My reference to ‘old school’ is not of the Charles Grant style but the Peter Gilder era and his Connoisseur range of figures back in the late 80s and 90s. It also refers to a particular style of painting not much used today. I’m referring to ‘black lining’ and gloss varnish. This is a style I admired at the time and thought it worked well on Connoisseur Figures.
It's not to everyones taste but as I had the figures I thought I'd give them a go.
First up is 2 Napoleonic British Light Dragoon Officers which I found in a box of Sedgemoor figures. As it was unpainted I decided to give it the ‘old school’ treatment. Spray Matt white, paint with Humbrol enamels, black line (which takes an age, needs a keen eye and a steady hand) then Gloss varnish.
1st Fig
2nd Fig
Now this is not my usual style of painting. I just wanted to paint it ‘old school’ for the Hell of it!
I frequently visit a site called ‘Unfashionably Shiny’ (http://unfashionablyshiny.blogspot.com/) where figures of this style prevail and I get a trip down memory lane.
This style of painting I copied from the talented painter and terrain maker Phil Robinson (Hull.) His work adorned numerous copies of Miniature Wargames and early Wargames Illustreated back in the 80s and 90s.Next a French mounted infantry officer painted the same way.
The next batch of Gilder figs are painted without the black lining and gloss varnish. I used acrylics except for the brown horses.
Napoleon
Murat
Lastly the Connoisseur British (RHA) limber team. This was sitting around in my castings box for years. Bought it when Dave Thomas carried Connoisseur around the shows – long before Foundry and Perry’s.
That’s my brief trip down memory lane. Here is a few extre pics of the above:
I may revisit the 'old school' but that's it for now.
Next up and ECW mortar and crew.
