Back to the Brushes 402

Turning the other cheek, with these Spartans from Foundry. 

After a long lull in painting Ancient Greeks and some inspiration from Saxon Dog Wargame Projects on Facebook starting to expand on the existing Spartans and their rebasing back in April 2019. 

Going for more variety in the skin tones for the newer figures, however planing on keeping the same shield imagery for each mora of Spartans.

There are a few gaps in the existing bases so will be painting a few additional figures to complete the bases off. 

The thoughts are to double the number of units to give 16 bases at 60 x 40mm. This will allow a reasonable number of Spartiates for a full DBA army and then moving towards Hail Caesar and ADLG. Depending on how the painting goes may add in a new mora as well. 

Cheers for now.

Fantasy Hero 24

Painted a few years back but only just getting round to posting now.

A retro figure from Citadel Miniatures circa 1984 and one of the first additions to a then small collection of figures for roleplaying games.

As there are a lot of Undead on the painting table, might dig a few more old bones out to see the light of day and a new coat of paint. 

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 401

Been playing with colour the other night, going back to mixing some tones from the base colour and layering from there. 

The base colour is from Vallejo Games colours Scurvy Green and the subsequent tones are mixed from this blended with Army Painter Skeleton Bone. 

It was refreshing to do this and rewarding to have that control and feel of the colours building up. Still to go back for a final highlight or two on the edges and a few other places, then several coats of Matt varnish to knock the sheen off, which is coming from the base colour.

A couple of casualty markers for the Undead hordes in Kings of War. These have been built from a triple 10mm dice cell, a 60 x 20mm base and some spare parts from the skeleton warriors sprues. The MDF parts are all from Warbases.

Cheers for now.

Reconquista 10

Time has moved quickly this month and there are a few things in the sidelines that have or will be completed for the AHPC XV. 

When starting a new project, regardless of scale I like to put a few stands up that will enable me to complete a core unit or two in the early stages of painting that project. Light infantry and skirmishers are often good in that role and will feature in most versions of the finished project when used. 

Here is the first of several skirmisher units for the recently started Tafia Kingdoms army in ADLG. 

Having used more "Christian" figures for this stand it allows further use of the figures in several different armies across the period. Great believer in getting the best use from a miniature. 

The Gripping Beast figures whilst old are still some of my favourite models for this period and the newer sculpts add a lot of flavour to the period. 

A few more finished items to follow shortly.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 400

Over the last few weeks have been working on a few different projects. To say that there has been little progress would be an understatement, so, a little change of direction was called for. 

There is a steady stream of chat at work relating to Kings of War and the original plan was to paint Dwarves for this however, the figures that are available are mostly retro Citadel figures from a time when character figures made up the range. These are your friend if you're trying to create a new army for a new game. 

Enter the skeletons...

A stalled project that will enable a quick turn around on several based units; skeleton warriors and archers. Some are already finished, some have been partial painted a couple of years back and some are in the process of being painted now. The figures are from the Oathmark range.

Kings of War offers a basing option that is similar to Impetus in that the figures are multi based to suit. The basic infantry base is a troop sized at 100 x 40mm and this is doubled for a regiment.

In the immortal words of Blue Peter, here's one I made earlier from the previously painted figures. Base from Warbases and there are also movement trays to fit as well. 

More on these shortly. 

Cheers for now.

Back to the Brushes 398

Something new, something old and something different. 

Something new - SAGA: Age of Chivalry Hundred Years War from Perry Miniatures. 

Something old - El Cid skirmishers in 28mm from Gripping Beast. 

Something different - 25mm Dwarves for Kings of War including retro Citadel figures at the rear and Ral Partha in the fore; a glutton for punishment. 

 More to follow on these shortly. 

Cheers for now.

Back to the Brushes 397

Some work in progress pictures for the Romano Brits in two scales. 

Firstly, in 28mm Romano Brits from Gripping Beast to be used in SAGA and potentially Midgard; however that's a long long way away. 

These figures are the start of two points worth of warriors, to join the original hearthguard painted in AHPC X back in 2020; and yes, they are very much a project that have been in limbo for a long time. The shield transfers are from Little Big Men.

The second scale is in 15mm and includes light and medium cavalry for the Romano Brits in ADLG.

The picture includes horses for two stands of light cavalry, three stands of medium cavalry and a command stand. 

Lurking on the keyboard are figures from a newly started project in 28mm but more on them later in the week. 

Cheers for now. 

Back to the Brushes 396

Already two weeks into 2025 and already behind with painting plans. 

Have more partially painted miniatures on the desk than finished miniatures and more primed than partially painted. To be fair though that's not that unusual. 

As it's the start of another year - it's past time for New Year greetings - here is the beginning of something new. 

A base filler for Kings of War Free Dwarves Ambush force with a Troop of Ironclad Warriors at the rear.

Old Citadel figures for the above Ironclad troop and an Iron breaker at the front will give both units a definite retro look. 

More to follow shortly. 

Cheers for now. 

Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge XV

Winter has arrived and the prep for this year's Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge is underway. Having joined the lists again I am needing to find 500 points of 2, 10, 15 and 28mm miniatures to paint between December 21st and March 21st. 

Decisions are not always the easiest of things to make and can often change how the challenge runs. The initial running list includes: 

• 2mm Punic Wars
• 10mm DAK for O Group
• 15mm Romano Brits for ADLG
• 15mm Samurai 
• 28mm Romano Brits for SAGA
• 28mm Dwarves for Kings of War
• 28mm Hundred Years War for SAGA
• 28mm Christian Spanish 

There are more options, however, I'm looking to finalise a set list and point values from the above with a schedule to ensure that there is time to complete sections across the Challenge and to keep things interesting throughout.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 390

 Sometimes you paint something because you want to

Frostgrave Cultist Barbarian

And some times because you've too bloody many half painted figures lying about

Xyston Thracians

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 386

It's been far from quiet here at Bases and Brushes; holidays, birthdays, shows and the daily humdrum of modern life has meant that there just hasn't been a moment to sit in peace and paint a wee man or two. 

Can't comment for others but painting, gaming and the hobby in general is often a release from the constant stream of distractions this digital age offers. Ironic, considering this post is a part of this digital age.

A place to sit for a while, to calm the mind and silence the barking black dogs and insidious whispering voices in your mind. A place to focus and draw on your creativity to summon peace and still your mind and do some colouring in.

Under coat, base coat, under painting, toning, layering, shading, stippling, dry brushing, washes, and glazes are all parts of the process, parts that when brought together make a whole and worthwhile past time.  

Given that space and time it's possible to do this

Gripping Beast Carthaginian Libyan spearmen veterans for SAGA.

A few more hearth guards added in.

Shield transfers from Little Big Men.

The start of a bigger unit of Hannibal's veteran spearmen. Figures again from Gripping Beast.

Base coat on for the flesh colour. 

The next point of hearth guard are on the painting table as well. 

Peace and time well spent. 

Cheers for now.

Back to the Brushes 385

Continuing to paint these tin cans for the Wars of the Roses retinue that may be for ADLG or may be for Never Mind the Billhooks in 28mm. 

At this point the latter is more likely as a game system however the basing will be on 60mm fronts so not to rule out other games such as DBA, Hail Caesar and ADLG.

In terms of painting, these have been primed with Army Painter Platemail, washed in Nuln Oil and then worked back up with Army Painter Platemail and Shining Silver. 

Planning another session in these shortly with a view to getting some,if not all completed for basing. 

The figures are all from Perry Miniatures and the pair on the rectangular base are plastic the rest are from the metal range. 

Cheers for now.

Back to the Brushes 384

It has been a busy month with a variety other commitments interfering with hobby time. Such is life as the old folks say. 

On the subject of old folks, here are a couple of classic Citadel Hobgoblins from circa 1984.

Using Foundry's Oriental Flesh triad for these Hobgoblins after looking at some classic Japanese artwork for Oni and deciding that brownish reds weren't the colour scheme looked for.

Along side the Hobgoblins are the crew for a canon to be used in Wars of the Roses gaming. The figures are from Perry Miniatures and have their usual detail and excellent sculpting. 

At this stage, haven't decided on retinue colors for them and might go more free flow look to depict a mercenary unit. 

More to follow on these and a few other items shortly. 

Have a good one.

Back to the Brushes 383

Made some progress last night on the first Men at Arms for the Lancastrian's in 28mm.

The figure at the back sporting the red and black colours of the Percy retinue has been added to previously painted figure in the colours of Roos. 

 Another man at arms was added to the motley crew below, the new figure again in retinue colours, although memory fails me at present in who's colours they are. 

Have another three figures nearing completion in the sidelines for these two stands; which leaves seven still to do. 

All the figures shown are metals from Perry Miniatures. 

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 380

 

Work in progress on Warwick above and Percy Scurrours below. There is still a lot to do on Warwick and not happy with the horse so it may be repainted or at least washed with black to settle the tones down. 

Daylight will tell...

Hoping to finish off the Scurrours at the next painting session then move on to the foot knights and retinue and Welsh archers. 

Cheers for now.

Back to the Brushes 379

 

Last work in progress picture from 2023 and regrettably there isn't a finished piece to do another post with.

Perry's: Wars of the Roses Warwick the Kingmaker

In the background, there is one of four figures being painted as Northern Borders Scurrours in 15mm. The figures are from Museum Miniatures.

Unknown foot knight.

The foot knight has been spray undercoated with Army Painter Gun Metal then washed in Nuln Oil. 

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 378

A revised list for the AHPC XIV adding in Wars of the Roses in both 15 and 28mm

• 10mm DAK for O Group
• 15mm Assyrians for ADLG
• 15mm Mongols for ADLG
• 15mm Wars of the Roses for ADLG
• 28mm Romano Brits for SAGA
• 28mm Moors and Arabs for SAGA and ADLG
• 28mm Late Crusaders for SAGA
• 28mm Late Romans for ADLG
• 28mm Wars of the Roses for ADLG
• 28mm Christian Spanish for ADLG

Aiming for approximately 45 points per week this year to achieve the Challenge target of 500.

Let's see how things roll. 

Back to the Brushes 376

Some armies are never truly finished for some people and the Late Roman army would be in that category here. 

I will be participating in a day's gaming with ADLG at the weekend and found that the list created has one more unit of Heavy Cavalry than is painted.

A quick trip to the pile of shame provided enough figures for this unit and many more than would be needed under these rules.

The three horses above are from Footsore Miniatures  Late Roman range and are painting up well; despite the hobby lamps best efforts to prevent this. The charging point has gone on it. 

More to follow on these figures across the week as they need to be finished for this Sunday coming.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 375

It's been a few months since the last work in progress pic, so here's something in line with the Orctober theme:

First up is Eeza Ugezod, who will be used as a sub-commander for SAGA: Age of Magic. There are troopers to follow for this Regiment of Renown

The small gent to the left of the above pic is Khurma the Fleshripper; who will be the Warlord of Age of Magic Warband. The figure to the left is a puny human from Foundry's Late Roman range for scale comparison. 

These will also be used in a variety of other fantasy skirmish games. 

Hope to post more shortly.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 374

A couple of test figures for the Christian Spanish re-conquistadors to give the Moors a worthy opponent. 

The figures are from Gripping Beast's El Cid range that will also morph into early Crusaders if the opportunity raises. 

Will be using a range of muted reds, yellows, warm greys and beiges across these figures. Not wanting complete uniformity in the units but will use colour to show better units from their peers.

Back to the Moorish cavalry soon. 

Cheers for now.