American Civil War

[MABO]

Nice figures again. I read a lot about the poor men shot by friendly fire in the beginning of the ACW, because of the mixed colour of uniforms on both sides.

[Minuteman]

A very nicely painted and presented Union infantry unit. The mixing of different manufacturers' figures works very well, and the tone of the photographs, with darker shades, creates a somewhat dramatic atmosphere: men in action on an over-cast day, perhaps as night is starting to fall, and with any last bit of daylight being obscured by gun-smoke.

[despertaferro]

Hello ...

The Union bring their heaviest guns into action ...

A few posts ago, I made some cannons that, for being accurate, should be mounted on a circular platform. Chris Dobson rightly mentioned his absence.
I argued its lack for aesthetic reasons. This time I decided to give them a try and I have to say Chris was right.
I may not have fully succeeded in my attempt (please keep in mind that mine is a kind of speed painting aimed to mass production and these are not dioramas but wargame style bases... ) but I think the end result is much more convincing and looks better than the previous one.

Most of the criticisms made about my work are often correct and worth thinking about. Sometimes it’s just a matter of taste, but even then, it helps to question one’s own decisions; which is always a good exercise.
Thank you for your comments. They are a valuable contribution.

Joan

[Peter]

Wow Joan, these look fantastic! And your painting bring them really to live. Nice mix of figures to!

[C M Dodson]

Very nice indeed.

Your pictures always have a really good ‘atmosphere’ invoking the period perfectly to my mind.

Please do not think I am criticising , any comments are merely observations.

Super work.

Best wishes,

Chris

[sberry]

Most of the criticisms made about my work are often correct and worth thinking about. Sometimes it’s just a matter of taste, but even then, it helps to question one’s own decisions; which is always a good exercise.

I have absolutely no idea what I could criticize about these figures and models! I love your style producing this dull & dirty look - which appears utterly realistic to me.

The only critical remark I have concerns the light: Yes, one may regard this as a scene at dawn. But to be honest, I personally would like to see a bit more light in the photos.

[Susofrick]

Agree with Stephan about the light. About the figures? I can almost smell their sweat! Yuck!

[despertaferro]

Hi...

These are some of the most handsomly dressed infantrymen on all my ACW units...
Mostly Speira figures, of course...
I hope you like them!

Joan

[Peter]

Again some wonderfull painted figures! You do them honour!

[C M Dodson]

Beautiful and all ready for 1st Manassass .

There is a fortune on display here but they are fantastic, apart from that weird drum thrower.

Your painting and photography is always a joy.

Best wishes,
Chris

[Bill Slavin]

"Speed painting" ? Only "wargame style" bases"?? Joan, your figures would grace any diorama, but personally I'm really happy they are destined for a wargame table. As for lighting, well, I think your photographs are one of the things I love best about your work. Funny. You would think you were a cameraman or something...
These latest additions are a knock out, super animated and with some great casualty figures. I'd be tossing my drum, too. Like, next time, give me a damn gun!

[despertaferro]

Hi...
I don't know what to say that you don't know anymore ...

Enjoy and thanks for watching.

Joan

[despertaferro]

Well, maybe I forgot something...
These are the Union US Veteran Corps...

[Bluefalchion]

I like the kneeling soldier with the blond beard the best, but they are all great!

[Michael Robert]

Hi Joan Despertaferro

you will never get tired painting your thematic collections... and we never get tired of admiring them.
Lot's of good poses and combinations.
Many greetings
Michael

[Egbert]

Hey Joan,
I really like your little soldiers.
Wonderful collection of your civil war armies.

I

[Susofrick]

As usual you are a master at mixing different sets of figures and make them look if they came from the same box! Love this! No ESCI on the latest pics?

[C M Dodson]

Beautifully painted although I am not sure about the lighter blue on some of them.

You really do put on a show with your excellent work and pictures.

Best wishes,

Chris

[despertaferro]

Hi...

Many thanks for your feed back...!



My dear Gunnar, you surprised me...





I even put the dancing one with the swan neck sweater that you like so much...!!! 



Chris, there you're right...

Some of the images I used as a reference to paint this unit, show them clad on a quite bright light blue color. But probably is just an embellished version of the actual uniforms that likely did look grayer a duller. As usual, I made a mix of different shades to make them less smart and more battlehardened looking, but this particular blue shade comes out too much a make the figures seem too toyish...
I think I'm going to ban this color from the main uniforms and keep it just for small details that need an stronger color shade to be seen.

A pity that I'm already making a Rebel cavalry unit (1st Texas Cavalry) that, because I wanted them looking particulary well and smartly uniformed, had lot of this color used on them... Lets see what happens after washing...



All the best!

Joan 

[despertaferro]

This is all the ACW's stuff I got so far...
I hope you like them.

All the best!

Joan