I was really hoping to crack on with some mounted ECW troops this week, but a couple of snags have cropped up. (sNAGS, CROPped, I think I missed a trick with the post title there!!).
First off, I've been working through my stash of Renedra and Warlord bases, and don't have any left that can be used for cavalry, and secondly, it's been so long since I painted any horses that I'm terribly 'rusty' and need some serious practice - especially if they're going to get painted quickly!
A stock of MDF bases have been ordered, and while I wait for them to arrive I'll be taking 'baby steps' in equine acrylic pigment application by painting up a mounted officer and some dragoon horses.
Of course, 'dragoon horses' need some dismounted dragoons as well, so I got two squadrons of those done first (they're the ones that do the fighting after all!), and here they've joined the ongoing "muster" along with the Colonel inspecting his troops.
Now, Tudor style half timbered houses visually help set the period on the table top, but there's just something about a windmill that shouts "Olde England" and puts me in mind of the famous Battle of Naseby etching.....
I'm not keen on using Dungeons & Dragons "Hell Hound" mini's as "Barguests" as portrayed in the Witchfinder General rule book. (In Northern English folklore, the Barghest is a mythical monstrous dog with large teeth and claws), and I can't remember where I saw someone using Games Workshop LotR "Wargs" for the purpose, but much preferred them as an option!
Anyhow, that's what I decided to do, so all is not lost on the "four legged front" this week since this pack have been added to the collection!
Oops, I almost forgot - these two fire hydrants came as part of the Black Cat Bases order and were quickly painted up and added to the ATZ 'scatter' terrain.
Suffering with a touch of 'man flu' at the moment, so I'm off for a Lemsip! I'm still plodding on with the "Ladies" as promised for the mid-week post though but Winter Is Coming, so you should get wrapped up if you're going out - if not, stay indoors and get some gaming and/or painting done!!
(Footnote: STILL no sign of the Gringo40 mini's btw)
Splendid stuff, funnily enough I was thinking windmills myself the other day and put the new 4Ground version on my Birthday/Christmas wish list - fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteIs it "Great minds thinking alike" or "Fools seldom differing"? ;-)
DeleteI'd had the kit knocking about for ages, and it was probably seeing the 4Ground kit that prompted me to get it done and finish off these smaller scale buildings - of course, these are for the larger battles so now I need to start on some 28mm scale dwellings (with interiors) for the skirmish games!
Great mix of stuff, Wargame Addict - "ECW", Wargs and fire hydrants - terrific mix and it looks like you're really enjoying your hobby currently :-)
ReplyDeleteWell, I WOULD be if it weren't for this stinking cold - I've got a pounding head with it atm :-(
DeleteNot too much work on this week, so I can try and shake it off (and get a wee bit of painting done to take my mind off it!)
A real eclectic mix of stuff to enjoy here, Greg, not unlike Blaxkleric's blog. As I said to Simon, variety is good.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bryan :-) I'd agree "variety is good", especially when you can see progress towards the end goals - it can feel as though you're wallowing aimlessly between projects when there's so much to do though ;-)
Delete(Thankfully I'm past the latter!)
Nice, very nice! Love the last picture!
ReplyDeleteCheers Phil. Straight out of the bag, primed, painted, washed then varnished. Even with the drying times between each step, they're STILL the quickest bit of terrain I've done yet! :-)
DeleteGreat addition to so many different projects, despite the man-flu!
ReplyDeleteThank you Joe - never let it be said that we're not prepared to suffer for our hobby ;-)
Delete"Nurse - pass the tissues"!
Looking good. Get well soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tim. I'm under 'nurses orders' and taking the medication ;-)
DeleteThat windmill is ace mate. What a great addition to your table. The fire hydrants look great as well, I’d be tempted myself but my campaign is set in Blighty so not needed.
ReplyDeleteCheers Andy :-)
DeleteI'd probably overlooked the hydrants before now simply because WE don't have 'em over here. To my eye, they're as effective as a classic red 'phone box in setting the location.
This stuff looks really nice. ECW was a big things for me for years. I ended up buying a load of second hand Warlord stuff. Most of which is still sat in a box. Maybe I should make this my ongoing project. I also like the idea of Witchfinder General but couldn't find anyone who wanted to play it.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for your comments Fred, and I hope you might be swayed to take up ECW again - it's a much ignored but fascinating period of our history (and no doubt I'll be expounding on that in future posts)
DeleteI'm HOPING WfG will play OK solo, but only time will tell ;-)
If ever you decide that your ECW stuff will stay "sat in a box", please let me know, cos I'm recruiting like mad to get this project going :-)
Do I take it from your comments that you haven't painted a horse before? If so then you might find my article useful: http://colgar6.blogspot.com/2016/03/painting-horses-for-wargames.html . If you already know this stuff then I apologise.
ReplyDeleteI also use GW's wargs as hell-hounds for witch hunting games, typically played around Halloween each year. Perhaps that's where you saw them?
I HAVE painted 'em before, but years (and years) ago - the closest I've come recently were the noses, ears, tails and lower legs on a unit of GW Bretonnian knights! ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks muchly for the link though Hugh, and I've promptly book-marked the post for reference since you're getting excellent results with what looks like a nice quick method....... and without oil paints, which seems to crop up in most 'tutorials' ;-)
I've also checked out your Halloween posts, and yes, I reckon you're right and it must have been your Warg/Hell Hounds I've copied. I've also just got hold of the "captive" like the one you use for witch burnings too, so many thanks for ALL the info and inspiration :-)