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Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Speed painting a Warband

Necessity is the mother of invention, and experimentation too.  I'm attending two SAGA events that allow Dark Age warbands only.  I  sold my Saga collection recently, save for the Late Romans. I scrounged and based up every unpainted Dark Age figure I had left including a box of plastics. The 24 levy and 48 warriors can run as Vikings, Anglo-Danes or Anglo-Saxons. Score!

After talking to local painters, I decided to paint using mostly washes and inks. My test run of 24 levy turned out well enough I kept at it. 


The key is Zenithal priming which is a fancy way of saying "Prime black & dust with white from above."  The washes and inks work off of the primed-in shadows to achieve a nice tabletop standard. Mind you, this was my first time and I was spit-balling.
I picked a Footsore Viking (not yet available) and a resin V&V Miniature for my warlord and warrior Priest. The Viking is a Bill Thornhill sculpt and V&V fig is equally stunning.  Who goes into battle shirtless and without his helmet? THIS GUY! These figures are additional proof of the Golden Age of Gaming we live in.   

I never found a wash or ink I liked for skin so I used Foundry Flesh combo 5A, B, and C.  I applied 2 highlights before washing them down with Citadel's Reikland Fleshshade.  I'm happy with my results. 




Below is the Alternate Ending of the Battle of Stamford Bridge.  Is it just me or is the Viking in green with his arms outstretched one of those guys who photobombs every pic?    

The levy were shoved out of the group photos above so they gathered for their own picture.  They'll be key when I run Anglo-Saxons and perhaps even useful for the Anglo Danes.  My blogging partner Rodge has run Anglo-Saxons for years so I'll check in with his Youtube Saga Thorsday series for advice. 





25 comments:

  1. Photobombing Viking? You are hilarious! The Viking in Green's girth reminds me of many a fellow wargamer. They tend to photobomb too!

    Great brushwork, as always, Monty.

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    1. Good one Jonathan, I've met him at some of our Conventions!

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  2. Beautifully done, Monty. Interesting style of speed painting too - you made it look superb. I'm surprised you sold off your Saga figs too.

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    1. Dean, thanks! I could have explained that better. I had 4 unpainted warbands queued up so a reset was in order. Now I'm back with 2 painted and 2 to go.

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    2. Got it, Monty. I have been remiss in not visiting your blog recently.

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    3. No worries, I barely can manage a post a month and just don't read and comment like I used to. :-)

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  3. Speed painting? Wow, most impresive, they look great!

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  4. Very fine work Monty! I am curious why you sold off your previous SAGA collections?

    Christopher

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    1. Christoper! Over time, I sell everything I paint. I had a deep SAGA bench and can only play so many warbands. I did a reset to clear the decks before I paint up Aetius and Arthur warbands, plus this one. Its all good!

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  5. Interesting technique and great results. These figures have character. I'm trying to do about 50 figures for DBA for HIstoricon this weekend, so going faster than usual. So far so good. Nothing like a deadline.

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    1. I like it enough that I'm going to keep going to see if I can build this technique out a little. I want to hear what you're taking to DBA. Good luck, Bill!

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  6. Good work Monty. I've been working on my "advanced" painting techniques this year - shading, layering, et al. - and reading this makes me want to speedpaint again. I have just the minis to do it with too! (Reaper Bones Tiik - fish guys looking minis)

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    1. Thanks Gabriel! I took the plunge and ordered the Secret Weapons Washes, which are highly recommended for this technique. I've painted the same way for years. I want to see what I can do with this new (to me) technique!

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  7. Never fear! Monty's Normans are still raiding the dark age countryside on my wargame table. And are the best painted figures in my dark age collection! (As in I bought a lot of his Normans).

    Nice job and continue this great blog.

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    1. That is fabulous to hear! Yes, you got my whole Norman collection. It makes me happy to hear my old warbands and armies are still fighting the good fight and being put to good use.

      I've slowed down with posting but I will keep the blog going, one project and post at a time. ;-)

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