If you're painting ancients you have to paint Romans at some point. So why not give in to the dark side and paint them first? This Mid Republic Roman army is from West Wind's new War and Empire range. At the finish line, it's a whopping 60 cavalry and 532 foot. So, what do we have here?
Velites: With the extra room on the bases, the skirmishers get a chance to shine! The wolf cloaks are well modeled and a nice touch.
Hastati: The hastati were the first up in the Legion and not as well-kitted as the principes or triarii behind them. There are 192 figures here, making it a bit of a challenge to shoot in one go. Somehow, I only got a group photo of them walking away. West Wing puts command figures in every bag, allowing you to sprinkle them throughout as I did here and still save some for the command stands.
Principes: When the hastati wore down or couldn't get it done, the principe went to the front. These are modeled in chain mail and yes, it's another 192 figures.
Triarii. When all else fails, these tough bastards were the last and best hope for the Legion.
All ranked up and ready to conquer the world!
Roman cavalry. Roman cavalry wasn't particularly good in this era. At times they dismounted and fought on foot.
Commanders. There is a wide variety of command figures in this army, with old baldy being my favorite of the bunch!
Now I'm on to Numidians, then Spanish and lastly, Carthaginians. All these figures are destined for
Historicon and the Battle of Zama. I wish I could see it in person but that's looking like a long shot.
I can't really complain though because I made it out to the Big Show at Adepticon. You're probably wondering, was it fun? Oh yea! Here's me hanging with Stephen the Viking from Kansas City. Fabulous players, hosts, tournament, armies and terrain. If I could use only one word to describe the event, it would be 'epic.' I'll try to use more than one word to describe the event in another post. Until then, skol!
Hi Monty,
ReplyDeleteyour paintwork is fantastic, so many figures in so few time, you saved the " just average" roman sculpt by the great job you done!
do you have counted how many ADLG armies you could field now???
I thought the last picture came from a live of Metallica for the video clip " of wolf and a man " ;-)
great to see that you had a great week in Adepticon.
All the best.
Gilles
Gilles! Once again, you make me laugh out loud at my PC. My family is going to worry about me, laughing like that in my painting room!
DeleteI've got Romans and Spanish. And my Dacians from last year can run in ADLG too.
It was my first big convention and a blast! Thanks so much for your funny words, my friend.
Monty Metallica
Beautiful, Monty!
ReplyDeleteThanks Scott! Even though I don't comment like I used to, I never miss a single post of yours.
DeleteMighty fine array of Romans you've painted. Very cool!
ReplyDeleteJeff, thanks!
DeleteSo close and so far away. We must get a game in some day!
Mecastor! And, indeed, mehercle! What a turnout!
ReplyDeleteYou must have been painting your fingers to the bone over winter (despite the utter lack of light on the tundras of Minnesota!).
These are very nicely-proportioned 15s, and you've certainly done them justice. But again, you have to part with them so they can go to Historicon... that would be hard to bear.
Gotta love the triarii - and isn't "res ad triarios venit" just one of the greatest expressions out there?
Those cavalry chaps look well 'ard (even if foreign auxiliaries could have done a better job for a fraction of the price, I know a bloke in Numidia who can fix us up, #justsaying...) - it's the red and bronze combination that does it. Even a platoon of Care Bears would look badass if they were dressed in red with bronze armour.
Top job all round, Monty - but then we've come to expect no less!
Evan, you are a historical encyclopedia (if they still make those any more!). That is a fantastic saying, "It comes down to the triarii." A bit of performance pressure comes with it too.
DeleteI've been painting so much exactly because I can't go out here in the norther wasteland. Thanks Evan!
Lovely work Monty - that's a most impressive array of Romans :)
ReplyDeleteThanks and wow, 2,500 points in the Analog Painting Challenge! Did you leave any points for the other contestants? ;-) Very well done and a great wonderful variety of painting to boot!
DeleteStunning work Monty. I have always wanted a Republican Roman army however I doubt it will ever happen. Never say never though.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Ross
Thanks Ross! You'd just have to retool that 28mm painting machine you've got going and presto! A Republican Roman army.
DeleteWe need to make your trip to Historicon happen! I would love for you to play in the game with these chaps.
ReplyDeleteThat would be fabulous Jeff. I'll keep an eye out to see if I can pull this off.
DeleteMonty, Those are absolutely beautiful; and what a massive army. Nice work.
ReplyDeleteThanks John! 15mm all ranked up does have a nice mass effect.
DeleteAmazing, Monty, simply amazing. A wonder to behold.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dean! Still another 600 figs to go.
Deletestunning work of painting Monty!... which 15's do you prefer to paint Essex,Old Glory, Blue moon, Xyston etc? I personally think it doesn't matter which lead figures scales you have to paint on your work bench they always come out awesome! ;o)
ReplyDeletecheers,
Phil! That is a great question and one I'd love to hear your thoughts on as well. Old Glory at its best is quite good. At their worst, they can be quite a trial to paint. I've never painted Blue Moon but they look comparable to the lovely Xyston. Essex horses are to die for. They lose a point at times with the limited poses but for me, that's not a problem. Vive la difference!
DeleteI agree, old glory 15s are a hit and a miss regarding to which figures paint up well and appealing and there are figures very difficult to paint because of bad sculpt designs? Xyston and Blue moon foot figures are great to paint but their horses look a little funny small or too big. I love painting Essex Cavalry and I agree with you there should be more poses.... oh well :o)
Deleteand yes ...... Vive la difference!
cheers,
That is a seriously impressive body of work! They look amazing all ranked up like that. Can't wait to hear about Adepticon. If that last picture is anything to go by it was quite a time!
ReplyDeleteThanks Paul! It was great fun and a learning experience for a tournament noob like myself. Day one I was undefeated and at the front of the pack. With swiss pairing, how would you guess day 2 turned out for the noob? ;-)
DeleteSplendid and most impressive job Monty, I especialy like the ranked up figures pictures, ready to sweep the world, known as unknown...
ReplyDeleteThanks Phil! I wish I could tell a story the way you do in your AARs.
DeleteVery very nice work Monty!
ReplyDeleteThanks Roger!
DeleteTruly stunning looking Romas ! Most impressive !!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michael! Now, how would they fare against the Norsemen? ;-)
DeleteLovely work, Monty. How long did that lot take you!?
ReplyDeleteCaliban! By dedicating my nights and weekends to this, I was able to finish in just under 5 weeks. And unlock the "Ironbottom" achievement.
DeleteIf I could choose but one word to describe your Roman effort, I pick, IMPRESSIVE!
ReplyDeleteThat is a sizable chunk of lead to tackle at once.
Great job!
Thanks Jonathan! Weighing the unpainted lead when I first got it caused me a moment's hesitation.
DeleteThat is alot of work... great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks Hobby!
DeleteHow do you find the time for this?
ReplyDeleteFMB
Firstly, my kids are grown and off to college. Then all you have to do is spend nearly every minute after work at the painting table. No TV, very little reading. After I finish the Punic armies, I'm scaling back. ;-)
DeleteI was going to send you a side email but somehow I can't find you in my yahoo mail account. If you have a minute, could you shoot me your email? Thanks Marcus!
DeleteVery cool! That certainly looks like a true army. Nice and bright colours too – great work!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jonas! In 15mm, I don't think you can be subtle so I do go bright.
DeleteSeriously impressive work Monty!!! Lets hope you do get to see them in action at Zama!!
ReplyDeleteRay, thanks so much and sorry I'm so late to respond!
DeleteOh wow Monty! I nearly missed this! Really must find more time for blogging seriously. These Romans are absolutely gorgeous. Love the different coloured shields you gave your different units or should I better say legions ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou're a rea'l painting machine my friend and I'm green with envy.
Moiterei, you are too kind. I loved you work in the Painting Challenge. Can't wait to see what is next!
Delete