Flocking Bases

 I'm in the midst of flocking all the 17c figures and terrain I've done over the past 18 months ( and failed to catalogue for this blog).  It really is a bit of a slog, but I'm just glad I finally decided on how to base them.

A coating of Vallejo Brown Mud texture dry brushed with Vallejo Saddle Brown. Originally I chose this to represent the distinctive Mendip soil for my Robin of Sherwood figures ( ROS was filmed mainly in North Somerset), but I like the contrast with the green foliage it gives so decided to use it for my 17c projects. 

( This Essex figure looks like my brother).

Once dry, I apply patches of PVA and then add the odd tuft from my tuft library, and a clump here and there.

I try to stick to shades if green and brown, natural colours rather than the neon flowerbeds some figures are forced to inhabit. After the tufts are pressed in , I dip in a tub of mixed fine foam from The Model Tree Shop. 

I blended 3 colours and happily they came out exactly as I hoped.

The infantry are based on pennies, but I can get more creative with the cavalry bases.

and here are some finished infantry.

The project is coming together and I just placed a second order with TAG for more musketeers.

Once dry, I apply patches of PVA, and then press the odd tuft in here and there.

Another Batch Finished ( almost)

 I've just added the Vallejo mud to the bases of another mixed batch of 17c infantry, so once that's dry I can start flocking the entire army.

A mix of Redoubt, TAG, Warlord, Captain General, Old Glory and Foundry. 

Shading

 I've been continuing painting 17c figures, primarily because they are easy and I don't have to think too hard .

I prime them black ( by hand) and then block in all the colours except metallics, then I dry brush with Ushabti bone, add the metal colours and then wash the whole figure.

Up until now I've been washing the figure with GW Agrax Earthshade, which is a very useful product for grubbying things up, before then highlighting selected parts of the figure. Quite often I won't highlight items of clothing, letting the wash over the bone dry brushing suffice. This creates quite a dark contrast, particularly on light colours which is ok but not always ideal.

I've now discovered Army Painter Soft tone, which is creates a much softer ( surprisingly) contrast which I prefer. It's cheaper too so I'll be using that from now on , occasionally dipping into the Earth shade to use up my reserve.

The last 4 washed with Agrax.

The first 4 washed with Army Painter Soft Tone .

I'm not sure if there's any noticeable difference in these pictures but the

 yellow in particular looks a lot better using the new method.

I need to start painting some up in Dutch colours as I've decided to theme my planned Mansfeld's Army on the battle of Fleurus, and it contained quite a number of Dutch infantry. 

Raising your hat

 I recently made the mistake of buying some Warlord musketeers on eBay, and I have to say I didn't think much of them when they arrived. I can't really place my finger on why I dislike them, but they just don't have the right 17c 'feel' that Redoubt or even the venerable Foundry range do.

The hats come separately, which doesn't make for a very realistic fit on the little bald heads the figures have, but my main beef is that all the hat crowns are far too shallow (imo) for the early 17c . I cracked open the milliput to rectify this

The new recruits with their extended hat crowns. I'll skim over the top with liquid green stuff .

This guy has a sort of shoulder cloak on. The end of his musket is flared like a blunderbuss...meh.

Presumably an ensign. The coat and hose are about 40 years apart and he has a little purse on a string over his shoulder. Not very gentlemanly for the 17c.

I'm not sure about this fellow. Fine detail but just something that doesn't ring true.

Better clothing, and nice to see someone actually loading their musket, but really... resting the butt on the ground when moving with a unit? 

Better...I quite like the early feel of this one, definitely been on campaign and again, nice to see a musketeer priming his pan .

That's more like it. Lose the full beard though..

Another moan is all the hats have feathers stuck in them. Not ostrich plumes which were readily available and cheap, but presumably pheasant feathers.

Good pose. Leaning into the musket. 

So a mixed bag. I don't think they sculptor really understands 17c clothing and drill like Brian Rigelsford of Redoubt, Steve Jones of Captain General or the Perrys. But fine detail and crisp castings. 

The Gallows Tree

 While I was in the terrain making mood, and the primer on the windmill was drying, I knocked up a couple of pieces that would have been seen all over Europe in the 17c.

Here are a couple of examples of paintings with gallows evident, and if course there's the well known Magpie on the gallows by Breughel.

Here's my version so far.

There is a bit more of a twist on them than is visible in this picture, just to show the warped wood as in the last painting above.

Also a leaning crucifix. 

Hopefully these will add some flavour to the 17c tabletop.

What I've been doing.pt1

Just to prove I haven't been completely bone idle over the last couple of years I'll put up a few pics of what painting I've been doing ( and remembered to take pictures at the time.

I've been focussing mainly on a Thirty Years War army, that if the combined forces of Ernst Von Mansfeld and Christian of Brunswick. I've found these really easy to paint while feeling frazzled ( and I have been feeling absolutely knackered most of the time). 

The army keeps on growing so I'm up to about 300 infantry and 100 cavalry so far. It's gradually morphing into an Eighty Years War project too, and I'm waiting for a delivery of 3d printed Low Country buildings of the period .

Here's a couple of pictures to whet the appetite. More to follow once I've done some flocking.

Christian of Brunswick. A mash up of Redoubt, Captain General and Steel Fist parts. 

Four 60 man regiments. A real mix of manufacturers, and I keep on buying more!

I haven't taken any pics of the cuirassiers, or artillery yet, but will do so soon I hope.