Slow, slow, quick, quicker

When I started my ImagiNation project last summer my intention was to paint one unit a month. Not an unreasonable aim, and for a few months all went well. Then other things got in the way; not least other wargame projects. American War of Independence, 6mm Napoeonics, Crossfire WW2, Samurai (why!!)
Anyway I needed to get back to the wars of wine and cheese.

Now, I don't get that much free time to paint but I wondered just how quickly I could get a unit painted. Not in a ridiculous vallejo-fest marathon but with a steady 45 minutes or an hour a day.

So last week I began on a new unit for the Duchy of Fromagere using the nice Zvezda Swedes. A total of 54 foot. I think Zvezda are making the best 20mm plastics at the moment. (These are in fact about 24mm) with almost no flash and cisp features. I bought four boxes of these but will need a couple more boxes to get units of suitably matching figures. There are three pikemen in the set but these will make splendid standard bearers. The only downside is that there are only three of the first rate grenadiers in the box. Perhaps an attached company will accompany a regiment.

The aim is to paint simply with the three feet rule in mind and with the intention of the magic wash with the tinted acrylic floor wax to finish off. So no shading in the paint job in the hope that the final wash will give a bit of depth.

Tuesday: wash the little devils in warm soapy water and remove from sprues. 45 minutes.
Wednesday: glue down to a few lengths of wood 30 minutes (all times approx)
Thursday: spray with white plastic primer 15 minutes

















Friday: thick light blue wash, the colour of the coat and breeches, 40 minutes.














Saturday: day off.

Sunday: gaiters, muskets, hats and shoes. During the first football match so just under two hours.

Sunday: straps, hands, faces and facings, another couple of hours







Monday: I completed the white hat lace, an hour.

So a little over seven hours so far and I suspect another couple of hours to furtle up scabbard, hair and other bits then the final coat of Klear. Should be done by Saturday with perhaps ten hours all told.(tbc)

On the Shelf

Where is 2010 going. Already well into April and no additions to my ImagiNations armies this year. Yet the Work in Progress shelf groans under projects half done.

On the right half a dozen heavy cavalry divisions for 6mm Napoleonics painted years ago and now to be rebased on 5cm squares.

In the centre a half painted regiment of Zvezda Swedish Dragoons about to become the first horse regiment of the Duke of Fromagere. Three Italian tankettes and a couple of Vickers mkVI for a Greek 1941 army. (Next club game - Crossfire.)

And I have to admit being sucked into coincidences. I was half way through reading Shogun when I came across a glowing review of Zvezda's plastic samurai. Naturally when I found a couple of boxes in the model shops out came the wallet. £5 for a box of forty odd, really nice, figures is a bargain but the cost in time ...oh dear.


They are based on 12cm by 6cm for Impetus rules but I haven't decided what to do with the base yet. Sand and flock or simply paint?




"...you may be tempted to build up wargame armies of several periods. This is enticing, but it is madness!" wrote the Briagdier - Charge! page 116

Enticing. madness and irresistable!