Painting badges

My eyes are too old and my hand isn't steady enough! I have just received some transfers from Citadel Six. I will let you know how I get on with them. I am hoping they will work out well as the miniatures will really benefit from that extra detail.

A basing odyssey

Over the last ten years my approach to basing miniatures has developed. As you can see from the last post I have now found a method which is aesthetically pleasing, well to my eyes anyway. However this really has been a trial and error approach with plenty of research mixed in.

The old days...

I then developed my basing style to this only a few years ago...

So you see it has been a well trodden path of experimentation. I have now finally arrived at the 2p bases which not only provides as decent base for these models but it quite a lot cheaper than many commercial bases.

That said I will need to shell out some money to acquire some movement trays. This will be achieved in one of two ways; the first will be to buy 2p movement trays from Warbases.co.uk. The alternative is contact James from http://www.oshiromodelterrain.co.uk/index.html. He has fabricated some Perspex rings for Captain Blood to create his own, streamlined movement trays. Which ever way I use I will be much happier as I feel the way the models will be presented on the tabletop will feel far more authentic. The other positive of basing the miniatures individually is I have several carry cases with foam for individual models lying dormant.

The final basing dilemma is what should I do with basing my cavalry on single bases?

Tudor bowmen

I have been inspired by Captain Blood, and Pat from his own blog site, Wargaming with the Silver Whistle to begin basing my skirmish models on 2p coins. I'll get in touch with those jolly chaps from Warbases and order some of the movement trays in the near future.

This is the third time I have based these particular bowmen and I am very pleased with the results. I hope there will be more to follow.

Sharp Practise - Arraying for battle.

Having spent a couple of nights looking at some skirmish battles on the Lead adventurers forum and Wargaming with the Silver Whistle I have embarked on a process to get a heap of metal and plastic miniatures onto a wargames table.
Back in 2010 I painted up some miniatures I found skulking away in a bits box. I painted up a few and stuck them onto some square bases. The basing of these models has been influenced by what I have seen on the web...so I have decided to rebase these models....again! I have opted to glue them to the faithful circular base we all know and love. Now I know why I have been keeping these coins.
The original scatter and static grass I used had a wintry theme, however this time round I am going to keep them in line with the basing for my Bosworth project. When these models are completed I will want to use them with the 40mm square stands. For this I will get hold of some of the 2p stand bases from Warbases.co.uk These movement trays are excellent. The only downside is the size of these bases, but I'm not going to get too hung up with that.
The focus for my skirmish games will centre around the rebellion led by Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham against Richard III. It's an interesting period leading up to the Battle of Bosworth with many Yorkist nobles choosing where their loyalties lay. At the same time Henry Tudor and his court sat in waiting across the channel. Although the rebellion ended in disaster for the Duke of Buckingham the great thing about wargames is history does not always repeat itself.

War of the roses - Sharp Practise

Whilst I am building and painting the miniatures for my Bosworth Field project I have been looking for a good set of skirmish rules. Over at the blog Wargaming with Silver whistle, Pat adapted the rules Sharp Practise by Too Fat Lardies and he's started a trend with those who use the rules by these jolly fellows.

I have to say I am chomping at the bit to try this out. Unfortunately I will need to paint up  two forces. So I have another project to do, still it's all within the fold of my War of the Roses project. I may start a list of how I am getting on so the world can see my progress. It may keep me going too!

Still, onwards and upwards!

Richard III...the King in the Car Park

Well that's it then. They have finally found him! I have to say I was speechless when I heard the news. I am looking forward to the Richard III centre when it finally gets built in Leicster. It's also spurred me on to get my project finished!

Salute Painting Competition Part 2

It has been a little while since my last post, and it'll probably be a while before the next. However, I have cleaned all the flash of the models and have begun to start painting the models. I have drawn up this loose plan of my entry into the competition. This is just a rough guide but gives some indication of what I am trying to achieve. I want the pieces to be used in games too, so they'll be on 2/3mm MDF bases. I haven't worked out the base sizes yet but that will happen very shortly. I have a week's holiday coming up so I intend to blitz  the project.  If I don't get it finished in that week then I'll have to dedicate some time over Easter.