Fancy a Knight out in Agincourt? (1 Viewer)
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johnnybach
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Here are a couple of pics - showing some progress on two of my latest castings. These are Stadden/Tradition castings of Bernard du Guesclin - which I have started painting - and King Henry V - who has just come out of the bath - of paint remover - to get rid of some old flaky white paint - and a few rust-spots on the tin-plate parts of these old castings.
On the left is Henry - now mostly cleaned up - and Bernie has a few coats of paint on him now. I tend to use a matt undercoat - in an appropriate colour for most parts. one thing that I find different with these old boys - is that parts have been soldered together - so all has to be re-painted as they are. I usually paint up new castings in parts - and then assemble and touch in joints - which is much easier than trying to get a brush into small assembled parts - like the back of a shield, for example. Not impossible - just trickier.
Another view.
To be continued. jb
On the left is Henry - now mostly cleaned up - and Bernie has a few coats of paint on him now. I tend to use a matt undercoat - in an appropriate colour for most parts. one thing that I find different with these old boys - is that parts have been soldered together - so all has to be re-painted as they are. I usually paint up new castings in parts - and then assemble and touch in joints - which is much easier than trying to get a brush into small assembled parts - like the back of a shield, for example. Not impossible - just trickier.
Another view.
To be continued. jb
johnnybach
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^&grinBetween working on my Staddens ( how good does that sound!!^&grin), I've also been working on a model of a version of a favourite of mine. I saw him as a figure by the late John Braithwaite - and always liked him. He's another French Knight - who died at Agincourt - and really shouldn't have - he was far too valuable - and should have been held for ransom.
However, thereby hangs a tale. His name was Antoine de Bourgogne, Duc Du Brabant. He was late arriving for the battle - but had outstripped his retainers with his fighting kit - in his anxiety to get there in time. Hastily donning what bits and pieces of armour he could find - he also wrapped himself in a flag from a trumpet banner - and took the field. During the fighting, he was captured by a group of Archers - and after the English baggage train was attacked by a group of French knights - the infamous order was given to kill all prisoners (later rescinded by Henry V - but alas, too late for the Duke). His poor mode of dress marked him out for an early death - instead of being ransomed as the rich man he was.
I have painted my casting - made up from various parts from Whitetower Miniatures - to make him up dressed for a Tourney - some time earlier than his untimely death. In fact it must be between 1406 and 1415 - as he inherited the title of Duc Du Brabant then - and is dressed in his correct heraldry. I made him up in a dynamic fighting pose, armed with an axe - on one of Mathew Thair's more interesting horse castings. He knew of the Braithwaite version - so sent me a suitable head which looks like the Braithwaite version. The casting comes in various parts - which can be adapted to face in various directions. Mine is striking downwards - as if at a dismounted opponent. ( Ill find one - sooner or later - to suit).
As usual - he is just finished - so in a day or two - I will be tidying up any slips I find - and giving him his final glossy coat of varnish. Four pics below. jb
However, thereby hangs a tale. His name was Antoine de Bourgogne, Duc Du Brabant. He was late arriving for the battle - but had outstripped his retainers with his fighting kit - in his anxiety to get there in time. Hastily donning what bits and pieces of armour he could find - he also wrapped himself in a flag from a trumpet banner - and took the field. During the fighting, he was captured by a group of Archers - and after the English baggage train was attacked by a group of French knights - the infamous order was given to kill all prisoners (later rescinded by Henry V - but alas, too late for the Duke). His poor mode of dress marked him out for an early death - instead of being ransomed as the rich man he was.
I have painted my casting - made up from various parts from Whitetower Miniatures - to make him up dressed for a Tourney - some time earlier than his untimely death. In fact it must be between 1406 and 1415 - as he inherited the title of Duc Du Brabant then - and is dressed in his correct heraldry. I made him up in a dynamic fighting pose, armed with an axe - on one of Mathew Thair's more interesting horse castings. He knew of the Braithwaite version - so sent me a suitable head which looks like the Braithwaite version. The casting comes in various parts - which can be adapted to face in various directions. Mine is striking downwards - as if at a dismounted opponent. ( Ill find one - sooner or later - to suit).
As usual - he is just finished - so in a day or two - I will be tidying up any slips I find - and giving him his final glossy coat of varnish. Four pics below. jb
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johnnybach
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I think that I have a few more "touch-ups" to do with this one of " Le Duc Du Barbant", as my pictures show that some of the Heraldic overpainting seems to have become a little opaque in some places, after a thin coat of varnish was applied , (happens sometimes when the top colour is lighter than the base coat) - so a few touch ups required here and there). I' m still working on my first Stadden too, chum. So NOT rushing anything at all, at the moment. Painting on some eagles on one side of the caparison, this morning.
I also have a couple of cowboys, on the go too - so not getting too carried away with any of them at all. Just my usual "Magpie Collector Mix": - (as I think James Opie describes Magpie Collectors.). Apparently, I'm supposed to "grow out" of this initial phase of collecting - and specialise - but after 17 years of re-commencement of collecting/painting - it show little sign of diminishing my liking of just about everything and anything I see.
Just found a fab new book at our local library yesterday - "Knights: Noble Warrior of England, 1200-1600" which is a great source of information ( with lots of pictures too). In fact - it's so good, I've just bought a second-hand copy on the Internet, for me to add to my own modest library. Maybe I'm beginning to specialise a bit - at last!
Glad you like Antoine too - a really dynamic figure, I think. ^&grin jb
johnnybach
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It will be - when I get it right!!
needs touching up a bit..............Casting worked out well though. Cheers Ray - jb
Mirof
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I think that I have a few more "touch-ups" to do with this one of " Le Duc Du Barbant", as my pictures show that some of the Heraldic overpainting seems to have become a little opaque in some places, after a thin coat of varnish was applied , (happens sometimes when the top colour is lighter than the base coat) - so a few touch ups required here and there). I' m still working on my first Stadden too, chum. So NOT rushing anything at all, at the moment. Painting on some eagles on one side of the caparison, this morning.
I also have a couple of cowboys, on the go too - so not getting too carried away with any of them at all. Just my usual "Magpie Collector Mix": - (as I think James Opie describes Magpie Collectors.). Apparently, I'm supposed to "grow out" of this initial phase of collecting - and specialise - but after 17 years of re-commencement of collecting/painting - it show little sign of diminishing my liking of just about everything and anything I see.
Just found a fab new book at our local library yesterday - "Knights: Noble Warrior of England, 1200-1600" which is a great source of information ( with lots of pictures too). In fact - it's so good, I've just bought a second-hand copy on the Internet, for me to add to my own modest library. Maybe I'm beginning to specialise a bit - at last!
Glad you like Antoine too - a really dynamic figure, I think. ^&grin jb
Duc du Barbant means " the boring duke"
don't worry my fingers slip as much as yours
johnnybach
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Duc du Barbant means " the boring duke"
Ha-ha! Sometimes my brain gets ahead of my fingers when I'm typing Mirof.^&grin Good to know it happens to you sometimes too!
It should have been Brabant, of course - but I transposed the two letters.
He certainly wasn't boring to assemble and paint, but thoroughly enjoyable. I have to purchase a new pot of yellow paint to really finish him off yet - as my original pot has become rather low in paint and also somewhat thinned.
Cheers
jb
johnnybach
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I'll try to get the words typed correctly this time.
My first of the Stadden castings has just been completed - so I'm putting him alongside Antoine de Bourgogne, Duc Du Brabant, both doing a bit of posing - before a Tournee. My latest addition to my Medieval shelf, is Bertrand Du Guesclin,(1320 - 1380), known variously as The Eagle of Brittany ( he was a Breton by birth) 0r "The Black Dog" - and Constable of France until his death in 1380 - he won the four major battles he was in command of - so was some warrior.
A little tricky to paint - because he has been soldered together and many parts are not easy to get the brush around, I nevertheless enjoyed the challenge immensely, and am currently prepping my next Stadden - King Henry V, to get him ready to go "under the brush".
Tony has had his touch-up's - and his final coat of varnish - and I'm satisfied that he is now complete. I'll wait a day or two for Bertie - and give him the last once-over too. ( better to wait a few days for paint to set off hard). Two pics below showing both sides of each figure.^&grin jb
My first of the Stadden castings has just been completed - so I'm putting him alongside Antoine de Bourgogne, Duc Du Brabant, both doing a bit of posing - before a Tournee. My latest addition to my Medieval shelf, is Bertrand Du Guesclin,(1320 - 1380), known variously as The Eagle of Brittany ( he was a Breton by birth) 0r "The Black Dog" - and Constable of France until his death in 1380 - he won the four major battles he was in command of - so was some warrior.
A little tricky to paint - because he has been soldered together and many parts are not easy to get the brush around, I nevertheless enjoyed the challenge immensely, and am currently prepping my next Stadden - King Henry V, to get him ready to go "under the brush".
Tony has had his touch-up's - and his final coat of varnish - and I'm satisfied that he is now complete. I'll wait a day or two for Bertie - and give him the last once-over too. ( better to wait a few days for paint to set off hard). Two pics below showing both sides of each figure.^&grin jb
johnnybach
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Here's a quick pic of King Henry V - which I have begun work on. He's had a few coats of Matte paint as undercoat on various parts - and one coat of gloss on the red.
I usually paint the underside of the horse - and the inside of the caparison before beginning the outside of the figure.
I've used dark shades of brown for the horse ( various mixes of Red/Brown and Black ) - and I have chosen a deeper shade of yellow for inside the caparison, which shows on the outside where the garment flaps open. Again, a touch of red/brown with yellow gives the desired depth of shade. The base coat for the rein guards is the same, for now.
For the lighter colours - I generally use a matte cream paint as the undercoat. With these castings - which have very finely engraved parts - I felt that a priming coat would obscure too much detail - so prefer not to use it - and use thinned washes of undercoat in matte instead. The armour will get mixes of silver and black - eventually. Note that the tail and base get painted last - as I use these parts to handle the whole piece, wherever possible. jb
I usually paint the underside of the horse - and the inside of the caparison before beginning the outside of the figure.
I've used dark shades of brown for the horse ( various mixes of Red/Brown and Black ) - and I have chosen a deeper shade of yellow for inside the caparison, which shows on the outside where the garment flaps open. Again, a touch of red/brown with yellow gives the desired depth of shade. The base coat for the rein guards is the same, for now.
For the lighter colours - I generally use a matte cream paint as the undercoat. With these castings - which have very finely engraved parts - I felt that a priming coat would obscure too much detail - so prefer not to use it - and use thinned washes of undercoat in matte instead. The armour will get mixes of silver and black - eventually. Note that the tail and base get painted last - as I use these parts to handle the whole piece, wherever possible. jb
johnnybach
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Here's an update on progress with my mounted Stadden figure of King henry V. This is my first pass at the almost completed figure - with the horse caparison heraldry just about finished. I have just painted the horse tail and applied one coat of green gloss to the base of the figure.
When this is all completely dried - probably tomorrow - as it is nice and warm in the sunshine of my drying facility (windowsill), I will have a good look for any re-touches required - but if all is okay, give a coat of clear gloss varnish to the whole figure - which will seal everything in. jb
When this is all completely dried - probably tomorrow - as it is nice and warm in the sunshine of my drying facility (windowsill
), I will have a good look for any re-touches required - but if all is okay, give a coat of clear gloss varnish to the whole figure - which will seal everything in. jb
johnnybach
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Cheers Ray - glad you like him.
Yes - the heraldic achievements are added once the caparison is completed (in this case three coats) - and I've learned from experience NOT to try and do it all in one go! So...........I usually only paint one side at a time - as you are BOUND to get smudges otherwise. This gives time for the one side to dry thoroughly, before doing the second side. I also return for touch ups afterwards - and only then paint the shield last. Notice that the lions on the Dexter side are facing forwards? Some TS painters don't do this - though most knights of old apparently made sure their emblems faced forward - so as not to appear to be running away!
I really enjoy just going for it freehand - and like to paint them quite quickly.
As to weight!!!!! Every time I add another one to my shelf - I'm quietly quaking inside - just in case this one is the last straw!{eek3} I think that when I get these back home, to go in with my others, I'm going to have to move them down to a lower shelf - and, as you say, think about a bit more support - at least for this shelf! jb
PS. Just begun my third Stadden - this time it's Sir Thomas de Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick.
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blaster
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Heralds and Pursuivants all,
I am making a knight and thinking of dressing him in the heraldic coat of arms of William Marshal 1st Earl of Pembroke 1147-1219 AD. My figure is wearing chainmail and a huge helmet so looks to be contemporary for the period.
1st question - What crest would be suitable for this knight, if at all? The figure sports a dog on top of the helmet. I can always change this.
2nd question - would the tail be free of the cloth barding, or would it be covered?
Rgds
Victor
I am making a knight and thinking of dressing him in the heraldic coat of arms of William Marshal 1st Earl of Pembroke 1147-1219 AD. My figure is wearing chainmail and a huge helmet so looks to be contemporary for the period.
1st question - What crest would be suitable for this knight, if at all? The figure sports a dog on top of the helmet. I can always change this.
2nd question - would the tail be free of the cloth barding, or would it be covered?
Rgds
Victor
johnnybach
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Hi Vic - Good choice. William was the very first Knight that I painted too - a few years ago now. You may have seen his effigy on his tomb - which is in the Templar Church in London. ( see Wiki) This is my version below, which I made up from a re-cast of one of Roy Selwyn-Smith's excellent figures. Mine has an entirely fictitious Standard - consisting of St.David's cross at the hoist - and Wm's colours at the fly. I chose St. David - as his church ( later a Cthedral) is also in Pembroke. It is more likely that any standard would have had the Cross of St. George - as William was a Crusader too - and would likely have worn that device when on Crusade.
His colours are described as : Party per pale or and vert, a lion rampant, gules. I attempted my first caparison on his horse from details of his shield (see below my version of him). I later added his shield to his arm - although it would take a strong man - to hold both shield and standard on one arm. You occasionally see a TS version made up like this ( from all of the Old masters like Courtney and Ping) - but it is not usual.
Here'a a "potted history" of some of his more notable achievements that I found online: (note his shield agin - centre top). His good fortune began, when he saved Queen Eleanor from capture, and she was to become his benefactor later on - although he was really a self-made man - through his prowess at arms and skill as a soldier too.
As regards his helm with an effigy on top? I have never seen that before - although given that he was a formidable knight at tournee - it wouldn't surprise me if he had worn some device - maybe in the parade which preceded the tourney. I just have never read about it - or seen one. I wonder why a dog????? ( Are you sure it isn't a badly formed lion??? - that would make more sense - as the lion features on his shield???).
Tails of horses are found both inside and outside barding on many old effigies that have survived - so no right or wrong there. I go with whatever the casting I can get shows. So far - out of thirty or so castings I've used for various mounted Knight figures - ALL have shown the tail outside the caparison - so all of mine are like that.
Hope that helps ye Sire. jb
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johnnybach
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Just found a pic of Sir William - complete with shield I added later. jb
blaster
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Dear JB,
Many many thanks for your reply as this must take you away from amassing your troops...
However, in my zeal to build a knight figure, I started with "a" knight and then thought that I would add the identity later.
I attach a photo of my knight figure (I can't remember the UK company) mounted onto a horse from another source. He is wearing chainmail, not plate armour, and a large helm, with a dog crest. I had also taken to giving the horse a cloth barding in order to represent a knight at a tournament. Given this, I thought it best to select a knight who would be contemporary with this period.
Hence I am trying to select a "colourful" knight given the above, and am prepared to resculpt the crest. I know I shouldn't be dogmatic (ouch) about the type of crest but I do want a crest. William Marshal seemed a good choice, good evidence for the heraldry, but nothing for the cloth barding or a crest. So far, the nearest in contemporary illustration that I have is in Osprey's MAA Knights at Tournament which shows William Marshal in tournament, without crest and cloth barding.
Any further suggestions?
Rgds Victor
Many many thanks for your reply as this must take you away from amassing your troops...
However, in my zeal to build a knight figure, I started with "a" knight and then thought that I would add the identity later.
I attach a photo of my knight figure (I can't remember the UK company) mounted onto a horse from another source. He is wearing chainmail, not plate armour, and a large helm, with a dog crest. I had also taken to giving the horse a cloth barding in order to represent a knight at a tournament. Given this, I thought it best to select a knight who would be contemporary with this period.
Hence I am trying to select a "colourful" knight given the above, and am prepared to resculpt the crest. I know I shouldn't be dogmatic (ouch) about the type of crest but I do want a crest. William Marshal seemed a good choice, good evidence for the heraldry, but nothing for the cloth barding or a crest. So far, the nearest in contemporary illustration that I have is in Osprey's MAA Knights at Tournament which shows William Marshal in tournament, without crest and cloth barding.
Any further suggestions?
Rgds Victor
johnnybach
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Dear JB,
Many many thanks for your reply as this must take you away from amassing your troops...
However, in my zeal to build a knight figure, I started with "a" knight and then thought that I would add the identity later.
I attach a photo of my knight figure (I can't remember the UK company) mounted onto a horse from another source. He is wearing chainmail, not plate armour, and a large helm, with a dog crest. I had also taken to giving the horse a cloth barding in order to represent a knight at a tournament. Given this, I thought it best to select a knight who would be contemporary with this period.
Hence I am trying to select a "colourful" knight given the above, and am prepared to resculpt the crest. I know I shouldn't be dogmatic (ouch) about the type of crest but I do want a crest. William Marshal seemed a good choice, good evidence for the heraldry, but nothing for the cloth barding or a crest. So far, the nearest in contemporary illustration that I have is in Osprey's MAA Knights at Tournament which shows William Marshal in tournament, without crest and cloth barding.
Any further suggestions?
Rgds Victor
View attachment 155473
If you're asking - do I have a picture of William Marshall, on a horse with barding - showing heraldic decoration - and also wearing a great helm with decorated top - then the answer is NO. Believe me - I've looked - as before I made up my figure - I had a good look around, and I couldn't find one like that.
However - given his prowess at Tournament fighting - he surely MAY have had such things. So................in the absence of anything definitive - you do your best - and take an educated guess (or two).
I went for the horse caparison decorated as his shield was. Most of the great Toy Knight makers and decorators have done just the same. If you are determined to have a decorated Great Helm ( not used for serious fighting - but more likely to be used for parades - or maybe "jousts of peace" ) - then consider just WHO William Marshall was. He was the 1st Earl of Pembroke AND Earl Marshall of England. He also stood in for the Monarch (HenryIII) as Regent Protector - until Henry came of age. William also served under Henry II, Richard I, King John and henry III - when he came of age. He even bested Richard once, by unhorsing him in a fight ( when Richard was in dispute with his Father - the King), refusing to kill him - but killing his horse - to show that he COULD have!
So..............given that, why not a Lion (passant) atop his helm???? The swan head you show - looks better on The Earl of Warwick ( who I'm co-incidentally currently painting from a Stadden casting). As for a dog!!!! - well, I wouldn't!
[Incidentally - I always start out with a clear idea of WHO I want to make up - THEN look for a casting that I could use/modify. I never just go for it - and then think who it might become. For future projects - Giles Brown at Dorset has useful bits and pieces ( Helms/ weapons etc.), and so does Matthew Thair at Whitetower Miniatures, if you need to change heads/arms/shield/weapons. They also both do horses which could be suitable nags for Knights.]
Earl of Warwick - by Tradition:
You see, in our little games with Toy Soldiers - we sometimes have to make things up a little - as the sands of time have covered up SOME of the details we would love to know.
Does that help?? - hope so - Best of luck with him anyway
jb
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johnnybach
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As I mentioned Sir Thomas Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick in my last post - I thought that I would give an update of progress for this, my third Stadden casting to go under the brush. Here he is - drying nicely in a spot of beautiful British weather. He's armed for the joust - in front of Raglan Castle - which is one of my favourite places - near Monmouth, on the borders of England and Wales.
This Casting, when found, was immediately identifiable - from the Swan head casting mounted on his Great Helm. He is still in the Tradition catalogue, although somewhat changed from this 60 year old Stadden designed casting.
I haven't applied any varnish, as yet, as he is unfinished - so hope you can see how I have a mix of matte and Gloss paints applied to my figure. I want the colours - so will happily mix the two types of paint - to get the shades that I want. Coats of varnish will eventually seal in the paint - and supply the glossy finish that I like the best.
The Black Pentagram - straight sided star, by the way, for those new to heraldry, is called a mullet - and denotes the fact that the wearer is an Earl. jb
I hope he won't be long - as I have just decided to make "The Norman Knight" - into an early Templar Crusader - and have started prepping him to that end.
This Casting, when found, was immediately identifiable - from the Swan head casting mounted on his Great Helm. He is still in the Tradition catalogue, although somewhat changed from this 60 year old Stadden designed casting.
I haven't applied any varnish, as yet, as he is unfinished - so hope you can see how I have a mix of matte and Gloss paints applied to my figure. I want the colours - so will happily mix the two types of paint - to get the shades that I want. Coats of varnish will eventually seal in the paint - and supply the glossy finish that I like the best.
The Black Pentagram - straight sided star, by the way, for those new to heraldry, is called a mullet - and denotes the fact that the wearer is an Earl. jb
I hope he won't be long - as I have just decided to make "The Norman Knight" - into an early Templar Crusader - and have started prepping him to that end.
