Part 1
Having been involved in playtesting Fighting for Mexico, I was always going to be collecting at least two armies for the rules. Whenever I start one of by these projects I have two stages of completion in mind. Firstly to have enough figures for a game. That's both sides, plus the relevant markers and suitable terrain.
Secondly, it's to have every option available through the lists in the rules. This is so anyone joining me for a game can choose what ever army they prefer without being limited by my collection.
For this project, a Government and a Rebel army are essential. I won't be distinguishing an early and later Government army, which were different (some of the Rebels became the later Government forces), but I do want enough cavalry for both sides and all the possible additions. If I build a third army, it will be Americans, but that is a way off down the road at the moment.
First up is my Government army I purchased during my last visit to Weymouth. I have 6 units of infantry 1 unit of cavalry, 2 MG's and 4 crews for field guns.
6 infantry is more than required, but I wanted the aesthetic option of a unit in Pith helmets and one in cowboy hats. I need another MG pack and also the field guns for the artillery crews to man. I'm also short of 2 packs of infantry for some reason for my infantry units, but they are now on order.
This will be a quick paint project, like all my projects really. I enjoy painting, but I paint to play, not display. So the quicker the better.
I spent yesterday gluing the figures into their bases in units. For some reason I created half bases which feature in some rules, but not fighting for Mexico. Oh well, I suppose I could use the army for Square Bashing as well at some point 😊
(https://i.postimg.cc/c6hY3c26/IMG-20210726-155020.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/c6hY3c26)
Here we have the first unit prior to basing. I'd actually painted them with red kepis as per an online image that I'd used as reference. Thankfully thise in the know corrected this so they are now in the correct blue kepi.
(https://i.postimg.cc/dkmC4R0H/IMG-20210728-175355.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dkmC4R0H)
And here they are fully based. The figures were undercoated in Army Painter Skeleton bone and details added with GW contrast paints or Coat d'Arms. Then they were washed with Army Painter Soft Tone. This suits the colors very nicely. Not the most inspiring paint work, but it's quick.
The base is sand coloured Basetex from Colour Party, a little darker brown ink added in slotches before drybrushing with an ivory colour. Static grass was then applied with my applicator.
(https://i.postimg.cc/NLBmLnNW/IMG-20210728-202610.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/NLBmLnNW)
I'm producing a short vlog series on my YouTube channel talking about this project.
https://youtu.be/rcaojF6pwpk (https://youtu.be/rcaojF6pwpk)
Up next is troops in caps.
Sean don't rebase your casualties. Half bases will be fine. In these rules the shape and size do not matter, its about having 5 to make a set to go with the unit.
I haven't got any casualties yet Les, these are half bases for when half a base is killed.
That's good progress, Sean - thanks for sharing!
Simon
Really beautiful !
Cheers
Xavier
Thank you Xavier!
I commend you Sean on the neat and clear bases.
martin :)
And presumably the non-square corners too, Martin? ;D
Simon
I have to say, the sculptor deserves the praise. They are just wonderful figures to paint.
I see the non square corner option as closely linked to the London congestion charge.
Unstoppable but often denied.
martin :)
I also often cliip corners off my Peter Pig purchased bases. It's quite therapeutic. Unlike the congestion charge.
I'm in denial - no corner-clipping at Chateau Kilgore ;)
Simon
I think this scandal is right up there with putting two trees on a template and calling it a forest, river sections painted bright blue and using a model of a Normandy cafe as a English Civil War Manor House to play the siege game in Regiment of Foote.
Er... guilty as charged on 2 counts out of 3, Your Honour...
Will I get time off for good behaviour?
Simon
This post is really interesting !
As soon as I decided to start painting my army, it lasted 4 months. I spent between 30 minutes / 1 hour a day in painting, nearly every days during this period...
I think I am a slow painter... ;D
When I carefully look at your pictures (and your video too), I am very impressed by the results : your basing and painting are really beautiful and your army looks great. So I enjoy to see how you proceed, what technics you use to go fast, as I would like to improve my speed painting too...
Damn, that's my ECW siege game of Chateau Cafe Normande, set by the blue lake outside the bustling city of Two Oaks in Kent, completely ruined. Cheers Sean!
Well, I for one would love to see pictures of the game all the same! 🤣😂
Part 2
My second unit of Government troops, this time in the cap. I do wonder whether I should paint the cap the same colour as the uniform, just to make them stand out from unit 1 who are wearing the kepi.
I've also painted the first 2 stands of the cavalry unit. Basing to be finished on both when I'll take a better picture
(https://i.postimg.cc/xNK4B6wk/IMG-20210803-105629.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xNK4B6wk)
Are you sure that's the correct shade of Blue?
Good to see you have found your painting inspiration back Sean, hope you have some one to play against or you getting them ready to come over and game with Ralph and myself?
!0 days isolation and at least four tests!!!
In a certain light, it's definitely the right shade of blue.
I'm building both sides, so if no one will play withe, I can play with myself. Amd yes I'm happy to lead an invasion to take on the expats. Once I can come and go as I please 😉
Looks like you're making good progress Sean.
We won't stop you going home Sean, win or lose. And no blue on white games.
Sean, having been inspired by your black undercoat paint system, I have tried using a base coat of dark brown for some Zapatista Cavalry. Just finished with a Soft Tone wash. Looking good so far for a quick paint job.
Mike
Goodan Mike.
I'm definitely more a Zapata man rather than a Pancho Villa fan. My own Rebels will be based around a Zapatista force as well.
Basing finished on my 2nd unit. The reinforcements have arrived to fill the gaps I had in a kepi and a pith helmeted unit, plus a pack of pith helmeted MG's have been added.
Now I need to organise my first order for the Zapatistas to collect at Bosworth.
(https://i.postimg.cc/svN6r6n2/IMG-20210805-134028.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/svN6r6n2)
(https://i.postimg.cc/vgbXzpm0/IMG-20210805-134052.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vgbXzpm0)
They do look mighty fine, Sean!
Simon
The project is coming along great Sean.