Then and now II - 17 years of painting redux

I'm currently setting up an Ancients game on my wargame table using one of my oldest collections of figures - Post-Roman Britons and Saxons. IIRC, Post-Roman Britons and Arthur were my second army, just after building a Gallic DBA army.

Setting up these figures, I inevitably come across many of the Arthur figures in my collection, including the one I posted about earlier. This figure was painted in the same colours as one I painted way back in '97 (which got a silver medal at the Crisis painting convention of that year, IIRC). It's interesting to show the more recent Arthur (painted in 2013) and that first Arthur together in the same photo, much as I did for some 20mm British paras earlier:

In the photo above, the figure on the left is the more recently painted one, the one on the right is the one from '97. One thing that is different from the first '17 years comparison' photo is that both figures in this comparison have been painted to the full extent of my painting ability.

Looking at the figures side by side, I was actually surprised at the higher contrast on the more recent figure. It is probably logical, given that the figure on the left was painted up from a black base coat, while the one on the right used a grey base coat. Still, I had the idea in my mind that these two figures were much more similar in painting technique than they actually are.

So, what do you think of these figures? Which one do you think is the best?

Wet Paint: Arthur

This is a Foundry Arthur (one of many in my collection :) ) which has been on and off my painting desk for a couple of years now. In a bid to clean out the painting queue before my move, I finished painting him yesterday evening. This figure was painted in full–on–four–layers–with–knobs–on style (it goes to 11)—deliberately so to see if I could still do it. This of course takes time so I have generously awarded myself 5 points for painting it.

I plan on finishing the basing of this figure and then selling it (Ebay or through some forums). With the current popularity of Saga and Dux Britanniarum it should hopefully fetch a good price.

A Saxon Raid

Bart and I met up in his fine wargaming attic to put our Warhammer Ancients armies into action again. We're both convinced that the new 'Age of Arthur' is one of the best gaming source books and inspirations around.

For his part, Bart has a splendid Arthurian army, led by Comes Bartholomeus Grassus, new Count of Britain (following the glorious exploits of his ancestors in darkest Germany) and foreshadowing great adventures of his successors in the distant future. Facing him are my Saxons, a little Alfredian in character it has to be said, but now at full strength (ie painted and based).

Bart set up a scenario from the source book, a Saxon raid on a British village (featuring Bart's very nice hillfort). Basically on the right side of the table is a village in a corner, leaving that are three carts of plunder that have to exit the other side of the table without being intercepted by the British. Defending them is the mass of the Saxon army.

I won't bore you with a blow by blow account of the battle. Basically, the Saxons set up a battleline with their elite armoured troops on the left, two massive units of Ceorls (peasants with spear and shield) on the right and some skirmishers in front. My 'plan' was to rush the baggage off table while attacking with my heavy infantry and holding with the rest.

Regrettably, Bart had a much better plan. He rushed his two cavalry units to my left (to where the baggage are racing) and quickly launched a dashing attack into my flank, sweeping away both my best unit and the King's brother, attached to them. On my right, a melee between my Ceorls and a unit of Arthurian spearmen was a bloody grind, my men holding out unexpectedly well.

Regrettably, Bart had in reserve some very good quality spearmen units which he proceeded to throw into the battle. They swept away my other unit of Ceorls and the subsequent rout led to my entire army panicking and running.

Yet another defeat for the Saxons. Well Rosemary Sutcliffe (author of the best Arthurian novels available) would be happy, I suppose.