Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Medieval Adventures => Topic started by: Atheling on August 21, 2020, 04:53:49 PM
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've added in a couple of extra characters like the officer with his hand in the air, commanding the archers to loose and the Flamoularioi officer to 'dress the ranks'.
You can see a whole load of extra pics of the unit as a whole and each individual stand from various angles on my blog here:
https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2020/08/aventine-byzantine-heavy.html (https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2020/08/aventine-byzantine-heavy.html)
First, a more or less actual size pic:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VxUpKxIqmxE/Xz_sU2k0TTI/AAAAAAABEQI/Sw_8ElqQ0X05F5sf27ycCayj9XEdSPJegCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ACTUAL%2BSIZE.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lVAtptLM9QE/Xz_m2Vx5jGI/AAAAAAABEMQ/0roGLwtibhgPoi-qy66NwZei4fAbtYOHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AVENTINE%2BBYZANTINE%2BHEAVY%2BINFANTRY%2BUNIT%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DRdff-jvx6A/Xz_m27QwpOI/AAAAAAABEMY/Wcro7-qFDuckl4SwLHBWZCiJT9Fa3YyewCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AVENTINE%2BBYZANTINE%2BHEAVY%2BINFANTRY%2BUNIT%2B1D.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aY9vyQN9Qp0/Xz_m4W5MmDI/AAAAAAABEM4/sRM48Ei0dxkTtt0ZLvMpMrfi-Hp7sFgVACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AVENTINE%2BBYZANTINE%2BHEAVY%2BINFANTRY%2BUNIT%2B1K.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zGLbCnMOwmw/Xz_neP6j6rI/AAAAAAABENg/kf-L8Zq_cjkWh3sHvahcxeB7C0GUQplNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AVENTINE%2BBHI%2BABOVE%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mRhjaiQuM5w/Xz_neBp87CI/AAAAAAABENc/6vmhdqjFJaU_C8RSp61pBQEXrGD5d4hHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AVENTINE%2BBHI%2BABOVE%2B1C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CiT8QoXd3VU/Xz_nf3qfD5I/AAAAAAABEOA/590hViioDE4pw0iGl9NVpfol8TPFlRyjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AVENTINE%2BBHI%2BABOVE%2B1J.jpg)
Cheers :)
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Lovely stuff.
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What a beautiful unit! Very immersive! I really like the warm colours! :-*
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Thumbs up Darrell
Philippe
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Gorgeous work!
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Sumptuous miniatures😳
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Those are just great! Lovely work.
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Thanks for the kind words people- appreciated :)
Sumptuous miniatures😳
Is it safe to assume that temptation might have got the better of you mate? ;) :)
They are really beautifully sculpted mini's and expertly cast. Literally nothing to cut off and very little filing needed. And the detail!! :-*
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They look very good 8)
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Amazing work! They've turned out great!
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Too many Saxons still to paint😉. But they are lovely figures and your paint job makes them pop...my daub attempts would not do them justice besides hundreds of Western Romans to complete also. On the dream list 🤙
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They are terrific! I doubt they would be dismounted boukellarioi though - I don't think dismounted cav would have the infantry shield.
I can't wait to see the rest of your army. That you keep posting them right now is kind of bringing me back to LoA regularly because I'm not really working on any gaming stuff right now.
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A wonderful unit. Well done
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Lovely and bright brush work mate!
Cheers
Natt
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Thanks for the kind words people :)
Too many Saxons still to paint😉. But they are lovely figures and your paint job makes them pop...my daub attempts would not do them justice besides hundreds of Western Romans to complete also. On the dream list 🤙
If it's any consolation Roo my dream list keeps growing o_o . I look back to even a decade ago and realise that we are absolutely spoiled rotten for mini choices these days. :)
They are terrific! I doubt they would be dismounted boukellarioi though - I don't think dismounted cav would have the infantry shield.
I'm not so about them sticking to their bucklers when dismounted- it would have been a significant disadvantage whilst fighting on foot. Being the cream of the army and very well equipped I think it's reasonable to assume that they would have had access to larger Scuta if in need. Of course, we don't have any sources that really stipulate what they were equipped with when fighting dismounted, for example at Dara, but we do know that they did fight dismounted and were able to stand fast against a much larger Sassanid army. I'm not sure how they would have done this with very small bucklers(???). Obviously I could be wrong and these are just my assumptions.
I'm quite sure that Keith and Adam at Aventine has these particular models penned at Dismounted Bucellarri. It did dawn on me that the front ranks lacked bows etc which I think is more of an issue.
I can't wait to see the rest of your army. That you keep posting them right now is kind of bringing me back to LoA regularly because I'm not really working on any gaming stuff right now.
Thanks :) I've got a Torsion War Machine and some slingers in the gloss pile at present due for matting down on Tuesday.
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Thanks :) I've got a Torsion War Machine and some slingers in the gloss pile at present due for matting down on Tuesday.
Seems like you let your figures site quite awhile before hitting them with a matte finish. What kind of gloss do you use and what kind of matt do you use?
I let my glossed figures sit overnight, but I'm wondering if I can learn something here.
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Seems like you let your figures site quite awhile before hitting them with a matte finish. What kind of gloss do you use and what kind of matt do you use?
I let my glossed figures sit overnight, but I'm wondering if I can learn something here.
I started getting a little bit of speckling on some miniatures and mentioned it on my blog (or on here?). Our very own Redzed pointed out that after glossing I should wait about a week prior to matting down and it has worked a treat. I'll certainly continue with this method for miniatures that I've spent some time on like the Byzantines. It is a strange kind of stasis waiting for a week prior to matting down! lol
As for the speed painted stuff? (Like the Beja in the Colonial section) I just leave them the usual 24 hours after painting then gloss. Then another 24 hours and matt down.
I think that whatever method you go for it's very important to wait 24 hours before applying any varnish at all. Let those mini's dry out :)
Hope that helps?
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So, I had a spare hour before my shopping delivery this morning and here are a few pic of some the various bases, breaking the bases down a little.
Senior Officer and Standard Bearer Base
I wanted to have some interaction between the main Standard Bearer and the Senior Officer did my best to position them to give the impression of communication; more or less safety behind the wall of shields to their front.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9g4B8G9F-mI/Xz_n3WdrCoI/AAAAAAABEOs/HC0MJSjMVCk-jsvHTVrIyJDyunkeJMBogCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ABZI%2BSTAND%2B2A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-syr3KIfNjZU/Xz_n3Y0PSKI/AAAAAAABEOw/EpBmKFw4JrY8v8WBrRNm0hiwC3WBYjXTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ABZI%2BSTAND%2B2B.jpg)
Junior Officer as Standard Bearer
It was less important for me to have any interaction between the standard bearer and the others here so I had him face front like the rest of the spearmen- perhaps awaiting the onslaught that must surely come.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uPAHA-vXTaM/Xz_n284kHTI/AAAAAAABEOo/oJ8ZJaFoEggYPBX_xJqd7HtysAEhnj0YgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ABZI%2BSTAND%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MTS0gGxwdL8/Xz_n2woU1EI/AAAAAAABEOk/cvu5-XrRqwAPSPULVW0mJbPQ3O0-vbx7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ABZI%2BSTAND%2B1B.jpg)
Steadfast Bucellarri
Well, steadfastly awaiting the oncoming savagery!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-37UnP0Ra61Q/Xz_n4MkWvjI/AAAAAAABEPA/0vLwxMzCDhEnomZimAzJFAhamhSCYYU8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ABZI%2BSTAND%2B3A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_rhup48hG5Y/Xz_n4Fgol4I/AAAAAAABEO8/2RbvyxaozswYKSOC4gsWISF36HtA3vMxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ABZI%2BSTAND%2B3C.jpg)
Bucellarri- Archers Loose Overhead as Enemy Advances- I've angles some of the bows more horizontally as the Bucellarri wee primarily mounted soldiers and trained to loose from horseback too. The bow is often angled as such in depictions of the time
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ltT9l_U_dJY/Xz_n45TcWtI/AAAAAAABEPQ/malV6CCpq08DFCWYHxQJ8gUy5A8APwN2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ABZI%2BSTAND%2B5A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Co00uqpLlwg/Xz_n5M1FQ-I/AAAAAAABEPY/47sw4Jj9_L03QdquFDZrx9vZpxv3WWHNACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ABZI%2BSTAND%2B5C.jpg)
Junior Officer and Flamoularaioi
This is one of my favourite bases. I added the Flamoularaioi and Junior Officer from a separate pack. The Flamoularaioi were Junior Officers given the task of dressing the ranks (the 6 CE equivalent!). I left out the spear/banner pole of the Junior Officer as with his arm in the air like that, he was perfect for placement in the back ranks ordering the archers to loose.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LpDQYVb4IKc/Xz_n5YlHCyI/AAAAAAABEPg/6xI4CaUoSXA0a1BZt39GzWT3hOXqQ68vwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ABZI%2BSTAND%2B6B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V2AHLcMNz3M/Xz_n5i3xsII/AAAAAAABEPk/7EJnxLhJlR8EbuJXYg9sneJy8CiYp6pmACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ABZI%2BSTAND%2B6C.jpg)
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Stunningly good :-*
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Great job on arranging the multi-figure bases. I think giving the appearance of "action" like communicating, ordering archers to fire, etc., makes the army look more dynamic, too.
Mike Demana
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Some really wonderful painting. :-* :-* These fellows positively glow!
Lon
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Thanks for the breakdown! You have definitely inspired me to do some multi-basing!
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Thanks people- appreciated.
Great job on arranging the multi-figure bases. I think giving the appearance of "action" like communicating, ordering archers to fire, etc., makes the army look more dynamic, too.
Mike Demana
I'm glad they came across that way Mike. It's something that I'm going to try to carry on through the whole army. I think it helps to give units, especially like this one which is fairly static a bit of character.
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I've been asked a few times on various fora about my basing colours etc. For those interested please refer to the article on my blog-
Basing- How I do Mine- Step by Step
http://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2020/02/basing-how-i-do-mine-step-by-step.html
I hope I don't waffle on too much :)
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It's been a bit frustrating waiting a week for the gloss varnish to go fully off on the models but now the Aventine Miniatures Byzantine Torsion Engine/Bolt Thrower is nicely matted down and based.
There is some discussion of the palette and many more pics on my blog here:
https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2020/08/aventine-byzantine-torsion-field-engine.html (https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2020/08/aventine-byzantine-torsion-field-engine.html)
Piccies:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E9GUPKTm17c/X0eRxMZpfjI/AAAAAAABETY/ndzJPJEM2nwRuMi8HUfvRbxU4uIe_LILQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BYZANTINE%2BBOLT%2BTHROWER%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c_vg8xKMBPk/X0eRxLa42nI/AAAAAAABETU/rUkBrqxqN7UHUxpzqGAXJs8bXiKHZG14gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BYZANTINE%2BBOLT%2BTHROWER%2B1B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PMEaOnd80ME/X0eRxCc10OI/AAAAAAABETQ/z7lemxxn8AAdFmGN_vYidIy162psntrnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BYZANTINE%2BBOLT%2BTHROWER%2B1C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9h5_Vjsx678/X0eR1CtHw_I/AAAAAAABEUY/_E2cMXo7hyY8-ihuCgK9f4Q_dupBaLISgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BYZANTINE%2BBOLT%2BTHROWER%2BHIGH%2B1I.jpg)
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Delicious!
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Delicious!
Thanks Roo- very kind of you :)
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Fantastic work !
I have heard you talk about those long cure windows for your initial coat of gloss varnish. Can you elaborate a bit more regarding your thoughts behind that concept. Is there any science behind that approach? I think you have mentioned a blogger who uses this method.
Cheers
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Fantastic work !
Thanks Batu
I have heard you talk about those long cure windows for your initial coat of gloss varnish. Can you elaborate a bit more regarding your thoughts behind that concept. Is there any science behind that approach? I think you have mentioned a blogger who uses this method.
Yeah, no problem. As to the science I think it's just a matter of letting the gloss (I use Humbrol brush on Enamel Matt) go off as much as possible. It's important to remember to give them a quick dust down before matting down too. I use Windsor and Newton Artists Professional Matt Varnish for matting down and usually in two layers as it's inevitable that you will miss a spot; the last thing you want to do is put a layer of matt varnish down too thickly!
This is what happened. I mentioned that I had managed to get some speckling on some mini's after matting down over the gloss. This came to the attention of a very good painter and forum member, Redzed, who suggested I just wait a week then try matting. It really was that simple and I have to say the results are exceptional.
Which takes nothing away from having to stare at some shiny mini's for a week. >:( >:(
I should add, I only wait the week on paint jobs that I have taken my time with such as the Byzantines above. If you were to pop over to the colonial section you will find some Beja that were varnished the next day and on close examination you will see some speckling. These were speed painted so I'm not too worried about them- though, knowing me, I will probably start waiting a week on the speed painted stuff too! o_o lol
Link:
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=126539.0 (https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=126539.0)
Hope that helps/wasn't overly confusing? :)
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Thanks Batu
Yeah, no problem. As to the science I think it's just a matter of letting the gloss (I use Humbrol brush on Enamel Matt) go off as much as possible. It's important to remember to give them a quick dust down before matting down too. I use Windsor and Newton Artists Professional Matt Varnish for matting down and usually in two layers as it's inevitable that you will miss a spot; the last thing you want to do is put a layer of matt varnish down too thickly!
This is what happened. I mentioned that I had managed to get some speckling on some mini's after matting down over the gloss. This came to the attention of a very good painter and forum member, Redzed, who suggested I just wait a week then try matting. It really was that simple and I have to say the results are exceptional.
Which takes nothing away from having to stare at some shiny mini's for a week. >:( >:(
I should add, I only wait the week on paint jobs that I have taken my time with such as the Byzantines above. If you were to pop over to the colonial section you will find some Beja that were varnished the next day and on close examination you will see some speckling. These were speed painted so I'm not too worried about them- though, knowing me, I will probably start waiting a week on the speed painted stuff too! o_o lol
Link:
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=126539.0 (https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=126539.0)
Hope that helps/wasn't overly confusing? :)
Convinced! I will try it out.
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Convinced! I will try it out.
I'd give it a go. Nothing to lose really except having to stare at some very glossy miniatures for a week lol
It slows the painting conveyor belt down a little but I found it soon picked up again. :)
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What's next on the painting table? Ready for more....
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What's next on the painting table? Ready for more....
I've got some Slingers currently basking in their new coat of matt varnish that ought to be complete by tomorrow- assuming the varnish has gone fully off. I'm sure it will :)
I'm then stuck between a choice of an unarmoured spear regiment and a command base- can't make my mind up as i really need to do the spear unit but the command base will be more fun to paint lol
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I've just today completed my first unit of Early Byzantine Psiloi.
I took y time with them like I have done with the Dismounted Bucellarii and the torsion Engine but no doubt they they will be the one of the first units off the table top and be sitting back in the box!
For many more pictures including the individual bases please feel free to pop over to my blog here:
https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2020/09/aventine-early-byzantine-slingers.html (https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2020/09/aventine-early-byzantine-slingers.html)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0XFWdXahgbY/X1O3ru1XdJI/AAAAAAABEbY/QO83VtIqrzUZqyCnAAlCUBGCPzL90wQ0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AVENTINE%2BBYZANTINE%2BSLINGERS%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-38b0S1YB-r4/X1O3rsv8B9I/AAAAAAABEbU/5DyM4x1mpS4fmuLSkCyUvr5iISuoUexpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AVENTINE%2BBYZANTINE%2BSLINGERS%2B1C.jpg)
Cheers
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Great stuff mate, cracking on with the army!
Cheers
Matt
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Lovely mate missed this one on FB
Cheers
Matt
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Swinging slingers rockin' out :-*
Luv it! I'm not sure if I said it on your previous ones, but really nice job on the bases.
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Aventine makes some lovely figs, and you've given them a superb paint job.
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They may not be tough but they look marvelous!
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Lovely mate missed this one on FB
Cheers
Matt
Thanks mate- appreciated :)
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Thanks for all the kind words people :)
Luv it! I'm not sure if I said it on your previous ones, but really nice job on the bases.
The reason that big rock is there is that i got lazy and decided to use a Dremel to drill a pin hole for some bucklers.....
I forgot to secure the mini in a modelling vice and it started spinning and got mangled! :o I decided to leave the bucklers out after that one as I once cut the end of my left thumb off doing something similar! Chemical cauterisation job to stop the bleeding :o
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So ... what's next?
No pressure or anything of course ....
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So ... what's next?
No pressure or anything of course ....
A Command Stand of some description. A Command Stand or a vignette to follow each 'ordinary' unit as a treat :)
It will be nice to be able to be a bit more extravagant with the colour on an already very colourful project.
Not that I really need any encouragement as I loved every minute of painting up this Aventine range.
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Can't wait.
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This 'little' command stand completed yesterday evening.
Hand painted banner based on the famous Justinian mosaic from S. Vital.
The Early Aventine Byzantine range proving to be a real pleasure to paint once more.
Next up an unit of Spearmen. (I said that last time but got erm..... 'distracted')
More imagery and commentary on my blog:
https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2020/09/early-byzantine-army-generalmagister.html (https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2020/09/early-byzantine-army-generalmagister.html)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O9I6hm7Qy-I/X2M9HqZIWZI/AAAAAAABEio/gVb50x3qH78GBBeu97hGRqOkeczufk81ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/BYZANTINE%2BMAGISTER%2BCOMMAND%2BBASE%2B2B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YANOQUt97uw/X2M-F1-jVMI/AAAAAAABEi4/dXESfeHDZlEzMrHr3NhPeaUBuK_O3mRdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1732/BYZANTINE%2BMAGISTER%2BCOMMAND%2BBASE%2B1A.jpg)
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Amazing! What material did you paint the banner on?
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Wow! Great job :-* :-* :-*
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Consider this statement retracted 😂😂😂. Beautiful work sir. So glad Intook that nasty distractive bunch of Franks off your hands!
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Great work you're on fire with these :-*
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Although of course now everywhere the poor little bugger goes he has to drag that enormous rock around with him. ;D
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Although of course now everywhere the poor little bugger goes he has to drag that enormous rock around with him. ;D
lol
Another great addition to your army! :-*
That flag is awesome! Well done! o_o
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Thanks for the kind words people. :)
Amazing! What material did you paint the banner on?
Thanks aphillathehun :)
It's 300g/m² weight gouache paper. Anything lighter and you risk the paper crinkling which ain't good- yep, it's happened before :-X
Although of course now everywhere the poor little bugger goes he has to drag that enormous rock around with him. ;D
Not him personally, he's got his Germanic 'biscuit eaters' to lug things around :D However, this poor chap will have to do his own dirty work:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jTEu_Rbb6jI/X1O4Cd3nLZI/AAAAAAABEbs/xlmXRtEHzosknfD1S1WjWsOL_IKQbI8sgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AVEBTINE%2BBY%2BSL%2BFLAT%2B1A.jpg)
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Consider this statement retracted 😂😂😂. Beautiful work sir. So glad Intook that nasty distractive bunch of Franks off your hands!
lol
Well Roo, you could get 'em painted up and meet my Byzzies on the field of battle post Covid ;) ;D
....and thanks for the complement too (of course) :)
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You are on but you might not like my basing😳.
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You are on but you might not like my basing😳.
Just check some sand on and they'll look the business mon ami :)
So, maybe Partizan next year if we're lucky or if you attend any of the Swordpoint Dark Ages events? I'm easy.
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Oh gees they are nowhere near finished yet chap! 80 x 50 two bases to a war band/shield wall. Will start a thread when the first units complete. Have a Winter King project on the go! Look forward to rolling some dice with you sir😉🤙
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stunning. :-*
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stunning. :-*
Cheers Bloggard :)
Oh gees they are nowhere near finished yet chap! 80 x 50 two bases to a war band/shield wall. Will start a thread when the first units complete. Have a Winter King project on the go! Look forward to rolling some dice with you sir😉🤙
We've got plenty of time mate.... at least a year by my calculations. It would be a really good thing to set a pencilled in date as any target to shoot at now that clubs etc are out of the question would be a real boon to getting projects completed.
BTW, I have amazed myself in that I'm still being good and have actually stuck to the three projects though I must be honest and say, there might be a forth creeping in o_o lol
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That flag is awesome! Well done! o_o
Cheers Ray :)
Link to the first hand painted banner is below in case you missed it. I haven't painted a banner by hand apart from simple stuff for many a year and was 'sweating it' a bit when I did both this one and the one with the unit of Dismounted Bucellarri:
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=126483.0 (https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=126483.0)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9g4B8G9F-mI/Xz_n3WdrCoI/AAAAAAABEOs/HC0MJSjMVCk-jsvHTVrIyJDyunkeJMBogCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ABZI%2BSTAND%2B2A.jpg)
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Lovely work :)
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Lovely figures and super looking banners!
Best Iain
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Thanks. Glad that you like them.
I'm just glad that the banners turned out OK in the end.
The next unit, armoured spear, needs another painted banner and I'm beginning to run out individuals to base them on from the San Vitale in Ravenna.
If anyone has any in period ideas for artwork for banners I'd love to hear from you (pretty please) ;) :)
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Perhaps Christ and the virgin Mary?
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Perhaps Christ and the virgin Mary?
I've done Christ (please see image on previous page) The Madonna and Christchild is a very good idea and there are plenty of examples of iconic art featuring just that. I do want to err towards 6 CE iconic art/mosaics and many of both virgin mother and child that I have seen on the net have been later examples. Of course, that might just be what Google and Pinterest keep throwing my way. The army is going to double up as being set during the Justinian and Heraclian eras so 6 CE is a must.
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I'm not an expert or even a layman, but I do believe traditional Orthodox iconography and saints should do fine due to the lack of information. Maybe Saint George?
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Hi Atheling
Your... distraction is quite inspiring!
I am impressed by the neat geometry of your standards. The christ face showed some heterodox influences to me and should be scrutinized by the Patriarch, looks a bit like an arian Rasputine! But our great Basileus is stunning really!
And so are the Excubitores!
I can understand why they were Isaurians mostly: you had to search for strong men to carry such pieces: just think of it in high winds! Could be the subject of a great vignette, Iwo Jima style...
Philippe
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Hi Atheling
Your... distraction is quite inspiring!
I am impressed by the neat geometry of your standards. The christ face showed some heterodox influences to me and should be scrutinized by the Patriarch, looks a bit like an arian Rasputine! But our great Basileus is stunning really!
And so are the Excubitores!
I can understand why they were Isaurians mostly: you had to search for strong men to carry such pieces: just think of it in high winds! Could be the subject of a great vignette, Iwo Jima style...
Philippe
Thanks Phillipe. That's very kind of you to say so. :D The standards are purely oversized for visual impact. I'd hate to have to try to carry one of those giant things if they were to scale! I would surely be getting blown back down the Iwo Jima type slope lol
I'm not an expert or even a layman
Me neither lol but learning but by bit (I hope!).
I do believe traditional Orthodox iconography and saints should do fine due to the lack of information. Maybe Saint George?
I've been trawling for imagery of 6CE saints and have found quite a few but most are of a later period. Not all but most. It's at once fascination (and infuriating) lol
Thus far the earliest imagery I have found for St George is the Byzantine Medallion circa 1100 which is a real shame as the image is begging to be used (See below):
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This project has been slowed a little as I've been feeling under the weather of late.
I've got two more complete ranks and a fourth on the way. It seems like such a long time since I posted anything I couldn't resist and decided to post the front rank as they stand prior to them being based up properly to fit the rest of the army.
More pics and conversation on my blog here:
https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2020/09/early-byzantine-skutatoi-in-sheildwall.html (https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2020/09/early-byzantine-skutatoi-in-sheildwall.html)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_mmDKPi0dr4/X3SX3PmkmoI/AAAAAAABEos/BQXoDR14-xoMAQnESSd8_HmRl11gJdxGACLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/EARLY%2BBYZANTINE%2BSKUTATOI%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c1fNwpGFLjM/X3SX9_dI2MI/AAAAAAABEow/L9tTRIFWXoEJ51quNBVMum_Z7rNbX2QEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/EARLY%2BBYZANTINE%2BSKUTATOI%2B1B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7h7KKKV0_fc/X3SYMmSh5KI/AAAAAAABEpA/OjFF-U4VR40DoaNvhM6AfHyY83iXjeXRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/EARLY%2BBYZANTINE%2BSKUTATOI%2B1E.jpg)
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Looking great. Looking forward to seeing the second rank added. Rather interesting shields too. :)
Hope you only have a cold!
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Looking great. Looking forward to seeing the second rank added.
Thanks, appreciated :)
Rather interesting shields too. :)
I just took what was in stock at Footsore when I was making an order over £35. I'm just going to have to say that they legged it from the west to the East ;) :D
Hope you only have a cold!
Thanks you. Me too my friend. It's quite weird- keeps coming and going without settling.
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Excellent work mate!!!! :-*
The shields are handpainted?
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Excellent work mate!!!! :-*
Thanks Rafa- appreciated mate. :)
The shields are handpainted?
No, unfortunately not. I've still got about 200 infantry to paint so transfers were out of the question. I'm very eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Aventine cavalry so I'm trying to get as much infantry done as possible before I inevitably get seduced by the flashy lads on the horses lol
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Nice. Love the poses and that's some great brushwork.
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Nice. Love the poses and that's some great brushwork.
Thanks aphillathehun :)
I think they look the part in terms of being in an organised defensive formation.
The second rank is due for matting down today so I'll get some preliminary base tests done then add some more pictures- I have a feeling that getting it right with the basing is going to be key to making the unit look like it's in line of battle.
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looking great
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Hi Darrell: these, and all the other figures on this thread, are absolutely marvellous. Great castings, too. I've never understood why Byzantines aren't more popular.
I hope you're now feeling better.
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Hi Darrell: these, and all the other figures on this thread, are absolutely marvellous. Great castings, too. I've never understood why Byzantines aren't more popular.
They seem to be in 15mm.... it's odd. I suppose it was just the case that there wasn't a comprehensive early range out there ??? I think Thematic Byzantines, at least the Gripping Beast and Crusader ranges sell quite well. Or they did in the ye olde days of the WAB Campaign Weekend :)
I hope you're now feeling better.
Thanks for asking Paul. Up and down in a weird way. Not *very* ill thankfully so it may just be a cold.
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Finally the gloss dried and I was able to apply a coat of matt varnish to the second rank of the Skutatoi in Sheildwall yesterday.
The second rank were every bit as much fun to paint as the first rank which is not always the case in a unit that is largely uniform. As I type I have the third rank including the command glossed and ready for a matt coat in a few days. The final rank is in the process of having some paint splashed on and should be completed by the end of this evening.
For more pics and discussion on why I have based them the way they are as well as basing for Swordpoint please hop over to my blog here:
https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/ (https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1aLID4EdbzA/X32_bqFrEFI/AAAAAAABErY/UbTFOrBBe4Y8OFPV6vVlmjSi8gbIO-42QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/BYZANTINE%2BSKUTATOI%2BSECOND%2BRANK%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2REl5eyshKg/X33CKm7yRCI/AAAAAAABErk/-uW7LmcI66M48_nMkIiOL4xDsr8C8tJdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/BYZANTINE%2BSKUTATOI%2BSECOND%2BRANK%2B1C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fxIFgVqIWZI/X33FNDVCmbI/AAAAAAABEr4/auXdr4gDZx00eAmklAMkODDP5ZGxT96NwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/BYZANTINE%2BSKUTATOI%2BSECOND%2BRANK%2B1F.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eoWFo1HwdmQ/X33F1B8FvWI/AAAAAAABEsM/5RghahL-phE50881K0fOPPBmlxcEdrVDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/BYZANTINE%2BSKUTATOI%2BSECOND%2BRANK%2B1G.jpg)
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Ooh, those are nice. Lovely, crisp painting :-*
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lovely mate; really capturing the feel well!
cheers
Matt
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They look amazing :-*
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Thanks you gents- kind, encouraging words and all very much appreciated :)
The unit is pretty much complete I'm just waiting for the various layers of varnish to go off.
It's a toss up between another Torsion Engine, a small command stand and a unit of 24 unarmoured Skutatoi next! I can't seem to make my mind up! o_o
Though there's no hope of me hitting the target I am doing my level to get as much of the infantry done prior to the release of the cavalry as they will absolutely turn my eye in a a heartbeat lol
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Those really look great. The two ranks go well together.
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Fantastic work.
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Thank you for the goodly words :)
The two ranks go well together.
I have to admit to being quite nervous about putting the second rank on the base. Bluetac and and more importantly deeper bases were my friend. The bases have a frontage of 40mm but are 60mm deep, the same as the Dismounted Bucellarri. I will probably get outflanked a lot as a result buy hey ho.... it will just be great fun to get to move them around the table top and roll some dice :)
I took delivery of a 6' x 4' table a while back but have just got around to ordering a mat so given a weekend of sorting the studio out, a solo game or two might be on the cards. Oh, then there's painting the resin terrain! >:(
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Your figs will look fantastic on the table. Get painting on the terrain man. Get a game in before it all goes to hell again!
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Your figs will look fantastic on the table. Get painting on the terrain man. Get a game in before it all goes to hell again!
Too late for that in the NE, it's already gone to hell :'(.
Still, "We'll meat again" and all that lol
Waiting for the matt varnish to dry in the third rank- after a week of setting the gloss settle, it's driving me slightly insane :D ;D
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Too late for that in the NE, it's already gone to hell :'(.
Bummer. While your waiting you can paint more Madhists. lol
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Bummer. While your waiting you can paint more Madhists. lol
Kind of.... lol I mean, they're undercoated and ready.....
However, that Billhooks malarkey seems to have taken root in me! Just two forces, honest guv :D
And the continuation of the Early Byzzies of course!
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Not much by way of text but there's a few quick shots of the third rank of the Skutatoi unit and how it relates to the first two ranks:
Blog:
https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2020/10/byzantine-skutatoi-third-rank-inc.html (https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2020/10/byzantine-skutatoi-third-rank-inc.html)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DwAzsWr1OCo/X4GvY7QlnqI/AAAAAAABEvI/yPPgQxYyVHQp6caMCiAZuqdkLfOezGhpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/BYZANTINE%2BSKUTATOI%2BTHIRD%2BRANK%2B1B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ka5kSxyPPS8/X4GvaOmmKEI/AAAAAAABEvM/I5Ll8mk1PWI6f0TmQEdilPv4zxgeMBGDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/BYZANTINE%2BSKUTATOI%2BTHIRD%2BRANK%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Y4MT71epfE/X4GvbfnpeaI/AAAAAAABEvQ/fH3NhYiaPn8BhGM2tJWmPY_pZetfNHklQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/BYZANTINE%2BSKUTATOI%2BTHIRD%2BRANK%2B1C.jpg)
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That's a grand looking unit and full of vitality too.
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That's a grand looking unit and full of vitality too.
Thanks OB. there's a rear rank of archers to fit in at the back before basing them up properly. They're sitting on my shelf causing great consternation as I wait for the gloss varnish to go completely off o_o
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They are looking better every rank you add. Looking forward to the unit's completion.
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Nice. Love the command figures.
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Thanks again for the encouraging words guys
They are looking better every rank you add. Looking forward to the unit's completion.
Me too. I'm almost climbing the walls waiting the requisite days for the gloss to do it's thing lol
I'm also trying to decide what to paint up next, Unarmoured infantry? A Unit Command stand? Another Torsion Engine or possibly even some Avar allies/enemies! o_o :) They're all primed and undercoated.
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Those look really good- are you going to add some weathering to the shields like you with the first set you did?
Are these being based for a particular game system or for aesthetic reasons
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Lovely work! :-*
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Superb :-*
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Thanks you for the googly words guys :)
Those look really good- are you going to add some weathering to the shields like you with the first set you did?
The transfers came weathered George lol
Are these being based for a particular game system or for aesthetic reasons
Kind of..... they were originally aimed at Swordpoint, WAB, Hail Caesar but they could with a little fudging be used in Lion Rampant (expanded for larger bases), Comitatus and other sets.
The idea was really to leave it open as I'll be damned if I rebase them! Before my wargames hiatus about five years ago, all I seemed to be doing was rebasing miniatures as different trends/rulesets waxed and waned. It was a troublesome time. I did learn a valuable lesson though, never superglue your miniatures to the bases! lol
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I've had great fun painting up this unit of combined arms Byzantine Skutatoi. I was initially slightly worried about how they would base up but using the 40mm wide by 50mm depth has payed off I think. There's enough space on the bases for the miniatures to work together as a unit maintaining the sculptors vision of the Shieldwall working as one organism.
There are a load more pics from various angles and the usual waffle on my blog here:
https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2020/10/early-byzantine-skutatoi-combined-unit.html (https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2020/10/early-byzantine-skutatoi-combined-unit.html)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wTmtXh-3L6g/X4hvqMa0WYI/AAAAAAABEx4/erk1TIxOzlMF8FgKLbZuY7kGOcOEnEybgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/BYZ%2BSKUT%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XqIzUJoOjRc/X4hzq5nUNuI/AAAAAAABEy4/1rXp8gwue9srnmkMSg2kzySDc8afU-0LACLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/BYZ%2BSKUT%2B1C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9draThRCY6Y/X4hvqK4j3HI/AAAAAAABEyA/wh-VT9M4CZE_xpDIscVZHz-au61rFmD8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/BYZ%2BSKUT%2B1B.jpg)
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This hole project is a beautiful painterly feast of eye candy! Lovely unit.
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This hole project is a beautiful painterly feast of eye candy! Lovely unit.
Thanks, appreciated :)
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Superb job. Just love 'em.
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Exquisite chap!😳
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Thanks guys for the word of encouragement. :)
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Amazing brushwork! The unit's turned out great!
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Your banners are something else!
WOW! :-*
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The completed unit really looks fantastic. A formidable looking shield wall.
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Thanks guys :)
Your banners are something else!
WOW! :-*
I went for the simpler Chi Rho with the Skutatoi as they were basically the PBI of the army and from the lower classes. I'm going to be giving the elite units of the army the more elaborate, decorative banners!
I just hope I don't run out of 6th CE Icon mosaics and paintings which serve as inspiration!! :o
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Outstanding job mate! You really inspire me to carry on with my Belisarians, I am looking forward to see the cavalry of your army (when Aventine release them!)
will you include Germanic heavy cavalry/ Huns/ Ghassanids/ slavs or any kind of "Non Roman" ally ?
Cheers!
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Outstanding job mate! You really inspire me to carry on with my Belisarians, I am looking forward to see the cavalry of your army (when Aventine release them!)
I believe they sculpted new horses as the Byzantine ones were taller. Speaks volumes in terms of the attention to detail in the Aventine range/ranges. They would have been released earlier otherwise.
will you include Germanic heavy cavalry/ Huns/ Ghassanids/ slavs or any kind of "Non Roman" ally ?
All of the above and more; one other allied a contingent which I will be adding which ought to be interesting to model will be a unit or two of Persian Cavalry, such as part of the reinforcements Belisarius received when the reconquest of Italy was in full swing.
One of the beauties of the period is the sheer volume of enemies and allies. In just the Justinian to Heraclian eras there is a heck of a lot going on.
My ultimate aim is to do a number of engagements as display games though obviously the planning for this, in practical terms, is on hold. Not so for the painting and modelling :)
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Early Byzantine Skutatoi Combined Unit Command Stand
To go with the newly finished unit of Skutatoi in Shieldwall
More pics and the usual conversation on mu blog here:
https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2020/10/early-byzantine-skutatoi-combined-unit_16.html (https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2020/10/early-byzantine-skutatoi-combined-unit_16.html)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iKmufg-tgCw/X4hs5eF7DUI/AAAAAAABEwk/ieANAZETsWctgvkdvW0J4eMPLpdw5hIbgCLcBGAsYHQ/s765/BYZ%2BCOMMAND%2BSKUTATOI%2B2B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IgDh_6rPZcM/X4hs6-tQIUI/AAAAAAABEwo/AF9tUtTHWQsyJaNnc3n-erK2Vm9BPJSUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s881/BYZ%2BCOMMAND%2BSKUTATOI%2B2A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-teLNYxdLDOA/X4hs9DpBiBI/AAAAAAABEws/z-odi3MG09YAaQ9IRKHNn0H_9-5b8VT8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s815/BYZ%2BCOMMAND%2BSKUTATOI%2B2C.jpg)
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Stunning work! :-*
The shield wall is impressive as snot! o_o
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Stunning work! :-*
Cheers Ray :)
The shield wall is impressive as snot! o_o
It's an LBMS transfer mate :D
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absolutely wonderful!! :-* :-* :-* :-*
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It's an LBMS transfer mate :D
Well... the transfers always make shields look fantastic.
I, however, was referring to that block of men you put together. Love the composition of differing poses which together make an imposing impression.
Your new command group looks fine indeed and overall you are hitting these Byzantines out of the park with your fantastic painting style.
Keep up the great work!
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Great work! The command base is very immersive! :-*
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Thank you for all your kind words guys :)
Well... the transfers always make shields look fantastic.
Amen to that. I think I would have gone insane if I had painted all those shields!
I, however, was referring to that block of men you put together. Love the composition of differing poses which together make an imposing impression.
Cheers. I can't really take the credit for that as all the sculpts have been designed to fit together gloriously by Adam. A truly inspiring range of toys (for me anyway :) )
Your new command group looks fine indeed and overall you are hitting these Byzantines out of the park with your fantastic painting style.
Thanks again Ray, they came very close to getting another painted banner but in the end I decided just to go with the Draco as they are going to be moved around the table a lot and unlike the actual units there would be no protection for the fragile crossbars. I think my heart would be broken if I had to glue the standards back together again, re-touch etc. :)
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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-teLNYxdLDOA/X4hs9DpBiBI/AAAAAAABEws/z-odi3MG09YAaQ9IRKHNn0H_9-5b8VT8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s815/BYZ%2BCOMMAND%2BSKUTATOI%2B2C.jpg)
:-*
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Love it.
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Love it.
Thanks James :)
I've been messing around a bit this morning. I took a few of shots of the Skutatoi Shieldwall with the Command Base and a couple of close ups of the Skutatoi on their own which will hopefully portray some of the dynamics of the unit as they work collectively in defence.
As soon as I have some old Grand Manner buildings painted up (originally bought for James Morris' Age of Arthur, Warhammer Ancient Battles supplement) I will post up some more scenic shots with the army as it grows.
More Pics of the Unit and the Command Base (and inner rumination) on my blog here:
https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2020/10/early-byzantine-skutatoi-and-command.html (https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2020/10/early-byzantine-skutatoi-and-command.html)
Group Shots:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G2eUPT9w-S8/X4rIpnBYu7I/AAAAAAABEzk/ImLAyvKnMJch413avlNRI20RCD8xXRJfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BY%2BSCUT%2B%2526%2BCOMM%2B1C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qWZzO4xDl3E/X4rIpgC03hI/AAAAAAABEzg/-mi3rovmuR08_LU8VR_gnNd_c0DTtl5bwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BY%2BSCUT%2B%2526%2BCOMM%2B1D.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xz6FSpB2I3U/X4rIX6Pkw6I/AAAAAAABEzM/CGO4XEgDUeYh3HGxkpU6zk7UYFo4qK3nACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BY%2BSCUT%2B%2526%2BCOMM%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AOcfkMsD8F0/X4rIYCvXBLI/AAAAAAABEzQ/U-NWSNJT2b0OR_VeNeGmDUuzmmLaHMCLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BY%2BSCUT%2B%2526%2BCOMM%2B1B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NgRhnSzvr_c/X4rIYCFMAaI/AAAAAAABEzU/KbIgd9qIKwgLtnAmk77FYA7hYoiR3_08wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BY%2BSCUT%2B%2526%2BCOMM%2B1E.jpg)
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It tells a story. :-*
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superb. Beautifully done.
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From where do you buy your basing materials? Lovely stuff.
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Thanks guys :)
From where do you buy your basing materials? Lovely stuff.
I use filler on the bases after glueing the mini's down with PVA. A small piece of blu tack is sometimes used to support the mini if I want to change the angle of the mini's base a little. The filler then takes care of the gaps (including under a base if the angle has been altered).
Then it's just various grades of sharp sand PVA'd to the filler when it's dry. The rocky outcrops are just a bit of common all garden bark wood chips which I saw into requisite shape. The rest like the back of the base (see below) is just Milliput/old Greystuff that's gone off.
First pic- Milliput 'surround'-
Second Pic Wood Chip Rock-
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Lovely command stand 😍
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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTeLtQ7oRoI/X_7WnsjIONI/AAAAAAABFpQ/TzZim7BwuMMRj5a0RyzbYYgbqj-BYtVWACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/BYZANTINE%2BUNARMOURED%2B1A.JPG)
I have finished the brushwork and varnishing of the first eight miniatures, which amounts to one and a half ranks of four in the first Unarmoured Unit of Early Byzantine Skutatoi I have planned. Another unarmoured unit is slated in after this one.
I started these quite a while back but was quite seriously "distracted" by my Anglo Danes, an army of which roughly at about at the half way stage now. By applying my "Rule of Threes" (I know! Crazy!) the Anglo Danes have now been put to the back of the queue of my three ongoing projects remaining visible on the "To Do" shelf. I find that it very useful to have a visual reminder of what projects I have have been currently working on as this tends to stop me from straying into temptation when it comes to all things shiny on the 28mm wargames market! We have all been there!
That said, I have avoided repletion and can now present the first eight Unarmoured Unit Early Byzantine Skutatoi. On the painting table I have presently the next eight which includes the command. The command being among my favourites to paint as there are the rather juicy hand paint the banners and patches to paint which are always great fun. Talking of banners, I am beginning to run out of ideas for banners for this army and only have Theodora and Belisarius as images that are easily adopted for the Sixth Century CE. So, it anyone has any suggestions, preferably bases on 6CE Byzantine art, please let me know.
The army will be moving forward into the Heraclian era as I have plenty of infantry models that are suitable thanks to the substantive and beautiful Aventine Early Byzantine range, which has plenty of scope for later infantry types beyond the Justinian era.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTeLtQ7oRoI/X_7WnsjIONI/AAAAAAABFpQ/TzZim7BwuMMRj5a0RyzbYYgbqj-BYtVWACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/BYZANTINE%2BUNARMOURED%2B1A.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5HZRrq4TzKs/X_7Wni4G24I/AAAAAAABFpY/R4dqRBVYl3o4c9Xb8cZHA4L6FJo471J5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/BYZANTINE%2BUNARMOURED%2B1B.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hor5mp7SJJc/X_7Wnnuy0FI/AAAAAAABFpU/49TIQ_r9D80nQ61nm8b98AnNFTuSYODyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/BYZANTINE%2BUNARMOURED%2B1C.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ciA5zcqTFCc/X_7Wnw5_XPI/AAAAAAABFpc/KOlK94rySDsE616BzNmmuxYfmq_kKXGewCLcBGAsYHQ/s850/BYZANTINE%2BUNARMOURED%2B1D.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DMLU-Vk88uE/X_7WoGMlbFI/AAAAAAABFpg/6I6qj_D2w5UBjBLH2wMIHHJHG0AiG0lqACLcBGAsYHQ/s900/BYZANTINE%2BUNARMOURED%2B2A.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KHBareTBCkU/X_7WoYS_OCI/AAAAAAABFpk/YWpMw915nAkYl8NSTnvzJE-uU9t9tzNiwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/BYZANTINE%2BUNARMOURED%2B2B.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYUA1kW3dfg/X_7Wou_qB9I/AAAAAAABFpo/o1eXxJKUGq8PZzZcjWvckvEFBXjtwC2MgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/BYZANTINE%2BUNARMOURED%2B2C.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_9krtFSxcU/X_7WooY-_FI/AAAAAAABFps/aZwQJaf3nPoS603zWH3gYlRpyQV74Tz6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/BYZANTINE%2BUNARMOURED%2B2D.JPG)
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Very smart!
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I was just checking a couple of days ago to see if you'd added anything to this. And voila, here it is today!
Nicely done. That's a sharp color combination.
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Inspiring stuff :-*
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Splendid stuff!
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Thanks guys :)
I was just checking a couple of days ago to see if you'd added anything to this. And voila, here it is today!
As if by magic lol It's probably my favourite period of history. If I'm not jumping forward. 1000 years that is. There should be some new Aventine releases early this year so it's a good time for me to jump back in to the project.
Nicely done. That's a sharp color combination.
I'm afraid I can't take credit for that. LBMS transfers were the inspiration for the tunic colour choices! That and a little research. :)
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Beautiful painting.
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I can't tell from the pics on the Aventine website - are the designs on the pants cast on - the cuff and the "panel" on the center of the leg? I can see that the designs on the shoulder and the "pockets" are raised....
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Thanks guys :)
I can't tell from the pics on the Aventine website - are the designs on the pants cast on - the cuff and the "panel" on the center of the leg? I can see that the designs on the shoulder and the "pockets" are raised....
Yeah, all the finery is cast on all of the infantry models which is nice as it has speeded things up a little. The panel is indeed on the middle centre of the leg on most models. Off the top of my head, (I'm cooking a curry) there is some variation in design in a few of the models.
I'll try to post a foundry pic and a byzantine pic next to one another just now. I have painted the cuffs on the legs and arms of the Foundry model but otherwise the details are raised.
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Brilliant. Very crisp and clean painting finished off with excellent basing.
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Atheling, regarding ideas for 6th century banners could you use the mosaics from San Appolinare Nuovo in Ravenna for inspiration ? Lots of 6th century religious imagery.
Regards.
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Very crisp white and reds. Excellent looking start to the unit.
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Very crisp white and reds. Excellent looking start to the unit.
Thanks mate. Good to hear as that is what I was going for. looking at them again, I think I would leave the final VMC Matt White highlight off and have stuck to the Off White but hey, it's too late now lol They will be prepped for battle equipped with spatha, spear, shield and a high grade washing powder! lol
Atheling, regarding ideas for 6th century banners could you use the mosaics from San Appolinare Nuovo in Ravenna for inspiration ? Lots of 6th century religious imagery.
Thank you so much SJWi- a great resourse- you have saved my Tuccetum! :)
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Excellent as always Darrell.
Cheers
Tony
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Atheling, another suggestion for your standards. What about the “Military Saints” George and Demetrius? I don’t recall them in San Appolinare. However easy to find a suitable Icon on Google. I only thought of this when I saw my Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica Icon on my wall last night. If you struggle to find a good picture I could take a photo and e-mail to you.
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Thanks you all for the encouraging words 8)
Atheling, another suggestion for your standards. What about the “Military Saints” George and Demetrius? I don’t recall them in San Appolinare. However easy to find a suitable Icon on Google. I only thought of this when I saw my Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica Icon on my wall last night. If you struggle to find a good picture I could take a photo and e-mail to you.
Yes please!! :)
EDIT: I've just PM you just now SJWi.
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Lovely toys in this thread
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Your threads are now fixed as some of my ‘go to’ threads when I get stuck. Good inspiration and, after 40 or more years in the hobby, I still learn new things.
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Thanks gents :)
Good inspiration and, after 40 or more years in the hobby, I still learn new things.
Yeah, certainly. you can include me in that statement too!
I learn new things all the time. When I was North of the Border I was lucky enough to get to know three high class painters really well. I wouldn't know where to begin in expressing my gratitude to all three of these fellows as they have helped me out a lot over the years.
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So inspirational. Very, very nice work.
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they go well together.
Splendid army and collection ! :-*
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Thank you both for your kind words :)
There may or may not be some quite exciting new additions sometime soon ;)
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This is a great looking Plog so far Atheling. Keep up the good work! I'm very curious to your Vanrangians if you are doing those at all.
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This is a great looking Plog so far Atheling.
Cheers Breez 8)
Keep up the good work! I'm very curious to your Vanrangians if you are doing those at all.
Unfortunately not. They didn't really start to appear in significant numbers until the reign of Basil II in c. 988 CE so they are beyond the scope of the Aventine Early Byzantine range which, what from I have understood of their plans thus far will mainly be focusing on that of the Justinian and Heraclian periods; a few years prior and after. So as a very rough guide approx. 527-711 and the (arguable) beginning of the Theme system.
I would love to see the range extended up to 1453 and the Fall of Constantinople but I am definitely being delusional and very selfish lol
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The group of eight miniatures featured in this post were finished about a month ago and only over the last week did I find the stamina to get the varnishing process on the way! My usual method of brush on Humbrol Gloss, a week to let the gloss go off and then a couple of layers of Windsor and Newton Professional Matt Vanish spray over the top to get a nice flat finish. Talking of which, the W&N vanish can have the effect of dulling down any metallic paint and it was interesting to note a post by James Morris on the Lead Adventure Forum featuring some of his Wars of the Roses for Never mind the Billhooks that the full plate armours looked the business without any varnish at all. This is not really an option with metal miniatures, especially with a lot of cloth and flesh involved (from memory James's were Perry plastics) so I've been trying out the AK Interactive Ultra Matt Brush on Varnish on some old miniatures, leaving out the metallic areas. The AK Interactive Ultra is ideally ideally meant to be applied with an airbrush, which might explain the speckling that I am getting on the miniatures which is I have to say, a big "no-no" IMHO as it can ruin the overall appeal of a miniature. It might take some time to get the results I am looking for. When I do, I will of course post up some comparison pics.
An airbrush is something I have never used and really want to avoid the expense of buying a decent rig.
I should add, yesterday I have managed to get to work on the last eight miniatures for the unit which has raised my sense of Elan, which is of course a very good thing. So, a positive :>)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tNmIN_A4ceE/YDu7Afr6X8I/AAAAAAABF-4/FgtBAiVPgL08G_HhVDU1g395LtqwGNmkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/UNARMOURED%2BBYZANTINE%2BUNIT%2B1%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9O_EyknXFI/YDu7ARkVjuI/AAAAAAABF-0/9BmUa2KgkdkczObZGs31fHIPQPqelvWiACLcBGAsYHQ/s1050/UNARMOURED%2BBYZANTINE%2BUNIT%2B1%2B1B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nMFxRC3cvyk/YDu7AdN8EpI/AAAAAAABF-8/dkqriTQe4EA4leNGpLnMEkEHPRl6KkBpACLcBGAsYHQ/s1050/UNARMOURED%2BBYZANTINE%2BUNIT%2B1%2B1C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g8MeWTvfOnI/YDu7Az4EIkI/AAAAAAABF_A/6Cmn0nLhmCk0i3TLHItfserUD-BLmRDggCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/UNARMOURED%2BBYZANTINE%2BUNIT%2B1%2B1D.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Iz6_77fUgw/YDu7lDkBBxI/AAAAAAABF_Y/fZF9QO7qxSYFx_bgggQbK1EBUsC7WjA8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/UNARMOURED%2BBYZANTINE%2BUNIT%2B1%2B2A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pgTVdzdd2WE/YDu7lJOBgxI/AAAAAAABF_U/uiY55NWJTagHGq2znvae7uU7Fl88a5qpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1050/UNARMOURED%2BBYZANTINE%2BUNIT%2B1%2B2B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gtuz6Pp2ixM/YDu7lASzqbI/AAAAAAABF_Q/IngkXvu1pIsoKKTMmCYlUyE6SVjSRQeugCLcBGAsYHQ/s1050/UNARMOURED%2BBYZANTINE%2BUNIT%2B1%2B2C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKv8HNYw3Fc/YDu7lvqinsI/AAAAAAABF_c/nBnZt-4Y-XEhe51AyWmy-DTzTOa06YqMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1050/UNARMOURED%2BBYZANTINE%2BUNIT%2B1%2B2D.jpg)
The unit as it stands thus far. Sixteen out of the twenty four miniatures that will make up the finished unit. I usually manage to find a way in which to make the miniatures "talk" to one another. This has been an unusually difficult job with this particular unit. Maybe down to planning (or rather lack of) or perhaps just an audit of my current mental state(???). I think I managed to get a couple of the command miniatures to express a feeling of urgency. What do you guys think?
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJQDeAs3PLo/YDu8V_fwmuI/AAAAAAABF_s/OBghWjxgf34c3-5AoXCXnYpRIMXoWhkYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/P1010488.JPG)
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Very nice and I think the poses of the rank and file limited the ability to make them do too much, command certainly engaged in energetic debate but the paint jobs...well that makes them all shine...lovely work, let that do the talking😉
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I think I managed to get a couple of the command miniatures to express a feeling of urgency. What do you guys think?
I agree- between the poses of the command figures and the way the rank and file are holding their spears it looks like the shizzle is about to hit the fizzle.
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Cracking work Atheling :-*
About the varnish,be warned what you are about to read maybe could be akin to heresy; righty oh,after a couple of mishaps,careful blending,only to see all that work go to hell under a coat of matt varnish,I stopped using the stuff. I have hundreds of painted miniatures now without varnish and absolutely no wear. I do use a lot of Tamiya flat base for the effect,and I am very particular about the undercoat,so far all good. It doesn’t matter if it’s resin,metal or plastic a good undercoat seems to do the trick,and no more lost work.
Cheero
Guy
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bloody fabulous mate
cheers
Matt
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Thanks you for all the goodly words guys- appreciated as ever :)
Cracking work Atheling :-*
About the varnish,be warned what you are about to read maybe could be akin to heresy; righty oh,after a couple of mishaps,careful blending,only to see all that work go to hell under a coat of matt varnish,I stopped using the stuff. I have hundreds of painted miniatures now without varnish and absolutely no wear. I do use a lot of Tamiya flat base for the effect,and I am very particular about the undercoat,so far all good. It doesn’t matter if it’s resin,metal or plastic a good undercoat seems to do the trick,and no more lost work.
Cheero
Guy
I know what you mean Guy, I'm just as particular about the primer as much as the undercoat. A solid primer with "teeth" can save a world of woe. Metals, in my experience, no matter how carefully handled have always been subject to more chipping. Maybe it's just me ??? ??? ???
Very nice and I think the poses of the rank and file limited the ability to make them do too much, command certainly engaged in energetic debate but the paint jobs...well that makes them all shine...lovely work, let that do the talking😉
I agree- between the poses of the command figures and the way the rank and file are holding their spears it looks like the shizzle is about to hit the fizzle.
I think you're both right. Maybe if I had gone for a more Shieldwall type affair assuming the mini's will allow? I might trim down some of the bases and give it a go next time. 8)
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What with all the beautiful Aventine Miniatures Early Byzantine armies being posted and my lack of space to take large group shots whilst Covid is still causing mayhem I thought I'd post up a couple of pics of each unit I have completed thus far:
Armoured Skutatoi:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wTmtXh-3L6g/X4hvqMa0WYI/AAAAAAABEx4/erk1TIxOzlMF8FgKLbZuY7kGOcOEnEybgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/BYZ%2BSKUT%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XqIzUJoOjRc/X4hzq5nUNuI/AAAAAAABEy4/1rXp8gwue9srnmkMSg2kzySDc8afU-0LACLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/BYZ%2BSKUT%2B1C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qWZzO4xDl3E/X4rIpgC03hI/AAAAAAABEzg/-mi3rovmuR08_LU8VR_gnNd_c0DTtl5bwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BY%2BSCUT%2B%2526%2BCOMM%2B1D.jpg)
Command Base:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iKmufg-tgCw/X4hs5eF7DUI/AAAAAAABEwk/ieANAZETsWctgvkdvW0J4eMPLpdw5hIbgCLcBGAsYHQ/s765/BYZ%2BCOMMAND%2BSKUTATOI%2B2B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-teLNYxdLDOA/X4hs9DpBiBI/AAAAAAABEws/z-odi3MG09YAaQ9IRKHNn0H_9-5b8VT8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s815/BYZ%2BCOMMAND%2BSKUTATOI%2B2C.jpg)
Dismounted Bucellarri/Extra Heavy Infantry:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lVAtptLM9QE/Xz_m2Vx5jGI/AAAAAAABEMQ/0roGLwtibhgPoi-qy66NwZei4fAbtYOHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AVENTINE%2BBYZANTINE%2BHEAVY%2BINFANTRY%2BUNIT%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mRhjaiQuM5w/Xz_neBp87CI/AAAAAAABENc/6vmhdqjFJaU_C8RSp61pBQEXrGD5d4hHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AVENTINE%2BBHI%2BABOVE%2B1C.jpg)
Slingers:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0XFWdXahgbY/X1O3ru1XdJI/AAAAAAABEbY/QO83VtIqrzUZqyCnAAlCUBGCPzL90wQ0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AVENTINE%2BBYZANTINE%2BSLINGERS%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-38b0S1YB-r4/X1O3rsv8B9I/AAAAAAABEbU/5DyM4x1mpS4fmuLSkCyUvr5iISuoUexpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AVENTINE%2BBYZANTINE%2BSLINGERS%2B1C.jpg)
Torsion Engine:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E9GUPKTm17c/X0eRxMZpfjI/AAAAAAABETY/ndzJPJEM2nwRuMi8HUfvRbxU4uIe_LILQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BYZANTINE%2BBOLT%2BTHROWER%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hbNg8FjW1Dk/X0eRzkuCHjI/AAAAAAABEUA/JxCY_4e6ZvcfiN1K5A8keRxDIVV4Wgr-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BYZANTINE%2BBOLT%2BTHROWER%2BHIGH%2B1C.jpg)
Army General Command Base on Foot:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YANOQUt97uw/X2M-F1-jVMI/AAAAAAABEi4/dXESfeHDZlEzMrHr3NhPeaUBuK_O3mRdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1732/BYZANTINE%2BMAGISTER%2BCOMMAND%2BBASE%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gRPAg_-bnMQ/X2M-m6SttPI/AAAAAAABEjU/iA9VrYkmjjQ9N3M0L91pKR5JgKT5moBcgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1877/BYZANTINE%2BMAGISTER%2BCOMMAND%2BBASE%2B3C.jpg)
A unit of Unarmoured Skutatoi in the varnishing queue and another Unarmoured Skutatoi unit in the process of being painted up.
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:-* :-* :-*
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They are simply stunning chap
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Awesome! Will you be working on some opponents for them too?
Can I ask what your bases are made of? They look like MDF, but with some thinner material attached beneath?
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Really wonderful painting and basing! I love the red, yellow and blue pteruges (wikipedia suggests this is what they're called?) on the command.
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Stunning work.
The hand painted banners are amazing.
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Excellent work! The force looks amazing!
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Simply magnificent! :o
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They look the business mate, loving that command base
Cheers
Matt
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Thanks you all for your kind words :)
The hand painted banners are amazing.
Thanks you. They are the only army I am working on where I am actually painting the banners by hand. I find it very rewarding but it is time consuming.
Awesome! Will you be working on some opponents for them too?
Yeah, quite a list actually. To start off with the Belisarius/Narses Justinian era stuff it will be Goths, Franks (one unit done thus far! lol ) Lombards and of course, Sassanids. Later I'll move into the Arab Conquest and Avars etc for the Heraclian era stuff. There will also be Gassanids and a few others as allies for the Eastern Romans.
Can I ask what your bases are made of? They look like MDF, but with some thinner material attached beneath?
It's "Magnabase". Basically magnetic sheet. All the armies that won't fit into a display case get allotted a Very Useful Box which is lined with magnetic sheeting. It just keeps everything from moving around and potential damage. If you're interested the best place to buy the magnetic basing stuff is Magnetic Displays:
https://www.magneticdisplays.co.uk/ (https://www.magneticdisplays.co.uk/)
Really wonderful painting and basing! I love the red, yellow and blue pteruges (wikipedia suggests this is what they're called?) on the command.
Yeah, Pteruges, though I am yet to learn how to pronounce the word lol
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Beautiful figures, and the flags are fantastic!
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Beautiful figures, and the flags are fantastic!
Thanks Bearwoodman :)
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Beautiful collection your are building mate, very impressive
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Beautiful collection your are building mate, very impressive
Thanks- appreciated :)
I'm loving your Early Byzantines too! 8)
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Seriously beautiful painting on those Byzantines, especially the command stand. :-* :-*
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Seriously beautiful painting on those Byzantines, especially the command stand. :-* :-*
Cheers Hu Rhu :)
More of the larger based command stand to come in the near future. I'm currently trying to fill out the ranks a little more with two unarmoured units of Skutatoi but there's Bucellarrii, Lancers and other Cavarly goodness to come reasonably soon. I love painting Cavalry models which is why I'm trying to fill in the infantry ranks as much as possible before engaging with the Cav lol
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Wowsers - this could well be my favourite army posted on Lead Adventure. Beautiful. You are properly doing justice to the new (and stunning) range.
I'd be most interested to know what ranges you are using for the Germanic opponents for the Belisarian era - presumably the metal ranges by Footsore, GB and so on, or are you kit-bashing plastics to produce a slightly later, more Romanized look? Am also very curious to know your plans for the Heraclian opposition. Sassanids and Avars are dealt with by Aventine and GB. But early Muslim Arabs are a real conundrum for me. Such an important army historically and yet they remain the great "black hole" in terms of miniatures. I don't think the GB plastics are easily retrofitted for this purpose.
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Wowsers - this could well be my favourite army posted on Lead Adventure. Beautiful. You are properly doing justice to the new (and stunning) range.
I'd be most interested to know what ranges you are using for the Germanic opponents for the Belisarian era - presumably the metal ranges by Footsore, GB and so on, or are you kit-bashing plastics to produce a slightly later, more Romanized look? Am also very curious to know your plans for the Heraclian opposition. Sassanids and Avars are dealt with by Aventine and GB. But early Muslim Arabs are a real conundrum for me. Such an important army historically and yet they remain the great "black hole" in terms of miniatures. I don't think the GB plastics are easily retrofitted for this purpose.
I can't really answer the question without giving things away about potential Aventine releases. I told Keith I would keep everything he let me know re: future releases if in confidence. I would drop Keith a line and ask if you're interested.
I don't think I'll be doing any plastic kit bashing but of course if the need arises then I will do. TBH, I have such a long way to go with just the, for want of a better phrase, Justinian era Aventine releases I'm going to be busy with just those for a while yet. I will be moving onto the Heraclian era stuff after I have much of the earlier stuff completed. And that's quite a lot as I bought two units of everything lol
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Wow. *Very* tidy paintjobs all around.
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Wow. *Very* tidy paintjobs all around.
Thanks Hammers. I'm trying to keep up the momentum. :)
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Nice!
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Nice!
Thanks Wellington :)
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Just a quick post to keep things up to speed. I have been experimenting with different colour schemes for the tunics for the different Unarmoured Skutatoi Units that will be standing as the main battle line in the army along with their Armoured Comrades (in Shieldwall). I have avoided the temptation to go for purely complimentary colours as they often create a hard contrast which, given the surface area of the miniature that will be covered by my chosen hues of "Green" and "Yellow" would tend towards the dynamic between the colours being too strong. I have also shifted the hue of the green slightly.
I am happy with the way in which the colour schemes have worked out on this the second unit of Unarmoured Skutatoi but as always, I would be very interested in hearing what you guys think?
Please note, the models are unvarnished. so no gloss and matting down as of yet.
The first unit is still waiting, somewhat impatiently for the gloss to dry so I can finally matt the miniatures down, paint the banner and base it up so pics of that very soon.
For now though......
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7NEUZVQ9hyw/YE8c-19dvWI/AAAAAAABGAs/9idXwnenGqAPljRO8WtylyCm9X98eGaxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/UNARMOURED%2BSKUTATOI%2BUNIT%2BTWO%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uNSWb2SsPMk/YE8c-0J5nEI/AAAAAAABGAw/6FydL6ir9LY9n_GjEyi94YP5dIKykhBIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/UNARMOURED%2BSKUTATOI%2BUNIT%2BTWO%2B1B.jpg)
Cheers :)
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That's a really nice colour combination but what is most striking is how clean they are and how they somehow pop
I think its hard with some colours, particularly red and yellow not to have an undercoat or wash coming through. Those are so neatly painted that the colours used have some depth and give the illusion of troops wearing nice thick rich cloth.
So what paint brand are you using? Is that why?
How many coats to get that coverage? Is that the secret?
And finally - how come your figures' hands and spears don't have huge blobs of epoxy on them like mine seem to? lol
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Nice colour combination using some muted tones.
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Beautiful stuff. Byzantine armies are always impressive and colourful, but these are a real treat!
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Thanks folks :)
That's a really nice colour combination but what is most striking is how clean they are and how they somehow pop
I think its hard with some colours, particularly red and yellow not to have an undercoat or wash coming through. Those are so neatly painted that the colours used have some depth and give the illusion of troops wearing nice thick rich cloth.
So what paint brand are you using?
I use quite a wide variety really..... Andrea, Vallejo (Model, Game and Panzer Aces), Foundry (older the better- I wouldn't buy them nowadays) and Citadel mainly on the metallic work.
Is that why? How many coats to get that coverage? Is that the secret?
I usually have a couple of coats for a basecoat of any colour and just layer up from there. Nothing fancy really.
And finally - how come your figures' hands and spears don't have huge blobs of epoxy on them like mine seem to? lol
I use industrial grade superglue. Out of the army thus far, I have only had two spear come loose, which is a pain as I have to strip the paint from the offending hand and repaint! >:( Mostly though they stay well stuck :)
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Atheling, can you tell us the manufacturer of the superglue you use. I have been looking for a really good version for many years.
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Atheling, can you tell us the manufacturer of the superglue you use. I have been looking for a really good version for many years.
Yeah, no probs, it's Everbuild High Grade Industrial. It's available on amazon in the UK.
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For what it is worth. Recently I have been using Gorilla Super Glue gel in the 15ml bottles, it helps fill the gaps between the hand and the spears and sets very hard. Just need to wipe off any excess or the epoxy hand thing happens.
Cheers
Keith
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Chaps, thanks for the advice on glue. Following a mate’s recommendation I did try some Gorilla glue. To be honest I didn’t find it to be as good as advertised. Since lockdown I’ve been using some cheap stuff my wife sourced for me.
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Chaps, thanks for the advice on glue. Following a mate’s recommendation I did try some Gorilla glue. To be honest I didn’t find it to be as good as advertised. Since lockdown I’ve been using some cheap stuff my wife sourced for me.
The Everbuild High Grade Industrial stuff is cheap really. Under £2. I think the secret to using superglue is to leave it for a day or so before handing the models. I don't know if it's just me but the bond seems a lot stronger 24 hours later compared to say an hour.
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My next purchases from Aventine........ :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
Available on the Aventine website if anyone else is interested ???
https://aventineminiatures.co.uk/catalog/index.php/cPath/53_167_173 (https://aventineminiatures.co.uk/catalog/index.php/cPath/53_167_173)
(https://aventineminiatures.co.uk/catalog/images/Aventine%20BYZ69.JPG)
(https://aventineminiatures.co.uk/catalog/images/Aventine%20BYZ69.JPG)
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Yah, those look bee-ootiful. ;D
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Darrell, this isn't my period of interest but your brushwork is AMAZING! :o As usual.
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Darrell, this isn't my period of interest but your brushwork is AMAZING! :o As usual.
Cheers Bravo Six! Very kind of you to say so. I've really taken my time with the Aventine Byzantines so I'm very happy to hear that you like the paint jobs :)
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I like your new alternative colour scheme.
Thanks for the tip off on the horse archers. They look quite "late" to me, as in more Heraclean than Belisarian, especially with the rudimentary stirrups. The (also very nice) Footsore figures look like an earlier fit. I fear the day of reckoning is drawing near when a further swoop will be required on Aventine's shop!
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Great stuff from Aventine! I paint some Sassanids. And beautiful painted Byzantines!
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I like your new alternative colour scheme.
Thanks for the tip off on the horse archers. They look quite "late" to me, as in more Heraclean than Belisarian, especially with the rudimentary stirrups.
They are. The Aventine range covers the Justinian and Heraclian eras. Just pick the miniatures for your desired period, which in mu case is both! :D I'm going to be putting together two armies that span from 527CE to roughly 711CE.
The (also very nice) Footsore figures look like an earlier fit.
I really like the Footsore Late Roman Sagittarri too.
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That's my plan as well - two "split" armies extending to the wars of the 7th Century.
With that in mind, how I would love it if Aventine did a full range of early Muslims, to cover the most important conflict in late antiquity. The other gap is Slavs. We've got Avars by Aventine and GB but apart from a couple of older packs by GB nothing that I know of that covers their subordinate allies. At the moment I'm planning to use generic dark age spearmen based on the GB plastics but it would be great to have a few packs of dedicated sculpts.
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That's my plan as well - two "split" armies extending to the wars of the 7th Century.
With that in mind, how I would love it if Aventine did a full range of early Muslims, to cover the most important conflict in late antiquity. The other gap is Slavs. We've got Avars by Aventine and GB but apart from a couple of older packs by GB nothing that I know of that covers their subordinate allies. At the moment I'm planning to use generic dark age spearmen based on the GB plastics but it would be great to have a few packs of dedicated sculpts.
Agreed. Personally speaking, it would be great to have very single enemy and ally of the Justinian and Heraclian eras. I can't see it ever happening. I'm trying not to do too many conversions as of now as I'm trying to concentrate on getting a large force painted for a game we have pencilled in for later in the year- with the requisite conditions in place of course. Having said that, I do have plans for a few conversions, mainly character/command stands that sort of thing. I might be filing away some stirrups on some of the models so they fit my vision of a Justinian army, so in this case, nothing too taxing.
I can't really say anything as to the future Aventine releases that I have been privy to as it was said in confidence and I do not want to break that promise.
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With that in mind, how I would love it if Aventine did a full range of early Muslims, to cover the most important conflict in late antiquity.
Amen brother. Fascinating period that is still resonating today.
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A stunningly good thread! :-*
Christopher
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Amen brother. Fascinating period that is still resonating today.
It is definitely a fascinating time period. I was listening to the The History of Byzantium whilst painting, which despite only a brief outline, it was astonishing to hear just how much I didn't know! :)
A stunningly good thread! :-*
Cheers Christopher, I've been watching your Middle Imperial Roman thread with great interest too; some very fine painting sir 8)
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A truly fascinating period now enlivened by a range that properly covers the Byzantine army of the period. If anyone wants a recommendation for a book that really digs into it, I cannot rate Empires of Faith by Peter Sarris highly enough, covering both the last Romano-Sassanid conflict and the Muslim conquest through until the beginning of the 7th Century.
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A truly fascinating period now enlivened by a range that properly covers the Byzantine army of the period. If anyone wants a recommendation for a book that really digs into it, I cannot rate Empires of Faith by Peter Sarris highly enough, covering both the last Romano-Sassanid conflict and the Muslim conquest through until the beginning of the 7th Century.
Thanks. 8)
I haven't read that one, or actually heard of it ( ???) but have added it to the reading list.
Is it a detailed description of the wars such as Haldon and Farrokh or a more generalised view of the wars. I ask as the Amazon description doesn't give very much away.
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It is multidisciplinary (there's stuff on the archaeological record, numismatics etc.) but with detailed surveys of the various wars between the three great powers. Not to the same level as Haldon (or Sylvanne), as his theme is the decline of the classical Mediterranean culture and emergence of Northern Europe as a new center of gravity as a consequence of the Arab conquest. But it's the book I consult most in terms of checking the key facts and background. His discussion of the Byzantine counter-offensive under Constans II is the best I have read. Well worth having on the shelf alongside Haldon.
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It is multidisciplinary (there's stuff on the archaeological record, numismatics etc.) but with detailed surveys of the various wars between the three great powers. Not to the same level as Haldon (or Sylvanne), as his theme is the decline of the classical Mediterranean culture and emergence of Northern Europe as a new center of gravity as a consequence of the Arab conquest. But it's the book I consult most in terms of checking the key facts and background. His discussion of the Byzantine counter-offensive under Constans II is the best I have read. Well worth having on the shelf alongside Haldon.
Thanks Hincmar. Appreciated 8)
I've got a basket full of Amazon household essentials I have been trying to to buy so I'll add the book and give it a read. :)
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Fantastic mate, you can never have too many....although I stopped at 36 units of Late Roman foot and 10 units of cavalry!
cheers
Matt
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Fantastic mate, you can never have too many....although I stopped at 36 units of Late Roman foot and 10 units of cavalry!
36 infantry units!!!??? :o
Here's the latest unit finally complete- or nearly complete as I forgot to to matt the banner down prior to taking the pictures but I positively refuse to go back and retake the pictures now lol. I'll probably post some 360 degree images of the individual bases in a few days so the banner will be seen in completed then.
I also thought the banner to be a bit on the bland side but as the Unarmoured Skutatoi basically run of the mill plebs I'm not too anxious about this and will probably go for something similar on the next unit of Unarmoured Skutatoi which I am working on currently.
A load more images are available on my Just Add Water Blog here:
https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2021/03/unarmoured-early-byzantine-skutatoi.html (https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2021/03/unarmoured-early-byzantine-skutatoi.html)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDAhlaJNQe4/YFzdIKw4v4I/AAAAAAABGBk/YS3oWFcrJi8gzP0LI20ciGC0YWT2P6ByACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BUNITS%2BPANORAMIC%2B1A.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d_AdbOUwGmU/YFzdPbvTmTI/AAAAAAABGBw/uD3uujOq0x4rAoagdPmPePdrWoylg7FZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BUNIT%2B1A.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-orAcGJpRYGk/YFzdYgUIqpI/AAAAAAABGB4/sf5atzYR7vcgvGhxYQXDpnO7_UzRj4XcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BUNIT%2B1C.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yEPSagb8F9g/YFzdiCs7OGI/AAAAAAABGCU/2D85LLQu_ukc-H7u09kTeJO6fArofF7TACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BUNIT%2BHIGH%2B1A.JPG)
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This has developed into a great thread. Brilliant work and I love the damaged shield in the front rank, I'll definitely be pinching that idea.
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This has developed into a great thread.
Thanks you Alan. There's a lot more to come including the Cavalry, of which there will be a lot as well a many more infantry units before I start moving forward into the later "Heraclian era".
Brilliant work and I love the damaged shield in the front rank, I'll definitely be pinching that idea.
Feel free to steal away, the banners are all hand painted but the shields are all LBMS Transfers, the Footsore Miniatures ones fit the smaller shields (scutum) done by Aventine:
(https://www.littlebigmenstudios.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/LRM8.jpg)
https://www.littlebigmenstudios.com/product-category/28mm-transfers/footsore-miniatures/ (https://www.littlebigmenstudios.com/product-category/28mm-transfers/footsore-miniatures/)
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Fantastic painting on the whole unit. :-* :-* :-*
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Really great work, best I've seen in a very long time :o Great thread also on a great period for wargamers, so much more to it than simply Justinians' war in Africa and Italy.
On the subject of shields and transfers the smaller shield was produced as an afterthought to fit Footsore minis transfers as Steve at LBM was too overwhelmed with work to produce a set for our main Byzantine shield, what is now our 'middle sized' shield with darts behind.
I have been working to resize some of the Gripping Beast transfers to fit the wider shield with some success but it does require some of the design to be repainted, not everyones cup of tea. Perhaps things will ease up a bit and Steve can resize some designs for us.
Keep up the good work and I can't wait to see the cavalry! Adam
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Cheers guys :)
Really great work, best I've seen in a very long time
They are very kind words indeed! :)
On the subject of shields and transfers the smaller shield was produced as an afterthought to fit Footsore minis transfers as Steve at LBM was too overwhelmed with work to produce a set for our main Byzantine shield, what is now our 'middle sized' shield with darts behind.
I've got plenty of the medium sized shields but like you say, the Footsore ones fit the smaller resized shields so I just went with what is available. It's taken me long enough to paint the mini's without having to worry about painting the shields too. The irony is, I always used to insist on painting every shield in every army I had! Example of a Norman shield below:
(https://bp1.blogger.com/_UqO2KenI5XA/R0IaNPbx7uI/AAAAAAAAARg/NL-iO3T8FfQ/s400/Mounted+Milites+unit+1+close+up+3.jpg)
I have been working to resize some of the Gripping Beast transfers to fit the wider shield with some success but it does require some of the design to be repainted, not everyones cup of tea. Perhaps things will ease up a bit and Steve can resize some designs for us.
Keep up the good work and I can't wait to see the cavalry! Adam
I think I'll have a minor seizure if Steve does! I don't relish the thought of having to re do all of the shields lol
I have one Cavalry unit pencilled in after the next Unarmoured Skutatoi unit but I might just try to plough ahead and get another Armoured Shieldwall in place. The theory being I may be more reluctant to continue with the infantry if I start on the cavalry! o_o
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Know what you mean regarding doing more infantry when the cavalry arrive!
There is no right size or wrong size shield for this period as all we have is really based on the shields from Dura Europus, for actual measurements, and the artwork from the period. Period illustartions show a wide variety of shapes and sizes, none of which can be confirmed. We hope the range can also represent the period just before Justinian but after the traditional date of the Fall of the West.
Stick with the shields you have, I know they are transfers but I also know they don't look as good as yours without a lot of extra graft. Still blown away by your work.
In future ranges I hope I can link all the periods we do together so those shields will come in pretty handy ;)
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Know what you mean regarding doing more infantry when the cavalry arrive!
There is no right size or wrong size shield for this period as all we have is really based on the shields from Dura Europus, for actual measurements, and the artwork from the period. Period illustartions show a wide variety of shapes and sizes, none of which can be confirmed. We hope the range can also represent the period just before Justinian but after the traditional date of the Fall of the West.
Stick with the shields you have, I know they are transfers but I also know they don't look as good as yours without a lot of extra graft. Still blown away by your work.
Thanks Adam. The sculpting has made the painting possible. lovely clean lines etc. Just too juicy not to put a lot of effort into :)
In future ranges I hope I can link all the periods we do together so those shields will come in pretty handy ;)
lol Keith did just send me some IR images so I suggest we make it a bet lol
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Great brushwork Darrell. This thread is something to be proud of for certain.
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Great brushwork Darrell. This thread is something to be proud of for certain.
Cheers Bravo Six. I'm hoping to get some group shots of the army at some point. Due to being a lazy so and so I didn't clean out the greater part of the studio prior to Covid and now I'm stuck in the house with nowhere to put all the rubbish before setting up my table lol. Typical me lol And there is a lot of rubbish >:(
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Just a very quick post to say that, as I promised in my last post of the Unarmoured Early Byzantine Skutatoi Unit Complete I managed to find some time to take some close ups of the bases.
And why not?
My preference for basing the miniatures in large units to have a degree of synergy and interaction between figures goes back quite a while to when the Perry twins first produced their Agincourt to Orleans range in metal. The sculpts in that particular range were so dynamic, so suspenseful so full of life they just screamed out "vignette style basing" to me. To help illustrate my point, here are a few quick pictures taken by David Imrie (Saxon Dog to many) of the Perry HYW stuff completed many a moon ago:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jThipAYrJ70/YGBgMqGGDEI/AAAAAAABGFE/0kmP1MeaZoIdFSulonTeyby-snNwIDazACLcBGAsYHQ/s799/CloseupHYW3.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HCINPcdG7Pg/YGBgMpMkRXI/AAAAAAABGFA/f89qDnEmj-o3HSKYg8K8SFE9qvArEUk6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s799/CloseupHYW5.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1iZh0L4xV9U/YGBgNDyo84I/AAAAAAABGFI/8wJwu4WlMbo7hzr7l1OfwWkdV3XRE6qdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s678/DSC_0011_800x531.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o68GuAc7Nkw/YGBgNH6aVtI/AAAAAAABGFM/ERP-BXYuNlEWTt0E81BRt9Gwyzz-Ib3OACLcBGAsYHQ/s697/DSC_0013_800x531.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CYy3iirqBnI/YGBgNMWl8nI/AAAAAAABGFQ/i-bgUr_v7XUe_vsMvR_6_NBZcg5R_L7QACLcBGAsYHQ/s747/DSC_0016_800x531.jpg)
I have tried to achieve something similar with my Aventine Miniatures Early Byzantines; but in a more uniform manner. I think the more regimented look of the units just says Eastern Roman/Byzantine discipline a little more then the "all out scrum" look of my HYW English. With the Byzantines I have made an effort to try to get the Command Models to look as though there is a high degree of interaction and a sense of suspense whilst the rank and file are either, depending on the units, standing their ground, fighting or, in some cases, just milling around waiting for action.
Here they are, "Warts and all":
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edG8lkIABDI/YGBeN0FuqLI/AAAAAAABGDY/fFjFVZBAVWMD7Z-qMvylb8hPOKHK4L1MACLcBGAsYHQ/s997/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BCLOSE%2BUPS%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVAXfGuKU3Y/YGBeOD5Y-7I/AAAAAAABGDc/ImoHdiTJ29IUbt3CUg1d2FxE7T6FVQ4OgCLcBGAsYHQ/s907/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BCLOSE%2BUPS%2B1B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_i1G8wXlt0/YGBeOJ5An0I/AAAAAAABGDg/PDaYIR1bFcY9EJ6bGifMW8vWLR4JQl_KACLcBGAsYHQ/s900/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BCLOSE%2BUPS%2B1C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2T6L13iMV5U/YGBeOohLCEI/AAAAAAABGDk/5Keq-ZpMZTwy0RYim7BPsw1xQXSom2J4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1289/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BCLOSE%2BUPS%2B2A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SD7drgqlv68/YGBeO2QZZII/AAAAAAABGDo/_E3GOCvBLSYtZTG4ImUpaMNKAcdn3o5-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1162/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BCLOSE%2BUPS%2B2B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZO-7kJq1DLs/YGBePPmbn9I/AAAAAAABGDs/Lv3NxLA0kvsCIne8CIXnLtMx_-J--Y0uACLcBGAsYHQ/s1096/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BCLOSE%2BUPS%2B2C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_vLNNObzTA/YGBePW1te9I/AAAAAAABGDw/_KiMBjidHesso9_qMKu2HHNhVxdsPFzVACLcBGAsYHQ/s1034/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BCLOSE%2BUPS%2B3A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5TDTvFeMRo/YGBePrGl3_I/AAAAAAABGD0/hMCUCtLy8tYKISiZsRg-XWCBgyu3AOiyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s950/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BCLOSE%2BUPS%2B3B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZGE1f6H4CU/YGBeQJgh1pI/AAAAAAABGD4/l4SbkJ9wKZ8ALOM3SadniPIkilbttk22ACLcBGAsYHQ/s900/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BCLOSE%2BUPS%2B3C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BCwfdp6Fqn8/YGBeQEa9-7I/AAAAAAABGD8/S4nFIvCeRt8VIOAA8zTUhIN0EF5Bd3_RACLcBGAsYHQ/s930/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BCLOSE%2BUPS%2B4A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-51n1Hd0uAUc/YGBeQsdlA8I/AAAAAAABGEA/dnKU0eoL7BwyUi9uEQ-qeHdmWCTgSBYpACLcBGAsYHQ/s900/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BCLOSE%2BUPS%2B4B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gvCcVXp1CVw/YGBeQ92SoaI/AAAAAAABGEE/G4qvsS57L6QaoLyzfm3tw5XJKp_xM3aZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BCLOSE%2BUPS%2B4C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3eTosGd01w/YGBeQ1NiGwI/AAAAAAABGEI/Qet31C6-mmkX9SFXMGvffjOQvTmdteGigCLcBGAsYHQ/s1011/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BCLOSE%2BUPS%2B5A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmqavzlKlGg/YGBeRgM_-lI/AAAAAAABGEM/O7Lu7iiSEXosh_HSCcyh4HpYh9bVsC7bQCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BCLOSE%2BUPS%2B5B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kIJuBHTH8Co/YGBeScN_uCI/AAAAAAABGEQ/m1dvqx8CoGwDrUHbjLOrF7TUCikrlyjmACLcBGAsYHQ/s900/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BCLOSE%2BUPS%2B5C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7yB0453Rnk8/YGBeSfeE8BI/AAAAAAABGEU/EaduDrsc5Lc5fL-LeeuYjYfGZB9H_ppjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s986/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BCLOSE%2BUPS%2B6A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fk4Jap7EAic/YGBeSc4SRGI/AAAAAAABGEY/BgddJCtnT1crqAV6MLG_W57I5RN54hggQCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BCLOSE%2BUPS%2B6B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hqVetL-GTVQ/YGBeS-DNGOI/AAAAAAABGEc/iN9xIl_GoKoTRQJ_M4ifwpa3wQPV_JR9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BCLOSE%2BUPS%2B6C.jpg)
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Gorgeous. :-* :-* :-*
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Thanks Hu Rhu :)
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Simply stunning
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Such lovely rich colours, genesis!!!
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I doff my hat with thanks to both Roo and Gareth 8)
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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUd2KozHzMo/YHxKz94avXI/AAAAAAABGGo/JAHblVN3sdwgsk7jyr9sI2VmC52_qGdhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/UNARMOURED%2BGREEN%2BUNIT%2BABOVE%2B1A.jpg)
There are more images of the unit from various angles on my just Add Water Blog here:
https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2021/04/second-unarmoured-early-byzantine.html (https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2021/04/second-unarmoured-early-byzantine.html)
Happily I now have the second unit of Unarmoured Early Byzantine Skutatoi complete. I decided to stick with the test models with the green and yellow from my earlier Unarmoured Skutatoi Unit Two- Experiment with Different Colour Schemes post for the basics on the tunics and trousers, though it was suggested that there was a striking resemblance to Norwich City's football kit! I'm not much of a soccer aficionado so I can assure you that any resemblance is purely coincidental! As a life long native of the North, be that Scotland or the NE of England it did make me chuckle!
The miniatures are, like the rest of my Justinian era army thus far, all from mighty Aventine Miniatures.
I has some problems with the varnish. I tried a tin of Humbrol Gloss Enamel Spray to see if it could help speed up the varnishing process but after leaving the unit for the requisite week for the gloss to fully go off, when it came to matting down with the usual Windsor and Newton Artists Professional Matt Varnish there an unusual interaction between the two opposite layers. Disappointing as I tend to be very anal about these things but not to the extent where I was particularly worried about the unit making an (eventual!) appearance on the wargames table. I'm not sure if I got a bad batch of the Humbrol Gloss or whether it is best to avoid using a gloss spray altogether in the future thus I would be very interested in hearing what experiences any of you may have had. I may yet just return to the brush on version but if I have missed a trick it would be interesting to find out what that might be(?). I intend to take some close ups of the bases so if anyone has any ideas about how the two layers of varnish might have interacted the annoying results will be clearer in those pictures. Probably in my next post.
As the army has now reached 108 miniatures, not including commands and war machines, I am hoping to get some shots of the army in its entirety in the very near future. I still have not managed to get my damn wargames table put up yet. It is still buried under a whole heap of stuff, most of which needs chucking away. I really need to pull my finger out!
So, without further ado, here are a few sample pics of the completed unit:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LoDPEvb4c6c/YHxPNau-dZI/AAAAAAABGG0/xvKYTLwZvDgAh5FnPdIq6L0EEaR4HA2hgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/UNARMOURED%2BGREEN%2BUNIT%2BFRONT%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8kOtBIxHmz4/YHxPNQ477aI/AAAAAAABGG4/wafswJ4jaf82L1vXznfrjbWrYrDDhn48ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/UNARMOURED%2BGREEN%2BUNIT%2BFRONT%2B1B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BhouGsp4Vh4/YHxPOfhOkCI/AAAAAAABGG8/VOywALmp4-whBJ7vpXyMHMM6cK80e3h2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/UNARMOURED%2BGREEN%2BUNIT%2BFRONT%2B1D.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-txxcFq9AnFA/YHxPPGooHBI/AAAAAAABGHE/kOsfXSg_nzU1ChI-G74ZtpFM7x-NJ-G9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/UNARMOURED%2BGREEN%2BUNIT%2BFRONT%2B1F.jpg)
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Absolutely cracking. :-* :-* :-*
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I love how you do your units. Very inspirational!
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They look amazing.
Any chance of an army shot? All units done to date?
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Just lovely - beautiful stuff, as ever, Atheling!
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Brilliant painting. Lovely looking units. :)
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fantastic painting as always
Brian
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Another beautiful unit, class.
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Thanks you all for your encouraging words, they really mean a lot to me. 8)
Please believe me when I say, I've been stuck in the house for over a year now and need all the encouragement I can get. The really weird thing is that my output has gone down considerably, no doubt a result of said isolation.
Any chance of an army shot? All units done to date?
That's what I was really hoping to be able to do- perhaps create some sort of panoramic on the blog (software suggestions anyone?). Unfortunately, my wargames table is buried under a pile of stuff that really needs to be chucked away/recycled! Basically, I need to pull my finger out and get it done! lol
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Awesome paintjob :D keep it up :D
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Continually brilliant work.
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Gorgeous. Painting yellow well is hard and you've done it brilliantly!
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Handsome army. The red ties everything together quite nicely and is quite striking
I look forward to seeing a group shot.
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beautiful work.
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Thanks again guys for all the kind words. So very much appreciated.
I should have some shots of the single bases edited soon. I managed take one or two earlier but the Boukellaroi unit I'm currently working on naturally dragged me away from my laptop! o_o
Gorgeous. Painting yellow well is hard and you've done it brilliantly!
The yellow is actually quite simple- it's just VMC Orange Brown with successive layers of VMC Golden Yellow.
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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QfdKfce59L8/YHxR5BFg5dI/AAAAAAABGH8/5osJsHM4RPc8yz_0EbMCPmpbte5MhMpCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1001/BASE%2B2B.jpg)
I really surprised myself by managing to get up very early this morning and taking the rest of the close ups after only managing the first two bases yesterday- the lure of painting my new Boukellaroi/Bucellarri was too strong to resist yesterday! This is going to give me time to keep working away at the beautifully sculpted Boukellaroi/Bucellarri later today.
If you look closely at some of the images you will notice that there has been some sort of reaction between the Humbrol Gloss Spray and the Windsor and Newton Matt Pro Spray. I usually use Humbrol brush on Enamel Gloss as it is easy to control thus I'm wondering if this might have been down to possible "pooling" of the gloss with the spray? If anyone has any ideas I would love to hear from you as I really want to avoid a repeat of the problem. You can either leave a message for me by leaving a comment of contact me through the email facility on the blog.
There is also a brief description of how I wanted the models to mesh with one another above some of the images.
First Base:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dSgGNkUhBzc/YHxS1rNHnAI/AAAAAAABGII/akztmRPs_AAHkOVSSOV8gI8Y0tsw3C1QQCLcBGAsYHQ/s831/BASE%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UGSLzZ-kKKc/YHxS1bZCy5I/AAAAAAABGIE/ZQ7BT1gaV103s-qz2TNpY8LbR9565cgKACLcBGAsYHQ/s751/BASE%2B1B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XS7o3DIQTX8/YHxS1sdcTAI/AAAAAAABGIM/p72sqYIzraI95Qmv3MmtmcTVwen-wsJaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s772/BASE%2B1C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TEV5UVAYsXM/YHxS2K23nkI/AAAAAAABGIQ/1LOoMYYgJhUdPEmHTpz2K7cRnaprcxYNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/BASE%2B1D.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZodQ5UihSE/YHxS2YoP0NI/AAAAAAABGIU/6WdtgMOxzRYNy7DCsVMKVlKKvctsx1QvACLcBGAsYHQ/s750/BASE%2B1E.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2JyJcnEhDg/YHxS3OTt7YI/AAAAAAABGIY/Rblu2DBzsOkbaUMaF0FAhq0bWk7oex4PgCLcBGAsYHQ/s741/BASE%2B1F.jpg)
Second Base:
The moment in a melee where the highest ranking officer in the unit has been forced into the unenviable position of having to take his place in the front rank in order to hold the unit together. Perhaps the standard bearer is gesturing to a possible flank attack?
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LcN3MCNfU9U/YHxS3mnfQfI/AAAAAAABGIc/orlfNPnUhHMspyp6N9ITHuzSyyeZHNs4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s986/BASE%2B2A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKeyr8otoMo/YHxS4LN8KUI/AAAAAAABGIg/kUJa5ZC7DVcMOY7ll7GiRw1IWnwr9MXOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1001/BASE%2B2B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FxHJLIDi4R4/YHxS4RknxJI/AAAAAAABGIk/6a6FrLqmerImX5sUd6aE79Xij8DaxYmTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1005/BASE%2B2C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2EDpG7SESI/YHxS4rUqNHI/AAAAAAABGIo/bGfzH9IOEDUzkT9vC6wkmQJJXjRKnJMkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1036/BASE%2B2D.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tFiL07JxYNI/YHxS4nKYb3I/AAAAAAABGIs/PQGSCaDIIsoH_WfvjdD6bKBKWSskjrK2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1028/BASE%2B2E.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P7CE0oOoQiQ/YHxS48ejAgI/AAAAAAABGIw/tFc5XkBymLUcNEP9Blp_fur-G4e2mylDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s954/BASE%2B2F.jpg)
Third Base:
Here the musician blasts out a specific note to indicate to the officer placed in the back rank (see below) to order the archers to loose.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HBXUd7T5RgY/YHxTWd1lgSI/AAAAAAABGJU/Bb-uQqG9FEIztf6Zewhwcb0HHRGRGBlJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s815/BASE%2B3A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ogx1vRHTfo/YHxTWSkBGxI/AAAAAAABGJY/pVysCd6yD5MaBk8jmvPIXXtmM_F0IBiWACLcBGAsYHQ/s766/BASE%2B3B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s-MsCk0CZTg/YHxTWKGgqEI/AAAAAAABGJQ/rIsvsyQ2RLYHiJoPI3tBFdxo7fJSgnnZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s775/BASE%2B3C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PkR2UU5tPZI/YHxTWz_SltI/AAAAAAABGJc/F-oUgC3tuuw9n8MMa0C_idf2tog7itabACLcBGAsYHQ/s778/BASE%2B3D.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lbCP2E-jdbM/YHxTW8IK4pI/AAAAAAABGJg/mbLkA6Is-EYWDRa32AEvfsvvHGLWmJ-2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s790/BASE%2B3E.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SVC4YQBQtyg/YHxTXAiqSpI/AAAAAAABGJk/i4s6LyvKlXYNcJwDJs0RIQ3LlC5zTInEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/BASE%2B3F.jpg)
Next three bases to come ASAP!
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Stunning work. By the way what rule set do you plan to game with?
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Stunning work. By the way what rule set do you plan to game with?
Would you believe it if I said nothing as of yet? lol
Although my preference is for Swordpoint (friendly games- I love the maintaining the battle line as crucial concept) I have put the bases together so they can be used as is or in various combinations for a wide variety of rules. So Swordpoint, Hail Caesar, Impetus, Mortem et Glorium. I'm going to be adding some single "rank" bases to they can be used for L'Art de la Guerre too, eventually. I just wanted to cover as many bases as I could. In the past rebasing has been a real nightmare and I just want to avoid having to do that sort of thing at all coats.
For some of the rulesets the depth of the bases might be too deep, I'll just have to get used to getting charged in the flanks lol TBH, that sort of thing doesn't really bother me. I'm famous for losing nearly every game I played at the WAB Campaign weekenders of yesteryear lol
Second Unarmoured Early Byzantine Unit Close Ups of Bases Continued.
Fourth Base:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kx5v15PVQ1o/YHxTXfXPPnI/AAAAAAABGJo/w5AR1HQ8dFgN_HqxKrYs8ZJt31BbZfH9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s770/BASE%2B4A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E9gb6KkEVCk/YHxTXvVt_LI/AAAAAAABGJs/ae-gHYvzs1ITmTblzwrkXKxtZ_Sf6tzowCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/BASE%2B4B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V5KDXib3LC0/YHxTXx02zrI/AAAAAAABGJw/ySYIJH1Hlno3FV0vo79HSgdyhDQz8BoKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/BASE%2B4C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NK51PGsU_JA/YHxTYP3cnaI/AAAAAAABGJ0/sQmQCcJz790tK9b7VzfdIJcTPfoJkaf-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/BASE%2B4D.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XaJJ7vZzvGc/YHxTYiRFfoI/AAAAAAABGJ4/pQFIdA7IbpY2iz7CGjAcar27403IPK3TACLcBGAsYHQ/s764/BASE%2B4E.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XySoLz5lZgw/YHxTY8FTxxI/AAAAAAABGJ8/hMQeZ7qV7uMUrQZkc6dBHVGPFaDa90YxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s743/BASE%2B4F.jpg)
Base Five:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--sOvUwjDTXY/YHxTY3j1XAI/AAAAAAABGKA/lcjB5oPpq4o8x4c1nrI428CBf2CFLxUOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s767/BASE%2B5A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-63tpkUo0OhU/YHxTZCzxMyI/AAAAAAABGKE/6lng2TFzVOM2uOpf8986usGwQEGJt3zlACLcBGAsYHQ/s750/BASE%2B5B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HA725am2xyg/YHxTZkw4hlI/AAAAAAABGKI/2sQupQ81_UEqE-0QvI-EPrvCxeSjYUTWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/BASE%2B5C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fHT983-TqrQ/YHxTZohXGSI/AAAAAAABGKM/H8Uf3BdUCawE1uMwKHAICFAMAj6BVhWMACLcBGAsYHQ/s764/BASE%2B5D.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mqF1phL7R1I/YHxTZ1N7wwI/AAAAAAABGKQ/Fof-v7reMbobQbC_H_-az8Nk1qiQhrkQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/BASE%2B5E.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WCNnikEp8AY/YHxTaJsbaAI/AAAAAAABGKU/YRM8fU5ja4wjCTb3YMmGF5zuYCmu3Ga8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s727/BASE%2B5F.jpg)
Base Six:
The officer in the back ranks moments after he has heard the blast of the "horn" to indicate that he needs to order the archers to loose.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BydxozgsbWU/YHxTaRMPBDI/AAAAAAABGKY/zA7Lkk7RN5ADPspvqEwrlqMutdN1G9IbACLcBGAsYHQ/s775/BASE%2B6A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3MDuFyFA7v8/YHxTaTmRapI/AAAAAAABGKc/qeW1HfIN6S0psiW1RDTfMmBloG8rZIo9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/BASE%2B6B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l61X4EGmdfs/YHxTa_SQrfI/AAAAAAABGKg/v_HvPDTbVUEDykQsRSWZHay2DAxzGR-NgCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/BASE%2B6C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tYQ4leAishs/YHxTbFwYcWI/AAAAAAABGKk/nQCaeutH1LwUvk__CSB4RapuuZw392ChQCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/BASE%2B6D.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rrpIX3RWzEM/YHxTba5rlCI/AAAAAAABGKo/ebMp485gQNQfzRms7TG11delUv3BGJFkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s759/BASE%2B6E.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xIbdU56Rg5s/YHxTb5ouoYI/AAAAAAABGKs/tmRFVS4whPUNVU86mWWi_rOoWcgNtVIJACLcBGAsYHQ/s753/BASE%2B6F.jpg)
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Atheling, have you looked at Simon Miller’s “To the Strongest”? They are now my “go to” large battle ancients/medieval rule set.
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Atheling, have you looked at Simon Miller’s “To the Strongest”? They are now my “go to” large battle ancients/medieval rule set.
Yeah, we played quite a few games at the club when Simon released his rules quite a few years back. I really enjoyed the games as they were quick, easy to pick up (and I'm certainly no card counter!). They ran very smoothly too. Very enjoyable. I think the greatest asset of TtS is that they are eminently suitable for very large games as Simon has so amply demonstrated at Partizan and Salute on many occasions.
I'm not quite sure how I missed TtS off my list as they really don't requite any specific base sizes.
Talking of which, there are a few pics of my Byzantines in the latest army lists pdf. :)
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Atheling, I will look at the book and try to spot your brushwork. I am waiting expectantly for release of TTS version 2.
TTS has been a godsend during COVID. Thanks to the gridded table layout I have managed to run about 25 games via Zoom for up to 7 players.
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Atheling, I will look at the book and try to spot your brushwork. I am waiting expectantly for release of TTS version 2.
I think the pics are in the Medieval Army Lists updated 30/09/2020.
TTS has been a godsend during COVID. Thanks to the gridded table layout I have managed to run about 25 games via Zoom for up to 7 players.
That's one thing that I have really missed out on. I really ought to have thrown myself into it but felt a little intimidated by it- oddly enough!
EDIT: I forgot to say; I'm thinking of entering one of the TtS tournaments (not really a tournament player as such); I think in 2022(?). Have you played in any and if so what do you make of them SJWi?
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These are fabulous. Very clean and stand up to close scrutiny! It would be great if you could clear that gaming table for an army shot.
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Atheling, I too am not a tournament player but did attend the TTS "World Championship" a few years ago to help with the pre-release demo game of FK&P . All I can say is that everyone had a lot of fun and the banter was more about "ancients and medieval" history more than rules and army lists.
By the way Simon Miller has just released a short supplement for TTS plus a new QRS. This is seems to tidy up all the old "Even Stronger" changes into a more coherent document with all the rule clarifications, amendments and additions. I guess it is available as a free download from the BigRedBat website or if you PM me your e-mail address I can forward you the links.
Regards
PS I have just finished re-basing my Gripping Beast 10/11th century Byzantines. They go on the table for the 1st time Thursday the 29th vs either my 1st Crusader/Normans or Seljuks.
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These are fabulous. Very clean and stand up to close scrutiny! It would be great if you could clear that gaming table for an army shot.
Thanks James. :)
As soon as I can remove the rubbish from the top of the bow with the table in I will get to it lol. Lockdown left everything in chaos in that room o_o
Atheling, I too am not a tournament player but did attend the TTS "World Championship" a few years ago to help with the pre-release demo game of FK&P . All I can say is that everyone had a lot of fun and the banter was more about "ancients and medieval" history more than rules and army lists.
That's excellent news and, knowing Simon, it is kind of what I expected so it's very encouraging to have that confirmed. Might I see you at the next one? Fingers crossed and all that. :)
By the way Simon Miller has just released a short supplement for TTS plus a new QRS. This is seems to tidy up all the old "Even Stronger" changes into a more coherent document with all the rule clarifications, amendments and additions. I guess it is available as a free download from the BigRedBat website or if you PM me your e-mail address I can forward you the links.
I wonder if that's where my pics are situated? I really can't remember. Simon just contacted me and asked me if he could use them. I am always happy to help promote the hobby so naturally said yes. Of course, it's a bonus that Simon given most of his stuff away for free.
PS I have just finished re-basing my Gripping Beast 10/11th century Byzantines. They go on the table for the 1st time Thursday the 29th vs either my 1st Crusader/Normans or Seljuks.
I love the Mecedonian and Komnenid dynasty armies. I will certainly be putting together an army from that period. Not sure what mini's I'm going to use as of yet and have been pondering it quite some time now. I like the Crusader stuff the most as I don't like the Gripping Beast horses armours since they were redone by Robi. For Seljuks I would certainly be using a mix of Gripping Beast, Footsore and Perry Miniatures.
I'm planning a display game of Battle of Dyrrhachium 1081 at some stage which will allow me to use my rather large Norman army along with the Komnenian Byzzies :)
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Wonderful painting - so inspirational. I've yet to pick up the more recent cavalry packs but plan to do so in the next few weeks. The Aventine Byzantine lead pile is mounting up!
Another shout here for TTS from one of the beneficiaries of SiWi's Zoom game hosting. I eagerly await V2...
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Atheling, your photos aren’t in the TTS supplement which is only a text document. By the way if you don’t know Simon has now released two volumes of army lists which cost I think about £10 each. I don’t begrudge paying as they are professionally produced and have lots of additional detail.
My 10/11th century Byzantines are all Gripping Beast. Not their finest work but nothing else was available at the time. My Seljuks are all Perry which are beautiful figures.
I may overcome my aversion to competition gaming to attend the next “World Championship” albeit I suspect that it may start as “UK only”.
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Wonderful painting - so inspirational. I've yet to pick up the more recent cavalry packs but plan to do so in the next few weeks. The Aventine Byzantine lead pile is mounting up!
Thanks- appreciated :) My pile is huge! I bought two of every unit for the infantry, one of everything so far for the cavalry! Buying more cavalry ASAP!! lol
Another shout here for TTS from one of the beneficiaries of SiWi's Zoom game hosting. I eagerly await V2...
TtS is played a lot at my old club, not so much at the club I currently belong to though it was given a very good and prolonged outing five or six years ago. Time to resurrect the when we can get back into the rules methinks :)
Atheling, your photos aren’t in the TTS supplement which is only a text document. By the way if you don’t know Simon has now released two volumes of army lists which cost I think about £10 each. I don’t begrudge paying as they are professionally produced and have lots of additional detail.
I hadn't realised. Simon sent me a preliminary copy but I can't locate is on my laptop- which must mean I've saved it in a weird place! lol
My 10/11th century Byzantines are all Gripping Beast. Not their finest work but nothing else was available at the time. My Seljuks are all Perry which are beautiful figures.
Funnily enough I preferred the older Byzantine horses and armours as sculpted by Soapy as they were neater. The Perry stuff is always sublime.
I may overcome my aversion to competition gaming to attend the next “World Championship” albeit I suspect that it may start as “UK only”.
I'm hopeful but I'm keeping one eye firmly set on the variants of concern. I just couldn't risk attending unless I knew I was as safe as I could be. I think you're right though, it f it goes ahead it will almost certainly be UK only. As i alluded to earlier, I'm really not a tournament gamer but they do have their place. If the players aren't too uptight about winning that is. I've had some very weird experiences many years ago in WAB tournaments. I managed to then decided to just stick to the campaign days. That way I was assured the players were all playing in the right spirit :)
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I've been messing around with some conversions for two Command Bases to go with the two units of Unarmoured Skutatoi I already have under my belt.
More on these when I have them painted up but for now, here's a few pics to give you some sort of idea of what I have in mind:
Charging Command:
Repositioned arm on a spearman for the banner bearer.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iItKPzQWsIQ/YIQ5VBmNTeI/AAAAAAABGNU/JBCwPMrMT0k2-oW9fuC3YVfkWOEo1FxLACLcBGAsYHQ/s730/COMMAND%2BSTAND%2BUNARMOURED%2B1A.jpg)
Cursory view of how I would like the base to look and the miniatures to interact with one another.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v8JIaB8Tt3Q/YIQ5VpmtdHI/AAAAAAABGNY/qr--_sH7C0Etoq33kNgBJNVmsmaLF8MQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s680/COMMAND%2BSTAND%2BUNARMOURED%2B1D.jpg)
More Static Command:
A more lazy looking command base :D
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ndiCadMWtks/YIQ5Vk9YV5I/AAAAAAABGNc/vLzeTYKejhoQrMPmyudqCKQhXQbTFTzDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s754/COMMAND%2BSTAND%2BUNARMOURED%2B2A.jpg)
A "sketch" of how i want the miniatures to interact, or not as the case may be
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGQ6TTLEWGM/YIQ5WVNrPJI/AAAAAAABGNo/RZ_nQ4eZZ9woHEXZXAC1LOzIOVdPRU7eACLcBGAsYHQ/s699/COMMAND%2BSTAND%2BUNARMOURED%2B2D.jpg)
I'll do a full write up once the miniatures are painted up.
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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JsQBHpL5VhE/YIVHfIaBgmI/AAAAAAABGPM/zCGROAbWgzElIDjC2du_H3E9QUVftYX_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/TORSION%2BENGINE%2B2%2B1G.jpg)
I keep wanting to call the Torsion Engines Bolt Thowers, which they might well described as, but the image conjured up in my mind is that of my 1980's Citadel Orc and Goblin army which it does not sit well with my idea of what an Early Byzantine force ought to look like! :lol:
As you can see the second in a series of four Torsion Engines is now complete. I am not suite sure what is is but out of all the Early Byzantine units I have painted up so far I think I have have enjoyed painting the Torsion Engines and the command bases the most. Certainly being able to play around with the composition and interaction of the miniatures has been a big part. I suspect that getting a unit table ready at speed, four miniatures per unit as opposed to 24, makes the four miniatures a strong candidate for such indulgent pleasure. I have a particular penchant for vignette style basing that dates back to when the Perry's released their metal Agincourt to Orleans range in metal, long before the plastics were available.
I am pleased to say that I managed to avoid the varnishing annoyance in the unit painted prior to this one.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UT_sEqtqtDg/YIVIB8XBVjI/AAAAAAABGPU/zTx5ldeMzlMKSFeYTe3pNyyKI48wSOtvACLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/TORSION%2BENGINE%2B2%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPoi9pVmDZM/YIVBI6CzcjI/AAAAAAABGOI/QBWJXmt-GjgvhOMm5H4ZkDPTbYAQQ6uygCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/TORSION%2BENGINE%2B2%2B1B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C2vsHJSj4Yo/YIVBI0fPeBI/AAAAAAABGOM/lq9muj79zBw5CMvzoWJs1O9rTQESqEQtACLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/TORSION%2BENGINE%2B2%2B1C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1w-IWjxVnTE/YIVBJmjDkgI/AAAAAAABGOQ/bzxnxyX6KqAO39n9UePzqJ-DBgZHpiMJACLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/TORSION%2BENGINE%2B2%2B1D.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YGOddWaZ3uo/YIVBKFQAnlI/AAAAAAABGOU/oSUIbQj_rxUJjMCY69qIIXBvKBFqmxvgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/TORSION%2BENGINE%2B2%2B1E.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oivtfw5vTGc/YIVBKTHnYNI/AAAAAAABGOY/TG3U4OkfP2wnDtKsS1SZ-_BTSARIAsSxACLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/TORSION%2BENGINE%2B2%2B1F.jpg)
The Torsion Engines together in a battery; two thus far but four planned for the whole army. Who knows, it may be even more by the time I am finished!! I have painted the Engineers in the colours of the two Unarmoured Legions tunics painted thus far, off white/red and green/yellow respectively. I now have plans for four Unarmoured Legions and the next two bases of war machines will reflect the uniforms as they do in the picture below.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cH1eQ3ATa7w/YIVBosNTOKI/AAAAAAABGO8/Hw677blELesKH8qTrCo-ZnLlDbJUukN4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/TORSION%2BENGINE%2B2%2B1H.jpg)
Lastly, just a quick picture (and a very large file!) to show how the uniforms of the Legion reflect that of the Engineers on the base.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vV6W3BIYEZE/YIVBqWtgMGI/AAAAAAABGPA/Z89GOekMKzMl2gT0gXlOyDcz1EKvpTkiwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/TORSION%2BENGINE%2B2%2B1I.jpg)
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Lovely painting - the colours you use are so rich. The torsion engines are nice little vignettes as well as playing pieces. Looking forward to seeing more...many more.
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Lovely painting - the colours you use are so rich. The torsion engines are nice little vignettes as well as playing pieces. Looking forward to seeing more...many more.
Agreed! Big fan of how bold the green is especially!
Keep up the great work
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Beautiful! :-*
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Thanks you guys :)
Lovely painting - the colours you use are so rich. The torsion engines are nice little vignettes as well as playing pieces. Looking forward to seeing more...many more.
The models were just so nice I had to buy three with another one to come soon, though I wonder how they will do on the table top? Hopefully they will pin cushion a Sassanid elephant or two, but with my dice rolling ??? lol ???
Agreed! Big fan of how bold the green is especially!
Keep up the great work
Beautiful! :-*
The "secret" of the green is to start with the third darkest green from the Andrea "Green" set. Very rich creamy colours. I think they're often overlooked by us folks in the UK. Their paint is superb.
More soon. Something I'm quite excited about too :)
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Lovely brushwork as always! It shows you enjoyed painting these :-*
I can see what you mean with the charm of command bases and war machines over rank and file units. They just have so much more character to them.
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Lovely brushwork as always! It shows you enjoyed painting these :-*
Thank you. Your kind words are very much appreciated :)
I can see what you mean with the charm of command bases and war machines over rank and file units. They just have so much more character to them.
I've been leaning towards producing bases with a vignette bent for many years. I love playing around with the multitude of ways that one can manage the basing so's to create that interaction that makes the piece a little but special, with it's on character.
Here's a couple of pics from my metal Perry HYW collection which illustrate the poit nicely- the job made easier by the animation that oozes out of every Perry Miniatures sculpt:
Front:
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qahc1uYVayE/U9YKhlxkzzI/AAAAAAAAC24/yH8sbFpbKpA/s1600/Verneuil+Battle+of+HYW+English+1i.jpg)
Back:
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZfHxGCd_B4/U9YKfc5bMfI/AAAAAAAAC2c/3wfYrKQwvgc/s1600/Verneuil+Battle+of+HYW+English+1e.jpg)
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Love those "bolt throwers". Agree with what the others say about the rich palette. In fact, I like these particular sets so much that as well as buy three with crews, I bought a further three without them to use with converted Northstar dwarves for Oathmark.
Looking forward to seeing more of your unarmoured legions. SiWi and I caught up yesterday and talked of precisely what we're going to do with the Aventine range. Happily, I have a large stash of their and the GB Avars. Just need to work out what to use for their Slavic allies...
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Love those "bolt throwers". Agree with what the others say about the rich palette. In fact, I like these particular sets so much that as well as buy three with crews, I bought a further three without them to use with converted Northstar dwarves for Oathmark.
Sounds interesting. If you have pics on the net I would be very interested in taking a look ???
Looking forward to seeing more of your unarmoured legions. SiWi and I caught up yesterday and talked of precisely what we're going to do with the Aventine range. Happily, I have a large stash of their and the GB Avars. Just need to work out what to use for their Slavic allies...
I'm starting earlier then the Avar invasions, staying with Belisarius and Narses for he time being and going with Dara 530 CE (Sassanids), Taginae 552 CE (Lombards) and Casilinum 554 CE (Franks) before moving forward into the "Heraclian" era. I think I've mentioned this before but I have a very good mate who is interested in putting on a display game once the shows are back on, probably in 2022 if we're being realistic and if all goes to plan.
This project, along with my Anglo Danes have kept me going through these strange times.
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No pics yet as the project (themed around Tolkien's Fall of Arnor with a strong Arthurian / Early Byzantine flavour) is still at the "have lots of fun kit-bashing / converting figures" stage with only a few bearing a lick of paint! But I shall certainly post some pics as it moves forward especially with as the pure historical figures are finished.
Very interested to see your take on the Lombards and Franks in due course, and the demo game sounds great.
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No pics yet as the project (themed around Tolkien's Fall of Arnor with a strong Arthurian / Early Byzantine flavour) is still at the "have lots of fun kit-bashing / converting figures" stage with only a few bearing a lick of paint! But I shall certainly post some pics as it moves forward especially with as the pure historical figures are finished.
You're probably aware of Graham Green's Wargaming in Middle Earth Facebook Group? Link below just in case :)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/151243738922969 (https://www.facebook.com/groups/151243738922969)
Very interested to see your take on the Lombards and Franks in due course, and the demo game sounds great.
I'm thinking Sassanids and Dara or Solachon but it might even be the case of a Byzantine Civil War as a Sassanid army is a goal of min but not one I might manage as well as the Byzantines by 2022. Who knows ??? I like the idea of Goths i/ because a have a shedload of unpainted Footsore Goths and ii/ They would be relatively easy enough to paint quickly (as long as i don't get carried away!) lol
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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EfEEvcLfrak/YI1zLkSSlVI/AAAAAAABGTE/tDU7jWmABzcbEMK7tWxd_KgsbmC_icD3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SNEEK%2BPEAK.jpg)
I've been working on this unit for a couple of weeks. With the unit being the first of my mounted "Justinian" era Heavy Cavalry units I just could not resist posting up a WIP picture of them in all their Eastern Roman glory. Anyone out there reading this who knows a little about Late Roman/Early Byzantine armies will probably be able to guess which particular unit is depicted in the image above. If the heavy armours on the men and the heavy bards on the large horses are not a giveaway then the banner ought to look very familiar to those who have studied the period.
I have been toying with the idea of adding pennants to the kontos which has raised a bit of a dilemma. The Byzantine Heavy Cavalry would not charge pell mell into the fray lances levelled but rather, cantor in with good discipline, the kontos being used as a duel weapon (pardon the pun) in that it could be used for thrusting and/or fencing. I just cannot imagine any of the cavalrymen being very amused about having a great big pennon on the end of their "lance" as it would certainly impede the use of the weapon in that regard. On the other hand, the artist in me tells me to hell with it and add the pennons as they will finish of the unit really nicely! Decisions, decisions......
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very nice painting
Brian
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Amazing looking cavalry so far! Loving the Belisarius banner :-*
Looking forward to seeing them finished!
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Thanks chaps :)
Amazing looking cavalry so far! Loving the Belisarius banner :-*
Got it in one :) It took some doing, halfway through I thought I was painting Tom Baker with a beard! lol I was mightily relieved when it started to come together near the end! Give me a five by six canvas any day! lol
Looking forward to seeing them finished!
Tomorrow I hope! Depends on whether the filler has gone off tonight prior to basing materials being applied then painted.
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That banner. Very impressive! Good deep colors on the Byzantines too, love how the red & gold tones come together. Irl it would be very spectacular/intimidating if you would be on the receiving end of that charging army :D.
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That banner. Very impressive! Good deep colors on the Byzantines too, love how the red & gold tones come together.
Thanks mate. :)
Irl it would be very spectacular/intimidating if you would be on the receiving end of that charging army :D.
With my tactical nous, or lack of, I'm expecting them to all go running off the table top pell mell lol
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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X-_WUgsPtB8/YI8GbOxQfGI/AAAAAAABGTg/d9AjrE3IJRw2uXA2_5b9i3f76JQ6XoUlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BOUKELLAROI%2BABOVE%2B1A.jpg)
There is a whole gamut of pictures featuring the unit from various angles and single ranks on my blog here:
https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2021/05/belisarus-boukellaroi.html (https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2021/05/belisarus-boukellaroi.html)
I present to you Belisarius' Boukellaroi/Bucellarii. I have enjoyed painting up this unit more then any of the rest in the army and I think that is really says something! Every unit from the Aventine Early Byzantine range so far has been a real pleasure to paint up. Minimal cleaning up, perhaps a little filing here and there and very crisp castings. Adam's sculpting is sublime. I really think the whole range is exquisite.
The banner will be a dead giveaway to many so it will come as no surprise that I have painted up this unit as Belisarius' Boukellaroi. I have tried to include as much variation in colour on the horses to keep a real sense of individuality. Same with the bards on the equines. I have equipped the Boukellaroi in similar colours as their equipment would have been personally handed to them by the general himself and a degree of uniformity with minor variations such as patterns on the caparisons beneath the horse armours to allow for a small degree of individual expression without diminishing the uniform look.
I have been debating with myself as to whether to include pennons at the end of the kontos. I am almost certain that pennons would not have been used to decorate such a lengthy weapon as it was used as both a thrusting weapon and a fencing weapon. Fencing with a four meter long "spear" would have been almost impossible with the added encumbrance of the pennon.
I have included a Draco standard in the back rank, carried by an officer, as I believe dressing the ranks would have been paramount for the unit as it entered combat at a cantor. The Draco standard also helps to offset the whopping great banner of Belisarius to the right centre of the unit. In art college speak by placing the Draco where I have the eye will move around the unit. Or at least that is my hope!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MU-tkt7OFME/YI8KxcVFumI/AAAAAAABGUU/kqCxDr_W83Qge-spGNTBmXFkOd7Q5ObLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BOUKELLAROI%2BFRONT%2BON%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T8yA5FNp8mM/YI8LcSdJMbI/AAAAAAABGU8/qXRm1c29hpIzBi9SrvnVmZmb1B4gv7J0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BOUKELLAROI%2BABOVE%2B1B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CwbdkIWOzrY/YI8LdConifI/AAAAAAABGVI/kFaIytkT2hgkY34rUrfL9LLAnAaS_vQEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1682/BOUKELLAROI%2BABOVE%2B1D.jpg)
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Beautiful painting on some lovely figures. The banner is awesome. :-* :-* :-*
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Amazing! :-*
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Hello,
Excellent paintjob !!!
Nikkobourges
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Thanks guys. All words of encouragement are very much appreciated as it has quite slow progress working through the Byzantine units- trying to get them "just right" so's to speak.
Beautiful painting on some lovely figures. The banner is awesome. :-* :-* :-*
The banner is a hand painted image of Magister Militum Belisarius taken from the Justinian Mosaic in church of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy
Belisarius is just to the left of Emperor Justinain in the middle as we view the mosaic; Actually to his right as his "right hand man" as the figures face us:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O77j6rxaQ78/YJADDsJuBsI/AAAAAAABGV8/bVR3f5NkesoB4gwYCk-UwkVGHmz_ZrW7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s675/zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.jpg)
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cracking stuff
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Thanks George :)
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The "secret" of the green is to start with the third darkest green from the Andrea "Green" set. Very rich creamy colours. I think they're often overlooked by us folks in the UK. Their paint is superb.
Their paint is really a step above everything else. As I need to replace my Vallejo paints I'm building up my Andrea collection. It really is amazing what they will do. I don't have their green set yet.
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Nice cav. How do you do the cream colored horse?
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Nice cav. How do you do the cream colored horse?
It's my attempt at Palamino. I started with the Foundry Base A, Palamino and just added more and more VMC Off White.
This sort of thing....
(https://www.wideopenpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Palomino-Horses-770x405.png)
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I've had a few requests for pictures of the army on parade so this morning I took the opportunity to take some snaps of my Early Byzantine Army on Parade early this morning. I must apologise about the pictures, I seem to have altered the length of exposure without realising it; perhaps I should have waited until my morning coffee had kicked in before taking these pictures!
Without further ado here are the photos.....
Formed Infantry Units
My plans are to add another unit of Dismounted Bucellarii/Extra Heavy Infantry (who will act as another Dismounted Heavy Cavalry unit), another Armoured Skutatoi and another unit of Unarmored Skutatoi too to fill out the ranks of the infantry.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NhwLdgHuf_I/YJejm7QAntI/AAAAAAABGY4/vPngKPAOXXcrjBRkUAroagG8PBTDdLp5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/P1010799.jpg)
Dismounted Bucellarii/Extra Heavy Infantry and Armoured Skutatoi
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NbYh0iRTMbI/YJekADbTUKI/AAAAAAABGZI/mgfU5dnOqk8uvlH-AzQG_7yPRIE7OdfqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/P1010801.jpg)
Skutatoi ,Attached Torsion Engine and Command Stand
I'm in the process of painting up an extra three command bases for the three other infantry units, two for the Unarmoured Infantry units and one for the Dismounted Bucellarii/Extra Heavy infantry.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WsUHPW5HuM4/YJekeOsQVFI/AAAAAAABGZQ/pXkoxjMhGH8drUv463ACbBFRDl-iKE4fACLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/P1010804.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vPBHQ3_TWLg/YJekfjZCU-I/AAAAAAABGZU/77mNbXLjTCszTLb784F-LqScznMw8cxFACLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/P1010803.jpg)
Armoured Skutatoi and command Base
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TCD2G788K3o/YJekzp5Pv1I/AAAAAAABGZg/5RxrjzTcIYoBKNr6ZQtm__0oON3-hq-1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/P1010805.jpg)
The Elites; Bucellarii and Dismounted Bucellarii/Extra Heavy Infantry
There is a heck of a lot more to come in the way of cavalry. I have two more units of Lancers on un-barded horses, I will add another two on barded horses too! Then there is the Heavily Armoured Mounted Archers (these will also double as being placed in the back ranks of the army to move it forward in time a little toward the beginnings of the "Heraclian era". Oh, I forgot their Steppe Allies too so expect a few units of Horse Archers and a unit of Steppe Nobles or two!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qyxsC1N-KL4/YJelFTpUQtI/AAAAAAABGZo/Pqpy3uiBRqw7OO7uOrpXsnYW7K1vu4X4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/P1010806.jpg)
Dismounted Bucellarii/Extra Heavy Infantry and Armoured Skutatoi and Army General Command Stand
I recently heard from Keith of Aventine Miniatures that Adam is sculpting some Army Generals so I suppose I will have to add another one or two Army general Bases too! It would be rude not to!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QKnZkAXPmKQ/YJelVK21DII/AAAAAAABGZw/s0fHntvDBGoXYmoJPZjtBAVIWhWEi3BUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/P1010807.jpg)
Psiloi with Slings
I will be adding the missing base of Slingers as well as two units of bow armed Psiloi. Possibly some Psiloi with javelins too.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xm-RhiW1740/YJeljhJebGI/AAAAAAABGZ0/--XBcVrkSJgtzBnZib41tCGxOBAA4GI2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/P1010809.jpg)
I'll take some better photo's later on as the army grows to make up for the over exposure boo-boo this time!
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It all looks superb. An amazing looking army :-* :-* :-*
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Fine looking body of chaps there!
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Those are looking good. :o
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A beautifully painted army. :-* :-* :-* Looking forward to seeing the Steppe allies as well as the other cavalry.
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Thanks you for all the goodly words guys :)
There are units a plenty to some. Primed, basecoated and hot glued to corks we currently have in the queue-
Steppe Archers
Another Armoured Shieldwall
Three command Bases
More Unarmoured Infantry and Heavy Mounted Bow arrived yesterday and are sitting on my quarantine pile at present. I have three units of "Lancers" and more Skirmisher types to do as well.
So, enough to keep me very busy! :o o_o
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Amazing looking army, thanks for sharing!
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Amazing army! :-*
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Thanks guys.
So much more to come but I've got erm.... side "temporarily" tracked lol
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Some people on this forum are just too bloody talented >:(
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Some people on this forum are just too bloody talented >:(
Thanks Gareth :)
I think you could substitute the word "talented" with "anal" lol
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They are lovely.
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Thanks twrchtrwyth :)
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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mF8uieg5Q_A/YNNLCpgoutI/AAAAAAABHEs/nEU_UU7KB2U5BPoseB0dsftOR4MeRzIgACLcBGAsYHQ/s700/GOTHS%2B1A.jpg)
I've been trying to do my bit/keep up with my mate a little of late for the game we have pencilled in for a show, whenever they might be (2022?), with these quite lovely Footsore Miniatures Goths. Technically, the Footsore Goths are of an earlier era than that of the Battle of Taginae (552 CE) but they are the nearest I am going to get so will do the job nicely. They are more suitable for Adrianople (378 CE) than that of Taginae (552 CE) but hey, I cannot have it all when it comes to miniatures. We are quite spoiled as it is.
I have heard rumours that another wargames company will be producing some Goths for the Early Byzantine era which will of course be mixed the Footsore Goths and Early Saxons that I am using for the bulk of the army. I cannot say any more on the subject as it would be breaking the confidence of the chap who let me know. If Late Goths are what you are looking for, be happy that they are, more than likely, on the way at some stage soon-ish.
These are the first test miniatures for the Goth force, no varnish applied as of yet and with transfers from LBMS Transfers. I had a bit of trouble earlier in the paint job by trying to use some of the Foundry WWII set to speed things up a little. In the end it slowed the job considerably as every pot, not matter how man ball bearings and shaking were applied, resulted in very poor coverage. They are so inconsistent and poor in pigment that they are utterly worthless as miniature paints! It is all a bit annoying really as I have a lot of Foundry's early paint sets and they are still great paints and good to use to this day. If only they had kept to the same paint supplier (if that is indeed the case?).
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWVZHpqxv8Q/YNNNIhrqZWI/AAAAAAABHE0/LiERnGcCUaAVj9Xw37XzXelX04odcqsowCLcBGAsYHQ/s700/GOTHS%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-51CgKoYa5y0/YNNNIhk8PMI/AAAAAAABHE8/_sUeAt9L5hYm7HNBRprQCsTXCy1rYb9FACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/GOTHS%2B1B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SaMxq2OHW3k/YNNNIpHgPeI/AAAAAAABHE4/qes0TmHb068Ol9-qgeLAsMFouTAxhg5OgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/GOTHS%2B1C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hanhl1ZbDK8/YNNNKUCYgHI/AAAAAAABHFA/v3GGoDC3aMQVYlM0gAYmStz6rA8OnAW7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s700/GOTHS%2B1D.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iCcgXJdLyfs/YNNNKl-8XEI/AAAAAAABHFE/62y8Ir9WInAgg5xacW6R0C53_pLLeK19ACLcBGAsYHQ/s700/GOTHS%2B2A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9DabTcxDtSI/YNNNKkMtsrI/AAAAAAABHFI/9WL61NK4Tp4NOpFS_FaAqLlOMFwVCC6vwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/GOTHS%2B2B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B8asHGB9pPU/YNNNLEKRF-I/AAAAAAABHFM/mPRqLCTJGh4ZM-8K-U8FG0zQMNJ_5JTdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/GOTHS%2B2C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-niLb9kUflZI/YNNNLHSLfCI/AAAAAAABHFQ/Rtzh0Na89PIfhXTibwz2CgfHsat80J2ZACLcBGAsYHQ/s700/GOTHS%2B2D.jpg)
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Atheling, very nice. I’m just waiting for my 4th century Goths to come back from Fernando Enterprises in Sri Lanka. Can’t wait to get them into the table vs my Romans. I am still pondering a 6th century Aventine Byzantine force but that decision is a few months off.
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Atheling, very nice. I’m just waiting for my 4th century Goths to come back from Fernando Enterprises in Sri Lanka.
Thanks SJWi. I look forward to seeing them when they arrive.
Can’t wait to get them into the table vs my Romans. I am still pondering a 6th century Aventine Byzantine force but that decision is a few months off.
Despite being more Adrianaple than Taginea these are going to go up against the Early Byzantines. There just isn't really a choice as no one else does quality Goths and the like. I'm mixing in some Footsore Early Saxons with larger shields and some Gripping Beast Goths too.
And some others ;)
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Those are amazing buddy
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Lovely. :-* :-* :-*
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Very nice.
Steve
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fantastic work but those goths have have tanned complexions - I was expecting pale and wan with long black hair and eyeliner
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Thanks you guys- the second lot of six are now on the painting table :)
fantastic work but those goths have have tanned complexions - I was expecting pale and wan with long black hair and eyeliner
lol
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Perhaps you need one with long white hair who has a club and is an 'ead- hitter -
boo-boom
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Perhaps you need one with long white hair who has a club and is an 'ead- hitter -
boo-boom
Like so?
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Superb as always. The Footsore Goths are excellent. I believe Wargames Atlantic are producing a plastic set of them which will be good for bulking out a force.
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Superb as always. The Footsore Goths are excellent.
Thanks you :)
They are. I really miss Bill's sculpts- I wish he would do more but sadly Bill seems to be out of the picture as far as his sculpting goes :'(
I believe Wargames Atlantic are producing a plastic set of them which will be good for bulking out a force.
They are. I will be buying a box when they are released and see how well they fit. The thing is, I have hundreds of Footsore Goths and probably won't need them. I will be buying quite a few the later Goths I mentioned as at present, at least, my focus is on Belisarius and the Ostrogothic Wars in Italy.
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Excellent work (as usual :D)! Thanks for sharing!
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Nice painting there Atheling :-*
I’m intrigued and wondering if you will ever do the lesser known warriors for your Byzantines,such as Heruls,Swiss et cetera. However we do not really know if there was any significant difference from the rank and file,Heruls could look of course like proto-Vikings…
Guy
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Thanks guys, appreciated as always :)
Nice painting there Atheling :-*
I’m intrigued and wondering if you will ever do the lesser known warriors for your Byzantines,such as Heruls,Swiss et cetera. However we do not really know if there was any significant difference from the rank and file,Heruls could look of course like proto-Vikings…
Basically I plan to do as much as I possibly can Guy by way of allies and enemies. The Heruls, living mainly in the marshy lands around the volga, thoigh there is some degree of mystery as to what their origins actually were. I have read that they appear to have originated in Scandinavia or possibly even Iran(!?) so the field is wide open for interpretation, though the general consensus appears to be that they were "Germanic" in origin. I personally lean more towards Scandinavia but I would certainly have to dig into more literature before. Like the Goths, their origin is somewhat obfuscated.
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Loving them mate
Cherrs
Matt
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Loving them mate
Cherrs
Matt
Thanks you kindly Matt :)
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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P9RdT_4oWrU/YNo2vk590cI/AAAAAAABHGk/cSM5z8I80UUMB_KILy9Vsj4rNMyKq8aQACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/GOTHS%2B3a.jpg)
These fellows seem to be taking a while to pump out. The second batch out of four batches of six that will make up my first Goth unit for the planned display game.
A managed to avoid the pitfalls of being tempted into using the Foundry WWII set (as it is total pants!) and stick to the more reliable Vallejo Model and Game Colour with the usual sprinkling of Andrea and some of the older Foundry triads, though not used in the traditional triad manner.
I'm going to have a wee break with the next lot of miniatures as I made the schoolboy error of not calculating the number of Spanish Arquebusiers I needed for my first Spanish Italian Wars unit so I'm going to have to retreat a little and get those two miniatures painted up. In order to keep the impetus moving along with the Goths I will add a couple of Goth miniatures which I will use as a Command Base for the unit I am currently working on.
One more thing to add, the miniatures have not been varnished yet so are not as flat as they will be post varnishing process.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P9RdT_4oWrU/YNo2vk590cI/AAAAAAABHGk/cSM5z8I80UUMB_KILy9Vsj4rNMyKq8aQACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/GOTHS%2B3a.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Jf7ixcAhhw/YNo2vPd74uI/AAAAAAABHGY/et3GsdovDdQ42Ax310SRtW1nwC3OcnfZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/GOTHS%2B3B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R3jseNab00M/YNo2vH9cd2I/AAAAAAABHGc/Q3AyDhcp7gE3waNkuD5KsoMQNXbuNg7kgCLcBGAsYHQ/s850/GOTHS%2B3C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBeXv8diltA/YNo2vVRCrkI/AAAAAAABHGg/rU2dFZYGsa0T4bteVrcEkGGm_P7z2K6XgCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/GOTHS%2B3D.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yhhaHZi7ik0/YNo2v_0T9KI/AAAAAAABHGo/lupfAHKSk6MTYjIpCNGP42hatXP4LwLJACLcBGAsYHQ/s750/GOTHS%2B4A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sZFFinJMfEo/YNo2wB4kcaI/AAAAAAABHGs/7zQZ9o1IMLk6lTcOGjZbQg3-UkkFidXsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/GOTHS%2B4B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yFdaIiKfC7Q/YNo2wRhCp8I/AAAAAAABHGw/khGpnCrcfM4IAjsbeEKlpHG-Oq_nR5JTgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/GOTHS%2B4C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LTkQvISjLI4/YNo2wZY_fZI/AAAAAAABHG0/wmKhYyRpu2MSFb2XaTkh1rWDRrt0jrAnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/GOTHS%2B4D.jpg)
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Very nice indeed. :-* :-*
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Very nice indeed. :-* :-*
Thanks mate :)
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Fabulous colours. I like Bill’s sculpting style too but I suspect you won’t be seeing many new ones.
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Fabulous colours.
Cheers James :)
I like Bill’s sculpting style too but I suspect you won’t be seeing many new ones.
Yeah, it looks very much like it's going to be that way. A real shame on the part of fans of his sculpts.
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Those look really great. When I saw "Goths added" I was hoping to see some new Aventine Goth sculpts. But alas....
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Those look really great. When I saw "Goths added" I was hoping to see some new Aventine Goth sculpts. But alas....
As James suggested Bill is very unlikely to sculpt any more mini's for the range.
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Great work!
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Great work!
Thanks Tonhel :)
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As James suggested Bill is very unlikely to sculpt any more mini's for the range.
Understood. I was hoping for *Aventine* goths....
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Understood. I was hoping for *Aventine* goths....
It's a possibility I suppose :)
While I'm here- I wasn't really happy with the pics of the army arrayed so here's a pic or two of each Early Byzantine unit thus far:
General's Dismounted Command Base
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YANOQUt97uw/X2M-F1-jVMI/AAAAAAABEi4/dXESfeHDZlEzMrHr3NhPeaUBuK_O3mRdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1732/BYZANTINE%2BMAGISTER%2BCOMMAND%2BBASE%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6caP_txY2ZM/X2M-KD17eAI/AAAAAAABEjA/jNGswDwgKSs0KO9naErZNody9OwUKef9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BYZANTINE%2BMAGISTER%2BCOMMAND%2BBASE%2B1C.jpg)
Unit Command Base
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iKmufg-tgCw/X4hs5eF7DUI/AAAAAAABEwk/ieANAZETsWctgvkdvW0J4eMPLpdw5hIbgCLcBGAsYHQ/s765/BYZ%2BCOMMAND%2BSKUTATOI%2B2B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-teLNYxdLDOA/X4hs9DpBiBI/AAAAAAABEws/z-odi3MG09YAaQ9IRKHNn0H_9-5b8VT8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s815/BYZ%2BCOMMAND%2BSKUTATOI%2B2C.jpg)
Skutatoi Unit 1 - Combined Formation
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yEPSagb8F9g/YFzdiCs7OGI/AAAAAAABGCU/2D85LLQu_ukc-H7u09kTeJO6fArofF7TACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BUNIT%2BHIGH%2B1A.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o9p3HL08-T4/YFzdiIc9TBI/AAAAAAABGCY/6MKLGIdJoxMkIcc-0HhLtPQQJZryORNHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/UNARMOURED%2BRED%2BUNIT%2BHIGH%2B1C.JPG)
Attached Torsion Engine
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E9GUPKTm17c/X0eRxMZpfjI/AAAAAAABETY/ndzJPJEM2nwRuMi8HUfvRbxU4uIe_LILQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BYZANTINE%2BBOLT%2BTHROWER%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PMEaOnd80ME/X0eRxCc10OI/AAAAAAABETQ/z7lemxxn8AAdFmGN_vYidIy162psntrnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BYZANTINE%2BBOLT%2BTHROWER%2B1C.jpg)
Skutatoi Unit 2 - Combined Formation
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUd2KozHzMo/YHxKz94avXI/AAAAAAABGGo/JAHblVN3sdwgsk7jyr9sI2VmC52_qGdhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/UNARMOURED%2BGREEN%2BUNIT%2BABOVE%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ksXUJRUcDU8/YHxPPCsPXJI/AAAAAAABGHA/n_WnT1qtcXMLzeUSfpxV0pAmASSuOxVcQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/UNARMOURED%2BGREEN%2BUNIT%2BFRONT%2B1E.jpg)
Attached Torsion Engine
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JsQBHpL5VhE/YIVHfIaBgmI/AAAAAAABGPM/zCGROAbWgzElIDjC2du_H3E9QUVftYX_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/TORSION%2BENGINE%2B2%2B1G.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1w-IWjxVnTE/YIVBJmjDkgI/AAAAAAABGOQ/bzxnxyX6KqAO39n9UePzqJ-DBgZHpiMJACLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/TORSION%2BENGINE%2B2%2B1D.jpg)
Armoured Skutatoi - Combined Formation
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wTmtXh-3L6g/X4hvqMa0WYI/AAAAAAABEx4/erk1TIxOzlMF8FgKLbZuY7kGOcOEnEybgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/BYZ%2BSKUT%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-00aLiWxstWc/X4hvsDd6aAI/AAAAAAABEyM/T3lqqzw37y8YMe6RU-3Yt5_YQpuy_haDACLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/BYZ%2BSKUT%2B1D.jpg)
Psiloi
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0XFWdXahgbY/X1O3ru1XdJI/AAAAAAABEbY/QO83VtIqrzUZqyCnAAlCUBGCPzL90wQ0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AVENTINE%2BBYZANTINE%2BSLINGERS%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-38b0S1YB-r4/X1O3rsv8B9I/AAAAAAABEbU/5DyM4x1mpS4fmuLSkCyUvr5iISuoUexpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AVENTINE%2BBYZANTINE%2BSLINGERS%2B1C.jpg)
Aventine Byzantine Heavy Infantry/Dismounted Boukellaroi
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zGLbCnMOwmw/Xz_neP6j6rI/AAAAAAABENg/kf-L8Zq_cjkWh3sHvahcxeB7C0GUQplNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AVENTINE%2BBHI%2BABOVE%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mRhjaiQuM5w/Xz_neBp87CI/AAAAAAABENc/6vmhdqjFJaU_C8RSp61pBQEXrGD5d4hHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AVENTINE%2BBHI%2BABOVE%2B1C.jpg)
Belisarus' Boukellaroi
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X-_WUgsPtB8/YI8GbOxQfGI/AAAAAAABGTg/d9AjrE3IJRw2uXA2_5b9i3f76JQ6XoUlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BOUKELLAROI%2BABOVE%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pRT25jf24Lc/YI8KxEWwXzI/AAAAAAABGUQ/yhJtvq2ylJwL6UgA4UYCaRwuMU1aogRMACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BOUKELLAROI%2BFRONT%2BON%2B1B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L7Q3qAJI0M4/YI8KxonhyYI/AAAAAAABGUc/BWF9lxRQGiEVDjDflydXCQpj6PtgjAMBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BOUKELLAROI%2BFRONT%2BON%2B1D.jpg)
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Amazing array of gorgeousness. :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Simply delicious brushwork on some lovely figures😳. Wow
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Thanks gents. :)
Just setting out the images has manoeuvred me away from the temporary stay on the Early Byzantine project and to go deep again. With a little bit of a twist this time. ;) :)
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Great looking project.
Perhaps I'm wrong, but in your above post have you accidentally posted one unit twice? It seems like one of your presumably unarmoured infantry units has the pics for the armoured one, which then appears again labelled correctly a few units down.
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Beautiful work!
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Fantastic work. Really inspiring.
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Thanks again guys :)
Great looking project.
Perhaps I'm wrong, but in your above post have you accidentally posted one unit twice? It seems like one of your presumably unarmoured infantry units has the pics for the armoured one, which then appears again labelled correctly a few units down.
Argh! You're perfectly correct Charlie, thanks for pointing that out! o_o
I'll edit with immediate effect!
Now Edited :)
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Brilliant
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Brilliant
Thanks Wellington.
Your lovely Sassanids would make very worthy opponents. :)
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Amazing! :-*
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Lovely brushwork!
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A beautifully executed project from start to finish ❤
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Thanks Wellington.
Your lovely Sassanids would make very worthy opponents. :)
Thanks! In the good old time of the Warhammer Historical Weekends we might have played ...
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Excellent 8)
Thanks! In the good old time of the Warhammer Historical Weekends we might have played ...
I miss those :?
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That is an impressive pile of impeccably painted lead. It takes commitment to see a project like that through to an exacting standard. Well done Darrell 8)
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That really is an amazingly beautiful army :-*
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Thank you guys. 8)
A beautifully executed project from start to finish ❤
Cheers Gareth. More Goths (well, same Goths but varnished based!) on the way and some Steppe Nomad allies/enemies ASAP. :)
That is an impressive pile of impeccably painted lead. It takes commitment to see a project like that through to an exacting standard. Well done Darrell 8)
Thanks Richard. I think the gradual release of shiny stuff from Keith at Aventine has been one of the keys- a case of "gotta have that" mixed in with a bit of bloody mindedness. I'm actually still only about halfway through! o_o
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Hello,
Always a superb painting !!! A pleasure for the eyes.... Thanks !!!
Nikkobourges
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Hello,
Always a superb painting !!! A pleasure for the eyes.... Thanks !!!
Nikkobourges
Thanks for the kind words Nikkobourges :)
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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BsC5eT28Flo/YO_P8syPbpI/AAAAAAABHKU/Pd3wt4G4KVQqgWNf-iL1dQxKDwG41immQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/STEPPE%2BNOMADS%2BUNVARNISHED%2B1A.jpg)
It has been a while since I managed to find the time to post anything new. So, in the absence of any new posts over the next few days I will be posting a small series of posts covering what I have been working on ranging from the Italian Wars and the Wars of Justinian and Narses etc.
The latest painting has featured Aventine Miniatures Steppe Nomads (most of the range is being remoulded by Keith at Aventine). I have enjoyed painting these immensely. In an effort to save time and instead of the basecoat, drybrush then a few washes that I have resorted to use on some horse flesh of late, I have jumped back into "Early Byzantine" mode and spent a decent amount of time on painting different types of coats. I realise that most of the ponies 5-6th Century Steppe Nomads would have had access too would not have had such a variation of colour and patterns on their mounts but I simply could not resists. There is always room for artistic license right? The castings, although a little fiddly to put together (I know Keith is fixing this, thus the remoulding) are sublime and easily the best Steppe Cavalry I have ever painted up. They really were a joy.
All the images are pre varnish so will have some variation in the flatness of the paint. This is a result using paints from different manufacturers such as Vallejo - usually quite flat, Andrea - always consistently flat, Foundry - not nearly as reliably flat.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-16yBGrQZBpM/YO_SRVW-caI/AAAAAAABHKc/xA3HnpSL794MlSs5Nz3UPweFvL25zU6AACLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/STEPPE%2BNOMADS%2BUNVARNISHED%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ut_pcXIcWQ8/YO_SRf6zZ7I/AAAAAAABHKk/ovZ8uY2B28QOBTK8SPZM5X5FMRuMsurTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/STEPPE%2BNOMADS%2BUNVARNISHED%2B1B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aPwuIU10ODo/YO_SRRDZyOI/AAAAAAABHKg/Tjln-liPQ2ghldfgSQsi2PB0OxKhEt2kgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/STEPPE%2BNOMADS%2BUNVARNISHED%2B2A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kiHjae0mOl8/YO_SSOW6MzI/AAAAAAABHKo/09OqjVKPRrsTA8pwx8vg-vUp1OcfqWkcACLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/STEPPE%2BNOMADS%2BUNVARNISHED%2B2B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uUm4PkWdxL4/YO_SSb8ezyI/AAAAAAABHKs/tw1e33-FysEK8dFYs1TQlNYkxnxExWZhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMADS%2BUNVARNISHED%2B3A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-78Dt3nEa1O0/YO_SSb_mMVI/AAAAAAABHKw/Jy0S2CvlHdIsgXhaXOpOcmWZC6MOqjnAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/STEPPE%2BNOMADS%2BUNVARNISHED%2B3B.jpg)
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Gorgeous, makes me want to break out my Foundry Huns for some paint…keep the inspiration coming please chap
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Nice! Aventine is one of my favourites for ancients!
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Thanks guys.
Roo, you should definitely pull out those Foundry Huns and give them a lick of paint. They stand out as great mini's even up to this day 8)
Here's some more or less actual size pics on the same mini's to give an idea of the lavish detail on the Aventine sculpts:
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Very nice!
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Thanks you Tonhel :)
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Drop dead gorgeous mate
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Drop dead gorgeous mate
Thanks for the goodly words of encouragement Gareth :)
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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LbepOUZYUXk/YPGCBnfpQLI/AAAAAAABHLg/9NEE2XCobAgFwNocuPCIcxtlUrkTM3-HgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/GOTHS%2BFRONT%2BRANKS%2B1A.jpg)
At the risk of stretching myself a bit thin on the painting front, between Steppe nomads and Italian Wars Spanish, I pressed ahead with basing the first two ranks of Goths. There will be a further two ranks (three bases) of lesser armoured miniatures to back them up and another six units of foot as well as many of cavalry, not to mention several units of bowmen! At the moment I'm still waiting for the gloss to settle on the final six miniatures before matting down so I'm guessing the unit will be complete in roughly a week.
I have used LBMS Transfers from the Footsore Miniatures Goths range for the nobility fighting to the front. For the back ranks, or the missing bases, I have just painted the shields in a relatively bland manner to indicate the lesser status of the warriors. Pics of the whole unit soon-ish.
Over all the Footsore Miniatures Goths are great miniatures sculpted by the much loved work of Bill Thornhill. If I had any gripes is would be that some of the castings came with extra metal lumps where small sections of the mould had torn; which is very annoying, not to mention sometimes dangerous to remove. It can require some fairly forceful cutting and being the sort of chap who values his digits I used Kevlar gloves when doing this rather risky work. Not a bad investment after nearly severing the nerve in my thumb and losing the use of said thumb about five years back!
I found some interesting re-enactment pictures for reference in Simon McDowall's Conquerors of the Roman Empire: The Goths very useful along with the new book from the Society of Ancients publication, The Goths, From Berig to the Battle of Adrianople very useful for source material, though the latter is a little earlier than the period I have in mind for fighting my Early Byzantines.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o4wMgxhe3aQ/YPGEDQh-gyI/AAAAAAABHLo/3d8h_YRO9X0Z1XbVuotohY15VrPWdyCYACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/GOTHS%2BFRONT%2BRANKS%2B1B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pdUHi4vkGlE/YPGEDRvIiYI/AAAAAAABHLw/Yg9w0ok4gNkpZuhrSMoPMbjqZZ8VyipgACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/GOTHS%2BFRONT%2BRANKS%2B1C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2q22kg5IEmk/YPGEDTe6MmI/AAAAAAABHLs/bYIvYREjQCgweroKj7Oq12G6CGIkmDnfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/GOTHS%2BFRONT%2BRANKS%2B1D.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edPac6aTXag/YPGEEAP9aeI/AAAAAAABHL0/ohcuqqW7m0sDHDcW30gE2QBn5dAjUoImgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/GOTHS%2BFRONT%2BRANKS%2B1E.jpg)
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Good looking chaps those. Look forward to the rest of ‘em.
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Good looking chaps those. Look forward to the rest of ‘em.
Thanks. If you pop back a page there are rather a of of Early Byzatines ;) :)
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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I0GM4pS-TwQ/YPpvqe2iAzI/AAAAAAABHYE/bgOAwRqSYt8WqKGHuCUZq1mua47UWdmlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s932/GOTH%2BCOMMAND%2BBASE%2B1A.jpg)
Wow! The posts are really pouring out again. This is actually not a result of my painting speeding up but rather because there was a back log of stuff that needed varnishing and I don't like to have too many pieces out after glossing as I leave a week between the gloss and the matt layers. It's something that you don't want to get wrong or you are at risk of some icing making an unwanted appearance on the miniatures.
It is always nice to create a little command vignette. The miniatures are form the Footsore Miniatures Vortigern Warlord of Britain pack from their Late Roman range. Whilst the models would not really be great for say Adrianople 378CE Goths they are a good fit for the Goths circa Battle of Taginae 552 and the Gothic occupation of much of Italy etc.
The LBMS banner is a Christmas Special put together for Gripping Beast by Steve many years ago.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dtSns-qDKhc/YPQQ-qDn20I/AAAAAAABHUg/QiQ1ywu2s8o_K4bw1nP0dIDo1al_O_oPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s972/GOTH%2BCOMMAND%2BBASE%2B1D.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TBIs3xI8lvg/YPQQ-ymk17I/AAAAAAABHUk/fchgVsM_RAwcACyoFI3M1YAzt6uZsP1bwCLcBGAsYHQ/s941/GOTH%2BCOMMAND%2BBASE%2B1E.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L8zucqONAyo/YPQQ98BjfzI/AAAAAAABHUU/MymqLXYVIKUvQzXtcehTaN52yxY5WhZMACLcBGAsYHQ/s928/GOTH%2BCOMMAND%2BBASE%2B1C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dylmp9Ova7Q/YPQQ-PJ4sgI/AAAAAAABHUY/OVofP39Zb-Iv3CV2e8egPOw9vLbY3MAqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s930/GOTH%2BCOMMAND%2BBASE%2B1B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n_wDAkVHdHg/YPa7ZhiqyDI/AAAAAAABHXs/35Jk5UvJw7A9zIywUtysqPHPvi42yDvxACLcBGAsYHQ/s965/GOTH%2BCOMMAND%2BBASE%2B1F.jpg)
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Excellent work. Truly eye popping :o
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Thanks 2010sunburst :)
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Wow. :o :o Those figures and banner are just amazing. :-* :-*
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Wow. :o :o Those figures and banner are just amazing. :-* :-*
Many thanks Hu Rhu
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Wow. :o :o Those figures and banner are just amazing. :-*
Yes, that INDEED! :o Holy smokes.
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Super work on those, Darrell!
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Thanks Simon and all.
Yes, that INDEED! :o Holy smokes.
The banner isn't hand painted (thankfully lol). It's an old Special Edition LBMS and Gripping Beast collaboration done around the time of the Age of Arthur WAB supplement, so early 2000's methinks ???
The first unit of Goths are now complete and I will have some pictures posted ASAP :)
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Amazing work! The banner is top-notch stuff! :o
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Amazing work! The banner is top-notch stuff! :o
Cheers matey. The pics of the first Goth unit, fully formed, are now taken and ready to post- hopefully tomorrow :)
I have to say, compared to the Early Byzantine units it has taken a while longer o_o
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Gorgeous....enuff said
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As usual they are all of a superb standard but that last command group stand is just stunning
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Thanks again guys :)
As usual they are all of a superb standard but that last command group stand is just stunning
I'm always playing around with the composition of the miniatures of the command bases/vignettes. Originally there was going to be a Late Roman/Early Byzantine type casualty on the base next to the discarded shield. In the end I decided less is more and to have both the miniatures towards the rear of the base, that way you can create a more dynamic look just by leaving larger areas of negative space. I hope that makes sense as I'm feeling a bit tired at the mo' and not very alert ???
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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fAgTGzi9IRM/YPrbajA1Z6I/AAAAAAABHYM/HySsQiUK_-geLL6AIiwjsD5SXnIFbFkPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/GOTHS%2BA%2BUNIT%2B1A.jpg)
More pictures and historical meanderings on my Just Add Water blog here:
http://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2021/07/first-goth-unit.html (http://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2021/07/first-goth-unit.html)
Finally the first unit of Goths is ready after their stint in the vanishing queue waiting and giving the glass a week to go off before matting down. It takes time but it's worth it just to know that any speckling/frosting is as minimal as possible.
Unlike their Early Byzantine enemies it has taken a wee bit more time to get the unit finished due to the none uniform appearance. I really love painting up Bill's sculpts - they are a bit like Crusader miniatures in that there is plenty of surface area to play around with.
The completed Back Ranks:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nvFM8PliByo/YPrbja0XJfI/AAAAAAABHYQ/WsXkzaAcePQ8RKpZfHx5TWMYjx5bRzSGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/GOTHS%2BBACK%2BRANKS%2B1A.jpg)
A couple of Snaps of the Unit as a Whole:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mq0USagaauQ/YPrburwYrVI/AAAAAAABHYo/TgkzpAHVxKMh_Vu5YU--inpkV2pYgCe7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/GOTHS%2BA%2BUNIT%2B1B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GsgpZ_KzLIs/YPrbvSRHQvI/AAAAAAABHYs/mH_sCT9EN_MWZA-oWYX2gXc6ULGgOOr_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/GOTHS%2BA%2BUNIT%2B1D.jpg)
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Superb work. Real individual character in each figure.
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Lovely unit! :-*
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Thank you kind sirs :)
Superb work. Real individual character in each figure.
It was helped a little by mixing in some Footsore Early Saxons with larger shields in place of the bucklers- which presented it's own problems as the Early Saxons are definitely designed with the smaller bucklers in mind - it was difficult to reach some parts of the mini's with the old brush.
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Lovely unit with great character. :-* :-* :-*
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Another fine unit! Yes, I imagine the irregularity does add to the painting time.
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Thanks guys :)
Another fine unit! Yes, I imagine the irregularity does add to the painting time.
It does. It can also be part of the fun, it depends on my mood lol
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The second batch of Steppe Nomads to complete the fist unit of 12 is now done and dusted. OK, all complete bar the varnishing process; stage one, the gloss, which is about to take place tomorrow.
More pics can be seen on my blog here:
https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2021/07/steppe-nomads-ii.html (https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2021/07/steppe-nomads-ii.html)
It is worth mentioning again that unless very wealthy and able to afford more exotic types of horse/pony most of the ponies 5-6th Century Steppe Nomads would have had access too would not have had such a variation of colour and patterns on their mounts. Again, artistic license has been taken on that point.
The first batch of 6 are now based and will be ready to photograph tomorrow once the sand etc has dried and I can get some paint on the bases followed by the ubiquitous grass tufts of various proportions and colours.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3fPQqsDC8IQ/YQQb5l8TjmI/AAAAAAABHfY/hRCJ5ue-hc4ulcJ3D3bmXOtkLWmuBK6ZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMADS%2B1C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pvYtaSMk0KE/YQQb7iYKJiI/AAAAAAABHf0/QdolK3LJGmsG_oBPaGF7uWwG60R-B0NcQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMADS%2B3C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ig4_YiIxoGc/YQQb6r5CYjI/AAAAAAABHfo/JumSYFPHCCgjJnbLfDHQ__XVt5Mf6-QnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMADS%2B2C.jpg)
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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qxF149zRolk/YQV5QGCqCHI/AAAAAAABHgg/9G2PqFQDtCsm8K-3LFi4U4lkrouRw1PxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1358/SPANISH%2BARQUEBUSIERS%2BLEVEL%2B2.jpg)
Not to blow my own trumpet but I am amazed at my output at present! Admittedly it is partially the result of the varnish queue that had accrued over the weeks but I do think that there is some acceleration with the old brush too!
More pictures of the unit and of the single bases can be seen on my blog here:
https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2021/07/steppe-nomads-half-cantabrian-circle.html
Here are a few tasters:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U5QsfYsAjYU/YQV6ASZ626I/AAAAAAABHgw/h_ruSoGPci8wvrcY9qazKIzJNlbQXdQHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/STEPPE%2BARCHER%2BBASE%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cT6fv4JLLZw/YQV6PWhqJOI/AAAAAAABHhI/KMWSQuITh6ga24BWVI73q_ucVknRyUAeACLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/STEPPE%2BARCHER%2BBASE%2B2A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tmki7Qi8ayo/YQV6s7SIkWI/AAAAAAABHiE/dD_2r_EHZuQxuh3VuOfzirMPlpau7SyCACLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/STEPPE%2BARCHER%2BBASE%2B3A.jpg)
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All looking good there, great sense of movement even the mass ranked units
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All looking good there, great sense of movement even the mass ranked units
Thanks mate. Hopefully the last three bases will add to the sense of movement (fingers crossed!) :)
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Again beautiful work! :-*
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Really good looking!
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Really good looking!
Thanks Engel :)
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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nUWizoGpKSs/YQKN0m1DHyI/AAAAAAABHdc/woya5M4YcbwZIExhPkACeGxsjllBFaEPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/GOTHS%2BAA%2BSINGLE%2BBASES%2BFRONT%2B1C.jpg)
I'm not going to be able to get very much painting done over the next few weeks o I'm going to update the blog with some close ups of some units not yet seen to fill in some of the time.
First up are the Goths/Ostrogoths. The Footsore Miniatures Goths will be mixed and matched with a company who will soon be producing some Goths more suitable for the Battle of Taginae 552 CE era. I have been asked on a few channels on social media to elaborate on this but, as I have alluded earlier, I cannot really say who is producing these as the company has not made an official announcement thus it is not really my place to say. Apologies to everyone who is gagging for Goths suitable for Belisarius campaigns in Italy, I am sure you will be finding out soon enough.
More pics of various angles of the bases can be seen on my Just Add Water Blog here:
http://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2021/08/gothsostrogoths-close-ups-of-single.html (http://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2021/08/gothsostrogoths-close-ups-of-single.html)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-10sl5xVuB1s/YQKKev1dLlI/AAAAAAABHac/aTikw_DEnv455kS5Ng3ShmL2Tbgx1LiYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s700/GOTHS%2BA%2BSINGLE%2BBASES%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oZcIzmL-iis/YQKKfMweMqI/AAAAAAABHak/xLbTBBThJ9UiysDJAd2uPkOu8Km6gNQPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s700/GOTHS%2BA%2BSINGLE%2BBASES%2B2A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2mkJtoDJ0tQ/YQKKfk7HB0I/AAAAAAABHaw/7Eo9Uk6rWEcUVHs-I_qXcu9jKlVl5h5ZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s700/GOTHS%2BA%2BSINGLE%2BBASES%2B3A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l7G1vi-eeY8/YQKKod4-kRI/AAAAAAABHbE/WNUJ3eYRR40W_3gvYEDA4DXvzPyrfnODgCLcBGAsYHQ/s700/GOTHS%2BA%2BSINGLE%2BBASES%2B4A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WD1DRwtqzL0/YQKKo3Z0R3I/AAAAAAABHbM/kSSeq8duWeUo5PkNI66vCBVurXky0HVzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s700/GOTHS%2BA%2BSINGLE%2BBASES%2B5D.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pTilPdLh3gI/YQKKpdP42VI/AAAAAAABHbU/zvS2beYwoH0VnHh-WLF2SMbKKpn4U0wuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s700/GOTHS%2BA%2BSINGLE%2BBASES%2B6A.jpg)
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Excellent painting 5here, especially love the shields. Are they all freehand?
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Excellent painting 5here, especially love the shields.
Ta :)
Are they all freehand?
No, the back ranks (unarmoured) are freehand but the front ranks (being the Nobility) were treated to LBMS transfers.
I don't mind painting shields by hand, but with several hundred miniatures making up the army, it just isn't practical. I made a point of hand painting all the banners for the Early Byzantines but chose to use shield transfers for most of the shields. It's just a lot faster that way with so many shields to paint.
This painted from the portrait of Belisarius from the "Justinian Mosiac" in the church of San Vitale, Ravenna:
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Superb banner, way beyond my level…..might nick that shield idea though, (front rank only having LBMS transfers). I can do geometrics fine, but anything more “artistic” is beyond my skill grade…….I have a few dwarves to paint coming up soon!
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Superb banner, way beyond my level…..might nick that shield idea though, (front rank only having LBMS transfers).
Please feel free.
About twenty years ago I refused to use shield transfers at all, which has me wondering what was wrong with me nowadays lol
I can do geometrics fine, but anything more “artistic” is beyond my skill grade…….I have a few dwarves to paint coming up soon!
I still quite like painting them, but not on large armies as it is just too time consuming and I don't have quite as many days on the planet as I did a couple of decades back :)
A few Norman designs of mine:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jEVNSLjMZqA/YQ_sOlgKVrI/AAAAAAABHrk/UW6ts2x3LNcoIf_JCc-kMSo3L_RX836NACLcBGAsYHQ/s164/HAROLD%2BGODWINSOM%2BMAIN%2BCOMMAND%2BSTAND%2B1B-001.JPG)(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-duA2O7CKkgE/YQ_sOtMs3lI/AAAAAAABHro/GFTXJEzLWcoJjQENbFmdNV4IKIVR_nyLgCLcBGAsYHQ/s175/MountedMilitesunit1closeup1.jpg)(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRth450aSMM/YQ_sOtd2LKI/AAAAAAABHrg/_X8PDJoiJWY3RouHKNxgIZV5EImMMXU8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s170/MountedMilitesunit1closeup2.jpg)(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iEFgNqIG_Jc/YQ_sPKfid8I/AAAAAAABHrs/FY9Mc493YNANcXPcJeaQuj11WE_Rvq_jACLcBGAsYHQ/s170/MountedMilitesunit1closeup3.jpg)(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QqUPOmEZ24Q/YQ_sPkFycsI/AAAAAAABHrw/nSzTg6ZLhAwgN6P6LlhljsFf_D25OJheACLcBGAsYHQ/s170/MountedMilitesunit2closeup2.jpg)(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PdE--_erLxs/YQ_sQCA2xvI/AAAAAAABHr0/KFgID0JPKIsDibjbhdkRnLNv4mPXJBlZACLcBGAsYHQ/s170/MountedMilitesunit3closeup4.jpg)(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVUj_hPjfpw/YQ_sQoHFRwI/AAAAAAABHr4/Zm24S__jFSA223PagNSIv9rPaWYmPCtlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s170/MountedMilitesunit3closeup5.jpg)
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Beautiful :-*
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Beautiful :-*
Thanks Tonhel. More to come soon - once the pesky studio "tidy up"/"reorganise half my life" is complete! o_o lol
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Wonderful stuff. I could colour them in, but for generating the designs my draftsmanship is just not up to snuff….
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Please feel free.
About twenty years ago I refused to use shield transfers at all, which has me wondering what was wrong with me nowadays lol
I still quite like painting them, but not on large armies as it is just too time consuming and I don't have quite as many days on the planet as I did a couple of decades back :)
It is honestly just patience and practice. Think of it like writing an essay. The very first one you write in the first year at Unit is going to be pretty shabby compared to your final dissertation.
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Just a quick post to say that I've had quite a few of my pictures of my Early Byzantines features in the latest edition of The Wargames Annual.
They look absolutely stunning in print and leaving me quite proud.
(https://www.caliverbooks.com/images/covers/annual%202022%20cover.jpg)
If you pop over the the Bazaar you will be able to see the post in full including some bonus pictures which didn't make the cut:
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=134165.new;topicseen#new (https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=134165.new;topicseen#new)
Here's a quick sample:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bX8Uxv8icx0/YZC_E0pGSqI/AAAAAAABILs/yaawHcUy2ZIvvV6LoyPJeqm5jfeAQ8YlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DISMOUNTED%2BBOUKELLAROI%2Bor%2BEXTRA%2BHEAVY%2BBYZANTINE%2BINFANTRY%2BCLOSE%2BUP%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2B%2BAVENTINE%2BMINIATURES%2B6th%2BCE%2BByzantium.jpg)
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Congratulations! A well deserved spotlight!
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Congratulations! A well deserved spotlight!
Cheers mate. I have to admit I'm really impressed with the layout on the book.
The pics here are basically a few of the out takes.
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I may have to buy that book
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I may have to buy that book
please do so- there's plenty more then just my painting- some good Sudan stuff in there as well as a lot of other interesting articles. I'd say more but I haven't actually found the time to read it yet!
I'd like to say it would make me rich but it won't lol
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Stunning work. You are an Elder God, indeed.
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Stunning work. You are an Elder God, indeed.
I can feel my tentacles swell as you type lol
Seriously though, thank you (all) for your kind comments and support.
I have had a very horrendous last couple of months where my normal industrious output literally came to a dead stop. The effects of being stuck in the house for so damn long.
With the release of the annual and help from a of other painters/wargamers I know very well i have managed to pull myself up and start to paint again, which is a huge boon. The Wargames Annual could not have been published at a better time for me. :)
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Very cool!
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Thanks Tonhel :)
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Back in the groove!
It seems like a very long time since I actually managed to work on any of my own stuff. I've started working on some Heavy Cavalry which will join the Early Byzantine long with another such unit and Belisarius' Boukellaroi.
I finally got around to basing the last six of my Horse Archers which have been sitting in a tray on some bubble wrap for a few months now. A quick dust down and it was out with the filler/spackle, leave over night, glue on the sand (leave overnight again) then basecoat and dry brush. (see Steppe Nomad Horse Archers for the other six).
I have to say that I have been extremely impressed with the exquisite Aventine Miniatures Steppe Nomad cavalry; such attention to detail. Every bit as good as their Early Byzantines and that is really saying something! I look forward to seeing what Keith and Adam do with the remoulding of the range.
Without further ado, the complete Cantabrian Circle- all those Horse Archers looks kind of awesome and I cannot wait to get it into the table top!
More pictures of close ups of all the single bases on my Just Add Water blog here:
https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2021/11/steppe-nomad-full-cantabrian-circle-and.html (https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2021/11/steppe-nomad-full-cantabrian-circle-and.html)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6uoKyOf52mQ/YaOcxbpBquI/AAAAAAABIRc/pCc7z1alGwY6rQDgMbStXQq7kREfl2xXACLcBGAsYHQ/s2500/CANTABRIAN%2BCIRCLE%2BLARGE%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6OIzsOaKQA/YaOcxfmEytI/AAAAAAABIRY/-AE-r-0TS8Iu4mgzxsixCaDxcgguglyZACLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/CANTABRIAN%2BCIRCLE%2BLARGE%2B1B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V0jylNlf_N4/YaOcxN2O3WI/AAAAAAABIRU/bLQCHARdK2Y3ErQyJjTideJ5YZLAEZkfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/CANTABRIAN%2BCIRCLE%2BLARGE%2B1C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hGvGE3shSuk/YaOcxqmXWbI/AAAAAAABIRg/MQRJcz9esj8sgRtQxX2LM2_uqq6OP7o9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/CANTABRIAN%2BCIRCLE%2BLARGE%2B1E.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rtss-W6Af8c/YaOcxxLYbaI/AAAAAAABIRk/5AcfMz-fkcglV3CNk2ao7mKYS7SS7Bb6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/CANTABRIAN%2BCIRCLE%2BLARGE%2B1f.jpg)
A few shots of some of my favourite single base close ups (to see more there's more click on the link at the top of the post):
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gnhbsfKZI-c/YaOdLsmCIzI/AAAAAAABIR0/I8zigHM1SrstLI8sLmIKSD8mTsB-pdSEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YXyQbp4vaLw/YaOdqzL-NQI/AAAAAAABITE/aNwbaCGz7JsLXsorFzjD9fOGaNtNO3p8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B3E.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46EKHQ4QJFk/YaOeApuOELI/AAAAAAABITU/jIeTLCORDPo06MZ_I6eKqWPgGELRh5ZugCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B4C.jpg)
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I just love your painting style! The arrangment of the light cavalry on the bases is spot on, very cool!
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Gorgeous! Beautiful Brushwork and superb basing!
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Very, very nice indeed sir
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Thanks guys- appreciated as always :)
I just love your painting style! The arrangment of the light cavalry on the bases is spot on, very cool!
That's what I was really trying to achieve, the manner in which the Steppe peoples of the early 6th CE fought so it's great to hear that the movement I tried to create within each base has come (hopefully) come off as a larger unit.
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"Remoulding of the range?" with new sculpts? why do that - they are terrific now?!
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Your painting is beautiful Atheling - I've been through your whole thread here, and it's a real treat! :-* Thank you for sharing pictures of your models.
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"Remoulding of the range?" with new sculpts? why do that - they are terrific now?!
Each of the Steppe Nomads models came in a large number of parts. They were quite fiddly to put together for me and I've been at this game for a long time. From talking to Keith I get the impression that he wants to minimise the complication of gluing legs to torsos, heads to torsos, bows to arms etc etc
Keith (and Adam) run Aventine as more of a hobby for their own satisfaction. I would have to say, that judging by the sublime quality of the castings he is a little bit of a perfectionist. The whole Early Imperial Roman range was pulled and remoulded quite rapidly in the not too distant past. The Republican Romans and Steppe Nomads are getting then same treatment at present. I recently bought some remoulded Sassanian infantry and it is worth the wait.
Your painting is beautiful Atheling - I've been through your whole thread here, and it's a real treat! :-* Thank you for sharing pictures of your models.
Thank you for the very kind words. I got a bit stuck (a bit of a dead stop actually) due to certain health problems on August 8th of this year and it's great to return to the painting desk with such a satisfying unit.
I have to figure out how to base the Steppe Nobles now, a difficult one as they tended to fight more tightly packed (think Avars and White Huns) in the 6th CE. Of course, I've got to prep them and paint them first! lol
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Must be a strong chap that bloke with the heads on his lance. The average noggin weighs about 5kg, so it would be interesting to see how long he could ride around waving 20kg on the end of a long stick.
Superb brushmanship, as ever. :-*
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Must be a strong chap that bloke with the heads on his lance. The average noggin weighs about 5kg, so it would be interesting to see how long he could ride around waving 20kg on the end of a long stick.
Funnily enough I've never thought about it lol
Superb brushmanship, as ever. :-*
Thanks Carlos, appreciated :)
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I've got a wee bit of time so for those who don't want or have time to pop over to my blog here's all the single bases:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gnhbsfKZI-c/YaOdLsmCIzI/AAAAAAABIR0/I8zigHM1SrstLI8sLmIKSD8mTsB-pdSEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ADZLRyiDUc4/YaOdL0K6FaI/AAAAAAABIR4/VOgjNLpJOG0Cxf78XbzL7jfGa0HvsrBbACLcBGAsYHQ/s834/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B1B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qg-lN19-pVQ/YaOdLxMrYBI/AAAAAAABIR8/PtgFTvIDOUsk_R8hNKLhSoMKeEqDn93eQCLcBGAsYHQ/s855/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B1C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yWVOXpColZ4/YaOdMEQUIPI/AAAAAAABISE/5tdN51YiZcwxNegJQX07fs6hSN5W54QXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s853/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B1D.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ogaNNLY7cNs/YaOdMNdAluI/AAAAAAABISA/Beajxwd3x7AiSi4DXN8n9UctNFS282OAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s811/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B1E.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_apY8VP79l0/YaOdX1T1ARI/AAAAAAABISM/mLVqv6cVVLkhJZdc2Qt2idFDnRpjCts0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B2A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--QKG-_DS9x0/YaOdXyUmyiI/AAAAAAABISQ/bfGewZ2tiSEnQzfBDDFaczlk8h_1_dmHACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B2B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BXp7RMkPtWM/YaOdX6bVdOI/AAAAAAABISI/W5Ufn6U3Myk-BhQTsUbtkQBwPrkk4aq7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B2C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bY1qacVFvkc/YaOdYIRY_vI/AAAAAAABISU/aqaN2vKr3RYnjoMVWHR7bF5mu5NrfzIoACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B2D.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-99rW8GozsCo/YaOdYequfuI/AAAAAAABISY/hY33kUZGpL85sRKWLbFpaeu_S8QKtlNHACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B2E.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K5g3AdbXlo0/YaOdqHjtC9I/AAAAAAABIS0/vNCcMO9pjUILqUPmV9HMVPDuNkyyqOMCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B3A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9ckErTMiwM/YaOdqf5LLSI/AAAAAAABIS4/L3Go80i2TdIXXPu252vNtClIE7ANVTyEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B3B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dWuL9_Wh0hg/YaOdqQZBQXI/AAAAAAABIS8/6shW5Cn7DSQEV4ObRCMV3IXTtGDEsfJDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B3C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNV2NUtpLkA/YaOdqvzklzI/AAAAAAABITA/s0ukm8VC7MwXETfmWdO8rYTLwCFStNqSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B3D.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YXyQbp4vaLw/YaOdqzL-NQI/AAAAAAABITE/aNwbaCGz7JsLXsorFzjD9fOGaNtNO3p8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B3E.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3UANKSgdtQ/YaOeAmFh1eI/AAAAAAABITY/qJPD2rHGxrIzzrhvZhJiWFtcdQpUTu1-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B4A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2FB6DBAKy3c/YaOeAobADmI/AAAAAAABITc/FqmTYo5sCcMnVhgNEEC6BDHfih5yBDGoACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B4B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46EKHQ4QJFk/YaOeApuOELI/AAAAAAABITU/jIeTLCORDPo06MZ_I6eKqWPgGELRh5ZugCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B4C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HJ-lbo1Y524/YaOeBN6xinI/AAAAAAABITg/hqp2LYNaOMMYq2DM7gBrLrMBMPTaLuQfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B4D.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KORB9P0IHac/YaOeBb6tREI/AAAAAAABITk/xLFeAS-vwoAunJGgsLRVBuCjwGHEaZPcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B4E.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GMq6wUwguZ0/YaOeN1i4fAI/AAAAAAABITw/saxqXU9Gbvw5HbEIKvU-uQxj45NaVdLXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B5A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ac7-NCzc3x8/YaOeN6qaiUI/AAAAAAABITo/2UeKaLGd68MVlROGtvVnu46OgBArkpIVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B5B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hx3o3n0MCwY/YaOeN2DmBII/AAAAAAABITs/lrm3upjujhgcuqsgsnMsvfjJna0aSW0cACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B5C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Zf-NfsYiWg/YaOeOIlAXfI/AAAAAAABIT0/V3D-RnjKQ3o-UBBs0nxSE2D2R6OHy6cPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B5D.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m3u60P6p1bE/YaOeOZ6_u9I/AAAAAAABIT4/Y2pn1MZvpsME6ZNYkU4kAKH5XfPfYoJawCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B5E.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Il69TNofjew/YaOebODEGdI/AAAAAAABIUQ/aDwSEDh5nPMe1MU3Asgu6vNNnw0pt64egCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B6A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sXXOi4HRBp0/YaOebCM5hzI/AAAAAAABIUI/mGTCliAfCEYxyJlT3dtCn0eIXOgLvcOwACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B6B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4eq2c9MlnY/YaOebIUuUII/AAAAAAABIUM/auI5J2uZ7iccpiXH1iVF2oTWRQv0Jl0QgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B6C.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pjX8OwNRYwI/YaOebrkKBRI/AAAAAAABIUU/3T-4NTuom3IJ8gnCgTdb6YtXZWeqoiy-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B6D.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pH8hEkHLikA/YaOebsTgfnI/AAAAAAABIUY/m9oA1OcnelE-e4Fhm-gO_H4qrsHPIv6bACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/STEPPE%2BNOMAD%2BHORSE%2BARCHERS%2BBASE%2B6E.jpg)
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NICE NICE NICE
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Wonderful painting on those Steppe Nomads. :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Outstanding - a fantastic unit you have created. :-*
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Thank you kindly guys. :)
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That is amazing! :-*
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That is amazing! :-*
Thank you Tonhel. I've still got a unit of Steppe Nobles to go with the Horse Archers but I'm having difficulty in deciding how to base them, when they are painted ???
I think I might have mentioned that I'm working on a unit of Aventine Heavy Kavallaroi at the moment. I'm also prepping a fairly large Roman Army for The Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge starting Late December, which is holding the painting back a bit :(
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I had a spare half an hour so decided to take a few shots of the first six, basically the front ranks of a unit of Early Byzantine Heavy Kavallaroi in I have on my painting table in the studio. The horses are complete but remain unvarnished. I learned a lesson when putting together Belisarius' Boukellaroi in that I forgot to make sure the cavalry models actually fitted onto the horses which resulted in a great deal of anguish as I feverishly (but very gently) filed away at the painted and varnished Boukellaroi models until they eventually fit the barded horses. A mistake that I wasn't going to repeat again. So, it was out with the "bastard file" (TM) which I used to file the underside of all of the Kavallaroi models in order for them to fit on all of their mounts. I didn't want to leave anything to chance! This meant trying out each Kavallaroi model on each horse. Worth to avoid a repeat of the heartbreak of having to repaint and varnish the filed "underbellies" of the Boukellaroi!
I recently bought a very large number of Late Roman models from both Footsore Miniatures Late Roman Range and Gripping Beast Late Roman range in preparation for the The Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge which will of course be documented on LAF. My aim with the Early Byzantine Heavy Kavallaroi is to get the unit finished as well as three Infantry Command Bases prior to The Challenge. I will almost certainly complete the former task in time but might fall short of getting the command bases completed simply because of the sheer volume of Late Romans I have to clean up and prepare by December the 20th so I can start slapping on the paint the next day.
I thought it might be of interest to some to see how my miniatures look roughly half way through the painting process. They looks a bit untidy in places, which is not a worry as my Art College education is a real boon in terms of mixing colours that match the hues already applied to the models. I am lucky in that it's not something that I usually have to spend too much time ruminating on; as colour theory (re; Colour spheres!) were drummed into me at an earlier age.
A word or two on the horses. The tones of the horseflesh are more of less made up and somewhat removed from how they would appear in reality. This is fine by me as I really enjoy painting horses and it would be unusual for me to be unhappy with the results. As long as I can take my time, have a good old mess around mixed with some experimentation, I am good.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqgBeGs1zGA/YaenaGQepeI/AAAAAAABIVM/JzVpWlmTeMgHgaZii-bHe_23D76-pcB8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s820/BYZANTINE%2BHORSES%2B1A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oSJj53oTNFs/YaenaFDeCyI/AAAAAAABIVU/Ts8dsT9S1rw9WAA2ZSpjfIALI-iAN7HJACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/BYZANTINE%2BHORSES%2B1B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FfOqyw8EL04/YaenaNEW6kI/AAAAAAABIVQ/2-dAcZ6-7AoMC4jvZ4X74XFJhcGzeMy8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/BYZANTINE%2BHORSES%2B2A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v-Tc_eNnbHM/Yaenaj-YipI/AAAAAAABIVY/DkDYmlZDrpQ-IAZwDiG5elDBtUf0q9CKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/BYZANTINE%2BHORSES%2B2B.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HEgIcxarl88/YaenauH04II/AAAAAAABIVc/eWGH8ndgOEw7EmsjpavqI0AbA-p2z02mACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/BYZANTINE%2BHORSES%2B3A.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tHDQSBxRWUs/YaenaouZahI/AAAAAAABIVg/Ai6WkwKDPqonHDNAwWyr3Fc9aPy-A1aHQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/BYZANTINE%2BHORSES%2B3B.jpg)
The Kavallaroi models are roughly at the halfway stage. It should be pretty clear that I paint from a very flat matt black undercoat on top of a black primer. As mentioned in the above, it should also be somewhat clear that I have an idea of what colours I'm going to apply to where as I paint.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tbaIA0Kx1VY/YaeoXmczUrI/AAAAAAABIV4/IF_Om-aZCwM-4oTXc14NpZB5iwBneHVlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s950/BYZANTINE%2BKAVALLAROI%2B1A%2BFRONT.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8IWm7tDC7Zc/YaeoYd2rCKI/AAAAAAABIV8/0tkCDZ20sxAU3nvhYD55kFTqnltO1IYlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s950/BYZANTINE%2BKAVALLAROI%2B1A%2BBACK.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jo2OK2A5Uos/YaeoZUHm4_I/AAAAAAABIWA/5uc5ZXl1XCA_DTM0f09GkJ_UMCq8_YoJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s950/BYZANTINE%2BKAVALLAROI%2B2A%2BFRONT.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1o9jZkbhAk/YaeoaJD3kDI/AAAAAAABIWE/zmT2DEkaUpkhX-YNeaDdEbD9vL8lrJ5twCLcBGAsYHQ/s950/BYZANTINE%2BKAVALLAROI%2B2A%2BBACK.jpg)
Cheers.
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Glorious colouring in
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Thanks Roo :)
Great to be finally back onto the swing of things- though shortly after taking the pictures I did screw up the jackets with too dark a wash! >:(
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Ah shame, you’ll pull them back to magnificence…looking for are to seeing more
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Ah shame, you’ll pull them back to magnificence…looking for are to seeing more
Basically I stupidly used an old wash as a glaze to tie some complimentary colours together and it dried as a mess! It was more like I'd washed the miniatures rather then applying a very thin glaze >:(
Gonna have to try to fix them tonight.
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(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilDOByUgFOeYtK6Efthee32IBRtTrw8vRxm3EbEsgvIen4BmOPDB32dpoQOVMU1rsxTgCSyv_KMG_BFKMwzkVZ6jxmxbCAH2JZHT8rlbOSXV7dw08Fq_XPV8O1UHVRnuDZkux8GYNaNvjV2q0EsbiTldicdOfI_3uWf-DesbupqSJQ9rMyKvonl_s2DQ=s1600)
This unit was started prior to the beginning of The Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge with the first six cavalry models being completed before I went into clean up, prime and undercoat a whole Late Roman army for the challenge, which ended in the Great Varnishing Disaster which put pay to all my efforts on that project. Needless to say it interrupted any progress on my Early Byzantines as well as affecting a huge drop in my painting morale. I shave still to get my money back for the varnish that was provided to me with the promise that it was a "dead flat matt" but I will not stoop to naming and shaming; not yet anyway LOL.
Anyway, that's all by the bye. Overall I think this unit has come out rather well. I spent a long time on the horse flesh, something I really enjoy painting as you can really go to town on them. There is a degree of artistic expression, which I'm happy with as we are essentially colouring in toy soldiers.
The unit is double armed with both kontos and bow so I threw in a a few miniatures in full mail in the process of loading and loosing a few arrows for a little variation. Also, I added another Draco to the chap at the back in order to balance out the composition of the unit, providing a counterfoil to the large Chi Rho banner.
I did not manage to make enough time to take all the shots I wanted so I'll be adding some single base piccies sometime soon.
There are more images available on my Just Add Water Blog should you wish to take a look:
https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2022/03/byzantine-heavy-kavallarioi-first-unit.html (https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2022/03/byzantine-heavy-kavallarioi-first-unit.html)
No single bases yet as I'm really pressed for time today. I'll try to upload them tomorrow if I can.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-Z5PeaPTTJ5nJpplWTr-oGsH0UR5279H4F5Cr13umNlR-z8rqRgwRXVK_XqgBtJYw0V09TfVCHLRP3_-o5vG0QXwov3UjVr3s1_qF5FsRuKL-A4xGWI2yFggEsIBPzeGuQQIuHL4j-xpPtU_v0BpUqE74u-86UZW09f6A5O8wWDar4YCFVKlasl682g=s1600)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrVsSndUnAlmaU3Jg58ENySivs_ymlvE1-2hGBKeZK3dGZ5om8grWClcklJB0bVrImhlLQbPgPi-g412RbuLY7i4wgVve9xY97XCCYDDE5aGOz_XFkTvP3oY9VOSjccAMKtxCh5oz5jcBdb9iXhgVPtOG9ixQnvSKOVZ7d3aMPCQl7Jbm2El5NLort1g=s1300)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfOT05FcKqcJERkT2Qlg2WgxCVBnG3sauiBDbHgoI6MrzzWeWCTB3DvWRvX7OH6owXorTYtpRq6D39hegroquDvciNhkwT_QlB-SpGLRWgzjTwmqBkiXPJmlJoCC21Xn61g0Zh34H9ZvIXh2Yrs6TeY6qRC_3E5RhkmSDeyPR2O0rrJaKsPGhsPoeC4w=s1600)
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Fantstic as ever Darren, cheers
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Fantstic as ever Darren, cheers
Thanks brunei35. Appreciated :)
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(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgx9Xe_QU065Hvzkts6EN1my9SA70vxGo7Lj4qPm8RVvJW-yDcCIt7-Rv1vS1G08my0bGJWeJc2Gtv_ppwYw1VPC5OTpQRfK8jMkV9ERNzhNRSOPEh2-_ws0mVV47yYTeNpt7uVAaO6LYo5roSu1RrUnXoz41DExLj7ctqSZOC5NTyXeOqvPL457mHEUw=s1600)
In order to get the promised images of the single bases taken I was up a little earlier then normal. The photo's have been taken mostly with artificial light and I do hope they hold up to my usual standards(?).
In this post I've included samples of the single bases from the front only- there are a heck of a lot of pics!
If you want to see more from various angles of all of the bases please hop on over to my blog here:
https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2022/03/early-byzantine-heavy-kavallarioi-first.html (https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2022/03/early-byzantine-heavy-kavallarioi-first.html)
Base 1:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2Al9Y8YhbzaupC2X3rmmf9YqVH75t5RRGgxfkvIAwL-va62R_DjUvayYHjhtwdnH5ICm3SHY_PC9Wq927KIssW-jfs7eEMx7g7CaoqSqLJyndSN8vSQdvkrESt0Qnq73ZsCFE19_Kli37tv4VUmlu5O3tTXD4SWpyjdSr7WWIxYOm1sEer-SduvQ2kg=s846)
Base 2:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQxADbdQaxHDg88PLdAW4rSXXxbwDoJsYE2FFF6pYGg-Ry5YaGXBleZ4Pmido63sDJ-sYd4ID863EpQ60qLAaX4SkX6jtqnnYa4d2fMZtT6t4oh738rk_tvGNkA29Z8txnyORfPg200z16458Y4ABwGq7zvyS8JKcTat84JGkZWigGRvQXA7Ku8kCAAA=s1048)
Base 3:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2MmB0FhoCyn9ErAwVoiTJB1tDXCnueJ233eqXSQc-Bjnlwk5wf932KlTitM6Aky_8FYBQdX8KhCy3TuuA2Kbswnrp19GImwXpOqxJY9GRsgaveYJ5mc4U2ycuQA6g4SQ8Hj-ETj55FTHiGmIeeDqNA3FDGWrxbWxLU9NJ8nzmrDSI1kpDICoUW5hV7Q=s1078)
Base 4:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpWZyoD2wB2YNltqsE1KXrgS_Qw5wtB1b9C5DYm8O6qK07r5XT5XUlVOCVjAthu7qbCOGQYdL7dp0wx6AaeawhnDGDpY4BpWBh15OKe0yQ7HHvbXAAHLdG6kn7CL73AQI7__EhrobnL-KuRbndRAeAxfP7johVKxmnvmGuHA9LREbbmAgZENkF1dATkQ=s1061)
Base 5:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiV2k_ryWBvVWDmN-BZqgCnbZPJNgd7QQSlRrjahx41x3uJsn8PpwURT_os7lwLKjG9YIxDk683l7nlhYOuoluBNefmplvsRF-VXUt2lU1H97f0ISbL0U2D6hhCW5VRCuS0VoLBztf3WJxnv8mycNYRoGo6fvNU4mkhKWgLBiIYXlYjETRWgCoTQT1TiQ=s1043)
Base 6:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSOga8J1rfLHMuGxCzMjccC4jarzS9KH9NrDoMjDG-MbwSV80Zz1IjLtD-CLGx2iIzWJPFXBvPHL04T5kjwUZw1rviVHiz31YITie8GAHzhImoCMsYw9aSA-XJfz3gn6d8wK9MW9VJ7Zjm5GJAaj00nRN_myns55pOudMy7-jtJxrz0TgPxPfYZO2Qqw=s941)
Cheers :)
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Wow. :o Those are some of your best work ever. :-* :-* :-*
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Fucking gorgeous! :-* :-* :-*
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Many thanks Hu Rhu and Carlos :)
I'm a little lost for words but to say thankyou to you both for your kind words :)
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Superb work on this thread Darrell. :-* :-* :-*
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Superb work on this thread Darrell. :-* :-* :-*
Thanks mate. The whole project has been a joy to paint.
Ever since I painted up my Justinian army for the Beyond the Golden Gate WAB Campaign weekend at Warhammer World (I think in 2007?) I have been obsessed with the idea of owning a more up to date army in terms of research.
Thanks to Keith and Adam at Aventine that dream has been realised.
There is a remarkable difference between the two. The old Gripping Beast models are fine for Late Romans but they are not by enlarge suitable for the the CE Eastern Roman Empire.
Old Justinian Byzantines Heavy Cav/Boukellaroi:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0MSj5aUmP9c/YJ0ju3t88UI/AAAAAAABGdM/yZ45-Nj-6aosSpfiNL9ZbJjLH16vtRpzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/LateRomanComitatus2.jpg)
New Justinian Army Heavy Cav/Boukellaroi:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilDOByUgFOeYtK6Efthee32IBRtTrw8vRxm3EbEsgvIen4BmOPDB32dpoQOVMU1rsxTgCSyv_KMG_BFKMwzkVZ6jxmxbCAH2JZHT8rlbOSXV7dw08Fq_XPV8O1UHVRnuDZkux8GYNaNvjV2q0EsbiTldicdOfI_3uWf-DesbupqSJQ9rMyKvonl_s2DQ=s1600)
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So nice!
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They look amazing :-* Good to see you are past your varnish woes :)
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So nice!
Cheers Batu :)
They look amazing :-*
Good to see you are past your varnish woes :)
Argh! Don't remind me of those Late Romans! o_o :'(
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I'll let the pictures do the talking.....
In the interests of not taking up a huge amount of space I've only uploaded two or three pics of each unit.
If you want to see the whole lot please hop on over to my Just Add Water Blog here:
https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2022/03/all-my-early-byzantine-units-thus-far.html (https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2022/03/all-my-early-byzantine-units-thus-far.html)
Armoured Skutatoi
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEic5TTrDz2r4QQVGyFwkzGQeUvBlY36FfETPOYGyA7kyOCF20o0VTo9VHnumMkz3EatMeA-FW0CLuKj1grfVh71jdw1xr6JavFDCXWuPbjNCm5CFjLMG8p4t3l6TFWzt0r66X0uLOiGOWLZ4rSXkpiP_ukOr4cn-83xdjkZg0QwtdEw9SrYv6ccEtjSiw=s1600)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlQzTWQ7NoEUeIuQfd8yMJ97fgmBI8qiWoIzbW3gy6ZQHzzNhuKvtcJRp0zehUlF24ZeXLkiTDdNgAxZngRQOpwRG_VWm_dmXrCDUkxemINV8pXS3xNjsoRA9CwG9kgCQOeb3ulbTjEjZzm_NoEcvWcoH9fykvFVURSCwOk3gqe9c2B4ycd2iq7h8z_A=s1500)
Magister Militum Army General Command Stand:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEga9YshDN2GXxzJ-KtmjyJpHjogl0DGf3cg6-hTFaz6w4BtB029AJfBDtM_F-p4pjU7ouGFhn1ISuOpF5ZI7hh2gZ1BqSo1dJb7wgpahhodsW3QtYA5uVQFV-kX7brLFhBfmYc7TSy0e9BxyYz7toBAoJ4JiXDaJsgMZxTPwVrA2AOKafZDu03CNHmrFA=s1732)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEyrEjZpd3t_UCYaMTvhiLL_Jb2dlnojDRFQw63x8vHCaUm8KKioc1uhoza1gdeVg-1bEklA8PuEdvxXyxE0E0Irytzk7hK0WxI-thhS2hDnbq2xgUoSaXMgaiXJZ-bE3CHnNVmQQWCHHae2Z086iCj9rK2vL8HTUFvb2nOnMd27BB5VgwO27eSBc-Rw=s1877)
Belisarius' Boukellaroi:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjb7z9vkGrJah0glZXtCzdLqlnmmK_ThgGhcwTOR-U9rbRPLpMvZ-BoaIVjl4XqYEhmibAH5mYm9qhU5wnkJl9EFDp_ftMZoAeS-0oDOdunJTVUiBroMlcqNOJbpsTA95wZh5nH7w2Htxnll7F0DLGV8piyWTDowqsLR2GTsqUNEvGc7TVra-7DAz2bLA=s1600)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4YJF5BoR8YweFf5mcMlF3FQ5DfXug7etVqSwufVkQwuId7v1i31jEr2A0ycIHqju5q30tn5I9NY484YRzI_8MFs4l_uJxLuxglkHBW_uv-PJEaUccdSbYxNTJ8sFZIo6K3RWMvNv7x7aGfP0A5NP7_D3HZyuwn8qx6YnQ2wt-SJR4OSGKlBN5PM8_Jg=s1600)
Extra Heavy Infantry/Dismounted Boukellaroi:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrOiuwtGIf2sN-titxz0uX_3h7wlgaBPM3qQVOWcjiEm2PYu2Mt2gMenpkNnPcXzalBm-LJbIhYDua6omiq8lFtc3NgjSlhe_5NDXDQNaLF0PNsy58WUW0vu4bOaSgOZ7WEvm4ueuFm7frBQQGb_y4s8sHmYB1WYrC_qMMze3aapIGB_HOO_81JSNViQ=s1600)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglyK0YjugyeltlRMvHCxcvDo8nebDh_iaKgnSlQgkoXWq9jXaEpop4ZUc9HVTGn3Fy032jq4-AxjKbm6MHnt9eJDcbRZd2DEOLcBSwfYiJT_99zxF-h9AS4UxxZPq-rvRJnBs6m3zom1aMvCTtl5zObd08rHPxeHxVwv2ljEw05HJPyMGnXlDdCKPhaw=s1600)
Heavy Kavallaroi:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9g2Prk7mhiQq2KSk_F45qNE_G-KcJEYjr8ZzZsdr1F_Nls5ahysTWJ1ti5lMYFROYOn_-XTZi4Hig3njLmH9u4kEWxrni3qTQ010rf2agBwoVSUe8Cy_n8hZ7oBVu-NVuhV32oM5sJRlDO9OgqA6gH8xIANszofqNZny-M8M2L_Tw404MaxxvqQat0A=s1600)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpNxhrI8SscPXe8P-oh6uuhkpm2o3wFLg1SbTdHBSHwTBqMttbjNvyvnu0_F3UEq1xf5jDNuErfXi8A4fud-Uw5ATzWIymYT6wNrdK13Zr9Z9rrWI1ZaJlwG8wFSxa_J79Hh7275Nfo45LZQJpm7QgAyMOzUH-dxo_DMGBrEvYVlxrgd03YsCNBcVYtw=s1600)
Psiloi:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEFc1qXNOHsAB-tjNKn9tEdlC2ABPJql05jkrn50E19Teg2YoQxSGNqZkAi4H46zySysRPnkNnb2TZ0Ra4V8UISoS2xR2eQdvGlGoPOao5xStSTI-FZ_NCWbcN8S28aRK_kbFpW6HJXgFiYkc_aqMRgGvWYnxW08l4_I0LgD_viN3DHp4C9IBNDaPKvQ=s1600)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXEwM4I6o2Zf-BWG0LK4E91T3FuvV1zrJGj0qTjaprviGtpsLHg9TOLlN8COEw88pErcv4Tumvw9QftJvMWLjPD8zoix1cN1RczIMqtPe4r-RMbpi9XJqZsE-f5fP85FCdLg6fgpLgysy1BMO7ZE26qpq5OhNKKoqmsdVNlXROVkyRhbAvsYMEvyF7tw=s1600)
Skutatoi Command Base:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjl3vfmhK98m6Wd_tq8zokJodBdWJmCzjCk3Is_fX0K_MICYaTS8yiOYAtGi8GXHviwNheiiQd0zT9j8CcqHb3xZhdbT1U22zx3xM2T1cpSoZqhJhcheLxqhoJ3hRh6sCJPv6NGWl5muRlTWXXhmQmPJ5jrxhrPr8XW2xLmBnGQKAi8UFrR0HbcpjsL8Q=s881)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0IUieMT6Nk7KQd9zELU66m-7SQS0_Plg9_vN8BLIuvW2ed-ywpQlViZpOfvnYcrIJg_lJGsRrAsuCkbAfppk7H0XkDKH6WjYICanvLfGtroDPMnDARpmYDjdxfULaRIyc1asUp0LoTSEEaKlFqgazWls_yfMlyit7AVCRmMwTEw7AwoverLeZcoj7Kg=s815)
Steppe Nomad Allies/White Huns- Cantabrian Circle:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2icPezPp5uR8ROF4khHd1tkR_xMamyEaxzPxEktsGp41VVYeswYMV1BL-ODM03aZ5IExvOX52PTArgSUMszH5ZfjabCiUYMemrsEtnAbM-qcDHGeegCM8tSho-LGvw_TBp3DgFNKNMS8bFgITGPSDANX3em34tCMgidSRUInLZSZv97uRCfyy9d21GQ=s1500)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxaFbUe37WS6NJ1hxMK4ULnuzUAw0EvmRI0YyqCqot83A2Fl58WsQesowI4NEOCCGUGV5KbU6uzG1hLVUlzelTmlqSzu4OAIurZq-arKtUcbPq_TnfGNl7Ti7zdutgC8rboQJ3xO8Y07J4yk18heDEE4w1iAPo6ZBgCLFn8g1YvcQmUTfGQ6c2x9W9fw=s1500)
Torsion Engine 1:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaIvSnKf3ElFOMocL0j7d37CCvQgkOfRBgPmS4iceJpDRYHNE3FpzkYy7Iw9GBYov9zPmFyUVUKIRBldGkedwiMO-44FEq-AIB-m45nudtBJl2hsaDemOhjwoljKD342nL2fLoTs3yt6tDhk2C2NgxifWvDhvbVTlMz8ZVE3ASMBDh9UEcs_c2XsCmIA=s1200)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQKYsiwhxddSfkKPqqDnmzgfyfSujQvPFpwNGeUOmFuR5Fmi2Bzukdh7Kqk86zCca3k8uHyrbbn9Yx_cdFK5oZ4rFM7z8RUuuIY9zYCUMlO2QII98BLwgQnEdEWIjU7ogKQ9oLQduhSbbP04M8m6He9DmiFiGACk05Z5sGqIGHlW4ozswnbqjM1xC7Uw=s1600)
Torsion Engine 2:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5nnhAsn2XA3POfaXA5HOeAUENNIPv63MMdBb4vb5siRiRcnt8XkzZC_WxQDhbfIYtWo74dZFzrftMzkoImMupgO36IkgiKMKNojG6ej1v8VTVDkN7sSVwrE4QeHmH_1rPQwAPicuIx8X3iSU3_x_9z6kESfYBVan5YIg0rgOgzOclmdRF6oRrEeXqog=s1000)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihMcnXiL-sq2K57oW7q1iTaPXOKVONtx00FARK5FA9nSbkxwgvF98Mo53-BYjh1ut3FBpAd0hyLqnuAhCdYBtx1TGwS4ks33Cg5B2NnE4qS7sbYymUOsCL8G6FZJ3VzRLrvkFXw8jK73OlfLuTptfGYVxRzlR0y_XV5SfvjL-R3ObBmg9Bk58EqB4JNw=s1000)
Unarmoured Skutatoi Unit 1:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnSjHsAeg5wVQg0sBhFX1emPJ9LhNTjqgpw62w-KzrNto6c81wLYwgMUsqVjnqmF1bOObi6CkRvMg3JCx1TpwpB3SNJTgTTcFxQOThUyJyWvCutcV8F7we9obvPhRNJ6g9OAK0hvb0xP-BU87_ec0hgPXNkg005vxdA_MM7Yb4BKUNKTGGKvoF6IOg7w=s1600)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4zKMWxBNHow9YZ_BuxpwSspSv6X0Fu14SAE9aMSAHP6hiavFT-JlX84cDSmAk5OD-KVLnIGrjQkskd13MEI07r7WNQ3mPsIarbrAXc0elqvKnywLA2nOdlY4Qwa3bH8OHDNsatUWQFadqK04gdENN2iwGpQ3uUr29k6Hv-_oOMPn-EhwhayHRI56aQw=s1600)
Unarmoured Skutatoi Unit 2:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUqV-ZjvSPLhKD2bzCA05kWu2_Oi8MsgyGH19Zi0AICRRlAGj2c3BJ7tqSmcWnvLJETp89JfdwUj6kQHT3BSdmnWnBHqQwhKzbGYydwl_Q1UPFwmzi8-uD-R10bXvNZIliPO6qaL2FmdPOI3u-2a10gflc20DVR_uXxeGDnU9bkijpAyfg9IzhuSrKRg=s1600)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1LJakNL8KJzPhYUWhtO_7sU0weiJt14d1hjN63qT21f4AcYCCA6U8qvzLw-hVZ0e-YjHRwNLAIqRd0MJP9DAUYTFBF8E9wHmFJPKE9LgqvBlMJE-KCWeHQpnlRS9wvxjiJY3od-bfJdGqjwT1wIsbu7WfxioHtcrd9ZCTdf1rNqTkzMpgmGkQqYwCkA=s1600)
At a guess about two thirds of the way through the Byzantines with the Sassanids to come next! o_o lol
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Nice. :)
I was looking at your blog yesterday,trying to work out your painting style. Then it hit me; you don’t use any zenithal lighting,fascinating how other people paint.
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Nice. :)
Thanks mate :)
I was looking at your blog yesterday,trying to work out your painting style.
Ah, you too. I do quite a lot of that sort of thing myself lol
Then it hit me; you don’t use any zenithal lighting,fascinating how other people paint.
Nope. Just the old school method of prime black, undercoat black then layer the colours on. I'm not knocking different methods- it's just the way in which I feel most comfortable painting.
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Gorgeously colorful work, brilliant!
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Gorgeously colorful work, brilliant!
Thanks matey :)
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Absolutely stunning!
You have a very clean and bright painting style - it must look fantastic on the table top.
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Absolutely stunning!
Thanks David.
You have a very clean and bright painting style - it must look fantastic on the table top.
Thank you David. Unfortunately I'm yet to find out what the army looks like in battle as I haven't been able to get to the club in two years :'(
I do have a post on my blog with the army somewhat arrayed. The images are a over exposed (I knocked the exposure balance by accident o_o ) but they give some idea of what the army looks like.
It here if you want to take a peek?:
http://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2021/05/early-byzantines-on-parade-and-future.html (http://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2021/05/early-byzantines-on-parade-and-future.html)
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Those pictures give a good impression of how it will look once it games in anger - even more stunning when seen en masse!
I had a Hinchliffe Byzantine army many many years ago now, and I was intending to collect Sassanids to oppose them. Your army is much nicer than mine was, and I'm very jealous ;)
I hope you get them on a table to fight soon.
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Those pictures give a good impression of how it will look once it games in anger - even more stunning when seen en masse!
We have plans for desert type tiles and the city walls for the Battle of Dara 530AD for a start. My ultimate plan is to work through all the major battles of the 6th Century involving the Byzantines..... with a view to following into the 7th Century too! (Yeah, I know! lol)
I had a Hinchliffe Byzantine army many many years ago now, and I was intending to collect Sassanids to oppose them. Your army is much nicer than mine was, and I'm very jealous ;)
Thanks David. I'm always a little lost for words when dealing with compliments but know your kind words are appreciated :)
I hope you get them on a table to fight soon.
As soon as they are, I can assure you, the camera and tripod will be in full effect :D 8)
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just knock-out :-*
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just knock-out :-*
Thanks Bloggard :)
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I recently put together some simple (but effective?) conversions to create more varied command bases for my Early Byzantines. Since the days of seeing Barry Hilton's Flodden bases and David Imrie's wonderfully well c0nstructed Late Roman era units back in the early 2000's I have tried to present by bases as small vignettes where possible.
For more information on which packs I used from the Aventine Early Byzantine range, what composition I went for and for many more pictures please hop on over to my Just Add Water blog here:
http://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2022/10/converted-early-byzantine-command-bases.html
Command Base 1:
A simple repositioning of the arm was all that was needed to make the advancing Skutatoi/Kontaratoi model into an advancing standard bearer.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAusXQuBBYgOLoq1F1Iqr6dnGTmQ2kQpph0ROkRu3fLx1JXL5-VH_dpd_Lfu00c3b4sielg3G8EYpZ25zwdVhf0Xv9Rqc6PIuZpmhJRDr1oORD3ruJJC1wB9aBTKIejWapwIuKZQBBw5DFC9e4wRcFByWbtpv_F8DE2E3n8RSM2uUIPcljKQBZE-gEpw/s731/COMMAND%20STAND%20UNARMOURED%201B.jpg)
The Finished Article:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_GoZ29wXI5Vl-4Jaza81ao3IUk5SCZcOrFMF0AbpEUc-zNGNWOAGL8vQh-QsFXcD9jfYNAd6kf5wXeB2trUDH1jP2AV4BciEwFbMzp4e8hPUOCP7gtMrzEMrlifT-vMUrw2-8FByrd2_6-zcETwq75DRXfCyFQwyoLvZoziWfKfRqTdoE9Cdc-xT7A/s810/P1020732.jpg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoOI3b_B1rUZkznvX2UEt58RWKH_R-u7npuAtaoC8bBKm3H6IGh1WRz2MPCphowCSM65eybSOPGA59xBYITKy7TSmYgGjA9kQG29CKXf28M5D_j_Pcvxe2ntkb4zIww6cFkUwtlQzbwJ_qOPqwJ9dXVq0lz1j6k9Cm--dvB1WsnM3kUOSndor_nw4SQ/s793/P1020739.jpg)
Command Base 2:
The standard on the right was carefully clipped off, filed down and replaced with part of a wire spear. The Draco was easily glued into place. A straightforward head using one of the spare heads from on of the command packs was then added.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbqjYNz0IZALJ7MTwWHcNnB9otP5wiETXht6qVKxbOEbbfV7QfU4K-LbC5A-zPHgRouQCZ1BIKO9WV7OC3w4KmLj6TB0XCMqw0BV1ULpvwaEtunSoddfL65xyBr0hPsH7RTLujo9OGb3IKXhOFdc_U26DlrObxnYIftTxME4VE3JZDEY8J9UVBnW8WQ/s754/COMMAND%20STAND%20UNARMOURED%202A.jpg)
The Finished Article:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAx2Zh__DxyND0uPRclfX2Mp-zccYzId2cmAD2olc-YmIC1GN-IAzAoZoU3HAII_s_5JXe71ZX0mibU4tbC97PWSsITbBc0jO2ctfIQfpNfWDLyd9ce14t8q5GWc5C8OQPDY9iATw3R-0xiDFZIdDCDN_vtPBOWaki-GLaNh-rV7Oili-aRdPfnjEWvw/s839/P1020724.jpg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqH-0Dd3PdqHacrLX_COsBFrKv8FjELHABjNZwsFGzl5XQFwITr2Oqwr7mU9VyRsAMYggwHhP_CNUWCEWyoWsFyMse8S0FCUsQVuU5PqGCOTK5_Yfpo0UDE84qVH1J9CDExorRtN5FlofKCdedgsPuUtMvtmizC9Jk1lkAg5kiUB4eoZFAUr7ukA8kQ/s857/P1020731.jpg)
Cheers
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The bloke on the garden wall basng is inspired! :-* Really love these.
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The bloke on the garden wall basng is inspired! :-* Really love these.
Thanks mate.
The wall is just one of those hard embossed plastic made for model railway enthusiasts.
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Wedge!
Found this little pic whilst switching laptops..... thought I'd add it here lest is be lost.....
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslK92kq5nZDp8ziKNLEztR3I2a52ETravpJAvPHVIDwqUmH5QNGcLuZY8nq2qhIYSJLpwpaTOZ1qRZlVl_ick-Rh-A_4ppRzLQeLgh8wZEWH8gx-KRpaR_Bj6xk9cvMnw1dJ4HqMV7QIYng5va7fWha-71FpAi_rPcZYgcxJd53uySwDnMLWk1wzqMw/s1600/FOR%20LAF%20THREAD%201.jpg)
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I love your stuff so much! Any chance you could give us some army pics of your stuff?
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I love your stuff so much! Any chance you could give us some army pics of your stuff?
Thanks Batu.
I did take some "On Parade" snaps a while back but knocked the white balance radically when doing so. I've since cleaned up the pictures as best as I could. They are by far from the best quality but here they are:
Oh, if you want to see the full size large files, just click right on the image, click on "On image in new tab" and Bob's your uncle!
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgcSSHEmrAkjCV-ozLAAbtpO219i94bONRTq6UsRqrx-JvMDds6B271fHH5_NFdPTL34udK8TvU4QdMJ_MO8z-0dhX4HZbr9tEJncuD1I3ReUiaTmaEGRh_ogeoq7VGuIylRWDYHL5ruBc8c0KPW6rksnE6tWcJUcFReztT9Mge0j35nMSeOQuf7vWQ/s2000/P1010799.jpg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaZNMTzS8gjPE2aHu1kfQ-eO_8Vw1lg2_2Z0yfbrwCxvyddBt5sKuwPS8suL1aewzN0JCP1pVyfAIUK6hOKUEkFxmSgQFq54TMtuMJRToMRZtMF0FDUGRz1je833tSLVAT-p3X8pwOX1ivUVWhvQOBFm4elGsBdsaLZgoZrpDrq3JzWxccHMEi5cDkQ/s2000/P1010801.jpg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheP5QTwRBFciGRd7STIzK0E-J4Ri9YBKHRBzZ09SKJiyZzZ1cAtDXT7a9bgxynfl6flFL71eW4f1GKd_B_HzfaBcoVw8a0zsqv2M_W63Z5aaJBX4mnwUWYfbexOY82qUj3MM0R2_m0xowPfiTMI5FfySomWw0Iwun5YkELb2TFjlxaoaR5WVayK6p1eQ/s2000/P1010803.jpg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cSNsLDNCNUW4r_TA5WzmvISD14cgOmP-H_AoCRySy2556OLCGbmNLB6u14FVsrR7brCRLbYlKTOsIc8-zlppbvsAKTsjyrP0eMWSuXAL4pApi6iN6Pe04ACrI9r178sdoqQPG32ua2WHuCZbe-j-XB5nCrykyqZPt9KXvXpNa9R3_JzjMrh8o4_7eA/s2000/P1010804.jpg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLDDDYCeR-xdX1aN650xO7Dkxsj1X3JcMwHpjTE8pos85o4vv57Pr-dgFrBFFH0KSk7e4SGkYCbj7snTYx7H0scRsRX5MOtpSMDieukDi1l_IwyS5LEVTKKg1W9yF_Mx9loCYqJgktY1Gh6uo1lcMTe2JQtfli-4xC-A9nLj3HphOiTs2Lkb6TIbW-w/s2000/P1010805.jpg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyF8KrgYZKlE36sXkewVTA5Qjhfs5ynVYnf0vamDp-rk9MVEMo1tzs5hvJQhvvR5si5cIpRj2ATw1dqznzUfTU27rjWxXQg29GvZ5LGz_TQ4t01BgmxDIav57LN2dlQzimXsIhVkDFSlSQ48L4axjkyI0pl2jCDvNc-pvZJks6xW10_uDfptGsEhPwQA/s2000/P1010806.jpg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnxM0dClzWOvM3KqidKLE94fK7Gj7_JeU6XOKi_XrVUzplG9eRdsuwQwoUofF3L7VjjUWnf5vscToCr2GWjP-kGiD0jDpcqa_wLBHKVPMh2Uac3qSNkGL2vyKDN9S6H9gJrHX9ySw1DKI1mzPhfKwmGeZwk8mTNeWYparRAJPdxb776aBcOUlIvjmHw/s2000/P1010807.jpg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEJddcg8WWkpjQd-qcRPe07-D9eXLkcGDdtgeTXRMthPWbQoY3-EcNy7_RfQje8EgTvRX5_H5EUmKOHNmD0BkmwYXWVHjCiyaxJ9JRV4gSrVDONOklv6YWfs1rsGivsGDJRBfmtf4MEA1JKdJMfAWbs5kX4WW_4m1YrmcWAk5vCHvIIvk7UzCZEBv0Q/s2000/P1010809.jpg)
I'll be sure to take more pics of the army in line of battle ASAP. :)
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Beautiful! Which miniature brand is your favorite? And what rules are you using normally?
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Beautiful! Which miniature brand is your favorite?
They're all from Keith and Adam at Aventine Miniatures from their Early Byzantine range which allows for armies to be made up from the reign of Justinian (527-565) to that of Heraclius (610–641). The range is so extensive it boggles my mind even now! o_o
And what rules are you using normally?
OK, the army was originally based for Swordpoint but I'm not sure at the moment. Everything was based so that with a little jiggling of the bases in each unit they would be used to create an army using Impetus, Warhammer Ancient Battles, To the Strongest, Sword and Spear etc. Thus far, the army has grown but still not made it to the tabletop! :o
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Pure Aventine :P Seems like you are set on the rules front! Anyway, amazing army!
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Miniature Eye candy at its best.
even if your photos are a bit off, your work is outstandingly good
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Miniature Eye candy at its best.
even if your photos are a bit off, your work is outstandingly good
I'll certainly be taking some higher quality pictures at some point soon.
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'WEDGE' lol (some uncomfortable flash-backs from that!).
lovely paint-jobs and fantastic to see them en masse.
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Simply magnificent as we’ve come to expect from the Demon painter himself ❤️👌
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Amazing and motivating! :-*
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'WEDGE' lol (some uncomfortable flash-backs from that!).
lovely paint-jobs and fantastic to see them en masse.
Thanks for sharing..... trauma is never easy to share ;D :D
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All absolutely gorgeous. I especially like the unit with the blue shields and how you've created that diorama feel of the whole unit bracing for impact. Wonderful. Remembering what you wrote the other day about not enjoying painting skirmishers so much, I couldn't help but notice a big rock had replaced one of the slingers! For your white clothes, would I be right in thinking light grey base + thinned white highlight? It's one of the many colours I'm still struggling with.
'WEDGE' lol (some uncomfortable flash-backs from that!).
Oooofff lol
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at the risk of derailing :D we may be talking about different things ... the 'Wedge' I'm referring to was a schoolboy thing involving mass scrums in corridors between lessons ... It was shouted out as a call to arms by some rabble-rousing miscreant or other and then the set-to got underway ... - sort of pre-mosh pit type thing for boys of a certain age I guess. o_o
anyhow, back to the beautifully painted miniatures.
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Amazing and motivating! :-*
Thank you very much Tonhel
Simply magnificent as we’ve come to expect from the Demon painter himself ❤️👌
Hmmmm...... I like that, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy; "Demon painter" :D
All absolutely gorgeous. I especially like the unit with the blue shields and how you've created that diorama feel of the whole unit bracing for impact. Wonderful. Remembering what you wrote the other day about not enjoying painting skirmishers so much, I couldn't help but notice a big rock had replaced one of the slingers!
For your white clothes, would I be right in thinking light grey base + thinned white highlight? It's one of the many colours I'm still struggling with.
The "recipe" is actually a relatively simple one. Choose a warm grey tone which veers towards a brown or a yellow- you're going for warm because of the next colour in the mix and that is Vallejo model Colour Ivory (you guessed it- it's a warm white :) )
Then it's just a case of adding a wee bit of VMC Ivory into the mix for layers to suit. From memory (which is admittedly a bit ropey these days) I think I used four layers including the final highlight. Talking of which, the final highlight was Vallejo model Colour Off White which was painted only on the absolute extremities and around the Clavii (decorative stripes) and Orbiculi (decorative patches).
Hope that helps? If you have any more questions, please just holler :)
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Love that wedge formation photo!
Of all your beautifully painted armies/models that I've seen online or 'in the flesh' as it were, this army is by far my favourite! I really admire the fact that you are still painting at this staggering level of quality several years after first seeing your work. I only wish that the ability I had back in those days was still with me!
Inspiring stuff!
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Magnificent brushwork!
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Magnificent brushwork!
Thanks mate.
Love that wedge formation photo!
Those Wedges always look the business :)
Of all your beautifully painted armies/models that I've seen online or 'in the flesh' as it were, this army is by far my favourite!
Thank you so much Andy. Very much appreciated.
I really admire the fact that you are still painting at this staggering level of quality several years after first seeing your work. I only wish that the ability I had back in those days was still with me!
Inspiring stuff!
Thanks again mate. It really means a lot to me to hear this from you as you, of course, are one of my influences too! Same generation of WAB'ers ;) :D
I still have very fond memories of gawping at your work on the WAB Forum and sneaking in some close up views at WHW weekends, Gripping Beast HQ for Cold Steel and Hot Lead.
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he "recipe" is actually a relatively simple one. Choose a warm grey tone which veers towards a brown or a yellow- you're going for warm because of the next colour in the mix and that is Vallejo model Colour Ivory (you guessed it- it's a warm white :) )
Then it's just a case of adding a wee bit of VMC Ivory into the mix for layers to suit. From memory (which is admittedly a bit ropey these days) I think I used four layers including the final highlight. Talking of which, the final highlight was Vallejo model Colour Off White which was painted only on the absolute extremities and around the Clavii (decorative stripes) and Orbiculi (decorative patches).
Thanks. Yes, that is massively helpful, especially the 'warm' base coat. That really hadn't occurred. Very much appreciated.
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Thanks. Yes, that is massively helpful, especially the 'warm' base coat. That really hadn't occurred. Very much appreciated.
No probs. I'm always happy to talk about painting toy soldiers :)
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Thank you for this thread :-*
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Thank you for this thread :-*
Thank you for the kind words Totleben :)
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I made the front cover of Slingshot,the Society of Ancients Journal. Quite an honour in many ways given the breadth of knowledge contained within it's pages for decades.
I think there might be more pictures of my work inside. I'm still waiting for my copy to pop through the letterbox so will keep you informed in the event anyone is interested.
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Congratulations on the cover! Excellent work, as always.
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Does this mean I now have a wargaming celebrity coming to my event in June?
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Congratulations on the cover! Excellent work, as always.
Thanks :)
Does this mean I now have a wargaming celebrity coming to my event in June?
Yeah, and I expecting the red carpet treatment and to be carried around on a litter as befits the greatness of Antiochus III lol
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It’s Manchester mate, best you’ll get is an “ow do”
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It’s Manchester mate, best you’ll get is an “ow do”
lol
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Well deserved!
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Yeah, they're gert lush and deservedly on the cover.
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Well deserved!
Yeah, they're gert lush and deservedly on the cover.
Thanks guys. I'm still waiting for my copy of Slingshot to pop through my letterbox :)
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I told you that the bloke on the garden wall was a winner. Congrats on the cover, it’s really lovely work.
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Masterful painting! This kond of eye candy is just brilliant.
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Thanks guys- I've been in touch with the editor and there's a whole section featuring my work! o_o :o
Definitely an honour to be featured 8)
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A very well deserved recognition! Congratulations
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A very well deserved recognition! Congratulations
Thanks mate, that's kind of you to say so. :)
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good job this editor knows good painting when he sees it....
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good job this editor knows good painting when he sees it....
Ha-ha, thanks you for the very kind words :)
There is work from other members of the SoA in the centerfold as well as mine.
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indeed and we are a broad-church of appreciation for all painted efforts
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A couple of hand painted banners from my Justinian army.
hopefully seeing this thread again will get me to pull my finger out and finish the army! I'm actually only about half way through! :o
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superb.
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Beautiful!
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halfway is still great effort at this level, wow, that's superb work.
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Thanks guys. Very much appreciated :)
halfway is still great effort at this level, wow, that's superb work.
The idea is to put on Dara 530 CE on at a show sometime..... As I have said, partly because of my inability to stick to the units who fought there(!) I still have half the Byzantines to finish off before i get around to the Sassanids!
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lovely work as ever!
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lovely work as ever!
Thank you. :)
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Gorgeous. :-* If you don’t mind my asking, what’s your process for big freehands like this?
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Gorgeous. :-* If you don’t mind my asking, what’s your process for big freehands like this?
Thank you. They're not actually that big (To give you some idea- I think about 3-3.5cm wide). Basically I just pick an image, draw it lightly in pencil then paint- "fat over lean" but without the oil paint :)
I might try to do a tutorial at some stage if there's any interest?
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I definitely would be interested in a tutorial on painting those!
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I definitely would be interested in a tutorial on painting those!
OK, the next time I get around to painting up a figurative Early Byzantine banner I'll put one together :)
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These banners are so cool that I want to put the Empire back together (on tabletop ;D)
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OK, the next time I get around to painting up a figurative Early Byzantine banner I'll put one together :)
Cool! I’ll watch for it.
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Bravo mate
Look forward to my copy arriving
Cheers
MattW
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You know if you can manage that in oils on wood, you could have a profitable little sideline knocking out religious icons. Beautifully executed.
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These banners are so cool that I want to put the Empire back together (on tabletop ;D)
Get to it Captain sir! :D
Cool! I’ll watch for it.
Please do, it might be a while (Gate Fulford at Partizan to prep for) but it will definitely happen as I still have literally hundreds of Aventine Early Byzantines still in the queue!
Bravo mate
Look forward to my copy arriving
Cheers
MattW
It came out a few issues ago Matt.
You know if you can manage that in oils on wood, you could have a profitable little sideline knocking out religious icons. Beautifully executed.
Funny you should say that...... I do have a Fine Art degree and I can paint figuratively with oils well enough to knock out a few icons..... the problem is, I'm not religious and it is a complicated topic.
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Cool! I’ll watch for it.
Same here! Sounds good to me :D
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You know if you can manage that in oils on wood, you could have a profitable little sideline knocking out religious icons. Beautifully executed.
Icons are painted with egg tempera traditionally and also use golden leaf.
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Icons are painted with egg tempera traditionally and also use golden leaf.
I found myself using egg tempera at Uni on a couple of occasions. On plaster too. Very difficult to work with as you have to wet the plaster as you go along painting.
I'll stick to my wee bottles of acrylic for now lol