Alternate & Fictional History: Painting Your Own Reality [How I Paint Things]

Humans have been making things up for at least thirty seven years. As a matter of fact, many things that are said to have happened did not happen at all, and some of the things that you can even see on your television simply are not real. Crazy!
What does this mean for you? It is likely that you also have the ability to make things up! You can imagine a situation which could potentially have happened, or the consequences of yet more scenarios that never happened at all! You can posit the question, "What if?" and spend hours imagining the possibilities without arriving at the same conclusion twice. If one applies that to painting miniatures, conversion opportunities, kitbashing choices, and wargaming rules... well, the possibilities are endless. They are limited quite literally only by what you can make up. :D
Find the Piano Wargames white metal and STL ranges here: pianowargames.de/
00:00 - Intro
01:32 - Alternate vs Fictional History
08:14 - The Miniature: Source & Ideas
09:16 - Finally, Painting! The Universal Napoleonic White.
11:52 - Basecoats
17:44 - Applying Shades
19:40 - The Finished Infantryman
Thanks to Producer Patrons Alan Nuttall, Kyrie Crawford, Andrew, Jimmy, and Rod - as well as all the other Patrons that made this video possible, and Exit23 Games for recording equipment that helps keep the channel ticking over! Find out more at the following links:
/ sonicsledgehammer
/ sonicsledge
/ sonicsledgehammer
ko-fi.com/docwholigan
exit23.games
THE BASE: PVA & sand, painted with Flat Brown once dry. Drybrush with Brown Sand and then Dark Sand, add static grass to taste. Done!
PAINTS USED:
PRIMER:
Corax White (Citadel Spray)
CITADEL:
Nuln Oil (Shade)
Reikland Fleshshade (Shade)
Lahmian Medium (Technical)
Praxeti White (Dry)
Cadian Fleshtone (Layer)
Iron Hands Steel (Base)
Retributor Armour (Base)
Liberator Gold (Layer)
Agrax Earthshade (Shade)
VALLEJO:
Olive Grey
Buff
Flat Earth
Medium Grey
German Grey
Flat Brown
Tan Earth
Azure
Vermillion
Ivory
Off-White
VARNISH:
Matt Varnish Spray (Army Painter)

[@torros1839]

This is like the star trek alternative universe where all the bad guys have beards

[@MrArmour]

Thoroughly delightful. I would love to see you "clown around" more. You're still imparting valuable knowledge along with having fun, and that's surely key! :)

[@giantorres3352]

The whole point of wargaming is to relax and have fun. I would have no issues playing against a fictional country with pink uniforms in black powder.

[@prophet89]

At the hobby store I worked at there was a Bolt Action group and one of the players was a uniform grognard, always complained when uniforms or vehicles weren't the specific color "They were supposed to be." So during a tournament one of the players painted his Germans in bright pink, guy had a conniption fit and threw the match. Many laughs were had.

[@LurksNoMore]

"The Duke of Hassen-Kessell wanted his army to have spiffy red coats, like the English, but his dyeworks weren't up to the job, and the uniforms faded into pink after some time on the campaign. Following the heroic defense of Krautenberg Bridge against the French, he decided to keep the pink."

[@FransNilsen]

Sadly in my meta there are a bunch of uniform gorgnards… I once was told to paint my FoW germans panzerfausts using buff when I had left them german grey. :/

[@giantorres3352]

@@FransNilsen Awful, some people take it too far.

[@davidknight2220]

Brilliant Troy, to be honest, imagi-nations are my go-to period, then I did grow up reading Biggles; Tintin and Charles Grant

[@dougredshirt3991]

I gave up on doing historical wargaming, a long time ago. Who wants to fight Gettysburg or Waterloo for the 1,000th time. I know what happens. With fictional armies, I can create my own battles. Plus I can paint them how ever I like. Currently painting up armies, using figures from armies of the mid 19th century. Love the transition from Napoleonic warfare to industrial warfare.

[@ARed-TailedHawk]

I’ve never yet backed a kickstarter, but I think this might be the one to start with. Great mini, great philosophy, great tutorial. Thanks for doing what you do!

[@charbroilbeefcake6095]

I like these types of videos very much. I started a Sludge army so I could use different troop types, uniform types, and color schemes to my liking. Thanks for all of your great videos!

[@euansmith3699]

A personal appearance? This is a very special video. The mic position works very well.

[@theepicjoey3215]

I've worked out a few low fantasy worlds for DnD campaigns and stories I want to write. It has often been tempting to do armies for these worlds, but convincing people to play with me is probably the bigger task in that.

[@justanothercaptain6566]

Who’s the Dude with the beard 🧔‍♂️?!? 😂! Thanks for the intro! Honestly, paint whatever floats your boat 🚤! If you’re having fun, I comes across in the video. Besides it the pro tips you give, that matter. Not so much what you’re painting. Those tips translate to everything. 😊Thanks again! Cheers 🍻

[@gregoryroth5527]

I am so glad you mentioned Henry Hyde (subscribers should check out Battlegames, and his books: Wargaming Compendium and the Wargaming Compendium)! Cheers!

[@samprastherabbit]

I see you, Mirror Universe Troy! Don't think we didn't notice the anomaly phasing in the Star Trek video!! Lol Always fun to see you just doing your thing as a regular hobbiest, and also going into what you find fun to tackle :)

[@Dark_Wooki33]

Excellent take on history/fiction and a really nice paint scheme. Btw. Piano Miniatures just started a new kickstarter (Alps Aflame) yesterday, this time about the tyrol rebellion of 1809. You should look into it, the Bavarians, Austrians and especially the Tyrols look breathtakenly amazing.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Way ahead of you! 😂 I'm backer #61, I've been looking forward to the next Piano Wargames Kickstarter since it was first hinted at months ago! Can't wait for some of those Tyrolean rebels!

[@nisranders6172]

I'm also a backer! Lucas' sculpting ist absolutely amazing! 👏The new campaign ist still running, so go for it! I am printing the Artillery figures in 54mm scale - looks awesome!

[@dietrichmcgoogilygoo9606]

Fictitious and slightly fantastical history are what war gaming was made for! Great video!

[@joesturn7740]

This is so dang cool. I've been planning a 16th century imagi-nation and it's actually gotten my 40k friends who love homebrewing Space Marine chapter lore actually intrigued by playing historical rules systems with custom nations.

[@joesturn7740]

Also, please PLEASE do make a huge habit out of these types of videos. They're so fun to watch and inspiring for the hobby.

[@robisonwells1]

The model looks really good, and I love this new format of video. "What if?" history has always intrigued me. And keep the beard!

[@leonleese4919]

For me I’ve used Alsace, Lorraine, Luxembourg, Flanders and some other more unsatisfactory names Grunwald being one. Isemberg was used out of Peter Youngs book. There is also a list of the regiments used in the campaign between Charles Grant and Peter Young and also Charles Grant jr, in Charles book about the Wargame along with fictional flags. There can be wars between Electors, Bishops, Dukes and Princes. I think I will delve deeper into the names of the States and where they actually were. Earlier times than 1740 and even pre WSS. I’ve started at 1500AD as far as maps go but there are plenty of European wars listed on Wikipedia that will keep me good. I like Peter Youngs rules and using figures that are grenadiers and light/irregulars I also like Trevor Halsall’s rules for Napoleonic Warfare 4th. edition. Leaving out squares and attack columns but columns of manoeuvre which is more or less column of companies. for some reason 28mm figures look better because I think they are more animated, Perrys AWI range are good. Some cavalry with tricorn’s would be good, perhaps WSS dragoons and cuirassiers would keep the price down or SYW 15/18mm. Figures.

[@martinevans9757]

Right at the start of miniature wargaming, HG Wells described his armies as 'Red' and 'Blue' rather than British, German, etc. In that regard, you could say that creating one's own nation with its own traditions, uniforms, regiments, etc. is getting back to where it all began! I for one love this sort of thing, and hope we'll see more.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I do wonder if the Red vs. Blue nomenclature dates back to the idea of wargaming as descending from the thoroughly serious Kriegsspiel? It'd be an interesting one to know, for sure. Oh, to sit and pick Mr Wells' brain... and show him how far toy soldiery has come!

[@IanGerritsen]

Alternate and even more so, mythologised history are endlessly fascinating for me. I love the idea of there being some kind of cataclysm in medieval times where gods and monsters become real, so religious knights become actual paladins supported by clerics, arabic/persian nations have djinns and elementals, Fae, Sidhe etc. become a force inside Europe leading a resurgence of Druidism etc. And the "spicy" one - Germany and Japan won WW2, did their (horrible) thing and ended up as two superstates that after much bloodshed ended up cooperating and advancing into space, and how that would look in practice, what legacy of their initial policy would remain after some "moderation". Then insert that culture as a lost planet into 40k. Yeah that all came from the amazing Dreamforge miniatures... I wish I got some of their hover tanks and transports before they closed down but so expensive -_-

[@monitor1862]

A while back I was painting some Star Wars legion Battle Droids. Decided to have some fun and painted some with a forest camo scheme then some white for an ice world and lastly black for a black ops special ops team. Can't imagine those last ones would lasted very long.

[@SnoddiesHobbies]

Too much fun, it was nice seeing you on camera.

[@jonbauml225]

I hope she tells you to keep it. Looks really good

[@Glasmn45]

Troy! Rocking the beard sir, but then I am biased. ;) Hope Mrs. Sledge lets you keep it. Love the video and love seeing you do these one off, odd-bin miniatures. Would enjoy seeing you tackle a 54mm mini sometime just for fun and talk about some of the different challenges faced.

[@Spec0psGrunt]

Love that green! I’m all for whatever kinda videos you wanna put out.

[@michaelpavkovic2784]

I quite enjoyed this video… my first experience in wargaming was in 1970 using Brig. Gen. Peter Young’s Charge! Or How to Play Wargames which was sent in a mythical version of the Holy Roman Empire in the 18th century. Back then, there was limited access to miniatures so we mostly used Ho/OO Airfix American Revolution and nascent Napoleonic miniatures… so many fond memories. I have been slowly collecting miniatures to revisit my wargaming youth in imaginations (and still have my Charge, rules) so I really appreciate this video and inspiration! Would love to see more if you flesh this out.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Now there's a name I've not heard in a long time! My first set of rules was technically Lionel Tarr's 'modern wargaming' rules - when modern meant up to 1950! Donald Featherstone's little book *Wargames* has a lot to answer for in my household.

[@michaelpavkovic2784]

I had a couple of things by Peter Young. One I enjoyed a great deal and really opened up the intersection of history and gaming, was called The Wargame, and discussed about 10-12 battles from Thermopylae to El Alamein each of which was discussed by a famous historian or wargamer. The battles we illustrated with some really lovely miniatures. I still have my copy from 1972 and still flip through it on occasion with fondness!

[@johnkelley9877]

This was an interesting subject and a great idea to make up your own history for gaming. The figure looks really nice and your beard and mustache are looking good. Thanks for sharing this.

[@SunburntHands]

I've always been drawn to the idea of A Very British Civil War, set in Britain in an alternative 1938.

[@flynitlo]

I'm going to enjoy this concept. I have been branching out into uncomfortable projects lately. I'm mainly into world war 2 but am branching into British colonial times such as the Zulu wars. Also early Russian wars of the Crimea. I have actually done some fantasy items too that really let me be the creator and not just a representer. Love your new ideas and can't wait to try my own alternate subjects.

[@nh5316]

After watching For All Mankind would you do a paint tutorial for the Lunar astronaut miniatures from Black Site Studios?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I wish they did the astronauts as STLs! 😢 Doesn't look like the core set is in stock, but I'd start there when it's available.

[@Thunderplunk]

Loving the beard! Also loving the super chill format of the video - it's really nice to see you just having fun with something you find cool and interesting. I'd thoroughly enjoy it if you made more of these!

[@matthewaugust3287]

Thank you so much for the heads up on Piano Wargames. Always looking for new Naps to use for The Silver Bayonet!

[@robertshepherd-mo9vw]

Try Perry's Retreat from Moscow range. They are perfect for Silver Bayonet.

[@leonleese4919]

I started with Charge! about 1968/9 and painted some Spencer-Smith 30mm. plastic and painted them all Humbrol Matt white then used them in solo games using Peter Youngs rules.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Now those would be some classics today! I got my start with those little Humbrol enamel pots as well.

[@angrypantz87]

More of this please. This has been a really fun video.

[@Strawfoot]

I'd love to see more videos like this, it was fun listening to your creative process. Thanks again for another great video!

[@sweatilaa5325]

I remember that you said in some video that when using shades you should always try and drag your brush top to bottom and that it will help with getting the shade in the right place with less clean up. since then I've been doing that and it works really well! saves a lot of clean up time!

[@zac5564]

I'd love to see this for more eras and games too!

[@samellowery]

I think it would be cool to explore this along the lines of the silver bayonet

[@irishtom30]

Very cool idea. I always liked the fictional central american country of Val Verde, featured in movies like Commando.

[@grantus27]

Love the idea of painting up a Sharp Practice force for a tiny fictional Germanic State-let! You could use just about any miniature and make up the lore as it goes along. Definitely show us more ideas for any other fictional states of any period or geographic location :)

[@TitusCastiglione1503]

This is essentially how I treat all my historicals. It’s fun to experiment, and I’ve recently started with head swap conversions.

[@josephnettles8010]

I like it. Like Charles Grant's 'The Wargame'. Press On! 😀

[@Castillo525]

I was just thinking about this and the video came up... Wow!

[@trevorharvey6928]

Nice to see you in front of the camera for a change. I do think that creating a backstory and homeland for your forces is a good chunk of the fun of wargaming, whether that's fantasy or "historic". great work! 👍

[@KimHarderFog]

Love the beard! .edit - I'm a big fan of alternate history, so for me, the more the merrier! .edit #2 - Great colour scheme you've created, really feel like it could have been a "real" scheme in period accurate times. Great stuff!!

[@garyclarke4889]

That was a REALLY ENJOYABLE VIDEO! Thank you so much for doing it. I've been looking for a realistic way of painting white trousers on my French Napoleonics and I think you have just shown me the way.

[@julesavery4105]

Great change of subject - more of these please!

[@jamesbelden8337]

Man these videos are great, keep it up

[@beaushaver3779]

I always look forward to your videos

[@toddjarman542]

That looks awesome. Very nice paint job 🥃🥃👍🏻

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Troy . 🐺

[@johnhart7704]

I would be happy to see more videos like this .

[@andreaspersson5639]

Suddenly, I'm tempted to do some imagi-nation napoleonics myself... why did you have to inspire even more projects for me :p

[@blecao]

About the uniform cheapness i heard the oposite, that white uniforms where easier to maintain as you would just rub clay on the stain to make it white again

[@user-qg4st8ih1d]

Really love this! Always wanted to try something similar.

[@AnExtrovertPaints]

This is a great idea! I would love to see how you imagine the various flank companies and elite guards for this country! More please!

[@beardgoblin1090]

Put me down as another 'Imaginations' fan. I'd like to do some WW2 style gaming (CoC, Bolt Action etc) but I find the period a bit too 'recent memory' (not personally - I'm old, but not quite that old!), but 'imaginations' are starting to form for me. I've already started collecting in 15mm, but 28mm calls... if anyone knows where I can get hold of Czech M30 style helmets in 28mm (stls are good, too), please hit me up! I'm not much for Napoleonics style games, but it's always fun to see others games/toys/'made-up-cool-stuff', regardless of nominal period! 'Clowning around' is all good by me Chief. Oh, and welcome to the Beard Side!

[@speedandstyletony]

I loved the original Tropico!

[@Teapaints]

What did you think of for all mankind? It’s one of my favourite series

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Can't really say much, yet. I've only seen two episodes. 😂 But it's good!

[@Adi031978]

A nice change from your normal videos and also a great introduction to how your mind goes about creating backstories - when needed 💪🏻 And regarding the beard, personal experience tells me that out ooimiins do not matter ... but definately ask the wife what she thinks 😅😉

[@adamfox1669]

Charles Grant was doing this in the 1960’s and ‘imagination nation’ is a thing. Enjoy it

[@RedHandedDaniel]

I like listening to you have fun, so make the videos you enjoy the most. love this kind of thing.

[@PlanetToborTV]

I love this channel.

[@lexi_9995]

Imagi-nations have been around for many years, in the early days (60s) many were based on the 7 Years War era with units, officers and places named after cheeses for on side and German beers the other, ah the old days... do what you enjoy. Best wishes from the Duke de Fromage and Baron Hoffsteinmaster.

[@andrewbeasley]

I always find it interesting that 'Imaginations' are often built around black powder - Napoleon's / AWI / ACW. WW1 / WW2 seems to be covered by the Very British Civil War and a few pulp style games Modern you have the 'Cold War Gone Hot' style games SiFi and Fantasy are normally imagined worlds but the only reverse game I can think of is War of The Worlds... Odd ones out - very few ancient ones (since TBs Hyboria) are covered. I would have thought the Greek 'city states' or Rome and its opponents are ripe for a game??? Saying that - enjoyed the chat style - you need to do more of them.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I think part of what appeals with Imagi-nations during the Napoleonic period is the freedom to paint such overwrought, striking uniforms, but without having to worry if every scrap of button lace and piping is correct!

[@theenigmaticgamer]

This is a fantastic tutorial and thoroughly enjoyable, thanks. I have been “toying” with the idea of an imagination army for some time and this is inspirational stuff. Having just moved house and downsizing my collections I really think this would suit me. I’ll do some more research, but more of these types of videos will be a nice change. Thanks again👍

[@andrewoates5364]

I found this little creative exercise a lot of fun, I hope for more from these fictional nations!

[@longhunter5935]

Enjoyed it!

[@nickdavis5420]

This is fun I often think about this for games .

[@itsallpointless6501]

Digging the beard dude :)

[@VonBek2009]

I always liked Naomi Novik's Napoleonic world. Still the same conflict between Napolean and the rest of Europe, but with Dragons! 😃

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I've not long finished the Temeraire series! Would be fun trying to find a way of representing the different dragon types and their crews on the table. Does certainly put the 'fiction' into historical fiction, but it's a brilliant read!

[@NSYresearch]

The most common alternate history game here in the UK is A Very British Civil War, where Edward viii didn't abdicate and the country fell into civil war with various factions. Based in 1938 in Britain but obviously pulling in the Empire supporting the various factions.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I keep meaning to pick up a small handful of some BUF miniatures from somewhere. I've got enough early war British figures that some of Oswald Mosley's goons would be an easy paint job for a weekend, then start knocking one another across Blighty!

[@NSYresearch]

@@SonicSledgehammerStudio Good ...more fascists for my Albertine North Somerset Yeomanry to sort out.

[@alessiodecarolis]

Naturally this depends on how the Navy will behave, imagine Hitler & Mussolini supporting Mosley's goons as they did in SCW, but they could send support bcz the spanish navy didn't stop them, if the RN block the ports, no reinforcements or British version of Legion Condor.

[@NSYresearch]

@@alessiodecarolis In the VBCW 'lore' the Navy generally remained loyal to the King and his fascist government. However there were some ships who declared for his brother Albert and escaped to Canada. Smuggling of arms for non Royalist/BUF was rife.

[@potetnamnbaknamn895]

Making imaginary nations for historical wargames are alot of fun. I made regimental and regional flags, uniforms, and custom small arms and tanks for a nation that was pretty much made for a RTS mod me and a friend made and played against each other for half a decade. And it can start from such small things as just swaping some wehrmacht soldiers' mp40 and M40 for the british counterparts, and painting their uniforms a dark blue with bright yellow cuffs.

[@AetCount]

That beard really suits you! But beards tend to make us look a little bit older so up to you

[@samellowery]

More distinguished especially with gray in it.

[@alessiodecarolis]

There was a novel by William Gibson, where, thanks to British intrigues, the USA became REALLY divided, pratically they exploited the natural weaknesses of the young republic, exarcebating the rivalries btw states, so N. America is more similar to S. America. The french did the same with Germany, avoiding the unification. So could be interesting imagine how will be the uniforms of all these mini nations, with some being french inspired or by others.

[@rogerflack415]

Beautiful figures

[@avocus]

My man looking good with a beard!

[@spilledpaintpot]

Would that make the gaming universe of Malifaux alternate history?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I couldn't tell you, I don't know Malifaux. 😅

[@peterclarke7240]

Malifaux isn't really an alternative history, as far as i can tell, because there's no key event that sends the world down the other leg of the Trousers of Time, to use a Pratchett phrase. It's more like "this is happening on our world, but there's magic and wizards." Not to belittle it in any way, but it's more like Harry Potter than, say, Fallout, if that makes sense?

[@rejs7]

I really like the alt-history and fictional history settings, as they give so much room to explore ideas. My personal favourite is the 1632 series, as it add a lot of flavour to the 30 years war.

[@alessiodecarolis]

I love that serie too, a lot of opportunities to create new characters and ideas (think only fighting turks on primitive Zeppelins!)

[@Fredeye63]

Very interesting. I haven't thought about this concept. Then again, I'm not that creative.

[@declanbosworth9012]

Beard good 👍

[@michaelbarbour9827]

I like the beard.

[@Typhonis007]

Team Yankee is World War 3 erupting in West Germany in 1985. Much like Twilight 2000 is World War 3 erupts in 1995 when the USSR , which never fell, invaded China.