More Thegns... and beavers

Here are another two characters for our Skirmish. These are probably more Thegns, both wearing versions of the Sutton Hoo helmet. The left one is from the command pack by GB while the right is from the Saxon-Frank command pack by Wargames Foundry. This time I've used LBM transfers for the shields, which reduced the painting time considerably.

Although the Foundry figures are smaller, I think the can mingle quite comfortably with the GB and Musketeer miniatures. I've just had to raise the Foundry figure slightly to make the size difference less obvious. Here's a group shot.

Finally, more beavers to use with your puns! :) I've finally painted all eight supplied by Northstar. They are quite small but very grumpy. These Saxons probably messed with their dam.

Hroðgar, son of Ælle

This is my second completed Saxon while a few more are getting near completion. This for me represents Hrothgar, Ælle's son from the books of Cornwell. His posture could be leisurely awaiting a foe with the conviction of a young strong fighter... or perhaps, deed done, he is having a breather scanning the battlefield for the next enemy after wiping his sword clean on his last victim's clothes. Although capable in battle, his shield still carries a protective shield knot.

Before I get carried away... here he is. Shield was again hand-painted and I really enjoyed painting him. Miniature is by GB this time and I love the helm, even if the details are a bit muddy.

 Last week I also visited Northstar and bought some beavers... One of them just came up to me and complained about the absence of a river to build a dam on. I think we will have to rectify this injustice on our table. Lt. Hazel will have to disagree at his own peril!

1st Saxon to arrive on England's shores (Musketeer Miniatures)

My finger is slowly on the mend and although it is still giving me some stability problems, I managed to finish my first miniature. Inspired by Lt. Hazels Britons and destined to face them in the near future (hence the similar base colours), the first Saxon has jumped of his ship ready to fight... bare handed for the time being. :)

Because I will be flying back to Germany in about a month, I decided to not include any spears yet, in my paranoid fear that they might be classed as dangerous objects and thrown in the bin. So, late February I will make another picture of this chap and the ones to follow when they will be all ready for battle!

Excuse the slight poorer photographic display... I only have one lamp in England. I am also struggling a bit with my colour choice, as I have most of my paints in Germany, but I guess I get to mix more now and that's also quite a lot of fun. :)

2011... Some new year resolutions.

Greetings and happy new year to you all! I hope 2011 started beautifully for you all.


My finger is healing slowly and I can finally swing a brush again. Did some tryouts lasts night and it worked quite well. Time to start painting some of my Christmas presents... Which brings us to the reason of this post.

After reading with interest the posts by Tilman and Christopher and the massive lists of beautiful projects they have planed for 2011 it was time for a think. What would I like to achieve this year? So here is a list of some projects I'd like to struggle with. As I am not a very prolific painter, I am glad that the list is rather small. Especially this year I might struggle for painting time with a new job starting this March.

- Bolshevik Russians. Following my ten man team of Soviet sailors for the RCW, I would really like to paint some more Bolsheviks. My mates all have massive armies, but I want another 10 man team at least. Following that, one or two armoured cars are a must! This project will definitely be one of my main ones of the year. I have deeply fallen in love with the period. Copplestone and Brigade games all the way for the miniatures, Copplestone and Sloppy Jalopy are the intended suppliers of vehicles.

-  Saxon horde. Lt. Hazel's/Jan's  Arthurian skirmish army is growing at a mad pace and so is my admiration for it. A new project was swiftly formed when I was gifted some Saxons this Christmas. The second time Jan has managed to pull my interest into a new period (RCW being the first). Happily Jan and I have been talking about pitching our armies against each other. :) I am happy to have been convinced by his work to delve into the Arthurian world. For this project I plan about 30 man (Stop laughing!) and some pieces of scenery I own by Grand Manner and Hovels. Historicity is not high in my priorities for this project so I am guessing that most miniatures will be in chain-mail. I plan to combine different manufacturers in this army, with Musketeer Miniatures as the main supplier. Apparently Bill T is planing some Arthurians for the near future so I am sure I will combine his Saxons, Goths and some of his Arthurian British, if compatible.

- Zombie Survivors. After seeing the new Fenris Explorers I will most certainly paint one or two of them for some future Zombie/Post-Ap game. After Crisis and viewing the great table by Pardulon a friend is planing a table for something along those lines. :) Even if that never works out, I just love those miniatures and got to paint them. Some Hasslefree might sneak their way into this.

- Boers for Zulu Wars. A friend is planing a pulp-ish Africa campaign in the faraway land of Gumba (I am not certain) and with the new beautiful Empress Boers I am very tempted to go for a small force and maybe combine them with some Northstar British South Africa Company fellows.

And that's it. The goals are set, the finger is mending... Bring it on, 2011!