Zvezda Napoleonic mini sets

[Kekso]

This is the topic where I will post painted Zvezda Napoleonic mini sets. I'm starting with Russian Line Infantry:

First of all, these figures are exquisite in details but somehow I find they're lacking of "soul". They'are suitable for collectors and wargamers but I can't see them on diorama or vignette.

[Emperor]

Great painted... Their poses are little static, but they look fine... Where did you got the tall grass...

[Kekso]

Thanks... Grass is from Noch

[k.b.]

I fully understand what you mean about the figures lacking 'soul' but to be fair i think we, the painters, have to bring these figures 'to life' with our paintbrushes.

Your painting is very precise but i think with just a bit more work on each figure then the soul you wish them to have will appear.

Firstly i would vary the colour of the moustaches a little, various browns but also blond will add variety and individuality to each figure. You also need to add a mid tone if not a highlight to their groucho marx looking moustaches.

Afterwhich, if you were to run a very thin black wash over the trousers it will add depth by running into the creases/folds and the sculptors beautiful sculpture ends up helping you to breath increasingly more life into your soldiers.

[Kekso]

Hi k.b. First of all, thank you for your comments.

Firstly i would vary the color of the mustaches a little... You also need to add a mid tone if not a highlight

You have some point with that. Well, if there are more than 6 figures I would certainly reconsider this. But also I'm a bit lazy person so I wouldn't bother with minor detail like that. Especially highlights on mustaches... I wouldn't do them in this scale for sure

if you were to run a very thin black wash

This is a problem of my photography not my painting style. This is basically how I paint my figures http://bennosfiguresforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=16004. So, I did it with Russians as well. That means I used wash and I painted highlights but than can't be seen due to my poor photo skills. Creases are nicely visible in real life.

[MikeRC97]

Great painting Kesko.

I completely agree with your assesment of this set, they are very lifeless. To me they look like they are on the parade ground not in battle. I have this set and the older Grenadiers big box and I much prefer the latter.

I am hoping Hat eventually converts their 1/32 Russian line infantry to 1/72.

[Emperor]

@K.B details get lost in big scenes...I for example like big scenes with dynamic and so... Also Shepard Paine wrote that you need to paint only such amount of details that are visible from distance of 12' to naked eye... He said that figures don't need to be painted up to every detail, only those details that are visible from that distance...I will find what he wrote exactly...

[vellek]

Bravo Dalibor! These are exquisitely painted but I don't think any amount of detail will change their ramrod-straight backs and locked knees. Agreed that they lack a certain something that their brethren in the big box have plenty of.

Well done on the groundwork, too.

[Beano Boy]

Forget about detail. What is missing is the other 35 figures that used to be in a boxed set from Zvezda. I call these Zvezda Suicide Sets, Because like myself ,others interested in building up entire armies will not buy them. So this Company has lost lots of world wide trade.

Dalibor , as far as I am concerned, full marks for the painting. I could never match such a standard. Also the way you use your camera is Real Cool. Always good to view your work. BB

[Kekso]

I call these Zvezda Suicide Sets

This is so funny but so true at the same time
Thanks Paul

[ADM]

Superb work !
I stockpiled quite a lot of them, awaiting to be painted, the details are great !

[davbenbak1]

You did a great job of bringing out the detail on these models. I am currently working on the Zvezda French Dragoon Command set and find that the detail, while present, is very shallow. This makes it hard to follow with a brush and not much for highlights and washes to "grab on to". I am almost tempted to score them a little deeper with a hobby knife but am not in the mood to go to that much trouble.

As far as "having no soul", they definitely have the feel of a game piece (like from a board game like Risk) or toy. I found that the assembly was pretty basic especially when compared to other Zvezda kits like the Macedonian Phalanx.

Again, you did a great job with these. My thought was to use the command groups to supplement box sets increasing the numbers of units per box since they usually only contain one command pose each.

[Emperor]

Great figs...

[panzerman]

Great paint job on these Nappys. The detail painting is very well done...especially on the straps and soldier's kit.
Bill.

[Bramble15]

I am not one to worry too much about the accuracy or pose quality all that much so I cannot comment. What I do like is well painted figures and you have hit that one! Your white is very well done. In my opinion.

[Peter]

You did a great job on these Dali!