Poly Romans - week 4

Well, week 3 didn't really happen due to domestic stuff and then the world cup.  But over the past 2 weeks I managed a little painting.  Mostly trim round the mail of the triarii, cloaks and belts and gold on helmets and greaves.  The triarii are nearly finished.       

Hopefully next week I'll get more time to finish some of them. 

Poly Romans - week 2

The painting continues.  Maybe not at lightning speed, but progress.  Added an undercoat wash of grey to the chainmail and then a wash of steel.  Perhaps not as dark a steel as I'd wanted at first but I'll wait till I do more on the figures before I decide if I want to darken it.    

At the back is the blue legion.  I wanted to do something like this, but debated whether blue was really appropriate.  I stay with it for the triarii but I may make the hastati and principes of this legion different colours (they are the chaps at the back still in white).     

The Italian or Latin allies and the foot general.  I made one unit of Italians a mix of deep reds and the second a mix of cream and pale yellow.  The general and standard bearer have scarlet tunics as I'm trying to represent better quality cloth for the top-brass (a la British generals).  All the tunics done so far are just the one wash of colour over white.  Any highlights and shading are just the way the wash falls over ridges and into folds in the tunics.  
     

A rear view of the allies.  I'm still debating having the armour straps lots of different colours. 

And that's it for week 2.  I can't remember how long I was able to spend on them, perhaps only 3 - 4 hours.  There's a total of 124 figures to get done, incling the mounted CiC and 4 cavalry figures.  Roll on week 3.  

Last of the Saxons

The last of the 6mm Saxons are done.  Could even say, the last stand of the Saxons or something similar.  No too bad overall and I'll pass them on to their owner later for basing and finishing.  Though, looking at it now, I kinda wish I'd put crosses on a few shields. 

The right flank.

The left flank.

A view from the rear.

And the lot viewed from the front.   

 
And this almost led to another fad.  While I was doing these I've been watching the tele series Vikings (watch an episode then go off and do some painting and repeat for several nights).  Then I looked at the Armati army lists, the DBA army lists, the 15mm Essex catalogue, the 25mm catalogue and then on t'internet at some of the plastic 28mm Saxons.  But the moment has passed, I didn't part with any cash and there are no wargame shows coming up soon.  So I'm safe, for now.       

Next project - 28mm Poly Romans

Here's the next project.  I actually tried to sell these Gripping Beast figures on the bay as base metal, but they didn't sell.  I may have asked too much, but then I thought - how long would it take to paint them as a blitz effort.  Then maybe sell the lot with with my existing Romans.       

So here's the pictures of the first week.  It's all my normal white undercoat and colour wash.         

And that's it for week one.  I can't remember how long it took, but I reckon 3 hours or so to this point.   

Saxon huscarls and more

Got the next tray of 6mm Saxons done, and handed them over to their owner last Thursday.  Here's they are - huscarles on the right. 

And huscarls on the left. 

The high heid yins.

And the view from the back. For the huscarls it's all chainmail and axes.  

And the scruffy archers and / or skirmishers. 

Only one tray of fyrd to go. 

Incidentally - how would you pronouce 'fyrd'.  I say fird, but then I've just thought that wyrd is generally pronounced weird or weerd, as in the wyrd sisters.  So it might have been feerd.  

Liebster award

Liebster Award Nomination

Thanks to Ross of Brushes and Bases for the Liebster Award. http://brushesandbases.blogspot.co.uk/

I may have to do the rest over a few sessions, but for now,  

1. Why did you start blogging?

To give an impetus to my painting, pushed on by the inspiration of other blogs. And to share some other boardgaming activities.

2. If you could change one thing about the wargaming hobby, what would it be?

Make sure glossy sets of rules or games are at least proof-read and play tested before the over priced junk is inflicted on the gaming public.

3. What is best in life?

Friends and family. For gaming - a group of gaming friends round a table, with the good natured slagging and laughter as people roll 1's or 6's.

4. Do you want to live forever?

Who wants to live forever?

5. Fame or Fortune?

Fame when I was young. Fortune now.

6. What miniatures are you most proud of having painted?

My 15mm minifigs napoleonics from years ago. Obsessively detailed for 15mm.  Or my Essex Arabs or Byzantines.

7. How do you deal with burn out?

Guitars.

8. Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Dunno venerable master. I'll just keep sweeping. 

9. Star Wars of Star Trek?

The original Star Wars. But homage to Gene Rodenberry and his vision.

10. If you could only buy from one miniature company from now on, which one would it be?

Tricky decision - probably Essex for 15mm ancients and medievals. For Napoleonics, I wish minifigs still produced the 15mm Series 2 figures.

11. What is your favourite takeaway?

Don't do takeaway - otherwise chups. (for non-British people that's French Fries in a bag, often consumed late a night after a few beers.)

12. Which wine do you prefer: red or white?

Depend on the occasion.  
13. When undercoating miniatures, do you spray or brush?

Spray. Halfords white undercoat has been my standard for years. 

14. Favourite historical period?

Napoleonic. 

15. What is your favourite brand of paints? 

Miniature Paints (acrylics).  Humbrol acrylics, specially the primary colours and the gold.  

16. When gaming what is more important: winning or playing?

Playing.  Better to lose in a good game than win in bitter competition.  

Footnote: I experienced the BHGS winning attitude many years ago in ancient competitions, but it wasn't for me.  If they could get away with it, the hard-core competition people would play with badly painted blobs on unpainted cardboard and try any trick to notch up points on the their BHGS rankings.  I think the hard-core competion people ruined DBM.  Bah, humbug!       

So there you have it, some ramblings from another painter and gamer.