A fun part of painting is finding the touches that convey the character of the figures you're painting. For the Scots warlord, the elevated basing reflected a Highlands heritage, as does the heather tufts.
This was my 2nd attempt at a watercolor-based background. In this version, I got a lighter and smoother gradient Michael of the
Dalauppror blog recommended. I love how bloggers share tips, tricks and recommendations. So thanks, Michael, and everyone else I've ever leaned on as well. I must remember it's ok to ask for help rather than rely on trial and error.
Here's the rest of the Scots warriors, the hearthguard, and the warlord in for another shot. The fellow with both hands in the air is giving off a "Braveheart" vibe and I can almost hear him yelling "FREEDOM!"
The Scots are done and off to a new home. That makes 7 factions painted out of 17 in SAGA. If paint 10 factions, I hear Studio Tomahawk offers the 11th free, just like Subway sandwiches!
+5 points if you can identify the musical shout-out in the post's title without Google.
Fantastic! love the banners/Flags.... everything looks top class painting and flocking Monty!
ReplyDeleteI'm not to sure about painting eyes though?...anyway
well done Lord Monty! :oP
Thanks Phil! Here's hoping that if a fellow paints eyes and tartan enough times, it turns from a pain into a pleasure. ;-)
DeleteAbsolutely awesome work Monty! And the quality of your pictures is simply stunning.
ReplyDeleteThanks Moiterei! I've struggled for a long time on taking pics and still do. I really appreciate the feedback on that front.
DeleteNice!
ReplyDelete...had to use google, but I should have recognized it! -5 pts
Iowa! They recorded one of my all time favorite drum bits in Teenage Riot. So they get a special place of honor!
DeleteSuperb work - both the Warlord and the bannerman are stunning
ReplyDeleteI'm am very impressed!
Thanks for your feedback! Good luck in the painting challenge and 2013 was a very good year for you!
DeleteThese are brilliant, Monty! I must confess a certain amount of envy over the speed at which you work, and at the splendid results. This is why I'll never enter a painting challenge!
ReplyDeleteI always feel a little sorry for the GB Scots warlord, since his pose is so static in comparison with the poses of his more energetic troops - he really needs the extra height to really stand out, and you've done a terrific job in basing him up for maximum visibility!
And now I'll have to lay hands on some heather tufts to dress up the bases of my own Scots... it IS supposed to be lucky, and last game I got my tartaned backside handed to me by Millsy's Anglo-Danes (moral: keep some SAGA dice in reserve, whatever you do!), so it can't hurt!
Again, top shelf stuff!
Thanks Ev, I appreciate it! I loved your Scots and I was glad that I could find a reason to paint them as well. No envy on painting speed...a person who paints slower is a person with a very full life!
DeleteI agree about the warlord. I was stumped for a bit on how to shine him up a bit. In the next warband I'm painting, I've found the dullest figure ever. I've given up and I'm swapping him out from the get go.
I think Millsy must have gotten lucky. Tell him "best 2 out of 3!"
He beat me twice already - best 3 out of 5!
DeleteThanks Andrew! This was a fun bunch and that hopefully shines through.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeletethey are perfect !
you done a great work on this faction !
who will be the next in the Pit? ;-)
All the best.
Gilles
The Norse Gaels! I have an idea of taking my skirmish SAGA figs and dropping them in Warbase bases so I can run them in Impetus, DB or perhaps Hail Caesar.
DeleteWonderful work Monty and great basing :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tamsin and keep up the good work in the big painting challenge!
DeleteLooks awesome.
ReplyDeleteThat's a kick ass banner.
Cheers
Thanks Kiwi! LMBS is an indispensable part of my Dark Age painting. If I could one day learn to make lovely hand-painted banners like Michael...hmmmm.
DeleteThose do look great. Just love those flags! I didn't know the song so I Googled it. Now I know why I didn't know. I'm just too old to know this group :)
ReplyDeleteAnne, thanks! I must say, your last 3 pieces up in the challenge were simply smashing. Thanks for the link out on painting rust!
DeleteGreat Scots! Back to your vibrant colors and exquisite plaids. Great banner!
ReplyDeleteWho can forget Woodstock?
That was my fallback title!
DeleteI once worked with a fellow from NY who claimed he drove and then walked to Woodstock. When he saw it was basically an overflowing toilet, he turned around and left. ;-)
Very nice and good to see the painting machine hasn't lost a beat in spite of the cold! That superb banner really stands out btw!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Thanks Christopher and it has been BRUTAL cold. -22 degrees on Monday and only a bit warmer on Tuesday. Locked up inside and thankful I have a furnace & a paintbrush!
DeleteDamn fine painting Monty, and just love that flag too!!! That damn song was on the tip of my tongue, but I just can't remember who sings it, I'm off to google it!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ray! And may I say, you have damn fine taste in music!
DeleteOh yeh!!!!!!! Got it now!
ReplyDeleteThe glory years!
DeleteOh man, these are wonderful. You must be thrilled with them Monty, I know I would be. The base on the warlord is a cracker!
ReplyDeleteThanks Millsy, it's great when it all comes together like this!
DeleteStunning painting Monty ! Looking realy greate !
ReplyDelete+10 bonus points for the smother blue background, thank you very much for the credits;)
Best regards Michael
Michael, thank YOU! My daughter game me some tips on working with watercolor so it was a collaborative venture. And I got an email off to the author of the Viking book. Fingers crossed!
DeleteExcellent paintjob Monty, these fierce warriors are really great, the banner is awesome and the basing so impressive...and their Freedom cry is heard from France....really excellent!
ReplyDeleteLOL, I love it! He does look like he's got a pair of lungs, doesn't he?
DeleteFine looking Scots Monty, they look suitably dour!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cyrus! I sure hope I can join you and other in painting Ancients in 28mm this year.
DeleteSimply lovely Monty! These shall do your SAGA collection great justice!
ReplyDeleteThanks Burkhard! All of your SAGA posts were a siren song that helped lure me into this trap!
DeleteBrilliant job Monty, very nice indeed!
ReplyDeleteSteve
Thanks Yorkie!
DeleteLove the Scots Monty! The basing of the warlord is excellent.
ReplyDeleteAnd being a bit of music nerd, I nailed the song reference in the title straight away – one of my all time favourite bands, SY. :)
Thanks Jonas, and I can't help but revisit my musical youth from time to time. I still can't believe they got Teenage Riot into Rock Band!
DeleteExcellent looking warband. Good and bright, should look great on the table top.
ReplyDeleteThanks Hendrid, I appreciate it!
DeleteThings of beauty, Monty. The plaid cloaks are brilliant and the flag looks like you ripped it out of a page of the Book of Kells.
ReplyDeleteI didn't recognize the song title straight away, Sonic Youth is a hole in my musical education.
Cheers,
Michael
Thanks Padre, and the Book of Kells is dead lovely! What a work, and how is it that I just learned of it? I did not have a good classical education growing up here in the States. ;-)
DeleteOutstanding Monty, I love everything about this, the painting the basing and especially the reference to Sonic Youth! ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Michael! The reference dates me but I'm ok with that as it helps me find like minded and like listening souls.
DeleteWow that's an excellent paintjob! I also love how you did the basing!
ReplyDeleteGreetings, Sofie
Thanks Sofie, and I love the color and imagination you bring to your table every week!
DeleteSpectacular work as always, Monty! The banner is lovely, but I must say your basing is very impressive too. Dean
ReplyDeleteThanks Dean, I appreciate it! The warlord was just a bit tricky as I've nearly run out of bark for basing. I must try cork soon. ;-)
Delete