Little Wars, April 27 - 29

Little Wars is coming up quick, and for me, Impetus is it's name!!

I'm  looking forward to running a Vikings invading Ireland scenario Friday morning.  A lot of effort went into balancing out what is a tough match-up for the Irish in a straight tournament game.  Here are some teaser shots --

Vikings move in on the Irish village

But find their flank "a hangin' in the breeze"

There will also be two other Impetus games run, each by a different group.  So three groups are running games this year.  There will be a game of Adrianople, and one set in Japan.

I'm runninng an Impetus Open Saturday night, and continuing open gaming Sunday. I reserved space for the Open Saturday evening from 6 pm until 2 am. Several friends have commented on the hours, so I want to clarify this.

These open gaming times are to encourage regional players to meet each other and have fun gaming some small games. The Saturday Open will include awards for the best painted army and the best player. These awards will be presented between 10:30 and 11. I trust a couple of games will have been played by everyone interested by then.

I reserved this time so that interested people could play until they closed the doors on 'em. There was never any intention that you had to play the entire 8 hours!! But for the die-hard enthusiasts, you can.

Gunthar, painted by Jim Smiley, St. Paul Irregulars

Victory, painted by Jack Ladd, St. Paul Irregulars

Sunday will be very relaxed -- we have space for the day and can do whatever seems appropriate for the people around.  Replay some of the earlier games, play a group game, have some learning games, or matches against other Impetus fans!  If you're curious about Impetus, you have lots of opportunities to learn more.

I'm looking forward to Little Wars, which is the regional gamers mixer.  There will be friends from all over the region there, and I'm sure that I will make new friends this year.

Irish army photo study

I have to share some photos of the finished Irish lads. One of my goals was to ensure that the different unit types were easily recognized. I differentiated them with figure selection, paint job, and base compostion.  I made skirmishing (S) kerns four figures from a limited pose, light foot (FL) kerns six figures from a limited pose, bonnauchts (also FL) 8 figures from a diverse pose, and nobles (also FL) 9 figures from a diverse pose selection.  I composed the nobles from my choice for best painted in the army.

S kerns in forground, FL kerns middle, FL nobles center rear, and bonnauchts outside rear

S kerns front, FL kerns middle, FL bonnauchts left rear and FL nobles right rear

S kerns front, FL kerns middle, FL nobles left rear and FL bonnauchts right rear

I've painted six noble units, 12 bonnaucht units, 6 FL kerns, 6 S kerns, 2 S slingers and 2 S bows.  A sampling of the bonnauchts and kerns follows.

 Some rear views are shown below.

My favorite lads, those who made the grade as best painted, formed parade for a photoshoot.  The results follow.

That's all for now!  I intend to post an AAR of the Irishmen's first engagement with the Vikings and a photo-review of my Saxon army soon.  The Saxon's are currently undergoing the same rear-stand rebasing for the deep units the Vikings underwent.

Dark Age Irish -- The Irishmen are all painted!

I've accomplished my goal of painting the last of my Dark Age Irish figures in 2011.  I'm painting these to base up for Impetus, my current favorite ancient-medieval rules.  This makes about 250 Irishmen completed, and will create an over 500 point Impetus army alone.  For those unfamiliar with Impetus, this is one side of a large game, there are certainly enough units for three guys a side at 500 points.  The army-list also allows Islemen.  These will be added later - I've bought the Crusader figures for the Islemen (hooray for Islay!).  These figures are a mixture of Irish and Viking, and they will appear different from both my Irish units and my Viking army.  I also have two units of medium Irish cavalry to paint up.  I'll leave this painting project for the future, as the Irish don't have cavalry in the Dark Age list.  However, a friend is painting up the Welsh, and if we ever ally for a game I will use them then.

In the Impetus Dark Age Irish list, the Irish can have Viking allies.  As I have a 500 point Viking army, this means I can field a 1000 point combined army.  I know that someday I will, just to see the specticle!

My last 14 figures (whew)

I've worked on the Irish for seven months or so, and this is the first painting I've done in many years.  So there is a real difference between the first figures and the last.  My earlier figures appear muddier (I was using one wash at the time -- I changed to a color specific wash per item over time).   Also, I believe my detailing improved over time, certainly I accomplished more with the shields as I put in more time painting.  I will use the changes over time to visually show class.  There are three classes of soldier for the Irish in the Impetus Dark Irish list -- kern, bonnacht, and nobiles.  I will make the kerns the least colorful and muddiest looking units, the nobiles will be the most colorful and cleanly detailed figures, and the bonnachts will be in the middle.

The rear row of figures are older paint jobs, and are muddier in appearance

There javelinmen also show the change in appearance over time

Here the more recent figure is on the left.

Here the more recent figure is on the right (I know -- just like some rules I play.  Hi, Low, Left, Right . . . )

IMO, these standard bearers really show a difference.  I'll use this to visually show class.

So my next step will be to lay out the bases of the different types on the table and move figures around until I am happy with the arrangement of them into the units of the army.  I will share this step -- I would like a based Irish army within the next few weeks.

Who will you send against me now? -- Irish dark age camp

I have all next week off!  My intention is to finish painting the Irish portion of my Irish Impetus dark age army, and get it based up.  I shall certainly make good progress on that.

I wanted to share a camp diorama my good friend Jack Ladd did for me back in July.  Jack and I were going over figures I had in my basement, and Jack developed an idea he insisted he run with.  The basis of the setting is a fine bear by Trent Miniatures, a hero from the Crusader Irish line, and a handler, archer, and standard bearer by Gripping Beast.

Views of the front and side show the Irish/Viking area above, and show the Irish view of the hero and "tamed" bear.

The suprise Jack envisioned and created is the enemy archer.

I hope you enjoy.  I will share pictures of how I intend to organize my army soon.

Current painting project -- Dark Age Irish

This year I've started painting again, after taking a many year break from it.  I've really enjoyed it, and want to share my most recent work.

I'm currently painting a Dark Age Irish army, and plan to play with Impetus.  I've got a large collection of dark age armies, and the Irish will fill in a gap in my British Isles collection.  The army will be well over 600 points, and contain about 280 or 290 figures.  I've got around 200 painted, and plan to finish my Irish figures before I base that portion of the army up.

Irish figures awaiting paint.  Figures are all Crusader.

I'm building the army primarily with Crusader miniatures.  For me, this is the best value out there, when using the Old Glory Army Card.  I'm saddened by the end of Old Glory carrying Crusader figures.  For those interested, you've got through December to order through Old Glory.

I've come along way since I started painting again.  Some of my most recent figures follow.  I'd welcome any comments.

My painting table

Women &Archers

Recent Irish noblemen additions

Noble command, front and back