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