Tag Archives: voltigeurs

More Fronches

I’ve been making pathetically slow progress on my 28mm Napoleonic Skirmish project, but even pathetic progress is, after all, progress. Here are the fruits of my labor – three new Voltigeurs, including an NCO (on the larger base). These French troops take a looooong time to paint, or at least they do for me. I think I’ll have to resort to production-line style painting to ever finish the 15 or so figures I need to do. Which is a shame, because this is supposed to be my ‘paint for pleasure’ project. Woe is me! Comments and criticism, as always, are welcome.

Another shot. I think I need to invest in grass tufts. I've been drybrushing static grass, in lieu of tufts, and, well, life is too short for such things!

Another shot. I think I need to invest in grass tufts. I’ve been drybrushing static grass, in lieu of tufts, and, well, life is too short for such things!

The original two test figures I did (with blue trousers) are in the back.

The original two test figures I did (with blue trousers) are in the back.

Le enemie (sorry any actual French speakers), he shall never see this view!

Ze enemy shall never see this view!

I’m basing these guys on zinc coated steel washers, and the paint keeps flaking off of the edges of the bases. I need to go back with a pva/paint mixture, and see if it will hold up better.

Vive L’Empereur!

Here we have Jacque and Phillipe modeling the latest in light infantry campaign wear.

Here we have Jacque and Phillipe modeling the latest in light infantry campaign wear.

I’ve been painting a couple of test figures for my Song of Drums and Shakos/Sharpe Practice project. This time it’s voltigeurs from the 9th Legere, in the 1809 uniform (or is that 1807 uniform…I get confused). This is the campaign version of the uniform, not the dress uniform, thus the small plume, trousers, and not-as-fancy boots. The trousers probably shouldn’t be blue, but it’s too late now!

My primary discovery from this painting exercise is that I really hate piping.

Voltigeurs, 2x2

Voltigeurs, 2×2

The blue on these guys is too bright. I will endeavor to keep my highlighting to the edges of the edges and heights of the high spots on the next batch of Frenchies I paint…then perhaps I’ll give the proper impression of dark blue, while keeping things bright enough for the gaming table.

And here are a couple of fake action shots. I really need to invest in a couple of cheap lamps at my home for this sort of photography. The lighting situation once I move from my desk is icky and uncontrollable.

Jacque and Phillipe take fire from some Brunswickers, while trying to acquire some forage.

Jacque and Phillipe take fire from some Brunswickers, while trying to acquire some forage. This photo suffers from massive foreshortening-I need to get a grasp on how to control depth of field.

Fight in the hayfield!

Fight in the hayfield! Foreshortening isn’t such a problem here. For some reason.