Rohan.
Although I have reservations about the Peter Jackson films, the Riders were spot on I thought and I have a supply of the GW figures to do in the future.
For this project however I had to keep to figures available in 1984. The recommended Essex figure is out of production, and I had 20 or so Heritage Riders already ( based loosely on the Bakshi cartoon film). To these I added a pile of Hinchliffe Goths and Sarmatians, added a few Milliput plumes and some green stuff shields I press moulded off a Heritage figure.
I was a bit worried about painting so many horses, but as it turned out they were quite fun to do at the end of the day when I couldn't concentrate on detail.
I haven't decided which figure to use as Eomer yet, so this Heritage one will stand in for the moment . Theoden is also a Heritage figure and I'm not sure if I like it much. The gold barding is based on the Bakshi cartoon film but for some reason the designer gave the figure an axe instead of his trusty sword Herugrim. I painted Theoden's shield gold, as somewhere in LOTR it states his shield shines like the sun.
( very cleverly designed Herugrim from the film based on a Late Roman spatha for the older king. Eomer and Eowyn's swords were much more Saxon looking ).
Eowyn and Merry are hidden in the ranks and as Eowyn is one of the few people who can kill the Witch King it would seem silly to single her out with a different mounted model. On foot however I had to use this classic Ral Partha Shield Maiden, who armour proclaims her sex in true old school style. I did paint her obviously bare legs as trousers however. Merry is a lovely Ral Partha halfling... some of the best ever made.
Sorry about the appalling photo! I'm very aware of the limitations of my photography, all done with a wonky phone. I really do find it hard to find the time to set up the lovely diorama shots I see on other blogs, so apologies!
I'm now looking at a block of 60 orcs and some Uruk-Hai......
Excellent, evocative work. They look splendid and much nicer than the GW figures imho. The mix of figures works well and I do like the characters. I too have mixed feelings about the PJ films. My daughters love them and did so like seeing the Shire come to life. The absence of Tom B , Gold berry in particular and the barrow downs was an opportunity lost. I do take pleasure in the talking books read by Rob Inglis.
ReplyDeleteI found the Jackson Shire a bit overdone... like looking at a garden catalogue. Bombadil and the Downs is the best bit in the book.
DeleteLove the Merry and Eowyn figures
ReplyDeleteReal old school figures from 1978 ish.
DeleteThey look very impressive photographed all together. I like the pressed shield design.
ReplyDeleteFirst time I've tried it and will be using the method again. I press moulded an entire figure recently which came out ok.
DeleteA most splendid array of Rohirrim, fantastic!.
ReplyDeleteShould sweep the Haradrim out of the way.
DeleteGreat looking army! The mix of miniatures works really well, and I also like your Eowyn and Merry.
ReplyDeleteThanks LO. I do like the Heritage one piece castings, but to buy new now they are about £6 each plus postage from America. The Hinchliffe figures were £2 each from Hinds figures.
DeleteWow, wow, wow! What a herculean effort and it's really paid off. Been looking forward to seeing these and they don't disappoint. The characters look great and en masse the the host is most impressive!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks. Should be quite a clash when they meet 60 Haradrim cavalry plus mumakil.
DeleteThey Look Spectacular, well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shaun, much appreciated.
DeleteAhhhh lovely!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks...
DeleteThat is quite the spectacle!. The choice of minis work really well and you have done a great job with the painting. Looking forward to seeing them charging home on the table.
ReplyDeleteChoice dictated by availability in 1984 which made it considerably easier than it would now.
DeleteLook superb - great effects en masse too.
ReplyDeleteAgree on the movie - I had many reservations - but the riders seemed to fit so well in line with my 'imaginings' of how they should have looked ...the riders were a little off in the original 'bakshi' animation, but spot on in the recent 2000s movies I think.
Yes, the Bakshi riders were quite barbaric looking, almost like those 19c engravings of Germanic barbarians, which was a different take than the now expected Saxons on horseback. Bakshi's orcs however were the best there have been.
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