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Sunday, May 29, 2022

Sumerian Bowmen

No, this lead photo is not of Sumerians lurking in the garden.  The photo above is from our two flowering crabapple trees in the back yard.  Probably a few days before peak color.  These two, late bloomers with their colorful blossoms are a sure sign that spring is well underway.  While spring on the Palouse has been wet and cool, weather looks to be improving.  Well, that is, perhaps after today's downpour stops.  On the topic of cool spring weather, Spokane set a record this week for the latest in the year to reach 70F.  The old mark was recorded in 1896.

Painting has been slow in May.  Actually, painting output was low in April too.  I may need to crank it up a notch.  Painting totals for May come in at 55 figures.  Eighteen of those figures cross the finish line just before the end of the month.  Even having 31 days in the month did not seem to help much.  

Anyway, today's parade shows off eighteen Sumerian bowmen in two stands of nine.  Having been painting a number of French SYW cavalry in 18mm (some will be coming up for parade soon), it was nice to switch gears to something a little bigger.  Figures are 28mm Newline Designs. 
For June, I hope to push through some more SYW French cavalry and perhaps a few more guns and infantry.  Also, I see two dozen Sumerian javelinmen on the side table awaiting their turn with the brush.  Maybe I can get those into the June queue too?  We will see how these plans work out.  Reaching 500 painted figures for first half of 2022 is still possible.

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40 comments:

  1. DeanMMay 29, 2022 at 7:45 PM

    Beautiful foliage, Jonathan. We've been overcast the whole weekend - good for indoor activities (like attending Enfilade). Great looking Sumerian archers too.

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMay 30, 2022 at 4:06 AM

      Yes, recent weather has been helpful for indoor activities. Too bad I have not been able to capitalize on it as much. Glad you like the Sumerians!

      Delete
  2. Joe FMay 29, 2022 at 7:57 PM

    Jonathan-don't look now, but Monday is still May, time left to at least appreciate the beautiful colors in your yard.

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMay 30, 2022 at 4:08 AM

      Yeah, not quite end of month but I do not figure to muster out any more figures in the next two days.

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  3. Neil ScottMay 29, 2022 at 9:54 PM

    The Sumerians look superb

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  4. Michal DwarfCryptMay 29, 2022 at 10:09 PM

    Beautiful work as always Jonathan!
    Best

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  5. AnonymousMay 29, 2022 at 10:40 PM

    I enjoyed seeing the tree and the figures look great.
    Alan

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMay 30, 2022 at 4:10 AM

      Thanks, Alan! The trees are beautiful in late spring.

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  6. Aly MorrisonMay 29, 2022 at 11:51 PM

    Lovely figures as always Jonathan…
    And beautiful trees… I expect they look good regardless of the weather…

    All the best. Aly

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMay 30, 2022 at 4:11 AM

      Thanks, Aly! Trees are not quite so handsome in the dead of winter.

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  7. Phil RobinsonMay 30, 2022 at 12:27 AM

    A splendid array of both the floral and metal kind

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  8. PeterMay 30, 2022 at 1:01 AM

    500 figures for the first half of the year is still a large number to paint.

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMay 30, 2022 at 4:13 AM

      Peter, you are correct. With an average of 1,000 painted figures per year, I am still on track to reach that average.

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  9. Amtmann B.May 30, 2022 at 2:03 AM

    Your ancients are looking excellent.

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  10. fireymonkeyboyMay 30, 2022 at 3:07 AM

    Yay! Vicarious Sumerians ;) Having achieved some form of acceptance that biblicals are probably not going to happen (in that there's only so many figs I can paint before dying), I rely on you for my "dust beneath my chariot wheels" fix. Lovely tree, btw. Sounds like we have similar weather, although on the other side of the continent - it's been wet and cool here, although we're starting to have some breakthrough sunny days.

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMay 30, 2022 at 4:17 AM

      Never say never, Markus!

      Our weather may be similar. Pacific Northwest weather patterns are often governed by the La Niña and El Niño effects. This year, a wetter and cooler winter/spring are typical of La Niña.

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  11. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)May 30, 2022 at 3:09 AM

    Lookin good Jonathan!

    Christopher

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  12. rrossMay 30, 2022 at 3:35 AM

    Very nice figures Jon and given the number of games you have been involved with, 55 figures in a month isnt bad going! I remember a few years back, you posted a pic of these trees and noted you had rarely if ever seen them in full bloom, because normally, at this time of year, you were away on vacation...hopefully, next year, you are not at home to see these trees bloom!

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMay 30, 2022 at 4:22 AM

      Thanks, Keith! Of course, you are correct. With limited time, increases on the gaming front must correspond to a decrease in painting time.

      On the crabapples, you have a good memory! I think I have given them a showing each of the last three years. One day, we may be able to return to international travels.

      Delete
  13. AnonymousMay 30, 2022 at 4:40 AM

    Lovely looking Sumerians, at least I'm able to comment on your blog( even if it is anonymously!) Nice to see your colourful trees again !
    Best Iain ( caveadsum1471)

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMay 30, 2022 at 6:43 AM

      Thanks, Iain! It was good seeing a photo of you in Ray’s Partizan report. Anonymous? You are typically well-known here. What changed?

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    2. caveadsum1471May 31, 2022 at 7:26 AM

      My usual browser got updated and I became anonymous! If I go through chrome it's alright though, just mot what I'm used to!
      Best Iain

      Delete
  14. Steve J.May 30, 2022 at 6:35 AM

    Another lovely unit there Jon. We've had unusually cold weather here for the end of May, with it feeling more like very early Spring the early Summer. Still fingers crossed for warmer weather soon.

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMay 30, 2022 at 6:46 AM

      Thank you! Yes, fingers crossed for warmer weather.

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  15. StewMay 30, 2022 at 7:49 AM

    Hey I remember those trees from last season. The world is beautiful.
    55 figures for a month and close to 500 in 6 months is still pretty awe inspiring from my viewpoint. 😀❤️

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    1. StewMay 30, 2022 at 7:50 AM

      That’s supposed to be two smiling faces and not a heart. My thumb must of slipped. But maybe we have known each other long enough now for a little love. 😀

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    2. Jonathan FreitagMay 30, 2022 at 7:56 AM

      Stew, you too, have a good memory!

      Looking back over the years, my painting productivity seems to take a dip in the spring. Maybe this year is not too abnormal? With luck, I can pick up the effort in the second half of the year.

      We can all use a little love...

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  16. RichardMay 30, 2022 at 9:32 AM

    Beautifully painted figures Jonathan. I can only hope to get anywhere close to your painting output.

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  17. MeicMay 30, 2022 at 11:00 AM

    Lovely looking Sumerians Jonathan, I'm really impressed with how the Newline figures are painting up, think you've swayed my decision for a future Sumerian project (unless I go smaller scale).
    Stunning view as well!

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMay 30, 2022 at 3:34 PM

      Thanks! Newline Design also offers Sumerian in 10mm too.

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  18. Lawrence HMay 30, 2022 at 1:13 PM

    Those Sumerians look great, as do the crabapples. The colour puts me in mind of bougainvilleas, although I'd much rather prune a crabapple.

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMay 30, 2022 at 3:38 PM

      Thank you, Lawrence! The blossom color is similar to the magenta of a Bougainvillea.

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  19. Ed MMay 30, 2022 at 5:28 PM

    I recall our "coast to coast" crabapple tree comparison of 2020: our crabapple here on the other side of the US is on the backside of it's bloom: a cool, damp spring here as well (just stored the last bits of winter wardrobe two weeks ago).

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMay 30, 2022 at 5:30 PM

      It’s fun to compare from across the continent and across the world.

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