'Kiltophobia'?

'Kiltophobia', is this a notifiable disease amongst wargamers I wonder? If it isn't then I'd venture to suggest it should be, closely followed by Hoseophobia! I have struggled manfully onwards with these figures for the 79th Cameron Highlanders and have completed the first base of eight figures - one sergeant and seven rankers. There are currently another 16 to go! Depressing thought that, although 8 more of those are well underway now.

I readily admit to being no more than a journeyman painter, but these figures have posed a challenge to me which I have struggled to rise to. There have been a number of issues peculiar to painting Highland regiments: obviously the kilt pattern comes first for me, followed by that of the hose and the bonnet dicing. 

The figures are cleverly sculpted in respect of the kilts, with only small areas of the front being visible thanks to the arrangement of arms/hands, sporans and equipment. When combined with my decision to 'represent' rather than accurately depict the pattern the kilt is remarkably straightforward to process. You may think it a fudge but on the table in a game will you notice or care even? I think not myself.

The bonnet dicing is much more straightforward really, unless you want to pop in the green centre of the red pattern that is. Initially I left it off, then decided to add it in, then regretted it. I simply cannot see where the point of the brush meets the figure! So, that explains no close ups of that for you! Now on to the hose, well that's an epic all on its own. Red and black seemed the most common colours in sources, but patterns varied considerably I found. I opted for a red base and black St Andrew's cross pattern. Really fiddly in retrospect and poorly executed in places, but it will have to suffice. This proved to be beyond my hand/eye issues but it's done now for good or ill. 

So, back now to those 8 figures I mentioned! I'd almost rather paint more Roosians, almost...