Hi Guys

A Big Hello To Everyone

Getting back into the hobby after a long time absence, I used to paint for Richard Almond of Almond Sculptures back in the day, some of my figures were used as a colour guide on the kits.

Glad to be back, hope to make new friends along the journey


Kind Regards

Nick

Welcome back Nick, hope to see some of your work on here.
Cheers
Steve

Welcome to the Planet Nick. I did a few Almond Miniatures back then, so I would have seen your work for sure. Stick around mate, it's fun on here

Phil

Fantastic guys thank you so much for the very warm welcome, I'm amazed at how much the hobby has moved on in terms of products painting mediums and styles, truly incredible....thanks again for the very warm welcome

Welcome on board Nick

Like Phil (and many others on here I'm sure) I painted some of Richard's work when it was first around so I remember your colour guides well.
Cheers
Paul

I'm just starting work on Von Werner one of Richards figures. My wife has been pestering me to paint it for years.

Richard was a huge loss to the hobby, the artwork was always on a par with poste militaire so l am sure you will be a big asset to the forum...welcome back to this wonderful hobby.

Keith

Welcome Nick, look forward to seeing you get up and running again.

Thank You Guys

Keith I totally agree with you about the loss of Richard Almond, we became good friends in the time we worked together, it took the wind out of my sails for quite a while.

Now I am retired, I have plenty of time to get back into the hobby...I have to say Im amazed at the talent that exists within this hobby and look forward to seeing the various members work in the forum

Welcome Nick - pleased to meet you & looking forward to seeing some of your work on here.

Chris O.

Welcome back to the hobby and to PF Nick. I have several Almond Sculptures in my Grey Army, and it is nice to know who did the excellent artwork on them.

I haven't touched these figures until I felt confident that my painting was reasonably up to scratch. However, earlier this week I scraped off the flash lines on the Compagnie Franches de la Marine and what marvellous quality it is. Very little work to do on it. Now about to prime it, and hopefully do it justice.

Regards
Chris

Welcome
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Thank you everyone, Im literally starting from Scratch, so forgive me if I don't post for a while theres a lot to take in, Im really hoping I haven't lost my ability


Kind Regards

Nick

Nick, you will soon find your mojo again. Just need to scrape the rust off it, and you'll be back at it sharpish. I had 14 years out of the hobby and my first attempts on returning were poor, but I am now painting better than I ever did, and that is due in no small measure to being part of this forum.

Phil

Thanks Phil for the very kind words it is much appreciated....... I can see what a great bunch of guys you all are....thanks again


Nick

Hi Nick,
Some time after Richard Almond died I contacted his widow who was selling off his remaining stock to ask about the availability of the mounted Sioux. She did not have one but managed to put one together from stock parts and I believe some new castings. I have always felt this was above and beyond the expected. She said a friend of Richard helped with assembling the order. Wasn't you was it?

Cheers
Bill

Hi Bill

No Bill it wasn't me, I had lost my passion for painting about a year before richard died, I dabbled in and out for a while painting the odd one or two figures, some for private collectors and painted a collection of figures for Franklin Mint as a guide for their painters to work from, sadly the demands of work commitments and buying my first home meant things were on hold as I had no spare cash.

I have fond memories of how I met Richard for the first time, totally out of the blue I rang him at his workshop in Margate, I explained I was a painter and would he be interested in having a look at my work, he seemed very keen so off I went and from the first time we met we got on like a house on fire, he showed me around the workshop and the casting process and his work bench along with figures he was working on, out of the blue he asked if I would paint some for him.....thinking it might just be one....no..... he gave me six, I was blown away...all to be ready for the BMSS show in Wandsworth in the 80's....

Richard was a Biker and sadly it was at a Motocross event where he suffered a fatal asthma attack, even with the help of a surgeon from the crowd they couldn't save him, so Im told, not many realise he used to be a sculptor for the Queens jewellers GARRARD back in the day and the quality showed I think.....outstanding work from a truly exceptional and talented man and friend.

Many years have passed and with retirement my wife mentioned that I should start painting figures again...... but this time for me.......so here I am at the start of a new journey new things to learn and new friends to make...on this forum

Thanks for reading

Nick

Thanks for sharing the story with us here, Nick. Memories like that breathe life into, & add substance to our hobby.

Nice to meet you to Carl

Sorry for the late reply