Back to the Brushes 75

A few more work in progress pictures are below:

The first four picture show Claymore Casting's figures after a white under coat and a wash of Agrax Earthshade. This really brings the detail out on the figures and may spark a project of its own, but more of that later.

Next there is a Citadel High Elf from the early eighties. Very early stages with this figure but the face just doesn't look right so it may be back to black for this one.

Faces is a part of the miniature that really makes the figure and is an area of work that requires more attention and in my case more research. If anybody has some good tips on painting faces please feel free to pass them on. They will be gladly received.

Lastly, there is a Gripping Beast Germanic Tribes Archer that will used in an ongoing roleplaying game as a human Woodsman.

Cheers for now.

Back to the Brushes 74

Pictured below are the two figures that will make up the skirmisher stand for the Sassanids armed with slings.

These are very nearly completed and will be finished and based over the next few days all being well.

There was also meant to be a few pictures of the Daylami work in progress but due to very poor pictures these will have to wait a few more days. Some more work in progress pictures to follow shortly showing Claymore Castings and a retro High Elf from Citadel.

Cheers for now

And Now for Something Completely Different 14

The following pictures are of some old figures painted between 1986 and 1988. The figures have all been rebased and matt varnished over the last two nights and will be used as an "Adventurer Party" for Songs of Blades and Heroes.

Citadel Chaos Warrior

The painting technique used then is different from that used now; in that the base tone was painted over the entire area. Then the shading was painted into the recesses of the miniature and the highlights were added to the highest points of the miniature.

 Citadel Talisman Assassin

The shading and highlighting can be clearly seen on these two figures, both of whom have seen many incarnations as miniatures in roleplaying games.

Citadel Talisman Monk

 Citadel D & D Barbarian

When these figures were painted a very limited palette was available consisting of the following colours: black, white, flesh, red, dark blue, sky blue, leather, silver, dark green, slate grey, dark brown and khaki. Looking at the figures you can see that the colours were used as much as possible and often in places where they wouldn't be used now.

Citadel Feudal Knight (Now Foundry)

 Citadel D & D Magic User

The robes of the magic user have been painted using a blending technique. From memory this was done whilst wet on the figure and worked up to the highlight and took forever. This was normally finished with a bit of dry brushing.

Citadel D & D Thief

Lastly, a warm welcome to:

• Sun of York

Hope that you find something of use in these ramblings.

Off now to put some colour on to a few Sassanid skirmishers which will probably need dusting before painting.

Cheers for now.

Imperium Sine Fine 14

Pictured below are the recently completed Huns which serve as both allies and enemies for the Late Romans.

A note to self on this stand and all others, remember to varnish before apply the flocking to the bases. An interesting time was spent varnishing these by brush.

The last picture below shows them with more of their kin; this is one third of the final amount in the three hundred point army.

Cheers for now

Lions of the North

This is a new title to show the finished figures that are being painted from the fabulous Claymore Castings Medieval Scots.  Here is the first completed figure painted using David Imrie of Saxon Dog's painting tutorials.

The tutorials provided some great new ideas on the use of washes over a white undercoat and just the general approach to painting the figure shown. These techniques will be used for future figures from this range and a few other projects as well

The figures will all be singly based for skirmish gaming including knights, men-at-arms and regular foot, but more these later.

Lastly a warm welcome to:

• Free Wessex

Cheers for now

And Now For Something Completely Different 13

Now finally based and pictured below is the first Elf for Songs of Blades and Heroes. There will be between five and eight figures in the war band and the second figure has been prepared and undercoated for painting.

The theme for this warband is going to be woodland, so the colours will be mid greens and greys as the elves are to represent the Elves of Mirkwood. 

A future warband will represent the Noldor or High Elves and the colours for them will be more in line with their heritage. These figures will also come from the same early eighties Citadel range.

More to follow shortly including Sassanids, Huns and Claymore Castings.

Lastly, a warm welcome to:

• Tomsche
• RazarOne223

Hope that you both find something interesting in these pages

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 73

Spending a bit time trying to finish up some loose ends on the painting table at present as well as working on the Sassanids. Below are some pictures of a figure from Claymore Castings that is being painted to the instructions of David Imrie from Saxon Dog - an excellent blog if you haven't already seen it. The painting style is different from my current style especially with the white undercoat but gives excellent results. Everything apart from the armour is directly from David's tutorials; the armour has had additional layers added to make it stand out more.

There is still a bit of work needed to finish this figure off and when completed it will used for a Songs of Blades and Heroes warband.

Sassanids to follow over the next few days.

Cheers for now.