Moravians

The Moravians are one three DBA armies (with options) I am painting as a commission work. The challenge is to create three distinct collections as all three are from the same time period and region; Moravians, Slavs and Serbians.

Only the Moravians are pictured and in photo one, the have just been cleaned and will be placed on their plinths for priming and later painting. The plinths are long enough to fit 6 mounted or 12 foot. Painting irregulars becomes easy, as every third or fourth figure may have the same coloured shirt, but later during the process will have different coloured breeches and so on. Having painted a number of Slavic armies I kept darker colours for breeches and lighter tones for tunics. With shadow and highlights the clothing would lighten somewhat.

What could be gleaned from the WRG Dark Age book, mentioned the Moravians choice of colours and shield patterns were influenced by the Franks (East and West). Photo two, show the infantry need only the wedge pattern on their shields and they are ready for varnishing.

The mounted in the background lack not only the shield pattern, but breeches and tunics as well. In addition to the Moravians, there are six Lithuanian horse that will be added to an army of Wends painted a few months ago.

With the additional holiday tomorrow, these will be ready to varnish on Monday.

Cheers,

DBA Wends, Bohemians and Croatians

With flags added to each command stand, the Wends, Bohemians and Croatians are complete and ready to be shipped to their owner. The collections were a mix of Essex and Baueda figures and I must say I was delighted to see the latter first hand. These form the impressive shield wall of eight spear and fill in some of the ranks of the other two. Cheers,

Bohemian

Croatian

Wends

The Wends (III-1a)

The Wend Army III/1a is the last of the commission work.

The customer was as near a duplicate of the one I did in December of last year. These are Essex 15mm, but come from a slightly different range of figures.



The infantry are varied but have different poses. The shield certainly is characteristic of the Baltic region, tear drop shape reinforced with metal plates.
The cavalry are bow armed but are ready for serious business holding lance or javelin erect.



The last photo shows the finished army ready for varnishing and tomorrow I can base all three armies.

Cheers,

DBA Bohemians Book III/16

Next on my list of commission work are the Bohemians. The overall painting scheme would follow the Carolingians I painted four or five months ago with particular attention to the shields.

The figures are a mix of Baueda Lombard knights and spear, Viking Bondi and archers.

The axe wielding types are Berserkers are meant to add variation to the battle line.

I have not painted Baueda figures before and while many speak highly of them, I found these needed far more effort to clean that Old Glory or Essex 15s. They are good castings with nice broad areas to paint; clothing, belts and cloaks and also nice, the weapons were not placed close to the torso or shield.

The riders are just as nice, but I had trouble reconciling myself with the horses.

They looked odd as to which gait they should be doing; walking or trotting? They are slender compared to Essex but the harness detailing is clear.


Next on the list are the Wends III/1a.

Cheers,

DBA Croatians - book III/26

Despite the long period between postings, my paint brushes have not been idle, as I have completed a large scale DBA-HX French army for the Seven Year War conflict. That project is sufficiently completed that I can now direct my energy on three DBA armies, the first of which are the Croatians, book III/26.

There are a number of art works depicting Croatian military and I would invite the reader to check some of these at: Kingdom of Croatia

One passage of interest mentions a Croatian navy, raised to defend the kingdom against Saracen raids.

About the figures, these are all 15mm Essex with the majority of figures having a rather generic look.

Tunic, breeches tucked into boots and leather covered shields armed with short spears or javelins, the majority of which will be based as 3Ax.

Cavalry will form 3 elements and the lights will complete the required number for DBA play.


This photo shows the completed collection ready for varnishing and later basing.

Next posting, the Bohemians - book III/16

Cheers,

Early Polish - Detailing and dry brush.

I find, detailing and dry brush work the relaxing part of painting miniatures. I do dry brush the legs, lower body, tail and mane of the horse and pick out the harness for better definition.

With linen or white I now pick out metal details, such as chain mail, helmets and shield boss. Highlighting clothing, I prefer to wet brush white over darker colour, especialy blue, green, and brown.

You can create depth to a figure which lack folds in clothing with this technique. Wet brushing, I will use the thinnest brush I have, the brush that started off as a size 1 and through loyal service is down to its last few hairs. Highlight the folds on tunics, leather parts that would catch sunlight, a nose ridge, cheekbones, and weapons as well.

The last photo is the completed DBA Early Polish in battle array. Cheers,

Early Polish 960 - 1200 AD

This latest DBA Early Polish army is a commission work. The miniatures are from a Polish firm of which I am not sure if these were Fire and Sword or not. They are good castings, all mounted figures are one piece castings which can be limiting, but there are enough different castings to add variety to your cavalry element.

The foot figures are solid looking figures with a variety of spear and bow types. The wolf skin headdress javelin men were unexpected. These would certainly feel at home among the Danish Leidang. Folds in the clothing are not deep by Metal Magic standards, but they are therre and there is ample detailing for the painter who prefers working with thin wash or inks.

This is a DBA army pack, III/62a Early Polish comprising of 9 mounted and 30 foot.


Out of the box.








Ready for priming.








Basic colour.








Detailing and dry brush next.
Cheers,