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.

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 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 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.

Back to the Brushes 371

It's been a while since my last post here, almost three months to be fair. Could say this has been because of real life, lack of motivation or just plain couldn't be arsed. A combination of all three would be about right. 

So, in an effort to rid all three malaise I am starting a new project in 28mm: El Cid Spanish and Taifa Kingdoms.

Above, shows the first figure for the medium/heavy spearman. The red in the top left image is base coated with Mechrite red from Games Workshop's old foundation range. Each picture moving clockwise then adds a layer of Foundry Red Shade, Mid tone then the highlight.

The figures will in the main come from Gripping Beasts fantastic El Cid period range with a few here and there from other suppliers such as Artisan Design and Crusader

The four spearmen above will make up the rear rank of the first stand. The yellow, is the Foundry Yellow Ochre triad. The central red is the Foundry Madder Red triad again over Mechrite Red, which is perhaps too strong a base tone for this red. 

More to follow with these and a few older projects shortly. 

Back to the Brushes 312

A slow start to the month which is now gathering a bit of pace. Changes everywhere just now and readjusting to this as well as a major sporting event or two has taken a chunk out of hobby time. That said there will be different priorities in the coming months that will free some time up to paint; more of that later. 

Started on this motley crew earlier this week after a WhatsApp chat about Warhammer Ancients with a friend. A bit of reminiscing, a bit of potential forward planning and a bit of general gaming chat brought these figures to the fore. 

As usual for this period the figures are from Gripping Beast and were a part of a larger lot purchased on evil Bay back in the day. On starting to paint these there are a few burrs here and there that have been missed when cleaning up the figures and one or two faces have seen better days. Not looking to win any beauty prizes with these just well-painted figures that will fit into several Dark Age warbands; Normans and Bretons to start with.

Hope that you found this interesting and stay safe. 

Cheers for now. 

Back to the Brushes 292

Spent a bit of time last night working prepping figures for the upcoming Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge XI before moving on to some a little less taxing; Normans.

The swordsmen are from Wargames Foundry and the crossbowman is from Gripping Beast. Both manufacturers make great but very different styles of figures, some of which work together others that just don't. 

Sorry again for the poor quality image - just can't seem to get anything well lit at present. 

Will finish these off shortly and then on to the next two stands of Xyston Spartans. 

Hope that you found this interesting. 

Cheers for now

 

Back to the Brushes 284

That is another two Norman or Christian Spanish Crossbowmen ready for basing. Both figures are from Gripping Beast and at present can't decide whether to singly base the unarmoured figure or add him into a multi-figure stand. 

Will probably go with the former as this figure is already on the stand. 

This takes the monthly total to:

3 x 20mm WW2 terrain pieces

2 x 28mm Norman Crossbowmen

with a running total of 5 and 25 to go for the 30 Days 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge.

Hope that you found this interesting. 

Cheers for now. 

Back to the Brushes 281

 A few work in progress pics of what is currently getting some painting time. 

The first pic is of Foundry Caesarian Romans and a Gripping Beast  Cornicen from their currently out of production Caesarian range. 

More from Gripping Beast this time with Norman or Christian Spanish Crossbowmen for El Cid. The figure at the far left as viewed on screen is now complete. 

Lastly there are the first of the Compagnie Franches de la Marine from the moulds of AW Miniatures and lurking at the very back are Warlord Games Prussian Landwehr. Three of the Landwehr are now finished. 

 The blues on the Marines have been done in two very different ways. 

 

On the left, the blue has been painted with Citadel Contrast Ultramarines Blue and highlighted with Calgar blue and on the right with Foundry Napoleonic French blue triad in layers. The jury is still out on both colours and methods of painting and will trial the Contrast paint again on another two figures with a the wraith-bone under coat. 

Hope that this has been of interest.

Cheers for now

30 Days 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge July 2020

Starting another 30 Days 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge tonight, 1st July. Opting not to have a theme in this challenge as the free flowing approach suits better at present

The outline of the challenge is detailed below, however the main point being to have fun with your hobby.

• To paint 30 figures of all shapes and sizes in 30 days
• The figures can be partly painted at the start as the main point is to complete figures that have been forgotten
• Basing is not necessary to count as completed
• Any scale is good
• Too have fun
• The end date is set by your start date - 30th July will be the end date of this challenge
• To post updates as often as possible
• Lastly to show a round up post with a group picture of everything.

Here is the starting point as the painting table currently sits, so lots to be getting on with. 

Hope that you find this interesting. 

Cheers for now

Reconquista 7

Long has this stand been waiting for two figures; the standard bearer and the captain type to the left. The religious zealot at the back of the stand has been all alone for as long as he has been completed. 

The figures are from Gripping Beast and are possible the favourite range that they produce. The figures just work, individually, in small groups like below and in large unit groups. Broad surfaces and good cuts for shading also make these easy to paint quickly with good results.

The standard is from Little Big Men and the triangles were all painted in Foundry Madder Red to hide the bright green that was originally there. The green just didn't sit with the red turbans and sashes.

Thanks for looking and more to follow shortly

Cheers for now

Fury of the North 24

Recently completed Norman crossbowmen from Gripping Beast.

These have been based on 20mm squares to allow for use in multiple skirmish games such as SAGA, Lion Rampant, Outremer and WAB to name a few.

Although there are newer sculpts available for these troops these are still the favourites.

Cheers for now.

Reconquista 6

The first of two stands of Christian Mercenary crossbowmen for the Almohads.

The figures are from Gripping Beast's Norman range and whilst old are still good miniatures for their period.

These figures are very versatile and will see use as Normans, First Crusaders, Christian Spanish and Mercenaries for all of the above and more.

More of these soon.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 242

This update for the 30 Days 30 Miniatures shows another five completed Gripping Beast Norman crossbowmen. This takes the total to ten, four to be based for ADLG and six to be based singly for skirmish games and WAB.

A versatile set of figures that will see use as Normans, obviously; Christian Spanish and mercenaries for the Viking and El Cid periods and even First Crusaders.

Day 16 - 16 figures completed

Cheers for now

30 Days 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge round up August 2019

Here is the round up picture of last month's 30 Days 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge. 

Now to clarify what is here and what is missing. All are 28mm unless stated otherwise:

• 12 ACW Confederates in 15mm
• 5 Foundry Viking Berserkers
• 5 Gripping Beast Norman crossbowmen
• 2 Gorgon Studios Spartans
• 2 A&M Arabs at camp in 15mm
• 2 Gripping Beast Numidian Skirmishers
• 1 Gripping Beast Moorish spearman
• 1 Citadel plastic skeleton

Not shown in the round up pic as they are now at their owners house

• 1 Foundry Viking Berserker
• 1 Red Box Human hunter

This takes the tally for the Challenge to 32 figures completed in 30 days. 

The next 30 day challenge will start this evening.

Cheers for now.

Back to the Brushes 233

Further progress for the 30 Days 30 Miniatures with a Moor and five Norman/Christian Spanish Crossbowmen completed.

The next five crossbowmen are already underway below.

The colour of the tunics is more muted than that of the finished crossbowmen which will give the finished units a slight variance in colour.

Next will be more Numidians and Spanish skirmishers for the Caesarian and Carthaginian forces that have been getting worked on.

Day 11 - 8 finished figures

Cheers for now 

Back to the Brushes 190

The last few days have been full on with real life commitments; travel to and from a family funeral, work and family. As a result of this by day 11 there is only work in progress to report.

The figures are Ghulams from Black Hat Miniatures and are painting up well with not too much detail and yet enough to convey what is necessary.

Hoping to complete all nine shown including riders for the half way point.

There has also been some more time spent on the Christian Spanish although these are not shown here.

Cheers for now.

Back to the Brushes 188

Day four has seen better avtivity with a brush and the first two figures are complete.

Both figures are from Gripping Beast: Normans and Late Crusader ranges.

This figure - depicting William the Conqueror - is done for now and considering it was started ten year ago not rushing to change anything. However, its lacking something so might add a shield and change the colours of the harness to make him more like a leader of cabarellos hidalgo than his northern counter parts.

Next is a leader figure for Late Crusaders, in particular the Knights Hospitaller. In 1247 by papal order the Knights Hospitaller were given permission to wear red surcoats emblazened with the cross on in white. This figure with some artistic licence is in between with red and black quartering on the horses barding. Other figures for this warband will have either red or black surcoats depending on status.

The shield is a Little Big Man transfer.

More to follow shortly.

Day 4

Figures completed 2

Reconquista 5

The last from the Almoravids for a while as there are no more to base. Here there are the bulk of the army, the spearmen, with three stands out of the four required.

There is a mixture of hand painted and transfer covered shields in these stands. Felt this was the best approach as didn't want a uniform look to the units other than the head dresses which will be carried over the entire army.

The last stand is still to be painted and will be slightly different in appearance than these, but more of that later.

Once the spearmen are completed it only leaves five stands of archers to paint or thirty figures to be precise. That is a lot of spindlers.

Back to work in progress pictures for a while.

Cheers for now

Reconquista 4

More skirmishers for the Almoravids, one stand having already been shown a while back.

Depending on the list these can also double up a foot light stand in Basic Impetus as well as cheekily appearing in the 'Cid's army as well.

Cheers for now