I wouldn't normally post on "casualty" figures, but there are three reasons to do so in this instance. First, I think the sculpt of minutemen carrying their wounded friend on a rifle is a tour de force by Alan Perry and deserves a mention. Secondly, as can be seen in the photos I have been experimenting with "flower scatter" to make bases a bit more interesting. Thirdly, I know that many people don't bother basing casualty figures and I thought it might be worth thinking about whether there is any merit in doing so. On this last point, I have always based my casualty figures, mainly because I think it looks neater (after all, everything else is based) but also because casualty figures allow you to be a bit more creative with the basing...
Which brings me to the "flowers". This scatter was sent to me by Murray Bridge terrain in Australia (see the links section); they provided flowers in yellow, white, pink, red and violet. I thought I'd post these picture because I'm interested to know what readers think about the effect. I have already posted one of these pics elsewhere and opinion seems to be mixed, with some clearly feelign that this sort of basing material detracts from the military look of the figures ("Flowers, Sir!? Flowers!!!" was Dave Brown's response). The fallen chap with the pistol has rather too much red scatter on his base - a couple of people who have seen this pic assumed it was blood! (Someone else pointed out that if the red scatter is suppoed to represent poppies, then due to the stalks the red flowers should properly be at chest height.) The scatter is more subtle on the other bases, so much so that you can't really see it in the photos, although an examination up close will show little specks of yellow and pink. I'm still experimenting, but I would be interested to know what people think of the use of this sort of material generally. All the figures bar one are from the new Perry southern militia casualties pack; the figure in the uniform coat if from the Continental casualties pack.
7 figures. Painted May 2008.
9 comments:
The figures are outstanding as usual - you're right about the group carrying the man on the rifle - I wonder how much they were remembering the similar group in the Airfix British Grenadier (??) pack... :o))
W.r.t. the scenic flock... not sure... I tend to go for a plain green on the basis that flowers are just not that common in a wild enviornment.. and those that there are are very small...??? Bottom line - if you like it, go with it...
The flowers are a nice touch but I'd probably stick to white or yellow ones like daisy and buttercup so the flowers seem more weed like and suitable for low growing stalks.
i quite like the effect although, as you say, the red is too much and looks like blood. I too would stick with white or yellow.
Having just travelled through northern italy where the poppys are currently in bloom they can be quite intense in colour, but that is because they are viewed close to horizontal and they are the highest plant so the effect can be impressive. Loking down at the same ground from a height 200m+ you don't notice them at all.
Difficult to call - the impression can be quite intense and that's what creating vignetttes is all about.
I like the idea, but agree that the red is a bit to intense.
Will
Whoops, forgot to ask, how are the figures used? as routing or casualty markers?
Will
Flowers are a good idea, but you may want to look for a reference on wild and introduced flowers (and weeds) of that part of North America - I don't recall many references to poppies, for example.
Also, if your troops are meant to be fighting over pasture or fallow land, then, yes, flowers could well be present.
Huzzah!
The issue is that you will need different flower bases for different regions and different times of the year.
Also some bases with Autumn leaves would be useful. Actually then you should provide duplicate units with a snow base, Autumn base, spring flower base and scorched summer grass base.
Stephen
I like the flowers. I admit I haven't seen any red wildflowers in my parts (Pennsylvania), but whites, blues, and yellows are not out of place at all. I have seen meadows with large beautiful carpets of color.
What impresses me most about this group though is the amazing blending you did on the white and ochre(?) shirts!
Aaron
I have fondness for casualty bases so I'm pre-disposed to like these ones Giles. Do you plan to use them as casualty markers in games?
You might be interested in the short series of step-by-step postings I've added this week on my blog about how I'm doing casualty markers for General de Brigade.
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