My interpretation of Bruegelburg and its Citizens

[Dreng Tromm]

Greetings Fellow Travelers of the Old World!

This miniature is my first LAM miniature...


I bought this some time ago as part of the Brugelburg wave deals but I could not bring myself to paint it on account of the fact that the miniatures are so characterful that I felt that my current painting skill level would not do justice to the miniature.

However, after having been inspired by some of the amazing talents in LAF, I decided to have a "go-at-it". Thus, I decided to paint at least one LAM miniature and start this particular thread to share with the LAF community my interpretation of Bruegelburg.

This is Joachim Burkhart, an eccentric adventurer from Talabecland who fancies himself as a blademaster. He is the only child of a Tilean Merchant who made his fortune in Talabecland selling hard-to-find products from exotic lands such as Ind and Cathay.

Joachim was initially groomed by his father to follow in his footsteps take over the business. Accordingly, he was sent to Altdorf to learn commerce and trade. He eventually became a book keeper and worked for his father but unknown to his father, Joachim was an adventurer at heart and he longed  to one day live out his dream fighting evil wherever he finds it in the name of all that is good, virtuous and decent. He sought to one day be free of the shackles of a mundane existence as a bookkeeper and merchant.

Then he heard of Bruegelburg.

Joachim decided to leave the comforts of a merchant's life and exchange it for the rugged but exciting life of an adventurer in Bruegelburg.

What will become of him in Bruegelburg?

Who knows? The adventure has only just begun...

[Faust23]

Cool. I like that you personalized the background.  Looks good!

[Dreng Tromm]

Thank you Faust23.

I am glad to hear that you approve of how I personalized the background of the miniature.

I have a tendency to do that.

I am very picky with my miniature collection and accordingly, the miniatures I work with become individuals and characters in my imagination, complete with their own unique story and background thereby making them that more interesting to me.

In the process, I hope that I am able to translate their context in how I paint and represent them.

[Dreng Tromm]

Here is another citizen of Bruegelburg...



Gerhard Biermann is the owner of the "Three Arrows Tavern."

Gerhard was originally from Middenheim where he owned and operated the "Middenheim Fraulein Alehouse" but when that city was besieged by the forces of Archeon, Gerhard, together with his wife and six daughters left Middenheim under cover of darkness and moved to Bruegelburg where he established the Three Arrows Tavern.

During their exodus from the besieged city, Gerhard and his family were attacked by Norse marauders who harrowed the fleeing family. Gerhard however managed to escape but in the process, sustained what then seemed like fatal injuries after three arrows struck him in the back.

Fortunately however, Gerhard was able to survive his injuries due to the persistent care he received from his wife and six daughters. They eventually found themselves in Bruegelburg and in time, established the "Three Arrows Tavern" in remembrance of the three arrows that nearly killed Gerhard.

He was eventually joined by his brother Lucius in Bruegelburg with the latter helping out in the Tavern.

Gerhard is a relatively jovial individual but he could be fiercely protective of his "girls" who also work for him in the Tavern.

[smokezombie]

Ooh! I want this mini.

Lovely painting and story. Good job.

[Doomhippie]

I am glad to hear that you approve of how I personalized the background of the miniature.

I have a tendency to do that.

I am very picky with my miniature collection and accordingly, the miniatures I work with become individuals and characters in my imagination, complete with their own unique story and background thereby making them that more interesting to me.

In the process, I hope that I am able to translate their context in how I paint and represent them.

I know that feeling. That's usually how I collect/paint my miniatures. There has to be a background story for it somewhere in my mind (not always as detailed as yours but still). I, too, believe that it helps to define the character and thus the style of the miniature.

Very enjoyable read and I honestly don't think you have to hide away because of any lack of painting style. You brought out the best in the minis. Well done.

[Dreng Tromm]

Thank you smokezombie.

Gerhard is an amazing Bobby Jackson miniature from Reaper. It is the bartender from the Village of Kullhaven collection and can be bought separately as part of the townsfolk series known as "Bartender and Wenches" (item/product no.65086).

Here is the link: http://www.reapermini.com/OnlineStore/townsfolk/latest/65086

Incidentally, the wonderful people from Reaper has used my interpretation of the bartender in their online store.

[Dreng Tromm]

Thanks a lot Doomhippie for the kind comments!

It is nice to know that there are others who feel the same way about miniatures and the importance of characterization and contextualization in the creative process of painting.

[Mason]

They both look great!
 

I dont agree that your painting level is not up to the level of the LAM miniature, the brushwork looks pretty damn good to me.

Looking forward to more.
 

[Prof.Witchheimer]

Your skills are amazing, love the both painting jobs, keep it going, I'm always very keen to see people's interpretations of Bruegelburg!

Awesome background stories, too.

[DeafNala]

It's GREAT to see your FINE pieces & background stories playing before a larger audience than just Tom's. WONDERFUL STUFF!

[Dreng Tromm]

Greetings Fellow Travelers of the Old World!

Thank you very much for the warm reception to my interpretation of Bruegelburg and its citizens.

@ Mason:
Thank you very much for the encouragement. I am a big fan of your work and I think that you are doing an amazing job with the ruins of Krappefortt!

@ Prof. Witchheimer:
Wow! What more can one say? For that matter, what more is there to say when a person whose work you admire appreciates your work in return?

I have always been a huge fan of your work and your painting style and the fact that you approve of my interpretation of a Bruegelburg miniature is very humbling indeed. Thank you very much for the kind, encouraging and inspiring comments!

@ DeafNala:
Thanks a lot my friend. Just as I valued your insights in TBMF, so too do I appreciate your sagely comments here at LAF.

More power to you DeafNala!

[Dreng Tromm]

Greetings Fellow Travelers of the Old World!

Here is another citizen of Bruegelburg...



Ingrid Biermann is one of the six daughters of Gerhard Biermann and like her other sisters, she works for her father and she tries to keep the "Three Arrows Tavern" a reputable and sanitary establishment in Bruegleburg.

Ingrid is the eldest of the Biermann sisters and as such, she has dedicated her life to taking care of her father and her sisters. Consequently, she has become somewhat of an old maid.

She however looks forward to having her own family and she is often seen with Hans, an apprentice working over at the Burkhart store for exotic goods.

It goes without saying that Old man Gerhard does not approve...

[Dreng Tromm]

Here is another citizen of Bruegelburg...



Anja Biermann is the spirited daughter of Gerhard Biermann who works for her father as a serving wench at the "Three Arrows Tavern". She was born second to Ingrid.

Born with good looks and a pleasant and hospitable personality, not to mention a curvaceous and voluptuous physique, Anja has always had male admirers much to the consternation of Old Man Gerhard. Unfortunately for Gerhard, Anja is too much of a wild spirit to be restrained and caged behind the confines of her station in life and she has is frequently rumored to have engaged in secret dalliances with the Tavern's richer patrons.

Anja however is simply a tease.

She is not a loose woman who would sleep with anyone. At her core, Anja is an ambitious woman who knows what she wants and how to get it using the tools that life had given her. In fact, she has set her eyes on Baron Adelhart Wilhelm-Mountbatten, one of the Merchant Barons of Bruegelburg and a patron of the Three Arrows Tavern.

Unbeknownst to Anja, the good Baron is apparently in love with one of her sisters...

[Dreng Tromm]

Here is another citizen of Brugelburg...



Stefan Foerster is a relative newcomer to Bruegelburg.

Since his arrival, he has made a living as a woodsman and an occasional carpenter with a bright and disarming smile that shines through the ragged features of his rather handsome face. He is a relatively low-key individual who is generally regarded as a quiet fellow who keeps to himself.

Stefan however holds a secret...

He is also the Tilean masked assassin notoriously known as Ponce Calantini.

Silent, brutal and efficient, Master Ponce Calantini swiftly delivers his vocation to full effect and without hesitation as he deems that he is honor bound to complete his contract. Ponce Calantini takes pride in the fact that he has never missed a mark and he does not intend to miss his target in Bruegelburg...