Back In The Land of the Living (And Painting).

After what seemed like an eternity of wallowing in self pity I am pleased to announce I am on the mend! I have, incredibly, lost 10 pounds in weight and been nicotine free for two weeks...so perhaps this latest cloud has a silver lining! All I have to do is keep it up now!

As you can see I have just finished painting up one of each of the new Danes for my "shop" and I am now in the preparation stage for Salute 2010.

Yes, once again I have ingratiated myself onto the Continental Wars Society stand and have promised my "normal" figure cabinet plus a separate display for the Franco-Prussian War. This would have been a simple matter of digging out my old 20mm B&B Miniatures had I not "lost" the entire collection while moving house two years ago. I have however been "collecting" Foundry figures over the last twelve months (mainly from ebay) and now I have the impetus I need to strip them back to the bare metal and get painting. First results will be up next week.

Still Alive - I Think!

I do not know if "Swine Flu" is the universal term for the H1N1 pandemic flu-but anyway I have it and frankly have never felt so bloody awful in my life.

I hope to get back on my feet soon but I will not put a timeline on this as it has been eight days already and I just do not seem to be getting better.

Danish Infantry 1848 Pattern Uniform

I have just had time to finish off a few more Danish infantry, despite the fact that all the kids have got flu and are off school and that the boiler broke this morning leaving us with a big bill and no heating or hot water until tomorrow lunchtime. Welcome back home Dad!

Off Travelling

Just a quick note to say that work commitments have meant that I will be working away from home until the very end of October.

I had hoped to post some more images of my new Danes and some more Austrians, however if everything works out to plan by the middle of November my stupidly busy workload will have been worth it and I can slow down a little and get painting again.

My next new post should be in a couple of weeks, until then I leave you with a rather lovely Detaille painting of a French bugler circa 1886.

Rob Mantle

It was with great sadness that I read today in The Foreign Correspondent of the untimely death of Rob Mantle. I first met Rob at the Continental Wars Society stand at Salute many years ago. This year I helped out on the display and spent a fantastic day, mainly with Rob on the "books and figures" part of the display. I am now very glad that this picture was taken of us. Rob's trade marks were his bow ties and waistcoats, an incredible knowledge of the various 19th Century campaigns and a very generous nature. After discussing my interest in the Schleswig Wars Rob promptly sent a whole bundle of information and images. A real Gentleman.

5th Hussars At Last!

The first squadron is finally finished! I have thoroughly enjoyed painting these figures even though I took a lot longer than I planned. I chose to mount them on lighter chestnuts and bays than I used for the Prussians and am happy with the overall effect. They look great on the table-the yellow flag (Helion-of course) really makes them stand out!

Rather than gabble on about them I will let the photographs do the talking!

Next post will be a Schleswig Holstein update of the latest figures before I return to the Austrian theme of the last few weeks.

Austrian 5th Hussars...First "Real" Base

According to The Plan, I should have finished all 6 Hussars by now. So much for The Plan then!

Painting output has been glacial this week, which is a shame because I am really enjoying painting these figures. I am particularly struck by how much equipment they are carrying.

Another thing that struck me as I painted away is how gloriously "retro" the uniform looked, even though it had been introduced in 1850. I imagine they will soon be serving in one of the 18th Century ImagiNations armies out there. "Von Pluckenberg Guard Hussars" anyone?