Have you ever had one of those ideas that you really wished that you hadn't actually acted upon?
Well after an appeal for assistance in identifying the cameleers in the recent post, 'British Cameleers & a Thank You' it transpired that the chaps in question were most likely to be members of the 72nd, Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders. After a little more research, I discovered that the 72nd Highlanders were one of the first of the 'de-kilted' regiments to readopt elements of Highland dress; in their case it was to be the rather splendid 'trews', in an entirely new tartan apparently designed on a sett worn by Prince Charles Edward Stuart in 1745. 'Eureka', thought I, what better regiment to base my 'Mutineer Miniatures', 'Scots in Doublets' on; oh poor simple soul that I am!
I should have realised that things were not going to go quite according to plan when, after base coating the 'wee lads', the resultant image led to a seemingly endless loop of Michael Jackson's classic, 'Thriller'.
Well after an appeal for assistance in identifying the cameleers in the recent post, 'British Cameleers & a Thank You' it transpired that the chaps in question were most likely to be members of the 72nd, Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders. After a little more research, I discovered that the 72nd Highlanders were one of the first of the 'de-kilted' regiments to readopt elements of Highland dress; in their case it was to be the rather splendid 'trews', in an entirely new tartan apparently designed on a sett worn by Prince Charles Edward Stuart in 1745. 'Eureka', thought I, what better regiment to base my 'Mutineer Miniatures', 'Scots in Doublets' on; oh poor simple soul that I am!
I should have realised that things were not going to go quite according to plan when, after base coating the 'wee lads', the resultant image led to a seemingly endless loop of Michael Jackson's classic, 'Thriller'.
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| "It's close to midnight and something evil's lurking in the dark" |
I'm a big fan of the 'Mutineer Miniatures' work, but these have been my least enjoyable experience with them to date. It's difficult to explain why but there was something about the pose and a few sculpting issues around the cuffs that left me bemoaning the whole task in hand. When it finally came to the tartan itself, oh my goodness, what a effort this turned out to be! Although I had reference in front of me, I was never entirely satisfied with the results. I kept making some of the lines too thick, detracting from the overall effect I was looking for.
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| The descent into madness begins! |
They are done now, and my thoughts? Well seeing them photographed here, I'm not that disappointed with them, but will I pick up the command group on Saturday at 'Salute 2012'? We will have to see.
Loving the tartan – thanks for the step by step.
ReplyDeleteLol @ MJ
Very nice work on the Tartan mate, Cracking paintjobs. Thanks for the tutorial as well
ReplyDeleteWow!! I have painted tartans a few times and I know what it is like. These are absolutely magic. Fantastic Michael. Very very impressed.
ReplyDeleteI still shudder at the memory of painting the kilts of my Gordon Highlanders!
ReplyDeleteYou've done a dazzling job with these bonny wee lads; the camels should be proud to carry them (and not a dancing zombie in sight at the finish!)
Pick up the command and help the lads out. They look better than you give credit for, but yes I know what you mean when your painting them and thinking I wish I had not....
ReplyDeleteIan
Tartan is a mind feck but you've turned out some beauties there!
ReplyDeleteThose are some nice looking pants! Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteVery very nice. The trousers are a winner. I've neither the skill nor the patience to attempt a painingt challenge such as this.
ReplyDeleteAnd another :-), you've been busy last week. Excellent figs and tartan yet again
ReplyDeleteThese ARE really good! Reminds me of joking we did in my old Highlander reenactmmet group about the difference between "tartan" and "PLAID!!!"
ReplyDeleteMy respect..you´ve done a fine job. I don´t like painting tartan..I avoid it at all cost.
ReplyDeleteCheers
paul
Och! You've done a fine we jobby with the trews.
ReplyDeleteYou could always mix and match with plain trousers if you purchase the command pack, as I am sure they wouldn't of all been in tartan.
Another slice of Victorian goodness!
ReplyDeleteNice job! If you're not now sitting on the floor in the corner, cradling your knees in your arms rocking back and forth muttering and cackling then that's quite a victory!
ReplyDeleteYou forgot dribbling! That said it all seems to be wearing off now!
DeleteFine looking trews! I'm glad I didn't paint them!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you all, I am obviously delighted with the very positive feedback, but filled with trepidation at now having to purchase the command pack at the weekend!
ReplyDeleteExcellent work, Michael...they had to take some time, but you did a beautiful job.
ReplyDeleteWell plaid indeed sir ;)
ReplyDeleteI bet you wished they'd never been dekilted - I'm guessing the relatively flat surface a kilt would offer would have been a wee bit easier than those splendid trews!
Anyone who can paint a half decent tartan pattern gets two thumbs up in my book.
ReplyDeleteTwo Thumbs Up Michael!!!
Great work sir, the tartan looks really good.
ReplyDeleteExcellent job , and an amusing write up.
ReplyDeleteWhen i over another wadge of hard earned on Saturday to Mutineer it's all you fault.......
I do apologise Dave, but I'll probably be the mug behind you!
DeleteExcellent job. Tartans are no easy thing to paint in miniature!
ReplyDeleteMichael you know I love Tartan and tweeds so its a real pleasure when I see someone else having a going and with good results. Painting tartan is horrid, line too big or too small, all those colours and shading. But you have done a grand job there.
ReplyDeleteExcellent - love the tartan!
ReplyDeleteYou can't beat a well painted pair of tartan trews. Those are lovely figures.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Matt