Painting War - Napoleonic French Army

Just before starting our third run through of the Oporto scenario today, I thought I would post my first impressions of an eagerly awaited book from Dave Brown at Caliver Books , namely the second volume of "Painting War" featuring the work of an excellent painter "Rafael Perez a.k.a "Archduque".

As you know, I love the painting side of our hobby as much as the reading, researching and playing aspects and am never tired of seeing how others have developed a technique and style that is just another way of delivering great looking figures to the table.

Imagine then my delight at the feast of information contained in this excellent little volume. This book contains pretty much everything you need to know in terms of painting beautiful looking figures and some, with clear and easy to follow guides on how to get the look right on those typical units found in the French armies spanning the revolutionary - napoleonic period.

The book is illustrated with pictures of 28mm figures, which as an 18mm collector is not a problem as the basic system of shade painting applies equally to both scales. All the suggested colour options are listed and cover all aspects from painting faces and horses to what blue to use on French infantry coats. The paints used are principally from the extensive Vallejo range with a few options included from Citadel Paints as well

For those interested in adding a little extra detail there is a very handy illustrated listing of rank insignia for infantry, cavalry and those fancy chevrons seen on hussar pelisses.

There is even a suggested technique for basing your figures.

For the experienced painter or the novice there is a lot of useful information contained within the pages of this book and I am very pleased with the purchase. Unlike other books I have seen that are full of great pictures of figures, this book contains those great pictures but also includes the practical information needed to help you turn out those kind of figures yourself.

My only little point of criticism and I stress little is the Spanish to English translation done that leaves a little to be desired in some of the wordier parts of the book and I wonder whether this was done with a Google translator. Note the cover in the first picture with a very interesting spelling of campaign and which I think should probably be "On Campaign". As a native English speaker I would be more than happy to proof read any further offerings to translate the translation into better understandable format.

For the Napoleonic collector and painter this book is recommended.