Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Colonial Adventures => Topic started by: Plynkes on August 27, 2009, 07:55:39 PM
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(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/BurtonandSpeke.jpg)
Been a while since the last installment, but various things have been holding up the old painting schedule lately. But anyway, got back on track this week and so we can have another 'Back to Africa' post.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/41Q1FT9QD9L__SS500_.jpg)
One summer while renting a house in the Dordogne (well hark at Mr. La-de-da!) I came across this book in the owner's library, and was instantly captivated by it. I think Richard Francis Burton has always been my favourite one of the "Darkest Africa" explorers because he was such an odd character. Farwell's book gives the impression of a man who consistently fell out with every single person he ever met, in fact one gets the distinct impression that locked alone in an empty room he would still somehow get into an argument. This flaw of his I actually find appealing, because I'm a bit like that sometimes. Coupled with his marvelous and dangerous exploits penetrating the forbidden world of Islam in disguise, and his most un-Victorian desire to shock (he seemed somewhat obsessed with the sexual habits of native cultures, and had a sideline as a publisher of mucky books) he makes for a really fascinating character.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/scandalousAdventuresByron.jpg)
Rupert Everett in one of his (Burtonesque sex-obsessed) documentaries, dubbed him The Victorian Sex Explorer. (By the way, did anyone see his programme on Lord Byron? It was a hoot. They should make him make more sex-docs about famous historical figures, they are really funny).
Anyway, in 1855, in an expedition supported by the Royal Geographical Society and the East India Company, he set out to explore the interior of the Somali country. With him went Lieutenants John Hanning Speke, G. E. Herne, William Stroyan and a motley band of Egyptian, Arab and African porters and guards. Burton had just returned from a daring solo trip to the holy city of Harar, deep in unexplored territory, and never before seen by European eyes. It wasn't long before the expedition ran into trouble.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/Potshots.jpg)
Not long after they had made camp near the sea, Burton heard shots. He found two of his porters firing warning shots over the heads of a small band of horsemen. Burton chastised his men, telling them not to fire warning shots, but that they should "shoot into, not above, a crowd." (Well, that's neighbourly, isn't it?) Burton suspected they were scouts, the usual precursor to a raid, but he apparently found their story plausible and so thought no more about it. Bad move.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/BurtonandSpekeinTrouble.jpg)
You have to imagine it's nighttime.
In the dead of night Burton was awoken by the a sharp cry of alarm. They were under attack by Somalis and there was no sign of most of his men. Burton, Herne and Speke found themselves caught in a desperate struggle, under club, spear and javelin attack from masses of tribesmen who had overrun the camp. Burton had armed himself with a sabre, while Herne and Speke brandished Colt pistols, which they used to deadly effect.
The ammunition ran low, but they had far from run out of Somalis, so Burton gave the word to escape. As he dashed into the darkness a thrown javelin transfixed his face (in through one cheek and out the other) but somehow he managed to escape with the spear still stuck in his head. Next morning he ran into Herne, who had escaped mostly unharmed.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/GiletteFusion.jpg)
After nicking himself for a third time with his sabre, Burton was forced to concede that it might,
after all, be prudent to await the arrival of the rest of the porters with his GILLETTE FUSION.
But Speke was not so lucky. He had been captured by the raiders and staked out. They proceeded to inflict eleven spear wounds on him just for the fun of it (the devils!), yet somehow, mostly by being British, he managed to free himself and escape, catching up with Burton and Herne in the morning.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/Safeword.jpg)
Speke, a much less experienced Victorian Sex Tourist than Burton, is forced to take drastic
measures when he once again forgets his safeword.
Upon returning to the looted camp when the raiders had gone, they found the body of Lt. Stroyan. He had been pierced by many spear and sword wounds, and he had numerous bruises caused by war-clubs. Depressed at the death of their friend, who it appears had been the life and soul of the party, the explorers took his corpse and departed by Dhow for Aden. The expedition had ended in disaster, and Burton was in hot water with the powers that be.
With the Crimean war in full swing, Burton returned to his army career. He was put in charge of a unit of Bashi-Bazouks. True to form, they immediately mutinied. Good old Dick. Of course, later on Burton would famously begin a feud with Speke all over something as petty as the source of the Nile, but that is a story for another day...
Burton's account of the the incident can be found in the Post Script of his book First Footsteps in East Africa, which is mostly concerned with his trip to Harar. I'll tell you what you won't find in there though...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/Muckybits.jpg)
...Appendix IV, that's what. And I'll tell you for why. It's a frank description of Burton's observations of the sexual habits of the Somali people. What? We're not allowed to read that, even in this day and age? Dick must be turning in his grave. Anybody know of an edition that does include Appendix IV? I'd quite like to read it. Um, for scientific and anthropological reasons, of course.
Anyway, how about a few pics of my little Somali project? (about time)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/Somalis.jpg)
The jubilant tribesmen ransack the camp. Still need to paint a lot more Somali boys yet.
Some close-ups of the lads...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/Somali1.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/Somali2.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/Somali3b.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/Somali4b.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/Somali5.jpg)
Burton mentions war-clubs a lot in his account, and I recall reading elsewhere that many Somali warrior fought merely with "sticks", so I gave a couple of them knobkerrie-style clubs.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/Somali6.jpg)
You'll notice some of them have war-paint. I have no historical basis for this, I just thought it looked cool on the Hollywood Somalis...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/Facepaint.jpg)
...Like this fellow.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/SomaliWarband.jpg)
Group shot of some of my other Somali figures. The ones with firearms are more for gaming the campaigns against the so-called Mad Mullah (1890s-1920s) than to send against 1850s explorers.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/Dick.jpg)
This is the official Foundry Model Soldier Hobby (no really, they actually call it something like that in one of their books) Richard Burton figure. He's been converted slightly by the addition of a sabre to his left hand. A dildo or packet of French Ticklers would be equally appropriate.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/Speke.jpg)
Foundry do actually do a Speke figure, but he didn't have the right vibe for this (he's more of a 'where's the source of that damn Nile?' Speke), so I used this Indian Mutiny figure. He has a nice 1850s look about him. Need to find a couple more like him for Herne and Stroyan if we're going to game this.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/Luggage.jpg)
Camels and luggage. The damn luggage held up the project for about a week. I find I loathe painting things like this for some reason, and I really dragged my heels with this bit.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/Abitmorebloodylikeit.jpg)
"Well Jack, this is a bit more bloody like it, eh?"
:)
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Some nice paint work there plynkes.
I see you blame the luggage for the hold up when I think it was in fact that you were enjoying painting the ladies TOO much.
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Wow! I somehow knew that was Speke when I saw that miniature, so it's a great choice. His white shirt (just like all those robes) looks really nice in the pictures, how did you paint it?
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Really nice paint job as always :-* :-* :-*
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Great Job! I think it is only natural that Burton would have a saber as he was one of the great swordsman ( lol) of Europe. Probably my favorite portrait of him is the one in fencing gear with that scarred villainous face - he really does look like a brothel creeper. Of course the framed one on my wall is that of him as the young romantic explorer in Arab gear from the trip to Mecca. I really like the Speke mini too - the priggishness comes through.
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Your whites are superb (listen to us, like a bunch of Daz housewives) and this chap...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/Somali2.jpg)
...is excellent too, the shot of him in the pic with the union flag is my favourite.
Who makes the camels? I need some of them.
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:-* Really nice paint job.
Loved the story too! lol
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Nice work on the miniatures Dylan and naturally the storyline.
Helen
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Great job Plynkes. I enjoyed the retelling of that failed first outing.
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Wonderful paint jobs - really nice. :)
I was under the impression Foundry's Indian Mutiny range is a little smaller than their Darkest Africa. It looks like u gave Speke a little "padding" in his base - was that the case? If it was intentional it was well done and hardly noticeable.
The Somali's spears are BIG! Did they come with the figures?
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Absolutely splendid story, great paint job and super game. Thank you , I really enjoyed it.
:-* :-* :-*
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Brilliant all round,
great figures, great story
and some intriguing real historical facts awesome :-*
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Ausgezeichnet Sir !
Inspiration is the greatest gift by pictured reports. Thank you.
I am not feeling well today and so I think Iam going to watch that movie about Burton and Speke !
Cheers
Björn
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I snickered all the way through the OP. Of course, I am several drinks the worse for wear, and probably shouldn't be on the interwebz at all at this point.
Nicely done, excellent painting, and the line about what else Burton could have been holding aside from a sabre made me snigger especially hard.
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How Bizarre. I was only thinking earlier this week about that very scenario and was considering dragging my battered old VHS copy of " Mountains of the moon" out of its dusty box in the loft and watching it. :)
A wonderful looking project and I think some of your best looking figures. The Somali's look great but my favourite is Speke. Very, very inspiring ;D
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Another hilarious post! You really should write a book someday.
More great figures, too. I particularly like the pink tones you used for the Somalis' tongues. Very realistic and added a surprising touch of colour. The eyes are just the right size, which is rare for 28mm figures and they really help bring your chaps to life.
I've read and enjoyed a couple of Byron Farwell's books, so I can see this one would be worth reading too. must get a copy :D
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Brilliant stuff and as we have come to expect a great story along with the pictures. :-* :-* :-*
Can’t add much more to what’s already been said.
The luggage was well worth the extra time. It is one of the things I always like in your photos, even the little details are extremely well painted.
A history lesson included in every post. You learn something new every day, even on a forum about toy soldiers. :D
Keep up the good work
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Thanks fellas. Mr. Allen C tells me I have to answer your questions, so I better had (wasn't going to bother otherwise).
Wow! I somehow knew that was Speke when I saw that miniature, so it's a great choice. His white shirt (just like all those robes) looks really nice in the pictures, how did you paint it?
I've finally struck upon a white painting method that I like, after years of struggling. It's the absolute opposite of what our Workbench leader Hammers recommends. In all other regards I consider him to be one of my bestest virtual chums, but on this matter we are mortal foes. I've tried countless complicated and subtle methods, and due to my lack of skill and patience they always turn out shit. This new method is extremely simple. I think it was Orctrader who first suggested it (or something like it), but I may be wrong. It only involves two steps. Paint the whole thing white. Then apply shading just in the deep folds of the cloth with an off-white that is very very close to your white. That's it. Two colours. No fancy shading with nine tones or blending. For me, Less is more with white. It may not be award-winning good, but it doesn't look shit. And it is the first white-painting method I have tried that doesn't look shit when I do it, so I am sticking with it. One more step was used with the Somalis, and that was to very carefully run some GW Devlan Mud wash into some of the deeper folds, just to give a slightly grimy look, the natural sand-staining in the creases that mucking about in a sandy country would bring in between washes.
By contrast the two Askari taking potshots are old figures done using a method that does look shit. No more shall I start off with a light grey and build up to white highlights. It just doesn't work for me.
Who makes the camels? I need some of them.
From the Perry Miniatures Sudan Range. Pack SB44 to be precise.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/SB2044.jpg)
You get the cheerful fellow standing guard too. Not sure what to do with him.
I was under the impression Foundry's Indian Mutiny range is a little smaller than their Darkest Africa. It looks like u gave Speke a little "padding" in his base - was that the case? If it was intentional it was well done and hardly noticeable.
The Somali's spears are BIG! Did they come with the figures?
Yes, I built Speke's base up a bit to make him roughly the same height as Burton. It seems to deceive the eye into thinking they are the same size. And I would have gotten away with it too, if it hadn't been for you meddling kids!
You don't get any spears with Copplestone's Somali packs (though he makes very nice ones for his Ngoni, odd that). The big (as in stupidly thick) spears are just standard Foundry Darkest Africa spears. When the Darkest Africa first thing took off and Foundry figures were still relatively good value I bought enough to last me forever, just about. They do suffer from the massive weapon syndrome a bit, but I'm pretty lazy and it is a little thing I'm prepared to put up with.
The spears that are big as in long with a big blade, were made from wire spears fitted to the spearheads of Foundry Masai spears (I also have millions of those). I was trying to make some that weren't stupidly thick, and looked like some of the long Somali spears I had seen in pictures. I thought they worked quite well. But I got tired of doing it, so that's why some of them have the thick Foundry spears.
:)
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V. nice. 8)
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terrific stuff mate ..
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Certainly one of the best reports I've read in a long while. Very nice painting and a great idea! Absolutely wonderful! lol
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Awesome just awesome.
I am speechless
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It only involves two steps. Paint the whole thing white. Then apply shading just in the deep folds of the cloth with an off-white that is very very close to your white. That's it. Two colours. No fancy shading with nine tones or blending.
As a long suffering victim of "shit white syndrome", thank you for your detailed description of the method u used - I like it alot. Unfortunately it was not detailed enough for me and I have another question? White or black undercoat Plynkes?
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White or black undercoat Plynkes?
And which paint? I have Vallejo and Americana white and hate them :-[
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Dear Plynkes,
After a small recovery of my speech (see my earlier post) I could suggest a Foundry pack for the Herne and Stroyan:
The two officers (one with sabre and hat the other with telescope) from pack BRV202 from Indian Mutiny range.
http://www.wargamesfoundry.com/collections/BRITVIC/6/index.asp
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:-* Excellent, love the Burton conversion, but I thought he preferred using his pork sword ;)
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Bugsda, you know that excellent one you showed us the other day? If you're in the mood for converting I think he would look even better with a Miliput John Thomas hanging out of his trousers. It would be the quintessential Burton figure then. :)
Pentaro, Fsultana, I know some folks get good results with black undercoats, but as far as I'm concerned, undercoating in black a figure you are going to paint mostly white is just making extra work for yourself. My general rule is that if a figure is mostly dark, I undercoat it black, and if it is mostly light, I undercoat it in white. These guys are an exact mix of the two, but due to the whole issue of white clothing I go with white undercoat in this case.
It's ordinary GW Skull White. I hate it, and it is probably no better than the paints you mention. It behaves differently to other colours. Either horribly runny and transparent or a big gloopy mass. This method was an attempt to circumvent its shortcomings, rather than take advantage of any special positive properties it may have.
Argsilverson: Good call. I had been considering those fellows, and I will definitely go with sunhat chap. The telescope man I had dismissed as he seems a little distracted by something far away to be involved in a close-up tent battle. But I may come back to him if all else fails. Perhaps he's saying "Don't want to be a downer or anything, lads, but there's loads more of them over there..." The advantage is that I already have both those figures. I'm leaning slightly more towards the fellow from BRV201, the one with a long coat, covered airpipe helmet and pistol. I have him too.
Thanks for the suggestions.
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you may place him in a small distance watching the event by the tents!
I think that the rest need some conversion (helmets etc). another figure thar might be used is west wind amazonian explorers
pack GHA0003
http://www.westwindproductions.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2_35&products_id=327
the 2 chaps in sun hats (with pistols and sabres)
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I don't mind them being in helmets. I suspect that in reality the explorers wore civilian clothes, but the movie versions of Herne and Stroyan wear their British Army uniforms on the expedition, and I think it looks cool. As with the Somali face paint, for me Cool occasionally wins when wrestling with History.
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It's ordinary GW Skull White. I hate it, and it is probably no better than the paints you mention. It behaves differently to other colours. Either horribly runny and transparent or a big gloopy mass. This method was an attempt to circumvent its shortcomings, rather than take advantage of any special positive properties it may have.
It is good to hear that my hatred of white, especially GW Skull White could possibly be universal - I thought it was just me.
My recent attempts to paint some NWF stuff has nearly turned me off painting altogether. I will take up my brush again with renewed vigor - into the breach!
Thanks for the advice and your time. :)
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Thanks for another stunning and inspirational post Dylan.
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Cheers, Fsultana, Allan. You're more than welcome.
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It sounds very easy! Thanks again, Plynkes, I'll try as soon as I can.
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Excellent work Plynkes old boy. You continue to inspire. Wowzers. :o
-Todd
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Very, very good work!
I like very much the white clothes in contrast with black skin! Your style is too clean!.
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Thanks for the tips on painting white, I've been struggling with this lately and have nearly ruined a few otherwise good figs.
The figs look great, lets see some more on your Blog!
Scott Pasha
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The Speke figure looks just like the actor who played him in the Source of the Nile drama documentary the BBC did back in the late '60s early 70s. Brilliant stuff.
Goode
Maitama
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Had almost forgotten this project, but a small update:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_30_06_10_3_16_56_1.jpg)
Lt. G.E. Herne of the 1st Bombay European Infantry (Bombay Fusiliers) and Lt. William Stroyan of the Bombay Marine (or Her Majesty's Indian Navy, if you want the official 1850s title) have arrived at Aden to join the expedition. Lt. Herne has decided to wear his uniform to impress the locals.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_30_06_10_3_16_56_0.jpg)
So the gang is finally all here. Wisely Herne and Stroyan stand between Burton and Speke to keep them from bickering.
The new ones are Mutineer Miniatures figs with a tiny amount of conversion. Bit bigger than my Foundry Burton and Speke, but I think they look okay together.
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Beautiful minis, that scale up quit nicely btw
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Cracking stuff! Great figure painting and a great story! Thanks for sharing. :)
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Grrr. Just noticed I messed up one of the stripes on that fellow's shirt. How come you don't spot these things until after it's all varnished and you've taken a photo? He's going to have to go back to the painting table.
Yes, it's hardly noticeable, but I can see it! :)
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You mean just to the left-hand side of his neck-scarf thingy? I hadn't noticed until you pointed it out and then only in the close-up shot.
Even then it's barely noticeable. I wouldn't bother, but I can tell you are a bit more of a perfectionist than I am ;)
The red coat is particularly good, as it really looks as if it has seen some time under hot tropical sun, rather than a couple of parades in Aldershot in the autumn.
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Lovely mini's, Plynkes.
I agree with Gluteus, they have a real "we've been out here for awhile" look.
Which is real cool.
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Great painting, Plynkes! Even with that stripe accident ...
:-*
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You mean just to the left-hand side of his neck-scarf thingy?
Actually, I don't think the left-hand side is too bad (or did you mean the left-hand side from his point-of-view?). Nothing worth fretting over. It's the bit above the gun tucked into his belt. The one red stripe is way too thin, and a little further up two of the red stripes touch. I even used the Optivisor, so I can't believe that got past Quality Control and I didn't spot it until looking at the photo. Need a more powerful Optivisor!
I was pleased with the red. I thought I'd try something new. Normally I use yellow to highlight red and haven't been all that happy with it. This time I used a khaki-sand colour instead (mixed with the red, obviously), and it's much better. Not so bright. Need to write down what I did in for next time I want to paint some redcoats.
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Dylan, those tents in the background are they Rendera what you have modified somehow?
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Actually, I don't think the left-hand side is too bad (or did you mean the left-hand side from his point-of-view?). Nothing worth fretting over. It's the bit above the gun tucked into his belt. The one red stripe is way too thin, and a little further up two of the red stripes touch. I even used the Optivisor, so I can't believe that got past Quality Control and I didn't spot it until looking at the photo. Need a more powerful Optivisor!
Yes, his left. Oh yes, I see the bit you mean now (after the tenth look) ::) Even so, not outrageous and is probably the sort of thing no-one else would spot.
I was pleased with the red. I thought I'd try something new. Normally I use yellow to highlight red and haven't been all that happy with it. This time I used a khaki-sand colour instead (mixed with the red, obviously), and it's much better. Not so bright. Need to write down what I did in for next time I want to paint some redcoats.
Why not do a tutorial on this forum, then you'll never forget how you did it and we would be able to attempt something similar ;)
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Dylan, those tents in the background are they Rendera what you have modified somehow?
No. I am unfamiliar with Rendera. Unfortunately I am also unfamiliar with where those tents came from. Head like a sieve, me. There may be an old thread somewhere where somebody asked me where to get them and I gave an answer. I tried searching for such a thread but alas my efforts came to nought.
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Ian Weekley tents, available from Battlefront probably.
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O-K. THey look similar to the Rendera but with texture to the cloth.
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Love them both, but especially Lt. William Stroyan. :-*
I personally wouldn't "fix" the stripe, but I can see you may just be a perfectionist Mr. Plynkes. ;)
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Had a look under the Optivisor and oddly enough it looks totally different (and okay). It must be some kind of optical illusion caused by the camera angle or something because that thin-looking red stripe is actually the same width as all the others, and the whole thing really does look okay to the naked eye. Weird, that. I did end up touching up a spot on the shirt, but it wasn't the bit I intended to.
Oh well. I guess the lesson to learn is when you think you've finished then just stop. Going back and fretting gets you nowhere. :)
As for the red jacket, for my own future benefit as much as anything:
White undercoat.
Base coat GW Red Gore
Highlights in several (about four, I think) layers of GW Blood Red + Coat d'Arms Horse Tone: Dun (with more of the latter in each layer).
And, uh, that's it. Hardly a tutorial but I don't know what else to write, because that is all I did. :)
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Smashing stuff there. Really nice painting and great theme.
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I've decided to use this thread for pics of my Somaliland 1920 project too, as it shares many figures with the 1850s one. So to get the ball rolling:
The fifth and final British expedition against the Sayyid in 1920 was run on a shoestring budget, and so for artillery support the trusty old Stokes mortar had to be relied upon. It proved invaluable, though the walls of Somali forts were impervious to its fire. It could lob rounds over the walls and cause chaos within, but to actually smash their way in other methods had to be employed, such as a brave (foolhardy) Sepoy or KAR private defying the fire of the Dervishes and dashing up to the walls with their arms filled with explosives. Like some kind of East African Wile E. Coyote or something (in my mind all the explosives has ACME printed on it).
Anyway, the Stokes, which I painted this weekend:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_05_07_10_9_18_37_1.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_05_07_10_9_18_37_0.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_05_07_10_9_18_37_2.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_05_07_10_9_18_37_3.jpg)
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Wow!
Very nice !!!
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Plynkes where the figs with neck curtain cames from ?
Wonderful :-*
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The´re part of HLBS WWI gun service with Woodbine head swaps.
Those Belgian Waffle Wolsleys are just a riot. Very nice skin tones, Dylan. Not that there was any thing wrong with your previous formula, but did you change it?
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I have changed it, but I changed it months ago. I think the colour balance is a bit iffy on these photos, despite my best efforts: slightly yellower than it should be. They don't look quite like that in real life. But it's close enough that I couldn't be bothered to go back and mess with it.
Shikari: Hammers is correct. HLBSC gunners, heads from a Woodbine Designs head pack. I love the way you can buy their heads separately like that. It is a godsend for conversions.
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superb! :-*
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Yet again lovely figures. Not my period but very well done.
I'm sure this will be one of those questions where the answer becomes obvious once revealed, but where do the sandbags come from? They are very good indeed and would be useful in many different periods.
but to actually smash their way in other methods had to be employed, such as a brave (foolhardy) Sepoy or KAR private defying the fire of the Dervishes and dashing up to the walls with their arms filled with explosives.
They are still using similar methods to enter compounds in Afghanistan, just substituting a bar mine for a pile of explosives, often while having fixed bayonets. And people said that modern wars would be fought with airpower and indirect fire :?
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Turns out it was gun-cotton (Nitrocellulose) that they used. Any idea what a bomb made of that stuff would look like? (if say, someone wanted to convert a figure into one charging towards a fort with some.)
The sandbags came from Jens (Pardulon), but I can't seem to find them on his site right now.
Once again the photography has revealed painting mistakes. They have now been rectified. :)
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Call off the search, found a picture:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_06_07_10_10_10_29.jpg)
Naik Sher Singh, 23rd Sikh Pioneers, getting wounded doing the exact thing we were talking about, only in 1915 rather than 1920.
So, a rather uninspiring little box then. Not at all what I imagined, which was something more like this:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_06_07_10_10_12_24.jpg)
:)
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Brilliant! I really like you projects. :)
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Meant to ask, where is the mortar from?
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I think both GWM and Woodbine makes them. I have one of the GWMs (plus I made one from brass tubing and wire).
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I don't think Woodbine do a Stokes (if they do I haven't seen it). They do a Leach catapult, which is an altogether more Roman Empire-style solution to the age old question of "how best to fling unpleasant shit at the enemy?"
It is indeed a Great War Miniatures model. Which of course means I now have a British Western Front mortar crew with nothing to do. But there's no way I could have scratch built one to that level of detail, and the Woodbine heads cut down on wastage in the figure converting stakes, so I'm relatively happy.
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Mr. Plynkes Sir
my deepest respect for the endurance, tenacity and talent with which You pursue Your road to perfection.
Have You ever thought of publishing a reference book on wargaming Your favourite period?
seriously!
at least online!
(simply consider this as said forever, for I will abstain from redundance in future posts ;))
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I don't think Woodbine do a Stokes (if they do I haven't seen it). They do a Leach catapult, which is an altogether more Roman Empire-style solution to the age old question of "how best to fling unpleasant shit at the enemy?"
It is indeed a Great War Miniatures model. Which of course means I now have a British Western Front mortar crew with nothing to do. But there's no way I could have scratch built one to that level of detail, and the Woodbine heads cut down on wastage in the figure converting stakes, so I'm relatively happy.
£7.20 for the GWM mortar and (redundant) crew; £6.50 for a near-identical Copplestone Chinese mortar and (redundant) crew. As they say, every little helps.....
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Very good idea on the conversion with GB heads, may get some in Brodie helmets to put on mine. Thanks for the idea. Oh and yes, please stop trying to side track me back to Africa with these great pieces of work ;)
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The sandbags came from Jens (Pardulon), but I can't seem to find them on his site right now.
Thanks, I thought it might be something like that. If it is a Pardulon product, I really must put an order in soon (although I've been telling myself that for several years) ::)
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Fantasic posting. Thanks.
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Plynkes, I have noted that in your Adventures in Somaliland, you range from Burton era to post WW1,
what is your specific interest?
I'm asking because the Mad Mullah period is an interesting one with some really good books on it, expecially for wargames purpose,but very negleted, seems strange.
turning early as Italian I'm also interested in the Giulietti travels in Harar and Dancalia.
Piero
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a gun-cotton bomb could be simply filled into a metal tube with fuse, as described in "mysterious island"
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Plynkes, I have noted that in your Adventures in Somaliland, you range from Burton era to post WW1,
what is your specific interest?
Well, Burton for a start (I'm interested in all the East African explorers, but I have to say Burton is my favourite), and since reading "The Warrior Mullah" by Ray Beachey I've been interested in Sayyid Mohammed Abdullah Hassan and the British campaigns against him too. When the Copplestone figures came along it seemed a perfect scheme to game two periods I like with them, because Copplestone's African ranges are probably my favourite figures to paint ever.
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Thanks, I thought it might be something like that. If it is a Pardulon product, I really must put an order in soon (although I've been telling myself that for several years) ::)
They are, but they are currently not in the shop. I've always meant to put them back up, but what with one thing and another ::) Please drop me a not if you need some, there are actually some in stock.
Nice mortar team, too ;)
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A freind of mine, Prof. Harrison from the U of Arkansas, wrote "Mountains of the Moon".
Wonderful game adaption you did here. I'm sending him the pics (if you don't mind?)
He also wrote "Rollerball". :)
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Don't mind at all, the pictures are for people to look at. So knock yourself out, Smokey (you big name-dropper lol ).
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Hey Plynkes,
as I come a long this thread for the second time I wanted to say what a wonderful journey trough colonial times :D Great stuff, love your style!
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Excellent! Keep up the inspirational work 8)
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Appendix IV is here:
http://burtoniana.org/books/1856-First%20Footsteps%20in%20East%20Africa/appendixIV/index.html
But it is in Latin to protect the unwary.............
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I knew I should have taken Latin seriously at school :(
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Don't mind at all, the pictures are for people to look at. So knock yourself out, Smokey (you big name-dropper lol ).
How could I pass up an opportunity to name drop that one?
That is one of my "big ones" when it comes to knowing the famous.
:)
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How could I pass up an opportunity to name drop that one?
That is one of my "big ones" when it comes to knowing the famous.
:)
One of.... ? ::) lol lol
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So much talk, so little pictures...
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So much talk, so little pictures...
Plynkes does quality, not quantity ;)
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Seeing as Lasith Malinga novelty wigs are all the rage right now, what with the World Cup and everything (a daft sporting trend rather less apt to fray the nerves than the Vuvuzela)...
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/8/163_09_03_11_7_02_49_0.jpg) (http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/8/163_09_03_11_7_02_49_1.jpg)
(See? Even Lasith Malinga is wearing one!)
...I thought I'd get in on the craze myself.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/8/163_09_03_11_7_02_49_2.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/8/163_09_03_11_7_02_49_3.jpg)
Just kidding. Actually it's an experiment to try and recreate the Somali 'bleached hair' look discussed here: >>Link<< (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=12949.0)
These kind of close-ups are seldom kind to one's precious babies but here goes:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/8/163_09_03_11_7_03_43_1.jpg)
What do you think? I've no idea what the real thing looked like, I've only read descriptions. I don't think they actually bleached their hair with Harpic or anything, but worked into it light-coloured clay, and the effect was said to resemble blond hair. I'm more interested in whether it looks good on the model than total historical accuracy. Personally my only problem with this first try is that entirely by accident his hair has ended up the same colour as his shield. I think I'll go lighter with the hair on the next one I do like this, and perhaps keep black roots like Malinga the Slinger himself.
More soon.
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Do not fear the close-up! I like the result a lot. I think the bleached effect works quite well, but keeping the roots darker will definitely make it more obvious.
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I like the color. It looks distinctive enough to appear "clayed" but not too jarring on the miniature.
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Looks very good to me.
will you be painting a few with henna-dyed hair? Be interesting to see how you get on with that.
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Maybe. I'm not convinced they won't look stupid. Can always repaint them if they do, I suppose.
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Wow, simply amazing figures. You are a master. Keep posting your fantastic stuff as it is VERY inspirational.
Cheers,
JB
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Maybe. I'm not convinced they won't look stupid. Can always repaint them if they do, I suppose.
I've never seen anything you've painted which would come even remotely close to looking stupid.
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They look the business to me.
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Dylan,
They are stunning, and up to your usual standards. The only 'stupid' part of of your post was your suggestion of repainting. Or am I mistaken :D and it was someone else :o who told me that repainting was 'daft' lol lol
Allan
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It was an entirely hypothetical repainting: If I ballsed up the henna look.
What I don't do any more is go back and repaint old figures from ages ago that I no longer consider up to standard (I have lots of those), as it will send you insane. But repainting something crap that I just did thirty seconds ago is fine. In fact, most of my painting time seems to be spent doing that. lol
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Rationalize all you want ;) I am willing to risk insanity rather than buying a whole new collection for a period that I gamed 10 years ago, but then again, I am an accountant and cheap as hell by nature lol
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Maybe. I'm not convinced they won't look stupid. Can always repaint them if they do, I suppose.
Ha! You finally did it, eh? Certainly more skill displayed there than shown in my own attempt, but that's not saying much, I guess. Sorry I deep-sixed the pics from the earlier thread ... but as it turns out I've been working away at my own Somalis again this very month; I finally finished those archers and cavalry I've had knocking around for a couple years. With any luck I'll find enough motivation to post pics, as I'm redoing the whole lot of spear and riflemen I did earlier.
Excellent stuff Plynkes.
Dave
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Good to hear that you're still at it, Dave. Maybe I should follow your example and give the henna thing a go. Yours didn't look stupid, after all. I'm just not that sure I like the idea of red hair on them.
I just found an interesting photo:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/8/163_12_03_11_11_55_47.jpg)
According to the caption, that is what a Somali tribesman with henna-dyed hair looks like. ??? Not how I imagined it at all. The direction I was going to go in was much more Clairol Nice-and-Easy than that. Not sure I'd like it much on a figure. In fact it does look rather stupid. :)
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Bizarre! The orange and white mix looks "wrong" and if I'd seen a figure painted like that without seeing the pic first I'd have questioned it :? Mind you, the Pathan chaps who henna their beards look odd in real life too....
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If you notice, this is an older man. The white is from the greying of his hair from age. Henna on white is very orange. But on darker hair you get a mohogany color. That is the color that you will see on the younger warrior aged men. Henna was used all across sub-Saharah Africa. You would be unlikely to see a man of this age in a fighting group, maybe a few with a couple lighter streaks. But not all orange & whit like this man.
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Yes, good point. Hairdressing isn't something I know much about, but that does seem to make sense.
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If you notice, this is an older man. The white is from the greying of his hair from age. Henna on white is very orange. But on darker hair you get a mohogany color. That is the color that you will see on the younger warrior aged men. Henna was used all across sub-Saharah Africa. You would be unlikely to see a man of this age in a fighting group, maybe a few with a couple lighter streaks. But not all orange & whit like this man.
You see that in Afghanistan and Pakistan to. I made an attempt with it last year.
(http://cdn.wn.com/pd/ca/0e/058786c0b0e9e9babaebada6ae2e_grande.jpg)
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Ah, Hammers - that's exactly what I was referring to earlier. It is obviously authentic (we have several such henna-died beardies living around my area), but it looks odd in miniature :? I've never seen a Pathan less than about 60 sporting that fashion though.
Lovely reference pic though, especially for when the Empress NWF range appears!
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The Last Cartridge
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/LastCartridge.jpg)
'Surrounded by greatly superior numbers, their last cartridges gone, they tried to cut their way out, but they were overwhelmed and lost.'
Colonel Plunkett's column comes to grief. Illustrated London News, 23rd May 1903.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/ColonelPlunkettsColumn.jpg)
The previous scene was inspired by this illustration from The Sphere. Some more pics:
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/Last7.jpg)
Fearsome Somali Dervishes (didn't do any with Henna'd hair after all, but I have been experimenting with it on some of my Zanzibaris).
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/Last4.jpg)
A grisly end.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/Last6.jpg)
Plucky British chap meets his fate with grim determination.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/Last2.jpg)
The last three sell their lives dearly. Men of the Second Battalion (Central African), King's African Rifles.
A long way from their homes on the shores of Lake Nyasa.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/Last5b.jpg)
"Goodbye, old chum."
Here at the end, there is no longer any need for forbidden love to hide itself away in the shadows.
(Sorry about that, when posing the figures they just ended up like that and I couldn't resist it. lol)
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I thought it looked like they were holding hands in the first picture lol
Very very nice. ;D
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I thought it looked like they were holding hands in the first picture lol
Me too! :o Broke Back Mangrove anyone?… lol
Stunningly good work and photos, as usual!
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Excellent! Love these and the new Ngoni you posted on the other thread.
So, how many painted Africans do you have? I'd love to see a shot of the whole lot of them in one picture. :D
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:-*
Those King's African Rifles conversions are coming out a treat! :o
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Very nice, especially "The Last Cartridge" pics 8)
www.gallopingmajorwargames.com
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WOW :-* :-* :-*
Just the sort of pictures that make the LAF great.
Stunning work.
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Good to hear that you're still at it, Dave. Maybe I should follow your example and give the henna thing a go. Yours didn't look stupid, after all. I'm just not that sure I like the idea of red hair on them.
I just found an interesting photo:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/8/163_12_03_11_11_55_47.jpg)
According to the caption, that is what a Somali tribesman with henna-dyed hair looks like. ??? Not how I imagined it at all. The direction I was going to go in was much more Clairol Nice-and-Easy than that. Not sure I'd like it much on a figure. In fact it does look rather stupid. :)
I researched this a bit when I started to paint Pathans for the NWF. They have a tradition of dying their hair with henna to.Henna can look like that on white or grey hair. It looks quite different on black or dark brown hair.
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Yeah, that's what Herby F said too, earlier in the thread. Makes sense.
So, how many painted Africans do you have? I'd love to see a shot of the whole lot of them in one picture. :D
Not nearly enough for my liking, considering how long I've been at it. Still, next time I'm getting figures out to play with on the big table I think I might have a go at that, just to see what they look like. Need to get one of those automatic panning cameras that they use to take school photos, though. :)
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Need to get one of those automatic panning cameras that they use to take school photos, though. :)
Don't. Those cameras just brings out the worst in people. At least one of the Ngoni is bound to make a goofy face no matter how sternly you warn them not to.
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And one will run round the back so that he's on both ends of the photo.
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Yes but you will see the dust from his footprints rise above the crowd! ;)
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great work as usual, Mr. Plynkes... very atmospheric photos and nices work with the conversions!!!
One question, please, which colours have you use for somali skintones? It's a foundry triad?
thanks!! :D
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Looking brilliant! Inspirational stuff Mr Plynks Sir.
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One question, please, which colours have you use for somali skintones? It's a foundry triad?
No, I've not tried Foundry paints yet, and so have never gone in for the whole triad thing. I don't really have a system, I just grab a few different pots and mix them around until I get a colour I like. I keep trying to make my Horn of Africa types a different colour to my other Africans, but they keep ending up looking pretty much the same.
For Africans it always starts with Coat d'Arms Negro, but that is just the base colour that will eventually be only seen in the darkest recesses. I do layers of lighter shades over it until I get something I like. I think on these ones I used GW Dark Flesh, Snakebite Leather and Elf Flesh as well as the original Negro.
I have no shortcut or trick to it, it's just practice. I'm not very scientific when it comes to painting. I just make it up as I go along and then go with the flow. Hammers would ban me from Workbench if he knew.
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Hammers would ban be from Workbench if he knew.
You *are* banned from there. I thought you knew.
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Hammers would ban me from Workbench if he knew.
Hahahaha, thanks !! :D
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Thank you, Dylan... In my slow progress painting at the moment, motivation started to waver... Back on track again thanks to you. The two KARs look great. Is the crouching one a combination of Perry and Woodbine as well? The colonial officer looks brilliant. Nice touch with the fallen pith (Need to get some from Empress) and in general I love the fact that you've even included the inspiration of this scene. :) When we met at the Tactica, you made it sound as if you don't feel very confident in your painting skills... After yesterday's post... Stop it! ;)
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I don't really lack confidence, it's more that I'm never satisfied with the results I get (which probably means the reverse: I have too much confidence in my abilities). This has spurred me on to much better painting than I used to do, mind, so I don't really see it as a bad thing. Hopefully it will continue to do so.
The kneeling fellow has a Perry Camel Corps body, but also with another Perry head. Just tried a different head for some variety.
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I think I get you. Kinda the discrepancy between the picture in one's head and what one ends up with? This has always been the no. 1 reason for my painting blocks. Glad to see it can have an opposite effect. :)
PS: Of course cram below makes an excellent point. Trying to bring the picture in one's head and the result closer and closer is what we all strive for. :)
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When I went through art college, we were told that it was a good thing to not feel entirely satisfied with what we produced, and its that feeling that spurres you on to produce better work, all the great artists apparently felt the same way about the work they were producing. So yeah I get what Plynkes is saying, and its deffenatley not a bad thing in my eyes.
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Hey Plynkes
I've just spotted this - very very good work indeed Sir
Funny enough i'm reading Rice's biography on Burton at the moment. Mountains of the Moon only scratches the surface of what the man did [as well you know]
James
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Haven't read that one, but I did enjoy Byron Farwell's biography of him. I'm currently (slowly, when I get a minute here and there) reading William Harrison's "Burton and Speke," the novel that the Mountains of the Moon picture was based on.
Must say I'm really enjoying it. Really brings the two men to life, notably Burton's obsession with sex, and Speke's growing exasperation, envy and distrust of him. You also get a real feeling for just how unpleasant and squalid it could be trekking through the uncharted wilds of Africa.
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I've not got out of India as yet with him. He was putting it about there too ;)