From SamuliS - Regiment Prinz Friedrich August (82 points)

For my second entry I have something will be one of my major projects for the Painting Challenge and for this winter and next spring as well. The next Napoleonic campaign at my club will be 1813-14 for which we are sorely lacking in smaller nations still. So bravely enough I volunteered to paint the Saxon Corps commanded by General Reynier. It might have been a good idea to actually check how many troops I need to do before picking my subject, but then again I've never been known for being too cautious. So at the moment I'm looking at roughly 700 minis needing painting and with our campaign start moved up from late next year to late spring, this might  prove to be quite a momentous task. Luckily for the first few battles only a minority of the Saxons were ever present.

The first completed regiment from my assembly line is the Regiment Prinz Friedrich August. I can only claim points for the 1st Battalion though as I had finished the second a bit before the challenge. I had been planning to do both before Sunday, but figured I wouldn't have enough time and left the other one for my second entry. Still I guess showing the complete Regiment at the same time doesn't hurt even if I only did the basing for the second one during the challenge.

The miniatures are from AB and are amazing quality wise. Too bad there's only 4 different poses so bases can end up looking a bit monotone. I tried to vary the trouser colours a bit to make them a bit more interesting. Surprisingly time consuming to paint even though most of it is only white, but there is tons of small details that can be picked out and the white just needs so many layers to cover properly. With these I'm working from a white basecoat blocking out all the colours before applying a black wash to provide some shading and pick out all the straps etc. Then a few highlight layers and all done. Finally I added some GMB flags to bring them to life.

 

With these done I'll take about a week off from painting as we're heading of to visit relatives and then stay at our cottage for a few days before New Years. To finish off here's a few Christmas decorations that I did as it's the first time we have a Christmas tree at home and I felt it needed some appropriate decoration. Both are from Scibor and are resin. The dwarf is about 28mm scale while the zombified Santa is quite a bit larger. The dwarf in his diving ball was actually bit of a test mini for Mig's chipping fluids before I use them on something more important. Worked out as advertised, but the effect was maybe a bit too severe as the "Heavy Chipping Effects" really does take huge chunks of paint away. Might have to stick to the normal one in the future.

Finally I wish happy holidays to each and everyone of you guys! Hopefully you have been nice and Santa has been generous to you! Keep the brushes swinging and see you next year!

Oh wow, gorgeous stuff Samuli. Though I have not painted any for a long time, the Napoleonic period is my all-time favourite and these Saxons do not disappoint. Absolutely marvelous stuff (and I agree, the AB castings are top-shelf material to work from). 

Those 'Holiday Ornaments' are rather 'out-there', but fantastic nonetheless. The weathering effect on the dwarf diving bell looks great and the skin on the Zombie Santa is perfectly ghoulish. I'm going to give a few more points for these. Wonderful work Samuli and Happy Christmas!

Edit by Minion Tamsin - points adjusted as AB figures are being scored as 20mm