Developing the love of two

French 9e cuirassiers at two scales.

A few comments on my recent 'update' post lead me to check when I first purchased some 2 mm figures. It was back in the mid-2000s. I think that I was looking at Irregular Miniature's website and happened to click on the 2 mm section. "What a marvellous idea", I thought. Wouldn't it be fun to set up a wargame at such a small scale, perhaps even on the tray at the back of an aeroplane seat?!

So, I duly ordered a few figures (French and Austrian army packs) to see them up close and what I could make of them. I liked them immediately. I was astounded at the amount of detail on something so small and also the huge scope for interpretation and adaptability of the figures. 

Some photos below taken by my non-wargaming, but camera savvy friend Chris G. showing how amazing these little fellas are.

Photos to illustrate that they can look like something (c/-  Chris G.; finger and pencil for scale).

A couple of years or so later I had sufficient figures painted, or somewhat painted, to try out a game. I had found a free set called "2 by 2 Napoleonics" on the web and Stephen N. was interested (crazy) enough to have a go.

Below are some low-resolution photos of the first try with 2 x 2 Napoleonics in May 2008. You'll see from the photos and those that follow (all c/- Stephen) that I was using the bases 'as was', stuck in my paradigm of battalion/regimental scale.

First game of 2 by 2 Napoleonics

Fiddly to handle as single playing pieces.

Despite the fiddliness, we both had a bit of fun and so were prepared to try them again. Two more games followed, in June 2008 and April 2009. I had added a bit more terrain and a few more figures as we went along. We adapted and adjusted the rules to try to make them work better but, in the end, decided that they were not up to scratch. There was a pause in the 2 mm 'experiment'.

Second game of 2 by 2 Napoleonics; now with felt roads, fields and rivers!

Still using single playing pieces.

Third game, now on felt mat.

Further thinking, discussions and exposure to Baccus' Polemos rules (ostensibly for 6 mm figures) brought me to basing as a regiment, brigade or division, which I duly did. Other projects and activities took precedence, so the 2 mm figures remained incomplete, with only a few French ready for use.

Below are some photos of my completed French in 2011 based as larger formations.

The French re-based ostensibly as regiments, but easily scaled to brigades or divisions.

Left to right: two line infantry regiments and a légère to right

Left to right: the two line infantry regiments and légère with artillery battery and limbers to right

Left to right: those 9e cuirassiers again, Polish Guard lancers, then line chasseurs.

Left to right: the Polish Guard lancers and line chasseurs once more with 5e hussars at right.

Advance another few years and they are back, 'bigger' than ever, as part of my desire to work at multiple scales, hopefully 'concurrently'. I have a sizeable Austrian force in my painting sights and, once they are done, there are some part-completed French to add to that force. I am flexible in how I consider my bases (regiments, brigades or divisions) for painting any little details/colour on the figures. The scale affords plenty of latitude!

Progress various

Early Austrians in 1/72 and a more generic version in 2 mm scale are the figures currently getting attention from the brushes chez moi. I recently moved proceedings inside the house as night-time temps have been consistently just a few degrees (celsius, of course).

It has been kinder steps with these Austrians, but they are coming along.

It has turned d@mned cold lately, it don't get much lower here.

Now that I have completed faces, packs and muskets on the above 216 infantry (and a bit more on their 2 mm counterparts), I am ready to move to the facings, white uniforms and white/blue trousers (a couple of Hungarian regts being amongst them), so will also pick up on the early French that have been waiting patiently for some months!

Early French, patiently waiting their turn for some more colour.

The next four of my '21 Napoleons' are a bit more advanced and will be progressed to completion, with guides and consular guard in tow.

Consular Guard, Guides de Bonaparte and three of my next 21 Napoleons.

Closer look at four of my next 21 Napoleons, which are a bit more advanced.

I also have some figures for later years of the Napoleonic era that will get additions when I have some of an appropriate colour paint dispensed that I want to use up.

French infantry in greatcoats and hats for 1805 (although they likely only had 'liberated' Austrian greatcoats then) to 1807.

Oudinot 'grenadiers' of 1805–07 (infanterie légère).

Oudinot 'grenadiers' of 1805–07 (infanterie de ligne).

Russian infantry of 1805–07.

French dismounted dragoons, chiefly for 1805–07 (although may get a 'run' in the Peninsula).

Assorted, including more Oudinot 'grenadiers' (infanterie de ligne).

Vistula legion, all four 'regiments'.

French infantry in greatcoats and shakos for 1808—15.

At the other end of the production line: more early Austrians in kasketts and figures for future vignettes/command stands for my 21 Napoleons.

We had rain and cloudy days before it cleared up and turned *freezing*, leading to a recent glorius pre-sunrise (above) and sunset (below).

Napoleon 200 2021: vingt-et-un Napoleons (1) La Mort de Napoleon

For some time I have had in mind to produce a range of representations of Napoleon, some as command bases and others as vignettes. Since we are in 2021, the very last of the Napoleonic bicentennial years, I have the impetus to make it happen.

Each of my representations will be based on or inspired by a famous painting.

On this two hundredth anniversary of the death of the Great Man, I have begun at the end with La Mort de Napoleon. This is inspired by the painting by Jean-Baptiste Mauzaisse of Napoleon on his death-bed, one hour before his burial.

Napoleon sur son lit de mort une heure avant son ensevelissement, by Jean-Baptiste Mauzaisse

My version of same.

I am not much of a modeller, but enjoy 'having a go' with the materials that I have to hand. In this case Napoleon's upper body, head and arms are from a Strelets figure (nominally of Joseph, but which, naturally, can easily be either he or Napoleon) while his legs I made from Das modelling clay. Marchand was created using one of the figures from the Imex Stagecoach set and the priest using the body of the lady from the same set (Das clay making up the rest of both of them). The bed was a matchstick and cardboard frame with liberal addition of Das clay.

I am happy enough with how it turned out—although my version of Marchand looks like he belongs on the set of Saturday Night Fever! I considered adding a frame and canopy to the bed, but was not sure how I would do it (and was worried how it might look), plus it meant extra effort for not much benefit and likely detraction. In the end I was swayed by a simpler version which better matched the painting.

So, that's one down and twenty to go.

The next twenty will be in a chronological order, beginning with 1796. Some years will get multiple representations while others won't have any. I want to get them all done this year and with 34 weeks remaining, I can't muck around.

I am pretty confident that I'll get them done as the next three are well underway and four of the later ones are completed or very nearly so.

The next three Napoleons 3/4 done

 

Once completed these representations will be invaluable for my long-term focus on the quasquibicentennial / vigbicentennial (225th and 220th anniversaries) of campaigns from 1796 to 1815, which began this year.

Sites of interest

1. The wonderful website of the Foundation Napoleon (napoleon.org) has a page entitled La Mort de Napoleon that is packed with links to articles and images (including the painting above).

They also have numerous events and articles for 2021 Année Napoléon.

2. Shannon Selin's blog on her website 'Imaging the bounds of history' is packed with thoughtfully produced articles about the Napoleonic era. I cannot recommend it too highly.

Her 'back catalogue' features several posts related to Napoleon's death including:

What were Napoleon’s last words?

How was Napoleon’s death reported?

What happened to Napoleon’s body?

Another chip or two

A few more kinder steps with these early French.

 

 

The brown that began with Ottoman Deli cavalry carried on to adding backpacks and musket wood to these before it took me to First World War German infantry!

Paintertainment

A musing post and, if I am honest, another 'filler' while I progress my early Russians and Grenzer sufficiently to be able to do a post about them. Hopefully this is not too self-indulgent.

The subject of this post was in-part sparked by a long and enjoyable conversation with John from the Serpentine group, during which I asked him, "What is your entertainment when painting?"

Do you listen to music, watch TV, watch DVDs, listen to podcasts, listen to audiobooks, sit in the room with what is being watched by family or 'better-half' playing in the background, or perhaps sit in peace and quiet and focus on the job at hand?

Being joined by my good friends is part of the joy and relaxation of painting in my wargaming room/shed.

Sometimes proceedings are interrupted as the young one has decided that a bit of play-fighting is in order!

Me?

My most preferred is to 'watch' (i.e. predominantly listen to) history documentaries that I have saved on my computer. They need not be of the era of the figures that I am painting. In fact, I find that those from periods other than my 'special subject' (Napoleonics) are preferable as, since I know less about them, I am not as likely to be annoyed by the generalisations that are included in productions for the mass audience.

Second to that are podcasts: history ones or Roy and HG and/or music. If the latter, usually something nice and loud and raucous.

The podcast of the latest show of Roy and HG's "Just short of a length" was part of my paintertainment today.
Note the painting of my 'girlfriend' in the background. She's still gorgeous at 243 years!


So, what is your 'poison'. I'd be interested to know.

Now that I have completed my little side show of the 1/32 WWII that I wanted to finish, I'll be focussing on these Russian infantry (1805–07) and Austrian grenzer, with some Vistula legion (and their talisman) thrown in.