If wishes were fishes..................

 I have always admired wargamers and modellers who could transform a piece of plastic or metal into a beautiful piece of history, making it look either realistic or just a work of art. I know it is all very subjective but most wargamers have a favourite painter or painting style.
 The painters I always wanted to emulate were many and varied. Number one was Peter Gilder, who went for a broad stroke approach. Up close they could look a bit ropey, but when they were put down on the table they came to life. Doug Mason was another painter who added something to every figure he has painted. Best of all he still paints and takes commissions. My longstanding wargames opponent  John Reidy has always had a wonderful painting style, I know he wont thank me for this, but John could always make even a crap figure look good. I still trawl E bay in the faint hope some of the many armies he sold on come up for sale. Not surprisngly they dont.

Mark Allen who doesnt paint figures very often now, was always one I tried to emulate and fail to copy. I always wished Id had the money to buy his collections when he put them up for sale, sadly I was never well enough off. The list just goes on, Barry Hilton, Dave Thomas, Simon Chick and of course Dave Jarvis all could create a wonderful figure out of a piece of lead. Then of course there are the military modellers, number one for me was Shep Payne who created a story with ever figure he painted. I was inspired early on by Madame Desfontainnes whose figures even in the 1960's cost a fortune, sadly she went blind, probably from her painting efforts. I never really bought into the Kevin Dallimore style of painting. Clever yes, but somehow too cartoonish even for me. I was impressed by the paints that were created by Foundry to go with his style of painting. And the reason for this painting post? The figures that are attached. I am currently looking for painting inspiration for my next project, a Polish Renaissance army when I came across the above figure which is for sale on E Bay. Who wouldnt want to own this wonderful work of art, all you need is over £1000 for the one 54mm figure.Why is it I never won the Euro lottery? maybe because I never bought a ticket. But if I did, this painter would be commisioned to paint me a Polish army. Sorry Dave youre sacked!

Then of course if I only won the local lottery I would commision the painter of these Gendarmes to cobble together a modes army. Anyway back to reality.