Catching Up

Progress continues apace on my WWII Canadians project. I now have 14 figures painted, based and varnished and have started on another batch of six. I’ve also thrown a lick of paint on one of the Wargames Factory figures I’ve received. More on that soon. This last batch is the last miniature I have on hand for the project so I also made a small order from North Bay Games and Hobbies for some more. I will need yet another order for eight riflemen before I’m complete, but since it’s unlikely that I’ll finish the current batch and the new order before the next paycheck there’s no need to try to squeeze them into this pay’s budget.

The second, and last, batch of four. Starting to get a better feel on how I want things painted.

Here’s my first batch sculpted scrim. Eagle-eyed readers will notice I fixed the problem with the Lee Enfields, namely I’d painted the top of the rifle like it was a musket. I refreshed my memory after the trip to the museum and fixed all the figures I’ve painted so far. I like how the weathering is more visible with this Battledress colour. I think any of the colours I’ve used would work if I’d just desaturated them with grey.

The third batch, and first of six. The extra two didn’t add much to the painting time, but I’m now two miniatures closer to finished than if I’d stuck with four at a time.

Here’s the last batch I’ve finished so far. You may notice that I’ve picked up the bigger pieces of sand as grey stone. I noticed Quindia doing this and copied shamelessly. I like how it breaks up the colour on the bases. The four riflemen are the sample pack of Crusader Miniatures I’d purchased. I’d heard that the two lines mixed well and when I found out that one of the packs of Artizan riflemen I’d ordered was out of stock I substituted this pack. Some point soon I’ll write a comparison review. The short version is that I prefer Artizan for their slimmer proportions and sharper sculpting. Also I really don’t like the clunky rifles with a square cross-section.

In a few weeks I’ll also be recapping Month Four of my six-month WWII project. I may actually finish on time. My painting speed is increasing, I really only started painting Month Two, and I have a good incentive to finish. My club found itself somewhat in a rut with low attendance. When the club head bottlewasher (not sure on his official position) started a conversation on how to improve things a bunch of people, including myself, jumped at the chance to move from the “problem” column to the “solution” column. Now an 1812 project is being contemplated where participating club members contribute a unit for a Battle of North Point scenario.

So now I’m even more excited to start my own 1812 project, knowing that anything I paint will be used soon. My discipline is paying off.

Tyler