Sunday 10 January 2016

Dutch Doubles

You may remember that a couple of years back I posted a picture of a Hinton Hunt Dutch artillery battery (click here if your memory isn’t as sharp as it should be). I still had enough figures left to paint up a second battery and had some vague idea of getting them done in time for Vintage Waterloo but that ship has sailed. However they’re finished now and here they are posing with their newly issued cannon a model by RSM kindly donated by Don.


Just to remind you, the figures are all genuine Hinton Hunt as follows:

DN53 gunner holding cannon ball
DN51 gunner with port fire
DN55 gunner running with ammunition bag
DN52 gunner with rammer
(click the image to zoom in)


I’m still having ongoing problems trying to get a consistent finish with satin varnish and have pretty much decided that going forward I will be using gloss varnish. I have been chiefly inspired in this by the superb figures paraded by Wellington Man on his blog (examples of which I have in my possession here). Gloss is the way I finished the figures in my original collection back in the 70s and in retrospect I should have been using it right from the start of this project.

I used my satin varnish for these figures as I don't have any gloss but deliberately mixed it to dry at the shiny end of the satin spectrum.

18 comments:

KEV. Robertson. said...

Splendid Painting - well done indeed! KEV

lewisgunner said...

They can come up in time for Quatre Bras!

Stryker said...

Roy - I like your thinking!

WSTKS-FM Worldwide said...

Absolutely wonderful! These particular figures are some of the nicest you have featured on your blog, although all have been impressive. The red piping is nicely done too. WHat are you going to use for your gloss varnish? One possible suggestion is Liquitex Gloss Medium and Varnish. I use the 'medium brilliant' but two-three applications usually makes 'em nice and shiny. A bit thick and slow to apply, but it dries fast, clear, and you could always thin it a tiny bit with water. Just a suggestion.

Best Regards,

Stokes

Stryker said...

Thanks Stokes. I've been wondering about 'Humbrol Clear'
http://www.themightybrush.com/review-humbrol-gloss-clear/
It says it is similar to Johnsons Clear floor polish which I think you used to use?
What are your thoughts?

Wellington Man said...

Marvellous, albeit rather short for Dutchmen.

Stryker said...

No that's just an optical illusion - the gun is actually 54mm!

Anonymous said...

I've never had a problem with Humbrol gloss (lots of problems with their matt). It may not be helpful but I switched to Daler and Rowney matt and it has worked very well. You may find that their gloss is equally good.

Conrad Kinch said...

Those chaps look oddly elegant for the cavalry arm.

'Lee. said...

Lovely figures and painting Ian. I find Vallejo satin varnish very reliable, I use it all the time and it dries with a soft sheen. Good luck going forward with your collection, lost track of just how many years I have been following this blog now!

the Archduke said...

I find that Humbrol matt is increasingly unreliable and have started migrating to Revell email, which so far has delivered reliable matt. I know matt is not universally acceptable, but I'm interested in others' experience.

lewisgunner said...

Aren't they foot artillery?

Stryker said...

Thanks for the comments and handy varnish hints all!

Wargamer Stu said...

Hmm vintage Quatre Bras, not a bad idea and we know its Stuart A's favourite battle of all time. I am feeling totally Waterloo'ed out - luckily the only way I'll make the 250th is as a frozen head in a jar....

lewisgunner said...

If you are under 60 now then there is a reasoable chance that you could make the 250th anniversary. as the number of centenarians rises irresistibly . You might have to get a nurse to move the units though.

Stryker said...

Roy - I still fall in that category (just) so you will have to bequeath me your Hinton Hunts if you want them to take part!

the Archduke said...

Puts a whole new slant on the Old Garde.

Stryker said...

Yes, we will have to recruit some Young Guard if the 250th anniversary is to be a success!