Thursday 7 September 2017

Another unit. (Dark Ages)

I am of course talking about Dux Britaniarum where a unit starts as 6 figures. So yet a whole unit finished.  Why do I think this is strange when 12 figures could be 480 in Napoleonic wargames? I don't know.  NO whole army picks just yet. but one is planned but I still need to do 3 more units. (2 units of 6 and 1 unit of 4 Skirmishers). They have now all been purchased and indeed the next unit is already started.

I did not put them in the same order when taking the front and back photos but still I am sure you will forgive me. the colours are authentic, (Red Dyed with Madder (in real life) and Blue dyed with Brazil Wood (again in real life.) Most (BUT not all) colours could be dye in dark age Europe as long as you steer clear of PURPLE and dark colours. Also remember that paint and cloth dye are very different.

Well that is a quick post for today. More again soon. All the best Clint

19 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you Dave. You will be delighted to know the next unit is already well on the way.

      Delete
  2. When I was looking at the photos [the 2nd in particular] I was thinking to myself 'now I really like those' but couldn't put my finger on what it was about them that made me think this.

    Reading your blurb and looking at them again, its definitely the colours you've used that I love and that the miniatures look so characterful, and (in that first picture) you've managed to capture a look of them being 'alive'.

    The background image works a treat, too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Roy that is praise indeed. One thing I should make clear is that dark colours wee not that common as it would require more of the dye and yes more of the Mordent. It would also take longer, perhaps being dyed 2-3 times to get a rich colour.

      The next unit will have red/brown shields. After that I am very open to suggestion's for shield colours.

      Delete
  3. Great looking troops. Love the colors.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Adam. I will do a group shot soon I think.

      Delete
  4. Great stuff, and a fine start to your army. Low numbers may not be historically correct but they let you get the game on the tabletop quick, and you can always then double/treble the unit sizes to help get the more historically accurate mental image ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Simon. Actually low numbers MAY be correct. I have been told that under 35 men would be a warband but 36 or more would be an army. It comes down (Again I have been told) by how many ships crews you could take.

      Delete
  5. Nice work as always Clint, I love the extra history info we get from your blog each time too, whether in the post of the comments it always adds a little depth :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *Post OR the comments - not of...

      Delete
    2. Thank you Andy. I did use to re-enact this period (450-1066) so history wise I know just how little I actually know and how much I don't!

      Delete
  6. Nice subdued palette Clint, just as it should be.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Ray.Actually being honest there should be more yellow (easy colour to dye(try onion skins)) and another unit WILL be finished today.
      Then I will start the skirmishers.

      Delete
    2. Interesting to know that, about the yellows. In fact its made me look up Onions on Wikipedia and the historical links to various cultures is quite interesting, I found.

      Delete
    3. Thank you Roy. I am packed full of knowledge that no one needs

      Delete
  7. I always think of the Dark Ages as a colourless period, yet with the various subdued colours you've used you;ve proved the contrary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Joe. The dark ages was actually a period of colour and decoration. very little went without some form of adornment from a spoon to a house.
      personally I think it was a lack of telly (JK) that freed up their time to make things so decorative.

      Delete
  8. Like your choice of colours for these, very effective.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you lee. I have tried to stick to the authentic colours that could and would be dyed for the stratified culture. If it was an expensive colour to dye I have not used it on this batch of troops.

      Delete

Please feel free to leave a comment.