I have decided to make my past regular updates & news available. It is also a nice chance for me to see how or what I have completed in the past:
23.09.07
At long last I finally finished my first part of the French Regimental Command Group. Not sure if I will finish the other three just yet because I have a little project with some French Cuirassiers planned which needs to be done first.
I know their trousers look rather clean but I am a bit reluctant to weather my figures too much or even at all. Maybe I will try to do apply some "dirt" by the next batch.
11.09.07
I am working in the moment on some Napoleonic French Regimental Command figures from Perry Miniatures. Three of them are nearly finished (Eagle Bearer, Drummer and Sapper). I actually hoped to finish them last weekend but work was that busy that all my painting time went out of the window (again). Never mind, if everything goes now according to plan, I will have them actually on Ebay on Sunday.
The other three remaining figures of the Group ( Two Eagle Guards and the Officer) will follow soon after.
02.09.07
Well, I have decided to sell my Lancers afterall. I will not part easily with them. I am quite proud about how they turned out and I always get strangely attached to my "babys" just after I finished them.
29.08.07
I just thought to finally add some pictures of my latest project. I finished my holidays last week and was able to do a bit of work on my Napoleonic French Light Horse Lancers from Perry Miniatures. I used a mix of paints. Mainly Foundry, Andrea and GW paints but I decided quite consciously to apply a more subtle colour palette.
I also decided to fit them onto a wooden plinth because I thought the beautiful group was just asking for some nice presentation. Not sure yet if I will sell them.
18.07.07
I am now able to share my Competition Entry with you. Needless to say I did not fare so well. I made a mistake with a green background which distracted a lot from the actual paintjob and I must admit it looked a bit wrong, looking at it now:
I also changed my photographic lighting setting and the results are amazing. Just for comparison have a look at the following pictures.
This one was originally done with my old Philipps 100W Daylight bulbs:
The next one is the most recent picture and has been photographed using my new 5000K E27 30W Daylight Trumpet Bulbs:
10.07.07
After a few longer days & evenings, I completed my King of Sparta. I am quite pleased of the look of "Leonidas". I painted him using the Non-Metal-Metallics (NMM) painting technique. He is a very close representation on Gerard Butler's Character Leonidas in the Movie "300".
The figure is from "Dark Slave Miniatures" (Now called "Tales of War Miniatures") a promising spanish manufacturer. Some really great and unique figures on their Webpage. Therefore I will insert him to my Gallery under Miscellaneous for now.
I tried with the NMM a bit of a different approach and wanted the metal parts not to look too new or too golden / yellowish. I looked at the Comic and the Movie and felt there was a brownish / dirty / Ochre tinge to everything.
I am also planning to insert a "How to..." section for Leonidas, with a lot of work in progress pictures, here soon and will provide a list of paints I used.
On another note. I am currently taking part in Steve Dean's brilliant Online Painting Competition. I am not able to show yet with which figure I am participating but will include some pictures in a week or so.
22.05.07
I added some pictures of my most recent project to the Gallery. It is a Napoleonic French Foot Artillery Group loading a 6 Pounder Gun from Perry Miniatures.
I decided to paint the Uniform Tunics a bit different this time. Instead of using Foundry Deep Blue I actually used Vallejo MC Dark Prussian Blue as a base colour.
This highlighted with Vallejo MC Oxford Blue, which was added to the Dark Prussian Blue, until I ended up with pure Oxford Blue. Finally followed by Dark Prussian blue/Oxford blue mixed with GW Elf Flesh. As a shade colour, I used for the deepest creases Dark Prussian Blue mixed with black.
I am very pleased with the results.
29.04.07
I have finally decided to add "Isabella" to my Gallery. The Pirate Queen from Freebooter Miniatures was my first real female figure and the first time I used the NMM technique excessively. I am more or less happy with the results but could see on the pictures to improve little things on my next projects. It is all a learning process with a few trial and errors.
15.04.07
I just added my latest project to the Foundry Gallerys. It took me some time to paint him but I am rather pleased with my "Napoleon crossing the Alps". The base was sculpted by myself using Milliput and the snow is Andrea Artificial Snow Powder.
I tried to stay as close to the Original Oil painting from Paul Delaroche (1797 - 1856) as I could. I liked the white/grey/speckled depiction of the Horse and did not want to paint a pure white one again, after I just did it on my Dutch ones. I think it worked all right
06.03.07
The Napoleonic Dutch Figures are finally finished. I decided to position the main Miniatures on individual bases. They can then be easier used for gaming or display.
I also purchased a new camera, a Nikon Coolpix P4 with 8,1 Megapixels and have taken my first photos of my finished figures, as shown above. Please visit my Gallery for further Pictures.
06.02.07
Great news, my painting table has arrived and my room is great. I have just started painting some Perry Miniatures Napoleonic Dutch Belgians Staff figures. Two little Vignettes altogether, the first one is: General Perporcher on foot with a map in his hand, General Baron de Constant Rebecque on foot pointing to the enemy and a guide on foot with the Generals white horse. The second is an ADC handing a message to a mounted guide on a 'chestnut' horse.
My next figure will be a Foundry figure, the Special Edition "Napoleon Crossing the Alps". I will be working on the dapple-grey effect for this horse and adding him onto a scenic stone base.
14.01.07
I hope everyone had a good Christmas and a good start for the New Year.
I have just added my DVD onto EBAY and received some more Figures from Freebooter and Andrea Miniatures. Also some new paints from Andrea Minatures. I will be trying them out next week. My new painting table will be delivered on Tuesday and I cannot wait. I am currently replying to all emails received in the last few weeks. And finally this week I will be starting to paint again. YIPEE!
20.08.06:
It has been a bit quiet on my Website for some time now. I have relocated to Germany and I am currently training in my new position. So yes, I am now based in Germany. I am hoping to continue painting as and when I have time and must apologise for any outstanding work. My Website and Email address contact details remain the same.
Once I have settled in and found somewhere to live, my Painting and Ebay activities will continue. I was pleased to see one of my painted Figures in Wargames Illustrated Issue 227, September Edition on Page43, also to see the date announced for Salute next year. Furthermore, I have enjoyed following Steve Deans Painting Competitions. I hope to enter in the future and join in the fun. His Forum continues to grow and grow. A lot of nice guys, usefull information and many talented painters.
For the time being I have added some pictures from my Gallery on top of my Webpage.
21.06.06:
I have to apologise for the lack of updates in the last couple of weeks but due to work commitments, I did not have much time to paint. I also will be on Holiday for three weeks from tomorrow on and will visit my family in Germany but I will be back on 13. July. I hope to have some more time to paint when I am back.
02.05.06:
My French Voltigeurs from Perry Miniatures have been finished. I am quite pleased with them. To differentiate a little bit between the Figures, I have painted every Greatcoat in a different Colour. I used Foundry's Stone, Slate Grey, Quagmire, Storm Blue, Buff Leather and Raw Hide. It made painting them more interesting and it gave them a variation.
27.04.06:
I am still in the process of painting the six French skirmishing Voltigeurs from Perry Miniatures. They are coming along just fine and I have started the Flesh parts. If everything goes well, they should be finished by the Weekend. There are amazing little details on these Figures. During painting I realised that one Voltigeur had an extra pair of shoes, hanging from his Backpack. That makes painting them even more fun.
I have decided to sell one of my two entries for Salute 06. It is Napoleon, surveying his Troops on a Battlefield and one of his Chasseurs on Guard.
23.04.06:
SALUTE 06 - I am back.
After a great day, which was a wonderful experience, I have brought home a First Place in Catergory 1 "Historical Wargames Unit: Infantry or Cavalry - 25mm to (and including) 54mm: 5 to 40 Figures" with my Dutch Militia Diorama.
I have updated my "Awards" and "About me" pages. I also added a full write up with pictures about my day at "Salute 06" including the people I had the pleasure to meet and some photos of the "Making of my winning Entry".
There was a lot on offer, especially in the way of Miniatures but somehow I did not get to buy too much. I spent some money on the NEW French Voltigeurs Skirmishers in Greatcoats from Perry Miniatures and will paint them up hopefully in the next couple of days.
15.04.06:
SALUTE 06 - Here I come.
This will be my first visit to Salute on 22.04.06 and from what I have heard it should be a really great day. I am looking forward to meeting the Perry Twins, Darren and the guys from Gripping Beast, Matt & Bernard from the Foundry (I have spoken with them so much on the phone), Richard from Otherworld (AD&D Fanatic) and I also hope to meet Kevin Dallimore and buy his book!
I am also entering the Painting competition. This will be another first for me. I have one completed entry with Foundry Figures and one, which I am still working on with the Perry Figures. I will be concentrating on this over the next week. I hope it will be finished in time. I will add photos after Salute.
If you see me and want a chat please feel free to tap me on the shoulder. I am looking forward to meeting everyone, so see you all there!
For more information on Salute, the South London Warlords Website has a lot of information about the venue.
Please click on the link below.
I have added on the top of this page some flags for translating my homepage into German, Italian, Spanish and French. This is an electronic automatic translation, so maybe not perfect but I think it will be a big help.
05.04.06:
After some DIY and Attic sorting last week, I finally had some time to sit down again and go back to my painting. I concentrated on some more Foundry Figures and painted three French Imperial Guard Grenadiers. Very nice detail on these and they were a real pleasure to bring "to life" with some paint.
I also played around with the settings of my digital camera and also used some filter options on my Photoshop software to alter the pictures a little bit. The background actually looks whiter now and the figures seem a bit clearer. Not sure if I will use the settings now permanently for all future photos but I quite like the results.
Also on my workbench is a small Diorama, I have been working on. I have finished painting Napoleon himself and I am half way through his Horse. The white of his mount took me some time to get right but so far, so good. I hope to finish it tomorrow and will hopefully start on his Chasseur "Bodyguard" next. The 12pdr cannon is prepared and will be painted last. I came up with this idea while watching the old Classic Movie "Waterloo" with Rod Steiger & Christopher Plummer last week. The 12 strong Unit of Chasseurs are also coming along nicely.
25.03.06:
The Napoleonic French Line Artillery Set (Six Men & Crew), from Foundry is finally finished and has been added to my Gallery. This is the piece I have been waiting to complete for quite some time. I have mounted it on a wooden base. I used some of the Original Accessories from the set, e.g. Powder barrel and Cannon Balls to complete the Battlefield look.
18.03.06:
I have added my latest commission piece to my Gallery. They are Perry Miniatures 40 mm Peninsular War French. You will find a new 40mm link on the main Gallery Page. I also included here some individual photos of the Miniatures before I attached them to the wooden base.
After a rocky start I actually got back well into painting some larger scale figures. I painted the Soldiers, of that particular Regiment, to the requirements of the customer. He did send me very valuable information and also some advice on the reality of Musketry. His description of firing a real Musket actually helped with the weathering, especially with the blackpowder dust around the hands and face area. I used primarily Foundry Colours for the Figures and I am really pleased how they turned out. As usually, I finished them off with a couple of coats of Humbrol Matt Varnish Number 49.
I also added an new addition to my Link Page. Lee Low and his page called "Aftermath Miniatures". Really impressive Web Design skills and most importantly a really good painter. His interest are very much similar to mine and on his page you will find a fine selection of Miniatures in various scales.
11.03.06:
Just finished three more Foundry French Line Infantry Command Figures. I particularly like the Drum-Major. I had the idea of the colour scheme out of an Osprey Book "Napoleon's Line Infantry". A bit of a change from the French Blue.
Next on my table is a Foundry French Line Artillery Piece and Six Man Crew. I also have a little Vignette planned with Napoleon on Horseback, Chasseur Bodyguard with a damaged Gun carriage, to give it a bit of a Battlefield feeling. Well, let's see how I get on with the Gun and Crew first.
I also added an "Old News" site where I give you and myself a chance to see my past projects. Please have a look at the bottom of the page.
04.03.06:
I ventured back into the Foundry French Napoleonic Range and painted two Soldiers of the Line Infantry. The detail of the Sculpt and of the French Uniforms are really great. I truly had fun painting them. The Eagle-Bearer carries a GMB Flag, which is in my Opinion, one of the best suppliers of Miniature Flags and are just right for the 28 mm scale. I also decided to add eyes again. I am not sure if I will do it for all my Figures in future but I am pleased with the result.
24.02.06:
I have finally finished the remaining three Brunswick from Perry Miniatures and added them to my Gallery.
I tried to do something different with the "all Black" Uniform of the Brunswick Army. I applied a technique, which I used previously only on my 54 mm figures. Instead of a grey colour or even white, I used Flesh to Highlight my Black. I did not wanted it to end up looking too grey.
I also wanted to distinguish a clear difference between the Uniform and the leather equipment. I used for all other parts of the Uniform Foundry's Charcoal black as a highlight colour. It gave it a more bluish / greyish kind of tone.
My new pride and joy was also added. Marshal Murat in all his Glory, available unpainted from Wargames Foundry. He took me some time to paint but I enjoyed every minute of it. I decided to do something different and gave him a bit of a scenic base. I used Milliput to give him a little elevated position and dominance amongst other "Soldiers". I used some reference Material on Tigers to try to paint the Fur as realistic as possible. Another new feature are the eyes. He had such a good sculpted face that I decided to add some eyes for a change and I think it works.
18.02.06:
Darren from Gripping Beast has sent me a picture of the Italian Allies, that I painted for them. They are from their Hannibal & Punic War range and will be featured soon as a picture on one of the Box sets, there are 24 soldiers altogether. I am hoping to receive some more photos soon, which I will add when I get them.
12.02.06:
My apologies for the lack of updates and Figure pictures. Work has been absolutely mad and left not much time to paint. I am still working on some commissions and also trying to add the remaining three Brunswick Soldiers to their already finished Comrades. There will be some future additions for Ebay coming soon as well (I certainly hope so).
05.02.06:
I have updated my Links Page and added a Website from Ioannis Mavromichalis (www.wargames-etc.com) to it. Very nice guy and great pictures.
31.01.06:
I have added Joe Videki to my Links Page. This is a great site with a lot of nicely painted Mini's and also an extensive list of links, which I have used many times in the past for reference.
Finished some Perry Miniatures Brunswickers. I have added them to my Gallery. Click on the picture below to bring you there.
15.01.06:
I have added Conquest Miniatures to my Links Page and I am awaiting some Figures to paint for them. Their Figures have great detail I am looking forward to receiving them.
Photos will be added at a later date.
I also added some FEEDBACK examples I received from Ebay onto "My DVD" Page. I am very pleased about the positive remarks and emails so far.
11.01.06:
On my workbench at the moment, I am painting two 40 mm French Fusiliers from Perry Miniatures.
I am also in the process of completing 12 Chasseurs of the Guard on Horseback and Mounted Napoleon.
I will add some pictures once they are finished.
04.01.06:
I have just added three more Belgian Chasseurs to my Gallery
These Figures are available (unpainted) from Perry Miniatures Napoleonic Dutch/Belgian Range and the Flags from GMB Design!
