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Hi , I have just finished my 1st projects, and would appreciate truthful reviews both positive and negative.

My first to arrive was the Coldstream Guards defending Hougoumont by Mitches models, then 5 days later the 5th Dragoon Guards bust arrived from Model Cellar. I had just finishd the base of hougomont and using some real fragments of brick from hougoumont that I collected during a visit to Waterloo 15 years ago. So just the soldiers to paint I decided to work on both models at the same time.

I am fairly pleased with the result, but definately have loads of improving to do. I also hit a few snags along the way. I ordered winsor & newton series 7 brush size 1 and size 000. The size 1 went out of shape and fluggy after the 1st use and the size 000 never arrived. So I really struggled on the finer details like eyes. I also struggled with Matt varnish that looked more like a satin finish.

However, I really had great fun painting which is the important reason for doing a hobby, plus Rome wasn't built in a say, So I have just orderd the 38th inkerman bust antd hope that I keep improving. That you for your time.

I think you have done a really fine job on both of these projects.

I would be greatly pleased if my first attempts looked as good. Carry on, it looks like you get it and are off to a great start.

Nice, tidy work Simon. Looks to me like you have learned a lot already.
Re W&N Series 7 - too expensive and not significantly better IMO. Have a look at Roubloff - they are half the price and I'm sure members will back me up here - they are very good. Find them on Amazon.

Phil

Looks good to me. The wall, in particular, looks superb. Unusual about the brush though? How did you clean it?

Impressive first efforts. On the bust Id go with a wider variety of colours to show the different areas of the face (hint of red in cheeks, blue/red around eyes etc). Do you use a wet palette? Its made a huge difference to my efforts. I look forward to seeing what you do next.

I just run it under the cold tap between colours, then at the end of the end of the day just rinsed it in running cold water.

Hi, thank you, I totally agree with you about the face, I only used Vallejo 70876 Brown Sand as a base coat, then 70859 Black Red as shadow and then 70815 Basic Skin Tone as highlights, he looked a bit orange so I toned it down using 70928 Light Flesh.

I believe that I am to conservative with the use of highlights and shadowing on all my painting. I think my painting is quite neat with clean lines, but my model it still look like a painted model, so to take it to the next level I think I need to be a bit bolder with my uses of colours.

I haven't used a wet palette, I saw on face book that someone made a wet palette using a small plastic tupperware box with a small wet sponge and grease proof baking paper, so I was going to give that a go, but in the end I purchased a small aluminium palette with round well, but paints dried out quite quickly. So I may try the wet palette.

I use an old take away tub with kitchen roll and greaseproof paper.

Hi Simon. I’d recommend you use Masters brush soap at the end of the session, then repoint the brush and store it point downwards in the clear protector it came in. You will extend the life of the brush exponentially if you do this. Until you get brush soap use a basic soap bar and lather up the bristles. A final rinse under the tap before repointing is a good thing though.

Thank Nap for your comments, rally interestec of knowing more

Kind regards

For a genuine first effort and you asked for honest feedback, that is nothing short of remarkable. Stuff like the green moss at the foot of the wall is a demonstration of real attention to detail.

Great work and I look forward to seeing what you do next.
Gary

Thank you Gary

Thats really kind of you

Many thanks

Simon

Hi Nap
I have entered the Hougoumont model into the FOTM for March for experience, but not holding my breath looking at the other models already entered.

Kind regards

Simon

Been a busy week and I have just finished model celler 38th Foot to go with my 5th Dragoon. I have also also finished Mitches Modrl Sharpe bust.

Sharpe 95th Rifles from Mitches MiM, which I really enjoyed, so I have just ordered Sgt Hakewell to go with it.

Hi Simon, really nice work on all the pieces and l can see you will develop into a really good painter.

Looking at the first figures think about how you paint white. Take a look at how other modellers paint white belts, highlights, shadows, scuffs etc...it can make a big difference to a figure or bust.

Keith