Struggling through Lockdown.

Like many other wargaming bloggers the lock-down has taken its toll on posts. As the weeks dragged into months Ive found it increasingly difficult to put pen to paper as it were, similarly putting paint on my figures has also been a hit or miss affair. God knows what it must be like for people who dont have a hobby or even a small garden to fritter away the days. Debilitating I would imagine. 

I have managed to complete a few units for the planned return to wargaming sometime in the future. Initially John and I opted to utilise our SPQR figures to use for the Sword and Spear rulebook. As a consequence when I started building my classic Greek and Persian units I used separate bases which would allow the figures to be used for both rule systems.

However as I have painted more figures Ive started basing the units on one base with a view to building up larger armies. Im impatient to get the promised Victrix Persians that have been delayed by the virus so have used other companies to build the Persian units.

This will mean that when Victrix finally release their versions of the Persians which I will buy it will mean I will have a sizeable force far bigger than will be needed for SPQR and probably Sword and Spear. So effectively I will have done the opposite of what I wanted to achieve which is typical of my confused thought processes at the moment.

In the 1970's when I first saw my first Persian army it contained some strangely painted part naked chaps described as Ethiopians. It must have made an impression subconsciously because Ive wanted my own version and these are they. I dont expect them to be battle winners especially as they have fire hardened arrow points but I like them.

Strangely Ive found painting the Persian army quite difficult simply because of their love of colour. I think after so many years of painting uniforms Ive become conditioned. Anyway these are some of my Scythian cavalry in conservative garb.

                   A base of my Thracian javelin skirmishers with banner and not a rhompia in sight.

It must be well over 30 years since I last painted a camel unit but I did enjoy slapping the paint on these Newline Miniatures, again I dont think they will be great fighters but they look the part.

   Finally the first three Victrix Greek cavalry who are very nice figures and full of life.
 I hope to get myself back into the painting groove soon once Ive got my head around the new life we will all have to get used to and hopefully post more views re the hobby.