Back to the Brushes 310

Still here and still breathing! Always a good thing. 

A quick pic to show the start of the Knights of Gondor for Dragon Rampant and fantasy skirmish in general. 

 

The rider at the back came firmly glued into the saddle!

The above along with three other horses still to be primed saw some virtual action at the weekend. The game was an introductory session to Dragon Rampant for all involve and as host a huge learning curve as well. 

Running a game through zoom on a tablet is challenging but fun all the same. Can see now why people have invested in web cams to help out with this and if lock down returns then might do the same here. 

Might look at sabot style basing for these as well for Hordes of the Things.

Looking forward to getting moving on these, the first real painting done this month! Is it possible to complete 30 figures in 13 days, we'll see. 

Stay safe and cheers for now

30 Days 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge September 2020

 Last months 30 Days 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge was successfully completed as below

Struggled with time to post updates for this challenge over the last few days; so here is a final recap of August's painting: 

• 20 x 20mm D.A.K from SHQ and Battlefield Miniatures (sadly out of production at present)
• 2 x 28mm Citadel Orcs
• 5 x 28mm Gondorian Archers from Gamesworkshop
• 3 x 28mm Late Roman Horse archers from Gripping Beast (Footsore mounts)

Starting another 30 Days 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge tonight, 1st September. As with last month there will be no theme to this, just to paint and complete 30 miniatures regardless of their starting condition. 

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 September 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.

Hope that you will find this interesting.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 272

Blink and before you know it another month is drawing to and end and this has been an eventful month with a few significant dates happening:

• Reaching the half century
• Celebrating 20 years married
• The young Padawan starting school.

Whilst this has all been good and rewarding in very different ways, there has still been a little time to get some painting done including the following work in progress pics:

The Late Roman archer's horses are already done and these two ponies belong to some undercoated Huns. 

Half of the started Gondorian archers for Dragon Rampant. Been playing about with the base colours for the plate armour with these so there will be some difference in the finished appearance from previous figures in this retinue.  

More Prussian Landwehr moving slowly forward. The blue is taking more time than anticipated for such a large area of colour. The base coat is looking more like a contrast paint and requiring over painting when it shouldn't. 

Hope that this has been of interest to you 

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 270

With only one painting session to go until the end of this 30 Days and 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge to go; how close to the finish line are things looking?

Close, very close...

First up is a command stand from Warlord Games Caesarian Roman range. This is the final command stand for this army in ADLG if played at 200 points; not so sure that will happen in 28mm however, never say never.

Next is another command stand from another Roman army; The Late Roman army this time. The standard bearer and the poor bloody infantry man have been painted for this stand, the commander was painted about 18 years ago.

Keeping with the theme of command stands here is another one finished in this challenge; this time for the Wars of the Roses in 15mm.



Whilst on the subject of wars on this fair land, here are two Norman from Wargames Foundry. After over 35 years in production these are still great figures for the Dark Ages in general. There will be more from this range later in the year.



The Anglo Saxons were a Dark Age culture that lived in Middengeard (Old English) which translates to Midgard (Old Norse) and Tolkien adapted this to Middle Earth. Tall and proud in Middle Earth are the Men of Gondor, descendants of the Numenoreans who fought in the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. Now as their strength fades the Men of Gondor fight for survival and here is one of their veterans ready to defend his homeland.



Normally, these pics would be centred on the page however Blogger is having one of its little moods and obviously knows what is required better than I do. Such is life. 

This means that the current total now sits at 22 figures completed in this challenge detailed as below

28mm Infantry: 19 figures
28mm Cavalry: 1 figure
15mm Cavalry: 2 figures

All to paint for now.

Hope that you found this interesting.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 267

A quick update on the 30 Days 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge with the first batch of figures now at the ready stage for this challenge. 

At almost two thirds of the way through its time to up the ante and get figures finished off. Here are the first thirteen figures all from Games Workshops Gondor range. 

These are for the Gondor Rampant retinue that is currently being painted with a view to taking on Mordor, Harad, Khand or Umbar in the future. Thankfully the only figures from the nations mentioned above that are liked from Games Workshop are the Mordor Orcs and there are more than enough of these in the lead mountain. 

There are thirteen here and if you notice there are also a few bent spear shafts here and there. Plastic doesn't suit this weapon type. 

 There will be more completed figures shortly. 

Day 20 - 13 x 28 mm infantry completed. 

Hope that this was of interest to you 

Cheers for now

There is Darkness there that never sleeps 2

The second unit for Gondor Rampant is now finished - the Axemen of Lossarnach led by Forlong the Fat or Forlong the Old

Tolkien describes these men as below:

Leading the line there came walking a big thick-limbed horse, and on it sat a man of wide shoulders and huge girth, but old and grey-bearded, yet mail-clad and black-helmed and bearing a long heavy spear. Behind him marched proudly a dusty line of men, well-armed and bearing great battle-axes; grim-faced they were, and shorter and somewhat swarthier than any men that Pippin had yet seen in Gondor.

'Forlong!' men shouted. 'True heart, true friend! Forlong!' But when the men of Lossarnach had passed they muttered: 'So few! Two hundreds, what are they?

Opted for grays on this unit to tie it into the colour scheme of Gondor but also to set it apart as it is not black. When placed against the Gondor swordsmen that have already been completed these fit in well with their own distinctive identity. 

The inspiration for the floral image on the standard and shield comes from two sources, firstly the Vale of Flowers is another name for Lossarnach and the Wood Lily or Trillium  Both were hand painted in the finishing stages of this unit. 

So far this year, these are the favourite of all that has been painted. Truly great figures and far more fitting for this unit in Dragon Rampant than the GW versions that are still available.

Hope that you found this interesting. 

Cheers for now

Fantasy Hero 21

Another small post with a few pieces that have been lingering around for too long. 

First up is an old figure from Citadel or Marauder Miniatures back in the day. Always liked this figure and painted this one too match some skeletons from a previous AHPC.

Next up are a two pieces of scatter terrain from Games Workshop's Lord of the Rings SBG. These have been painted with an arid climate in mind and as a result only one has some additional scenic material added. 

These will see a fair amount of use when gaming is able to start again in the future and will included games such as Mortal Gods and the Rampant series. 

Both of these started as a base colour of Dheneb Stone and have been washed with Army Painter strong tone and worked up to almost white in places.  

The will be some more versatile items to show shortly. 

Hope that you found this interesting

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 263

As a slight diversion from Gondorians being painted in black and silver these have been dusted down and they were thick with stour to the point of being almost grey in colour. 

Looking to paint these in the same fashion as the first members of this Mordheim warband painted about 15 years ago. 

Easier said than done as the jade green has dried to a crisp...

Hope that you find this interesting

Stay safe and cheers for now 

Back to the Brushes 261

As the Axemen of Lossarnach are nearly completed have made a start on the next unit for Gondor Rampant.

This unit will represent the back bone of the warband; spear armed heavy foot. There are another seven that are only primed at this time.

Boromir is included because he is there not because he is a part of the unit. 

Also started are two pieces of scatter terrain. 

The well is generic and will be used for all 28mm skirmish games. This is a 3D printed item that was picked up at Carronade 2019. 

The statue is from Games Workshop and has been gathering dust for as long as the Gondorian infantry. 

Both items have been mounted on 70mm rounds from Warbases and textured with ready mix plaster and sand. Finding this works better for larger bases than sand alone.

Hoping to make good progress with these this weekend when the weather changes. 

Hope you found something of interest. 

Stay safe

Cheers for now

There is Darkness there that never sleeps.

Here is the first of a new series of posts relating solely to the painting of warbands for use in Dragon Rampant set in Middle Earth. The title is from Tolkien and said by Boromir during the Council of Elrond. 

The first post show the first unit of swordsmen for a Gondorian warband that is currently being painted.

The swordsmen were originally purchased not long after the release of the Return of the King film in 2003/4 so they have waited a long time to see the business end of a brush.

Also included are a Captain, Denethor Steward of Gondor, a Standard Bearer and a veteran swordsman just behind the captain 

At this point the sabots have no scenic grass or tufts added however this will change to break up the black edges you can see on the figures as the sabots are not deep enough. (3mm needed not 2mm).

In game terms for Dragon Rampant these will be classed as Heavy Foot with no ability to form a wall of spears. If Denethor was with the unit they would be classed as Elite Heavy Foot.

Have enjoyed painting these figures and there will be more of the same during the coming weeks along with a few other things from here and there.

Stay safe.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 259

Something new from something old; Men of Gondor for Dragon Rampant.

The test figure for the first group of swordsmen is nearly completed. With the bulk of the detail lying in the armour have opted to paint this as follows:

• Base coat - Citadel Chainmail
• Wash - Nuln Oil
• First highlight - Citadel Chainmail
• Second highlight - Chainmail and Foundry Spearpoint C Silver mix
• Final highlight - Foundry Spearpoint Silver C. 

The whole group as work in progress including Denethor, a Captain and the standard bearer above.

Cheers for now.

Back to the Brushes 250

As the year draws to an end a new beginning starts: The Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge X, X Marks the Spot.

Prep for this has been underway for some time and has deliberately not been specific to either scale or period offering a variety of choices throughout the challenge.

The question to be answered is what options are there? Well lets see:

• 6mm Ancient Greeks and Macedonians from Rapier Miniatures
• 15mm Arabs from Essex, Minifigs and Old Glory
• 15mm Spartans from Xyston
• 15mm War of the Roses from Gladiator Miniatures
• 20mm WW2 US vehicles from Frontline and AT guns, support weapons and crew from Platoon 20
• 20mm WW2 DAK from SHQ
• 28mm Gondor infantry and cavalry from Games Workshop
• 28mm Late Romans from Foundry and Gripping Beast
• 28mm Prussians from Calpe, Perry Miniatures and Warlord Games
• 28mm English Civil War from Warlord Games
• 28mm American Civil War from Perry Miniatures
• 28mm Moors from Gripping Beast
• 28mm El Cid Spanish from Gripping Beast
• 28mm Samurai from Perry Miniatures
• 28mm Claymore Casting Gallowglass for the Men of Lossarnach in Lord of the Rings
• 28mm Carthaginians from Gripping Beast

As always this only an indicative list of where painted figures will come from and for some of these there are only four or five figures rather than full units or more. 

Looking for progress over a variety of projects in this year's challenge and think the list above gives that and more.

The start date is December 21st 2019 and looking forward to getting some painting done in this year's challenge; the ninth time of being involved.

Cheers for now

Fantasy Hero 15

Finally completed and based, the mid level ranger figure from Citadel's AD&D range circa 1985.

Looks like the cloak might require an additional coat of varnish.

Originally started in the VIII Analogue Painting Challenge and recently completed in the 30days30miniatures painting challenge.

Some small horses and riders to follow shortly.

Cheers for now

#30days30miniatures painting challenge - summing up

Thirty days have come and gone and the painting challenge has been a great motivation to complete a good number of figures that have been gathering dust on the painting table.

Overall, the total number of figures completed came in at 55 broken down as follows:

6mm -  20 cavalry

15mm - 21 foot

28mm - 14 foot

The 6mm figures were all started and completed during the challenge. The 15mm was a mixture of part painted and unpainted figures and all of the 28mm figures had previously been started.

Here is the painting desk at the start, midway and at the finish.

Then past half way

At the finish line

This last picture shows all the painted figures together in a group shot. More detailed pictures will follow on themed posts shortly. 

The main motivator in this challenge has been to clear some figures from the painting table. However, as you can see there are still many more figures to complete; so what next? Well continue the 30days30miniatures painting challenge this time however there will be both a theme and a personal challenge. This is one in the same thing here as the challenge this time will be to complete - not necessarily base - 30 pieces of cavalry in various scales. The reason why? I dread painting horses and yet when finished they are so rewarding. 

So take up your brushes, pick a theme and paint 30 figures in 30 days! You know that you want to.

Cheers for now

Fantasy Hero 7

A recently completed Citadel Orc from sometime a go - not really sure on the age of this one.

Opted for a more grey-green than some of the very bright greens that are often used with Orcs. The base colour is from Foundry's poorly received World War II range of colours and is Soviet Winter Green shades through A to C

Another member of the Black shields, this orc has a plastic shield from the late eighties with no decoration. Not sure on this and it may change in the future if a good alternative can be found.

Some previous victims of the over-sized chopper hide behind the plastic shield, one in slightly better condition than the other although both have seen better days.

As with previous figures from this range have used militaristic colours rather than some of the more flamboyant colour schemes that are often seen. It is a matter of personal preference nothing more.

Another single figure to follow shortly along with some work in progress.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 141

So what has been happening here? Well, truthfully not really that much on the hobby front,  a lot of thinking about things and talk about painting but little direct action. It is all a question of time really, so when a window opened the other night the following appeared.

The orcs are just for the fun of it and why not? Avoiding the bright green flesh used for so many orcs and looking for a more strained and washed out colour picked Soviet Winter Green from Foundry's now discontinued range of WW2 colours. The figure second from the left has the full triad showing from shade to base to highlight. Fun to paint these guys regardless of colours.

Next up is a Citadel High Elf from circa 1984 and the C08 range. Touched up the undercoat for this one and have some thoughts on this figure being in autumnal colours to suit the changing to the season here with the base showing the change of the seasons too.

For all that this figure is the best part of thirty-three years old, she is in good condition after being stripped from an old oil and enamel painting job and then again from acrylics. Somewhere there is a duplicate figure so might paint them as an autumn spring pair but will think on that.

Since both pictures are retro based here is a bit of Bowie

There will be something finished next post.

Cheers for now

Fantasy Heroes

During the painting challenge some Ranger types for fantasy skirmish gaming have been getting painted. To compliment these the figures below have been rebased to the same style and standard. 

All are from Citadel and there are from left to right, Aragorn, Aragorn, Ranger of Ithilien, Ranger Ithilien.

These were painted between 1989 and 2014 as some have been stripped back and repainted.

More in a similar light to follow shortly.

Cheers for now