After the departure of the Romans, the Dal-Riada Scots fought and then formed a kingdom with the Picts in 846. Kingship at that time was multilayered, with kings using their war bands for raiding and the occasional campaign. With a patchwork of clans and lordships, the Scots stood fast against the Normans during the
conquest of England. Their armies were mostly unarmored spearmen fighting in closed ranks. The body of spearmen would generally be flanked or preceded by bow or javelin skirmishers. Warriors were barelegged and poorly clad. By the 10th century, they were fighting in shield wall like the Vikings. Imitation is indeed the sincerest form of flattery!
I find that levy figures are a great warm up for painting a warband. These Scots levies were likely slaves and thus, a simple palette with no flourishes. In SAGA, these Dark Age Expendables are used to shield the rest of the warband from missile fire and to hurl javelins at the enemy. All Gripping Beast and once again, really nice scuplts.
That is an evil looking mob with single-minded intent to skewer their foe.
ReplyDeleteNice job!
They do appear to be quite angry. Being barefoot and barelegged in the winter will do that to a fellow.
DeleteNice work, Monty, bit of a break from the brighter colours you usually use. I was a little disappointed, however, to not see any pictures of Heather. Who is she, anyways? ;)
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you, and the joy of the New Year!
FMB
Merry Christmas Marcus, and you are spot on! I've been leaning heavy on bright palettes lately so this is a changeup. I'm moving slowly in brightness and color range from levy to warrior to hearthguard, with a dark palette throughout.
DeleteStunning work, Monty! I really like your SAGA stuff and am looking forward to see the whole warband finished
ReplyDeleteThanks Moiterei! I've got quite alot of SAGA to paint, and then onto WW II and maybe Samurai. Looking forward to 2014!
DeleteGreat looking warband Monty! You have amassed a very impressive amount of warbands!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Christopher, thanks! I have painted 9 factions to date and 2 more on the plate! :-)
DeleteLooking good. Makes me feel like I should get cracking on my Scots...
ReplyDeleteThanks Giric! And hey, thanks for the hobby knife tip. I picked up the one you're using on your Roman fort and it looks like a gem!
DeleteAnother great paintjob Monty, these warbands are really nice!
ReplyDeleteThanks Phil, I appreciate it!
DeleteVery nice indeed Monty. The faces are superb and packed with character.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michael!The Scots rank up with the Welsh and Byzantines as "extra good" sculpts by GB.
DeleteThey look great, Monty; nice work on the eyes - very realistic. The background is very artistic too. Best, Dean
ReplyDeleteThanks Dean! The 8 by 11 sheet I printed off the internet was not big enough for posting large groups so I found some water paints and did that myself, lol. It sure makes posting for pics easier.
DeleteThanks Andrew! I do love a bright palette but I'll restrain myself this time through!
ReplyDeleteYou had the magic word in the title "Scots" I do love me some Scotsman with their well toned calves, their broad shoulders and the wildness in their eyes. Thank you for the eye candy. You're the only one that will paint up hot men for me :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to help balance out the universe!
DeleteI was showing off my painting room to some guests Christmas Eve. I explained that when I was a young man, miniature players were all men. There are now women who play WH and 40K, and boardgames too. You, Tamsin, Sofie and many others are trailblazers. When this hobby gets to something like a 50/50 mix, it'll be so much more fun and interesting! So, thank YOU!
Greate painting Monty, I´m realy impressed that you painting eyes on the minis, good work !!!
ReplyDeleteRegarding your background I might have tried to get a softer transition from the darker blue/blue/lightblue/white... sorry for not manage to express my thoughts in propper english but I hope you understand anyway, as it is now its dominates the pictures and take the focus of the minis a bit. I would probably not even use the darkes blue at all.
Best regards Michael
Michael, I really appreciate your advice and now I see it. I've discard that background and made 2 new ones. One with visible stripes and one wet painted with smoother transitions. All lighter blue. Once they dry I might reshoot the whole thing. Or save it for the warriors to come. Thanks Michael, I appreciate any tips or advice that I get.
DeleteMore great work Monty, glad you had a great Xmas been working mostly myself but have been able to paint the odd model or two
ReplyDeletePeace James
Thanks James! It's best you get some rest from the painting table, just so you don't get carpal tunnel syndrome. You have been on a tear. Keep it up and enjoy!
DeleteMonty, this is wonderful to see. As you well know, I'm a big fan of the Scots, and I look forward to seeing the rest of the warband!
ReplyDeleteWill these be part of your personal warband or will you have to part with them?
Your Scots are wonderful, Ev! I do hope they played as well as they looked.
DeleteThese are a commish but they'll be staying local. I expect to see them and maybe even run them in DB in 2014 when the raiders expansion hits the US.
Working on my own Scots levy at present - but it's hard to find time to paint between social engagements at this time of year!
DeleteGreat minds paint alike!
DeleteI don't think anyone should have to apologize for having an active social life. Cheers to that!
Hi Monty,
ReplyDeleteNice work !
they look wild as their Highlands!
and you wrote a new page of your Saga, and this page will be named : "Fifty shades of Brown";-)
The background you done is the beginning for your " Blue painting period like the Classical painters", are you ready for a MOMA exposition?;-)
Cheers
Gilles " the Forbidden painting experiment ;-)"
Gillies! Lol, I'm allowed to paint 50 Shades but of course, not live it.
DeleteYou got me twice tonight. My daughter gave me some tips on watercolors so I expect my 2nd effort to be twice as good as my first. If I keep at it, one day I may be able to top Meissonier's Friedland. In watercolor.
I like them! Will be interesting to hear how Scots play out!
ReplyDeleteMy friend Martin wants to give me his Scots and I would love to see how they play as a force. That being said... I love painting Scots in any period, so I guess it does not really matter! But first Saxons and Normans.
I have troubles enough against the Irish faction in SAGA. This might be more of the same!
DeleteAnd hey, any friend who wants to give you lead is a good friend indeed! Saxons would be a great pick because you can run them in SAGA, DB, and a few other systems. Portability for the win!
Very nice Monty! I like these lovely drab colours as well as your more colourful stuff. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the warband.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jonas! I hope you had a great Holiday.
Delete