I harboured grand plans to get out of the blocks quickly with new projects. But the chilly weather has kept me away from the garage to spray my prepped minis up. So instead, I delved into the leftovers from last year's challenge an came up with a small unit of Sudanese Bazingers for my Mahdist War project. Having not painted much in the past month, it was nice to ease into the challenge with something familiar.
Bazingers were African irregular soldiers, either mercenaries or slave-soldiers. They could be found in government service or the private employ of Arab slavers and merchants. They formed part of the garrison at Khartoum and Suakin and fought in Egyptian service at El Teb. They can also serve as the troops of local Shaykhs and warlords loyal (or not so loyal...) to the Egyptian government, provided with standard-issue Remingtons.
I kept the colours fairly uniform so they fit in well with my existing Egyptian troops, while their motley equipment suggests they are irregulars. But they are not as flamboyant as the Bashi-Bazouks. They are from Perry Miniatures. These two are my favourites:
To join the initial rush, they haven't been varnished or 'grubbied up' yet - I'll wait until a few more things have rolled off the painting table! Six 28mm miniatures, I make that 30 points.
Phil
From Curt:A day without fezes is a poor day indeed and we've been treated to two entries of them today (they really need to come back into fashion)! Wonderful work Phil. As with Clint's work you've really done a great job on their off-white linens. I also really like the work you've done with your sabot trays - the rock scatter and horsehair scrub is brilliant.
A job well done! The muted palette against the dark skin and the red hat is fabulous.
ReplyDeleteI painted the hats last and as soon as I got that red on, they felt complete. Can't beat a fine red hat.
DeleteVery nice figures! The off white tunics came out great and the basing really sets the scene. That bush looks nice. How did you do it?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Te scrub is just a small woodland scenics armature (1.5" or so) and some rubberised horsehair.
DeleteAbsolutely smashing Phil. You've got that skin tone nailed!
ReplyDeletePractice practice practice!
DeleteOoh , it looks like we are in for a Sudan treat this challenge. Fezes galore..great stuff Phil
ReplyDeleteNot that much more from me I'm afraid, Dave. Unless I get the itch again and go shopping, of course (well, it is a long challenge)
DeleteGo shopping... You know you want to! Even Clint has crumbled and looks like he will be doing camels..
DeleteCracking stuff. Lovely muted palette. Great skirmish basing too.
ReplyDeletePirates in British pay...
ReplyDeleteFantastic painting work; I like a lot that white, really dirty and very natural.
Thanks Juan - there's two shades - one a whitened vallejo Iraqi Sand (same as many Mahdist jibbehs) and the other whitened GW Dheneb Stone (same as my Egyptian infantry)
DeleteCracking work Phil!
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff!
ReplyDeleteNice work and the bush is particularly effective.
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Great work Phil, nice base too!
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff Phil :)
ReplyDeleteThanks all!
ReplyDeleteCurt - we ain't in Turkey, so should rightly call these fine hats by their Arabic term: a 'tarboosh' ;-)
What are you, one of those 'particular' Foreign Johnnies? Next thing your going to call a English Bowler a Touque or something. Africa starts at the Channel, Old Boy. It's red, has a tassely thing and can't be found at Harrods - so it's a fez.
Delete:)
oh so true
DeletePssssh, call yourself a historical wargamer?
Delete;-)
good job. Sadly, that is not painted eyes - they would make a person more expressive
ReplyDeleteThanks Alex. I agree, though I feel that the only thing worse than no painted eyes is badly painted eyes - and I've never been very good at eyes! My patience extends to doing the odd character's eyes, but not the rankers.
DeleteNice work mate. I think they look better then my ones. They really do look good.
ReplyDelete@Curt. Harrods do sell fez's. It is well known that Harrods will find anything for their best customers.
@ Dave. Camels It all depends what Matt pays me to paint. And he does say he has some fuzies on Camels. But that is it I think. But I could be wrong.
Ah yes, but Clint, can one of these tarboosh-a-macalits be found at Harrods?
DeleteIf you are a preferred customer Harrods will find you anything up to and including elephants!
DeleteThanks Clint. I bet Harrods can find a good Tarboosh. A choice of coloured tassels. With or without a headscarf, sun net or piped edging.
DeleteBloody hell, Harrods is obviously slipping then. I'm going to tell all the chaps at the club that we're at risk of becoming...well, 'International' if we let this continue. Next they'll be selling sushi and espresso! Outrageous.
DeleteAs I have said previously, a fantastic painting work. And thanks, Curt, for not putting Phil´s points in the roster... :)
ReplyDeleteHumm. I was going to mention it eventually...
DeleteJuan, I expect your fiver in the mail soon...
DeleteBTW: It has been updated. :)
Very well done !
ReplyDeleteVery nice looking unit!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Wish I'd bought more now - they'd look fine with a command group!
ReplyDeleteThey look great and military! Excellent subject matter for this challenge too! They need not be used in a historical context but would look equally good aiding/opposing The Baron Munchausen, Tarzan, or any other pulpy hero!
ReplyDeleteNothing screams "minion" better than a sweet looking fez! ;)
'Nothing screams "minion" better than a sweet looking fez!'
DeleteHmm, perhaps I should get some of these for my staff at work...
You are quite right - they were purchases with pulpy uses in mind too! Our heroes can look forward to facing the be-fezzed hordes!
DeleteLovely work. I really like the white, red and skin colours you've used.
ReplyDeleteNice and complete with Kustom Kulture fez. Rat Fink would be proud. Cheers
ReplyDeleteProving yet again that fezzes are cool. Well done. The desert bases really add a lot to a very simple yet effective paint job.
ReplyDeleteGood show,
Michael
MOAR FEZZES. (Or tarbooshes or whatever.) I agree with Curt--great work on the sabot tray.
ReplyDeleteThe combination of black (or dark brown), white and red is always been a colour combination I liked very much! Also the shading of the white is excellent done!
ReplyDeleteGreetings
Peter
Thanks Peter, all.
ReplyDelete