Don't worry, I'm not going to do an over-blown review of 2016/ looking forward to 2017 style post.
Just a quick couple of points.
But first...
Credit where credit's due!
I was wandering around WHSmith, Leamington, in the twilight, numberless days between Christmas and New Year, and stumbled upon the latest magazine offerings (or at least, WSS and MinWarg).
And, what ho!
Lo and behold! There's my figures on front page of WSS, and inside too on p.27 (my buildings), and on p.30 my French infantry ...
But wait.
What's that?!
It's in an article about a Marlburian game... Grimsby Club... Ramilles...?
Surely not! My figures are mid-18th century, not early.
Could I be mistaken?
No!
I recognised the photos immediately, for it was the game Graham Cummings organised for AMG forum members to put on at Partizan a couple of years ago. A refight(mid-18th Century style) of Ligny.
And, yes, those were definitely my French figures, my buildings, and Graham's teddy bear fur terrain. But not a mention... of either of us.
The article credits The Grimsby Club, and these are part of the Ramilles article. I know for a fact that Paul Robinson of said club has some great stuff for the period which would have made perfect photos for the article. In fact, one such photo is there.
But...
Oh well, I suppose to the editor they're all just figures in tricornes after all... albeit they're 50 years apart.
Yet...
... oh how I laughed... in Richard Clarke's discussion column in the magazine the final two sentences read:
"Just so some corporation can boost their profit margin. Isn't it about time historical wargaming got real again?"
lol!!
Annoyed about this?
You bet I was.
But not for the lack of a name check. No, I've had plenty of those in my hobby lifetime.
No... annoyed that seeing pictures of my figures made me buy the magazine, for posterity.
I wasted several quid on that pile of ....
But, the universe has a way of balancing things up, doesn't it...
In my inbox pops an email from Greg and Stokes, with the first of their new Wargamer's Notes Quarterly PDFs.
And in the editorial, doffing their caps to my old Classic Wargamer's Journal, I'm described, along with Don Featherstone, as a "hobby giant!"
I think that's being rather generous.
But thanks guys. I'm very flattered.
Anyway, onto 2016/ 2017.
In 2016 I painted over 300+ figures. Whilst this is not back to the halcyon days of regularly knocking out 700 plus, it is a surprising total as I thought it was nowhere near that amount, until I counted up the other day.
On the gaming front, 2016 was still light, but I'm not too worried about that.
In 2017, I've got a few things to work on...
More Pils Holstein 18th century stuff... I'm doing a display game at a show later in the year, so I've got lots to produce.
Macedonians... need to finish this army for War & Conquest.
Colonials... will potter along with this, maybe have a couple more solo games and see where it goes.
And, finally, a fresh new project.
Again just a potter along/ tinker - not going too Rampant on it. But yes, it is Rampant. I like the rules (Lion, and yes, Dragon), so may see some activity here!
Here's to a prosperous 2017, and may you all enjoy your hobby in the year to come...
Happy New Year Phil and having just got round to reading said mag yup great photos, wrong period and as you say no credit! Still like you not the first time and I doubt it will be the last.
ReplyDeleteAll the projects look good to me and looking forward to hopefully seeing your game.
All the best
Graham
Phil,
ReplyDeletePlease be assured that the photographs used were nothing to do with me. I did submit a number of photographs that were taken by me of the game that the GWS hosted, along with shots of the figures used in close up.
I have no control over the editorial decisions made once an article is submitted.
However, I did credit the people that were involved and had input to the event. I would have done the same if the photographs were mine.
regards,
Paul
Happy New Year, Graham. See you at a show, or two, in 2017.
ReplyDeleteAnd to you Paul.
I know you had no part in the mistake. No worries. And certainly, I'm not pointing the finger!
All the very best.
Phil
It's amazing how many figures can be painted when your not counting. I think this year has been good for me in that regards despite all the enforced breaks. A little pottering seems to be the way to go now days rather than production line focus.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to read the new news letter when I get a quite moment and it will join my the collection with your fine offering and some old Wargames newsletter I have.
Happy New Year Phil!
ReplyDeleteBest Regards,
Stokes
I'm afraid you will always be a "hobby giant " to me Phil - it was largely your influence through wargaming literature and blogs that got me seriously involved in mid 18th century Europe back in about 2006, not to mention all the leads since then.
ReplyDeleteHope 2017 will be good for you, and I'm already thinking about our gaming date in the Summer.
Chris