Stonetroll's Bretonnians

[stonetroll]

************* Edit: total armyshot update done 21-08-2009****************



This thread is created to follow the progression of my Bretonnian army. I will try to keep the talking to a minimum and just show you guys some pictures.

Final remark is that I am heavily inspired by Tancrede. I am not yet able to match his skills, but I hope that I will at least improve as I work on them.

So without further ado, I will show you guys my first test mini: a mere peasant (before this dude I had not touched a brush in 3 months, so I wanted to start with something not too compicated).

Front



Side



Rear



I am still contemplating whether I should cover the rather bad freehand (these are my first freehands) partially with a transfer (and thus have the freehand as a background).
Other than that I have started my first Knight of the Realm (basecolours)



I hope to be able to update this blog regularly, but this quality of painting is about as good as I can do, so it takes a lot of time to finish each mini.

Suggestions more then welcome!

[dcpattyizbeast]

You could try Photobucket. That's what I use.

You Brets are looking good. The pic is to small to make out the freehand anyways.

(p.s. Look at my Wood Elves)

[stonetroll]

Thanks for that, I re-uploaded the pictures and now they're decently sized imo.

[Dark_and_Pointy]

Wow they're great, nothing more impressive than a well painted brets army, will you be painting the knights in all different heraldry or all similar?



DP

ps the man at arms looks very impressive

[odmiller]

Good start so far. Looking forward to seeing these continue.

[sigur]

Very nice work indeed. Tancrede's bretonnian log is one of the best I've seen so far and I also took it as an inspiration for my Bretonnian Knight so it's definately not a bad idea to use his work as reference.

your M@A looks very good so far. The coloring of the knight looks promising too.

[tancrede]

Thanks for me, guys !
Your man-at-arm loos promising, just as the beginning of your knight.
Consider me subscribed !

[Malorian]

The men at arms looks great

Do you have a close up for what you are green stuffing on the base?

[Crube]

I love a well painted Bret army, and this looks likeit will be no exception.

Your painting style is great - nice and clean. THe freehand looks fine to me. Sure it's not perfect, when you look closely. Maybe a transfer would work, maybe it would draaw the eye to the imperfections.. I dunno. Still - miles beyond what I can do

I do love the painting though - can't wait to see the rest of it take shape

[stonetroll]

Thanks for the compliments so far guys! Didn't think I'd get so many positive reactions

Thanks for me, guys !
Your man-at-arm loos promising, just as the beginning of your knight.
Consider me subscribed!

This just made my day. Hope you'll stay interested after seeing the Knight in this post.

The men at arms looks great

Do you have a close up for what you are green stuffing on the base?

I have sculpted cobblestones on all of the bases (some of them are half cobblestone, half dirt), to represent the Bretonnians defending a small village (or something like that). Mainly it is done just to have a different base than the usual sand-drybryshed-in-browns. I will make a picture of it next time I have something to show for.

Anyway, I have finished my first Knight of the Realm.

Right side



Left side



Front



Rear



Criticism more then welcome! All I know so far is that yellow is a PAIN to paint. 9 layers to get it covering. The clover on his shoulder-shield (anyone know the official name for this?) will be a returning feature throughout the army. It is used to show the army's loyalty to the king (Lord), who will be covered in clovers himself. All the peasants will have their shields covered in clovers, and the Knights will all have a single clover on their shoulder-shield.

[Malorian]

Your yellow turned out really well

[Crube]

Yup, yellow loosk well worth the effort, and the designs on the shield look ace

[Gargobot]

Looks very promising so far, I have to agree the yellow is very well done.
Keep it up!

[Leonathion]

Your freehands look solid, and thats all they need. Tre experimenting, as long as you can keep your brush straight you will be alright. There's probably severla tuitorials on CMON.
Keep it up!

[a dying fashon]

very good i love the man at arms

keep up the good work and stay sic

[bob_the_small]

can I get a look see at some of those bases you have there? they seem to be green-stuffed? The yellow on that knight is really good, nice and clean!

[Crube]

Can I ask about that yellow - How did you make it so bright - I know you used 9 layers, but which colours? It looks fab

[spetswalshe]

Rather bad freehand? You sir are nothing but a humble fool

I've always preferred freehand decals, imperfections look much more realistic. Though I would honestly say I couldn't much tell the difference between yours and a transfer. Also kudos on the yellow - clearly persistance pays off.

[tancrede]

that yellow is a PAIN to paint. 9 layers to get it covering.

And for this, foundation is your friend ! 2 thin layers of Iyanden Darksun, 1 layer of yellow and it's done.
Crisp and clean, but I think you should highlight a bit more your colors.
Nice start for this army. And the clover is a good idea.

[stonetroll]

Can I ask about that yellow - How did you make it so bright - I know you used 9 layers, but which colours? It looks fab

And for this, foundation is your friend ! 2 thin layers of Iyanden Darksun, 1 layer of yellow and it's done.
Crisp and clean, but I think you should highlight a bit more your colors.
Nice start for this army. And the clover is a good idea.

Hmm... that seems to work for Tancrede, but it certainly doesn't for me, let me share my recipe:

2 Thin layers of Yanden Darksun
5 VERY thin layers of Golden Yellow (you want these to be REALLY thin, otherwise you get imperfections on large flat areas)
2 Highlights of 50/50 Golden Yellow + Bleached Bone (also really thin!)
1 Final Highlight of Bleached bone (Skull white gives too sharp of a contrast imo)

Also Tancrede, thanks for the input, I will try to get some more depth into the colours (although the pictures do not really do justice to the model).

Finally a WIP picture of the remaining 7 Knights of the Realm I'm currently working on:



The horses are done, the metal parts on the knights are done, and all of the heraldry colours except white are done (white should go on most left knight, knight third from left, the banner and on the champion). I hope to get these finished coming week, so stay tuned