Back from the Brink

In my previous post I made reference to a possible new project that had crossed my mind...
And thanks to those who commented and threw up their hands in horror, implying that I'd lost all credibility as a paragon of wargames focus!

You'll be pleased to know that, when I reflected on the benefits of the new idea, and compared it with what I am already doing with the Wars of The Vaubarian Succession (WVS), the latter won hands down.

A salutary lesson... 

So, how did I draw myself back from a precipice that would have seen me descend into a chasm-like new project?

First, I considered why it was that Steve and I had chosen to do the WVS in the first place. 
I revisited my notes: the rationale for choosing the period, the imagi-background, the figure range, the painting style, the rules,  the terrain style, the unit organisation and basing style, the planned steady build up of forces with teaser battles along the way. It all still makes sense. I just needed to reconnect with it, and pick up the brush again.

Second, I considered how much I had already got done for WVS. it dawned on me that whatever the new project, it would take me quite a time to get to where I am already with WVS. So there would be no net gain for quite some time, whereas by just knuckling down and continuing with WVS, I already have a platform to build on.

Then I got stuck in, started a fresh unit, and will have something to show for that in the next week, I hope.

Sometimes, a rest is as good as a change! The brief respite from painting WVS figures was just the break I needed.. 

So, we're back on track!.
Phew... that was a close one!

Phil's Folly?

Famously, a journalist interviewed Thomas Edison for an article under the title, "Edison's Folly", describing how the scientist had conducted 5000 experiments and failed every time to succeed in creating the light-bulb (I'm summarising and simplifying, but you get the idea).
Edison's response to the young journalist during the interview was along the following lines:
"Young man. You don't understand. I haven't failed 5000 times to invent the light bulb. I've just found 5000 ways that it won't work... which puts me 5000 ways closer to the one way it will work."

I wish I could be so positive about the number of 'failed wargaming projects' I've conducted over the years.

Of late, however, I've been pottering around with a number of 'non projects' on the grounds that occasionally it's just nice to paint a unit here or there, and see where it goes. Free-wheeling, if you like.
And it's allowed me to go into periods I otherwise wouldn't paint.
Here, therefore, are a couple of non-projects I've been tinkering with...

First up: some Normans.
These are Perry Crusader range figures I picked up from Dave Thomas at Partizan (while Jerry Miller, painter extraordinaire, egged me on! The rascal!)

I enjoyed painting them. They're fairly basic once you've dry-brushed the chainmail over a black undercoat. Shield transfers and banners are by Little Big Man Studios.
They were for a 'very-much-on-the-back-burner' project set in the 11th century Mediterranean, with Normans and Byzantines fighting over sundry islands, not unlike Sicily, or perhaps further east. Nice to paint, but will it go further?

The next 'non-project' is The French Wars of Religion.





I've always had a liking for the period, and then TAG go and produce these lovely castings. These are Royal Swiss from the French Valois range. Just a few done so far, and whilst I enjoyed painting them, I may just dissolve the idea and leave it at that... We'll see. 

Anyway, all of that is a way of showing that even I can put an Edison-like positive spin on 'failed' wargames projects. 

Sometimes, it's nice to simply paint a unit, or a few figures, for no reason other than you like the figures. No harm done.

But, the experience has also taken me to a fresh little side-line that I may begin in earnest in September.
You see; for me, it's all about the figures.

In the end, I believe, you have to choose those figures you want to paint, and want to paint lots of, if you want a full-blown army (or two). 

I'm in awe of those who can build huge collections, and particularly those who paint all the figures themselves, steadily turning out high quality, in quantity. 

And, I like a challenge... with a heretical twist...

Hold yer Horses!

When I painted the Vaubarian dismounted Dragoons a few months back, I had also purchased some horses and horse-holders to produce vignettes to be placed behind the unit. But, at the time, once the actual fighting figures had been finished, I quickly moved on to another unit. So, the horse holders never got done... you know how it is.
Until now.
I've finally finished them:

As a reminder, these are The Muller Light Dragoons (aka Muller Lights).
Here's the whole unit:



I've also been adding a few 'extras' to the Astrovian Karavani Croats.




With the first public outing of this collection being only 2 months away (Cotswold Open Day at Northleach on 1st September), you'd think that I would be focussing absolutely on painting figures for that game wouldn't you?
Yeah, right!
In addition to all this Wars of the Vaubarian Succession (WVS) fictional stuff, I've been painting a few other bits n pieces by way of experiments for different periods. I'll post photos in next few days.

Ciao for now!

The Leibgarde

Presenting... The Vaubarian Leibgarde 

 The Leibgarde is commanded by Lt Col von Matthaus.

There are a few points to note about this unit which mark it out as different to other Vaubarian infantry regiments. 
First, the drummer does not have reversed coat colours. 
Second, the regiment has both its white flag and its blue flag featuring the Vaubarian coat of arms in the centre of the wreath.
Other regiments have a white flag with the Vaubarian coat of arms in the centre of the wreath (with regimental device in top corner near flagstaff), and a blue flag with regimental device in the centre of the wreath, and no coat of arms.

Other than that, the Leibgarde is a standard line battalion. They will not gain any elite classification on the tabletop.

Here is the whole Brigade on the march.




IR 1 = The Leibgarde (white cuffs)
IR2 = Regt Dremel (yellow facings)
IR 3 = Regt Breitner (red facings)

… commanded by Brigadier von Schweinsteiger.







Figures are Front Rank. Painted by yours truly, as were the flags.

Given that it's a fictional country, I wish I had chosen a simpler coat of arms/ flag design! 

Still, it passes the time whilst watching the cricket world cup... or Aston Villa's glorious exploits at Wembley last Monday. Some people thought I wouldn't get through a blog post without mentioning that fact. They were right!

That's all for now...

Inspiration?

… can come when least expected.

I was about to get a train back from Manchester Piccadilly on Saturday evening when I chanced upon the latest edition of Wargames Illustrated in the station's WH Smiths. 
I rarely get the magazines these days, but with a train journey of a couple of hours ahead, I decided it would make for good company on the way home.

And I'm so glad I did.
I was pleasantly surprised by the content of this issue, for us "mainstream"/ traditional wargamers.
Amongst other things, the main source of inspiration came from 2 sections...

1. Bill Gaskin's photo shoot - showcasing his Napoleonic and SYW collections. Now, there were some glaring oddities about some of the captions (to label a SYW unit as "5th Prussian Musketeers" when they are clearly carrying Hessian flags is a bit of a goof, for example). However, Bill's collection is superb, and no mistake. I couldn't help thinking that the photos were a bit "busy" and there could have been more thought about the choreography and composition of the shots, but I can imagine that seeing the Gaskin collection in Bill's legendary wargames room would cause massive overwhelm, and a desire to just click away at the shutter as fast and as often as possible! Lots of eye-candy to enjoy.

2. The second item that really caught my attention was the piece by David Bickley about his Italian Wars project. I've "done" Italian Wars (way back in the past), and it's a colourful and vibrant period. Yet, it wasn't so much the period that inspired me, but the way David and his pal Phil (a different one) have gone about their collection. It's a good read. Well done to them both.

Finally... there have been a couple of 'offline' enquiries about the Napoleonics for sale (see previous post, below), but nothing is yet concrete... so if you fancy them, drop me a comment.
Cheers.
Phil

A few figures for sale

I have run out of shelf space in my cabinets!
So, I am doing a bit of rationalising... which means a few units are up for sale.

These Napoleonics were painted within the last few months, but I have decided not to pursue the project further.
Therefore, I have for sale a Prussian infantry battalion, and 3 French infantry battalions.

First up, The Prussians. 24 Figures.

Next, The French:

Prices:
Prussians £120
French: the 3 battalions for £300

There are a load of GMB flags also that I will put in with the figures, as well as some spare castings (in the case of the Prussians)

For picking up at Partizan, preferably.

Let me know in the comments below if you are interested.

Cheers
Phil

Knife Angel and a "New Faction"?!

Pottering around Coventry town centre recently, I stopped at The Knife Angel installation outside the Cathedral.
It's a very powerful piece of art, and well worth a look.

I recently called into a local Games Workshop to stock up on paints. 
The usual question was deftly delivered as I browsed the paint racks... you know the one:

"What is it you're painting at the moment?"

It's a great opening gambit.

And, I usually just reply, "Oh, I just paint historical stuff, y'know."

To which the well-trained shop assistant usually says something like, "Oh cool... like Napoleonics?" (I have often mused that their stock period might be "Napoleonics" on a Monday, "Ancients" on a Tuesday, "American Civil War" on a Wednesday, and so on).
"Well, mainly 18th century" is my usual response, and that's where the brief engagement usually finishes.

But this time, I decided to be a little mischievous...
So, the exchange went something like this...

Assistant: "What is it you're painting at the moment?"
Me: "Have you heard of Vaubarians?"
Assistant: "Erm, no."
Me: "Well, I shouldn't really tell anyone... But, it's a new Faction that GW are bringing out next year. I've got all the pre-releases to paint up for the online shop, White Dwarf, the catalogues, and codexes. Y'know, like they do. Now, you must promise not to tell anyone, or we'll both be in real trouble!"
Assistant: "Wow! No problem. that's fab. Just let me know if you need anything."
Me: "Yeah, it's cool... I just have to keep all the receipts so I can claim it all back from GW central. But I can buy what I need. So, thanks for your help."

I was careful to make sure I used such 'down-wiv-da-kids' lingo as "Faction" and "Codex" and the like.

Well, it kept me amused.

Next year, of course, I'll have to tell him that they pulled the range in the end, but that they often do that...

Anyway, if you've read this far, you deserve a couple of photos of Vaubarian Cuirassiers. This is regiment Vogts.

The reverse of their flag features St Sebastian... patron saint of Vaubaria.

Thanks for visiting, and for all the recent comments. Much appreciated.