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 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 373

Sat last night and continued colouring in these two Hearth Guard minis for the Moorish Warband. 

Gripping Beast figures with their older style of horses that don't depict the pride of Andalusian horse flesh that well. 

Have opted for darker shields for the Hearth Guard so the small details jump out in various hues of yellow. 

After that, there is only a few bits of equipment to finish on this pair before moving on to the next two. 

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. 

30 Days 30 Miniatures - November 2021 Round Up

 A late round up picture from November's 30 Days Painting Challenge.

In total 16 figures completed last month. Slipping backwards again however, the AHPC XII will end this year and start next year in a glorious fashion. 

First session was last night and have started on the Carthaginians for SAGA and Fallschrimjager for Chain of Command. Both in 28mm. Blocking in fleshtones for humans and horses. 

Pictures to follow shortly. 

Cheers

Reconquista 9

Finished these off the other evening and that completes the 1st point of Levy for the Moors in SAGA. The other six to follow when the daylight allows for some better pictures. There was clouds and sleet here earlier, so not the best natural lighting for photographing figures painted in tones of black. 

The figures are from Gripping Beast and have been a pleasure to paint up and will be moving on with the second point of levy being the crossbowmen. 

This will take the warband to the following 6 point list:

• Warlord
• 4 Mounted Hearthguards
• 8 Warriors
• 8 Warriors
• 8 Warriors
• 12 Levy with bows
• 12 Levy with crossbows

After that the decision will be whether or not to include the Legendary Black Guard for a an 8 point warband or another unit of Hearthguard and Mounted Warriors. The Black Guard being the cheaper option as the figures are already here, the other two units might mean hunting through the lead mountain before purchasing yet more unnecessary new shiney. Decisions decisions...

Hope that this is of interest to you and your painting plans within plans are moving on well too. 

Stay safe and cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 327

 Since it's October and the Battle of Hastings was in October here are few Normans of very different sizes.

First up, is a Norman Milite from Gripping Beast that has been waiting a few brush strokes to finish him off. Another versatile figure range that can be morphed into El Cid Spanish and 1st Crusaders and early Feudals as well. This figure is part of a Hearthguard unit for SAGA and other skirmish games as well as the possibility of WAB at smaller point games. 

Next are two stands of missile troops for a Norman DBA army in 6mn. Crossbows to the left and archers to the right. The base sizes are the sames as would be used for 15mm figures just a few more figures per base. The first units of spearmen are on the painting table just now but most likely to be next month before they are here. 

The same versatility will be available with these figures once finished and they'll see a fair bit of use in the future. 

This takes this month's tally to:

6 x 28 mm infantry

1 x 28mm cavalry

12 x 6mm infantry figures

Getting there and the 6mm figures are a bit cheeky but still count. 

Hope you found this interesting

Cheers for now.

Back to the Brushes 326

The next batch of painted Moorish archers are below; figures from Gripping Beast's Moors range. 

The brighter colours used here are to reflect an Andalusian influence whilst the stark contrast below with the black for more of a Moorish feel. Both are purely artistic licence 

A versatile range of figures that will see use in both SAGA: Age of Crusades and Lion Rampant and possibly a few other skirmish styled games as well. 

This takes the tally this month so far to:

6 x 28mm Infantry

Still a fair bit to go but there is a lot in the side lines at present. 

Hope that you found this interesting. 

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. 

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 8

The recently completed Analogue Hobbies Quarantine Challenge 2020 saw some progress being made with the Almohads and Moors in general.

First is a unit of heavy infantry that will form the basis of the centre line of the painted army with this being the first of either four or six stands for this. 

The figures are from Gripping Beast and are still some of my favourites for this period. 

A common theme throughout the project is the use of a dark gray headdress to tie the units together. There is no other reason for this than artistic licence and it adds to the unity of all the units as well as the individuals on each stand. 

Next for this period is another command stand, the second of three needed for the army if used at 200 points. The figures again are from Gripping Beast and the standard from Little Big Men transfers. 

The drummer behind the left shoulder of the Iman was painted for this challenge, whilst the other two figures have been painted previously.

Here are both stands side by side.

There will be some more from the last Challenge shortly before starting the first Thirty Days, Thirty Miniatures Challenges for the summer months. 

Hope that you like these. 

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 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 231

Been a struggle over the last week and a half to get some good time to paint; however that changed in a positive way last night and a good start was made on the mercenary crossbowmen for all things Dark Ages.

Below is the bedlam on the tray just now with a lot of Greeks in progress held up by a delayed, well not delivered, paint from a reputable figure supplier. The crossbowmen are on the pallette - ceramic tile - and and will be used as Mercenaries, Normans, Christian Spanish and even First Crusaders.

There are another dozen of these to be painted that will be used for ADLG and Hail Caesar in the future. Those shown below will see use in SAGA and WAB. Yes, that's WAB.

The figures are from Gripping Beast and will be the first figures for the 30 Days 30 Figures challenge started yesterday. Full details on the next post.

As mercenaries in WAB the crossbowmen will see action with a Norwegian based Viking army at 1,000 points. More of that in the future.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 221

Spent some time with a brush the other night and started colouring in some more Moors.

Supporting archers in the foreground for ADLG and Moor spearmen for SAGA to the rear.

Another stand of Arab cavalry for ADLG in 15mm was also completed at the same time, however this isn't pictured here. These will follow soonish. 

Needing to settle back into a painting rthyme and start to clear some of the part painted figures on the table off. More on this and future plans in the next few posts. 

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 205

Gathering of the host of prepped figures for the forth coming Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge IX.

In the centre there is a mixture of undercoated Macedonian Pike, Hypaspists and mercenary hoplites with a fair few El Cid Spanish foot. On the right there are undercoated and untouched Peltasts.

There is also a full 15mm Later Crusader army for DBA to be cleaned and undercoated for this challenge.

Decisions, decisions; what would you paint: Ancients or Dark Ages?

Cheers for now. 

30 Days 30 Miniatures - Cavalry Painting Challenge

This evening will be starting a themed 30 days 30 miniatures painting challenge.

The theme is cavalry a personal dread for the painting table.

The rules of the challenge are simple:

• To paint 30 cavalry figures including riders in 30 days
• The figures can be partly painted 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 - 8th September will be the end date here
• To post updates as often as possible
• Lastly to show a round up post with a group picture of everything.

Below is a picture of the painting table as it currently stands

and the following will make up part of this challenge:

• 28mm Gripping Beast Normans/Christian Spanish
• 15mm Gladiator Ayyubid Ghulams
• 6mm Rapier Greek Heavy Cavalry

Not shown are some Moors for SAGA and Prodromoi for the Macedonians. Well over the total of 30 figures. 

Take up your brushes, pick a theme and finish off some long stalled project. 

Cheers for now.