From TeemuL: All the rest Circles [The Contemplatives] [The Fixed Stars of Faith, Hope and Love] (100 points)

Here I am again with my dictionary, it might be complicated when English is not the first language, but on the other hand it opens the door of possible misunderstandings - accidental or not. :) The Contemplatives - probably a word I have never heard or at least used - means "the reasonable thinking person" in the Challenge description.

I'll quote Wikipedia page of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington:

"In late 1814, the Prime Minister wanted him to take command in Canada with the assignment of winning the War of 1812 against the United States. Wellesley replied that he would go to America, but he believed that he was needed more in Europe. He stated:

I think you have no right, from the state of war, to demand any concession of territory from America... You have not been able to carry it into the enemy's territory, notwithstanding your military success, and now undoubted military superiority, and have not even cleared your own territory on the point of attack. You cannot on any principle of equality in negotiation claim a cession of territory except in exchange for other advantages which you have in your power... Then if this reasoning be true, why stipulate for the uti possidetis? You can get no territory: indeed, the state of your military operations, however creditable, does not entitle you to demand any."

Sounds like a reasonable thinker to me, some might agree even without that quote. For my slow growing Peninsular War project I needed some commanders and Perry Miniatures have a set with couple of persons involved there, one being Duke of Wellington. I guess I'm not able to use him in the "real historical games", since the mini is from Waterloo era and most likely very different to what Wellington was like in Peninsular War, but at least it gives me a possibility to practice. He is on a round base with two Victrix plastic minis.

He is accompanied by Earl of Uxbridge, Henry William Paget, from the same Perry set. Unfortunately I have mounted him on Picton's horse, which has a tiger pelt... More historical errors from me. :) Picton didn't participate in Peninsular campaign, but was part of Waterloo. I guess I'll paint him a bit later and use as a nameless commander. I don't know about the story of tiger pelt or the umbrella, but I guess I'll find some information later on, when I research more. Uxbridge is on oval base with one Victrix officer.

After all these historical errors I can't declare myself as a contemplative, but I claim the bonus points from Duke Wellington. And yes, the Victrix minis on these command stands are painted to match my existing units for British. But no flags yet.

That was fifth Circle in Paradise and enough to complete the Theme Challenge, but since I happened to have this Pawnee set from Black Sheep Miniatures by Warbases, I painted them and move to the next Circle, "The Fixed Stars of Faith, Hope and Love." I'm not sure if Pawnees really had any hope, but that was all they had and they did fight for that. I believe my claim is valid.

I painted them with old "Tanned Flesh" paint from Coat d'Arms which I found quite nice. The leather parts are Flames of War Khaki 988 and then all over Reikland Flesh Shade. Mohawks are black Contrast paints. I guess I'm used to using mixed supply of paints? :)

These 5 Native Americans will meet the previously painted 7th Cavalry in several skirmish games - I hope, may be Sarah the Shootist will appear with other gunslingers, too. I think I need some pioneers, gold diggers and wagons. And those tumbleweed balls going here and there with the wind!

And the points then. All minis are 28mm, 2 mounted and 8 on foot, that is a total of 60 points. Two locations for additional 40 points and we have another 100 points. I wish I had this productive days and weeks in December, January and February...

 

 

Sylvain: I hear your pain when it comes to express yourself in a second (or third) language. But even if it's "imperfect", the act of communicating is always beautiful and worthy. Your (last?) entries are very colorful, literally and figuratively. And congratulations on completing so many levels in both the abyss and paradise! 

From TeemuL: 7th Cavalry and old Elementals (35 points)

I had a quite nice week last week, I was healthy, I was not travelling and other hobbies didn't take all the time. So I managed to complete quite a lot of minis, these were supposed to be published on Sunday, but I didn't have time to write the texts.

Here's a group of 7th Cavalry, Black Sheep Miniatures from Warbases. Nice metal minis, varied poses, equipment and clothes, good for skirmish games in Old West. I guess some mounted minis would be nice to have, too, especially for Cavalry.

I painted them following the marketing photos and I'm rather happy with them. Trousers could be lighter blue and jackets darker blue, but there's a difference and they look quite nice - at least when there are no comparisons. I based them like my other Old West minis and dusted the boots and trousers a little bit. I like the yellow scarfs, they are not too bright.

Then something from the previously mentioned second hand bargain box I bought earlier this year and painted the Black Drake from earlier in the Challenge. These are Earth and Fire Elementals from Games Workshop, 1984.

Solid metal minis of course from that era, they even have 25mm round metal bases built in, so I didn't glue any additional bases on them. All in one piece, I like it! C34 is the code for them, stamped on the base and introduced in GW's Spring 1985 Journal.

So the left one is Earth Elemental and is very stony. May be some green moss would have made a nice detail, but I went with a simple approach. But to make it a bit more interesting, I tried to paint "supernatural" eyes to him, glowing blue... The eyes look ok, but I'm not sure do they look glowing. :)

The right one is Fire Elemental. The fiery part worked ok, but the elemental itself is a bit bland? I had a plan to paint him bright white and reflect some of the fire, but white is such a difficult to paint. From the side you can see the lizardy eyes I painted, and it/he/she looks much better from the side or back than from the front.

That's 7 28mm minis in total for 35 points. I have something for the paradise coming up and if I manage to paint something more, I'll combine them all on the final post on Wednesday.

From Millsy:

Lovely brushwork Teemu! I really like the way you have highlighted the face on the Earth Elemental and the blending on the flames/smoke on the Fire Elemental is amazing.

For me the pick of the post is the US Cavalry even so. The blue you have chosen with really pop on the table and the desert themed basing really looks the part.

Great work all round mate and another 35 points for your tally!

Cheers,
Millsy