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Loosening up
Posted by Martin on January 1, 2012
Painted abandoned backpack.
I wanted a low-stress way of getting reacquainted with the brushes and paints for my contribution to the La Bricole painting competition, so I settled on tackling the abandoned backpack that I had prepared and primed the other day.
Whether it was the fact that it’s New Year’s Day or that I’m rusty, I don’t know, but this little piece of scenic clutter for the first base took me a couple of hours to complete. Perhaps most surprisingly, on nearing completion, I realised that I’d used 11 different paints! In no particular order they were Vallejo Ivory, Burnt Umber, Cavalry Brown, Red Leather, Orange Brown, Dark Grey, Neutral Grey, Light Grey and White plus the 1st Shadow and 2nd Shadow from the Andrea White set.
Befreiungskriege 1813-14 
Gary said
I wouldn’t use that many shades or spend that much time on it, but, if you’re happy with the end result and you found it relaxing, then fine. I appreciate that things have to be put into proportion, but, as they’re your figures, your paints your time and your hobby, you decide how yo want to play it.
von Peter himself said
Surely there must be a Marshal’s baton in a backpack so grand! 8O)
Salute
von Peter himself
Martin said
Ah yes, I should have thought of that, well done von Peter. Though, in my case, it’s more likely to be overflowing with brushes, paints and other accoutrements of the art.
Robert said
Oh, this sounds so familiar…
I can honestly say I’ve never considered eleven colours on a backpack, but I’m not far off. My problem is that I tend to paint 28’s as if they were 54’s. While they do turn out well, each figure takes an inordinate amount of time to paint- and it’s battalions and squadrons I need painted, not just individuals!
Balanced against that, though, is the fact that I really enjoy painting, and that given the fine detail (and the price!) of a lot of miniatures out there today, I do want to do them justice.
I really need to find the happy medium. Army painter for the rank-and-file, perhaps?
Martin said
Robert, I long ago accepted that this is the way I most enjoy painting and the challenge is to retain it while becoming more productive. That’s why I’m so looking forward to progress with your competition. I almost hardly dare mention that I used four different shade of blue on these poor little chaps’ pompoms today…