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Miniatures Adventure => Medieval Adventures => Topic started by: PhilH on January 15, 2020, 04:26:30 PM

Title: Dipping into the Dark Ages
Post by: PhilH on January 15, 2020, 04:26:30 PM: I made this 28mm Viking Levy troop. He’s the start of a Dark Ages range I want to add to my Bears Head Miniatures offerings.
I’ve had a hankering to sculpt some historical Miniatures for a while, so decided to make time for them this year.
Although I do want to add some mythological creatures and troops along the way.
I’ll keep posting pics here as the range develops.
(https://i.imgur.com/c9C4b7R.jpg)
Title: Re: Dipping into the Dark Ages
Post by: Eric the Shed on January 15, 2020, 04:37:32 PM: looks great
Title: Re: Dipping into the Dark Ages
Post by: PhilH on January 15, 2020, 04:52:56 PM: Thank you. I’m trying to decide whether to give him a slotta tab base or an integral puddle. Also whether to remove the spear and leave an open hand, so wire spears can be used.
Any preference either way?
Title: Re: Dipping into the Dark Ages
Post by: Malamute on January 15, 2020, 04:55:00 PM: I like him very much. :)

No preference on the spear but would suggest integral puddle base rather than slotta.
Title: Re: Dipping into the Dark Ages
Post by: Atheling on January 15, 2020, 05:21:37 PM: That's certainly something to be proud of!! :o

Keep it up! 8)
Title: Re: Dipping into the Dark Ages
Post by: Phil Portway on January 15, 2020, 07:58:19 PM: I am more comfortable with open handed, as you can then place the spear at differing angles to take away any regimentality within the unit and give you options of adding steel spears (as I do, especially on Plastics), or other weapons!

Flat bases.
Title: Re: Dipping into the Dark Ages
Post by: RSDean on January 15, 2020, 09:36:04 PM: The bald head is a nice touch. Personally, I prefer integral bases. I like skirmish game bases to be thin, and slottas have a rather thick minimum, and I like group bases to be flexible about exactly where to place and how to angle a figure, particularly to keep weapons overhang to a minimum, and that’s difficult with slottas
Title: Re: Dipping into the Dark Ages
Post by: PhilH on January 16, 2020, 10:34:56 PM: Thank you for your input. I’ve also been listening to folk over on Facebook.
So I’ll remove the spear and leave him with a clenched fist, so it can be drilled to hold a wire spear The shield will remain separate and he’ll have a slotta tab, as it’s easier to remove than an integral base, then there are more options for basing him on MDF etc.
I’ll do the same with all the others as they come along. Hopefully another one early next week.
Title: Re: Dipping into the Dark Ages
Post by: PhilH on January 29, 2020, 03:25:32 PM: I took a resin cast of the two Vikings I’ve made so far and added wire spears. They match up quite well for a bit of a sparing session or is it proper combat!
More on the way as they get made.

(https://i.imgur.com/LqA4YV1.jpg)
Title: Re: Dipping into the Dark Ages
Post by: Atheling on January 29, 2020, 05:14:59 PM: Splendid work 8) 8) 8)

You've captured a lot of animation in the sculpts
Title: Re: Dipping into the Dark Ages
Post by: PhilH on January 29, 2020, 06:24:53 PM: Quote from: Atheling on January 29, 2020, 05:14:59 PM
Splendid work 8) 8) 8)

You've captured a lot of animation in the sculpts

Thank you very much!
Title: Re: Dipping into the Dark Ages
Post by: PhilH on February 06, 2020, 01:47:28 PM: Another Viking hops of the sculpting table and into the casting queue.

(https://i.imgur.com/5Wtg8Mq.jpg)
Title: Re: Dipping into the Dark Ages
Post by: Atheling on February 06, 2020, 02:59:13 PM: Really lovely stuff. Are you going to sell them?
Title: Re: Dipping into the Dark Ages
Post by: PhilH on February 06, 2020, 03:49:09 PM: Quote from: Atheling on February 06, 2020, 02:59:13 PM
Really lovely stuff. Are you going to sell them?

Thank you. Yes, I have a rough release schedule with different troop types. First I need to get the first batch sculpted :)
Title: Re: Dipping into the Dark Ages
Post by: Atheling on February 06, 2020, 04:52:18 PM: Quote from: PhilH on February 06, 2020, 03:49:09 PM
Thank you. Yes, I have a rough release schedule with different troop types. First I need to get the first batch sculpted :)

Well, let me know and (funds depending) I might indulge. :)
Title: Re: Dipping into the Dark Ages
Post by: PhilH on February 29, 2020, 12:14:19 PM: Bjorn bearskin Viking Champion joins the growing raiding party.

(https://i.imgur.com/18DLkqN.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/wT7vK43.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/1VxY0P5.jpg)
Title: Re: Dipping into the Dark Ages
Post by: Harry Faversham on February 29, 2020, 03:05:53 PM: Crikey, that reminds me of my third wife!!!

:o :o :o
Title: Re: Dipping into the Dark Ages
Post by: PhilH on February 29, 2020, 03:32:20 PM: Quote from: Harry Faversham on February 29, 2020, 03:05:53 PM
Crikey, that reminds me of my third wife!!!

:o :o :o

Third wife! You must like Wedding cake!!!!
Title: Re: Dipping into the Dark Ages
Post by: Atheling on February 29, 2020, 03:33:18 PM: Quote from: PhilH on February 29, 2020, 03:32:20 PM
Third wife! You must like Wedding cake!!!!

Or not by now lol
Title: Re: Dipping into the Dark Ages
Post by: PhilH on March 02, 2020, 01:30:59 AM: Starting on a Rollo Duke of Normandy sculpt. He’s the forefather of the Normans, so he’s getting a trusty mount to carry him into battle.
(https://i.imgur.com/DZZm2jx.jpg)
Title: Re: Dipping into the Dark Ages
Post by: Atheling on March 02, 2020, 09:32:26 AM: That pony looks great 8) 8) 8)

Are you planning on doing any larger size horses. Maybe not up to the size of a destrier but maybe a Medieval horse with an ambling gait (faster than a walk but usually slower than a canter)? It could be an interesting project(?)
Title: Re: Dipping into the Dark Ages
Post by: PhilH on March 02, 2020, 11:25:39 AM: Quote from: Atheling on March 02, 2020, 09:32:26 AM
That pony looks great 8) 8) 8)

Are you planning on doing any larger size horses. Maybe not up to the size of a destrier but maybe a Medieval horse with an ambling gait (faster than a walk but usually slower than a canter)? It could be an interesting project(?)

I could do, I think the bigger breeds were used in later Medieval periods. I’ll do some research and see what was used.
Title: Re: Dipping into the Dark Ages
Post by: Atheling on March 02, 2020, 04:48:35 PM: Quote from: PhilH on March 02, 2020, 11:25:39 AM
I could do, I think the bigger breeds were used in later Medieval periods. I’ll do some research and see what was used.

Yeah, I'm thinking Medieval Palfrey.

A good explanation on Wiki:

"The significant characteristic of the palfrey was that, rather than trotting, it usually possessed a smooth, ambling gait.[3] The amble was the name given to a group of smooth, four-beat gaits faster than a walk, but slower than a canter or gallop. The trot is a two-beat gait, about 8 mph, suitable for covering a lot of ground relatively quickly. However, the horse also has a bit of a spring in its motion as it switches diagonal pairs of legs with each beat, and thus can be rough for a rider, and the trot also jostles about packs or weaponry to a considerable degree. The amble is about as fast as the trot, not tiring for a horse that performs it naturally, and much smoother for the rider. Thus, because much ground transportation in the Middle Ages was on horseback, with long distances to be covered, a smooth-gaited horse was much desired."