however it wont take much to sort that out, oooops. The castings bouffant is somewhat out of historical kilter, natural hair colouring will overcome this mistake as this grizzled old veteran will demonstrate, quite frankly nothing to inhibit enjoying a game in deepest darkest Canada or New France or Arcadia!

remember, click to big the photo's

WIP SYW La Reine

So here we are in 2013, I don't feel any different. As discussed in the previous post the new year will see the becoming of a plan of attack and challenges including an assault on the pile of shame which grew at an alarming rate in 2012. The growth was somewhat surprising, not because some kindly doppelganger was ordering figures and having them sent to my abode by mistake, because I had thought that my purchases were heavily leaning towards books thus leaving the leaden men on a slow drip feed, WRONG! It appears that purchase volumes were up on 2011, it is easy to believe your showing restraint if you con yourself that your hard earned is being directed in another direction. In fact the readies were being dished out just as freely for the wee metal men and additional funds were being transferred to the accounts of book publishers and the keepers of antiquarian book stores.

Now fair warning, my 2013 plans have not been thunked on overly much and will require more time to ferment into the heady brew of a plan, so no action on that front other than I'm actually painting whilst thunking, which is what most of the plan will revolve about anyway.

The poor unfortunates to feel the gentle brushing of sable on lead are a company (8 figures) of Front Rank SYW French grenadiers, the castings are the usual FR fair so not much to add in that regard, bit squat etc. etc. It would be nice if the SYW range were reworked in the cause of anatomy and uniform/accoutrement details but I don't see that high on their list of priorities, some their new Nap. figures look very nice. Anyway on with the photo's

First painting exercise in about 5 weeks, my hands shake a bit and my eyes/glasses aren't quite as good so the painting is getting a little sloppy, touching up may be a bit longer process than it once was. There is no great plan as to why the La Reine regt. other than I have been reading the Osprey campaign series books on the FIW (just finished Ticonderoga and started Quebec). I don't think I'm into it enough to game proper like, but some skirmish might be of interest..... I think, anyway one must paint what one feels like painting and I felt like painting La Reine. The bearskin is conjectural but as they were in Canada and materials were plentiful they may have been able to equip themselves with the new headgear in a more timely fashion, or so I have read.

I'm quite happy with the off white tone of the coat and pants, although it is not clear in the photo's, which should provide enough contrast with the white linen or canvas gaiters (not painted).  There is some suggestion that the gaiters for New France based troops were changed out to a darker coloured material, I have yet to find any clear indicators either visual or written as to what material and what colour (suggestions ?),  I'm assuming it would likely be the hide or skin of some creature.
 

I can tell you trying to remember what colours I have been using in the past for various painting details is a bit of a chore, I should completely finish one figure so I have a paint chart to follow for the rest and make a new set of notes for any upcoming Frenchies, there has been a lot of trial and error, repainting etc with the few I'm working on. That may just be at the top of my 2013 list, nice one, I have started my list.......

Another of Santa's helpers, just for you Crazy Joe (by request)