Showing posts with label Painting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Painting. Show all posts

Friday, February 26, 2021

Painting 18th Century New England Houses

 

For those of you that may buy the historical New England  buildings from "Things from the Basement" and are curious how to paint  them here is some historical information I found.  The following information was from the Ipswich Historical Society web page.   The original article can be found here:   https://historicipswich.org/colors/)


This is a great guide they created to help home owners paint their older homes to stay within the colonial period.  Please consider that this guide is for New England.  Other regions of the colonies and Canada were different both in architecture and style.  Also that this is just a guide and not a definitive end all authority.  I have followed it in my painting for houses for my American Rev War and War of 1812 houses.  I post it here to explain why I did what I did and to help out others.  If you have different or other information please feel free to drop me a line.  I am always interested in learning more.


 COLONIAL AND FEDERAL period from 1640-1840. Paint was used on the three main parts of Colonial and Federal houses exteriors.  These were:

Body: the walls – usually clapboarded or shingled, sometimes boarded.

Trim: the decorative woodwork that framed the large wall surfaces and often the smaller elements such as windows and doors.

Sash: The movable elements – doors, windows, shutters.

Period houses rarely painted trim and sash in different colors and so were generally of two colors only; later styles often had three.



Colonial Period (1640-1780)

Architecture: asymmetry, verticality. 17th-century colors were derived from earth, stone or other natural pigments.

Body: clapboards, originally not painted or stained but weathered to dark brown. 

Trim: Unpainted or painted red/ brown to contrast with unpainted body.


Second Period or Georgian (1725-1780)

These houses favored stronger colors from naturally derived pigments. Colors imitating stone construction were popular exteriors, interiors were bolder and brighter than once thought.

Modest and rural houses often not painted. Strongly contrasted color schemes favored.

Body: dark stone colors, chocolates, orange, ochers, greys and reds.

Trim: Almost always white, but a softer, yellower white than today’s white. Cornices, window and door casings, cornerboards and molded details often simulated stone – pale grey, yellowish-white, very pale blue, sometimes with sand blown into the wet paint.

Doors: always dark color – chocolate, red, green or blue.

Roofs: occasionally red, chocolate or yellow



Federal Period (1780-1830)

Fashionable taste moved away from the more robust Georgian toward lighter colors: white, off-white, pale shades of stony gray, and ochre. Bright, clear tones in interiors, often in contrast with pale trim – creams, pumpkins, sage green, muted blues etc. The 1812 painting guide by Hezekiah Reynolds of CT advised a palette of “white, cream, straw, orange, pea-green, parrot green, grass green, red, slate and black.” Lighter colors were fashionable, but darker ones were still used for more traditional tastes. Contrasts were less marked than on Georgian houses.

Body: White, cream, straw were fashionable, but orange, pea-green, red, slate met more conservative, traditional tastes.

Trim: White, or sometimes the same color as the body. Shutters and doors were dark green or black.

House fronts were sometimes painted in fashionable, lighter (and more expensive) colors, while the back and/or the sides were in the more traditional, and cheaper, reds.

Rural houses were often unpainted until the middle of the 19th century



Saturday, May 9, 2020

A comparison of 25mm American Revolution Miniatures





     Anyone who visits this blog knows I am obsessed with the American Revolution.   Gaming the period, with both board games and miniatures has been a part of my life for too many years.  And during that time I have had three large miniature armies.  My present army has seen me used a number of miniatures.  Not all the figures ranges that are out there but a number of them.  So I thought it might be of interest to show a picture comparison of those figures I use.  Perhaps to help other gamers out there decided which miniatures they will use for their collections.  Please keep in mind that these are my opinions and I would never tell anyone what they have to buy.  Only what I have bought and what I like or do not care for.  I will also show each figure next to each other so gamers may decide what works best for their army.  


Left to right by base  RSM, Eureka, Brigade,
Fife & Drum, Old Glory And Perry Miniatures.



Fife and Drum Miniatures.





My favorite line of miniatures out there.  I have lots of these and the company continues to grow and add new figures.  Again, this is a true labor of love.  Jim is into the period.  If you are familiar with Minden miniatures these are by the same sculpture.  He has also done the figures for Crann Tara miniatures.  These are slim figures with realistic proportions.  Again, the equipment and weapons are in scale.  Jim also is very open to customer suggestions and you just might get that one of a kind figure you wanted. He does British in campaign kit, and has one of the only correct Brigade of Guard's figures out there.  Outstanding Native American Indians.  And the line is still growing!  Super customer service and highly recommended.

Kings Mountain Miniatures.



     King's Mountain Miniatures is a sadly underappreciated and and should be better known.  It is a brilliant line of figures, and extremely flexible.  Most figures have separate heads;  and the owner provides a wide variety of heads and head gear to match.  You want Philadelphia Associators?  You can do it with this range.  Cocked hats, round hats, cousins caps and helmets all available.  The figures are slim and fit in very well with Fife and Drum miniatures.  Best of all these are a true labor of love for the owner.  Bill is a true Rev War enthusiast who commissioned the range to make sure he could the figures he needed.  He is great to do business with and a wonderful individual.  When he found out I was looking for a certain flag he sent me reams of files of flags he had collected over the years to help.  Please take a look at these figures, you will be glad you did!  When I restarted my American Revolution armies these were some of the very first figures I brought. 

http://www.kingsmtminis.com/catalog/


RSM Ltd.

 




     Most 18th century gamers know this company for their Seven Years War range.  Not as well know is their American Revolution line.  Not as extensive as the SYW line the Rev War line has the basics of any army; infantry, cavalry and artillery.  These are slim figures with realistic proportions.  They look like soldiers should look.  Muskets look like the musket I carried in reenactments for years and not oversized clubs.  PLus, they are extremely cost effective.  A bag of 36 infantry cost $29 dollars.  You get a lot of figures for a small amount of money.  For those collecting while on a budget consider this line.  My only negative is that she is starting to show with the molds and sometimes figures are not as detailed as they should be.  Otherwise I highly recommend this line of figures.

http://www.dpcltdcom.org/rsm95_012.htm


Old Glory (second editions).




These are the second edition figures from Old Glory.  Far superior to the original line of figures done years ago.  These are also sold in very economical battalion packs.  Add a sold glory discount card and it's hard not but these figures.  A little taller and more robust then Fife and Drum they are a little smaller then Perry miniatures size wise.  Standards are cast into the figure which is a drawback to me.

Eureka Miniatures.




    Another not familiar range of miniatures which deserves better publicity.  Eureka make some great fugures, and figures you cannot find anywhere else.  I bought the figure range they did for the 14th Continental Regiment (Glover's Marblehead regiment).  A brilliant range with plenty of personality.  There is also a line of "Ragged  Continental " who look, well ragged.  Great and useful fugures.  These created a different regiment then we usually see on the table too.  Certainly not neat parade ground soldiers but hardened men.  

Order within the United States:
https://eurekaminusa.com

Home of Eureka miniatures:
http://eurekamin.com.au

Brigade Games.






     A very new line of figures.  I picked them up because they are the only figure line out there with figures wearing the correct 1775 Bounty Coat.  I felt a couple regiments with mixed bounty coats and regimental coats would look great. These are a very nice group of figures which adds to any army. The variety of clothing and uniforms adds to any regiments appearance.  

 I have not bought any of the British (they wear the regulation uniform ) and the Hessians have not been released yet.  Some of the figures in civilian clothing look a little pirate like, to me as earlier period clothing rather then 1770's. And unlike many of the other figure lines you need to spend some time cleaning up each figure before painting.


Perry Miniatures and Wargames Foundry.






Possibly the most widely used figure for this time period.  They are available in both plastic and metal castings.  They have almost every type of uniform or clothing and also make unusual uniforms like the Volunteers of Ireland.  All are done by the talented Perry Brothers who also did the line for Wargames Foundry.  Because of this and because the two lines compliment each other I have included them together.   Again a little taller and better fed them many of the other ranges.  But on the table top they all work together and your eye makes adjustments.  I would not mix these with other figures in the same regiment. 





Friday, December 6, 2019

The painting queue



  Things have been a bit quiet here.  What with Thanksgiving and planning our holiday vacation and the first big snow storm of the year I have not had time for any painting.  But I took some time out from the schedule and got a few figures ready for the paint brush.



  First off is a nice vignette from the Perry Brothers.  It is a American camp scene with a camp follower preparing a meal while a soldier fetches water.  In addition a few veterans sit around ( one getting his hair dressed) smoking and setting things right with the world.  I am going to paint the figures as American Continental line infantry.




  Next I felt I needed more elite troops for Lord Cornwallis'  Division.  So I am adding a additional light Infantry and Grenadier battalion. These figures are from Fife and Drum miniatures.  And most beautiful figures they are!

  First off they are lightly tacked into popsicle sticks. Next they will be given a coat of black gesso as a primer. Once dried they will be dry brushed white.  I find this gives a nice shades appearance to my figures.  Once painted the black gives nice shadows while the white highlights gives the appearance of faded material.  This is not for everyone but it works for me.

Monday, November 5, 2018

13th Continental Regiment, part 2



After rushing and posting my pictures of the 13th on line I received a email from an friend.  He pointed out that there was a reference to the 13th wearing brown faced buff coats.  In addition I found a reference in Richardson's Standards and Colors of the American Revolution that the 13th had a regimental color.



   So, what to do!  Naturally this is the type of thing which would only bother myself.  So I have very carefully repainted the coats with buff facings.  A pain in the neck job but one I am very satisfied with.

   Now, as to the regimental colors.  Washington's advice for how colors should be for 1776 regiments suggested a regimental color in the facing color of the regiment paired with a Grand Union flag.   I have two different companies who make flags  kind enough to assist me with this So I will follow Washington's suggestion.  Once I get the correct flag I will post it.

So, here is my reconstruction of the 13th incorporating the better reference materials supplied.  In this hobby of ours we need only please ourselves. But I do like to try and get things right.

Sunday, August 19, 2018

On the painting table



  I have a number of half finished projects on the painting table.  I guess that is a common occurrence among wargamers. While I have kept up a steady progress of painting I have run out of flags and bases to finish a number of regiments.  Perhaps I should switch to regiments that do not need colors or bases and I would be alright!  Si, here are my not ready for prime time regiments.

The 19th Continental Regiment are Tom RSM miniatures.




  And the 14th Continental Regiment from Eureka miniatures.



     Painting right now is the British 41st Regiment of Foot 1814.  Slow going I have only 8 of the 24 figure done.  Also on the deck are 24 British flank company figures to represent Light and Grenadier companies.




Finaly, I have some Rev War British Light Infantry primed.

Monday, August 6, 2018

1776 Project update


1776 Army Organization:
  My American army for 1776 is marching along very nicely. I made a error in the uniforms of the 13th Continental Regiment concerning their facings and regimental color.  I will be posting a correction about this in another post soon and how I corrected it.

   Both Glover's and McDonald's brigades are near completion. I have a single battalion to finnish for McDougall (19th Continental Regiment), and two battalions (14th and 26th Continental Regiment) and a command figure for General Glover.   Lincoln's militia brigade needs a single battalion and command stand.  Alexander Hamilton's Artillery will be represented by two guns and eight crew.  Uniform will be blue coats faced buff.

Here is my order of battle.  Units not yet started or finished are in italic

Alexander McDougall's brigade :
 3rd New York Regiment, (blue faced green coats blue vest)
19th Continental Regiment (drab coats faced blue)
William Smallwood's Maryland Regiment (hunting shirts and red coats)
1st New York Regiment  (blue faced green, green vests)

Glover's Brigade:
3rd Continental Regiment (brown faced red)
13th Continental Regiment (brown faced buff)
14th Continental Regiment ( drab faced red and sailor clothing)
26th Continental Regiment (brown faced buff with Light blue vests)

Lincoln 's Militia Brigade:
Brook's MA militia bn.
Graham's MA militia bn.
MA Militia bn.
MA Militia bn.

Divisional troops:
Hamilton's Artillery (blue coats faced buff, buff small clothes)

Hessian:
   So far my lone Hessian regiment has been  the Regiment von Bose.  No longer.  Next up will be the Rall Grenadier regiment and the Fusilier regiments Lossberg and Knyphausen and a small nine figure group of Jager's for my southern armies.  This will give me a nice four battalion table top command and let me re fight Trenton and White Plains in the future.  Figures are from Fife and Drum miniatures.

British:
  How can you not have a Rev War army and not have  Grenadier and Light Infantry battalions in your British armies!  So a Grenadier and Light Infantry battalion are also in the painting line. Grenadier are wearing their unique head gear while the Light Bob's are in roundabout jackets and slouched hats.  Also from Fife and Drum.  Oh, and more Royal Artillery in a two gun right figure battery.  Just because I could that's why!





Monday, July 2, 2018

Painting Totals 2018



  I have been painting a lot this year.  Some of my figures have come out very good, others just ok.  Since we are at the half way mark through the year I thought I would add up my total figures painted. Civilian figures and farm animals are not included. 
 
 I was a bit surprised at what I have done so far.



American Rev War:
12 Militia Horse
24 Rifle men rev war
30  Smallwood's Maryland
30 Continental line infantry (1st NY)
30 Continental line infantry (3rdNy)
30 Continental line infantry (13th Continental regiment)
30 Continental line infantry (19h Continental regiment)
1  Brigadier




War of 1812:
6 New York militia hussars
24 Militia war of 1812
24 US regulars war of 1812





WAS/SYW:
2 French cannon
8 French gunners
12 French fusiliers
12 French Cavalry

Totals:
242 x  Infantry
31 x Cavalry
2 x Cannon

My plans for the remainder of the year?

  In Rev War I will be adding five more continental line regiments and a militia regiment.   I will be  doing a two gun battery  representing Hamilton's New York  Artillery regiment.   Then I am pretty much done with my American 1776 army.    I would like to add Colonel Rall's brigade of the Rall, Lossberg and Knypausen Hessian regiments if I can afford the miniatures.  For July 4th I am planning a parade of my American Rev War collection. 

In War of 1812 the 41st Regiment of foot and some British flank companies need to be primed and placed in the painting line.  I also have a headquarters group of American officers to do.  It would make a very nice display item. 

I have another French Cavalry Regiment to complete in my mid eighteenth century French army that is half way done;  but for  some reason I just cannot get them done.  After that I am not sure where that project will be going.  I love the figures and they are my most colorful army.  But I just cannot muster the enthusiasm to paint a another army to fight them.  It is possible I may sell or trade them but I can not make up my mind.  We will see.




Friday, December 29, 2017

I was a painting fool!



  Looking back on 2017 I found this to be the year of massive painting.    I should not be surprised about this as I had replenish my supplies of paint and brushes with some very large purchases.  I was also very motivated by the time periods and the figures themselves to pick up brushes and paint.  I found I like to paint certain figures but not others.  Perry miniatures are a chore for me to paint. Very time consuming.   Fife and Drum, Crann Tara, RSM and Knuckleduster miniatures are a joy.  Not judging the miniatures, but what fits my painting style.


  But still the amounts done are surprising to me.  Best of all I now have good sized armies for American Rev War and War of 1812 ready to go for next year.  I might add a few new regiments.  Ok, who am I kidding here;  with all my favorite miniature companies adding new must have figures I will be adding a few new regiments.   I do have a number of scenarios and small campaigns written for games for next year.  Perhaps this will be the phase of my gaming life I play more then I paint.   I have also starting reviewing my terrain to see what I need and what I want to improve.  Redoing my basing for woods, adding more fence, a Crimean War and eighteenth century camps and other terrain pieces would be nice.  I have also started playing with paper buildings.  There are a interesting variety out there and very cost effective.  After all we play table top miniature games because of the visual appeal!





War of 1812 armies.
Command figures. 4
Royal artillery gunners.   12 figures
American gunners. 6 figures
1st regiment. 24 figures
8th regiment. 24 figured
100th regiment. 24 figures
Incorporated militia regiment. 24 figures
Glengary light infantry regiment. 24 figures
Lincoln militia. 24 figured
1st American rifle regiment. 24 figures
Indians. 24 figures
Niagara Dragoon.   6 figures
19th light Dragoon.  6 figures
1st American Dragoon. 6 figures
Royal marine rocket battery. 4 figures
89th regiment. 24 figures
Upper Canadian militia regiment. 24 figures
49th regiment. 24 figures

286 Infantry
   22 cavalry




American Rev War
Mounted command figures. 4 figures
New York volunteers. 30 figures
Volunteers of Ireland. 30 figures
British legion cavalry. 30 figures
British legion infantry. 30 figures
Royal artillery grasshopper. 4 crew
Regiment von Bose. 30 figures
3 Regiments Of militia. 90 figures
Hunting shirt regiment. 30 figures
3rd light Dragoon. 10 figures
Lee's legion cavalry. 10 figures
Mounted militia. 6 figures
17th Light Dragoons. 6 figures
State regiment. 30 figures

300 Infantry
 36  cavalry or command figures


WAS/SYW   
Dillon. 24 figures
Clare. 24 figures
Royal Ecossais. 24 figures
Orleans. 24 figures
Tournaisis. 24 figures
Saintonge. 24 figures

144 infantry



Total number of painted figures for 2017
730 Infantry
  58 Cavalry