Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Pikes, Muskets and Flouncy Shirts => Topic started by: white knight on July 21, 2017, 04:20:39 PM
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What initially started out as a one time purchase (yeah, we all know how *that* works), grew over time into the start of a new collection. I will say in my defense that all of these were bought at discount prices, so there's that. lol
Anyway, this project concerns the characters written by Alexandre Dumas and is, at present, based around the fabulous King & Country "Pike and Musket" range of figures, though occasional additions from other sources are likely to appear. For me, one of the main appeals of the K&C range is that the sculpting, while good, does not so much strive for intricate realistic detail as generally seen on high end 54mm models, but instead for infusing character to faces and details, much in the way that a well sculpted 28mm figure tends to have more character and soul than a realistically proportioned model of the same size.
Did I mention they are big? Nominally 60mm, they are in reality closer to 65mm, often not much shy of the 70mm top of hat mark. All in a nice hefty metal too. The paintjobs are good. They are only a three-shade painting style, but it works very well and they look great when viewed at the proper distance and pretty good when viewed up close.
It is also my intention to explore the possibility of using these figures for fun- and action packed skirmish gaming using the "...And all for one" rules you can download for free from the Eureka Miniatures site, which were introduced to me by Vikotnik and are an easy, quick to learn ruleset that allows for fastpaced minigames.
So far, I'm looking at 4 different factions from the K&C range: The King's Musketeers, The Cardinal and his Red Guard, The Witchfinder General and his lackeys, and The Duke of Buckingham and his bodyguards. The latter two should allow me to get double use out of some of the English figures. And of course some Noble and civilian characters. The Kronprinz TYW Spanish range looks appealing for a 5th faction but I'm worried the size will not be a good match. We'll see about that later.
Here are the figures I collected so far for the musketeers faction:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tFFGOMTLIEs/WXEgEXjgchI/AAAAAAAADYM/Hw8jyfkNrowFHyHBsz7_F-EN1_m8fiJxwCLcBGAs/s1600/musketeers2.jpg)
The titular characters:
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kL1gZOU6puQ/WXEgD_KyBAI/AAAAAAAADYI/9ue8c2DD0ugdqq6e0iawewoLf0jqsa5IgCLcBGAs/s1600/musketeers.jpg)
Athos:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lAKsbhwGrjY/WXEgDVOU-YI/AAAAAAAADX4/spLEk3VJAk0f9Jo1jr5xOaXN4KiQ8pvjwCLcBGAs/s1600/athos.jpg)
Porthos:
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TBfz3UhDX1U/WXEgEqQc0pI/AAAAAAAADYQ/UwGGRf-lt94q5WId9swukjw8XjOtvd9lACLcBGAs/s1600/porthos.jpg)
Aramis:
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6PeEDEkPQ7Q/WXEgDaapQXI/AAAAAAAADX0/F_NK51_SJEMoyJsxDzxF0uc9G-9AL9n9ACLcBGAs/s1600/aramis.jpg)
And the country boy, d'Artagnan:
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyNhRkprDY8/WXEgDyapWRI/AAAAAAAADYA/A4FQ8lHZcAUYyze6iYCrp89x4uGzFxxPACLcBGAs/s1600/dartagnan.jpg)
And a generic musketeer because you need your redshirts for the game:
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kmDAIi-htSo/WXEgDxKvrbI/AAAAAAAADYE/PJ6Mcobsxs4mDQdY-P92Jkt5bxCKzay0ACLcBGAs/s1600/musketeer%2B1.jpg)
The musketeers need their king of course, so I also have a King Louis (actually it's a proxy using the ECW King Charles figure, but it works):
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w24n0L-TvrE/WXEgDqPyO3I/AAAAAAAADX8/76tv_gnFLewl_KuodNWDOllVV02kwAm5wCLcBGAs/s1600/King%2BLouis.jpg)
On the other side we have the Cardinal Richelieu and his Red Guard. The Red Guard are to the Cardinal what the Musketeers are to the King. Despite their political allegiance, they are all soldiers of France. Their numbers count both honourable men as ruthless rogues and killers. This is how far I got, with one more red guard model on the way:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vkVCaB5X6xo/WXEiTDeDBVI/AAAAAAAADYU/xSJT34s3S-Mi71WRabhDwluuGo128XOJwCEwYBhgL/s1600/cardinalsguards.jpg)
The Cardinal Richelieu (great figure):
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OtWb76zpTc/WXEic_-8lJI/AAAAAAAADYk/84VbAwA-k7EHSsfh6mEqhHwKhmEbRNZJgCLcBGAs/s1600/Cardinal.jpg)
The count of Rochefort (my pictures don't do justice to the nice shading on him, he's one of the best figures I own):
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wHdCfPUi8vg/WXEiTk0ZapI/AAAAAAAADYg/haZlkmRT1G4aGJgYjvPQrtSsgdxJ5JiVACEwYBhgL/s1600/rochefort.jpg)
Red Guard with musket:
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nNvvJ2-cNSE/WXEiTBvu_0I/AAAAAAAADYY/g-gYVmXfrMIJci3THLCbiZfazI1PlQOPACEwYBhgL/s1600/red%2Bguard%2B1.jpg)
Red Guard with sword (dueling, he's part of a set with the musketeer from earlier):
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XJ0hmRLTXeo/WXEiTkbiCSI/AAAAAAAADYc/etHaoZX-5vcIC8fpfE_7oQ8GCInJ_4cCgCEwYBhgL/s1600/red%2Bguard%2B2.jpg)
I've printed out a picture of some ruins on the work printer on an A3 sheet and another one of some grass to use as a backdrop for taking pictures. Works reasonably well.
Afternoon duel, under the watchful eyes of the King and Cardinal:
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DknBhjwy6aw/WWkL4_Hw00I/AAAAAAAADVo/8z6ccpyNhuINVFlpsG7m3XOQfE_e-Z_8wCLcBGAs/s1600/Duel%2BMusketeer%2Bvs%2BRed%2BGuard2.jpg)
...turning into a sunset duel because these things take time:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CZV9wOjjeL8/WWkL4grKYdI/AAAAAAAADVg/FGD7THKfKRUOOCQve1tfkqQsYkZ040S_QCLcBGAs/s1600/Duel%2BMusketeer%2Bvs%2BRed%2BGuard.jpg)
Later updates in this project will show some paintjobs from yours truly as well.
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Fantastic! I'm in awe :o
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The figures are really cool.
Love them.
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Splendid :)
I was thinking of doing a 28mm musketeers project at some point, great inspiration.
cheers
James
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Bright paintjob! Excellent face expressions!
They are a source of inspiration, for sure!
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Excellent job. Love the painting.
Good luck with the collection.
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Splendid :)
I was thinking of doing a 28mm musketeers project at some point, great inspiration.
cheers
James
Yep. ;D
These are lovely and a great scale for a 1/1 skirmish game :)
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Thanks, they're pretty characterful figures. I should point out though, in case my initial post was not clear, that I didn't paint these, that's how they come straight out of the box. :-*
I was thinking of doing a 28mm musketeers project at some point, great inspiration.
Me too, have all the unpainted lead and plastic: Brigade Games, TAG, Warlord Games, Foundry, Old Glory and assorted characters. Want to buy them? lol
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These are lovely and a great scale for a 1/1 skirmish game :)
Yes, I've made a start on some minor scenery pieces, but would like to do some buildings and some facades for the table end. I've been looking at the Petite Properties 1/24 stuff too as that works well sizewise.
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Want to buy them? lol
Still thinking at the moment lol
Although I did a google image search for 16th/17th century Paris lol
cheers
James
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The third faction makes use of some ECW models from the same range. During the chaos of wartorn Europe, the Witchfinder General was free to roam the English country side in his hunt for those who were rumoured to cavort with the devil. While not a part of Dumas' stories, it is only a small stretch to bring his emergence forward a decade or so and have him interact with the Louis XIV era France.
This may be a bit anticlimatic as I don't have the Witchfinder General model yet (though it is in the mail and I should receive it next week). I do have his second in command, the preacher.
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IUiSyawo-uY/WXEjkdS8O3I/AAAAAAAADZE/LoVxe4IjZfcB84_LruoieKPmI0Ec-A07wCLcBGAs/s1600/witchfinder%2Bexpedition.jpg)
The preacher is really a lovely character. His relaxed, yet menacing pose works really well in my opinion. My pictures don't do him justice as he has the best painted face in the collection.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qGVZsa2NeX8/WXEjjS8crpI/AAAAAAAADYw/kwGs-f9OexcF1zUFs88XhuSFTznFj3DQACLcBGAs/s1600/preacher.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jw8LTuOKAcM/WXM2Lh6rZ2I/AAAAAAAADb4/sACNkfpFJdg84SXxKZJc5B7KIFIWEFNewCLcBGAs/s1600/preacher2.jpg)
The Captain of the witchfinders
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U2BccrsVWF4/WXEjkJPHc3I/AAAAAAAADZA/iUrN2HfH_vghoQEFPztAmMEmD7cf8j7egCLcBGAs/s1600/wfcaptain.jpg)
Sergeant-at-arms
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nf8LqY09FrM/WXEjjc48BdI/AAAAAAAADY0/R31j1DTZEJ4xUCKlQU3LjDx8zzvGBR2TwCLcBGAs/s1600/UKsergeant.jpg)
Witchfinder thugs:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GzQ47uzR4nU/WXEjjh5feiI/AAAAAAAADY4/-0ROfA1lRkA4KEHjpCWDCcWwE0y5LlaggCLcBGAs/s1600/ukmusk1.jpg)
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8HGsWWd4yBM/WXEjj5oUjII/AAAAAAAADY8/qDM9haMLTlI8BysQMvK5MbRrJYY0Wd_4ACLcBGAs/s1600/ukmusk2.jpg)
These are part of an ECW duel set:
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JtWXUp1peAg/WXEjjMTYcfI/AAAAAAAADYs/ZRwV0imGP2Ar_5Y1quBvubnYY1yDYKpSwCLcBGAs/s1600/ukduel.jpg)
I'm still debating whether to split this group and assign the more colourful sergeant and the duelist with hat to the Duke of Buckingham's retinue and keep the Witchfinder set limited to figures wearing the buff coats for more cohesion. What do you think?
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Strange how a company that has such high regard for detail has chosen to make ECW figures in those Victorian inspired rugby shirts?
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I didn't notice that. Luckily I'm not going for historical accuracy but romanticised swashbuckling adventure. ;D
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Yes, that would work! :D
I am certain that older black and white films perpetuated the idea.
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Yes, like the 1921 Three Musketeers movie.
(http://h-france.net/fffh/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/image003.jpg)
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Some of the doublets had gold or silver trim, the Victorian artists chose to make all Parliamentary troops have hooped sleeves.
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65mm civilian figures for the 17th century are hard to come by and so far, there is only one available in the King & Country Pike and Musket range. So one has to be creative and source other figures that have the right potential. In this case, I took a gamble. I knew the Lemax christmas figures had the right size and bulk to fit with the larger K&C models (because my mum has some), but could they be made to look like they fit in? The apple vendor looked like she was fairly period neutral and would work well in the 17th century for a first try.
A promotional picture of the donor figure. Mine wasn't as well painted...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dNsMUvf3rMU/WW5cgBkkxDI/AAAAAAAADXk/NTNxX2XuqngON3Rqt5fkaoFqRaBHttINQCLcBGAs/s1600/tomatoseller5.jpg)
Matching the K&C painting style closely enough to make it fit in was a bit of a challenge. I didn't succeed completely but I think it's close enough to use. The skintones I picked ended up being a bit more pink than the K&C figures, so I will amend the recipe on the next ones. I do worry that I made the colours a bit too drab in my attempt to make her look like someone from the poorer class. The apple vendor also gained a few years and became a tomato vendor instead.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vEZaAPvlFeU/WXSMkMYGibI/AAAAAAAADcQ/EArlCfNke2wmgPJ3dPNZ2YoDiD-xoneWQCLcBGAs/s1600/tomatoseller7.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MeSBQlj1CU8/WXH5-rnkLpI/AAAAAAAADZo/n3jgVWgd1YoGKiFL5kz6ymi3agjUVmWAgCLcBGAs/s1600/tomatoseller6.jpg)
"What... what did you do to me? I feel old..."
On the next pictures, the base was still unfinished as it still needed the above pictured changesto fit in with the K&C figures. :
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-el1i-WAnxJc/WW5bYXGwnGI/AAAAAAAADXc/SsuwJutUMSYEk0hS5l2a2WZxzPALnQszwCLcBGAs/s1600/tomatoseller1.jpg)
Sizewise it's a very good fit as can be seen from her posing with young d'Artagnan here:
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vr7TiiWtq_4/WW5bYVhfypI/AAAAAAAADXU/DndtxUh3fZ4YpE6tHx3Q-NsCu9wwSRvdwCLcBGAs/s1600/tomatoseller3.jpg)
"Buy some tomatos, milord?"
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8oCXP9Zh4Q8/WW5bYaS2LmI/AAAAAAAADXY/jg9Qe8HT7kkJwogLvOW3aMKxJgNcF0ZEACLcBGAs/s1600/tomatoseller2.jpg)
"They look awfully ripe, good woman." - "All the better, in a few days time they'll be perfect for chucking at the cardinal's guards, milord." - "... I'll take ten."
And a quick side by side:
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q00ZbKkzJOU/WW5bY1fDiNI/AAAAAAAADXg/XwPj-bIOY-MmZ5sK9W05BWI8QEoUO05mQCLcBGAs/s1600/tomatoseller4.jpg)
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Excellent work and a pretty decent match!
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The second one I took my hand to in my quest to find suitable figures, both in size and period feel to use as 17th century civilians, was another Lemax figure conversion, this time of their mother superior figure.
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YXGPSLCfIDk/WXH7Bns5k0I/AAAAAAAADaE/S-2C2ayUT7871D9BKBtXVOf7elnVYDNhQCLcBGAs/s1600/nun5.jpg)
"I may be short, but I'm still feeling superior..."
This one had the right look and bulk, but was quite short. So I decided to snip off the sides of the base and extend her robes over the edge. Then it would be a simple matter of making a new base to add some height. Which brought us to this:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ncY8nP_rZAc/WXH6uvIsv-I/AAAAAAAADaA/c1avmnZTWXMLQdCWQ448lgBMGxYWKlSGwCLcBGAs/s1600/nun4.jpg)
Once painting began, I noticed the casting on the figure was really rough (and my greenstuff work wasn't as smooth as it looked before priming), so in the end I'm not too happy with the result as it's a bit rougher than I'd like. Still, it's serviceable until I decide to try again with another copy of the figure and do a bit more prep time (a good sanding of the robes might have been a good idea).
I went with brownish robes. Both brown and black would work for the period, but I wanted to distance her from the original paint scheme, so she'd look like a proper figure in her own right. Here she is posing with the handsome Aramis:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B3ezTB8lwHc/WXH6oBxP0SI/AAAAAAAADZ0/nPXuRdVrB60gRfTtg5A0_VumcDhWKc31ACLcBGAs/s1600/Nun1.jpg)
"Oh my, that looks awfully sharp, my son."
Front, back and sides:
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-el7WI9vZVwM/WXH6oAlOtPI/AAAAAAAADZ4/ir-uA7F3CxoOw-7URkoMfFbpzpM8NJZIgCLcBGAs/s1600/nun2.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tNW6sp3Q8K8/WXH6oIxUQoI/AAAAAAAADZw/Gb0RPDwmz9M3jN6t20txngPC1ZOHaekRgCLcBGAs/s1600/nun3.jpg)
"What does a cardinal need to carry a sword for anyway?"
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Lovely stuff but what a price they are.
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Well, I've always bought mine at a 30% discount, which makes it more affordable. It needs time and patience of course and buying the ones that are available instead of the ones you want to have first.
Of course, the Lemax items on the other hand are dirt cheap by comparison. ;D
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Another lovely and unique project.
You certainly have a knack for coming up with something new and original.
8) 8)
Nice work on the two lasses that you converted and painted.
:-* :-*
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You have made them fit in well.
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You must have deep pockets WK!
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Or bad judgment.
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Great additions, they blend in very well. :)
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They're not perfect, but they are a 10th of the cost of the other figures. :)
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Another lovely and unique project.
You certainly have a knack for coming up with something new and original.
8) 8)
Thanks for the compliment.
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Lovely painting in this thread. Great polishing of the civilians.
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I've been looking at proper sized scenery items and have repurposed a few from the Lemax range that will look good in the royal garden.
First are these stone benches that look perfect for the King or Queen to take a rest and admire the scenery. This is how they come out of the box, I haven't gotten around to cleaning and painting them yet as I may get a few more and would paint them all in one sitting.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6A406qjq3M/WWkL5VuC2NI/AAAAAAAADV0/GOMtsWsyrwAfVH1d1xdE5TFcRJaXZhh4gCLcBGAs/s1600/Lemax%2Bbenches.jpg)
Another, more experimental purchase were the Lemax items seen below. A bird bath and some topiaries.
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GA_WdATKYLk/WXJH6DrpBhI/AAAAAAAADa0/cR3yt5vjQ8UIXaq0Ij2shJpNBRSyB9k2gCLcBGAs/s1600/topiaries1.jpg)
I did a test piece with one of the topiaries and it came out well, I think. I've since changed the stone colour of the pot slightly to fit in with the stonework on the bird bath (see pics below).
Before and after comparison:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J4QcxYr21F4/WXJH6G5xfLI/AAAAAAAADas/VrmrUS-2gYgoEmiA4rSijOHdg3xVjR0MgCLcBGAs/s1600/topiaries2.jpg)
Basically I painted over the snow with green paint, covered it in watered down pva glue and dipped that in a bag of coarse flock and let it sit overnight. Then just a matter of carefully brushing and shaking off most of the excess and let some thin glue dripple over it.
And a picture for size. I think they can make pretty useful scenic items and they really cost peanuts.
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--poVJS9kn68/WXJH6eH2GaI/AAAAAAAADaw/9uBdnOgpOgMZP7_3l8pzmdH38bnpoduOQCLcBGAs/s1600/topiaries3.jpg)
Finally, the bird bath. Promotional picture of the original item below, I should stress that they don't look like that in the stores. Casting flaws and shoddy painting (the birds were three dirty coloured blobs on mine) means they need a bit of TLC to get there.
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7H_nfeLLo4/WXSOmnK9muI/AAAAAAAADcc/cjMttjBgQvoFdFWTXPQpBZtbFG9-fmVtACLcBGAs/s1600/birdbath%2B3.jpg)
False advertising at work...
After texturing the base to match the K&C figures and patching up any major casting flaws, I decided to ditch the unrealistic red, blue and yellow and try and give the birds a colourfull pattern that could be found in nature too. After some googling, I ended up with this:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jte84BbIBFY/WXSOmmm1-WI/AAAAAAAADcg/QRPwlNCwaE4ucTUtHq4QBJ9KUbWLHq5kgCLcBGAs/s1600/birdbath%2B2.jpg)
I may have overdone it a bit on the birds, as I'm not sure it works.
And for good measure (and indication of size, the King on a stroll in his garden (with a watchful musketeer in the back to keep an eye on him in case the pretty birds get angry)...
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MfcsDMugDvA/WXSOmnYzv0I/AAAAAAAADck/9VmA_6nYlIUErY9XAoKk-WFQGkHcZSI4wCLcBGAs/s1600/birdbath%2B1.jpg)
Lemax really never ceases to provide useful additions. Where most of the buildings are of a suitable size to use with 28mm figures, the Lemax figures and accessories are in a 60mm scale that is close to that of the 1/30 toy soldier manufacturers. Well done, tacky seasonal decorations manufacturer, well done.
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Strange how a company that has such high regard for detail has chosen to make ECW figures in those Victorian inspired rugby shirts?
My thoughts exactly :D very nice project though 8)
www.gallopingmajorwargames.com
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The birds are lovely. And yes, there's a few Lemax things that have worked also in 15mm and 28mm (i.e. town square clock).
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Great additions :)
cheers
James
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Fascinating project...! :o
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I must say I enjoy painting the big figures more than the small ones these days. No tiny details that the eyes won't focus on.
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I must say I enjoy painting the big figures more than the small ones these days. No tiny details that the eyes won't focus on.
Cant say I blame you.
I am saving my 40mm Hellboy/WWW2 project for just that reason.
;)
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Still in the Lemax department, we have this working fountain model that looks just the right size and style/period to find a place in Louis' royal garden. Before you get too excited though, I 've already dismantled the water effects and led lights as while a working fountain with real water seems like a cool idea, the unseemly powercables and the worrysome idea of getting water splatters and spills on the precious figures and terrain just don't seem worth it. In addition, the centerpiece is glued on at a crooked angle, which I've started addressing since the first pictures were taken.
Shown here with some musketeers for size:
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t2Zy03Olh-8/WWkL5fAgHUI/AAAAAAAADVw/Q_CNzhbecyQv2LvYx4Qae_TBKa6Ip4XGwCLcBGAs/s1600/Lemax%2Bfountain%2B1.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MMSSGQUDfU8/WWkL5_m8ODI/AAAAAAAADWA/aowY9kPkassmDUcS1ZDuH3sbwogFk__FQCLcBGAs/s1600/Lemax%2Bfountain%2B3.jpg)
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YDhxmi6cZas/WWkL52INN-I/AAAAAAAADWE/Cy44wmtOyKUGjl3x3tXgfRWJe_gMDeQPQCLcBGAs/s1600/Lemax%2Bfountain%2B5.jpg)
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6f4b3szwAm4/WWkL6PRZnsI/AAAAAAAADWI/MmFx-kVprG0afJE7Lw72sy4NC5bwJYFbwCLcBGAs/s1600/Lemax%2Bfountain%2B6.jpg)
And the current state of affairs (still WIP). The fountain has been dismantled, most of the unseemly glue has been removed and I've started filling holes etc... You can see in the pic that one of the statues broke, but it came like that (second hand model) and will be glued back on when it's time to start painting. I noticed the bottom wasn't quite level, so I raised it on one side and puttied it up, so it's more level now. I still need to sand the stand for the centerpiece for good measure and then it should sit straight as it should. I've removed the oversized clear tubing (it felt greasy anyway) and will make some replacement tubing from rolls of putty (a small test piece can be seen in the second pic. Loads to do still, but it looks heaps better already.
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ied_uCozto/WXJKMIcZTZI/AAAAAAAADbM/ySs5NXqJgVE36rkeAx0K97rjRm0GOgpQACLcBGAs/s1600/Lemax%2Bfountain%2B7.jpg)
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YXzHTqFgk9g/WXJJrSj8fWI/AAAAAAAADbE/EZwlJdl87qwraVTQYcrtaTZvoVkgCjBTwCLcBGAs/s1600/Lemax%2Bfountain%2B8.jpg)
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Right, I'm looking for some opinions and advice. The range doesn't have a Monsieur de Tréville, captain of the musketeers figure. It does have two other figures that might suit as a proxy and I'm a bit unsure which one to use. So it'd be good to see what others think:
The first one is the Laughing Cavalier.
Pros:
- He has that older experienced soldier look, some refined clothing, but still a military man of action.
- Also has the long flowing locks that we associate with the French of the period.
- Blue sleeves and trousers as a link to the musketeers
Cons: not much, except that the aforementioned blue is darker than the musketeer cassocks.
(http://tsrare.com/preview3.php?m=1&w=535&h=535&q=1&nr=1&file=PnM028.jpg)
The second one is Gustavus Adolphus
Pros:
- Looks like a nobleman, but still a soldier
- Not visible in this pic but his cape has the same "red inside, medium blue outside" colour scheme as the musketeer cassocks (big plus)
- His sleeves and trousers appear very similar to those of Aramis
Cons:
- Perhaps to obviously Gustavus Adolphus
- The cane is a bit too posh perhaps
(http://tsrare.com/preview3.php?m=1&w=535&h=535&q=1&nr=1&file=PNM074.JPG)
Thoughts, opinions welcome. :)
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I put Monsieur de Tréville in my mind, then I look at the two figures:
Although I am a great fan of Gustavus Adolphus, I am for the Laughing Knight.
Too obvious that Gustavus Adolphus he is, as you said.
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IMHO, the Laughing Cavalier.
Officers could order what they wanted to their tailor, buy better cloth etc.
Perhaps with some grey on the hair, as the captain in Cyrano:
(at 1:43:00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ5aENFV-aw
...yes I know Cyrano is not D'Artagnan... but I have a tendency to put them together, and both playable.
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...Thoughts, opinions welcome. :)
Laughing Cavalier. (If it was 28mm, I'd paint him. ;) )
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I guess hairlength aside, he does look a bit like Hugo Speer as Treville. ;)
(https://filmreviewonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Musketeers-104-003.jpg)
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You've chosen a unique project!
It will be my utter joy to see this coollection coming into life in an original scenario!
Keep up the good job!
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Seeing as they both fit the bill in various ways, I would go with the figure which I like best.
To me that is the Laughing Cavalier by a long chalk.
:-*
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I will probably get both figures eventually, but in my mind they need to have a fixed identity. lol
I'll go with the Laughing Cavalier as that seems to be everyone's favourite and he does look the part.
If I get the G.A. figure at a later point, I will probably add similar flowing hair to it, which should help break it away from its former identity and allow me to use it as something else. There are only so many kings I can use after all.
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I was surprised to see Historex only had 75mm and not 54mm options
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Chances are those are closer in size to the K&C models than 54mm anyway. ;D
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I've received two more figures from a recent sale, one of which I'm particularly pleased with.
The first is a third Red Guard figure (and at present the last variant being produced by K&C, though I hope they will add more in the future). Like the other standalone guard, this one's armed with a musket. On the official pictures, his head looks a bit oversized, which is why I kept this one for last, but it's much better in the flesh (hard to take good pictures of for some reason though and mine also make his head look a bit biggish).
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-65pStJaGKOw/WXjekfrYZGI/AAAAAAAADdU/OL7-sbdoDZADiPR9cV8DSkBMOCV1nb4uQCLcBGAs/s1600/red%2Bguard%2B3.jpg)
"I'm just going to stand here and try and look natural..."
He has joined his brethren, taking the Cardinal's faction up to five:
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wu1jWIy1ke8/WXjekZTbeAI/AAAAAAAADdY/t00P01tyPHwGWVT327hEwiIIeAylGeA-ACLcBGAs/s1600/cardinalsguards2.jpg)
Look at all those nice primary colours...
The second one is the one that got me a bit excited to post as it's another great sculpt from King and Country: Matthew Hopkins, the Witchfinder General himself. Lots of lovely detail in this figure. Perhaps he doesn't look quite evil or cruel enough, but then I think he probably didn't think of himself as evil either.
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xNIS3_6Nsbw/WXjfh90RY8I/AAAAAAAADdk/nC3xVl4h1fsjRQElSXylWayu79la9i7xACLcBGAs/s1600/witchfinder.jpg)
"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil..."
Here he has joined the preacher and other members of his faction (though it's still possible the two flamboyant figures on the right are split off from this group and assigned to another faction instead).
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VGJ83OiP8E8/WXjfhn8V_eI/AAAAAAAADdg/NHFThnpqvAgZcZq7LaxDl60Na0mtGNQhwCLcBGAs/s1600/witchfinder%2Bexpedition2.jpg)
"Get the witch!"
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And because it seems I didn't have enough of them already, a new blog to document the project... lol
https://swashbucklingsessions.blogspot.com/ (https://swashbucklingsessions.blogspot.com/)
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And because it seems I didn't have enough of them already, a new blog to document the project... lol
https://swashbucklingsessions.blogspot.com/ (https://swashbucklingsessions.blogspot.com/)
Nice setting of your blogspot and the black and white backdrop with the Musketeers, very atmospheric!
Now we can enjoy all your goodies together, with a few clicks!
A good start, deserving a much better continuation!
By the way, I would like to draw your attention to this K&C lovely couple!
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Yes, it's another great set. I have that cavalier pegged as a possible Duke of Buckingham wooing the Queen. ;)
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Great thread, I'm really enjoying it. I really like the detail on the lady's dress. If they're separate figures she would be a perfect "damsel in distress" for rescue scenarios.
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I believe they are separate. I will know for sure when I get around to buying it.
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I believe they are separate. I will know for sure when I get around to buying it.
They are separate, if you look closely at the two different pictures
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Yes, it would be odd that they would only be attached to each other by the hands. :)
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Yes, it would be odd that they would only be attached to each other by the hands. :)
Happens to some real people lol
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(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/cb/5c/0d/cb5c0def9e8ef2fafd728489036014a0.jpg)
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(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/cb/5c/0d/cb5c0def9e8ef2fafd728489036014a0.jpg)
They've got that wrong. In my experience it's usually the other way around- if there's a hardware or hobby store in sight, it's often the guys who splurge when shopping.
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Now that I've gotten this far in the collection, the challenge will be to maintain enough self control to wait until the remaining figures I want show up at a discount somewhere instead of rushing in and buying them at retail price. It's going to be a constant struggle that I only need to lose once... ::) o_o
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Now that I've gotten this far in the collection, the challenge will be to maintain enough self control to wait until the remaining figures I want show up at a discount somewhere instead of rushing in and buying them at retail price. It's going to be a constant struggle that I only need to lose once...
That route entails madness and the financial and economic collapse of the Western World!
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...in the meantime, how about devising an exciting scenario to bring the figures you've already collected into play? (fans avid for eye candy)
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Working on some more scenery first. The backdrops I've been using are fine for static pictures, but not large enough for gaming. :)
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This is splendid :-*
You're going to need a damned big table! 8)
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Well I hope it will be ok as I intend to run these as 1 on 1 skirmish with the "And all for one rules", so shouldn't need a table that's much bigger than a standard wargaming table.
I did look at the size that houses are going to need to be (at least 30cm high) and will likely get some 1/24 shells from Petite Properties and some of their other props.
My first setting will be the King's garden though, so mainly grass and walking paths, hedges and trees, fountains, statues, benches, topiaries, the bird bath,...
Although I am tempted to construct a façade for the palace on one end of the table. For that though, I would need to have some custom ornate windows and doors produced. Maybe some 3D designed panels, with windows and wall detailing built in, then moulded in resin and used as building blocks glued against a solid backing. OK, the madness has started... lol
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Next update is another Lemax conversion for the Musketeers project, and one I'm particularly stoked with as I think it worked really well.
The starting model is Lemax' violet girl, which for once was really well cast and sculpted with really good, fine details. As usual, the paint was splashed on in the general direction of the figure (official pic below is flattering).
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-auJuFTTOOBk/WX4kI8oSdjI/AAAAAAAADeI/lk7EtE1xbDYa9Hap8xgbJh1tBmkfKrESwCEwYBhgL/s1600/flowergirl5.jpg)
From the start, I thought this model had a lot of potential for converting to the 17th century (it's practically perfect) and I looked at some pictures of 17th century clothing before deciding on the colourscheme. In fact, she's so perfect that I no longer feel the tomato vendor is good enough to use in this setting, so I may relocate that one to some other project.
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x94EYvTHgxE/WX4kbBpyapI/AAAAAAAADeM/2na4l4r6kOoW5RflbaChTFis-QgclqLKQCLcBGAs/s1600/flowergirl3.jpg)
I wasn't originally going to keep the flowers purple, but since I painted those almost last, I more or less painted myself into a corner by already using all the other likely colours on her clothing. No complaints though, I think it worked out well. I also went for brighter colours on this one rather than the drab colours of the others and I think it worked out for the best, so I'll keep going in this direction.
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-deFshGgfSvc/WX4kbY7NERI/AAAAAAAADeU/0kRfLKVRxxEHmKDY5Y1XH47aUMhgJdtswCLcBGAs/s1600/flowergirl1.jpg)
I think the paintjob's match to the King & Country figures is as good as it's going to get with my skills. She doesn't stand out next to them as someone who doesn't belong. Size is perfect too, only minor niggle is the thickness of her base, but I did my best to at least round off the edges to make it less noticeable.
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gdY5MIicFHw/WX4kbFyUZ5I/AAAAAAAADeQ/y6OJ7Kq5L7wcPPKSe3n-h3OnyI3mR4UIACLcBGAs/s1600/flowergirl2.jpg)
"Some pretty flowers for your lady, Milord?"
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ntlCUNoSXtA/WX4kb8tr5EI/AAAAAAAADeY/1BnCKI6ibHYjNb2fNA9MM-DD0cMp2zgQgCLcBGAs/s1600/flowergirl4.jpg)
"According to my book, those plants are the mark of a witch!" - "Look, I don't want any trouble..."
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The "Flower Girl" has painted up really well. :)
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What a transformation! She's a real beauty!
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Fantastic work!
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To my mind the Gustavus Adolphus figure would make the better de Treville. First, as the Capt. of the King's Musketeers, de Treville was of equal rank to a general in the French forces - the Gustavus figure's cane lends that authority. Second, de Treville was a contemporary of D'Artagnan's father (the cane may very well be needed !). And third, the blue color of Gustavus' clothing ties him in thematically with the Musketeers better than does the clothing of the Laughing Cavalier (granted, neither is a "uniform," but there is a reason that Rochefort is usually pictured in red, again to fit in thematically with the Cardinal and his Guard).
As for the English and the Witchfinder General - have you considered using them as Hugenots ?
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The flower girl turned out great.
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Thanks for the positive comments, gents. I'm quite pleased with her. :)
To my mind the Gustavus Adolphus figure would make the better de Treville. First, as the Capt. of the King's Musketeers, de Treville was of equal rank to a general in the French forces - the Gustavus figure's cane lends that authority. Second, de Treville was a contemporary of D'Artagnan's father (the cane may very well be needed !). And third, the blue color of Gustavus' clothing ties him in thematically with the Musketeers better than does the clothing of the Laughing Cavalier (granted, neither is a "uniform," but there is a reason that Rochefort is usually pictured in red, again to fit in thematically with the Cardinal and his Guard).
Thanks for weighing in, you make a few good points. If I would get the Aldophus figure for this, I would add longer hair to the figure and some grey to his hair and beard which would hopefully be enough to change his appearance. If I'm feeling particularly bold, I might entertain the thought of adding a musketeers cross to his cape.
Regardless of which one ends cast as Monsieur de Treville, both figures are on my wishlist. :)
As for the English and the Witchfinder General - have you considered using them as Hugenots ?
Good call. Most of them would work well for that, so it might be a good idea to get double use out of them. A couple less so, like the roundhead cavalier which I think is too obviously English.
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Perhaps you could find something useful among Peipfiguren 54mm, they are big 54 mm.
http://www.peipp-miniaturen.de/shop/54mm_figuren.php?go=details&k=1&m=5&p=540808&pageID=
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Those wagons do look useful, but for the price, I'm reluctant to gamble on the size being large enough. The K&C models are nominally 60mm, but really 66-68mm to top of head/hat, so it seems unlikely the 54mm will get that big. Do you have any idea how tall the Peipfiguren figures are?
Edit: found a blogpost stating they are closer to 60mm. Should still be too short, but they are fat, so maybe the cart drivers might work. The horses look a bit too stocky though.
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Having browsed their site a bit, they do have a welt of figures for the period as well as some useful accessories. I will place a small order for some accessories and maybe one or two figures to see how or if they can be made to fit. Thanks for the suggestion. 8)
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The Peipfiguren has a special humor and the artist is a very friendly fellow.
I agree, his horses are a little special, but remember horses then were mainly small.
I am sure, the riders can be bought separately and may be you then can use other horses, maybe from King and Country.
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I like the style of the horses, just don't see them fit with what I have. I'll probably pass on the riders as K&C doesn't do separate horses for this period.
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Two other producers to look for are Del Prado and Starlux - both have 6cm figures.
Most Starlux are rather primitive, but cheap.
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I have some Del Prado's (though not for this project) and the size is right. Don't believe they make anything for this period though.
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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DeAgostini-Cassandra-Grey-Musketeer-France-1673-/162597167179?hash=item25db8be04b:g:Rm0AAOSwJ7RYTGQr
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Del-Prado-Captain-of-Musketeers-c-1670-/132260134161?hash=item1ecb517d11:g:Q-YAAOSwYvFZNPoV
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http://siberia-miniatures.ru/product_info.php?cPath=41_43_70&products_id=25
EK-Miniatures - generally 6 cm or so, but ask Cuprum.
https://guide.alibaba.com/shop/france-royal-musketeer-porthos-metal-sculpture-collection-54mm-scale-1-32-miniature-figurine-tin-toy-soldiers_59988598.html
from Ukraine. I am rather sure, they are bigger than 54mm, but ask Cuprum (Siberia), he knows the figures being produced in the East and is cheaper than these sold via China.
The Eastern produced figures are of a very high standard - and astounding cheap.
But of course most of the figures are Eastern soldiers and themes, but who knows, there can be personalities and such.
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Thanks for all the suggestions, though I fear that even 6cm likely isn't going to cut it, they need to be 65mm at least to work. There are other prepaints in the 60mm range, like First Legion and Kronprinz, but even those are too small IMO.
I have that musketeer from your second link and it's much too small IMO. It's not just height, but overall bulk of the figures as well, his face is just tiny compared to the K&C stuff. I have given up hope on 54mm being close enough. Closest I have found is the H.M. Beneito range and even that isn't quite right.
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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DeAgostini-Cassandra-Grey-Musketeer-France-1673-/162597167179?hash=item25db8be04b:g:Rm0AAOSwJ7RYTGQr
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Del-Prado-Captain-of-Musketeers-c-1670-/132260134161?hash=item1ecb517d11:g:Q-YAAOSwYvFZNPoV
Interesting. They appear to be a bit late for my setting (ebay listing says 1670's), but I may have to look into it more in case there are others.
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Interesting. They appear to be a bit late for my setting (ebay listing says 1670's), but I may have to look into it more in case there are others.
This being said, they are cheap enough it might be worth to pick them up just for the horses.
EDIT: or not, it would appear the "history of cavalry" range that Del Prado figure is from is a smaller scale than the medievals they did (who are the right size). DeAgostini apparently is smaller too.
EDIT 2: just looked at some of the medieval cavalry and noticed there really isn't much difference between the equipment on some of the horses, aside from the lack of the big cavalry pistols, so perhaps I might just get a few damaged del prado medievals and toss the riders.
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White Knight,
With some repainting, perhaps a few more potentially useful items for your scenarios:
http://www.lemaxcollection.com/categories/figurines/vegetable-vendor
http://www.lemaxcollection.com/categories/figurines/sister-sarah
http://www.lemaxcollection.com/categories/figurines/priest-blessing
http://www.lemaxcollection.com/categories/figurines/jolly-friar-singalong
http://www.lemaxcollection.com/categories/table-pieces/going-to-market
http://www.lemaxcollection.com/villages/general-products/accessories/plaza-fence--set-of-4
http://www.lemaxcollection.com/villages/general-products/accessories/plaza-bench--set-of-2
http://www.lemaxcollection.com/categories/accessories/park-statue---shakespeare
http://www.lemaxcollection.com/categories/accessories/cone-shaped---sculpted-topiaries--set-of-4
http://www.lemaxcollection.com/categories/accessories/water-well
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Thanks! With one exception, I think I have all of those, though some will be used with a different project. I even repainted the jolly friars already for my other project in this scale (Robin Hood), but of course, I can (and will) use them for both.
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5T1s9An1SnA/WagrBaBlBEI/AAAAAAAADiU/in8zzegXFnUYVC0JLuh-Pv5cbQCkfFU3gCLcBGAs/s1600/black%2Bcanuns%2B1.jpg)
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=103256.0 (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=103256.0)
That thread also has a heavily converted (and repainted) sister sarah figure.
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Wow ! TWO projects in that scale !
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Great collection! I especially love the conversions.
The best musketeer figures imo are from Alexandros models, but they are 75mm. In 54mm Andrea has some very nice ones.
http://www.andreadepotusa.com/en/1/andrea-miniatures/111/series-general/791/sg-f77-aramis.html
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White Knight, I know you seem to have moved on to other projects, but just in case you are still interested in doing this project, just letting you know that First Legion has just issued figures of the Three Musketeers and also Thirty Years War figures of Spanish Tercio soldiers (as at Rocroi). Regards.
http://www.firstlegionltd.com/60mmthirtyyearswar.aspx
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I haven’t moved on, just rotating between different projects in parallel. I have some WIP models being converted for this. I’ve seen the First Legion figures but aside from the fact they are a bit smaller, they are also a bit more expensive yet. :)
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Beautiful figures. But, yowsers $$$, I can get a hundred figures for a project in my scale for one of those - at 30% off, even.
Keep the tomato girl, she works fine - except, only the poor were likely to be eating tomatoes in your era. Maybe convert her pack to apples, then?
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I’ve pressed her into service for my 60mm Victorian Horror project over on the Gothic Horror board instead: http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=104764.0 (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=104764.0).
No, not cheap... but looking great.
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The King, His Majesty Louis the XIII, known as Louis the Just, with his queen, Anne of Austria, daughter (and later sister) to the king of Spain and rumoured to have a soft spot for a certain Duke of Buckingham, another mortal enemy of France. Not an easy mariage. Both models are from King & Country and come prepainted.
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aWnLIyiGTmI/XA05AM3_zZI/AAAAAAAAEpY/_BnvguPnZBMId87sZVpMBDXZyL5UsPejACLcBGAs/s1600/King%2BLouis%2B%2526%2BQueen%2BAnne.jpg)
The King, the son of Henri IV and Louis XIV...
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--tdgQoaAuA8/XA02LWUgO8I/AAAAAAAAEo4/wTzYG8l34AgN7rW1PmGb6hvLSK5Bhkt6wCLcBGAs/s1600/King%2BLouis.jpg)
The Queen. I added a small base to the queen, as K&C robed figures tend to be supplied without one, but I feel that looks a bit odd next to the other figures.
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cr0ckDGJCG4/XA02LsxuZ3I/AAAAAAAAEo8/WgxrZppuDsEyeqk08kOGzIryh8KkLX9zwCLcBGAs/s1600/Queen%2BAnne.jpg)
It's not easy being the Queen of France and a sister of the King of Spain
The Royal court of King Louis is of course frequented by a myriad of greater and lesser nobles, hoping to catch the King's eye and favour. This gentleman and his wife are the Duke of Vendôme, César de Bourbon, a half-brother of our beloved sovereign no less, and his wife Françoise de Lorraine. Having dabbled in intrigues and conspiracies, he will spend a larger part of his life in exile, but that's just the way of the 17th century courts.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FMOG1hTdOzU/XA19vVV54zI/AAAAAAAAEq0/Os3mkVdEccQCZlb2r52vGQQLmix61MyxgCLcBGAs/s1600/Courtiers.jpg)
The models are actually King & Country's (prepainted) ECW King & Queen, but after having them originally pegged to stand in for our benevolent rulers, they have been recast in new roles. I added a base to Françoise, as I felt she was missing something without it.
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_t7MMtbfIGM/XA02KqJY6KI/AAAAAAAAEpQ/J6mdUV6NUVstHY2PErgkBqtAsewsKl9twCEwYBhgL/s1600/King%2BLouis%2BCourtier.jpg)
I have just as much royal blood as Louis, well, on our father's side anyway.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-kpGnTeBc0/XA02KupX8UI/AAAAAAAAEpI/QtUV5gq8ZSodt_JMfBpr-zpXi7qnDS6xgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Court%2BLady.jpg)
I married a King's brother, because of a treaty between Henry IV and my father, Philippe-Emmanuel de Lorraine
The King and Queen taking a stroll through the park, followed by their courtiers.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kpi5JQgZcrQ/XA018KCt71I/AAAAAAAAEoo/hMslYF-k7fkIA0-riOvHiWZnlY16dy34QCLcBGAs/s1600/King%2B%2526%2BQueen%2Bat%2BCourt.jpg)
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More lovely additions to your collection.
:-*
Am I right in suspecting that this little project MAY have a slight twist given what you were looking for recently?
;)
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Since I didn’t get the one I was looking for, it probably won’t. ;)
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As we all know the Duke of Buckingham likes to sneak into Paris for some quality time with a certain queen, his bodyguards have their work cut out for them to get him back home safely in time for tea and biscuits. This dapper fellow is the captain of those bodyguards, one of the finest blades of England, and plenty of charm and wit to go with it. If he'd been born in France, he'd probably have been a member of the King's musketeers.
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zAIzX_4Y3Mw/XA19H8_JkoI/AAAAAAAAEpw/5gpQkzUrD7k15JmZxoEH7pC3TKA5jy2uACLcBGAs/s1600/Buckingham%2BBodyguard%2BCaptain%2B2.jpg)
The model is King & Country's "Laughing Cavalier" from the ECW range. He's been recast here in a role that will suit him well.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RiEtlkEpqX8/XA19HyFporI/AAAAAAAAEp4/zIXc4bQ2Iw4yGZiV1AQ5qNamOl6HWxqrACLcBGAs/s1600/Buckingham%2BBodyguard%2BCaptain.jpg)
As some people here might remember, I was considering him to fill the role of captain de Treville, but I've decided on a different option for that, which will require some custom work done to it.
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Wonderful additions to this project. Any chance in the future of a "group photo" of the entire cast ?
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Georges the Villiers, the Duke of Buckingham, was the British prime minister and a personal friend of his Sovereign. He was to British politics what cardinal Richelieu was to France's. Being responsible for waging war on France and rumored to be the recipient of the French queen's affections, he was no favourite of King Louis. His clandestine visits to France to see the queen make him a good candidate to build a separate faction around.
Pictured here with some members of his personal bodyguard, on those sneaky visits to Paris that are described in Dumas' novel.
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AaGkz57k7uw/XA19IDCniPI/AAAAAAAAEp0/tdB_EQ3JjfsAGB-382VhOLitJ18tLWH3QCLcBGAs/s1600/Buckhiman%2Band%2Bretinue.jpg)
The model is King & Country's interpretation of the character in 65mm, and a very nice one at that.
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--m8EfRVvOTo/XA19IdIHrgI/AAAAAAAAEp8/7vrtZ9FxZXM8iC2stvK1Sdswx0hOaBj2ACLcBGAs/s1600/Buckingham.jpg)
A clandestine appointment with the queen in the park. He'll only be able to steal a few minutes, but it will be worth it.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kaTsPYzAHec/XA19Iv8XzII/AAAAAAAAEqA/_mWu9JSOqngqt6Dd3W8jRfie-JByjmHeQCLcBGAs/s1600/Queen%2BAnne%2B%2526%2BBuckingham.jpg)
The two guards in the group shot (with spear and sword) have been shown earlier as part of the witchfinder faction, but with their colorful looks I've switched them over to the Duke of Buckingham faction, which makes a nice contrast to the more drab characters in the witchfinder group.
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Wonderful additions to this project. Any chance in the future of a "group photo" of the entire cast ?
I'll try to take one next time I have them all out. As I don't have the cabinets yet that I have my eye on for displaying them, it takes some time to unpack them all from their individual little boxes. :)
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Unique collection! :-*
A labor of love and zeal! Congrats!
I don't stop visiting and visiting again this thread!
Cheers!
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I'm considering partly repainting the figures in the Witchfinder faction to set them apart more from the Buckingham faction. Mostly, I would paint the sleeves and trousers in darker colours (maybe even black) and possibly the buff coats in grey. On the one hand, the figures are great the way they are so I'm a bit reluctant, but on the other hand, it would cement their new identity and take them out of the ECW where they originated.
As a reminder, I'm talking about the 4 figures to the left here:
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VGJ83OiP8E8/WXjfhn8V_eI/AAAAAAAADdg/NHFThnpqvAgZcZq7LaxDl60Na0mtGNQhwCLcBGAs/s1600/witchfinder%2Bexpedition2.jpg)
Opinions? Yay or nay?
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Yay. But very subtle (either dark/black sleeves, the variation in buff coats or even a little symbol on them- painted or a field symbol, etc).
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They are so nicely painted as they are, would be a shame to retouch them. If so, maybe just the variation in the buffcoat (darkening it a bit).
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Milady de Winter is Cardinal Richelieu's confidante, spy and occasional assassin. A woman of remarkable beauty, intellect and resourcefulness, but also cold blooded and ruthless when needed. It's hard to imagine that in a former life she was the countess de la Fère, in other words, the wife of the musketeer Athos...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--x3aXa6CBo4/XA19XFd325I/AAAAAAAAEqE/JH6RCSKrwcQxTQWxbyyjWPMSNxpYgPFPQCLcBGAs/s1600/Milady%2B1.jpg)
Pictured here in a comfortable outfit destined for travelling and clandestine operations, about to torture an apple to reveal all it's secrets.
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x_fWWqPfmOk/XA19Xuwf2pI/AAAAAAAAEqQ/1VsRXgPDAf0F6kdv-2njmqASTx8cUri0gCLcBGAs/s1600/Milady%2B3.jpg)
And a close-up for no good reason:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CgvFC4Z6q10/XA19XJBYIKI/AAAAAAAAEqM/8TnNkZLdA2sCZLxrQwlz3bNkWD3L3u_3QCLcBGAs/s1600/Milady%2B2.jpg)
Having a casual conversation with a young musketeer-wannabe.
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E_oPvf6EGzs/XA19X_XqlMI/AAAAAAAAEqU/ZGwLDr_1gZAsphkjjfk1ZV00Oaoo9Bv3gCLcBGAs/s1600/Milady%2B4.jpg)
"You're not dangerous, you're beautiful" - "Not the sharpest sword in the armoury, are you?"
Getting orders from the Cardinal:
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xeEZy9YzSPE/XA19X673VKI/AAAAAAAAEqc/p1t46SEfVXwEpYOzq7hC0ZPYTZQcxpTHwCLcBGAs/s1600/milady%2B5.jpg)
"It's on my order and for the good of the State..." - "Can you write this down?"
She's not Rochefort's biggest fan though.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-POqeYl_gt3w/XA19XzKPx_I/AAAAAAAAEqY/8Uuakn04-TQm3lLGO-n94EsFH0LuQTfzACLcBGAs/s1600/Milady%2B6.jpg)
"Why don't we go somewhere more private?" - "Why don't we pretend that this apple is your... other sword?"
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What a fantastic collection you have - and a marvelous venue in which they can operate. Bravo.
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Thanks!
The accessoires are all from the Lemax christmas collection. The ornate stone railing is unpainted hard plastic and will get a suitable paintjob eventually.
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It's the Musketeer's job to keep the King out of harm's way, but it's not the King's job to make that an easy task. When war is being waged, all kings will eventually have to make a show of being a warrior in the thick of the action, albeit from a safe distance, and so we have King Louis here decked out in his finest battlefield threads.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HAF5RZpeqH0/XA1-COTadLI/AAAAAAAAErE/CDGy88xyYWoxSybt33FGBeTxgmXlmZP8QCLcBGAs/s1600/King%2B%2526%2Bmusketeers.jpg)
"It is your duty to protect France. And therefore... me."
The figure is actually King & Country's retired model of the British King Charles, but as he strikes a passing resemblance to the King Louis model, he will work perfectly well in that role.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G1gBjZPpGqc/XA1-CBCN-tI/AAAAAAAAErA/1A1SQNRgx48DxgHBtGssHzJzuEMczpU3wCLcBGAs/s1600/King%2BLouis%2BCombat.jpg)
No begging from the women can sway this brave warrior from his plan to put his guards into grave danger.
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsHFly7tU5k/XA1-CLKY73I/AAAAAAAAEq8/Fh7faWCDUdUolW6MMEbrSHsG-qAjtfh5ACLcBGAs/s1600/King%2BLouis%2BCombat%2B2.jpg)
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These pictures are real eye candies! Cheers!
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Thank you!
In reply to this;
I'm considering partly repainting the figures in the Witchfinder faction to set them apart more from the Buckingham faction. Mostly, I would paint the sleeves and trousers in darker colours (maybe even black) and possibly the buff coats in grey. On the one hand, the figures are great the way they are so I'm a bit reluctant, but on the other hand, it would cement their new identity and take them out of the ECW where they originated.
[...]
Opinions? Yay or nay?
Yay. But very subtle (either dark/black sleeves, the variation in buff coats or even a little symbol on them- painted or a field symbol, etc).
They are so nicely painted as they are, would be a shame to retouch them. If so, maybe just the variation in the buffcoat (darkening it a bit).
I think I'm going to go ahead with it and try it out on a figure I just got that has some minor wear to the paint. Sleeves for sure and maybe trousers to match, then see if that does the trick.
I think something like this random picture I found on the internet should work:
(https://miniset.net/files/set/gw-wq07-4.jpg)
An alternative of course would be to go all the way and make them match the soldiers from the Witchfinder General movie, with grey coats, red sleeves and trousers and black gloves and boots:
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BZWIzYjE3NmItZDQ0MC00Y2ZhLThhNTQtNzIzNDNkOTdkZmNlXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzc5NjM0NA@@._V1_.jpg)
(https://jpkcinemaadventures.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/witchfinder-general-34.jpg)
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That is a nice color combination (but they are already so nicely painted !).
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This may lose me some fans, but I went and did it and changed the sleeves on some of the witchhunter figures (not on the Witchfinder General himself so far) to be black. I'm still not sure it was the right thing to go, as they were so nice before, but it does give them a nice sense of uniformity and more of a puritan look. Will take pictures when light allows.
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Wonderful additions, and I love the theatricality of the whole undertaking :-*
Must be costing you an absolute fortune though :o
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Thanks! Most of them have been bought second hand at 30% or 35% off. Still not cheap, but not *that* expensive if you factor in the size of the figures and the quality of the paintjobs. Since there aren't all that many left to get (that I can see a place for in my narrative), and my discount source isn't getting them in currently, I've resorted to ordering some direct from K&C from Hong Kong. The original price from them is considerably cheaper than retail price in the UK/EU, they offer free shipping if you order a certain amount and so far I haven't been stung on customs with packages from HK, so it's an acceptable solution.
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Have you seen the Kronprinz line of painted 30 Years War figures ? Made in Spain, they depict Spanish and French troops at Rocroi and are advertised as 1/30th scale.
Below link has four pages.
https://kronprinztoysoldiers.com/en/35-thirty-years-war
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Yes, and I acquired a couple test figures but, to me, they are not a great match, much slimmer in build. Shame as they would have had some really useful additions.
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A shame indeed - some nice figures there.
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Finally managed to get some pictures of my paint touch-ups on the Witchfinders. I didn't touch the Witchfinder general, as he's allowed to stand out, but I did touch up the other members of his faction to better reflect their grim occupation. So, I can now present the updated Witchfinder expedition:
The group shot:
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jbuaDOOjrvU/XCk0g0NK3_I/AAAAAAAAEsQ/QyLB54OXoxkDWkCjx-s1Up2cNsgBs29ygCLcBGAs/s1600/witchfinder%2Bexpedition%2B1.jpg)
The Preacher
Most of the Witchfinder General's henchmen are merely hired thugs, men of little moral integrity with a penchant for cruelty, but some, like the Preacher, are true zealots. A bonafide man of the fate, the General's right hand man truly believes in the holy mission. An otherwise kind and intelligent man, he will not hesitate to unleash his righteous fury on those he is led to believe are the spawn of Satan. A complex individual and a great swordsman to boot.
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BERO_vGs9Wg/XCkxTipSmiI/AAAAAAAAErw/doyQW5X27Hwq1NQGPtHgUtypEhqkSHw4wCLcBGAs/s1600/wfpreacher2.jpg)
This characterful model is another King and Country ECW figure. As with the others in this faction, I took the liberty to make a few changes to better reflect the grim nature of his occupation. The colourful red and yellow striped sleeves were replaced with a more sobre black.
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4tdJ3v86eGs/XCkwtq7duOI/AAAAAAAAErk/cmotUmIUU5Y6wmygIk_aZbBqXwanSWGLQCLcBGAs/s1600/wfpreacher.jpg)
The Captain of the Witchfinders
Originally a King and Country Parliamentary Gun Commander, he's the most extensive repaint as in addition to the sleeves, his dark blue trousers were repainted to match the others and his orange sash was darkened to match the red on the other figures.
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d94Wa4pfd3Y/XCkzmcOq8OI/AAAAAAAAEr8/PqRh6F5XZ_QPyrU4y4KRkvq9yz9jKBwzACLcBGAs/s1600/wfcaptainc.jpg)
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ChACChRbivQ/XCk03gQxeGI/AAAAAAAAEsc/ZsjjuBoMgZADPZyk2W-0ZcUzywtFbEFQQCLcBGAs/s1600/witchfinder%2Bexpedition%2B2.jpg)
The Witchfinder's thugs
More black added. The one with sword and pistol had a highlight added to his trousers to make it match the others even more.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4xKRrzCOSmQ/XCkzmY2g5mI/AAAAAAAAEsE/wWVqxBFjStk3T0x7dUqj49XgVsFhJxYvACLcBGAs/s1600/wf%2Bsoldier.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cooAZvE89_Y/XCkzmYVuycI/AAAAAAAAEsA/RYVVsomBYZshAWraYzS_IHnhDPm75EUDgCLcBGAs/s1600/wfsgt.jpg)
And a small reminder of what most of these looked like before. They were fine models as they were, but I think they make for a more coherent force now, without becoming too dull.
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VGJ83OiP8E8/WXjfhn8V_eI/AAAAAAAADdg/NHFThnpqvAgZcZq7LaxDl60Na0mtGNQhwCLcBGAs/s1600/witchfinder%2Bexpedition2.jpg)
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Very nicely done. You certainly brought them together thematically as a faction.
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Thanks! I'm well pleased with the result. :)
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Agree, a simple but effective transformation.
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Very nicely done. You certainly brought them together thematically as a faction.
Exactly this!
And I don't stop coming back to admire all your pics, these gorgeous figures put in front such beautiful and well-chosen background are a feast for the eyes!
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The Duke of Buckingham's guards don't have it easy. His escapades onto French territory frequently put him in harm's way (the things we do for love) and these seasoned veterans are sworn to protect him with their lives. This mounted guard is one of the best shots with a musket to be found in England and as such has the privilege to accompany his Duke on those voyages.
The model is a touched up King and Country ECW figure. I painted the buff coat green, so that he'd be a better fit to the colourful Duke's guards and to avoid confusion with the Witchfinder faction. He has one eye closed, which I also touched up as the original paintjob had his eyelashes at the same height as the open eye, where it should be lower for a closed eye. For some reason, the highlights on the green look a bit stark on the back, they are fine in real life.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-clUAL4FqmLU/XCn56IILJUI/AAAAAAAAEsw/AXshMfS1j8kVROYr0gUg54ZpKnyDUa7bwCLcBGAs/s1600/buckingham%2Bbodyguard%2Bmounted.jpg)
The Duke and his bodyguards, so far:
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UvjZ9Gayqr8/XCn56A_MIQI/AAAAAAAAEss/NsDr2piIVPcdfysv-vZZDiugBUgVaGtjgCLcBGAs/s1600/buckingham%2Bretinue.jpg)
The Duke and his guards get into a confrontation with the Witchfinder General and his thugs, who've been overstepping their boundaries lately...
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VS6-YRvdOz0/XCn56EDRitI/AAAAAAAAEso/cy-TTBsHUD0EJJgE-b-3sP-naCN33NUXQCLcBGAs/s1600/witchfinder%2Bexpedition%2B3.jpg)
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And that had to have set you back a pretty penny !
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I'm somewhat wanting for words and will therefore stick to "Wow !" .
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Thank you, gentlemen. 8) It's a pretty laid back project because I don't have to build and paint everything, but just build it around a core of readily available figures and add in personal touches and conversions.
And I don't stop coming back to admire all your pics, these gorgeous figures put in front such beautiful and well-chosen background are a feast for the eyes!
I printed the background from a google search. I was looking for an image that to me evoked the iconic scene early in the book where d'Artagnan meets up with the three musketeers for a duel amongst the ruins of the Carmes Déchaux, which is promptly interrupted by the arrival of Jussac and the red guards. This image worked perfectly for that for me.
And that had to have set you back a pretty penny !
I've spread them out over time, the recent posts are me catching up with taking pictures of models that were acquired over the course of several months, which isn't the say they aren't expensive.
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It's been a long time without updates, so hopefully this one will be worth it, as it's one that took up a disproportionate number of hours for the final result. Nonetheless, here is the King's carriage.
A King always travels in style and none has more style in abundance than King Louis of France. Covered in the royal fleur de lys heraldry, the King's presence is clearly announced and all who witness this carriage's passing will know it holds an important member of the Royal household, most likely the King himself. Not so good for visits to one of the King's mistresses, but no doubt he has more discrete carriages at his disposal should such a need arise.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IRtZW6AOGG8/Xt52qBxAgQI/AAAAAAAAFNI/czi1I8cvSusa1z5LHRFoqqXVqQzQMDyFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Royal%2Bcarriage%2B0.jpg)
The King descends from his carriage and is greeted by the Cardinal under the watchful eyes of his faithful musketeers.
The model is based on a Lemax victorian carriage with a heavily modified rider. The casting and painting on the original model was very bad and I did my best to improve it, but some casting flaws were beyond repair. The ugly thread reins were replaced with florist wire. The driver was completely resculpted to wear the King's livery. His hat was donated by a 54mm figure, with some added sculpting to enlarge it. The decals are from an old Warhammer Bretonnian sheet.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1mx-nPTh-hE/Xt52qQLxMuI/AAAAAAAAFNE/wmpxxqUafxwzJ2dL4Nn3iQ1cn5vwAj3AQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Royal%2Bcarriage%2B1.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B5KraBLBWSQ/Xt52qVah-vI/AAAAAAAAFNM/WudBvSjfd_I-96D_via8ahtASSBrO1K0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Royal%2Bcarriage%2B2.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xhg-n1jLPYU/Xt52qwafl3I/AAAAAAAAFNQ/Ak0ku99CfbwYCIWLASRjv91MJh8ucLC8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Royal%2Bcarriage%2B3.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d8EYN1-Hc6g/Xt522--2F-I/AAAAAAAAFNo/1AIwq6tG7LsJbh0sXs33lXtIN9EVoX7NACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Royal%2Bcarriage%2B4.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Zz7jtUh6eg/Xt52rgOzKuI/AAAAAAAAFNY/a-kriw-gts0AMHLelhh04tMY4X82PfqHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Royal%2Bcarriage%2B5.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LUAYT8V6KPs/Xt52rmULJoI/AAAAAAAAFNU/Zuo7Aejqg6YMTrIIsYNEC3171Gguf6pFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Royal%2Bcarriage%2B6.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SA4e8K7f2zk/Xt52sCsCPPI/AAAAAAAAFNc/hQoCvQK1E88pKn8QTpoRear4EH6rvCW7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Royal%2Bcarriage%2B7.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-auFlYussPwM/Xt52sZKQK9I/AAAAAAAAFNg/iRdVaa8FCCohQrwV-xaP6x273iosmcx1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Royal%2Bcarriage%2B8.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TyBzCLVxLlc/Xt52st3Q4KI/AAAAAAAAFNk/ACLWn9mRJUUMtn0gzO2ZnYdVBPCFewOqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Royal%2Bcarriage%2B9.jpg)
The King and Queen returning from a short ride in the King's carriage, still blushing from the... um... excitement.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rI3dq6qSS0E/Xt52pz120vI/AAAAAAAAFNA/vc6OCwa_wS4jqr6UJXnrB816V_T1qmY6gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Royal%2Bcarriage%2B10.jpg)
The downside of announcing the identity of the passengers is having to deal with the occasional assassination attempt.
For completeness' sake, this is the Lemax model it was based on, though in reality they don't look quite as nice and clean as in the promotional pictures:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_CEQIhcpus/Xt56YbPgObI/AAAAAAAAFOQ/xKlmkryxs4E0Dn87CWhqTxV6EwAazm4cACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Royal%2Bcarriage%2B11.jpg)
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Great to see an update - the carriage is superb!
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Terrific job WK. :-*
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Terrific job WK. :-*
It may have been your ECW resurrected that prompted me to finish it.
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It may have been your ECW resurrected that prompted me to finish it.
lol Don’t blame me!
How many more of these gorgeous figures could you / do you plan to add to this amazing collection?
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How about a thank you then? 8) 8)
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What an update!
:-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Gives me ideas for how to paint my Bluemoon 15s carriages for musketeers. Nice work.
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Thanks gentleman. I did hesitate with making it so specific as to be the King's carriage instead of a more generic one that could also be used by the Cardinal, Milady, the Duke of Buckingham, etc... but there was no getting the image of a blue coach with fleur-de-lys heraldry out of my head, so it had to be done, even though it limits it's usefulness in scenarios.
Or you know, I could just ignore that and use it anyway if the need arises (and let's be honest, I never get to game anyway lol ).
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Monsieur de Tréville, real name Jean-Armand du Peyrer, Comte de Troisville, was the respected captain of the musketeers guarding Louis XIII. A close adviser to the King, he is a man of great honour and integrity. He inspires loyalty in his men and gives it back without reserve. Possibly the embodiment of the musketeers' motto "One for all and all for one!".
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xMtIA_YFvaw/Xt-7LXV9SOI/AAAAAAAAFOc/-pYH1vStLbIcAodHTBrroPmh5lReyUpXACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Captain%2Bde%2BTr%25C3%25A9ville%2B0.jpg)Captain de Tréville flanked by the musketeers Aramis, Porthos and Athos
As he is based on a King and Country prepainted figure, I only did some minor painting on him to turn him into the good captain. Therefore, I can take little credit for the final figure.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-by0uGOj--Wg/Xt-7LTFrliI/AAAAAAAAFOg/JmGWIE1ZWoEZPJTtXD5W-cPpVs7-_-qSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Captain%2Bde%2BTr%25C3%25A9ville%2B1.jpg)
The Captain is a minor modification of the King and Country Gustavus Adolphus mini. It was chosen due to the colours of the model being a close match for the Musketeer uniform. It only needed a change of hair and the addition of the musketeer cross on the back of the cape. While I'm fine converting the cheaper Lemax figures myself, I wanted this model to be perfect, so I enlisted professional sculptor Ian Mountain, whom I had worked with before, to make the conversion. I then proceeded to paint it to match the rest of the figure. With the changes, he no longer looks obviously like Gustavus, at least to my eye.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zSJILt1P3M0/Xt-7LV13PSI/AAAAAAAAFOk/WnO3D2-VpsUVfIqXzHPRnLPA47r6z-SoQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Captain%2Bde%2BTr%25C3%25A9ville%2B2.jpg)
I wanted to give the impression of greying hair to his flowing locks to indicate his seniority.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SLZSiNTcSKY/Xt-7MfUd7gI/AAAAAAAAFOs/lUoz5oyHGyEMmpVB6e-iXQwczF81CS3xwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Captain%2Bde%2BTr%25C3%25A9ville%2B5.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vEeZzoZEJXY/Xt-7MZpISYI/AAAAAAAAFOw/rz5ZmDPWR_MmSfYA8km_OsJzmkF3dkP0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Captain%2Bde%2BTr%25C3%25A9ville%2B4.jpg)
"Sire, I have this urgent missive for you." - "What is it? Is Spain on the move again?"
Frequent duels between musketeers and red guards were a regular point of contention between the Cardinal and the Captain.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oFcGcTy19Cc/Xt-7MNa7UyI/AAAAAAAAFOo/jZnW90W9XiYiJOte6V9pv0TtwQXBsCeTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Captain%2Bde%2BTr%25C3%25A9ville%2B3.jpg)
"Your musketeers were caught duelling again!You must punish them!"
"I will look into it and give them their just deserts.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bqVIXFMJF_w/Xt-7MzB9i7I/AAAAAAAAFO4/487CJn4JjvIW1WxOZhh1X3f5ozRlyPEPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Captain%2Bde%2BTr%25C3%25A9ville%2B7.jpg)
"I heard you disobeyed the prohibition of duelling again and fought the Cardinal's guards?"
"Yes, my captain, but..."
"Silence! I only want to hear one thing out of you... Did you win?"
"We did, sir!"
"Good."
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kVkJKroujYo/Xt-7Mp81u8I/AAAAAAAAFPE/bOraSf7v4Ywyndq5U1Sbq92JQX0MPynHQCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqzLStkOBPutI5GtG0uTHE-gnQxtVZE2tViO96V7KiAN7y1wowViM2tW8MVrIxbfI8dwQgUckRF0zqe2qoQVB5CJ00WRqF9o_dFG86gkuKfJ-rJZoc7VSO8fuLywuVJ1oUepve2MkznMz8t_uuUfxunb5odpNIq86QqN28-iwHdwOp6m68KDUfPeVo49Oj0IZEC8d7K9ITwgRn6DYKQiXtaU20AaO5u8sxOVbVnBaBu2iat1Gg6vpz094_VY8Wh_BsVRD9K9YhzP8j_EjEsVWJxhrrOkizjv4SCjJ9nPy00AYPF8DbCJbNhnjaFyoDvgy7Kik5TJyRFXt5p7960duVNDMz0kVv58Wev8rQ13C0CwxzNTLDEUMryzHyUWO4LgCmEwSd42_xlcso16ylQ2hU8C05G4Y9sNlJdbRzkKnrFrScOl6qVK83xA6AVSiB1MiiyAwoYO4rb-RvsK5c22beSMpq4zBB9NF5eC-Zk2NQdF5H8jQuG-2mFtoAMSs5NFdiLi8OxuQ1C85f67G_52xNxbUrIisUy9KufUXkA0r0_On1KyarNOhqPWs0S0ATCZmxF5TYQGvx_iL44bup_vQqzkhR5ri9eTugJVMIiD__YF/s1600/Captain%2Bde%2BTr%25C3%25A9ville%2B6.jpg)
"This is d'Artagnan, captain. He's the one who bested and injured Monsieur de Jussac in single combat."
"No small feat. I hear you want to become a musketeer, boy?"
"More than anything, captain!"
"Well, at least you're a Gascon."
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A Very fine collection.
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I am in complete awe! Wonderful stuff!
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A truly impressive collection of figures. :-*
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Thank you. As the core of the project are the excellent prepainted figures from K&C, I can focus on small conversions and modifications and selected additions from Lemax conversions, so it’s not a time consuming project that I can do on the side. Except big items like the coach of course which took some more time.
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Glad to see you back ! The carriage is magnificent, worthy indeed of the King. And the Comte de Treville is wonderful.
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Seems that I missed an update or two...
Cracking additions, especially the coach, the work you put into it certainly paid dividends.
:-* :-*
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Thank you for the comments. I have a few more figures undercoated awaiting their turn to be painted. As well as a few extra K&C ones awaiting to be photographed.
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Your efforts are always worth it White Knight.
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Amazing coach!! Great conversion
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Great to see this project proceeding again, it looks so magnificent I may just blush from the ‘excitement’ :-*
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With all my hobby stuff still packed in boxes after our house move and waiting a few months until the installation of some custom cabinets in what will be my first dedicated hobbyroom (not to mention a baby due in a couple weeks), I can't do much beyond planning.
So I'd like to garner some opinions. I think the following figure could be included in the project as a gypsy (might add some circular bracelets and such to her). Do you agree or is it too far out? It's a webstore picture as I haven't bought one yet.
(https://d3vgm3d4y7wwsq.cloudfront.net/pub/images/res/CD018(s)_800_600_1651552580.jpg)
She's actually a Mexican originally.
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You HAVE to buy her & bedeck her with bangles etc.
There must be an 'O' gauge Gipsy caravan kit out there somewhere.
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There must be an 'O' gauge Gipsy caravan kit out there somewhere.
I hadn't thought that far ahead. Maybe I can scratchbuild one on top of another lemax wagon model.
EDIT: this one might be a good candidate to donate the base:
(https://lemax.imgix.net/images/default-source/product-images/13561b28c4f65-009b-43f6-95a1-25fce43c1520.jpg)
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Try this one.
https://www.seasideminiatures.co.uk/
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https://www.hobbies.co.uk/match-craft-bow-top-caravan-matchstick-kit
Any use?
Fantastic collection here, well done!
I love some of your staged photos too, brilliant!
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Try this one.
https://www.seasideminiatures.co.uk/
From what I can see, those are 1/48 scale and my project is in ~1/28 (~65mm) scale.
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https://www.hobbies.co.uk/match-craft-bow-top-caravan-matchstick-kit
Hard to know without a fixed scale, I think it sounds a bit large, but some parts might be useful. Then again, I was already thinking of using match sticks and coffee-stirrers over a cardboard frame over the Lemax wagon body, so it might be easier in the end to stick with my scratchbuilding idea.
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Love to see what you do with the Mexican girl - rather than a gypsy, perhaps a bargirl and object of momentary affection from one of the key musketeer characters?
Lemax make cool stuff but fragile as all get out. My wife has a VERY LARGE collection of houses and other stuff that, usually, gets set up at Xmas time. Virtually impossible to set up and take down and put away without something getting broken - usually several somethings, even with great care. I think we are over 50 buildings.
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To be fair, the same probably applies when setting up and taking down a very large miniatures collection. :'(
I have a lot of suitable lemax buildings for 28/30mm scenery and a load of the victorian looking figures for my 60-65mm projects. So far I have been able to avoid too many accidents.
I have another mini that can be used as a bargirl. I fear this one is a bit too exotic for a regular French girl. ;)
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From what I can see, those are 1/48 scale and my project is in ~1/28 (~65mm) scale.
As our friends across the Pond would say, 'My bad.' :(
Might be worth looking at the Dolls House companies.
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(not to mention a baby due in a couple weeks)
Slight aside, but congrats to you and your good lady Seb.
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Hard to know without a fixed scale, I think it sounds a bit large, but some parts might be useful. Then again, I was already thinking of using match sticks and coffee-stirrers over a cardboard frame over the Lemax wagon body, so it might be easier in the end to stick with my scratchbuilding idea.
I was looking at overall height (12cm) and judging the door accordingly. If your minis are 65mm high, it doesn’t look too bad.
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Thanks for your reactions, gentlemen. And that's how asking a simple opinion about a single figure leads into a new and bigger idea to add to the project. lol
Might be worth looking at the Dolls House companies.
Oh yes, the 1/24 dollhouse scale is closest. Slightly oversize, but I've been tempted to get some of their stuff. So far, I've limited myself to purchasing doors and the like, as they might aid my scratchbuilding attempts.
I was looking at overall height (12cm) and judging the door accordingly. If your minis are 65mm high, it doesn’t look too bad.
You are right. It's mostly the "building the whole model from matchsticks" part that scares me. ;D
Slight aside, but congrats to you and your good lady Seb.
Thanks. As if I didn't have enough things getting in the way of hobby time as it is. lol