I’m not dead… yet

Wow, it’s been a loooong time since the last post. 

Despite the absence of activity on the blog I actually played in a quit a few games in 2018, for the most part reported by Peter on his Blunders on the Danube blog. Painting on the other hand, has been pretty much non-existent.  I just haven’t felt the motivation, and things have been  rather hectic since November (I’ve been  out of state more than I have been in state).  But enough whining, as I learned as a young 2LT, ‘the effective range of an excuse is 0 meters’.  

I expect to have more motivation in 2019.  I’ve really had the Imagi-Nation itch lately – I know and how is that different from last year, and the year before that and on, and on.  But this time I mean it!  I’m not really into the 7 years war which seems to be what most ImagiNations are set in, but I think if you set it in the early middle ages/renaissance time period with some barbarians and Romans thrown in it might work.  Or in other words, if you take the approach Tony Bath took with his Hyboria campaign, I think the extra diversity would keep the motivation going.  I actually started working on a map in early 2018, I wonder if I can find it?  Rules would be Hostile Realms, which does an excellent job of covering the proposed diverse time period – all you have to do is remove the magic and fantasy elements.  Or To The Strongest would probably work as well.  (I really think that To the Strongest is a fantastic rule set for a light, fairly fast game with a fair amount of tension and fog of war based on the card system).

And speaking of scratching the ImagiNation itch, Joe has graciously volunteered to run another Napoleonic era one.  More details can be found at his Fish Tales blog. 

Of course I’ll continue to plod along on painting up more Russian Napoleonics  with the goal still being of  to build  the 2^ndArmy of the West from the 1812 campaign.  Hmmm, probably time I sat down and did an inventory of where I’m at on that.    And I still need to build out the French forces, I have the lead; just need more of that motivation thingy to do something with them.

But enough with this word stuff.  Blogs are for photos, so here’s some of what I did manage to paint up in 2018.

Figures are Perry.   It's been so long I don't recall where the flag was from.  

The magic wash came out a little blotchy on the pants , but from a distance it looks ok.  Although I'm not sure what's going on with the drummers face - warpaint maybe?

So much lead, so little time

Happy 4th of July

Wow, it's been almost a year since the last post, pretty unacceptable.

For my American readers (if I have any left) I have a quick quiz, how many of you knew that there is an official American's Creed?  The American Creed was written by William Tyler Page in 1917, and was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on April 3rd, 1918.   Being astute wargamers I'm sure most of you recognize those dates correspond with a major wargaming period, although not one I partake in.

The American's Creed states:

I believe in the United States of America, as a government of the people, by the people, and for the people;  whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon these principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.— William Tyler Page, The American's Creed

It's hard to believe almost a year has passed since the last post. Clearly, I've been having some motivational issues as it relates to the hobby.  But I think I'm starting to get back into the wargaming groove.  With Historicon on the horizon less than 2 weeks away, and having recently gamed locally,  I had a surge of painting energy (well, at least what passes as a surge for me).  I can tell it's been a while since I picked up a brush, the quality is lower than my normal efforts.    These are all from the vast lead pile, which I really hope (need?) to whittle down later this year.  All figures below are Front Rank with the exception on the Romans, which are Black Tree Design.

First up, the Vilna Infantry, the painting was completed last November, but I didn't get around to basing until last week. I continue to slowly chip away at the ultimate goal of completing the 2nd Army of the West, based on the OB at Borodino.

1st Battalion Vilna Infantry

3rd Battalion Vilna Infantry

Another Jager Regiment, just completed over the weekend.  They were photographed in natural light, I'm not sure why they look so washed out, they don't look that pale in the flesh... err, I mean in the lead. I'm also not sure why I couldn't get them in focus no matter what I did.  Maybe it's their stealthy Jager green uniforms blending in to the background?

After the last campaign game I determined that maybe the problem my Dragoon's have is that they don't have a properly attired  commander.  So, after a 30 minutes search through the various lead stashes (it's harder for the Czarina to tell how much unpainted lead there is that way) I found this guy.  Hopefully his leadership and dashing dragoon outfit will inspire my Dragoons to greater glory.

Looks like that tail needs a touch up.

And lastly, going way back into the lead pile, some Black Tree Design Romans that I bought in either 2005 or 2006 during one of their too good to pass up sales.  Sadly, these are not the oldest lead I have laying around, but it stills travels back in time a long ways.

I really like the figures and how the Testudo looks, although I'm not sure it will ever end up on the gaming table, and if it doesn't no big deal, Romans are quick/easy to paint.  

That's it, hopefully there will be another post this year.  I hope everyone here in the U.S. has a great 4th of July.  In honor of the day, I leave you with the words of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Recessional:

Until we meet again, let us remember our obligations to our forefathers who gave us our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, an independent Supreme Court and a nation of free men. 

Some much lead, so little time.

BOOM!

Three post in one year!  Somebody stop me I’m on fire.

Just a quick update to prove I am still alive and slowly plodding along on cleaning up the lead pile.  The original plan for this year was to NOT buy any new lead, and make at least some minimal progress on the lead piles.  But as they say, no plan survives contact with Historicon planning. 

First up from the lead pile are a couple of Artillery Batteries.  As I think I’ve mentioned before I paint my Russian Batteries as 3 stand batteries to reflect the larger 12 gun batteries – although in conventions (and most local games) they are represented on the table as two stand batteries.

On to the photos.  As always, click to enlarge if you’re feeling brave.

These are Elite Miniatures Russian Guard Artillery figures.  These are the first Elite figures I’ve painted.  They’re pretty ‘clunky’ figures, and definitely lack the smooth lines of the Front Rank figures.  I’m not sure the plumes are painted the correct color, and they would be more appropriate for 1815 or so.  Odds are they’ll never end up on the table, but it wouldn’t be the first unit I painted that will never get used.

These are Front Rank Russian Horse Artillery figures. 

Auto focus on the camera was acting up on this one.

A battery of Front Rank Russian ‘light’ (6#) foot artillery.  

In sorting through the lead pile I stumbled across this mounted commander in a Kiwer that I had forgotten about.

And the only unit in todays post that is ‘new’ lead, the Ekaterinoslav Cuirassier Regiment.  These are also Front Rank figures.  And there's that same house in the back ground.  Whatever is in it must be important?

Looking at these photos I see I forgot to paint something.  

I hope to see some of you at Historicon later this week.  

So much lead, so little time.