Merry Christmas

to everybody

Cheers for now

And Now for Something Completely Different 7

Well since the Hobbit has been released yesterday and I will be seeing it later on today, I thought what better than another Dwarf for today's post.

The above figure is another from the Citadel Northern Dwarf range. These are some of my personal favourites from this era. Great to paint and lots of character too; just what you need for small scale fantasy skirmish games like Songs of Blades and Heroes.

The pic below is a another Citadel Northern Dwarf that is still being worked on. This is one of three berserkers that are being painted for Songs of Blades and Heroes. On this one I have taken the red right hand theme that little bit further to add to feel of the warband.

Thats all for now and for those of you who are going to see the Hobbit over the next few days, enjoy!

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 42

The last pictures of the Trojans before being fully completed. At this stage the shields are still unattached but the figures are nearly completed.

The red and white strips on the kilts will be changed to a warmer white rather than the cold grey based white that has been used.

The horse hair plumes for this base will be almost black to a very dark grey and the final positioning of the figures will most likely vary from what is shown here, although the central three figures will remain in the places they are.

Although there has been a fair bit of prep going on over the last few days trying to get ready for the 3rd Analogue Painting Competition starting later this month a few other bits and bobs have been painted to varying stage; but more of that later.

Lastly a warm welcome to some new followers:

• Dan
• Andrew (Loki)
• Ni. Tohivititch

Hopefully, there will be something of interest for you all in the future.

Cheers for now

3rd Annual Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge

Starting on a blog near you, December 20th 2012

Curt C at Analogue Hobbies is running another painting competition this December, and once again entries will becoming from here. Its a great motivator and whilst not expecting to be collecting any silver ware from it, I do enjoy the challenge and comradeship that develops during the dark months of winter. Worth having a look out for when it starts.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 41

The first pictures of another warband for Songs of Blades and Heroes, this time Ninja or just assassins clad in black. The figures from Dixon Miniatures have lots of character and whilst there may be some quibbles over sizes and proportions they will do the job grandly.

Black has always been a funny colour to paint and two different methods have been used above. The first on the left (Sword) is black over painted with black grey from Vallejo. The second on the right (Shuriken) is black over painted with Foundry Charcoal B and then washed twice in Baddab Black to mute the tones down.

At present can't decide which way to go with the remaining figures so may mix them between the two different styles. All of the group above and below have been painted in the second style which is a bit slower.

The great thing about these figures is they can - and will - be used for both historical and fantasy gaming.

The next post will have more from Troy and the Northlands.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 40

The last post promised something just that little bit different and given that Dwarves will be gracing many a gaming table in the coming weeks with the release of the Hobbit, Dwarves it is. 

Both figures are from the Citadel pre-slotta ranges with the gent below from the Norse Dwarves and his more gaudily dressed companion is thought to come from the original range of Citadel Dwarves.

The Norse Dwarf above has now been finished and the basing is setting before the last touches are added.

Hopefully this Dwarf will join his more taciturn friend above shortly allowing both to be used in the "Red Right Hand" Warband for Songs of Blades and Heroes. The inspiration for the warband came from the Nick Cave song of the same title. There are still a few to paint, including four dwarves, one halfing and a wizard to complete the travelling band of some reknown in certain circles.

From Dwarves to Trolls, the first of a stand for Impetus Fantasticus. The thought here is to create a composite Orc army from a variety of different figure ranges to show the diversity of the species so to speak. Orcs, Goblins and Trolls vary from story to story and supplier to supplier.

This beast comes from the superbly talented hands of Gamezone Miniatures and whilst not quite, Tom, Bert or Bill Huggins; the Cockney gents of the Troll world, it will fit nicely on the stand along side another of its destructive brethren.

The second picture is to try and show a bit more detail. Have opted for a greenish grey for the flesh of these Trolls and will work the underside upto a lighter shade. Not really sure how to go about the dead horse yet but there is plenty of time to work on it.

The next post will have some more unusual figures but not from fantasy this time, although that depends on your point of view.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 39

Here are a few work in progress pictures of the base of Mycenaean Swordsmen that are gracing the painting table at present. 

The finished army will contain several of these bases to help protect the flanks of the spearmen from more mobile types such as chariots and light foot.

The figures are from Redoubt Miniatures and hopefully will look the part once completed with mixed figure of eight and round shields.

Have opted for only six figures on the base to try and capture the feel and movement of lighter armed troops of varied armament and protection. The other planned base of swordsmen will have a higher number of unarmoured figures to reflect this as well.

There will be more to follow from Troy soon as well as something just that little bit different.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 38

Have been slowly painting a Viking Warband for SAGA over the last year as well as an army for Impetus. Great figures to drop in and out of once in a while, however, this does mean that the projects are slow at the very least. Any way some work has been on going on these figures from Gripping Beast's newer range of Vikings

After these four figures are completed it will be on the Bondi for the warrior groups. All of the figures from the SAGA warband will also be used in the Impetus army by using sabot bases from Warbases. Not only will these bases save time and money but they may also mean the Vikings will see the table this decade.

Below is yet another casualty figure that is nearing completion. This figure is from Old Glory and will hopefully be ready for basing later today.

That's all for now

Cheers

Fury of the Norse 3

A brief post for another casualty marker for Impetus or SAGA. The figure is from Old Glory and was enjoyable to paint.

More from the Dark Ages to follow shortly.

Lastly a warm welcome to two new followers:

• Paint-in
• 2 Minute Penalty

Thanks for joining and hopefully there will be something of interest here for you both.

Thats all for now.

Lest We Forget

All Hell Let Loose

Here is the last squad of the first platoon of Late WWII Germans in 20mm for Disposable Heroes. the figures are from SHQ and have been fun to paint.

Have tried to create the impression of the camouflage on the tunics without going overboard and painting every single shape and colour in the pattern. The pictures are clickable so have a look and pass your own comments on them. Personally, rather pleased with the overall look.

In comparison to some other ranges at this scale the SHQ figures are a bit slender but well proportioned and clearly sculpted. Worth looking into for small scale projects as the releases from Plastic Soldiers Company  and Warlord Games are making lead in this period redundant for larger projects.

Next time the full platoon is in use will try and remember and take some more pictures of the whole group together.

Next up from this era will be crew and anti-tank guns to support the above Grenadiers in their defence of the fatherland. Back to the Mycenaeans and Old Glory casualty markers for Impetus.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 37

After not painting for almost the last 6 weeks, something chunky and fast to paint was needed and what better than a Jagdpanther from Britannia Miniatures. This model has been gathering some dust on the underside of the painting desk for too many months now and a few games of Disposable Heroes made its selection prefect for starting back at the painting table.

The model was spray undercoated in Dark Yellow from the Flames of War paints range and then heavily ink washed with a black and brown mix. At this stage it has only been dry brushed with Mid-stone from Vallejo before the decision is made as to whether or not it should have a camo pattern washed on. Any thoughts?

The tracks will be a combination of flat brown and gun metal as per previously painted German armour. This style of painting is rewarding on such a detailed model as this and the Britannia range still remains a firm favourite here.

Painting this tank hunter has kicked started the painting again and there will soon be some Mycenaean Swordsmen gracing these pages as well as more from WWII. The inspiration for the Mycenaeans comes from the image below:

Some work in progress pictures to follow shortly. That is all for now so enjoy the fireworks if you are in the UK.

Cheers for now.

Back to the Brushes 36

The last month has seen very little in the way of painting being done. This has mostly been due to having been full of the lurgie for most of the month, painting hasn't been that high on the list of things to do. Over November this will change and there will be work in progress pictures shortly as well as completed bases to view.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 35

Not much has been happening here over the last ten days. Life and work took over for a bit and the inclination to paint just has not been there.

This morning saw some artillery being rebased for Impetus Baroque giving both sides of the English Civil War some clout if needed. Some pictures to follow shortly of these and several other bases for Baroque. Hopefully this will be the motivator to get back to painting and complete the first stand of the Late Roman horse archers for the Equites Primo Sagittarii.

Thats all for now.

The Dance of Bronze 2

Although these skirmishers are suitable of for this post, ironically there is little or no bronze to be seen. A generic stand of archers for any hoplite or phalangite period army. The figures are from Foundry's original range of Greek and are not as good sculpts as their later releases but are more than serviceable for their purpose here.

More work in progress pictures of the Equites Primo Sagittarii to follow shortly along with some Vikings for SAGA.

Cheers for now.

Imperium Sine Fine 11

Here are the pictures of the latest completed stand of Huns for the Late Romans. This stand allows the Huns to be used as allies in the Late Roman armies but obviously there are plans afoot to continue painting more so that they can also be used as a suitable opposition to their Late Roman counterparts. The figures are from Gripping Beast 

The planned Hun army will consist of approximately eight bases of light cavalry and two of medium cavaly. This also allows the army to be morphed into Attila's force by including some Germanic Allies into the mix, thankfully these are already painted.

Work continues on the first stand of the Equites Primo Sagittarii which will be both allies and enemies of the above Huns depending on the game being played at the time. After that there will be some more Vikings for SAGA and the previously mentioned peltasts.

Cheers for now.

And Now for Something Completely Different 6

Really speaking there will be a need to introduce two new themes for the blog to cover the English Civil War and Napoleonics as there will be a fair amount of basing going with these two projects over the next few months. So here are the titles for future reference:

• Pikes and Muskets - for the English Civil War
• March to the Sounds of Cannons - for the Napoleonics

That said here are the most recently based figures for Pikes and Muskets, unsure of manufacturer but think that these may be from Minifigs:

These figures are a part of a second hand collection that is currently being rebased for Baroque.

The Huns will follow shortly as promised.

Cheers for now.