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Miniatures Adventure => Pikes, Muskets and Flouncy Shirts => Topic started by: cdm on November 10, 2014, 09:10:00 AM

Title: Some Mayans and Spanish
Post by: cdm on November 10, 2014, 09:10:00 AM
It's not often we see Mayans posted to wargames forums, so I thought I'd throw up some pics of a few I salvaged from my wargames cupboard before the dust got too thick. I'm not known as a painter beyond wargame standard, but some may enjoy them :) The figures are mostly Eureka with a small mix of TAG and Foundry painted before I started my Aztec research many years ago. I can't claim any expertise on things Mayan.

(http://chronofus.net/wargames/frames/screens/Mayan1.jpg)
These figures are all Eureka from their Mayan range except a Tlaxcalan Xipe priest and 2 TAG Tlaxcalans. They paint up very nicely. The unadorned archers and also the spearmen not show can be used for Otomi of low rank, and also suit many tribes of the southern US and Central America during this period. The Tlaxcalan warrior holding the captive is painted in the style of their god Camaxtli with white body paint and red leg striping, though I missed the black eye mask that would complete the colouring. The resin scenic pieces are all from Grendel, a range of items that holds up to today's standards and have always been a pleasure to own and paint. The statue is painted in vibrant colours using the basic palette of the time and based on basic concepts of colour and apparel used on statues where traces of the paint colours has been left to us. The raised platform is using Hirst cast pieces. While we tend to think of grey stone for these type of structures, they were generally painted white in formal settings, and detailed in varying vibrant basic colours to symbolise various motifs associated with the structure. This is part of a raised platform I need to build stairs for to place a sun stone on for ritual combat. The plants are palm trees from Pegasus Hobbies.

(http://chronofus.net/wargames/frames/screens/Mayan2.jpg)
A detail of the above. The Xipe priest has the blackened skin typical of Aztec priests and noble warriors. Whether it is applicable to a Tlaxcalan Xipe priest could be debated, but it is more likely than not. The blackened skin of the Aztec gods and the white skin of the Tlaxcalan's tribal god, and the use of white painted captives for sacrifice by the Aztecs are probably linked concepts. I did a poor job of the blacking, but still :) The two squatting archers to the right with yellow feather crowns would also be suitable for nobles from Central America.

(http://chronofus.net/wargames/frames/screens/Mayan3.jpg)
Eureka Spanish conquistadors with a GW ring in mount for the cavalry. Part of my alternate Spanish troops who feature a Mumakil with timber boat howdah and swivel guns. Yay for diversity. The yellow outfitted figure on the left is Tonatiuh - or Pedro Alvarado nicknamed by the Aztecs as The Sun though he was known to wear metal armour. To the far right is Cortes in his traditional black outfit with Marina and the priest whose name I forget next to him.

(http://chronofus.net/wargames/frames/screens/Mayan4.jpg)
A selection of Foundry and TAG bearers and I think TAG mules carrying everything for the Spanish.

I'm still undecided on the basing style. The Aztec wars generally took place in a drier non jungle climate more suitable to bare bases with grass tufts, but all the greenery is what popular history suggests we should go for.

Thank you for looking :)
Title: Re: Some Mayans and Spanish
Post by: El Grego on November 10, 2014, 08:14:17 PM
Very interesting!  As I am just starting out with Mesoamerican stuff, I always appreciate what others use for their color schemes.
Title: Re: Some Mayans and Spanish
Post by: warburton on November 11, 2014, 10:27:18 PM
Nice work :)
Title: Re: Some Mayans and Spanish
Post by: von Lucky on November 12, 2014, 11:38:34 PM
Nice work - good to see something different.

After painting a full 15mm Tupi FoG army this year, I'm eyeing Eureka's 28mm range (along with the Portuguese) to do something similar.
Title: Re: Some Mayans and Spanish
Post by: Metternich on November 14, 2014, 12:20:05 AM
These are treat.  And glad to see the Eureka Conquistadors getting an outing in the fresh air.
Title: Re: Some Mayans and Spanish
Post by: Nic on November 14, 2014, 01:38:37 AM
Lovely to see them on show and I really must get around to sorting out the Maya.
Once we can pry Kosta away from moderns, something will happen.

Also reminds me that Apocolypto is on TV on Sunday

Nic EUREKA MINIATURES
Title: Re: Some Mayans and Spanish
Post by: cdm on November 14, 2014, 04:38:06 AM
Don't forget to tackle the Aztecs and fix a couple existing inconsistencies like the novices with tequihua/4 captive hairstyles and armour and shoes :) It's an issue common to every range, but someone will get it right one day. :)

More Mayans would be very nice.