Tuesday 22 December 2015

From Millsy - 28mm Norman Crossbowmen (40 points)

Right, time to get the show on the road for this year...

My first submission is eight x 28mm Crusader Miniatures Norman Crossbowmen for my SAGA force. Black undercoat and a mix of blending and dry brushing painted these up nice and quick. The colours are a little bright but that's deliberate on my part as these are more gaming pieces than an attempt at historical colours.



Nice enough sculpts although one of the four poses is a little pin-headed. Some might say that's an accurate reflection of his nature as a Norman.



Before people ask the church in the background is a scratch build from my collection on Dark Age terrain. More about it here and here and finally here if you're interested...



Not quite the epic points bomb I'd normally like to kick off with but in light of my "low key modus operandi" this year this is most appropriate. It might also be something to do with the fact that I've also been painting 21 Norman cavalry too but had already made a start on them pre-Challenge so can't submit them. Planning? Me? <ahem>

Thanks for looking and have a safe and enjoyable holiday people!

Cheers,
Millsy

Ahhh, the Mills-Monster strides onto the stage, most eaaaxcellent. Hmm, this means the Dave-Daemon must not be far behind...

Normans! Now, that's something I wasn't expecting from you, Millsy. These look very nice indeed. Super bright and colourful, but very nice indeed. Indeed, these chaps look almost too posh, very CMYK actually - they must get hints from Pantone to what will be chic du jour for this year's jerkin colours. ;)
Seriously, great stuff Millsy. How many of these crop-haired loons do you have to do to complete your SAGA warband? Even though they can't be scored, you should show us your Norman cavalry, and while you're at it,  give us a better shot of your church next time around.
40 points for your opening gambit, Mr. Mills. Well done.

30 comments:

  1. And so it begins; "We shall fight on the bleaches... erm... _beaches_!"

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nice work Millsy. I think some times "realistic" dark age figures can be a tad drab and boring.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like those! Hope we can see the whole warband later. Very nice church model too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. a great squad.It looks like one.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nice start Millsy! I think the colourful clothing works very nicely

    ReplyDelete
  6. They look really good. The colours work well

    ReplyDelete
  7. No flies on you Millsy - nice one. I like my Dark Ages rather less drab too

    ReplyDelete
  8. Are you feeling alright Millsy? Just 8 foot figures as your opening gambit?

    Nice work on the Norms :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Q. Are you feeling alright Millsy?
      A. Yeah I'm fine. Well, my version of fine anyway :-)

      Delete
  9. Bomb or not they're rather tasty!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Splendid stuff Sir and that house is very nice too.

    ReplyDelete
  11. The colours are great, I'm with you on the "gaming pieces" idea. I don't worry too much about historically accurate colours at the best of times, so perhaps I'm a little biased!

    ReplyDelete
  12. The colours are historically correct. (well ok maybe not the green). I can dye all those colours and shade from the plant life in 10th Century England. VERY little evidence of materials from that period have survived, but going on the plants we know and the way books where coloured I think you have the colours about right for WEALTY troops. But remember the darker the colour the harder it id to dye. But if you have to drop spin 2 miles of wool thread to make a tunic a couple of extra days in the dye vat are not that much effort.

    Colour in the dark ages were mostly not all brown and green and dull and boring. Black and purple were very hard to dye though which is why they were left for the clergy and kings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I always like the information on historical dyes and colors you bring in your comments its very informative.

      Delete
    2. Yes, very interesting and helpful, thanks Clint.

      Delete
    3. Great stuff Clint, thanks for that. I learnt something today!

      Delete
  13. Very nice start, Millsy. Great painting work!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Nice work I do like those colors.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Good to see you start slow, they are mighty fine

    Ian

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great initial showing,Millsy!
    I like the colors chosen...."When you must fight, CLASH!"- Robin Williams ;)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great stuff! They fit right in with the church.

    ReplyDelete
  18. YaY! Millsy has arrived!!

    Cracking work here sir and a well executed first entry. Now where's your nemesis Dave?

    ReplyDelete
  19. The Millsy Machine cranks into gear...well done, these fellow look great, and I expect a small army to follow shortly...

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thanks everyone! Nothing to add to this force for now as it's all painted but since people are asking I'll post some pics of the horse and the building over the next day or two.

    ReplyDelete