Tuesday 16 June 2020

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.


29 comments:

  1. Camel chaps and the Ethiopians are my favourite. You have been working on some lovely troops. I know what you mean, without the garden or the hobby I would have been infinitely worse off. Look after yourself.

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    1. I wouldnt like to think what my mental state would have been if I lived in a high rise and didnt have wargaming as a hobby with all its add ons.

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  2. You've done a cracking job on your figures as usual Robbie. The Persian lads are especially good. My favourite ancient army over the year's, never won that many games with it but when you're that colourful who cares! Oddly enough my painting output has increased over the past few weeks. Even started a new project!

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    1. I dont expect to win many games when I finally get an opponent to face Dennis.But they must have been effective otherwise how did they have such a diverse empire.Im relying on the dice for success which is never a good idea.

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  3. Steady in the ranks there! Some really nice additions to your collection. Be of good cheer, for all will be well. The dice will soon be free to roll...

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    1. Its almost become a mantra for me David but between the daily news attacks at the briefings and the moronic protests Im just about holding on to my sanity.

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  4. Some lovely stuff, especially as it is a little bit different and interesting because of that. I know what you mean about wanting new figures that have been held up due to the pandemic. I really wanted the Austrian Heavy cavalry plastics from the Perry’s. They opened their workshop back up a couple of weeks ago and now I have the Austrian cavalry in my hand ... lovely!

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  5. Your latest painting efforts show no signs of stress, Robbie. The black-shielded Greeks look very smart and your Scythian cavalry amazing. Keep your chin up and push on!

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    1. I dont know if its stress Johnathan, more a battle against a situation I have no control of. Its very debilitating.

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  6. It easy to understand how a few figures can soon spread exponentially into an army !
    You persians look excellent and the added bonus of them being single based is that you can more easily mix new ranges.
    I have a few camels in my Sudan forces and wished I'd gone for a uniform colour scheme, like yours - they do look good !

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    1. Thanks Joe, I did enjoy painting the camels, brutes though they are.

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  7. Great looking figures Rob, the lockdown does have some bonuses, I too have got plenty painted!

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    1. Thanks Ray, unfortunately I have slowed down considerably.

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  8. Robbie for someone who is not really in the mood for painting... you are storming through things... in style.
    Lovely toys indeed...
    All the best. Aly

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    1. Thanks Aly, hopefully we will meet later this year for a beer.

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    2. I look forward to that mate...

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    1. Thanks Neil, they are colourful chaps and Im pinning a lot of hope on them to do well in a battle.

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  10. Have to agree wit Aly, for someone struggling you’ve turned out some very nice chaps. Camel riders and Scythians very nice. I know what you mean about painting Persians it’s hard to break away from the regimented painting style we’ve got used to.
    Your progress is making me think maybe I should start another 28mm Greek and Persian army

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    1. Thanks Graham, Ive been informed that Victrix will be releasing their Persians in July and I cant wait to paint them up. Warlord on the other hand have none available in their catalogue even though they did sell some nice figures once.

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  11. Robbie-re. "camels"-I have just had a lady on the phone called Little Bo Peep,who,apparently,has lost her sheep,and doesn't know where to find them-so I told her to look at your blog!!-you've been conned mate-they are a special long legged,spitting variety of sheep found only in Wallsend(well,that's what Brian has told me!)
    Fantastic paint job on all the figures.
    johnc(Westerhope branch of the sheep sh.....s society)

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    1. Sheep, you cheeky tart. Ive ridden a couple of camels and painted them from memory, they even have spittle running from their mouths.

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    2. Robbie,you could maybe paint a leader figure,a Lord or something,in fact you could call him the Lord Mehhhhh!
      If he should ever need a hair cut you send him to the Baa Baa's!!-Tart??-did you mis-spell that!Hoping to see you soon-I will post a couple of photo's of the Garrison ECW units that you can have when this virus thingy goes away.
      johnc

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  12. Apologies for the late visit; but great looking Ancients all around. And I agree about the whole "lock down" putting a spin on everything.

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    1. No need to apolgise, lockdown has affected a lot of people in various ways unfortunately.

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  13. Lovely output, the Ethiopians are ace! Of course there is mission creep, it's what we do! Stick at it, they'll be opening the pubs soon!
    Best Iain

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    1. Cant wait, Ive downloaded my Witherspoons app and planned my day.

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  14. Hope all's well Robbie - you've gone uncharacteristically quiet!

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My 6mm Napoleonic set up.

My 6mm Napoleonic set up.
Austria 1809.

Austrian Hussars

Austrian Hussars
Hinchliffe figures

Austrian Grenzer

Austrian Grenzer
Austrian Grenzer

Smoggycon 2013

Smoggycon 2013
Smoggycon 2013

Smoggycon 2012

Smoggycon 2012
Smoggycon 2012

Smoogycon 2009

Smoogycon 2009
My French getting another beating