vignettes (II)

A couple more vignettes completed; the first being a Burgundian messenger, dismounted from his horse and passing written instructions to an Italian mercenary captain.

Most of the preparation work went into getting the positioning for the messenger right. His arms are different ones selected from the bows and bills box, with the hand holding the letter cut from one of the crosssbowman's hands I think. The long riding boots were added from green stuff for the turnovers and the liquid green stuff to bulk out the rest of the legs. The man wearing the coat uses the plastic arms of the drummer from the Mercenaries box, with an altered hand and a bit of cutting away to hold his sword.

The halbardier, who's biding his time, is a metal artilleyman with a simple swop of ramrod for halbard. The herald is also out of the box, but on a HYW horse, as I wanted a passive pose.

Vignettes (I)

Ooops, I'd not intended for the hiatus on the blog to have been so long as it's been. I had got a little weary of medievals to be honest; my 'mo-jo' had dropped as some would term it. So I diverted into adding a couple of units to my AWI last month, which was a good decision as they provided the change of focus that I was needing. (I'm not planning to kick off a blog for my AWI, but they have been posted on Steve Dean Forum).

So whilst I await new figures from the Perrys - be they plastic or metal, HYW or later fifteenth century - whichever come first - I've delved into the lead pile and sorted out two vignettes (with a couple more in progress). It's always useful to have some of these bases to dot around the table and the Perrys recent book showing photos of their ranges, reminded me that most of my Burgundians are based as units and so a few more vignettes, or single figures, would not go amiss; plus they don't take too long to complete.

I also had wanted to try out some blue'd armour - having seen some of 'Captain Bloods' wonderful armour finishes some time back on LAF forum. So I added one to each of these bases. I did these using my usual method for plate armour - black undercoat, followed by 'heavy' drybrush of GW Runefang Steel, then a wash of black and brown mix. The blue tone was applied with a couple of washes, using GW Guillman Blue and a small amount of black wash added. Then a very light touch of silver drybrush again. The finish is probably lighter than actual armour was, but I always feel that small figures need to finished in brighter tones due to their size. Anyway, I'm happy with the finish (particularly on the dismounted man at arms) and plan to add a couple to my next unit of figures in full harness.

So, like my knightly miniature friends, it appears I'm 'back in the saddle'...and looking forward to starting a unit of dismounted Burgundian household knights, with the forthcoming Perry plastic box!

Bernese Halbardiers

Just a quick one - as I've finished a few halbardiers, who'll protect the sides of the Berne pike block, who've been lingering on the painting table for too long.

Three metals and two plastics - I'm concerned about the fragility of the polearm heads on the latter, you have to cut the moulded pike and attach a halbard head. The joint has been glued with plastic cement and a thin covering of liquid green stuff, but it snapped from only being knocked over on the painting table. I'll have to ensure they are not too vulnerable when based up.

Some head swops on two of the Perry metals and the odd one out is Citadel 'Dogs of War' figure (sculpted by the Perrys) who's had a Perry Swiss head added, new halbard and some metal greaves smoothed off - but will fit in OK as a different pose.

Medieval Hounds

These are the greens for a set of medieval hounds, that Steve May has kindly sculpted for me. They are based on illustrations of 'alaunts' - a breed of dog which are commonly shown in medieval illustrations and tapestries, but appear to now be extinct. I'm not an expert on dog breeds, but they would seem to have similarities to modern day greyhounds, but a bit bulkier. I'm really pleased with Steve's wonderful sculpting talents,  matching my request for a pair of active and pair of more static hounds, the poses are really great.

The sculpts will be sent off to be cast up in metal quite soon. Plan is then that they'll be available to buy as a set, should anyone be interested. I'll post more info on this, when I have the castings.

So seems like the right time to create a Burgundian nobleman riding out, to be joined by his pack of hunting hounds. 

Communal tent - completed.

This is the finished communal tent, which can be used for either my Burgundian or Swiss armies. It represents an open-ended canvas covered tent, which is used for preparing and serving foods, and which were prefabricated and simple to put up as required.

There are two soldiers eating - one appears to be demanding some additional serving from the cook. The tent is also used for storage, drying washed clothes and is a sheltered spot for a dog to sleep.
The construction of the frame and converted Perry figures have been covered in previous posts.

The canvas cover is a painted sheet of thin pewter and I've left it to be removable, so that the internal features can be seen. Having spent a fair bit of time on this, I didn't want it all obscured by a very pain cover! I have another flag post and orb, on which I'll attach a small flag of a Swiss canton, so that the tent can 'switch sides' when required.

The plated food is from Mirliton (as is the thieving cat); other various boxes, barrels etc have all been collected over several years and I can't recall all the manufacturers. The clothing hanging on the line is made from green stuff and are vaguely recognisable as a hose and doublet.

I will add an open camp fire with some cooking pots and chopped wood, to be placed nearby.

Communal tent - more WIP

Just finished painting nearly all the bits and pieces of camp ephemera that will be placed inside and around the tent. A goodly selection of foodstuffs being prepared! The woodwork is actually grey and not the tone of blue that's been created by my camera used under the desk lamp.

Plus the soldiers and camp follower for in the tent (and a scavanging cat, who'll will be sniffing at a plate) are nearly done too.

That is all...

Communal tent - WIP

Several Swiss and Italian medieval illustrations show encampments with open-ended tents; basically canvas sheets laid over three simple pre-fabricated wooden frames. These appear to be used for either storage of items from the weather or as an accessible area where foods were prepared and possibly served from. So I thought my encampments ought to have one too.

These images are from the Companie of St George reenactment group in 2011 and Gerry Embelton drawings (copyrighted) taken from Swiss Chronicles. 

My work to date shows the timber frames cut from bass wood and I plan to add canvas made from thin pewter sheeting. I've assembled basic furniture, boxes, sacks etc from various manufacturers and have some nicely sculpted plates with foodstuffs from Mirliton. So lots of fiddly items to paint. Of course all this internal detail will be slightly obscured when the plain canvas cover goes on! 

I've also started an attempt at creating a couple of chaps to sit at the table - using cut-down Perry plastic bodies with added bent legs. Early days on these - just started bulking out the wire legs - although already the thighs look too long, but they'll be hidden under the table, so I may just get away my poor sculpting!!

More anon....

23 Feb...quick update...guys are now booted up!!