Grey Horses

Hello there! I have been asked by a wargaming friend about how I paint my grey horses. I have experimented with a different system after finding using solely paints has not been satisfactory. After preparing the figure in the normal manner, (Deflash, degrease, prime/undercoast and paint white), I scrape off as small amount from an oil based pastel. This comes off as a powder which I leave on a plate or saucer. I then use a colour shaper from an art shop to place the powder from the oil pastel where it is required.

There are a number of types of 'grey' horses so I would advise the painter to print off some pictures of photographs from the internet to give you a good idea of what you are trying to represent. Here is a  soft dapple. The legs are a result of airbrushing a brown around the legs and not the oil pastel.

The dapple on grey horses can extend to the shoulders and up to the neck. Here is obviously does not but a very faint dapple can be seen on the rump.

A dapple is a series of joined small circles or hollow shapes which can cover some or all of the horses hide. Here the dappling on the rump of the horses is clearer than in other photos.

Here the dappling can become more dense as you move down the horses legs to eventually become black or dark grey. The dappling is still present at the boundary but it can take a little longer to achieve this block colour as using the oil pastel dust is difficult to work with. Just be patient and you will achieve a mottled finish.

As you are working with a powder medium you need to fix it in place. I use an aerosol varnish from an art shop. It is a better quality and non yellowing.

Napoleonic British Watteville Regiment

Hello There! I have completed another Napoleonic unit as a preparation to refight The Battle of Maida. The Watteville Swiss Regiment had a diverse existence serving in Southern Italy, the Penisular and Canada during the Napoleonic Period.

Based on the Shako II rules the battalion is 18 figures strong and also has a Line Colonel. The flags came from 'Flags of War' and was the only source for this regiment I could find. The only difference between the flag present at Maida and that supplied was the 'Maida' battle honour which is not easily visible here.

I am still struggling with the depth of field of my photographs as here the rear rank is still slightly out of focus. The figures came from Perrys and were easy to paint however there was a lot of flash on the figures.

The bases are made to match the Spanish battalion I completed and provide a suitable arid finish.

I am particularly pleased with the Command bases as usually there is a rather staid base with every one being in the same pose. Here the flag bearers are in different poses and the sergeant is defending one of the flag bearers.

The Line Colonel is a nice casting in a relaxed pose. The regiment is suitable for the Peninsular as well as Southern Italy but the Regiment was transferred to Canada by 1812.

Confederate Regimental Colonels

Hello There! After deciding I required some  mounted officers for my forth coming Confederate units I purchased some from Old Glory. These are the, if I remember rightly, the Sash and Sabre version. I also purchased the Old Glory version.

This chap is waving his regiment on. I have included a red waist sash as this is an indication of seniority and light blue collar to represent the infantry. Looking at these, and the other pictures in this post, it shows up every little mark and wobble. Looking at the figures themselves these looked fine.

I see very few piebald and skewbald horses on the wargames table so I tend to favour these breed of horses to break up the 'sea of brown horses' which you normally see. This Southern Gentleman has a full beard which also suits the fashion of the time.

The pack has four mounted figures and here are the last two. There is a good variety of poses and clearly cast to assist painting. There was some flash which was straight forward to remove.

The last example is a single item which I found on a trader stand at Partizan. This was a single casting from Bicorne Miniatures. The head was separate and I liked the dynamic leaning forward pose. I also purchased a roadside crucifix which shall be suitable for my Napoleonic Peninsular projects.

The ACW rules I currently use are a combined 'Rally Around the Flag' with some modifications. I would like to include rules for sharpshooters and this is the start of providing targets for said sharpshooters.

Some Sale Items

Hello There. I would like to reduce my stock of some items and so have the following for sale.

These 28mm Sci-Fi pods are Sarissa precision models which are assembled, painted, weathered and varnished. They are £10 each plus P & P  **This is now sold** 

This 28mm garage is also a Sarissa Precision model with staccato walls, assembled, painted, weathered and varnished. It is £10 plus P & P. **This is now sold**

 This tower and building is also Sarissa Precision with a staccato finish, assembled, painted, weathered and varnished. It is £10 plus P & P. **These are now sold**

I have 40 x 28mm Russian WW II figures. All assembled, painted ink washed and varnished. Price £80 plus P & P