Santa brought me a new Daylight Triple Bright Lamp, Despite the absence of sunlight, I can start taking pictures and posting King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary and his Black Army. This is a major upgrade over the workshop light I've been using. Here's hoping it'll pay dividends with photography and painting in 2013!
Archers: I started with a black and white livery but that wasn't working on account of the fur coats. The very fine detail on these Essex figures made dry brushing a challenge. Sharp-eyed readers will note the ballast is a change-up from what I usually use. It's probably a touch too light but with an army composed of 50% cavalry, it'll pay dividends with the 100+ horses in various shades of brown.
Handgunners: When I look at these fellows, I'm thinking "Killer Bees." It doesn't come through in the photos but the yellow triad pops nicely on the tabletop.
Crossbowmen: The camera shows all sins and I see I forgot to put a highlight on the quiver case! D'oh! I do like these Essex poses though.
Next week, I'll post on the heaven and hell that is painting heraldry in 15mm. With persistence and some luck, I managed to find a website with medieval Szekler heraldry.
Great looking troops! Archers are my favourite!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Phil.
Thanks Phil! They do have a nice East European look and feel to them.
DeleteGreate pictures !
ReplyDeleteMight have to ask santa for some lamps next year.
Dal! The lighting is so much better.
DeleteI'm working on some Gripping Beast plastic Vikings right now. I wonder where I might go to get Saga inspiration? ;-)
Love your color choices! I got myself a very good (and bright) lamp for painting not along ago and it has made a world of difference. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jonathan! The idea of using black as a primary color died a pretty quick death but I think this compromise will do!
DeleteIt is so amazing to paint and not be baked by my shop lamp. I should have done this a long time ago.
Hi Monty,
ReplyDeletethey are great! that's like that I imagine the look of the eastern people of the period, it will be really amazing to see your Black Army on the field of glory ;-)
I like the different tufts you use; your new lamp is really cool too, the pics are bright;
just a question: it 's snowy and cold all around your house! yes I had look at your window ;-) don't have a look around it's too late, I already gone ;-)
Cheers
Gilles "still a jester even in V2.0 "
Every day should start with a jester and a laugh, and thanks for that!
DeleteIt's so cold that you can't leave the blinds down without the windows icing over during the night. The next day, the ice melts and pools of water ruin the wooden window sills. One of the many joys of winter living. I'm thinking this isn't a problem in wine country.
So, first, every time you post on this project, I think of the Underworld films.
ReplyDeleteSecond, are you saying you got that yellow over a black undercoat? Spill the beans please, because inquiring minds want to know how.
Lol! You're trying to get me to go Fantasy/Sci Fi, aren't you? I watched 2 guys playing Warmachine last month. They boasted that they each had more than $1,000 in figures but they were just primed and not painted. All that unpainted lead was intriguing!
DeleteAnd I'm not a miracle worker! Before I can drop yellow onto a black foundation, I have to first block in Vallejo Game Color Scrofulous Brown. It's yellowish brown and makes a good step to yellow. Then I did 2 shades of yellow-the damn labels always rub off, otherwise, I'd give you the names.
Wonderful work! Being of eastern european heritage, I've always wanted to do this army, and have made one or two abortive attempts.
ReplyDeleteI'll just live vicariously through you!
:-)
DeleteI could have painted any medieval army but after thinking about it, I decided to come back to this one because it is one of a kind. And I managed to scrounge up some resources I just couldn't locate last time through thanks to Google Chrome and the translator!