Spanish Grenadiers - Granaderos españoles 1808

A unit of Spanish Grenadiers in their magnificent bearskins!

Unfortunately the freezing rain today didn't allow me to take my pictures outside, which degrades their quality.

I chose to paint up one stand each in the uniforms of six out of the seven Line regiments that I have painted so far. There will eventually be 10 Line regiments, so another, smaller unit of 4 stands of Granaderos will eventually be forthcoming as well!

Thjis unit is composed of Front Rank figures. These were the first Spanish troops that I bought, circa 2010. I have been both looking forward to painting them, and dreading doing so ever since!

The problem, of course, was the magnificent bags or "flammes" that hand down from the backs of their exceptionally tall fur caps (evidently actually made of seal fur in the case of the Spanish!). 

I knew there was no way I could really do justice to the intricate designs they more, which were individual to each regiment.

Thus I decided to go with the "1 foot rule" - would they convey the effect at that distance, as opposed to close up inspection. It seems the flammes in this era were in the facing color, with the lace work in the button color, with a provincial or other emblem at the top of the flamme (similar to those borne on the shields of the flags, presumably).  I really couldn't do more than suggest those emblems, and then chose to do the rest of the flammes in a style similar to that seen on some examples, making 3 solid circles in the lace color, and then painting a smaller circle of the facing color within in to create a ring in the lace color. 

The unit caries an Ordenanza flag of the dark blue faced Military Order regiment. Note the drummer in Royal Livery and the fifer in a fanciful uniform. The other stands have facings in scarlet, crimson, black, green, or violet. 

Had some perfect weather for pictures on the 24th - what a difference the diffuse natural light of an overcast day makes!

Contrast the richness f the colors with the earlier, indoor shots!

The dry bushing on the bearskins, colpack, and plumes is now clearly visible.

Much better view of those 'flammes' as well!

I will have four more stands to do once I finish the rest of  the Spanish Infantry.

I found a great Pininterest site with a huge stockpile of Spanish Napoleonic Uniform images, and especially a great many images of the bearskins of various regiments. I have copied a few below.