Peter Dennis is not just an illustrator; he’s a storyteller who breathes life into historical battles through the delicate art of paper soldiers. Long before the term ‘paper soldiers’ sparked recognition, Dennis was crafting his own miniature worlds. His journey began in childhood, fueled by a fascination with Roman history and a desire to recreate epic battles on hand-drawn landscapes. Lacking commercially available Roman toy soldiers, he ingeniously created his own flat figures, marking the start of a lifelong passion. Though his early Greek creations are now lost to time, this initial foray into paper figures laid the foundation for his distinctive artistic path.
A pivotal moment arrived during Dennis’s first trip to Paris at the age of 19. Immersed in the grandeur of French military history, he visited the Musée de l’Armée. It was there that he encountered a display of impressive paper figures from the 1870s, crafted by Imagerie d’Épinal, a renowned French printmaker celebrated for its vibrant and spirited depictions of soldiers.
These figures, far from being mere toys, possessed a captivating dynamism and energy that Dennis found lacking in traditional 3D miniatures. Inspired, he returned to art college in Liverpool, eager to translate this newfound inspiration into his own paper wargame figures.
However, the path wasn’t straightforward. His initial attempts proved frustratingly delicate and time-consuming, resulting in fragile and visually unappealing figures. The challenge of paper soldiering proved more significant than anticipated, and the project was temporarily shelved. Yet, the idea of paper soldiers remained dormant in his mind for over three decades.
The spark was reignited 35 years later when a chance fold of scrap paper revealed a simple yet ingenious method for creating sturdy, stand-up figures. In a mere ten minutes, the “Paperboys” were born. Dennis’s first set of wobbly pencil-drawn soldiers stood proudly in formation, marking the resurgence of his long-held passion.
Since that moment of rediscovery, Peter Dennis has produced countless sheets of paper warriors spanning diverse historical periods. His vision was to make wargaming accessible to everyone by creating large, visually striking armies that wouldn’t be prohibitively expensive. By making his artwork affordable and easily reproducible through modern copying methods, he democratized the hobby. Helion and Company embraced his vision, leading to a successful series of books featuring not only figures but also buildings and terrain to create immersive miniature battlefields.
Recognizing that some subjects are better suited to formats beyond books, Peter Dennis extended his reach to online platforms. His website now hosts spin-off subjects and smaller themes that complement his book series. For enthusiasts eager to stay updated with his latest projects and day-to-day creations, Peter Dennis actively engages with his community on the “Peter’s Paperboys group on Facebook,” offering a direct line into his artistic process and ongoing work. Explore the world of Peter Dennis and discover the captivating charm of paper soldiers, where history and artistry meet affordability and accessibility.
