League Of Augsburg - Fighting Talk

Hi chaps,

I feel like putting the flags up - I've just finished my first 28mm figures in a long, long time and thought you might be interested in having a look :




Although this took me about three weeks to finish (painting little and often) - I'm really pleased with the end result. They are meant to represent the French Regiment de Lyonnais (circa 1672). Other Regiments on the same LoA flagsheet (Poitou & Crussol) are next.

As most people will no doubt be aware, the figures are ex-Copplestone 'Glory of the Sun'. Beautiful figures but a little static.

This has been a real change for me - previous armies have been 6mm - Great Northern War & ACW :



Although I feel myself growing older painting the 28mm figures (they take so long), I feel that the end results make the effort worthwhile. I'm just not going to think about the other battalions needed before I can actually play a a game (sigh).

Best wishes,

Phil

Hi Phil,

Your Frenchmen looking very well!
If you think they are to static I advise you to try the Warfare Miniatures because they are very animated. How much time it will ever take to paint those minis it is worth while

Besides, welcome to the forum. If you have questions just shoot!

Best Wishes,
Günter

These are excellent and if those are the first 28's you've painted in a very long time I look forward to seeing what you produce when you're back into the swing of painting them.
Cheers
Dave

Dave / Gunter.

Many thanks for the kind words. I'm sure others will agree that appreciation & encouragement from fellow gamers like this keeps you painting. It certainly seems to be working as I'm already half way through my next Battalion (Crussol).

I can already see the sense in the comment in the BLB rulebook (p101, Sample French Army) that its good to maximise variety when painting the Frenchies. I'm in the initial rush of enthusiasm and (taking Phil Olley's advice) am concentrating on core units which are very grey but essential. When I've managed to complete a grey brigade, I hope to take advantage of the variety possible with a French army (grey / red / blue / green etc) and move onto Irish / Maison du Roi & Etranger Battalions.

The BLB rulebook is very helpful when it comes to painting units up - you can see what works on a figure (for example, when painting a row of buttons, leave the surounding colour slightly darker as this seems to accentuate the silvered buttons).

Its interesting to see that, although BLB covers quite a lengthy timeframe, a lot of gamers seem to be opting for the Glorious Revolution / Nine Years War / War of Spanish Succession era. The Battalions I'm painting will come from a slightly earlier period (1672 era Franco-Dutch War) when, as I understand it, most armies retained the '12 apostles' look.

After the initial three Battalions, I plan to treat myself to a command vignette and some cavalry (at last !).

Anyway, many thanks for your comments and I hope to post more pics of the second Battalion as soon as its finished. Painting away certainly makes you appreciate the effort involved in building up a complete army in 28mm - I look on in awe at some of the spectacular all-arms pictures. Still, Rome wasn't built in a day !

Cheers,

Phil

When I start a new army like this I would aim to paint a couple of basic infantry battalions then treat myself by painting a command vignette, usually the brigadier then I would go on to finish the rest of the brigade.
I might add an artillery piece then perhaps a squadron of cavalry before going ahead with the next infantry brigade. I try to avoid repeating painting too many of the same troop types as I get easily bored so treating myself to adding little vignettes helps to break up the monotony but it's still adding more to the army.
Cheers
Dave

Hi chaps,

I thought you might be interested in this - a better shot of the Regiment de Lyonnais :



I've also completed over half of the next battalion (taken from the Regiment de Crussol). A few shots :



A close-up of an Ensign and Drummer :





I was just about to start work on the drummer (to be painted up in blue French Royal livery with all the complex red & white lace etc), when I had a last look at the Osprey Louis XIV book and discovered that they wore something completely different (white, faced red).

The remainder of this Battalion are currently on order - some figures in shooting pose for the front rank this time as a change.

Cheers,


Phil

These are excellent, Phil!

Jesus!
Let me paint as half as well as you do and I am satisfied

Tres Bon!

Thank you very much. I'll have to admit that it's a little scary when you blow up pics of individual figures to ridiculous sizes - every millimetre of paint is exposed to a degree of scrutiny that just wouldn't happen on the table. Silly idea - unit pics only from now on...

When the Battalion is complete, I'll post up some new pics.

Thanks for looking,

Phil

PS. The drummer is lucky to be here - I bluetacked him to an old paint pot to take the pic and the damn thing fell off. I felt every whack as he hit the chair and table on his way down before dropping on the floor. Fortunately, a quick touch up and he was good as new (ooer missus).

You've done an excellent job with the Northstar 1672 line!

I've generally not been a fan of the French in a helmet (the uniform, NOT the figs) but now I am a bit tempted to get my own!

Yes, I agree with the praise. Very good job. And please let us see the detail as it's all useful to newbies in this era like me. I wonder where to put the paint of various bits and in various ways so seeing the work of others is very helpful.

Just leafing through the 2nd ed of BLB has given me lots of tips and hints for painting and organising my regiments ... so, do carry on.

The figures look very good close up, too. I mean, in themselves.

Best Wishes

Theo

Another quick update on Regiment de Crussol. (Deep breath). A close up pic of the second Ensign with an attempt at silver edging to the shoulder belt. A right pain in the jacksy to do but I'm pleased with the results.



Rear view (this will be pretty much hidden when the figure is based - If I've spent a lifetime painting it, its nice to see posterity recorded. Ha ha).


Only three more figures to paint and then this Battalion can be based up.

Thanks for looking.

Phil

Ray.

You have absolutely nothing to be worried or ashamed about. You're doing absolutely spectacular work. That silver edging to the belt came out perfectly!