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Monday, 13 March 2023

Grenz - advancing.

Back in August (post 22/08/22) I cast some of the advancing Grenz figures - I have finally got around to painting up a unit.


The figures are individually based so they can be used either as a close order unit as shown or singularly as skirmishers.


The rank and file and drummer are from the new mould, and the officer and standard bearer from the Hungarian moulds, which are close enough - I gave the officer a musket as it looks better when skirmishing (I think it is from the Russian officer).


I also painted up a couple of spare figures to replace the standard bearer and drummer when used as skirmishers. One of these was an NCO using the Hungarian NCO, again with a musket; however the coat tails are way too long, so he will probably stay in the box.

On the 40mm semi-flats figures I generally stick with block painting and don't use any washes or highlighting. The exception to this is a localised wash of Winsor and Newton 'Peat Brown' ink on the hands and faces to bring out the detail, I do this after a first coat of spray gloss varnish so that it does not stain, then tidy up with flesh prior to a final brushed gloss coat of Tamiya clear gloss.

On these I also dry brushed the hats a little to bring out the texture. Initially I dry brushed white which looked way to harsh, so I went over it with a dry brush in black - so I suppose it is like doing it in grey. On the subject of heads, I struggled getting decent castings in my 'scrap metal', so these are mostly cast in model metal (the bodies are about 50/50).

12 comments:

  1. Well done. Did you use Winsor & Newton "Drawing Ink" for the washes? Do you dilute it or use at as it is?

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    1. Yes, I use W&N Peat Brown drawing ink - I am sure there are plenty of other more modern options out there, but it is what I have always used and see no reason to change.
      I dilute it, but not very precisely, I dip the brush in clean water, then in the ink, then swish it around in the bottle top - so really trial and error.

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    2. Thanks. Very helpful.

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  2. Stefan Wegmueller15 March 2023 at 14:47

    I envy you Steve for the Grenzers. I love these a little exotic and colorful uniforms and you bring out the best of the moulds with this typical lovely toy soldier style. I must first finish a unit of prussians frei-infantery before I can start with a grenz regiment. I had the same "problem" of the missing grenz NCO and have converted the same figure you have used and made a mould with silicone. If you wish, I send you some figures. You find me on facebook with the name written above - live in Murten.

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    1. Stefan - thanks for the offer, however I am not likely to cast many other Grenz, so will not need any more NCOs.

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  3. Very flashy looking Grenxer (not in the casting sense of flash!).

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    1. Why were SYW light troops some of the most colourful?

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  4. Looking good Steve…
    A nice colourful unit.

    All the best. Aly

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