The first major project of 2018 is doing Flodden (and subsequent events in Scotland and Ireland in the 16th century). On the downside I am a tad late for Flodden 500, on the plus side my wife picked up basic painted armies on EBay for one of my Christmas presents.
They are mainly Pendraken (prehaps done by someone here - in which case they've found a good home!) and were quickly painted to what I would call basic wargame quality.
After much soaking, cutting, and scraping, the figures that will represent the major Scots wards (Center, Left Center, and parts of the Right and Left) have been separated and catageorized. The highlanders, horse, and ordinance have been set aside for later work along with all the English. I am also using element of some of my WoR figures to represent Scottish lords in their grandfathers armour.
Part way there:
(https://signaetportenta.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/individual-pikes.jpg?w=850)
The first batch of new figures is in the background ready to be primed.
All the pikes have to be repainted and most of the colour schemes. All the "jacks" also need to be repainted for emphasis. To do the organization I want to do (using the board game "Flowers of the Forest as a rough guide) I still need between 80 and 100 new figures painted from the ground up.
Here is a large group of standing pikemen to be transformed to my own aesthetic:
(https://signaetportenta.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/standing-scot-pikes-12.jpg?w=850)
Now completed (more or less):
(https://signaetportenta.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/standing-scots-pikes-3.jpg?w=850)
And where things stand now. Organized in the pike blocks and most of the lord's retinues done with new flags attached:
(https://signaetportenta.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/most-of-the-pike-units.jpg?w=850)
The 2nd batch of new painting is to right ready for priming.
I have repurposed my other blog to document my new Sixteenth Century pursuits:
https://signaetportenta.com
Very cool present Bill
Looks nice!
Excellent stuff 8)
Good progress on a great present
:-bd =D> :-bd
Thanks. Trying to work in PaulR production mode (without the painting skill) but don't know how long I can keep it up. :)
=D> =D> Looking forward to seeing the rest!
Looking damn fine, Bill !
Cheers - Phil
They are looking good!
Nice speed :)
Continuing to work near non-stop on the Flodden stuff but wanted to see how Pixie's LoA figures were going to work with the new, more modular bases I want to use for the 1680 - 1700 period (and possibly beyond). I will complete the bases when I have all the LoA AND Flodden Scots (center and left center) finished.
First Foot Guards - 1st Batt - 1685 - grenadiers attached:
(https://inredcoatragsattired.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/1stgrd-1685.jpg?w=850)
Again, Pixie's painting, I did only the added on pikes and the flags.
A second configuration with the pike in line to the rear and the grenadiers detached with their own command:
(https://inredcoatragsattired.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/1grd-pikes-rearward.jpg?w=850)
Pictures of other configurations (1690 - 1700+) are at this blog post:
https://inredcoatragsattired.com/2018/01/09/painting-and-basing/
Looking good. Interesting method of basing, but clearly works for the different unit structures. I assume you will use a sabot base?
Thanks, Fred. Yes magnetic sabot. Wanted to be able to sequential reduce the number of pikes over the course of time and have the grenadiers be present or detached while still maintaining something like correct ratios. Without the magnets they would be way too fiddly to use (short stubby fingers and wee pieces :) O
Good plan
Looking good
Take care
Andy
Good way to use the same figures across multiple periods; the purist May weep but tbh my LoA and WSS cross periods either way as well. I do need to get round to sorting some pike bases to slip behind the WSS guys though. Thinking four figures (2*2) on a 10 Or 15mm Or 20mm square. What width are those chaps on?
I'm not very pure :)
I use 1"x1" for my standard 6 figure base so the three figure bases are 1" front by 1/2" depth.
So about 25mm wide in new money then :D
Must order some more 20mm squares!
Just about to start color blocking the Flodden highland contingent (lots of blocks of multi-hued saffron) when nagging suspicion enters my mind. I have set up yet another modification to terrain system in preparation for playing out an extended game dealing with the aftermath of Monmouth's stunning victory at Sedgemoor. Everything is ready and should include six regiments of West Country Militia Foot - but - had I actually painted the last two regiments? Nope.
Switched all the Scots back to the "waiting to paint" shelf - went through Pendraken figure bags and sorted out what I needed. A militia unit only has 21 figures - so 42 total - not too bad
Since I already had all that yellow paint out and since the second most popular color for militia uniform coats in 1685 was - you guessed it - yellow, it seemed a sign to stop with the red coats. After an extended one day painting session, too quick and dirty militia units:
(https://inredcoatragsattired.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/wcm-yelloworange.jpg?w=900)
Since I was adding pikes to figures anyway, figured I might as well base up another of Pixie's regiments, so that's the Coldstream in the background. May as well finish Montrose's gun limbered markers while at so they are there also.
It's a strange hobby - when I got up I had very definite painting plans - painted all day but not a single stroke was as planned. Got used to painting saffron however.
Quote from: d_Guy on 18 February 2018, 03:37:43 AM
It's a strange hobby - when I got up I had very definite painting plans - painted all day but not a single stroke was as planned. Got used to painting saffron however.
One of the many joys of the hobby :D
Looking good Bill!
Cracking, Bill!
Were they done on a white undercoat? The yellows come up very nicely.
Looking good!
Nicely done!
Thanks all.
Pixie, yes primed in black then the coat and cuffs were first done in ivory (undiluted, it really covers well).
I might take that as an invitation to try some zenithal highlighting on some chaps when I'm thru current stuff, looks good :)
Amidst various projects got the newest West Country miltia on bases, along with Pixie's Coldstream Guard:
(https://inredcoatragsattired.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/wcm-yelloworangecg.jpg?w=850)
The yellow coats first time out will be as Dorset militia which has gone over to Monmouth.
I should mention that the mesh roads are place holders for Fat Frank's which should be arriving soon.
:-bd =D> :-bd
Nice
I hope they perform well first time out and do the job :D
Thanks guys.
Pixie, they'll be on opposite sides so no matter how badly they do, some will at least be on the winning side :)
Cue both sides flailing wildly then breaking :D
Remember, nobody wins unless everybody wins!
Quote from: d_Guy on 20 February 2018, 07:46:01 PM
Thanks guys.
Pixie, they'll be on opposite sides so no matter how badly they do, some will at least be on the winning side :)
So it's likely to be a draw then ;)
Very nice indeed
Take care
Andy
Thanks, Womble!
I have managed to handle wargame troops so badly in solo games that it is amazing that there is often a clear winner. I like Baroque and For King and Parliament, both very adaptable to solo games. Other than the faster play of FK&P, I am preferring it because it is easier to fine tune for militia and various rabble and other ad hoc troops - some portion of which show up in 90% of the battles I do. It is indeed possible that entire brigades can exit the field in the first serious fighting - on both sides!
If it's any consolation I often find I can't get troops INTO contact enough to even fight 🤡
About to finish up the saffron color-clad highland contingent for Flodden:
(https://signaetportenta.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/flodden-highlanders-overview.jpg?w=850)
The bowmen and swordsmen are from the EBay army I purchased. The swordsmen needed only touching up (and switched to saffron) but the bowman needed a complete redo (in the end it would have been easier to start with white metal:
(https://signaetportenta.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/flodden-highlanders-repainted-bowmen.jpg?w=850)
Hard to tell but ended up using five different saffron shades.
The rest (below) are new purchases from Pendraken.
These are warrior class (Buannachan) fighters along with leaders and pipers:
(https://signaetportenta.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/flodden-highlanders-warriors.jpg?w=850)
Several have card stock bucklers and tissue paper plaids added. The plaids are painted to represent some sort of proto-tartan:
(https://signaetportenta.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/flodden-highlanders-warriors-reverse.jpg?w=850)
The clan levy fighters (Tuath) are Pendraken Levy/Peasent Foot (AS5) with about half getting small bucklers:
(https://signaetportenta.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/flodden-highlanders-levy.jpg?w=850)
The guys in the foreground (above) are a few of the highland leadership that is wearing the very latest in armour.
Several compromises were made so that most of these figures can portray Galloglass and the "Rising Out" in both Desmond's and Tyrone's rebellions in Ireland.
They got based this morning and static grass (not used it before) added this afternoon.
This means I will now allow myself to order the Aztecs! ...and that's now done too!
Looking good - and nice work to bring in all the different figures.
Which codes have you used for the warrior class figures, the ones with the swords aloft and the spears?
Nice stuff d_Guy!
Especially the tissue plaids!
That's some nice work :)
Good luck on the aztecs. I have no time or space for More projects but I'm tempted by some sort of small Skirmish warrior capturing raid game with them...
Thanks, all
Quote from: fred. on 08 March 2018, 09:42:00 PM
Looking good - and nice work to bring in all the different figures.
Which codes have you used for the warrior class figures, the ones with the swords aloft and the spears?
Fred,
The "swords aloft" and "spears" are ER26 which includes also the axemen on the strip behind the spears and the pipers.
The remaining row of axemen (and the three with axes over shoulder) are ELM19.
The bows are ER4 and the figures behind the bows with the claymors are ER3.
Quote from: toxicpixie on 09 March 2018, 12:25:23 AM
That's some nice work :)
Good luck on the aztecs. I have no time or space for More projects but I'm tempted by some sort of small Skirmish warrior capturing raid game with them...
I've been studying them in my spare time. Been fascinated with them since I first saw the Classics Illustrated version of "The Conquest of Mexico" skirmish is probably the sane way to go.
And two more pics with the lads now on bases (very quick and dirty bases I'll admit but match the paint job). It is possible to distinguish the different shades of saffron:
(https://signaetportenta.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/flodden-highlanders-based.jpg?w=850)
Closeup:
(https://signaetportenta.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/flodden-highlanders-close-up.jpg?w=850)
:-bd =D> :-bd
You have been busy :)
Very impressive! In my mind it takes real stamina to paint so many figures like that since I paint an average of maybe 40-50 figures for an entire army. Bottom line, those highlanders do look nice!!!
Terry
Those are brilliant Fred
Those look DAMN fine !! 8)
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: mad lemmey on 09 March 2018, 07:15:29 AM
Those are brilliant Fred
Right sentiment. Wrong person!
Erm... yeah.
Sorry Fred.
Bill, those are brilliant
Too early in the morning
Quote from: Terry37 on 09 March 2018, 03:46:04 AM
Very impressive! In my mind it takes real stamina to paint so many figures like that since I paint an average of maybe 40-50 figures for an entire army. Bottom line, those highlanders do look nice!!!
Terry
Thanks, Terry! I will admit you have a somewhat higher quality standard for yours, however. :)
Mr. Lemmy, I am honored to be mistook for Fred. :)
That's a fine looking bunch of Celtic lads there.
Thanks, Leman.
Because of the following vid, I gave a large proportion red hair:
Fine historical research there! Eclipsed only by Braveheart :D
Yes, don't know what I would do without YouTube and Wikipedia. :D
Of all the stuff that is cringe worthy about Braveheart, the weapons and costumes of the Irish seemed to me passibly decent in the broad strokes, particularly when compared to all else:
Not sure if Edward had any Irish troops at Falkirk, however.
I think I've told this story before, but years ago I made a series of 20 (?) mm models for a small firm who sold to the Scottish tourist industry.
They were sold in little plastic domes and were 'inked and polished' to make them look 'collectable'....and probably quite pricey.
I was asked to make a 'historically accurate' William Wallace, and was sent reference material, including a piccy of the statue of Wallace in Edinburgh.
I don't think I did too bad a copy job on that......But the owner of the firm called me to say he'd heard back form one of the shops he sold to, saying that he'd overheard a customer complaining...."But Elmer.....This doesn't look anything like Mel Gibson in the film." =) =) =) =)
Hey Ho.
I should have stuck to making 'Nessie'.
Cheers - Phil
I liked the story, Techno - myth has always been more powerful than history.
To complete the Flodden Highlanders their bases have been labeled and flags added. The flags are completely mythical and like any myth, Larger than life. I realize that it adds a fantasy element to my games but there it is. If I should ever find a live opponent and they objected, they are removable:
(https://signaetportenta.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/flodden-highlanders-flagged.jpg?w=850)
The four groups, clockwise from 12 o'clock are: Clans of the far North, the Gordons, the Campbell, and the Clans of the West.
Quote from: d_Guy on 12 March 2018, 06:58:08 PM
I liked the story, Techno - myth has always been more powerful than history.
To complete the Flodden Highlanders their bases have been labeled and flags added. The flags are completely mythical and like any myth, Larger than life. I realize that it adds a fantasy element to my games but there it is. If I should ever find a live opponent and they objected, they are removable:
(https://signaetportenta.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/flodden-highlanders-flagged.jpg?w=850)
The four groups, clockwise from 12 o'clock are: Clans of the far North, the Gordons, the Campbell, and the Clans of the West.
They look beautiful, and perfect for an upcoming Game of Thrones campaign? :- :-[ ;D
Mollinary
Looking really good, Bill. :)
Cheers - Phil
Brill.
T'north remembers.
Winter is coming!
;D
Ta, Both
Well nobody said this can't be fun!
As to Winter coming, in the last episode it not only arrived but stomped, slithered and staggered through The Wall.
Very nice indeed
Take care
Andy
Amazing!!!
The Aztecs just arrived! I order them on March 8th, this is only the 19th! Ten days from the halls of Pendraken to the backwoods of North America. Best service ever - and great sculpts too!
I need to hire staff.
(Although this will probably be a very slow project - will try to get out a few individuals however)
Again thanks the Phil, Leon, and Kitty's midnight caterwauling !
Ok - the Aztecs are still sitting there along with several books - the mood to do more has not yet struck.
I miss live opponents since the competitive drive to get stuff on the table (and "one-up" the completion) doesn't exist.
Our tax laws are such that once you reach 70.5 you must take a portion of various deferred savings and spend it so it can be taxed.
(OK, there are some ways around this, but we decided to blow it). Mine goes to this hobby. This year's check came In late April.
I have long resisted doing anything with the ACW and know very little about it BUT grew up surrounded by the 1861 campaign in western Virginia. So I bought already painted figures (15mm) to use with One Hour Wargames (with Norm's rules mods). This will take me away from my obsession with how Highlanders fought in the 1640's ( although work on Auldearn continues apace).
Not really a painting entry but the little fellows are being soaked off their bases as I write. Both armies look a little more uniform (1863-ish) then the motley crews that fought this first campaign (most of it before First Manassas) but I've decided to live with it.
Well, you seem to be rather more focussed than I am!
I am resigned to the fact that I have largely ceased to be a tabletop gamer and have become instead a designer of projects and a collector of figures for same.
My painting mojo has been a very fickle beast of late, though I potter from time to time.
Board and computer games seem to be filling the gaming gap though.
I was going to do Aztecs as next personal stuff, after finishing some 28mm medieval stuff for AdlG. Instead I did half a dozen goblin mercenaries for d&d, and have got my birthday Turks out to finish. They've languished since my 40th so are only four years late 0_o
Quote from: Ithoriel on 13 May 2018, 07:25:32 PM
Board and computer games seem to be filling the gaming gap though.
A very honorable substitute! :)
In the end we are all in a matrix of some sort.
Quote from: toxicpixie on 13 May 2018, 07:54:39 PM
I was going to do Aztecs as next personal stuff, after finishing some 28mm medieval stuff for AdlG. Instead I did half a dozen goblin mercenaries for d&d, and have got my birthday Turks out to finish. They've languished since my 40th so are only four years late 0_o
The tyranny of the now.
Wait...you were going to do Aztecs...hmmmm....what if... :-\ :D
Quote from: d_Guy on 13 May 2018, 05:59:02 PM
... soaked off their bases ...
This is my new euphemism.
"How much did you drink last night?"
"Dunno, but I was soaked off my base." :D
It'll be about three to four years before I get to the Aztecs, sorry Bill :D
Soaked off my base, sounds a bit half soaked to be fsn ;)
Quote from: fsn on 14 May 2018, 06:51:17 AM
This is my new euphemism.
"How much did you drink last night?"
"Dunno, but I was soaked off my base." :D
;D
As usual you opened a new line of thought:
"Upon arrival at Heathrow the passengers were quickly debagged and sorted."
"Kevin was quite ill-defined in the public's eye until he was carefully deflashed by the press."
"Before her first sorte to the beach, Clarissa saw to it that she was primed with sunblock."
"Until they were rebased, the voters seemed generally in favor of the proposition."
"Having grown tired of his baldness, Ben had himself flocked."
"Needing a fourth for bridge, Leon slipped in an extra."
Quote from: toxicpixie on 14 May 2018, 08:07:02 AM
It'll be about three to four years before I get to the Aztecs, sorry Bill :D
Oh well...just a thought. :)