A Large Dollop of Nostalgia.

I have deliberately not posted since I returned from my holiday until I had something to write about. Well actually that's not strictly true because I could have posted about several wargames related things but they would have probably pissed someone off somewhere, as is my wont. Anyway I digress as usual.
 I have been looking for a new challenge ie. project and after a long think and such I finally decided on what I wanted to collect and paint next. I get a bit sniffy about words like 'project' and also announcements re such things because if one then fails to carry it through it basically makes a mockery of posting such things.
 I basically wanted several things from my next painting project. It needed to be of historical interest to both me and John. It had to be doable. It also needed to have a set of wargames rules that I was happy with. More importantly it needed to be relatively cheap to complete and also be a pleasure to paint. Lets be right whats the point if there is no enjoyment in painting the figures.
 So after being inspired by a wargamer who had just completed two English Civil Wars armies made up of Hinchliffe castings I got thinking about such a project. [I apologise for forgetting the blog, it was a wonderful achievement and deserves recognition.]
 Ian Hinds was advertising a 25% reduction on Hinchliffe castings which are already pretty good value. I was always envious of John's wonderful Civil Wars armies that he painted back in the 1980's and of course the figures had been created by Peter Gilder.
 Anyway I got down to the project....
 I have now watched my Cromwell dvd to get a feel of the period. I have purchased another copy of Philip Haythornwaite's generic ECW book and I have set to it. To offset any would be detractor of my extensive research I would like to stress that my intention is to create two English Civil Wars armies, a la Hollywood.
 So its going to be uniform regiments, bright colours and of course my favourite civil war regiments.Additionally I want to make these armies glossy. I cant replicate Gilder's of John's wonderful armies simply because I dont have their ability and also I no longer use enamels and oils.  But I will give it my best shot.

 Of course I had to start with the iconic Connoisseur figures, 'Rupert's Charge.' When Gilder created these figures and they appeared in the wargames magazinesall those years ago I was blown away by their beauty. I knew I had to have them again. I'm not totally happy with they way they came out but I did find it difficult to get the effect I am wanting. Perhaps I should have started with a more mundane regiment. Anyway I am now painting Haselrigges lobsters so hopefully they will turn out better. Still I have a start. 

  Invariably I start by painting a few generals. I find it gets me into the groove. Naturally I had to paint Rupert and 'Boy' his dog.So we have a start, lets hope I can fulfill my ambition.