A BRUSH TOO FAR

Order Updates and Order tracker

2012-02-13T03:28:00.000-08:00

We are still on track to get remaining online orders out by end of March. We have put an order tracker on to the brush too far website which list customer names, the units they have ordered and the progress of their orders. in the meantime we will be putting some photogreaphs of some of the completed units on to the blog in the next few days.

Order Updates

2012-01-09T01:26:00.000-08:00

PLEASE READ

Due to a huge demand for figures through the on line shop in the run up to Christmas we are experiencing delays on the delivery of our painted figures. With immediate effect we have closed the on line store until at least the end of April to prevent any further back log. Customers who have ordered figures through the on line store will receive all there figures by the end of March 2012. Once the back log is cleared the on line store will reopen but will no longer be in a (buy now) format. This will enable us to control the number of sales and hopefully avoid long waits and disappointment.

Thank you for your patience, we really can't paint any faster.

Jon O.

Xmas greeting

2011-12-21T19:49:00.000-08:00

It's here again. How quickly time flies. It's all gone a bit mental here again as the Xmas orders have rolled in and we are once again having to paint like devils to get orders out while attending kids nativity plays and Xmas shopping. For those of you that have used our little Painting service this year thank you for your business and to those of you still waiting for figures thanks for your patience. We sincerely hope you find our figures worth waiting for. In the meantime may we wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

28mm Napoleonic Spanish

2011-12-09T04:02:00.000-08:00

A commision of 28mm spanish painted and based. The figures are from Eagle miniatures. From front to back :Spanish militia,Principe Infantry Regiment and Regiment Irlanda

28m British Artillery (more pics)

2011-12-09T03:46:00.000-08:00

Perry Prussians

2011-11-26T08:22:00.000-08:00

Napoleonic Prussian Line Infantry and Jagers in plastic waiting to be based and and flaged. The perry figures produce a very nice solid battalion and each set (British, French and Prussian) comes with associated skirmishers. All are now available on the website.

More British Artillery pics

2011-11-15T14:48:00.000-08:00

15mm French infantry

2011-11-15T14:43:00.000-08:00

Occasionally we get a request for some 15mm figures. These are Napoleonic French Guard based by the customer. These are part of an ongoing project and I think look pretty effective. A number of figure suppliers are now doing some very nice 15mm figures. Its a nice scale for quickly building up those armies while still retaining some of the detail that you may loose in smaller scales.

British Artillery + British Cavalry

2011-11-04T04:46:00.000-07:00

Just some of the latest figures coming offf the paint table.

Spanish Regiment Irlanda.

2011-11-04T04:39:00.000-07:00

The Irlanda were raised from Jacobites who travelled from Ireland to Spain after the Williamite Wars in the late 17th century.At the time of the Napoleonic Wars there were still three Irish infantry regiments in the Spanish army: Irlanda (raised 1698); Hibernia (1709); and Ultonia (1709) formed the Irish Brigade. The Irlanda fought at the Battle of Albuera. However in the later years of the existence of these units only the officers were Irish or of Irish descent, the men being predominantly Spanish or other foreigners. All three regiments were finally disbanded in 1815.

Price Changes

2011-10-21T13:40:00.000-07:00

After two years of business we are finally having to raise our painting prices. Unfortunatley the rising cost of figures,paint,basing materials and postage means that we have to do so in order to make it worthwhile painting somebody elses figures. For those of you who have already sent us figures or have recieved quotes for commisions we will honour those prices that you have been given. All future orders from the website and commisions will be charged at the new rates. These are shown below:

The table below gives a cost per figure for painting and varnishing .Add the amount below to the cost of the unpainted figures.

6mm 10mm 15mm 20mm 25/28mm

Infantry/Gunners £0.40 £0.60 £1.00 £1.60 £2.50

Cavalry £0.65 £1.00 £1.60 £2.40 £3.50

Guns/Limbers £0.30 £0.45 £1.00 £2.00 £3.00

Unmounted horse £0.25 £0.40 £0.60 £0.80 £1.00

Tanks/Trucks £1.00 £1.50 £2.00 £4.50 £7.00

Too have figures Based add 5% to cost.

Postage is now charged at a flat rate of 5% with a minimum of £2 and a maximum of £30

28mm French: The Jerome Napoleon Hussars

2011-10-20T07:48:00.000-07:00

Just marched (or trotted) off the paint table.

Perry Vs Victrix vs Metals

2011-10-12T05:32:00.000-07:00

This week we have finished two sets of French Infantry. One is a Victrix Early French regiment consisting of a half box of the figures. The other is the Perry French Infantry Regiment consisting of 42 figures including some multi part skirmishers a nice drummer figure,officer and eagle bearer.
The pics are below. The Perry's are not based since the customer in this case likes to base his own. Whilst painting these the above question kept cropping up.

You probably already now the difference. The perry figures are much more uniform in their stances looking like an advancing regiment with a skirmish screen. They are also a lot easier to base on a regimental stand since the ranks behind are not in danger of bayoneting the rank in front. They come as complete moulded figures, for the most part anyway so once cut from the sprue they are ready for undercoating. The backpacks are separate which means that you can get into those nooks and crannies before sticking them on. And with the selection of greatcoats they also look like they are on campaign. The victrix figures on the other hand if you have ever seen them are like an airfix kit. It take us ages as painters to put them together adding a day to the production of a regiment but therein also lies their advantage. We paint the bodies before any heads arms, rifles or backpacks go on. Then touch up the areas where they are attached during the highlight process. The fact that the heads aren't attached make it so easy to create individual figures (we sneak the odd perry spare head onto victrix bodies) as well as using bandaged heads from other units and eras to produce a little talking point within a regiment. The figures are also in some great bayonet poses. Some ask what is the point of the kneeling soldiers. Having painted hundreds, perhaps thousands of these figures now I have come to a simple conclusion. If you want a solid infantry regiment block for a large scale game go perry. If you want to play a small scale skirmish game with individual figures (hands up you sharp fans) then go Victrix, you'll get more what I call useable figures from a set. Which leads me onto metals. We frequently paint metals for people. In all eras and as you will probably know quality of casting and cost varies considerably. We have received figures that are covered in flash, missing parts of limbs and with unidentifiable lumps that may be a water bottle or a bread sack. If you have been on the brush too far web site you will have noticed the price difference between a painted metal and a painted plastic unit. It can be quite significant particularly if you are trying to build a large force. So why is it that some gamers I have met turn their noses up at plastics. I can put up a picture of a painted metal nap figure up against a painted plastic nap figure and dare you to take the Pepsi challenge and in my acw units i regularly mix plastic and metal regiments very successfully. Well I might have an answer. My son is nine. Recently whilst I was painting the french above he walked over as he usually does staring wistfully at the figures in the vain hope hope that i might suddenly say 'Hey kid these are for you' and after a moment he said 'Dad those look like my toy soldiers'. And there it is. That awful demon that lurks in the back of every gamers mind and that rears its ugly head whenever said gamer hears his wife tell her mother that Jon is playing with his friends and their toy soldiers. And that is the answer to the question plastics versus metals, for on every pack of metal miniatures are written the words "NOT A TOY"

More Romans

2011-10-04T06:43:00.000-07:00

Latest Set of romans off the production line

Roman Command Figures. Metal Foundry figures. painted with acrylics and matt varnished.

Roman Imperial Pretorians. Foundry figures again.

Get your own on the website.

Legion Irelandis

2011-09-26T05:09:00.000-07:00

Another popular commission request. Irish fighting for Naploeon.

Roman Imperial Archers

2011-09-26T05:05:00.000-07:00

Foundry miniatures roman archers 28mm metals. Part of a commission of imperial romans.

Unit now available on the website.

latest updates

2011-09-19T11:57:00.000-07:00

Latest figures to march of the table

A british infantry battalion. Represents the 31st foot. Victrix figures. GMB flags
The 31st Foot were granted the following battle honours

Talavera (27 July 1808: awarded 1823)
Albuhera (16 May 1811: awarded 1816)
Vittoria (21 June 1813: awarded 1823)
Pyrenees (28 July – 2 August 1813: awarded 1817)
Nivelle (10 November 1813: awarded 1823)
Nive (9 – 13 December 1813: awarded 1823)
Orthes (27 February 1814: awarded 1847)

Peninsula (1808 – 1814: awarded to 2nd Battalion in 1815, to whole regiment in 1825)

Yet another set of Portuguese Cacadores. Very popular with the Generals these guys.

And now for something a little different

Minotaurs

or Space Beasties aka Tyranids

Nearing completion French Battalion, Roman Archers and a squad of Irelandis

French 1804 Infantry Battalion

2011-09-14T09:10:00.000-07:00

Latest unit to roll of the paint table

1st Battalion 15 Regiment of Line

These are Victrix figures painted and based on 20mm ply stands. Available on the website.

Romans and Portuguese

2011-09-06T09:14:00.000-07:00

Going in post tomorrow and available on the website

Updates

2011-09-03T11:24:00.000-07:00

Heres what on the table at the moment with an anticipated completion period from today. We will put some pics up on Sunday

assorted tyranids                                                         2 weeks

portuguese cacadores (command + rifles) 16 figures    2 days

portuguese cacadores  (8 figures)                                4 days

french voltiguers                                                          1 week

roman auxilary regiment                                              2 days

roman pretorians + archers+ command                       2 weeks

british foot regiment                                                    1 week

2 french infantry battalions                                           First one this week , second in a fortnight

british artillery batttery + KGL                                    3 weeks

french hussars                                                             4 weeks

In from the Cold

2011-09-03T10:45:00.000-07:00

Computers dont you just love them. having spent the last few months communcating/paypalling by I phone we are finally back with a working desktop.

In the meantime we had a small attempt at expanding the business outside of the family only to have to do the work ourselves again. Won't do that again.

In the meantime we have turned out two regiments of roman legionaires, a horde of german ancients, a hussar regiment, a british line regiment, two regiments of napoleonic russians, 2 french regiments a number of portuguese cacadores and are within a few weeks of turning out a roman auxilary regiment, two early napoleonic french battalions a britsh rifle regiment and a mass of british artillery plus a number of commision articles. We have finally made a sizeable dent in the backlog of stuff we had growing on the work table.

Thanks to everyone for the positive feedback that we have been recieving and to our return customers that keep us ticking over.

cheers

jono

Now that the ash has settled

2011-05-27T13:34:00.000-07:00

The press rejoiced. The world is going to end. Life as we know is over. The Icelandic volcano is going to plunge us into the dark ages and we are all going to start travelling by cruise ship. Ash will darken the skies and seize eng.. ohh its stopped. Never mind Barack Obama apparently makes good beef burgers.

Whilst the world has been caught up with what Mrs Obama has been wearing we have been busy painting. No pictures this week as I haven't had time but this is just a short note to let you all know what is happening.

5 Regiments of 28mm British Cavalry are nearing completion and should go out in the next week.

A regiment 0f 28mm French Hussars is about to wing its way to Hong Kong along with a few Portuguese cacadores. A British Line regiment (4th Kings Own) will be following on behind.

A 15mm French Battalion is forming up for a last push before making its way to northern ireland.

Two battalions of Portuguese line have trooped off to Scarborough to join the world record attempt. We hope to post pictures of the event at the end of June.

A horde of German 28mm ancients is having a party on the painting table although I suspect that the plastic warlord roman legionnaires slowly forming up at the other end may crash it.

A large number (about 60) of 28mm Napoleonic Russian infantry is also nearing completion.

As you can probably tell we are working like dogs at the moment and are trying to get through the orders we have as quickly as possible.

cheers

Latest Update

2011-05-04T09:02:00.000-07:00

So latest update. Its been the Easter break and the kids have been off school but despite the noise, sticky hands, royal wedding and incessant demands for more batteries for the Wii remotes we have still been busy. The saga of the Napoleonic Portuguese continues and we anticipate finishing those in the next week. The first two of four battalions are going in the post on Thursday so that they can be based up in time for the charity event. The last two will be hot on their heels. Good luck to the lads at the Scarborough Wargames Club. Hope all goes well.

28mm Portuguese Line

Completed Battalion

Meanwhile the High Elf army was completed including the impressive flying unit. This was great fun to paint being slightly different from the more historical lines that we paint. The GW figures are lovely but a bit pricey. My lad has just started getting interested in Warhammer 40k and I feel his birthday this month is going to hurt my pocket.

There are worse ways to go into battle.

Back to 28mm Napoleonic and the Regiment of French Irelandis have been completed and posted out. Its a pity that the original number of figures in this regiment was reduced from 36 to 24 at the request of the commissioner as they would have looked fantastic all together.

The Irish ,ready for a fight. Pity their fighting for Napoleon.

The huge of batch of 28mm German Ancients is also nearing completion. This screaming horde looks pretty cool on the gaming table and this picture shows only two thirds of them.

The tribe prepare to defend the SKY box

Shock News!! German Tribal Leader goes to war with a bra on his head.

Load of other stuff is also progressing well. A Greek 15mm army has taken the field (no picture sorry) to do battle on fields of glory. A mass of 28mm British Cavalry and artillery are limbering up and we should be seeing some results soon. The 4th Kings Own Regiment are marching across the painting table toward Waterloo. Unfortunately at the moment they are doing so without heads and arms as there bodies are much easier to paint without limbs getting in the way. A horde of 28mm Prussians have also entered the fray and are progressing nicely. If this sounds like we have a lot on at the moment, you would not be wrong. That said at the moment we are turning out between 200 and 300 28mm figures a month so if your waiting for figures don't worry.We can't paint any faster than we are without going without sleep and your turn will come.

cheers

Jono

First Report

2011-04-05T12:24:00.000-07:00

So what is on our painting table at the moment? Well several commissions at the moment. The first is part of a world record attempt that is taking place at the end of June for charity. We are painting a number of 28mm Portuguese Napoleonic line infantry as part of this attempt and the first pictures of some of the first completed figures are below.

2nd battalion,3rd line on coke bottle lids

We have just finished a British 28mm Artillery Battery. In this case the buyer wanted to base them themselves. This unit has just been shipped the US.

Leaving Napoleonic for a moment we have a small army of Games Workshop High Elves approaching completion. These figures are part of a boxed set which also included a Skaven Army. This particular customer has sent us a large variety of figures from AWI,Lord of the Rings, Wildest Africa,Warhammer 40K , World War II, Napoleonics and many other fantasy figures.

Also on the go is a horde of 28mm ancients. This commission of 100 figures is the second lot for this customer and each figure will based on a 20mm X 20mm ply base. The first lot included almost 90 ancient German horde and archers plus roman legionnaires and cavalry.

Going back to Napoleonics we have an unusual unit approaching completion in the form of Napoleons Legion Irelandis. These Irish fighters fought for Napoleon and wore french units in the characteristic Irish Green.

Also approaching completion is a unit of the British 16th Light Dragoons. These are part of a commission which includes cavalry and artillery in metals.

That's all for now. We have a number of orders also appearing on the table but they have not really got going yet so have not appeared in this report.

cheers

Jono

GREETING FROM A BRUSH TOO FAR

2011-04-02T04:14:00.000-07:00

Since starting the business just over two years ago we have amassed a number of return customers who honoured us by letting us paint their figures. One question that has repeatedly raised its head is how to best keep our customers informed as too how their commisions or orders are progressing as well as let prospective customers see what we are about. Once a week we aim to post an update with photos of what is on our painting tables along with anticipated completion times and also photos of finished figures before they are dispatched. We are also keen wargamers ourselves and can be regularly found cursing dice rolls at the deeside defenders. We will be featuring battle reports that use figures available through the online store. First post will be this tuesday 5th April and future updates will be available each tuesday following. Happy Gaming and may the dice gods shine on you more often than they do me.