From Martijn: More Late Romans (120 pts)

I think this is my sixth Challenge, but this is the first time I have been really struggling to get started. Up to now, I have painted all of eight miniatures.... For my next contribution,  I decided to take some rather simple figures to start with, but even so they took me an age to finish. However, they are sort of done at last, so here is the Late Roman Legio Quinta Macedonica. I have used the Victrix  Late Roman Unarmoured Infantry miniatures for them. I'm not much of a model builder, but they seemed to go together fairly easily.In all probability, these troops would have worn armour in most cases (although they leather armour on the officers is suspect anyway), but as with almost everything about the late Roman army we cannot really sure, so I am fine with them. They are based for Hail Caesar (which I have not played yet), but they can of course be used for any game, even Saga at a pinch. I think they could also fit into any post-Roman or Arthurian setting. I struggled a bit getting four figures on a base, but the end effect is nice enough.

I used mostly Contrast and Speedpaints again. I like the effect of them, but especially the way they flow from the brush. Somehow, I always struggle with acrylics,  as I either leave them too thick or make them too thin. I mean, the advice is to get them to the consistency of milk, but what is that? And should that be skimmed or half-skimmed or not skimmed at all? I find contrast paints, sometimes in combination with acrylics, a very convenient solution, often in combination with a wash. Here I used "marine juice", a combination between Reikland fleshshade, Softtone and medium. I gave the figures all the same tunics, but varied a bit with the trousers, to achieve something of a balanced between uniformity and interest. The Victrix set has a lot of options, so all figures are slightly different. I like that look; although a regular army like the Romans would also look very good with more mono-pose figures, I think the slightly irregular impression this units gives is fitting for those 5th or 6th century situations. Now all that remains is to give them a coat of  varnish once the weather clears a bit. The shield designs are the excellent transfers from Little Big Men Studios, sold by Victrix. Take note, however: the designs are symmetrical, but the transfers actually have an upper and lower side. So be careful when applying them. I wasn't, please ignore.

This is the very first time I painted a "largish" 28mm unit in one go (Yes, I can hear Yarkshire Ken's Homeric laughter in the background). So that's 24 28mm foot @ 5 points for a total of 120. Not a squirrel in sight though.

24x 28mm foot @5 = 120

Martijn, I feel your pain mate, sometimes getting the painting mojo back is a real poser indeed, but today's entry is awesome all the same! I really like your classic choice of colours and the shield designs are really striking, maybe entering this splendid unit gets your juices flowing again!

Cheers Sander 

From JohnS - Dwarfy Goodness - 60 Points

I stagger away from Historicals this week, back to fantasy. Dwarfs have been calling my name.

We have another Oathmark game coming up on Sunday so I have been inspired to add a dozen more Dwarfs to my Kingdom.

These four are more of the Kev Adams resin dwarfs I picked up a few years back.

I think they are fantastically characterful sculpts and take me back to the 90s when "Doofs" became my go to army in WHFB.

These four are actual Oathmark miniatures from Northstar Figures. I have the king too but he was painted pre-Challenge so remains temporarily banished!

They are slightly taller and slimmer than The big-headed KA dwarfs but there is room for all the Dwarfy types in my Kingdom.

I have gone with a "Dark Ages" feel with these guys, using some LBMS shield transfers on some figures.

These last four are from my "random dwarf" selection. The bald guy on the left is a Kev Adams I think, the pick wielder is a Citadel mini but I am not sure of the makers of the two right hand figures.

I particularly like the spearshaft as is is wrapped in wire like every good workman's quick repair of a broken tool.

Another fun week of painting, and chatting. Back to historicals next week. Probably.

PS I have started playing around with "flocked" movement trays for Oathmark, this is my first try using a Renedra movement tray.

12 x 25/28mm foot @ 5 ea = 60 points 

From Millsy:

More swagger than stagger if you ask me. These are jolly good John! I particularly like your choice of shield motifs. The norse theme really suits the character of the miniatures and your painting style.

I have quite a few of the same sculpts in my Oathmark dwarf army and they really are a joy to paint. One of the joys of Oathmark is the ability to mix a range of figures in a unit which you've done superbly.

Great stuff and a well earned 60 gold added to your tally mate.

Cheers,
Millsy

From SimonG: 28mm Roman Legionaries Throwing Pila (Local History, 60 points)

For my next submission I am pleased to offer my first stand of classic Imperial Roman Legionaries -- in this case all in the act of throwing their pila as they approach on the hapless barbarians (or in my case more likely a horde of rebelling jews!).

These are very nice multi-part plastic figures from Victrix with shield transfers from LBMS. Perhaps the only criticism would be that they all seem to have the same face! Clearly consistency in appearance was a big deal for this legion.

The figures have been based on a 120x60 2mm base for Impetus -- these nice big chunky bases really give you room to set up a nice mini diorama. I especially like the fellow that is leaning forward having released his pilum.

I do tend to find that strict uniforms such as these really take a lot of time, to which adding the challenge of doing faces in recessed galea -- still it was a lot of fun and the finished effect paid off well! And I do love a nice manicure (surprisingly hard to photograph hands and feet and bring out the nail details!)

Always keep your nails clean!

For those of you that want to get this look at home I offer the following link 😅💅 !

With last weeks submission we took a lift on Sarah's library cart to the local history section -- which is quite apropos as this group of legionaries have just been posted to Judea after a long cold winter shivering off the Isle of Thanet at Rutupiae (Richborough Roman Fort). I can just about see the fort from the roof of our house here in Sandwich and so I think qualifies well as local history!

Points wise I have eight 28mm figures plus the location bonus for a total of 60 this week. Next week we should encounter the enemies of these Romans for the first time in this challenge!

More excellent painting on these Imperial legionaries, Simon! As their faces look rather alike, I suppose this is a Roman band of brothers? Primus, Secundus, Tertius, Quintus, Sextus, Septimus and Decius with their dad? Gotta love those imaginative Roman first names.  Anyway, they look very good together. Speaking about imaginative, the ancient historian in me flinches just a tiny little bit at the Local History connection, as I think we know very little about the actual garrison of Rutupiae (still a very impressive fortress, I have been there and loved it), but hey, who am I to argue with fingernails like these? So, 60 points for you.

Martijn

(Darrell H) Thematic Byzantine, Thematic (Light) Kavallarioi Unit (120 points)

 

Dropping down in both levels of training and to a paucity of funds this Thematic unit stands in stark contract to the last lavishly equipped Tagma regiment. This unit has mainly been used for policing actions on the border regions, or the far flung Themes of then Empire. They are equipped as Light Cavalry and are equipped with mail shirts, shields and helmets only.

In game terms, in particular the WAB friendly event I plan on taking place in this year, this unit has been based on single very old school(!) bases so it can be split up into component parts and skirmish. 

I do have plans to eventually use some of my Thematic/Tagmatic Kavallarioi units as Defensores and Cursores by adding a back rank of Hippo Toxotai, but that's something for the future. I need to concentrate on getting the bare bones of the army complete before I start going mad!

In the event that some of you may be interested in a more granular view of the miniatures, here are some close ups of the single models. There may appear to be some "icing" on the models but in fact I just forgot to dust them down as they have been sitting on a shelf for a day or so. (I just hope it's not dandruff!)

All the images are "clickable" should you wish to enlarge them. Those above this too.

So..... 12 Cavalry models at 10 points a pop is 120 points(?)

Also, thanks for Peter for "moderating"/posting as he seems extremely busy at the moment.  I like to whine but I've really nothing to complain about...

These riders may be stepping down a level in troop quality but not in painted quality Darrell.  You've gain picked a great colour palette which suits the models well.  Your work on the horses is especially nice, I appreciate the variations in coat colours and markings.