Wars of The Roses - Learning as I go!

 I'm making good steady progress on Noels WoR commission, having painted the 'Household' troops I have just completed the 'Retinue' consisting of 4 bases of billmen and 8 of archers. Great little 15mm Peter Pig sculpts of course. I have attempted to keep the Red/White Livery theme running throughout but predominantly that mix of mail and plate armour so typical of the period. I must admit that research has been mostly Google and YouTube to get a feel for the clothing and equipment, I find it really helps to watch re enactors describing and demonstrating how such was actually worn, an example of which I include below. Note the steel strips running the length of each outer arm, a detail I had not been aware of before.

Next it will be onto the 'Levy' troops, less well armed and equipped and less liveried. This will then complete the first formation for which I have also painted the command base of 4 figures on a round base.

Photos: The Household and Retinue of a Generic WoR Red/White themed formation.

December painting update (video).

Still keeping busy, thought I would share my latest YouTube video here, an interesting mixed bag of figures including the 3D printed Winged Hussars and the first unit of 15mm Wars of The Roses.. Please excuse the squeaky chair, I have since given it a much needed shot of WD40!

15 years painting figures for 'Old John'.

 I was reminded whilst replying to a recent comment by James that I have been painting figures for 'OLd John' Cunningham for a solid 15 years in which time I have painted thousands of 20mm 1/72nd figures for him. The video below from my channel show just the tip of the iceberg of John's vast collection and a few shots of the man himself at his large permanent wargame table. I continue to paint on a monthly basis for him and should get to the 3D prints next week. 

As I have wound things down somewhat recently I'm only painting for John and Noel which keeps me happy and I am about to embark on a large WotR 15mm commission for Noel as I finish up his two year Black Powder and Fire & Fury ACW projects this month. 

 

Remembrance Sunday.

 Sharing this old post again in memory of my Grandfather Alfred Charles Gramson, 3rd Foot 'The Buffs'.

My Grandfather.

Some 3D printed figures for Old John!

 Recently I have been painting more 'Streltsy' (Wiki Link )   units for Old John, I believe we are up to around 25 now, each comprising 24 to 30 figures! I really enjoy painting these units as John allows me pretty much free rein with regards to colours, each unit wearing a uniform coat edged with fur trim. These are of course 20mm/ 1/72nd from a variety of plastic manufacturers. Recently John has also been looking into 3D Printed figures to add to his collection and this week some lovely Cossacks, Streltsi and Polish Winged Hussars arrived for me to paint. I never fail to be amazed at the quality of 3D printed soldiers which has come on leaps and bounds in recent years. It will be a little while before I get on to them but in the meantime I thought you might like to have a look at them, I think they will paint up a treat.

Apologies for the poor quality photos.

Another two plastic units in progress by Strelets.

Couple of bits of resin to trim away, the chunky bases come separately for attaching to horses.

Keeping busy - ACW wagons.

 Not my favourite time of year, that's for sure, nights drawing in, grey skies etc but I'm keeping busy painting and modelling. 

I'm gradually finishing off the Epic ACW project for Noel, wagons, dismounted cavalry and skirmisher bases. I'm told we are going onto a large Wars of the Roses commission next using Peter Pig figures 15mm. To this end I have been watching/ listening to lots of related videos on YouTube learning as much as I can about the arms and armour of the period as well as general history. I'm looking forward to it.

The 8  wagons below are by Kallistra a good scale match for Warlord Epics. Fixing the wheels to the axles was a bit of a pain requiring lots of drilling out to get a fit, they kept falling off! Job done though and I'm pleased how they turned out. This week I have 9 bases of dismounted cavalry to paint, also Kallistra.

Hannibal's Barca Army Epic box set completed!

The final batch is painted - 28 bases of assorted skirmishers and two command packs - and that completes this commission. Must say that I have enjoyed this one. Just need to get everything packed up thats left here over the weekend for shipping off to Arizona via FedEx International priority collection service which is about 5 working days, door to door. As always return shipping is included in my prices as standard. Now it's back to Old John and Noel for the next few weeks, I also have the sample Jacobite clansmen to do this week, they are metal Epic strips and very nice castings.