Friday 17 March 2023

Red Lancer progress and revising the plan

The Red Lancers are finished and fully glossed up but not yet based. I’ve really enjoyed painting these so here is a sneak preview.

I have recently been taking a long hard look at the lead pile and considering it against what I’m ever likely to paint for this project. At best I manage 120 or so Hinton Hunts per year so unless I’m going to live a very long time (and retain reasonable eyesight throughout) it’s probably time to set some sensible limits.

With that in mind I have gone delete happy on my master-plan spreadsheet to bring the total ‘to do’ list down to around 500 figures. In doing this I have thought about likely scenarios in relation to what I can fit on my maximum 8’ x 4’ table. Waterloo is top of my list, and it looks like I only need 4 more units for a scaled-down representation of that battle, so the immediate plan is to fill in those gaps.

Beyond that I need to balance out the various army OOB’s and make sure that I paint all the favourites in the pile making sure the vintage figures take priority.

21 comments:

Rob Young said...

Looking for the best word to describe these figures... I think 'beautiful' is the right one!

Stryker said...

Thanks Rob, I’m really pleased with how they turned out!

Wellington Man said...

Beauties indeed. I can't wait to see the full regiment on parade.
Best regards
WM

Rob said...

Very sensible, having just moved house I was shocked by how much unpainted lead I have and shall likewise have to have a cull, although I still need to paint up more of the 20mm Naps that you and WM have seduced me into.

Norm said...

Lovely. Good plan to cap projects to the achievable. There seems to be a blonginng theme at the moment of switching from a focus on always building, to a focus on gaming a little more.

Stryker said...

WM - the figures are top quality which helps to motivate me when it comes to painting.

Stryker said...

Rob, the problem with using out of production figures is that it leads to a temptation to acquire way too much lead ‘just in case I need them’ so it’s been good to take stock.

Stryker said...

Norm, I agree that it I good to remember just why we put all that effort into painting figures because they always look best on the tabletop!

the Archduke said...

..and the great thing about a finite plan is that you can always have a consecutive finite plan.

KEV. Robertson. said...

WOW- very detailed work you have done here on painting the Lancers IAN- well done indeed.

WSTKS-FM Worldwide said...

Wonderful figures!

Ah, you make a sound point with limiting one's painting plans and queue. A large part of the reason I indulge in only one semi-historic era and am shooting for two forces of 7-10 line infantry regiments each with supporting cavalry, light troops, artillery, and train.

Artillery and train are basically done. Mounted officers and civilians too (mostly), so it's just a matter of the foot soldiers now. I hope to have most of that done by 60 (less than four year away), so that I can play with them into senility.

Kind Regards,

Stokes

David said...

More power to you! I always intend to cull the herd, but the little guys always look back at me as if to say - "but I will be so lovely when you paint me". I guess hearing the voices of your miniatures is a bad sign...

The lancers really are a stunner! Will the Poles or the Dutch lead your regiment? Can't wait to see it regardless.

Stryker said...

Nigel, wise words indeed!

Stryker said...

Thanks Kev, these figures were a joy to paint!

Stryker said...

Stokes, I’ve always admired your ability to stick with one project as this is definitely the way to achieve something!

Stryker said...

David, it will be the Dutch in the front line as they have to command figures. This will mean the Poles are destined to take most of the casualties as I always take these from the rear rank!

'Lee. said...

Glorious, simply glorious Ian! Those rich reds and strong yellows are divine. I don't think you will ever stop :)

Aly Morrison said...

Beautiful work Ian…
I’m not ready to cull yet… mind you if I actually had some sort of plan it would be easier 😁.

All the best. Aly

Stryker said...

Thanks Aly, it’s not so much a cull as a paring back!

MSFoy said...

Lovely job, Ian - inspirational. I'm currently drawing up a plan for repainting some old HH troops, and I need all the inspiration I can get!

Stryker said...

Thanks Tony, this batch includes the EK figures you gave me!