British Infantryman (161)

 

This is the British Infantryman that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 161. The same title is given to a second figure PB 162, hence I've added the number to the title to avoid confusion.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 61 in the first edition of AEIR.

The code numbers for the AEIR range correspond to the illustrations in the book plus '100', i.e. illustration 1 is figure 101. 

The base is stamped PB 161 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

Strictly speaking this warrior is a Briton although the model would serve perfectly well as a Gaul or German and will probably sneak his way into my Carthaginian army in the guise of a Celtiberean. 

Legionarius, Early 1st century AD

 

This is the Roman Legionarius of the early 1st century AD that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 105.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 5 in AEIR and, like all of this range, the Minifigs code corresponds to the illustration number plus 100.

The base is stamped PB 105 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

The illustration is based on the tombstone of Caius Valerius Crispus and the description follows a rather dated assumption that the armour is made of leather. Hence the model's armour consists of a featureless breast plate and shoulder pieces.

H Russell Robinson shows the relief in The Armour of Imperial Rome, points out that is is badly worn, and goes on to identify the armour as mail - hamata. My own way round this is to paint on the mail as best as can be managed. 

Aside from that he's a neat little figure that makes an impressive cohort from the time of Tiberius and Germanicus. 

Photographing Shiny

I recently painted and photographed a few sample figures, including some of the Minifigs Mythical (i.e. Middle) Earth ME range. These being Wood Elves and Rangers there was quite a bit of green in various shades. By the time these had been varnished I thought the photographs didn't really do them justice, and wondered if this was more to do with the colours than anything. Of course, it is far easier to photograph a flat or matte painted model, so I thought I'd experiment with another sample figure I've finished. This is a Minifigs Spanish Scutarius from the Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars range. 

A distinguishing feature of these troops is the black cloak, not an easy colour to paint or photograph. My preference here is to work the black up with a little brown, hatchuring the paint rather than blending it in, and then catch the edges with a light shade. It's not a complicated little model and I've painted it as I would a unit of figures of this type. I've left the shield a single colour with the intention of maybe adding a transfer should I get a unit together.

The picture at the top is the unvarnished version, whilst the picture underneath is the same figure with a layer of water-based gloss varnish.  

As with any photo of a varnished figure you can see the reflective highlights. It's very hard to avoid this and, to be honest. when you're looking at a unit or several units on a battlefield the effect is very pleasing. 

Notice the warrior is armed with a heavy javelin in the fashion of a pilum, with a long iron-shanked point. His sword is on the far side. 

From this angle you can see how the folds of the cloak reflect the light. You can also see something of the highlighting on the unvarnished version, but this is practically indistinguishable on the photograph of the varnished model. 

The effect is less extreme in reality than it appears, but I think it suggests I should go for more contrast. With black it's always tricky because the more you highlight the less black it gets! 

From the back you can see the effect a little more clearly, again the top picture is the unvarnished model and the bottom one is the same figure varnished. 

This is the same deal from the front of the model. As you can see he has what is supposed to be a Celtic style of shield with a central rib or boss. This seems to have been translated into a flat shield that looks more like a Greek thureos. On the plus side it will take a transfer or a painted emblem well! 

And by way of comparison this is a figure that was painted and coated with an old fashioned polyurethane varnish thirty odd years ago. Must get round to finishing that army sometime!

The figure is one of a small range I made and which Wargames Foundry cast up for me - this chap has been heavily converted to boot.

I think the varnish is definitely 'shinier' than the water-based version and undoubtedly tougher too. I still use it occasionally, but it takes forever to dry compared to the water-based version and the fumes are something else!