Well, as per last post, I have attempted to remain focussed on the Solder King Imagi-Nations project. It has been difficult as I find myself drawn towards other projects (F&IW, AIW, WW2 desert) but have knuckled down to the painting of the next state - Waldow.
In the game, Waldow is divided into a "lower" and "upper" province. I decided to amalgamate them into a single Grand Duchy. It is not an electoral state, but is a ripe target in the game should you wish to increase army sizes. It is bordered by Arcadia and Bravance, with Banst to the north and Estavia to the west.
The new calculation of army sizes has increased the planned forces to a war footing of 18 units, a respectable force just slightly weaker than the main kingdoms with 24 units. I suspect it will need them. It is ruled by a Grand Duke with no wife, heirs or other family which could create a succession crisis. The Grand Duke Xenophon Amadeus has some strange ideas and despite his misanthropy is rumoured to have decreed in his will, that on his death Waldow should become a republic! The scandal!
Waldow has had some colour ideas for a long time; very much influenced by Sweden and the German units which served France, the heraldry and uniform colours are based around light blue and yellow, with white and occasional dark blue. The flags have been more taxing; partly due to not being able to settle on a heraldic device. The original idea of using some GW Brettonian transfers, left a lion passant as the device but this seemed too close to Arcadia's lion rampant. As the idea of using transfers was largely abandoned, I could in theory opt for anything. Obtaining some Veni Vedi Vici decals gave an option of a swan, which has appealed as different. I'm concentrating on the figures at present, the flags can wait.
Here are the first infantry; in actual fact I have almost finished two more units the same; others will have variations in waistcoat and breeches - some all yellow, some all blue. Forgive any errors from the enlarged photos - it's only after a zoomed in photos you notice such minor errors!
And just for Jonathan, as I know he likes my scribbled sketch ideas for uniforms, here's a succession of thoughts and experimental manuscripts from the Ducal archive, the last including potential flag patterns / ideas.
Neil, you are exactly right! I do so enjoy seeing your sketch book! The yellow/blue color combination is splendid. Great choice!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jonathan. You can see I have gone through lots of potential combinations and schemes; it's a great way to try out what works and what doesn't.
DeleteThe colour combo came quite early on, just needed to evolve a little.
Neil
Add me to the sketch book fan club, I love seeing and reading peoples thought processes in the making of an army. A very nice start and a good read as well, some great background info on Waldow.
ReplyDeleteThanks Donnie.
ReplyDeleteAs above; I'm a bit of a visual person. I get ideas in my head but always need to get something down on paper, whether notes or pictures. I then have to translate that onto the figure. Normally this means finding and mixing paint to get the colour I want.
The background was established by dice. I never had a court of one in all the other dicing! His characteristics ended up as pretty unusual too!
Neil
Actually, Neil, I enjoy seeing your sketchbook. I wish I could do something like that. I have no discipline for such a thing. That being said, I think a good device might be a bear rampant. An old bear, maybe, even a polar bear. But it sounds like the Old Duke has an ursine streak. Maybe even a bruin. I think a bruin would suit. "Offend thee not, else a storm is a'bruin". Now get David to translate THAT onto a flag. :-)
ReplyDeleteEric
Thanks Eric.
DeleteAll I did was draw some outline C18th soldiers (SSM plastics tend to have lost a lot of detail) photocopy that page and colour them in - watercolours are good, but pens or pencils in a pinch - to try colour combinations.
Or I will draw some simple outlines and try variations.
It means I have some idea of what I want before committing to painting.
Never thought of a bear....hmm....current favourite is the swan..
Neil
Way to keep focus! Eye on the prize!
ReplyDeleteThanks Stew. To appear more savvy I try to use "concentration of the aim" ☺
DeleteNeil
What lovely figures! I really like the black lining around the colours, very Old School.
ReplyDeleteThanks Martin. I use black undercoat and try to leave a little between colours / areas. It comes from my first attempts at painting SSM with just block colours - they looked decidedly underwhelming! I spent ages trying to work out why the figures looked so good in Charles Grant's The Wargame and realised it was the black lining and gaiter buttons.
ReplyDeleteI do have to retouch the black frequently.
Neil
They look good, the blue/gold colour scheme works really well. I see how the 'black undercoat and gaps between colours' method works, its very effective and I should give it a try!
ReplyDeleteThanks David.
DeleteI used it on the SSM as they are poorly defined figures and it makes them "pop". Unfortunately, I often have to retouch both colours and black lines as I am not being careful enough when applying paint with it going into areas it shouldn't!
I'd also say that black undercoat can make it difficult to "read" a figure. I'd say give it a go to see whether it works for you; it works well on 15mm and smaller.
Neil
Looking good Neil…
ReplyDeleteBlue with yellow facings… An excellent combination.
I occasionally do something similar myself… I also draw out graphics to represent the size and type of units I want to collect for a new project.
All the best. Aly
Thanks Aly. The colour combination has been on the radar for a while.
DeleteInteresting that you plump for an "ideas board" as well. I find it's a good way to get down any thoughts before they disappear....
Neil