Clipeati. Black Army reinforcements.

A unit of Clipeati - spear armed pavisiers, usually Bohemian mercenaries. There will also be a use for them in my Warhammer 3rd Edition Empire army. 

Figures are a mixture of Eureka, Citadel, and Wargames Foundry, with the Pavises from 1st Corps. I used my oil painting technique which I detail in this post on Devoured by Saturn to knock these out relatively quickly.

I’ve used Hussite shield transfers from Little Big Men Studios on the pavises. Although transfers can be a little tricky, they are a real time saver, pretty easy to use and look the part (easier than free hand painting anyway).

The banner is the coat of arms of Stephen V Bathory, Judge Royal of Hungary, and Voivod of Transylvania (1479-1493). The Bathory coat of arms is 3 dragons teeth on a red background. The dragon symbol references the connection to the Eastern European anti-Ottoman chivalric Order of the Dragon. The red and white stripes of the banner are a common device on many Hungarian military banner and flags.

I’ve tried to incorporate figures in this army wherever I can that emphasise a more Eastern European flavour. The command group consists of a Foundry Late Renaissance Polish officer and drummer, and a GW Marksmen of Miragliano Standard Bearer whose cap has a bit of a Hungarian/Polish look to it. While the officer and drummer are technically of a later period, I believe their costume and equipment is still quite appropriate for Boyars, nobles, or the wealthy classes of late 15th/early 16th century. Ottoman and Byzantine influenced clothing, such as the Mente, Dolman, and Kaftan were quite common in Eastern Europe in this period, was often ornately brocaded and accompanied by a decorative sash. As a bit of an experiment I tried to create the effect of a brocaded kaftan by stippling on gold and dark grey with a sponge.

 

Citadel ME-11 Mounted Gandalf

 

Needing a mounted wizard for an upcoming Warhammer Fantasy Battle 3rd Edition game, I finally decided to paint up this ME-11 Mounted Gandalf from Citadel’s 80s Lord of the Rings range.

I tried to match him as closely as possible to the Gandalf on foot I painted up a little while ago (here). Not the correct matching foot figure for the set but good enough for me. Colour scheme is inspired by the animated Rankin and Bass Hobbit film. 

I attempted a lighting effect on the rune on the staff, lighting effects are not something I have played around with much, not sure how effective it is, but fun to try something different.

 

I’m quite happy with how Shadowfax turned out. I find it really pays to have some reference photos handy when painting animals.