Horses and riders!

[henjed]

Bit of a daft question, based upon the fact that I've never had to paint cavalry before where the horses and riders are separate (my first foray into 20mm Napoleonics):

Do you glue the rider in before or after painting? Which method makes it easier to paint the necessary details on saddle,&c., areas and/or is easier/quicker overall.

[fred.]

Painting separately certainly gives you most access to areas to paint that may be masked when assembled. 

But there are a couple of downsides, firstly is working out how to hold the riders to paint them. Secondly you will end up painting some areas that won't be visible when assembled. 

Which takes longer, I'm not sure, as the first method likely has more corrections needed, but on the second you are going to paint more bits (though they may be quicker to paint). 

[jimduncanuk]

If it is block painting followed by a wash then glue the riders on first.

If it is layered painting including dry-brushing then paint the horse separately followed by painting the riders bottom half held by the top half, varnish, glue to horse then paint the top half of the rider.

[henjed]

Hmmm... yes, I can see what you mean about potential equal length of time to paint, what with the need possibly to touch up areas that are untidy if you've painted them glued together.

Is a happy compromise to paint the horse and then to glue on the unpainted rider and paint him in situ? Best - or worst? - of both worlds...

[henjed]

Aha, another response - I layer, so perhaps my compromise will work.

I have to say, notwithstanding having painted quite a lot of horses in 10mm and 6mm, the need to paint just 30-odd horses in 20mm is bizarrely intimidating.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Paint horses, glue on riders, paint riders, sort out mistakes on both at end is my preferred method.

[henjed]

Thanks, chaps - all very helpful.  Wish me luck!

[sultanbev]

I always stick the rider on, the paint from the horse upwards.

If painting separately, you are gluing paint to paint rather than plastic to plastic or metal to metal, thus creating a weaker bond.

[henjed]

Good point - thanks!