Ancient Britons WIP: Adventures in Speed Painting

[abu iskander]

My main projects these days are DAK for FoW (99% done and nearly photo ready) and ECW (I paint about one unit a week of these--24-40 models).  As I reflected on my progress while looking out over the mass of ECW I have in various stages of completion, I decided I need to work on a side project. If for no other reason than to break up the impending relentlessness of painting thousands of apostles and the like.

As I have a box army of both (WG 28mm plastic) Romans and Ancient Britons, I decided to speedily put together one of the two, with the other to follow later. And I decided for this project to see how much work I could do up front with spray paint prior to assembly.

Some of the heads and torsos assembled.  About 140 or so, minus the command and mailed figures.



Various lower body components in a few base colors after spraying.



Shields and standards for later on in the build.



Here’s the lot of them; most have yet to be assembled.  All sorted out by weapon type, position, and color.



And here they are with the torso and legs joined in numerous combinations and all with weapon in hand.



Now it's time to pick up an actual paintbrush. 

I’ll work up a few chariots and wild dog handlers similarly next weekend.  Thinking I'll probably base these for Impetus. The diorama-like bases that system allows are just too cool not to try with at least one pair of armies.

[Captain Blood]

A cunning plan! Interesting to see how they turn out. 

[abu iskander]

Yes, I am one devious bastard.  Here's the first base after the block painting is complete.  All in all, about 2 hours for 10 figures.  Next step: brush on some dip.



Here they are dipped and drying.  Will dullcoat, finish base and seal in a few days.

[Mr.J]

Very effective and incredibly speedy! Great looking figures

[abu iskander]

Thanks.

Here is the first base done.  This one is simple.  I plan more battlefield detritus for the next ones. Broken weapons, odd shields and weapons strwen about here and there.  That sort of thing.  Maybe slightly more sculptured terrain contours.







These are my first ancients at 28mm, all my previous work in this genre was in 15mm for DBx way back in the mid-90s.  These may be some of WLs best.  Their ECW plastics are far less characterful.

[Sangennaru]

wow!

which is the base size? is it for impetus, right?

[abu iskander]

Yes, for Impetus.  The base is 120mm x 60 mm, IIRC.

[Captain Blood]

Can't say I love the sculpts, but your cunning assembly line painting process has brought them up a treat. Well done that man! 

[Sterling Moose]

Lovely job!!