The Autumn Collection - "It's PLAAAAIDulous!"

It's that faaaabulous time of year again, when Ev of Drummoyne prepares to wow you all with his Autumn Collection!

Here's Cormac, looking rugged in fetching moss green wool with an accent check in umber and bone;

And for the warrior who isn't afraid to blow his own horn, here's Fergus, wearing the latest in battle gear for the discerning man about the glen!

And here's Diarmid, sporting the latest in our outdoor range; the heavy wool cloak doubles both as a cagoule and a sleeping bag in wet weather!

And now I think I'd better check the label on the cold and flu tabs, just to check if the advisory info warns against blogging under the influence of pharmaceutical-grade antihistamines. I suspect that my judgement may be a wee bit impaired at present... what's that, Mr Lobster? Yes please, another glass of Dr Loamblithering's Purple Infuriator, if you'd be so kind...

More later!

"There Can Only Be One!" - SAGA Scots

Actually, there IS only one...

This braw laddie is the first of my SAGA Gripping Beast Scots Warriors painted to completion. I've undercoated and blocked in the skin of the other 24 figures, but I was feeling like it was getting nowhere fast. So, I decided to treat myself and focus on getting one figure finished, go to whoa.

"They can take our lives, but they canna take our seashell-pattern tea tray!"

The more perceptive among you will have noticed that this is being posted at an unconscionably early hour. A stinking cold has prevented me sleeping, although the upside is that I can use the time wisely to finish off the first of my mighty Warriors. I've inked, based, photographed and posted him in the space of 90 minutes.

Is this the secret of the great 19th century poets, painters and composers, who were driven to great creative heights by respiratory illness? It's all relative, of course; a hacking cough (now with added phlegm!) allows me to paint one 28mm figure, while TB gets you a full set of Nocturnes.

Anyway, his function is to motivate me to complete the rest of the crew, and given my track record to date, well, let's just say that I'm not overly optimistic.

Stay tuned...

Clay warriors for pulp games

Just a quick post regards these chaps which have been lurking about 99% completed - half a dozen clay golems for pulp games...

In reality they are a couple of samurai archers I've had lying about for yonks, plus four samurai warriors I originally bought for Curt's 3rd Analogue Painting Challenge as my challenger's entrance fee. They are pretty ordinary figs and I couldn't bring myself to send them on so I found another use for them. They may well be the easiest thing I've ever painted...

Cheers,
Millsy

Dark age village project progress

I've made some pretty solid progress over the last couple of nights. The long hall, huts and wattle enclosures on the workbench have all been completed. I've also finished a small well and re-based a fair chunk of my Anglo-Danish SAGA warband to boot.

First up the long hall. I'm generally pretty happy with how it came out. The colour on the stone work is a bit flat, especially in the photos so I might do a bit more with that later on.

The thatched huts I am more than happy with. Quick, simple to make and they really look the part.

The wattle enclosures have also come out OK. Looking at them critically I could probably have added a few more posts and used a slightly thinner wire for the wattle but they'll more than do. Once there are some cattle and other things around them I won't notice their faults. As for the well, what more can you ask of a pile of rocks with a hole in the middle? ;-)

Finally, here's a shot of a large chunk of the warband - warlord, some hearthguard and two lots of warriors. The figs are a real mix of manufacturers, many of which I've had for a loooooooooooong time.

And that's it. I'm about to re-base my cattle, some clergy and members of the general public, plus make some clutter for the village as well. Thanks to all who chipped in with ideas!

Cheers,
Millsy

Dark Age terrain progress

Things have been a bit hectic outside of gaming so the village project has been in the slow lane. At least I've managed to do a bit each night to keep it ticking over. Here's a quick update on where things stand since the last workbench update...

The long hall needs another coat of white, plus the stonework, a bit of shading and the basing.

The huts need another coat of white too and some shading, plus basing. The wattle enclosures are all but done and just need some weeds, etc.

Nug, Ev and I have been discussing what else is required for the village. Mostly it is just clutter now, although a raised grain store seems to be very de rigueur, as is a lean-to or two for cattle. I've got a lovely white metal wagon which is already assembled and painted, plus the parts to make a cart as well. I'm also going to do some earth / stone ovens, a rough well, a midden (how the hell do you model one of those???) and maybe even some timber palisades. Any other suggestions?

Cheers,
Millsy