Chain of Command - in with both feet

My friend Hugh and I are going to try Chain of Command just as soon as I finish painting up British Airborne.  I've had these fellows on the table since November but the thought of painting Denison smock put me off.  The camo on the smock was randomly applied, and as a result, every tutorial and painter has a different take on how to paint Denison in 28mm.

My conversation with myself while painting Denison went something like this:

Self:  "Don't hold back.  Just slop it on.  Randomly."
self:  "Randomly...how?"
Self:  Checks a picture on the web,  "Triangular blobs and sharp edges.  Some overlap, but not too much. Don't put too much down and cover up the base color. And space it out a bit. And keep it random looking."
self:  "Like this?"
Self:  "No, you're doing it all wrong! Let me see that."  Stares at picture on the web.  "Hmmm."
self:  "Told you it was hard!"

This is my first crack at painting WW II.  It'll get easier  and faster as I get more reps under my belt. Denison version 1 was applied to a Foundry test figure.  I used a banding technique but it didn't look quite right so I quickly changed to v2.  v2 went on the Warlords Games British Airborne HQ set below.  I tried multidirectional angled bits that slopped over each other.  These looked better but the Army Painter soft tone wash obscured the camo.  Lets hope the 3rd time is a charm!

v3 went on a set of Crusader figs with a diluted AP wash.  Success!  They took paint very well and the camo looks decent.  With a painting scheme under my belt, it's onto some lovely Artizan figs.

For me, it's important to find a partner before starting new painting and gaming projects.  With one in hand, I'm into Chain of Command with both feet! We have yet to get our first game in and already, we're plotting out other armies and fronts.

The painting scheme is tucked under the fold.

Dead Man's Hand - Dead Again!

Up today are Great Escape Games new figures for Dead Man's Hand.  I normally stick to a First in First Out, or FIFO system for painting but these were too lovely to queue up.  So for this week, it's LIFO!

First up is the Preacher, inspiration drawn from Clint Eastwood's character in Pale Rider.  He's a key figure in one of the new DMH scenarios and yes, he's just as tough in the game as in the movie.

Next up is the undertaker set.  Funny thing about painting the dead...it's not as easy as it looks! It took a few tries to get the skintone right and I eventually settled on the lightest fleshtone, topped with a purple wash. All the while, I was while singing "Streets of Laredo."  Poor cowboy, where did you go wrong? Challenging the Preacher to a draw was a poor idea.  The coffins are by Frontline Wargaming.

Last up are the dead.  There's a set for each of the four factions in DMH.  I did check my painting from last fall to match the color schemes.  It seems I've found a reason to start keeping a painting diary.

And here's how they looked last weekend, with British paras waiting impatiently in the background.

DMH is quickly learned and played, going well with a beer.  The 2 minor scenes building up to a Big Showdown is simply brilliant. You can lose both minor scenes and go into the showdown with only a small handicap. The scenes are a great way to build a narrative and suspense.  What's not to love?

I can't wait to get these figures on the table today.  Every time Hugh brings DMH out, we get a steady stream of admirers. Win, lose or draw, it's great to meet fellow gamers, tip a beer and get a game in.

I'll close today with Marty Robbins' "Big Iron."  His album, Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs, is perhaps the greatest collection of Western songs ever recorded.  +5 points to the artist who donned the album cover in pink! 

Norse Gaels warlord & wrapup

It's the finish line for another SAGA warband.  I turned the warlord that comes with the Norse Gaels pack into a bannerman. With both hands tucked behind a shield, he'd have made a non too threatening warlord. The lovely banner is by LBMS.

Last of the Norse Gaels hearthguard.  I've looked but cannot find the name of the loincloth-like protective kit these fellows are wearing.  I assume it's a Dark Ages protective cup?

While the Norse Gaels are an older line of Gripping Beast figs, the rough spots in some of them were surpassed by their character and energy.  Now I need to get these fellows out for a "test drive."

I've put my 15mm Later Hungarian army up for sale at the top of my blog. The poor fellows have not seen the light of day so off they'll go. No worries, I've got loads of unpainted lead coming in the mail to me right now. The seller told me one of my boxes weighs 19 lbs so I think it's safe to say I'm on my way to building a lead mountain!