From EricM: Pontic Pike.....Again (320 Points)

In continuation of my last challenge post the pike production continues.   I neglected to mention some vital details last go around. The figures are Wargames Foundry for the most part.  These guys have been sitting on my shelf for years and years.  I think it was partly intimidation and partly laziness that kept me from getting to them until now.  I think a combination of Simon Millers work Thebigredbatcave and the excitement of the painting challenge is what pushed me to start working on these guys.

The great thing about building a pike block, as some of you mentioned, is this will give me the core of multiple successor style armies. While Mithridates VI used pike only in the early part of his conflict with Rome, I wouldn't have felt right not building some Pontic pike.

This week I was able to finish two more blocks of pike, bringing total production to 5.   I love the look of massed pike but the repetitive nature is starting to wear on me.

To mix things up, I changed the formula a bit.   Most of my earlier pike were predominantly white.  I am pretty happy with the way this group in black worked out

 




This weeks second group in red didn't turn out as well as I would like.  The Foundry shields in many cases have a cast-on shield design.  Red design over the white shield came out a little sloppy.  But done is done.






The original plan called for a third unit this week but I was distracted by the Armor challenge and cut off painting on the last block of pike to knock out my Armor entry.

And of course the obligatory class picture.   Once I get all six done I will post the full group.   The photography part of the challenge has become a challenge in itself.   I really love the pictures you guys post of your figures.  I am still struggling to get the right level of detail, lighting and composition. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again for taking a look. Check my math but 64-28mm figures at 5 points each should be 320 points.

Impressive pike phalanxes here Eric, just the right scale to get an effective look.  The red/white colour scheme really draws the eye, but I also appreciate the subtlety of the black/bronze.

On your pictures, have you tried usin a plain backdrop, so there isn't anything else to draw the eye?  Pale blue is popular, but the Snowlord uses black to good effect (perhaps wouldn't work so well for your black phalanx though!) Other than that, I'd recommend as much light as you can from multiple sources, to avoid shadow, and take lots of shots - some will come out better than others.  

320 points brings your total to 800, currently second on the scoreboard, and more than a third of the way to your target - nice work!

Phil