Monday, May 20, 2019

Six is better than four ?


Today as an experiment, I painted up a unit of 6 of Graham C's computer generated 40mm figures.
I went for IR1 von Winterfeldt as I do not have this regiment in my collection. The main purpose was to compare the visual effect of having six 40mm figures on a 50x45mm base, instead of my usual 4 figures, The result is below





I feel that most 15mm and 28mm collections have the figures spaced too widely apart, probably bcause of the smaller scale of the figures. I think that this looks just about right, and gives the feel of "tight ranked" troops, shoulder to shoulder.  I would welcome readers comments.
Anyway, in due course I plan to finish a full regiment, to see the end result.


This gives a comparison between S & S and the six figure base. To be fair, I never felt that the S & S Prussians were among the best of their range.




18 comments:

  1. Now of course any comment I make is biased but 6 is way better than 4 🤣
    Graham

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    Replies
    1. I tend to agree Graham. Will see how a complete regiment looks. John may have a good point about not painting the eyes. In such a small scale, painting eyes make take away from the figure

      Delete
  2. Graham,

    Sort of trying to compare chalk and cheese.
    Both styles are very acceptable but certainly not in the same photograph.
    I would like to see a 40mm CT figure painted but without the eyes.

    This could be a slippery road you embark.

    Regards
    John

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    Replies
    1. Don't worry John, I am not trying to re-invent the wheel and my current collection will certainly not be effected.
      Maybe do some "sixer" units and see where it leads to. I will certainly try an "eye-less" figure. In this small 40mm scale the effect could look better.

      Delete
  3. Graham C 's figs look superb - the 6 to a base gives a good tight-ranked look . Looking forward to seeing the full regiment.

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  4. I agree Graham; I do like the troops 'bunched-up' as you say. I look forward to seeing the full regiment...
    David

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    Replies
    1. Thanks David. The only problem is that it increases the painting of each regiment by 14 figures, but they are faster to get through. I will do up a full regiment then review where I go with this

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  5. Many thanks for your comment. I will add your blog to my reading list

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  6. A pet peeve of mine is to spaced miniatures for the 1700-1860 period.
    So I vote 6!
    Wonderful figures!

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  7. The slimmer figures allow for a more realistic spacing, I love the six figures per base. I also like the figures, they get away from the "giant hands, giant heads" syndrome that plagues most metal minis

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Anton. They are also faster to paint as there are less "undercuts" and they are slimmer

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  8. Definitely agree that 6 is better spacing for SYW and even at this size I think just dark shading in the eye socket will look sufficient and realistic. I recall much of my time as a blackpowder re-enactor was spent squinting through smoke and sweat and sunlight anyway!
    Chris
    http://notjustoldschool.blogspot.com/

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  9. Thanks Chris. I will experiment with the eye sockets. As the figure is sculpted to life size dimensions, the face is relatively small compared to many commercial makes

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  10. Six looks right with the CT figures, they are posed for that shoulder to shoulder tight formation. The S&S figs would look squeezed so they fit your existing basing just fine, (they're half as wide as the CT's too).

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  11. Thanks Stuart. I agree with what you say, but both styles work in their own context

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