Dark and horrid age

[horridperson]

In the coming year I want to give historicals a whirl and decided on the approaching edition of SAGA.  The prospect of actually playing is a ways off yet but it's easy to find an excuse to paint nice looking miniatures.  This is definitely one of those times because I recently got hold of my first Footsore Miniatures and they are hot!  Terribly characterful models reminiscent of classic sculpt style that appeals to me but a a very polished modern quality as well.  I placed an order over Black Friday and am eagerly awaiting their arrival.  I intend to paint a Saxon warband.  While I wait for the main force I got busy painting an Aella figure that got me interested in the range.

I intend to use this figure as my warlord.  I'm not sure what his story is yet but I see him as a veteran soldier with a history somewhere between Cornwell' Uhtred and Rollo from Vikings.  What a fun models.  Can't wait to pain some more.

[Utgaard]

A very nice figure indeed and so beautifully painted too!

[Captain Blood]

Nice work.
He’s a classic sculpt.
It’s amazing how a single really wonderful, characterful, evocative figure like this can act as a magnet for an entire range.
He seduced me into building two complete Footsore armies of Arthurians and Saxons too! (Well, him and the mounted Arthur).
Looking forward to seeing the rest 

[Jacksarge]

Looks great! Such a nice sculpt & a top paint-job.

[Wellington Bonaparte]

Superb paint job, I love the richness of the  blue and the purple lining to his cloak. Look forward to seeing the rest of the warband.

[Marine0846]

Your figure is what I think of as the classic Dark Age warrior.
Really love how you painted him.
Can't wait to see what you paint next.

[horridperson]

Thanks for encouraging words.  I haven't painted many historicals so I'm a little daunted about getting them reasonably right.  The figures are a real kindness though.  They were made for taking paint and flatter brushwork.   My warlord has a name.  I think I will call him Eadwulf along with his Saxon overlords.  I also painted him up a daughter.  Along with Aella I also ordered a Guinevere.  I didn't do a great deal of research but hopefully her clothing will pass as 9th century Saxon.  I won't go into their history here (I have to keep something for the blog if I ever get around to making the entry) but here is the mostly completed figure.

[Lost Egg]

Lovely paint jobs and characterful minis, I'm looking forward to seeing more.

If it's of interest, here is an interesting article on Dark Age colour palettes...
http://1000footgeneral.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/dark-ages-color-palettes.html

[THE CID]

A great start, I love Footsore figures. Look forward to seeing more.

[Vagabond]

HP very nice painting, I like that you are researching the colour of dyes. Lt Hazel posted some stuff on here about dyes for I think a German war band he painted, sorry don't have a link although I have a printed copy of his work. It was about 2/3 years ago, worth looking at.

LostEgg thanks for posting the link, some good stuff there.
Cheers

[horridperson]

Thanks for sharing the link and making some suggestions regarding the colours.  Both figures look they got nearly the royal treatment for costuming but I like that they will stand out dramatically from the common soldiery.  I might have been better off starting with common warriors of the Fyrd but it's not that sort of figure that draws me into a project; Lesson learned.

I started building the character backgrounds and posted a quick blurb on my blog if the story bit is of interest to you.



 Dark Age Bring your Kid to Work Day

[Lost Egg]

They look great mate, no idea if those colours are accurate or not but in the end who cares as long as they look cool. AS you say, the royal treatment will help them stand out from the plebs of the warband.

[Utgaard]

Also this figure has become great again, wonderful painting!

[Breazer]

Excellent stuff so far. I love the footsores a lot and your painting does them justice!

[horridperson]

I ran out of models .  My little teaser of figures I ordered is done so I'm at the mercy of the postal service before I can start up again.  It's not a bad thing really.  I'm happy when I can finish up everything and have that sense of accomplishment before diving in again.  The remaining models made a nice end to the group of Saxon characters I have been devising.  I have a rough outline as to who he and the monk are and the story will probably take place in two time periods.  I would like to play a combination of Blood Eagle and SAGA to document their adventures.  Thanks for sharing your interest in the project.  Hopefully things will arrive in the near future so I can keep at it.