Valleyboy's wanderings, Crusaders,Arabs & Charlton Heston meets Norman in Sicily

[valleyboy]

I've somehow left my Ill- disciplined brush wander off again and I suspect the purists and knowledgeable will be perhaps a little horrified.
What started out as a crusades project has just sort of wandered again, starting in Palestine with Crusaders and Saladin, then somehow I thought of Charlton Heston and found myself painting for Spain, listened to an audiobook about the Normans in Sicily and now I'm planning to add some Medieval Welsh from Footsore and I did back the Footsore Outremer kickstarter ... oh look shiny

More details on the blog https://valleyboyinnz.wordpress.com/2023/04/30/crusaders-saladin-el-cid-normans-all-mixed-up-somehow/

This is what happens when you paint and collect with no discipline and the "oh look shiny" attraction takes over


What started with an intent to collect 2 armies to wargame the Crusades has taken a few odd twists and turns and is again all over the place

It all started with a visit to the Salute show many years ago and a visit to the then Musketeer Miniatures trade stand (now Footsore Miniatures). I just loved the look of their Arab cavalry and bought a few units



Musketeer Miniatures Light and Heavy Cavalry - now Footsore







There's a mix of MM Ghulams and Blacktree Design Cavalry and Camelry and Perry Miniatures get in on the act




















I decided to add some Gripping Beast Plastic Arab cavalry and Foot









I just couldn't help it....

Deus Vult




What started out as a Crusader army






got hijacked by a bunch of Normans on tour..








who then contrived to add a Norman Fort from Grand Manner (with 2 added scratchbuilt lengths) taking it from Outremer & Spain into Sicily





thereby adding the possibility of a future scrap with Saxons and  Footsore Welsh (in the painting queue)



I'm no longer sure where this is going really but as usual its all ovrer the place!

[OSHIROmodels]

Nothing wrong with 'shiny' and these certainly look the part 

[rumacara]

I would like to have that "shiny" collection at home.
Besides, the best collection we can have is what gives us pleasure.

[Atheling]

This is one of the best 11th CE Spanish/North African collections I've seen. Just fantastic stuff 

Yes it helps that it's one of my favourite "periods", but the scale and splendor of the project really shines through.

[commissarmoody]

Looks great! 
What was the audio book that inspired your change in project?

[MaleGriffin]

Absolutely FANTASTIC! Gorgeous terrain! Magnificent figures! Brilliant, simply brilliant!

[Plynkes]

Chapeau bas!



Also,



Charlton Heston
put his vest on.

[LouieN]

That is very epic.  Great work

[mweaver]

 

That's a lot of horsie-boys.  I approve.

Looking at those pictures of your stunning collection, "valleyboy has a  Ill- disciplined brush" was not my first thought.

-Michael

[valleyboy]

Thanks for the kind comments gents, its a collection that's grown over many years, it may have started with purchases in salute 2011 I think.
@ Michael my brush is ill disciplined because it seems to wander off from one period to another but it does keep me productive
@ Commisarmoody - can't recall I just listen to so many audiobooks as I paint - I think it may have been "The Borgias" by Paul Strathern but I wouldn't swear to it
@ Darrell - your blog has often been a source of inspiration mate!

[levied troop]

Beautiful collection - and the Norman adventures in Italy/Sicily are a fascinating campaign.

[Freddy]

Great looking figures and terrain- diorama quality battle!

[Orctrader]

Brilliant!  What a display.   

[blacksoilbill]

That is a splendid collection!

[Marine0846]

A really great collection of figures and terrain.
I wish I had your talents for painting.