Finally. Another Italian Wars unit done - Hooray! I can't tell you how delighted I am to get these guys off my desk and into the cabinet.
The majority of these figures are from the venerable but excellent Wargames Foundy range, with the casualty figure sourced from Artizan Designs. A few slight mods but nothing too fancy. The banner is from Pete's Flags.
Like the other units in my Italian Wars collection, I've done the groundwork in an autumnal theme (dunno why, I guess I just liked the colours when I started). The whole group is mounted on a single irregular-edged base, one of several that I had the good folks over at Warbases do up for me. It's roughly 180mm x 60mm.
I have to say I find these guys to be a complete and utter slog to paint. What with their puff-and-slash sleeves, striped trousers, wacky feathered headgear, oh yeah, and lets not forget their exuberant and rather, ahem, 'optimistic' codpieces. I think the reason they got such a reputation as hard-asses is that everyone picked on them for dressing like complete gits.
Oh well, they're finally done and now I can finally move on...
...to more Landsknechts!!
Fuuuuk.
They look wonderful Curt! I can see how painting them would be a slog :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks John. They're a bit of a bother but nice to have done.
DeleteExcellent brushwork Curt!
ReplyDeleteCheers Ray!
DeleteWonderful work Curt. Colourful but muted - as though their outfits have faded and worn while on campaign :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tamsin. I can just imagine the battalion of laundress/tailors following behind these guys.
DeleteAmazing painting-I appreciate that these were indeed hard to paint. Well done Sir.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much!
DeleteNo wonder it takes you some time to get them done. So much variety and beautifully executed. Well done mate!
ReplyDeleteCheers Millsy! Much appreciated.
DeleteVery nicely done, you must have quite a collection of these now.
ReplyDeleteIt is slooowly growing. Thanks John.
DeleteGreat work Curt! You are a brave man painting a whole army of Landsknechts! I've been dreaming about it, but just painting a Frostgrave warband with all those frills luckily cured me of any delusions of being able to do it. Looks amazing, but I would never be able to bring myself to painting hundreds of them. I salute you for your brave efforts! :) Can't wait to see the force completed
ReplyDeleteWell, it didn't start as any army but it's kind of grown past what I was expecting. Nonetheless, they're fun on the table and look colourful in the display cabinet! Thanks Samuli!
DeleteCongratulations on finishing these guys Curt. I know that awful feeling of slogging through a hobby project that seemed like such a good idea at the time...these fellows look magnificent. Well done.
ReplyDeleteYou're right on that. I just thought I'd do one or two units ... I have only myself to blame. :)
DeleteFantastic painted minis!
ReplyDeleteThank you Michal!
DeleteCracking work Curt!
ReplyDeleteCheers for that Mr. Lee. Much appreciated.
DeleteGreat looking shot unit Curt. Now I know why there's been no word on our 1805 Campaign.
ReplyDeletePeter
Yeah, I best get on that...
DeleteGreat work Curt!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sander!
DeleteEr, what everyone else said. Corking
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely take 'corking' from you Martin!
DeleteLove the overall look and the animation of the unit!
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Iannick!
DeleteThese really are gorgeous Curt, I do love this period of yours.
ReplyDeleteCheers Michael!
DeleteGreat work, Curt - Landsknechts are certainly a challenge!
ReplyDeleteThanks a bunch Ev!
DeleteFantastic, really nice and a wonderful painting work. Now, you need a complete block of pikemen!
ReplyDeleteThanks Juan! I've got a start, but they need to be fleshed-out more.
DeleteExcellent work for sure Curt! I can understand how difficult it is to paint Landsknechts.
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Thanks Christopher!
DeleteJust excellent, even though they drive you nuts I am glad you keep them coming
ReplyDeleteIan
Thanks for the encouragement Ian - much appreciated.
DeleteExceptional work, Curt! I'm sure they look really smashing in the cabinet. Quite the characterful force you've amassed now!
ReplyDeleteHopefully they will get even more chances of smashing opponents on the table too!
Thank you David - the collection is starting to come together into a somewhat coherent force.
DeleteYou mad fool you! I am sure it's the cod pieces that attract you to them .
ReplyDeleteDon't forget you need to ping me some references for the cav you left me..
They're preferable to Haddockpieces, I suppose...
DeleteReference-ping coming up!
Awesome work Curt! You really did an amazing job on those Landsknechte. Maybe, just maybe, that's just the inspiration I need to finally get that figure done I promised you... I wouldn't hold my breath though ;-) Maybe some more inspiration is needed. What about some more Landsknechte?
ReplyDeleteNow, that's incentive to get some more done! Thanks Nick. :)
DeleteCurt, some of us are just suckers for elaborate fancy clothing, optimistic codpieces and slashed sleeves and multi-coloured leggings.
ReplyDeleteBut moving on from personal tailoring decisions ...
... seriously, they're great. I love the autumnal theme, the colours and the (very trendy) naturalistic basing. A great unit and a wonderful standard. Looking forward to their comrades arriving in force.
Thanks Sidney! Your sartorial sensibilities are to be commended. (I just knew you're sporting a jewel-encrusted codpiece in your work's employee photo gallery. Probably why they kept the framing to head and shoulders. They're just jealous.) ;)
DeleteSuperb work! Never been brave enough to attempt these but you make it look worthwhile :)
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Mike! The first few models were the worst but it soon got better. I find coming up with interesting colour combinations to be the hardest part. I have about six or so variatiations that I play upon to keep things interesting.
DeleteGreat looking landsknechts, it's just a wonderful period and you've done your usual fine paint job on these chaps. It's very interesting basing, makes it even more like a diorama, looking forward to the next unit (after you've had a lie down )
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks very much Iain. They're a challenge but I feel I've really atomplished something when I get a unit done.
DeleteBeautiful work as always Curt!
ReplyDeleteThanks Bill, very kind of you!
DeleteSo very pretty. You should include some of the new Westfalia ogres in Landsknecht garb. :--)
ReplyDeletehttps://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13503092_535682183284567_3231083085089613076_o.jpg
Noice, very noice. I definitely need some of those!
Delete(Though, my mind revolts at the thought of an Ogre codpiece...)
Stunning work, and I love those irregular bases. Landesknechts are a bit of a holy grail for me. I desperately want a massive army of them, but feel I will have to be kicked in the head by a horse before I decide it's a good idea to paint some. Yours are too inspiring. I must avert my eyes.
ReplyDeleteAh, and I was wondering what that horseshoe shaped mark on my forehead came from.... Thanks Dux, but really, with your brush skills you should really give them a go - I think you'd do a wondrous job.
Delete