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Miniatures Adventure => Other Adventures => Topic started by: Captain Blood on January 19, 2009, 07:36:43 PM

Title: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: Captain Blood on January 19, 2009, 07:36:43 PM
Allow me to present the first of the Doones. Drawn from assorted Bicorne ECW cavalry packs, in their Dutch coats they seemed more 1680s than 1640s, and the pistols made them look like highwaymen rather than regular cavalry.

So now I have a little 1685 sub-project, loosely based on Blackmore's swashbuckling romance 'Lorna Doone', which handily wraps in the Monmouth Rebellion.

I've another four or five of these cavalry in Dutch coats to paint. I've cast them as the lawless Doones - an outlaw clan of robbers, reivers, rustlers and renegades.
Feared and hated, they terrorise Exmoor from their secret, hidden lair in Bagworthy Vale...
(Pronounced 'Badgery' Vale, as any Devonian will tell you  ;) )

I tried to get a little bit of Exmoor into the bases: a collapsed drystone wall, a peaty pool and a lichen festooned branch from an old tree...




(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x69/pantomaniac/doones1.jpg)

(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x69/pantomaniac/doones10.jpg)

(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x69/pantomaniac/doones6.jpg)

(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x69/pantomaniac/doones4.jpg)

(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x69/pantomaniac/doones1b.jpg)

(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x69/pantomaniac/doones7r.jpg)

(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x69/pantomaniac/doones12.jpg)
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: Mad Doc Morris on January 19, 2009, 07:50:34 PM
Most excellent! Brilliant choice of colours and lots of charactre. Looking forward to seeing them in a skirmish game report (you know, you should do it)!

I'd like to add that your entries here inspired me to do my own 17th century project in 2009, rather the Thirty Years' War. Thought it would fit the 400th "jubilee" of the Catholic League. ::)
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: Operator5 on January 19, 2009, 07:51:24 PM
Damn fine painting as usual Cap'n.

One of these days I will actually get all my swashbucklers done.
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: cianty on January 19, 2009, 09:32:51 PM
Awesome pictures! Lovely minis and scenery!  :-*
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: Malamute on January 20, 2009, 08:39:32 AM
Wonderful stuff captn. Can't wait to see the game, BLAM09 perhaps ;)
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: Furt on January 20, 2009, 09:20:47 AM
Stunning! Especially like the blond haired green coated fella. Very Nice.
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: dodge on January 20, 2009, 09:25:13 AM
Those are great,

everything,

you did that flippin eyelid thing again , how do you do that, and the creases in the faces

I'm envious and now more determined than ever to get this right those results are great  :-*

dodge
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: Ruarigh on January 20, 2009, 09:34:16 AM
Beautiful paint jobs. Would you like to paint some of my lead for me?  ;)

My only comment would be that the horses' eyes look like they have too much white. It does not look so bad in the distance shots but close up it does not look right to me. They should be more like this picture:
(http://www.equinechiro.ca/horse_eye.jpg)
Also, in one of the pictures, I noticed that the horse appeared to be a bay but only had black legs on the front. I have never encountered a bay with only two black legs. Instead, all four should be black:
(http://www.fort.usgs.gov/resources/spotlight/horse/images/colors/bay.gif)

I hope you don't mind these comments and I feel bad posting them since the painting is stunning, but having grown up around horses it niggles when things appear not quite right.

Cheers,
Ruarigh
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: Lowtardog on January 20, 2009, 09:42:13 AM
You talented sod :-*
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: Ray Rivers on January 20, 2009, 12:06:18 PM

Also, in one of the pictures, I noticed that the horse appeared to be a bay but only had black legs on the front. I have never encountered a bay with only two black legs. Instead, all four should be black:

Horses which have black legs, referred to as "stockings" if they reach the knee or above, do indeed normally have all four legs marked.  However, there are always exceptions:

(http://www.loneprairie.net/images/blog_images/horses_j.jpg)

And when it comes to "socks", all bets are off.  A horse can be marked with anywhere from 1 to 4 socks and of differing colors as well.
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: Ruarigh on January 20, 2009, 02:23:22 PM
Horses which have black legs, referred to as "stockings" if they reach the knee or above, do indeed normally have all four legs marked.  However, there are always exceptions:

And when it comes to "socks", all bets are off.  A horse can be marked with anywhere from 1 to 4 socks and of differing colors as well.
Socks and stockings are white, at least in the UK. That is what I grew up with.

Black legs are not stockings but a part of standard bay colouring. I have never in 40 years working with horses encountered a horse with markings as shown in your photo, but on the basis of it I accept that you can have black front legs without the same at the rear. I do think that it would be odd not to have stockings at the rear though where the black colouring should be.
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: DFlynSqrl on January 20, 2009, 02:28:24 PM
Fantastic work Captain Blood.  I like the natural look of your bases especially.
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: Aaron on January 20, 2009, 02:56:34 PM
Superb as always. The horses look particularly well done to me, especially the muscleature.
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: Captain Blood on January 20, 2009, 08:42:24 PM
Thank you gentlemen, for the kind and constructive comments  :)


I'd like to add that your entries here inspired me to do my own 17th century project in 2009, rather the Thirty Years' War. Thought it would fit the 400th "jubilee" of the Catholic League. ::)


Excellent news Mad Doc! That's what we need around here - a bit more swashbuckling, and a few less zombies  ;)



you did that flippin eyelid thing again , how do you do that, and the creases in the faces

dodge


C'mon Dodge... You can do it. I know you can do it. Painting eyelids and not mad staring eyeballs is the easier - and IMHO - the more effective option.


Ruarigh and Ray - thanks for the horse-lore. I agree I haven't got the eyes quite right - too much white around the outside, but if you do all black eyes with just the highlight, they look like devil horses, which is not the desired effect...  :?

In terms of markings, socks, stockings etc, I confess to a cavalier disregard for the laws of equine nature. I just paint what looks randomly pleasing to my eye (ditto all my recent crop of ECW regimental uniforms, flags etc... None of it is 'accurate'. Just decorative).

Truthfully, almost all the horses I see in the fields round where I live are some shade of VERY dark brown.
I don't think I've ever actually seen any wargames horses painted this glossy VERY dark brown shade of real horses - 'cos they'd look a bit uninteresting on the tabletop.
Almost all wargames horses are painted in various unrealistic shades of 'bright' brown. Certainly all mine are. They look better that way.

But I'd rather not get into a horse argument. Please  ;)

Thanks again  :)
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: Ruarigh on January 21, 2009, 10:01:18 AM
But I'd rather not get into a horse argument. Please  ;)
Sorry. I shan't mention it again although it has also struck me that there may be regional/national differences in terminology of which I am unaware, hence our different approach to it. Right, shutting up now.  :-X
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: dodge on January 21, 2009, 10:23:50 AM

you did that flippin eyelid thing again , how do you do that, and the creases in the faces

dodge


C'mon Dodge... You can do it. I know you can do it. Painting eyelids and not mad staring eyeballs is the easier - and IMHO - the more effective option.

[/quote]

Absolutely you have me convinced tried it last night with some good ish results, will do a wip shot later on this week for your help , the eyelid thing for me was a bit mixed bit more prstice though and I'll be there,

By the way you almost had me buying some of those figs there but I looked at my tally and said no.#

Your horses are great, they totally work for me, after all aren't we trying to give a representation of what horses look like , thats what I aim for anyway.  ::)

dodge
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: Barry S on January 22, 2009, 12:38:53 AM
Superb painting and scenery. I like the bases as well.
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: Driscoles on January 22, 2009, 07:45:03 AM
You really have your own painting style. I like those minis a lot. Especially the horses. The only thing I could nag about is the leather on the boots, briddle and sword sheeth. It looks like you used the same color. But this is just nagging on high standard so pls dont be mad on me Captain. Those miniatures are great and look like being alive.
Cheers
Björn
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: Malamute on January 22, 2009, 10:17:57 AM
Here's an interesting couple of facts for you to ponder. :)
 RD Blackmore, author of Lorna Doone lived in the vicinty of my house here in olde Teddington.
 I live in Blackmores Grove, nameed after him... Doone Close is just around the corner and Gomer Gardens is named after RD Blackmores dog...Gomer.  :)

There, now your day is enriched and complete :D
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: Captain Blood on January 22, 2009, 10:37:06 AM
Here's an interesting couple of facts for you to ponder. :)
 RD Blackmore, author of Lorna Doone lived in the vicinty of my house here in olde Teddington.
 I live in Blackmores Grove, nameed after him... Doone Close is just around the corner and Gomer Gardens is named after RD Blackmores dog...Gomer.  :)

There, now your day is enriched and complete :D

Gosh, now that's actually very interesting... Funny how these things occur, isn't it?

Not too long ago, I was in a production of R C Sheriff's famous play set in the trenches, Journey's End. Then over New Year, I was down in Devon, and went to an isolated pub called the Journey's End - which is actually about 700 years old, but was renamed the Journey's End in the 1920's, because that where R C Sheriff was staying when he wrote Journey's End! Funny old world...

The only thing I could nag about is the leather on the boots, briddle and sword sheeth. It looks like you used the same color.

Björn - I think I did!  ;)
I really only use two leather colours (red/brown/orange, and yellowy/tan) and I use them indiscriminately for absolutely everything! You have seen through my cunning painting stratagem.  lol

Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: JollyBob on January 22, 2009, 10:42:27 AM
I meant to comment on these the other day, sorry I'm late.

These are great as usual Captain! Really good job. And I only use a couple of colours for leather myself - its just easier.

Just out of interest, have you seen this version of Lorna Doone:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100056/

Clive Owen as John Ridd and Sean Bean as Carver Doone. A pretty good movie.
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: Captain Blood on January 22, 2009, 10:46:36 AM
Oooh. No. Don't think I have... Will have to get it. Thanks Rob.

On the subject of films (he said, going hopelessly off his own topic) I've watched 'Mongol' and 'Assembly' on DVD in the past 48 hours. Both absolutely cracking films. Highly recommended.

Richard

Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: Malamute on January 22, 2009, 10:47:21 AM

Not too long ago, I was in a production of R C Sheriff's famous play set in the trenches, Journey's End. Then over New Year, I was down in Devon, and went to an isolated pub called the Journey's End - which is actually about 700 years old, but was renamed the Journey's End in the 1920's, because that where R C Sheriff was staying when he wrote Journey's End! Funny old world...




That wouldnt be the Journeys End in Ringmore would it by any chance?

If it is, its a lovely walk form Bigbury on Sea taking you up along the cliffes following along the coastal path, then a sharp right and through some fields down into Ringmore village and the pub. :)

Its a very, very nice area, one of my favourite holiday destinations, infact I will be there again this year in july for a week in the rain... :?
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: Plynkes on January 22, 2009, 10:55:37 AM
I like Journey's End. Being a wargamer I couldn't help but start planning turning the trench raid into a tabletop game in my head as I read it.

R.C. Sheriff also wrote the screenplay to the Dam Busters, by the way. I didn't know that until today, when I looked him up.
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: JollyBob on January 22, 2009, 11:08:41 AM
Oooh. No. Don't think I have... Will have to get it. Thanks Rob.

De nada.

The sequence of the Doones laying siege to the farmhouse is really well done. And Bean is basically a really nasty Sharpe, which is worth a watch in itself.

Mind you, he's also been a Greek Sharpe, a Gondorian Sharpe, a 00-Sharpe and an emotionless future cop Sharpe, so there's not much of a surprise there, is there?  lol
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: Driscoles on January 22, 2009, 11:22:32 AM
Captain ! :)

Since I was in England last oct. it seems like I sharpened my senses.
Curry ?

Cheers
Björn
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: PeteMurray on January 22, 2009, 01:29:13 PM
Captain, these are amazingly well done. Your colors just glow as usual.

I have also enjoyed the cultural lesson on English riders and writers and wish to thank the contributors for their erudition.
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: dodge on January 22, 2009, 01:47:54 PM
Oooh. No. Don't think I have... Will have to get it. Thanks Rob.

On the subject of films (he said, going hopelessly off his own topic) I've watched 'Mongol' and 'Assembly' on DVD in the past 48 hours. Both absolutely cracking films. Highly recommended.

Richard



Did you know that I have looked for that dvd on play, amazon market place and it retails for £62 odd. That's a lot ? am I being a berk ?

dodge


Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: JollyBob on January 22, 2009, 01:59:34 PM
That is a heck of a lot.  :o

Makes me glad of my knackered old VHS copy, really. Wonder where I put it?

Edit: just had a scout about for it too, you're right, Amazon, Play, CDwow, HMV, even eBay, not a thing. One or two VHS copies for about a tenner, but on DVD its definitely £62 plus. Crikey, its not that good!
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: Captain Blood on January 22, 2009, 03:23:10 PM

That wouldnt be the Journeys End in Ringmore would it by any chance?

If it is, its a lovely walk form Bigbury on Sea taking you up along the cliffes following along the coastal path, then a sharp right and through some fields down into Ringmore village and the pub. :)


Ah yes, the very place, and I did that very same walk... Took in a couple of very big dips and hills on the way back to Bigbury!  ;)


Bean is basically a really nasty Sharpe, which is worth a watch in itself. Mind you, he's also been a Greek Sharpe, a Gondorian Sharpe, a 00-Sharpe and an emotionless future cop Sharpe, so there's not much of a surprise there, is there?  lol


Ah yes, Sean Bean is particularly brilliant at playing.. Sean Bean. He can be anything you like, providing it's a bit rough around the edges and comes from Sheffield  ;)



I have also enjoyed the cultural lesson on English riders and writers and wish to thank the contributors for their erudition.


Thank you Pete. We endeavour to keep the standard up here in Blighty, you know...  lol
Title: Re: Beware. The Doones ride.
Post by: dodge on January 22, 2009, 04:41:21 PM
That is a heck of a lot.  :o

Makes me glad of my knackered old VHS copy, really. Wonder where I put it?

Edit: just had a scout about for it too, you're right, Amazon, Play, CDwow, HMV, even eBay, not a thing. One or two VHS copies for about a tenner, but on DVD its definitely £62 plus. Crikey, its not that good!

That's right it isn't that good, I can't remember where I saw it but it aint £62 worth at all.