Wednesday 21 October 2020

Changing Gear for a Bit

Thanks to all who commented on my previous post... some interesting viewpoints. It's all a question of personal taste, in the end, and no one approach is right or wrong.

Meanwhile...

Over recent days, I have been reflecting on the past six months of painting output...




It began with the Successors project, and after a short interlude in the 18h century with the Oldenburg Regt for the Pils-Holstein collection, continued with the Napoleonics (French in bicornes).

Recently, however, it has started to stall a bit...

Now, there are a couple of reasons for this, perhaps; mitigating circumstances, if you like 

- namely, the recent deterioration of my cancer prognosis (bad news, but them's the breaks, as they say), 

and the recent arrival on the scene of a new relationship (good news).

But, notwithstanding those things, I was also mindful that I'd turned my 'hobby' into a bit of a painting slog... a feeling that has been heightened by the lack of even a feint chance of getting any games just now, and for the foreseeable.
It doesn't take long for us to start asking: So, what's all this painting for?

To the rescue (and they don't know it yet)... the members of the Virtual Wargames Club. 

You see... each week, members send me pictures of what they've been up to hobby-wise, and I have the immense pleasure of preparing the weekly show n tell presentations for our meetings. 

I am constantly amazed and inspired, every week, by the inventiveness and the broad range of periods people play. Most of all, I am buoyed by the level of enjoyment people can derive from even the most modest collections, projects, and games.

This got me thinking...

The upshot is that I decided I needed a new injection of something fresh, alongside the Napoleonics but very different in style and approach, to offset the slog with some escapist fun. After all, it's a hobby. Right?!

I wanted something skirmish-y. But not a traditional skirmish of a few figures per side. Grand skirmish, I suppose you might call it.

I wanted something outside of my normal realm (so not one of the mainstream periods).

I wanted something which would allow my imagination to roam a bit wild.

I wanted something which would allow me to add ad-hoc units as and when I fancied painting them.

I wanted some hardware... not just figures.

In short, something very different than I have done in the past. 

At the same time, Steve, my chief wargaming buddy and confidante, was also having similar thoughts.

And so a fresh project is gestating, and we're almost ready to bring it into the world. 

More news on this soon...


10 comments:

  1. Most intriguing new venture, warhammer 40k no doubt. The hardware , grand skirmish and imagination were the give aways. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Some cards are to be trampled under foot and new ventures are certainly ways to achieve this. Sharpe practice type game perhaps... is the new kid on the block interested in wargaming, that would be nice. As for old ventures I still remember popping up from Pompey to Stirling to see a rather nice demonstration game put on by yourself, as much as some projects begin to feel like a slog the outcome certainly isn't.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think Tradgardmastare's deductions are logical here: sounds like something fantasy-based at least! Now if you were more interested in anything later than Horse & Musket, well Back of Beyond might fit the bill...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lots of big projects on the go at once; I know what that is like. You have us all intrigued now!!
    Regards, James

    ReplyDelete
  5. I admit that sci-fi seems logical, but perhaps steampunk or alternate WW1 or 2.

    Or alt-Cold War, like AK-47 Republic?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sorry to hear about the health issues and happy to hear about the new relationship - I wish you well with both health and happiness.

    Happy to learn that you who do most of the work are enjoying the Virtual Wargame Club as much as those of us who simply come along and enjoy everyone's projects and collections.

    I look forward to seeing something different and none mainstream. TEWTS in Devon in 1910, NW Frontier in the 20s, South America - who knows. If it's fantasy perhaps it'll be ants, ladybirds and greenfly!

    If it's WH40K I'll buy a chocolate hat and eat it.

    all the best

    Stephen

    ReplyDelete
  7. Call of Cuthulu no doubt. Blending into Prohibition era gangsters seemlessly. Dam I might have talked myself into a new period.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi, Phil. Best wishes for your health & great to hear of a new relationship. now what about Steampunk!! Or Victorian era troops vs HG Well Martians!!😁

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi, Phil. Best wishes for your health & great to hear of a new relationship. now what about Steampunk!! Or Victorian era troops vs HG Well Martians!!😁

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sorry to hear of the deterioration Phil but so glad you are finding VWC satisfying. I have been lucky to fit in 5 days of wargaming with one other at a time but just had to cancel an SYW game with Guy B. due to latest lockdown news. You know where I am if you want a chat and sympathetic ear about cancer. Chris
    https://notjustoldschool.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete