Friday 23 December 2011

2011 Review of my Modelling Year

First of all, I think this will be my last blog posting before the holidays, and I'd like to wish everyone a very Merry Xmas, and a happy and prosperous New Year!

It's the time when I like to review last year's resolutions, and start to thnk about setting some new ones.  Last year I said:-

"I've given some more though to what I'm going to paint this year, after the French Indo China, Ancient Germans/Laager and Marian Romans that I've previously mentioned as Q1 objectives.  I've decided to concentrate on Early Imperial Romans, because:-
  • I have a lot of EIR units part painted, that I should be able to finish relatively quickly
  • I also have a huge amount of unpainted EIR lead so it will save me money
  • I really like EIRs and want to run a campaign; my favourite Roman text is Tacitus' Histories
  • They would look great for a big display game, in 2012
But will I be able to stick to my plan?"

The Q1 objectives were a mixed bag.  I did briefly paint some French Indo China stuff in January, although I failed (yet again) to complete the pesky  wagon laager which has not advanced on my to-do list since January 2009.  My Caesarians have crept slightly forward, with the addition of a rather splendid cohort and some lovely command figures, from Andres.

My main objective for the year, the Early Imperials, has been quite successful.  I completed my 240-man legion, and recently finished a smaller 80-man legion of ex-Marines.  I also added around 80 more auxiliaries (with a similar number out to painters).   However, there are still enough unpainted Romans left, to keep me very busy in 2012.  I also finished not one, but two cohorts of A&A Middle Imperial Romans and a half a dozen units of Late Imperial Romans.  In total I finished 22 units of ancients.  

A new period burst onto the scene for me in May- Napoleonics.  Recognising that this would become a very serious "habit", I started a new blog to document it, My Very Own Spanish Ulcer.  It does take away time I'd love to lavish on ancients, but it's good to be learning about a new historical period, and the uniforms are nice.  I miss shields, but there are still standards with eagles on!  I am very taken with the Perry and Victrix plastics.

The number of my unpainted miniatures only rose by 101 this year, due largely to fewer purchases and getting quite a lot painted.  I made a decision not to count unpainted Napoleonic plastic (which is just as well, as I must have rather more than a thousand of them!).  The new period (with a lot of purchases of painted figures) made this my most expensive wargaming year, ever, and I will cut back next year.

Right, I'm off to wrap the presents- have a good one, everyone!  

Cheers, Simon

10 comments:

Adelaide Gamer said...

Cheers to you too! It's been a good year following your pursuits, may 2012 be at least as good. A Romanesque amphibious campaign, perhaps?

Hendrid said...

Have good one yourself Simon, look forward to hear how you get on with your Romans in the New Year.

Guidowg said...

Have a Merry Christamas and a great new year.
Look forward to following your blog next year.

Sire Godefroy said...

It may have been an expensive year for you. But you're one of the happy few that get things done in a reasonable amount of time. For readers like me that's purely inspirational. Thus no money lost I think, actually. ;)
Happy Christmas to you and have a good start into 2012.

Cheers
SG

Dan said...

Merry Christmas, love your blog.

BigLee said...

Have to agree with Dan, this is a great blog. Merry Christmas mate.

Paul´s Bods said...

merry X-mas...see you next year :-D
Cheers
paul

BigRedBat said...

Thanks all! I've been workign on my plans for next year... more anon. I hope everyone is as stuffed, as me!

Galpy said...

Hi Simon Have a great christmas with family and friends, I'm still compiling the figures to post off to you, i don't need anything so just enjoy them when they arrive.
Cheers
Kent

BigRedBat said...

Kent, "don't need anything"; what sort of talk is that for a wargamer? I'm shocked! ;-) Cheers, Simon