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Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Looking back, looking forward

Looking back, I keep a running tally of the figures I paint based on troop type, scale and project. In 2012, I painted 1,453 figures in 15mmTo achieve this mark, I've forsaken almost all of my other hobbies and interests for painting. A man can only serve one Master and he calls me loudest from the painting table!

Impetus 
Mid-Republican army: 217
Pontic army: 162
Gallic army: 206

Maurice
Ottomans: 164

Field of Glory 
Ancient Spanish army: 262
Later Hungarian army v2: 218
Later Hungarian commission: 110
Ancients odds and ends: 90 

Looking forward, I took the Saga plunge.  A fellow was dumping his Saga projects on Bartertown and I snapped them up.  By my count, it's enough Normans and Vikings to paint up 3 warbands for each side.  

Over Christmas break, I started with the plastic GB Vikings.  This is old news for many of you but the Gripping Beast plastic Vikings are fantastic.  Great models, lots of options and a great value with 44 figures costing only $32.

I've limited the color palette and intensity for the first batch of Vikings. I'm going to have to decide whether to use LMBS shield transfers or paint shields from scratch.  I've got 200+ figures to paint so maybe I'll put the time into figures and not shields.  I also grabbed a tin of Army Painter Strong dip.  I've never done AP dip so for one of the warbands, I'll give this a try as well.    

The 4Ground Saxon hovel has been reviewed on other blogs but I thought I'd give this excellent product a quick shout out.  The kit is fully assembled in less than 30 minutes!  I'll be getting a few more of these.  

What new projects have you got under way or queued for 2013?  

28 comments:

  1. 1453 figures, 27:50 to construct the hovel, you're the man of the records!
    Let's see 2013...
    All the best,
    Phil.

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    1. :-)

      I think the year has great possibilities. And I can't wait to see what you've cooked up next!

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  2. Those Vikings are great Monty, nice strong colours. Did you use the dip for them? I like the armour, wondered if it was drybrush or the dip.

    FMB

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    1. Thanks Fire! It's not Sci-Fi or fantasy but it is a change up for me. No dip for the first warband. Drybrushed the chainmail with Gunmetal, washed with a Black wash and then a 2nd light drybrush with a brighter silver.

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  3. Quite impressive output in 2012, Monty. Well done! My newest project was begun in December. I'm building a Japanese force in 15mm for Command & Colors: Samurai Battles with hopes of getting them on the battlefield in the first quarter of 2013.
    Jon

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    1. That sounds like a great project. Mixing C & C plus minis sounds like the best of both worlds. Samurai in 15mm will be a heavy load to paint, on account of all the color. It will look spectacular when you're done!

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  4. That's a hefty amount of figures you did! The Vikings are looking good.

    Christopher

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    1. Thanks Chris, and good luck on your Impetus project!

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  5. Oooh that puts my ~600 figs to shame. Your Vikings look great.

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    1. Thanks Andrew and 600 is a large total for the year. I'd argue that your count reflects a balanced approach to your of hobbies and interests. :-)

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  6. Looking good Monty! My, you painted a lot of figures this year. Looking forward to your Saga stuff!

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    1. Thanks Jonathan! It's kind of embarrassing to admit but I haven't even tried Saga before making the leap. What is the old saying? Leap before you look! Yea, that one. ;-)

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  7. Legendary effort Monty! I am embarrassingly struggling to get a lot less done. Your recent work is looking great! I too have been tempted by the SAGA rules especially with Wargames Illustrated covering the Byzantines last issue, and even I might be able to paint that many 25mm figures :-)

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    1. Thanks Matthew and no apologies necessary. You and your clubmates get in a LOT of games and that is what this hobby is about.

      Byzantines are a beautiful army. And you've probably noticed, I don't usually paint 28mm as most of my friends play and own only 15mm. Saga might open up the door!

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  8. Very nice, Monty. That's an impressive total, especially considering the high quality painting!

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    1. Thanks Scott but you are the MASTER. After your lifetime achievement Punic commission armies, I was wondering if you'd need some down time to R & R. Nope!

      Upward and onward in 2013, Scott!

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  9. Great to see you getting started! One tip regarding the Amry Painter... Only brushnit one, do not dip them! Really looking forward to the results!

    What have I panned for this year. Well finish the Byzantine Army for SAGA on my table right now and then it is on to lots more Prussians and French for Leipzig.

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    1. Good tip, I will do the brush.

      A Byzantine army for Saga, that will be beautiful. Looking forward to seeing it soon. And more Napoleonics.

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  10. i see that you take a look at bigger scale
    i follow your way
    i notice that being interested by multiple scale allowed you to meet more people
    and congratulation for your number of painted figs !

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    1. Happy New Year, Marco! Yes, the bigger scale will be a nice change-up. Thanks!

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  11. 1453: year of Constantinople's fall :)

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    1. It'a sign that you will paint more Ottomans in new year :)

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    2. You have a very keen eye, Artar! I have not given up my wish to paint Ottomans again with a better color scheme, thanks to the new resources you pointed out for me. When I do, I'd reach out to you for any "insider" information or resources.

      As a quick aside, I'm running a 17th Century Ottoman army in a 6 player campaign game. In the first round, my fine troops are undefeated.

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  12. Looking good Monty! Rules sets like SAGA ans Bolt Action are calling to me... must remain focused!

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    1. Oh, its funny you mention Bolt Action. A WW II Skirmish (?) game sounds intriguing. Really, there is very little I wouldn't try, paint or play, if given the chance. ;-)

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  13. Monty!

    I always wondered what your painting would look like on 28mm figs, and I must say -I am impressed. To tell the truth, it would have been surprising if I wasn't impressed. I have been thinking about taking the plunge into Saga. I like skirmish level games that you can field a force with 20-40 figures. It's not too many figure to paint. There are a lot of really nice lines of minis out there...

    Incidentally, I been working on some 28mm US infantry for Bolt action. One of my group members found some Germans on sale around Christmas, and decided to order Bolt action. As always, what one person does the rest will (most likely) enthusiastically follow. WWII is a favorite of the gang, so I am excited about working some non 15mm WWII miniatures.

    Your brush work, and your blog postings and pics, inspire me to paint. Thank you.

    David S.
    Minnesota, USA

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    1. David! I hope life and the dice have been kind to you lately!

      I JUST got in my first game of Saga and I'm smitten. We played over a beer and I must say, its a game that will shine with beer and good friends. Rules are not overly complex and yet it presents you with interesting decision points via the battle board. I'll write up much more later.

      I do want to hear about Bold Action if you give it a try. A friend of mine just bought it and I'm intrigued!

      And your last line is the best. I started blogging in part because blogs helped me when I started to paint. That I could give back is wonderful! Keep playing and painting sir!

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