Urbancohort has started this painting thread and is keeping it wholly clear of apostrophes although it is all about his painting skills developing.

[urbancohort]

Hi guys;
The beauty of this fantastic forum is being able to access the collective wisdom of more experienced gamers. As I have said before, for 34 years I havve claimed to be interested in wargames, bought loads of rulesets, quite a range of figures for different eras and locations as well as scale, but other than a very few naval wargames and a couple of rather unsatisfactory solo efforts, I've never ACTUALLY played a wargame. I decided on 10mm and late Stuart a few years ago (not to mention a modern scenario currently in abeyance). The reason is the variety of types of troops - grenadiers, dragoons, etc -and uses of weapons - pikes, matchlocks, flintlocks etc - plus the general appearance of the soldiery wirh uniforms, flags and the rest. I like companies because as a discreet unit they will have their own Captain plus flag, save the grenadiers of course, and to my mind that looks impressive. It also appears to my slightly Aspergic devotion to history, I can 'recreate the very casques that did afright the air' with each individual unit represented.
Which is why feedback and advice such as the above is so welcome. Due to my inexperience I hadn't considered these points. This gets me wondering whether it would be better for each company to be made up of 2 blocks, 5 pike, 10 muskets incl command figs? I did consider basing the grenadiers as groups of 5 figs originally, but took the view I'd be better off having them as a block . Again, I shall rethink this.

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[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Looks 😎

[Techno]

Very nice, again.

Cheers - Phil.

[sunjester]

I'd second the suggestion of The Pikeman's Lament. Great fun to play and simple to learn. They are written for use with single-based figures, but I know people who play successfully with stands, you just need to keep track of casualties in some way. You could use a company stand as a unit and remove it after 12 casualties, or use 3 stands and remove one for every 4 hits, or 6 stands and remove one for every 2 hits, or be really megalomaniac about it and use 12 stands to one Pikeman's Lament unit!    

I also like (but haven't used yet) the idea in PL for tracking your officer's progression. You can run a mini-campaign as you trace your hero's career as a company commander until he achieves promotion ...or dies.

[urbancohort]

Well, what with elections and deluded idiots running around Southwark I haven't had a lot of time to be updating, or indeed actually building the army. Day off at last today so decided to act on a suggestion. After long and careful thought we're into basing No4.

I still like the idea of companies, but started by seperating off the pike. I can now deploy in front, behind the parent company or completely seperately. Likewise most depictions seem to show grenadiers seperating into several units, (platoons?) and positioned in odd places in the battle line. Accordingly I reduced strength to 12, a nearer approximation of the right number, 50, at Sedgemoor using the 1:4 ratio. I then made 3 stands of 4 units. Again, this gives me the freedom to deploy all together or seperately.

I have made the musketeer stands of 10 "private sentinels" incl a sergeant/ NCO, and a seperate command section of ensign, drummer and officer. (These officers do not answer to the 1:4 ratio of course, I just like the look of them). I have also mixed in 6 flintlock figures amongst the matchlocks as in the line regiments there were 24 flintlock equipped soldiers mixed in amongst the rest. When I get to do the guards they are all flintlock equipped.

I have noticed my painting skills improving, thanks to the help and advice of you little lot.

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[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Looks fantastic old app chap!

[toxicpixie]

Tasty! I like that basing idea, I think you should stop now

[urbancohort]

Tasty! I like that basing idea, I think you should stop now

I hope to! I'm not doing this for fun... Well, I am, but I'm sure you know what I mean!

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[d_Guy]

Excellent looking, really like the basing design. This allows a great deal of flexibility.

[Womble67]

Very nice indeed

Take care

Andy

[urbancohort]

Thanks gents. I will finish Kirkes (I have to do 5 more pikes) then rebase Dumbartons.

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[Techno]

Look really good !!

Cheers - Phil.

[toxicpixie]

I hope to! I'm not doing this for fun... Well, I am, but I'm sure you know what I mean!

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We'll hold you to that

Seriously though, very nice.

[urbancohort]

Latest shots. Started basing the regiments. 5 companies, four 'hat'  and one grenadier. All pikes now done and deployable. By accident, this unit, Kirkes Regiment, actually represents a quarter of the number really at Sedgemoor in 1685. I have read the debates and comments re basing and understand them, but to me, this number of painted troops all deployed together looks good. Particularly when the bases will all be done. I am looking forwards to finally seeing an army gathered together although I suspect they will have a rather large frontage!!!

One of the companies has two flags: this  is the colonel with the first company.


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[Womble67]

Very nice indeed

Take care

Andy

[lowlylowlycook]

Yep, they look great, especially the one with the basing done and better lighting.

[paulr]

 

but to me, this number of painted troops all deployed together looks good.

All the reason you need

[Techno]

Very nice, indeed !

Cheers - Phil.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Stormy day as they formed up! Formidable work!

[urbancohort]

Cheers guys. It is the difficulties of taking photos on a smart phone. Move far enough away to see all the units and the flash doesn't work so well!

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