When embarking on a new project, motivation to paint is easy to nurture and maintain. Often I launch into a project with great gusto. I am certainly not alone in this, right? Once a project hits a critical mass with enough figures to hold a game, does painting motivation wane? At this critical mass point, does focus change to another project? Is it difficult to return to the project and keep a steady but slower stream of new units mustering from the painting desk? My answers to all of these questions are, "it depends!" For the Samurai Battles project, I have knocked out a little over 400 figures in about 1-1/2 years. From the initial surge in DEC2012, units for this project get into the painting queue on a somewhat regular basis. Perhaps, on average, yielding about one unit per month but in short bursts rather than a steady, routine delivery process. With no new additions to the project since the three units added in FEB2014, I decided it was time to push another unit into the painting queue. This time, an eight figure unit of cavalry went onto the painting desk. Figures are Peter Pig and this appears to be the last full unit of horse remaining in The Lead Pile. On to the photos...
This week in the post I received two items. The first was a package from Tajima Miniatures. In the package were five boxes of their excellent long tufts. Customer service and delivery speed were outstanding. Ordered on 30MAY2014, I received delivery from the U.K. on 05JUN2014. Six days transit from U.K. to Washington State, USA. Unbelievable!
Packets from Tajima
Second, was my first order from Historifigs. Historifigs manufacturers the old Scruby line of "one inch" or 25mm figures. What I ordered were 26 Mexicans from the Mexican-American range. While I don't have any collections of the old Scruby's, I have a friend who does. The figures have a certain old school/toy soldier charm about them but detail is either difficult for my old eyes to see or missing altogether. I look forward to giving these a test with the brush. Perhaps, I'll give them a go in the Old School/Toy Soldier style in which I think they deserve.
Interesting basing of your Samurai Cavalry Jonathan.. wow... surprise about the Tajima Miniatures turf boxes shipping from the UK to WA! never heard about Historifigs before looking forward to your "after painting the 25mm Mexicans post"
I quite agree on your assessment on painting morale - I also have a few of these collections that never really stop growing. Even after reaching critical gaming mass. This is where the true heart blood lies. One will have many flirts, but certain periods you "marry". I really love the color and warrior mythos surrounding the Samurai, and you've done a wonderful job on these. Would be very cool to see pictures of your complete collection as it looks now!
Great looking mountes Samauri. I am always adding to my Napoleonic collection; most other periods motivation for setting brush to lead is usually a game I have planned. I'm opretty comopulsive about meeting those kinds of deadlines!
My original armies were all Sxcruby's; over 1,000 in the French napoleonic army. The detail is etched in at most - you really have to paint most of it on. Definitely best with white undercoat, block painting and gloss varnish. Shading and or staining is fairly pointless on these. They will still look quite presentable ion the tabletop!
Thanks, Peter! I have some projects that have reached steady-state and others (many others!) like your Napoleonics are always getting additions. Sometimes, a project truly is never finished.
Thanks for the tips on painting Scruby's! I would enjoy seeing that army if you still have it.
I gave away all my Scruby figures about 111 years ago, once my replacements (Mostly Foundry before the crazy prices) had reached "critical mass".
Another technique that can work with Scrubys is "black lining"; outlinining color tramsitions using an india ink/artists black pen (such as seenn on my ECW Minifigs).
Love your mounted Samurai! They always bring the color, don't they?
Excellent question! I try to plot out my army buys with precision. After I have a chance to field test the force, I often find I could use X or Y. Then follows the supplemental lead buy and painting.
Impressive samurai again, Jonathan. Although the target number of figures of my games are far more modest than yours, I've usually had enough steam (read: interest) for them until hosting a game or two with them. Again, with far less figures to paint then your projects. I do like those Scruby's. They would indeed look nice painted "old school" - i.e. gloss finish? Best, Dean
So, after you have hosted a game or two, does the fire to paint more die down a bit? Or, can you still maintain interest in the project after the first few games?
I'm happy when I can reach critical mass, before my attention wanders! However, I do find myself coming back to things sooner or later. The Samurai look great btw!
Reaching critical mass before the mind drifts is key to success! I always find myself returning to projects, sometimes simply to add variety to the painting queue.
Nice 15mm's I must paint some more in this scale sometime.
My ability to get figures on the table anytime depends on me having played something with their mates recently or a deadline for needing them. Otherwise I tend to paint what I am into at the moment
Interesting basing of your Samurai Cavalry Jonathan..
ReplyDeletewow... surprise about the Tajima Miniatures turf boxes shipping from the UK to WA! never heard about Historifigs before looking forward to your "after painting the 25mm Mexicans post"
cheers,
Phil, if you are interested in some background on my double-hex basing, see the posting where I touch on the reasoning behind it.
Deletehttp://palousewargamingjournal.blogspot.com/2012/12/samurai-battles.html
Yes, i will let you know how my experience is with the Scruby's after I tackle them.
I quite agree on your assessment on painting morale - I also have a few of these collections that never really stop growing. Even after reaching critical gaming mass. This is where the true heart blood lies. One will have many flirts, but certain periods you "marry". I really love the color and warrior mythos surrounding the Samurai, and you've done a wonderful job on these. Would be very cool to see pictures of your complete collection as it looks now!
ReplyDeleteSoren! I will make it a point to pull the Samurai collection out and give them a photo shoot.
DeleteAppreciate your comments!
Great looking mountes Samauri. I am always adding to my Napoleonic collection; most other periods motivation for setting brush to lead is usually a game I have planned. I'm opretty comopulsive about meeting those kinds of deadlines!
ReplyDeleteMy original armies were all Sxcruby's; over 1,000 in the French napoleonic army. The detail is etched in at most - you really have to paint most of it on. Definitely best with white undercoat, block painting and gloss varnish. Shading and or staining is fairly pointless on these. They will still look quite presentable ion the tabletop!
Thanks, Peter! I have some projects that have reached steady-state and others (many others!) like your Napoleonics are always getting additions. Sometimes, a project truly is never finished.
DeleteThanks for the tips on painting Scruby's! I would enjoy seeing that army if you still have it.
I gave away all my Scruby figures about 111 years ago, once my replacements (Mostly Foundry before the crazy prices) had reached "critical mass".
DeleteAnother technique that can work with Scrubys is "black lining"; outlinining color tramsitions using an india ink/artists black pen (such as seenn on my ECW Minifigs).
More good advice!
DeleteLove your mounted Samurai! They always bring the color, don't they?
ReplyDeleteExcellent question! I try to plot out my army buys with precision. After I have a chance to field test the force, I often find I could use X or Y. Then follows the supplemental lead buy and painting.
That's how one avoids a lead mountain!
They are colorful, for sure!
DeleteYou are a much more disciplined painter/collector than am I! Sometimes, I look at the unpainted lead and think, "what have I done!"
Beautiful and colored, great work...and stunning basement!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Phil!
DeleteLovely stuff again, Jonathan. Would love see your Samurai in the flesh, as it were!
ReplyDeleteThanks! If you ever make the trek to the USA, you are welcome to stop in!
DeleteImpressive samurai again, Jonathan. Although the target number of figures of my games are far more modest than yours, I've usually had enough steam (read: interest) for them until hosting a game or two with them. Again, with far less figures to paint then your projects. I do like those Scruby's. They would indeed look nice painted "old school" - i.e. gloss finish? Best, Dean
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dean!
DeleteSo, after you have hosted a game or two, does the fire to paint more die down a bit? Or, can you still maintain interest in the project after the first few games?
I'm happy when I can reach critical mass, before my attention wanders! However, I do find myself coming back to things sooner or later. The Samurai look great btw!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Reaching critical mass before the mind drifts is key to success! I always find myself returning to projects, sometimes simply to add variety to the painting queue.
DeleteNice 15mm's I must paint some more in this scale sometime.
ReplyDeleteMy ability to get figures on the table anytime depends on me having played something with their mates recently or a deadline for needing them. Otherwise I tend to paint what I am into at the moment
Ian
Thanks, Ian. Deadlines are a great motivator as are recent games.
DeleteIt has been a long time since I fielded any 6mm figures. Perhaps, I should push some into my painting queue?