How Far Jerusalem 7

The latest addition to the Late Crusader army for ADLG include three stands of the Knights of Jerusalem as shown below. 

Have used a bit of artistic licence when painting these, however, think that it's relevant enough to give a reasonable historical feel to the figures. 

As with the rest of the army, these are from the sadly no longer available Gladiator Miniatures range.

These are the first figures in 2025 and hopefully there will be more to follow. They have been included in the AHPC XV.

Cheers for now. 

Back to the Brushes 355

 The final stand of Crossbowmen and Spearmen for the Late Crusaders in ADLG. 

Strangely, for figures packed in eights, ran out of spear armed knights and substituted in the mace armed figure that you see in the pictures. The head on that mace is as big as the heads of the crossbowmen in the rear rank 😀 Scale creep is everywhere...

For this army there will be some mounted sergeants coming along shortly alongside more crossbowmen. This time the crossbows won't have any spearmen to add in. 

This takes the tally this month to: 

32 x 15mm infantry figures

Giving that the young Padawan is guising tomorrow night, there won't likely be any additions until next month. You never though...

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 354

The next stand of combined spearmen and crossbowmen for the Late Crusaders under Lionhearts strategic leadership are below:

The figures as with the bulk of  the army are from Gladiator Miniatures available through Fighting 15s.

The shield decals are from VVV and provide a quick and relatively easy way of upgrading the overall appearance of the unit.

The base from Warbases is a 40mm square on 2mm and awaits the traditional black edge.

This takes the tally for this month's 30 Days 30 Miniatures to:

24 x 15mm infantry

Still time to get some more on the painting table

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 353

 A few of items currently on the painting table at present. 

The second part of Black Guard spearmen for Almorahads in ADLG with first two stands very nearly finished. 

A unit of medium Turkopol cavalry for the Late Crusaders in ADLG

A classic figure from Citadel Miniatures back in the day; a Viking from the Kremlo scenario 

The start of the first unit for Republican Romans in SAGA: Age of Hannibal. Figures from Gripping Beast. 

Some completed figures to follow shortly. 

Cheers for now. 

Back to the Brushes 350

As September starts here is the last of August's 30 days painting challenge.  

An Arab horde from Old Glory in 15mm.

A small piece of terrain for desert themed games in either 6 or 10mm - this started life as a Warbases pond base in 2mm MDF.

The rear rank of crossbowmen from Gladiator Miniatures complete the first two stands or half spear hald crossbow for the Late Crusaders in ADLG. 

What the crows see at the start of the bloody day.

The start of the next half and half unit, alas the spearmen didn't make August's muster. 

This completes August's 30 Days 30 Miniatures and the final tally is: 

27 x 15mm Infantry

1 x 15mm Elephant and crew

2 x 28mm Infantry

1 x 10mm terrain piece

Totalling 31 painted miniatures. 

Will be starting the next challenge tomorrow night. 

Cheers for now. 

How Far Jerusalem 6

Another figure completed last night and the basing will be done over the next few days. 

This elephant from Museum Miniatures will be used in a variety of different Arab and their successor armies in ADLG and DBA.

A hefty piece of lead, if dropped this would smart a bit if it landed on your foot. Hoping not to find out at any point in the future, 

Sadly, this only counts as one for this month's challenge taking the tally so far to: 

8 x 15mm Infantry

1 x 15mm Elephant and crew

More to follow shortly. 

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 348

A reasonable session last night moved these crossbowmen on to waiting on a wash of strong tone to finish them off. 

 The spearmen have been sitting ready since the beginning of August to be based with these. 

That's all for today and looking to go back to the first amongst equals of armies here for a brief interlude with 28mm ancients. As the hobbit said, don't adventures ever end, well this one isn't done yet for sure.  

Cheers for now

Dance of Bronze 26

Finished these off last night as aware that the month is rapidly moving towards the last third and there is nothing as yet completed. 

The figures are from Xyston's range of Greeks and will be used in, well, you guessed it, Greek armies for DBA and ADLG.

Xyston's figures are not to everyone's taste however, I really like them and find the sculpts suit my style of painting for 15mm. 

Back to the Crusaders this evening to progress another combined stand of spear and crossbows for ADLG. 

This takes this month's total to: 

8 x 15mm infantry.

Cheers for now

 

Back to the Brushes 347

In between work, complaining about the weather being very good - it's a Scottish thing - and being more active painting continues on the Crusader spear and crossbows with pictures to follow. 

As a slight diversion put some flesh colours and started on the uniform in this motley crew.

The figures were built when purchased from eBay and are from earlier Warlord Games British infantry. By earlier, its the models not the period of WW2.

The rifleman on the left as view has a different approach to the flesh. 

Block base tone, in this case Foundry Flesh A. Then thin coat of Foundry Flesh B, followed by another. Next is a very light colouring with Army Painter Flesh wash, followed by glazing with the Foundry mid tone. Still to apply subtle highlighting which will be a mix of Foundry Flesh B & C.

Is it worth it, will see once finished, but the thin coats of paints suits the warm weather. 

Anyhoo, there will be another couple of figures from WW2 appearing over the weekend along with the first finished figures for this month's 30 Days 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge. 

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 346

The answer to Jonathan' question on what is in the queue for this month starts with a return to a previous project by picking up on the 15mm Late Crusaders for ADLG/DBA to push through the six stands of combined spear and crossbowmen for the Lionhearts Crusaders. 

The figures are from Gladiator Miniatures and will match in with two factions already painted: Knights of St John's and the Knights of Jerusalem. 

The remaining two stands will be painted with a more generic approach to their colour schemes. 

The first figures are already down on their base. Waiting on the off from their crossbow armed sargeants before jumping into the basing mix tray.

Re-purposed from two stands of HI SP from the original DBA army this was created from allowing better use of the figures on the deeper stand for combined basing. Stops those bloody spears getting the way. 

Hope this of interest to you. 

Cheers for now. 

Back to the Brushes 344

It is hot here in Scotland tonight, hot and clammy and not in a good way either. Tried to paint last night however, gave in as it was really too hot and that's not something you'll read often. 

Prepped a few stands worth of Late Crusaders for ADLG and DBA. This time a mixture of Knights and Sargeants for the Knights of Jerusalem faction. Haven't gone overboard on these just enough to do what will be needed - two stands of three cavalry with figures from Gladiator Miniatures.

Then tried to paint again and shelved that idea so built a paint stand instead. Five sticky fingers and elastic bands later it was complete.

Recommend this or similar if you use Vallejo or similar style paints. Easy to assemble, tidies desk space - well you have to do that really - and you can see the colours whether the bottle is stored top up or top down. Personally, it's a top up house here. 

After that did a little prep work for a new 28mm project based on a pillar that my hobby is based on, but more of that later.  Some snipping, some gluing and a few sweary words at small parts that just won't go where they are glued and the first unit is on the way. Project E, as it will be referred to for a while has started and will be shown  once the first stands are fully complete. 

On the subject of Projects, will be starting the 30 Days 30 Miniature Painting Challenges again in August as feeling in a better place to commit to this again. The shine was wearing off and that's not what it is all about. 

On that will be back soon with some pictures of other ongoing stuff. 

Cheers for now. 

Back to the Brushes 343

Prep the beginning of all figures and in this case Arab Infantry from Old Glory and an elephant from Museum Miniatures. This is affectionately known by some gamers as a Death Star, can't say that has ever really been the case here as those pesky X-Wings always manage to destroy the group before it can get into range. 

 

The elephant is proudly sitting on a vintage base from Warbases; vintage as this was produced pre-laser cut bases became available from Warbases. 

A few more stands worth of infantry to be prepped ready for spraying later in the week along with some more Turkopolen horse archers.

Hoping to be posting more frequently again and looking to settling back to regular painting sessions now the new glasses have arrived. 

Cheers for now

How Far Jerusalem 4

Completed bases below for a second DBA Late Crusaders army in 15mm from Gladiator Miniatures. 

These figures are loosely based on the Knights of Jerusalem and the mounted knights and sergeants will follow later in the spring or early summer. 

Finding that there was an odd figure left over that wouldn't suit for a element of light horse on its own, the addition of a casualty figure saves the day. 

A few bases of Arabs to help chase the Crusaders on their way will follow shortly.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 334

Just a few of the reasons why this is the first post for 2022

Oathmark Skeleton Archers

15mm Sargonid Assyrians

6mm Normans

15mm Confederates

15mm Arabs and Moors

28mm Skeletons

15mm Crusaders

15mm Hoplites

Time to pick a period and complete a unit or two. 

Stay safe and cheers for now