Sources of Inspiration

Last weekend I attended Partizan, a show full of inspiration.

Other blogs and Facebook channels have already done plenty of photo reports, all worthy of a few minutes spent browsing, even if you did go the show! I often get back from a show and it's only in the photo report of another blog or video that I realise how many games I missed, or the details that escaped my attention.

There were plenty of tables in my natural field of interest on show, and I very much enjoyed chatting to those putting on these games.

In particular, I had been looking forward to seeing the North Star 1672 game as some figures I had painted in around 2013 and which had subsequently been sold to Nick were to appear on the table. It was nice to see them in action.

Ironically, just the week before, I had been pottering around painting another regiment in that collection as part of my "not sure where this is going, but I like the figures and want to occasionally paint a unit here or there" project.

Seeing Nick's game at the show inspired me to finish that latest unit: the French regiment Champagne. 

As you can see, I've done them in an approximation of 3 ranks.

Of late, I have been giving myself a sort of "paint on a whim" remit which has allowed me to wander a little. I will return to the Capriccio army (see previous post) at some time soon.
Meantime, I'm just enjoying pottering around, and also engaging with various sources of inspiration.
It's nice to have John Ray's AMG forum back. I have also discovered some Youtube channels that I enjoy... I'm a bit late to the party on these, but Big Lee's Miniature Adventure has some good stuff on it, and his delivery style is very good too. I have also revisited Henry Hyde's channel and enjoyed immensely one of his recent 18th century Imaginations battle reports.

It has been many years since I subscribed to a hobby magazine, preferring to pick them up as I go each month, or not if the content doesn't grab me. But I recently went all in on Wargame Illustrated Prime, and am enjoying flicking through the many back issues online. I also notice that in his latest post about Partizan, editor Dan has made some interesting points about a third category of game, alongside Participation games and Demonstration games, namely for those tables where no actual game takes place but which focuses on the pure aesthetics of the modelling, terrain, and figure painting. This is something I have long advocated. It's what Partizan was, in fact, built on. OK, the "games" may not get played (and there are many reasons for this, as anyone who has manned a table and been too busy in conversation all day to actually play a game will testify). It's a point worth considering. I also enjoyed David Bickley's (GHQ blog) discussion on the show which also makes some good points. All food for thought.

It should be said that, whatever the secret, Tricks and Lawrence have created a hugely successful show over the past nearly 40 years. And I know, because of the sort of chaps they are, they are always looking to improve, adapt, and adopt new ideas.

Right, back to the paint desk. I wonder what I will paint next...