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Miniatures Adventure => Fantasy Adventures => Topic started by: Blue in vt on May 06, 2013, 08:02:59 PM

Title: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Blue in vt on May 06, 2013, 08:02:59 PM
Hpwdy all,

I wanted to start a thread where I could assemble pictures of the 5th edition Bretonnian Warband/small army that I have been working on.  If you have been following the LPL this year you have seen some components of this force...and you may see more in the future... ;) but here I can post pictures of figures that I have done for other contests on other sites and some of the complete units that I have made from the various contest entries.

My love affair with these Perry Brother sculpts started when I purchased a pack of the metal archers shortly after their release in 1995.  I never got around to painting them at the time but was really taken by the quality of the sculpting.  I first painted those 5 figures up almost 15 years later for LPL 6 and was now completely infatuated with the figures and started to hunt down as much of the other figures from this range as possible...and that fit with my vision for this "army".  I see these troops as the professional field army of a small, outlying noble on the fringes of the Empire...perhaps a Bretonnian Noble that was awarded a small land holding after saving the Emperors bacon at a battle or some such... This remoteness and Bretonnian origin is used to explain the rather drastic difference in uniform style and armament when contrasted with my puff and slash style "regular" Empire forces which are made up of LAM Brugelburg and late 3rd edition Citadel empire figures.  To this end the majority of the force is made up of Men at Arms, a unit of armored archers, a unit of scouts, and some mounted archers/squires.  I will ultimately include a unit of traditional Knights to represent the noble sons of this region as well.

So on with the pictures.  First up is the finished unit of Armored archers that I have used for the last two rounds of LPL7 as well as the entry from LPL 6.  I'm not really happy with the banner at this stage but I don't have time to go back and fix it right now.

(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/csabick/Brets/BretArcherUnit_zps3d5a7e6c.jpg) (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/csabick/media/Brets/BretArcherUnit_zps3d5a7e6c.jpg.html)

To back up these missile troops I painted a unit of 15 spearmen for the Unit Painting Challenge over on Bugman's Brewery...official unit nickname "Red Stags"...unofficial nickname "the Bleeding Harts"  lol

(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/csabick/Brets/5WideHigh_zpsaad766bd.jpg) (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/csabick/media/Brets/5WideHigh_zpsaad766bd.jpg.html)

(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/csabick/Brets/5Wide45_zps00989b0b.jpg) (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/csabick/media/Brets/5Wide45_zps00989b0b.jpg.html)

Still to come are the aforementioned unit of scouts...of which this is a teaser pic...

(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/csabick/Brets/photo_zps1bdb2fbc.jpg) (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/csabick/media/Brets/photo_zps1bdb2fbc.jpg.html)

And Here are the knights...patiently waiting their turn on the painting table

(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/csabick/Brets/Knights1redu.jpg) (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/csabick/media/Brets/Knights1redu.jpg.html)

These last two figures I will use as my contingent general and standard bearer

(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/csabick/Brets/KingandStandardredu.jpg) (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/csabick/media/Brets/KingandStandardredu.jpg.html)

I'll add the pictures of the Mounted Squires when they are done competing in this weeks LPL...but they are far from a complete unit...right now I have 7 of those sculpts...I believe their are about 18 total unique sculpts from that range...and I hope to track them all down eventually so that may get split into two unit.  On that note if you have some of those to sell..please drop me a PM... ;)

Thats all for now...thanks for looking!

Cheers,

Blue
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Thantsants on May 06, 2013, 08:17:28 PM
Lurverly - top stuff Blue, and I really like the idea of some Bretonnian noble being given a small slice of the Empire as a reward.

Can we expect some form of the animosity rule to be played if they are fielded next to any disgruntled Empire troops from the local principalities?  ;)
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Blue in vt on May 06, 2013, 08:38:22 PM
Lurverly - top stuff Blue, and I really like the idea of some Bretonnian noble being given a small slice of the Empire as a reward.

Can we expect some form of the animosity rule to be played if they are fielded next to any disgruntled Empire troops from the local principalities?  ;)

thats a good question Thantsants....The fluffy background for my long dreamed of campaign is still in its nascent form in my head...but yes I think that is a possibility...I foresee things starting with powerful Chaos and Greenskin forces clashing with the outlying forces of this "Bret" Noble and Dwarf forces defending their local mining interests....these will be represented by Ulther's, Bugmans, and a Unit of the Plastic Dwarfs from the Warhammer Regiments box.  As the invasion continues and the pressure increases these forces will be reinforced by "proper" imperial units who come to save their bacon...these will be the Marauder Pike dwarfs, White Knight Dwarfs, and Puff and Slash empire and Brugelburg troops.  So I see some conflict between the country bumpkins and the city slickers being inevitable... lol

Cheers,

Blue
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Imp522 on May 06, 2013, 08:45:32 PM
These are looking really good. I like the color choices you've used.
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: .:Gunslinger:. on May 06, 2013, 08:47:12 PM
Hi,

I love the old bretonnians-and I love the way you painted those up even more! Really really cool painting and I'll stay focused on this thread aswell as the LPL for new pictures! Keep up the amazing work :-*

The red stags are  my favourite! How did you paint the red leather armor on the abnner guy?
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: majorsmith on May 06, 2013, 08:49:09 PM
really nice paint work, love the colors you have chosen
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Mason on May 06, 2013, 09:03:08 PM
Seriously neat paint jobs on these fellas.
A great pallette chosen so far.
 :-* :-*


This is going to be a beautiful army when you have finished, Blue.
Looking forward to following its development.
 8)

Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Funghy-Fipps on May 06, 2013, 09:30:36 PM
You should be really proud. I love the heraldry in particular.
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: redzed on May 06, 2013, 09:48:26 PM
ace painting, and brave choice of colours 8)
Blue & Green unless done correctly can look horrendous, you've hit the perfect balance :)

So perfect I will be 'borrowing' all your ideas lol
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Jevenkah on May 06, 2013, 10:57:27 PM
Beautiful! Lovely colors! Can't wait to see them assembled in all their glory!

Where are the scouts from?

Jevenkah
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: airbornegrove26 on May 07, 2013, 12:01:23 AM
I have been following the progress on this with interest.  The warband is really coming together, with some lovely paintjobs by the way. 

Very nice back story as well.  Keep up the god work Blue!

Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Faust23 on May 07, 2013, 04:15:51 AM
Love it!  Great use of color and tone. I really dig the red stag motif.

Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Constable Bertrand on May 07, 2013, 08:01:25 AM
Blue they are FANTASTIC!  :-*  :-*  :-*  :-*  :-* Very cool PJ's  8)

Your patience in collecting the range of sculpts and in layering each figure shows. Use your dip as much as you want for your other figs, these Bretonnians show the love you put in them. I'm very impressed with your squires yet you say they are not finished???!!!

cheers
matt
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Drunkendwarf on May 07, 2013, 08:33:22 AM
I like the colour combiniation (and the whole paintjob :o). Are the knights gonna be in the same colours or are they all painted differently?

Where are the scouts from?

Jevenkah


The scouts are from the same bretonnian range as the other figures (officially the are "squires on foot").

DJ
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: stone-cold-lead on May 07, 2013, 09:37:26 AM
Very nice work. Look forward to seeing the warband grow. I'll have to get a move on with my own warband!
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Blue in vt on May 07, 2013, 03:31:07 PM
Thanks to all for the support...I can't tell you how much I appreciate it...and how much it helps with motivation... ;)

Blue & Green unless done correctly can look horrendous, you've hit the perfect balance :)
So perfect I will be 'borrowing' all your ideas lol

I doubt you need to steal my ideas mate...but you are welcome to them... lol  As you could probably tell I'm using the blue and green as the common colors for all the units...then each will have its own third color as a unit identifier.

Blue
 I'm very impressed with your squires yet you say they are not finished???!!!
cheers
matt

thanks Matt!  The Squires in the picture are finished...but being the obsessive collector type I hope to track down all 18 sculpts eventually...at a bare minimum I need to add the musician and standard bearer.

Are the knights gonna be in the same colours or are they all painted differently?

The Knights will have individual paint schemes but I think that green and blue will play prominent roles in those schemes.

Where are the scouts from?

As Drunkendwarf mentioned they are actually the "Squires with Bows" from the same range....but I will deploy them as scouts.  You can see all the sculpts here:
http://www.solegends.com/citcat1998/1998P013-01.htm

How did you paint the red leather armor on the abnner guy?

The padded armor on those guys were painted with a series of highlights from a fairly dark tan up through a very white tan....then the whole thing was given a wash with very dilute chestnut ink mixed with a bit of Gryphone Sepia.

Cheers!

Blue
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: infelix on May 07, 2013, 06:32:36 PM
Very nice painting!
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: dijit on May 07, 2013, 06:46:26 PM
As always Blue you do it again! Great work!
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: OLeary on May 07, 2013, 06:55:34 PM
Oh those shields are fantastic. Lovely brushwork.
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Thantsants on May 07, 2013, 07:54:20 PM
Quote
thats a good question Thantsants....The fluffy background for my long dreamed of campaign is still in its nascent form in my head...but yes I think that is a possibility...I foresee things starting with powerful Chaos and Greenskin forces clashing with the outlying forces of this "Bret" Noble and Dwarf forces defending their local mining interests....these will be represented by Ulther's, Bugmans, and a Unit of the Plastic Dwarfs from the Warhammer Regiments box.  As the invasion continues and the pressure increases these forces will be reinforced by "proper" imperial units who come to save their bacon...these will be the Marauder Pike dwarfs, White Knight Dwarfs, and Puff and Slash empire and Brugelburg troops.  So I see some conflict between the country bumpkins and the city slickers being inevitable...

Sounds like a blast!

Perhaps the old 3rd ed Saga animosity rules for Norse forces could be re-purposed?
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: OSHIROmodels on May 07, 2013, 11:36:22 PM
Loverly jubberly  :-* :-*

Like the fluff as well  8)

cheers

James
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Doomhippie on May 08, 2013, 08:16:47 AM
Very nice! I agree with James on the fluff. This is a convincing overall approach and makes me really sorry I so completely missed out on Warhammer (even though I do have some rather small armies). The total number of games I've ever played is about five...  :?
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Blue in vt on May 08, 2013, 03:08:47 PM
Well thanks all...Like I said the fluff is still a WIP...but I like pondering the possibilities...and trying to make them work with the figure collection that I have at hand.  The hard part for me is coming up with names of the characters and places...I've never been particularly good at that aspect of the gaming world.  All my D&D characters as a kid had names stolen from Tolkien or other fantasy series.  Others like Thantsants and Gaj (Weazil) are really good at coming up with "Punny" names....me not so much... ;D  So I'll just have to piece together names as I go along!  I have a rough map laid out...but it still needs some work as well.  I hope to play this in the fall/winter so I've got some time t work on it still.

Cheers,

Blue
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Blue in vt on May 14, 2013, 03:25:21 AM
Here are the Mounted Squires that just finished competing...still have the standard bearer to work on...but he will have to wait until the end of the LPL...also I've racked down a few more sculpts so have some more horses in my future!

(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/csabick/Brets/BlueInVTRound4_zps5ae880e6.jpg) (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/csabick/media/Brets/BlueInVTRound4_zps5ae880e6.jpg.html)

Cheers,

Blue
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: OLeary on May 14, 2013, 03:30:21 AM
Oh yes, this is beautiful. The coats on those horses seem to glisten and the transitions are so well blended. Do you use acrylics, pigment or oils on your horses?
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Blackwolf on May 14, 2013, 03:45:40 AM
Cracking work Blue  :-* The campaign idea sounds good too :)
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Mason on May 14, 2013, 08:21:06 AM
Stunning work, Blue!
This is already one of the best Bretonnian armies that I have seen and it just keeps getting better.
 :-* :-*

Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Verderer on May 14, 2013, 09:50:11 AM
These are a bit special, looking forward to seeing the Grail knights!
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: majorsmith on May 14, 2013, 12:19:40 PM
love the mounted squires!
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Blue in vt on May 15, 2013, 11:11:07 PM
Cheers all!

Oh yes, this is beautiful. The coats on those horses seem to glisten and the transitions are so well blended. Do you use acrylics, pigment or oils on your horses?

These were painted up with normal acrylic figure paints...mostly Vallejo and the light tan is an old PolyS Color called Canine Yellow...these last ones were given a dilute coat of GW Gryphonne Sepia.  The horses were also coated with Vallejo brush on matte varnish...which is actually a bit more satin IMO...but it works well on the horses coats.

Cheers,

Blue

Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Harrymason on June 20, 2013, 03:48:32 PM
I love the old bretonnian figures! Your paint scheme looks beautiful, natural but still with some colour.  :D
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Blue in vt on June 20, 2013, 04:00:32 PM
Thanks Harry!  I hope to update soon with some final shots of the scouts.

Cheers,

Blue

Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Blue in vt on September 16, 2013, 05:58:43 PM
Been awhile since the last update....here are a few shots of the halberds that were finished up fairly recently (minus the standard) and also a group shot.

More can be found on my blog: http://bluesmarauders.blogspot.com/

(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/csabick/Brets/E1BBC8BF-125C-46FB-9CEA-C9FBDF31393E-576-0000008EB904FC51_zps5460f915.jpg) (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/csabick/media/Brets/E1BBC8BF-125C-46FB-9CEA-C9FBDF31393E-576-0000008EB904FC51_zps5460f915.jpg.html)

(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/csabick/Brets/A616E0CC-15E5-4847-8619-05CB0EECFB7D-576-0000008ED0CC1317_zpsb1ba9cb9.jpg) (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/csabick/media/Brets/A616E0CC-15E5-4847-8619-05CB0EECFB7D-576-0000008ED0CC1317_zpsb1ba9cb9.jpg.html)

(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/csabick/Brets/E88D2274-6ABD-429D-B465-27499D5EB224-576-0000008EC8C258FF_zps7552132c.jpg) (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/csabick/media/Brets/E88D2274-6ABD-429D-B465-27499D5EB224-576-0000008EC8C258FF_zps7552132c.jpg.html)

Cheers,

Blue
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: M Blakey on September 16, 2013, 05:59:37 PM
Wowie! That's some awsome painting there! Great job!
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: LeadAsbestos on September 16, 2013, 06:08:32 PM
Great stuff!
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Mo! on September 16, 2013, 06:10:46 PM
Super super cool!

Im starting a small band of these myself, thanks for the inspiration!
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: DeafNala on September 16, 2013, 06:11:16 PM
BEAUTIFUL WORK, Blue! I love the Group Portrait...VERY IMPRESSIVE.
I'm looking forward to your Knights; considering what you've done with the Men at Arms, the Chivalrous Guys should be a WONDROUS sight.
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Brummie Thug on September 16, 2013, 07:24:47 PM
Some of my favourite Bret figures in this era. Great job Blue  ;)
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Kyusumu on September 17, 2013, 12:28:16 AM
They look fantastic Blue!

Thanks for all the inspiration, great posts, pictures and blog.

Hope your ankle is feeling better!

Best wishes

~Kyu
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Constable Bertrand on September 20, 2013, 07:18:34 AM
 :-*  :-*  :-*

That's what they should look like Blue, FANTASTIC work!!!!
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Mason on September 20, 2013, 10:52:19 AM
Looking good, Blue!
 :-*

Damn fine, if I may be so bold.
 8)

Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: janner on September 20, 2013, 11:42:04 AM
Very nicely done  :-*
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Andym on September 20, 2013, 12:55:06 PM
Excellent Blue!! :o Nice choice of colours!
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: dijit on September 20, 2013, 02:39:10 PM
Excellent painting! And a very nice looking warband.
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Blue in vt on September 20, 2013, 03:49:28 PM
Thanks for the support all...I have started in on the Knights...though I'm also about to head out on a work trip for a week so I'm not sure how much progress I'll make in the short term...just gotta keep painting!

Cheers,

Blue
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Blue in vt on September 23, 2013, 06:33:15 PM
Here is a quick iPhone pic of the Knights in Process...

A larger discussion of color choices etc on my Blog.

Cheers,

Blue

Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: DeafNala on September 23, 2013, 06:41:21 PM
SPLENDID LOOKING Knights! I spy Tristan the Troubadour lurking in the back row; does this mean Jules is in the works also?
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Blue in vt on September 23, 2013, 07:34:51 PM
Tristian is going to be my army generals standard bearer ....and personal opera singer  lol

But sorry...no Jules...

Blue
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: Engel on September 23, 2013, 07:52:42 PM
Looking good.  :D
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: King Tiger on September 23, 2013, 10:38:51 PM
The men at arms and squires were some of the best models ever created by GW, I wish they had never changed to the lackluster plastics we have now :(
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: DeafNala on September 23, 2013, 11:25:22 PM
....and personal opera singer  lol

That set off a chorus of "Brave, brave Sir Robin"...senility can be fun.
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: von Lucky on September 24, 2013, 10:17:16 AM
The men at arms and squires were some of the best models ever created by GW, I wish they had never changed to the lackluster plastics we have now :(

I have held onto 5 squires for YEARS as I can't see any point in letting go of them.

Just. So. Pretty.
Title: Re: My Bret War Band...a WIP
Post by: janner on September 26, 2013, 08:22:54 AM
The men at arms and squires were some of the best models ever created by GW, I wish they had never changed to the lackluster plastics we have now :(

QFT  :D