Welcome readers and participants of the 4th Painting Challenge! This year I've decided to introduce a series of Fortnight Thematic Bonus Rounds where, every two weeks, I call for volunteers to submit a special entry that is focused around a central theme picked by me. Each Challenger that submits for these 'Thematic' rounds will get 50 bonus points on top of the standard points awarded for the figures.
The theme for this first Fortnight Bonus is 'Non-Combatants'.
On the right-hand sidebar you will see an online poll set up for this Theme. Please vote for those entries that most tickled your fancy. Pick as many submissions as you like, there is no voting limitation. There will be bonus points and prizes for the top three crowd-pleasers. The poll will be up until Dec 29th.
To the Challengers: If I've somehow missed your entry please drop me a note and I'll correct it as soon as possible. I really try my best to keep on top of all the submissions but mistakes can happen.
This is a very loooong post so grab an eggnog and a few pieces of Christmas baking and tuck in for a nice read.
AaronH
This model is a Bones model from Reaper. She came with my Kickstarter minis. This was the first of the Bones that I have painted. The detail is fair, not as good as metal certainly, but then it costs a lot less too. I did find the plastic very hard to clean of mold lines. Both the file and the x-acto knife worked less well than with metal or hard plastic. Reaper claims you don't need to prime this material, and the paint went on fairly well but I found that if I watered it then it ran off. I had to put it on straight out of the bottle.
The model is pretty simple. Not a lot of details. The only things that really stand out on her are her rather prominent assets. I decided to try some free hand on the apron. It begged for something, being rather plain, with a large surface area. I'm pleased with how it came out, especially at tabletop distances.
This is also the first time I've painted eyes on a model. As a rule eyes are not visible from more than twenty feet away most of the time, so I just don't bother. On this model her face is open so it seemed appropriate to give it a go. I painted her looking to the side a little bit, whether to see if a customer needs a refill or to sneer at a cat call, I'm not really sure. It doesn't show up very well. I guess I'll have to hope I get that macro lens I asked Santa for.
I have no idea what I'll use her for, but I like the model. She could work for fantasy as well as several hundred years of historical gaming, so scenarios or just townspeople as scenery would work. I have a few more of these civilian Bones models so she'll have some company at some point.
AlanD
The town of Hurricane obviously needs lots of non-combatants. These guys are all from Wargames Foundry, and we have a loitering tough, a nervous looking dude and a man with a natty waistcoat. I guess he's a non-combatant, but I wouldn't be surprised if he had a Derringer up his sleeve....
AndrewS
These are 28 mm civilians from the redoubt French Indian war ranges. I choose these figures as they do not have any weapons and have a bit of character about them. There is a mother cradling a baby, a boy running with his puppy in arms, a mother with older child and the various ladies to complete the line up for this entry.
AnneO’L
These are 25mm figures from Thunderbolt Mountains Arthurian Collection and were sculpted by Tom Meier. Depicted here are Guinevere the Queen and two heralds. The diorama was built on a 4" x 4" base and scratchbuilt by myself. The inspiration for this work comes from the sculpts themselves. The lines, the grace, the beauty seemed to call for a picturesque setting. This is my first diorama and my first mounted figure. The leaves of the reins were freehand work.
BrendonW
I got these as possibly an impulse purchase earlier this year but thought at the time they would make for a good base in the 'Escort' scenario for 'Saga'. Probably not something a Viking or Pagan force would want to escort but they would be happy to acquire new slaves and hack the silver and gold from the fat book they carry. They will look good on the table with the 'Angry Monks' I painted before the Challenge and should bless my Anglo-Saxon army to destroy Heathens when ever possible. I went for a uniform look rather than a variety of colours. I wanted a contrast rather than make them tonally the same all over. I was so happy to get my first submission complete that I took these images as soon as I matt sprayed them so they may have some shine on them still.
Happy painting everyone.
BurkhardS
At first I had thought that I should do one of the battery area markers for my Napoleonic batteries, since they are supposed to cover a huge area and convey lots of little scenes. But then again a large area would have meant lots of figures and I simply did not have the time for that. So something else had to come up. After Curt squashed my idea of British WWII soldiers having a cup of tea (Thanks Curt! ;-)) I came up with these. Essentially it is a command stand for some French Napoleonic Cavalry. Now I would never assume that two officers would count as non-combatants, but I really hope the two mistresses would count. Well I hope them having a pillow fight is not too combative.
The officers are from Perry. One of them is a General the Brigade, the other his ADC. I looked at the colors of the different French Hussars regiments for some time and ended up with the 5th since I really wanted to work with some light blue. Not sure if there ever was a Brigadier that wore a uniform from the 5th, but I simply wanted to do them this way. So far so good. In the end I think I should have gone with a different unit at least for the ADC, since well… with all this lint blue they look like a bunch of Smurfs! The two ladies are from Eureka Miniatures and are painted to match, except that they are wearing enlisted soldiers jackets (yellow piping) instead of officers jackets (gold lace).
ByronM
This figure is from the Kingdom Death line of 35mm “Boutique” miniatures. Boutique to them means two things, firstly they are ungodly expensive and secondly they are bigger than 35mm would suggest. This hunched over old lady is 40mm to the top of the head. While expensive, the models are extremely nice and highly detailed. What caught my eye with this model is that it did not match their normal subject matter, which is women of outrageous (if lovely) proportions that are all either scantily clad or completely bare. This model however is one in a series called “The Saviour” which follows a mystical woman from her 20’s through to this model listed as her 80’s. The instant I saw the model I thought “fairy tale witch” as in the old queen from Snow White, but wanted to do something other than the black and purple from the Disney cartoon.
This is the first model that I have submitted that represents about as far as I can go with my painting skills. She probably took longer than 2 units of WW1 28mm figures, and her base alone took me 4 hours tonight. I kept the theme of a mystic woman from ancient times and tried to keep that in mind for colours. I chose greens and deep red for her robe, shawl, and scarf, trying to keep the two greens different enough. I also added several “patches” to the cloak as there were 2 modelled on, but i liked the effect and added more with just black line work and colour changes to show that the cloak was old and warn. I also kept with a nature theme by picking less flashy colours than I could have, for even things like the feathers, which instead of bright colours are painted as if they were barn owl feathers.
ChristopherS
Here is my first entry into the competition in form of Hedenulf "The Grey" a Wicca Priest for my Early Saxon Dux Britanniarum army. He plays no active role in the game, but I like the figure and so think he will add flavor to the gaming table. I might design a scenario for him to be involved in the future say perhaps with him conducting a sacrifice with the Romans attempting to intervene or something. The figure is from Musketeer miniatures and like all of Bill's sculpts an excellent piece and very painter friendly with nice raised smooth surfaces to paint.
Like all my Dux B. figures I based them on individual smaller bases so they can join units and with larger sabot bases to give a bigger footprint on the table to better recognize them as characters on the table.
ClintB
For the Non Combatants" I have managed to paint and base 3 28mm figures. The background and buggies are old projects just to set the scene. The three figures are sculpted my Tom Mountain for Crooked Dice Miniatures. They are the ARC Astronauts and are available either singly or in a pack of three. These three figures are 2 piece castings and a Slotta base. The Heads and the bodies are interchangeable and for a small fee additional heads may be acquired should you wish for greater diversity.
These were an absolute horror to photograph as the white tended to bleed out if a flash was used and yet not get in focus without one, due to a long exposure! You may take that to mean that this bad craftsman was blaming his tools! Although you can't clearly see it there are 4 different of whites used in painting these starting with the darkest tone and highlighting at each stage. I am not unhappy with them, just the photography! I will admit that I did enjoy doing them and would be happy to do some more on request for the challenge.
I have put United States Flags on the arms of each one just because the Americans tend to do more Science Fiction films and they would not think to put another nations flag on anything. Kindly let me know in any comments if you would like me to paint up some armed Astronauts and I will put a few different nations flags on them. I may even do a Canadian flag on one!
DaveD
The Old West journey continues down Mexico way to the sleepy village of "Nueva Tranquilidad" - New Tranquilty - and apologies to Juan if I am murdering his mother tongue. These are a group of the ladies of the town , and sleepy Pedro dodging any work as usual. They were picked up in a recent foray to Wargames Foundry - I had forgotten how good some of thier stuff is, and these fit the bill just right to start my new settlement along with a few menfolk.So far i only have the town church and a lone adobe building but that will soon change.
EdwinK
It wasn't until Saturday morning that I realized that it was the Winter Solstice and that therefore my choice of a druid and his Christian nemesis was particularly appropriate for the non-combatant round.
I'm not sure who produced these 28mm figures - they were part of a generous gift from a fellow blogger. The bishop seems to have an Alec Guinness vibe on.
GillesW
The famous Diggers from the Bruegelburg range of the Lead Adventure; Some time ago, I painted them but I was unsatisfied by the result, as a beginner with the triad , nothing I done on them pleased me. Searching something for the Civilian Challenge, I took my undercoat spray and repainted them to different color scheme. The second pack will not be ready before next midweek, so more Bruegelburg to come........
IanW
OK for the first Themed round I was scratching my head but I have used this Darkswords Lady in Waiting from the Game of Thrones range (I think) and had some fun painting her up bright.
The Blue Violet went all dirty when I added a wash and had to be rescued with a thin wash before I added the highlights. Not so the scarlet that really seemed to go the colour I wanted with the ink. I then added the highlights to the scarlet and to be honest I really like how the two colours somehow work.
In fact I am very pleased with the lass and look forward to getting her into a few games in the near future. My wife convinced me not to mess with the hair as I was toying with the idea of adding highlights though I am still not 100% sure.
JamesB
This is a fun model from Perry Miniatures AWI range, its a young lad playing at being a soldier with a branch gun.
KevH
As many bloggers are probably aware, myself and Andy S are planning many new armies for Hail Caesar in 1/72 scale (20mm). One period I intend to cover will be the Crusades. (2nd onwards). For this I will be painting a Crusader and Saracen (Ayubids) Army. My first entry is to be part of the Crusader force and will be the baggage element or scenario generator/target.
This is the first of three, the rest will follow later. All figures are 1/72 Strelets from both their Transport sets. This collection consists of 7 foot figures (5 non coms and 2 soldiers) two of the figures are pulling a water cart. Another figure is carrying his small son on his shoulders, a sweet little touch. Their are three mounted, one being a rather portly monk that I think is such a wonderfull little figure, a guy clinging to his life savings in a barrel ? and a lady riding side saddle. The final piece is a covered wagon pulled by a pair of oxen with two civillian passengers. The future sets will have plague victims and some casualties.
KevinS
Here's my first submission for the comp. Its a Great War Miniatures 28mm British Army padre. I'm also hoping he counts as a non-combatant. I enjoyed the experience of painting just a solitary figure, rather than the batches of eight or ten I normally work on.
I think the method results in a more pleasurable painting experience, and I can see how the painters of single fantasy figures can get into so much detail. That method sadly will not do, and so much after the fashion of the British army in 1915, I've begun the process of churning out masses of brown clad figures. Attached are three images. Its a start, with many more to come I hope.
LeeH
My Non-Combatant is this great 28mm model of Wayland the Smith. The figure was given away free by Wayland Games to anyone that made a purchase from their stand at Salute 2012. Although it never got painted at the time I knew it was just too nice a model to sit neglected in my Lead Mountain for long. The Challenge has given me the spur I needed to dig this model out and give it the colour it so richly deserves.
The proportions and detail of this sculpt are really quite nice and the quality of the metal is very good (so no bendy sword blades!). I've painted the figure in nice bright festive colours.... but hang on a minute, is that a wooden sword he is working on? Maybe this isn't Wayland after all?
If this is indeed Father Christmas making a toy sword for some lucky child it must represent him at the start of his career, before the endless mince pies affected his waistline!
MarkG
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So finally I have managed my first entry, after juggling a few free hours in between a training trip of several days in Brno (Czech republic).
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Here I present a dark age priest/druid and his "flock." These are for a Dux Britanniarum campaign that we're running at the club in Prague. The priest is actually the Merlin figure from the Dark Age British Characters set from Gripping Beast, and a lovely figure he is at that. His "flock" are from Redoubt Miniatures, and are essential in many of the raiding scenarios that you get in Dux Britanniarum (yes, I've heard all the sheep jokes already...)
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For these figures it was the usual base colours, Army Painter brown ink wash, followed by highlighting. Only with the flesh did I follow the Foundry 3 paint tones method. The sheep were a simple progression of drybrushing different tones.
Anyway, this fine chap will join my early Saxon army Warlord's retinue as a pagan priest (they confer some morale advantages in battle). The sheep, well confer no advantage other than being a target for raiding. Together these are also my entry for the first 2-week theme (six more to go...)
At some point I will start my Romano-British Army, and some units may even crop up in the painting challenge. Like my Saxon army, they are a mix of Gripping Beast, and Musketeer Miniatures, each of which are great ranges.
MartinN
For the first bonus round I frantically rummaged through my lead mountain as I couldn't remember if I've ever bought any civilian-like figures. The first thing I came over was a set of carts from Gripping Beast unfortunately lacking the drivers. Some time later I discovered these three gentlemen.
They all are Westwind Miniatures from their fabulous Arthurian range. For the beggar I did a little conversion on a figure supposed to be a magician. I cut off the skull from his staff and turned round his left hand as to show him begging for some small coins.
I really liked to paint some non combatants and I think I'll add some more to my collection.
MichaelA
The addition of the bonus rounds has had me in all of a spin - in a good way I should add! These are the sorts of distractions that seem to punctuate my hobby and I am determined to try and get an entry into all seven of them, starting with these non-combatant Victorian Gypsies!
A mixture of makes on show with a 'Westwind' tambourine player, a 'Reaper' metal in orange and a 'Reaper Bones' with an alluring digit!
This was my first experience of the 'bones' material and I have to confess that I am a little unsure of it. I had read that giving them a good wash and prime was essential, but the painting experience was a little odd given the subtle movement of the plastic.
That said detail is ok, but obviously not as crisp as the metal counterpart and the final result is of a par with the other two so I may yet try a couple more pieces.
MilesR
A bit of a nautical theme for my Non-Combatant Fortnight Challenge entry - may I present the HMS Titanic in 1/2400 scale. The model is about 4 inches long and was a really poor cast and required a lot of work. Yea umm, I put in a fully detailed interior complete with individual pieces of furniture. Unfortunately I glued the top on so you can't see it. Yeah, that's it, I glued to top on……
I plan on using the Titanic as a objective for some WW1 naval games. I did get a bit lazy on the basing by using clear plastic. In my defense, since I play on a naval mat now there will be no trouble in matching the color of the base to the playing surface!
Millsy
This is my entry for the first of the bonus rounds - noncombatants. This is a pair of "hard working" scribes from the Adeptus Mechanicus in the Warhammer 40K universe. They were undercoated white and then layer painted.
I have visions of the chap with the hands full of scrolls being told "I'm gonna need you to come in on Saturday, mmmmm...kay?" by his supervisor. It seems even in the grim dark future there are seagull managers!
PaulJ
4 Blood Bowl Elf Cheerleaders by Game Workshop.
PaulS
Here is my entry for the first challenge. Mee'Kel Judwan is usually used as a star player for Mantic's Dreadball game, but he was also given away with their Deadzone kickstarter to use as a civilian in a "Rescue the Star" scenario.
As I don't play Dreadball... he's technically a civvie ;)
PhilH
A cheeky Napoloenic entry from me: the excellent Cantiniere from Westfalia miniatures. Originally bought as a 'Sarah's choice' entry for this challenge, she will dual purpose as a noncombatant for the first theme round.
While I concede she is holding a musket, I don't doubt that it is purely out of necessity and she doesn't really count as a combatant in the age of big battalions! My Napoleonics are all currently for the Peninsular war and I didn't know a jot about French uniforms so I painted her jacket as the Spanish Maria Luisa hussars - a trophy from her current paramour and I liked the jolly colours.
Wishing all of the Wild Bunch a very Merry Christmas!
RayR
My first entry into this years challenge, is my Civilian entry for the bonus round. Its a little different from my usual style of figure I'm sure you'll all agree. I've got the usual box full of civilian types as most of us have but thought I'd be a little riskay.
She who I've named Cherry B, has a weapon, and I'm sure us fellows can guess what it is (sorry ladies). I did plan to have the base painted black and look like some kind of seedy nightclub, but after my first layer of polyfiller dried, I thought it looked a little like snow. So I pulled a few Christmas tree decorations apart and decorated the pole.....ah very Christmassy!!!!!!
SamuliS
Here's my contribution to the first fortnight challenge with a Flames of War objective featuring an abandoned Jeep and a bewildered civilian with his dogs. The base with the Jeep is from Kerr & King and the civilian with his dogs is from Peter Pig.
I really like the resin bases and markers from Kerr & King. Nice selection of themes with a lot of character (blown up cows coming up later in the challenge) and reasonable pricing. Some air bubbles evident, but they weren't too hard to clean up. Peter Pigs dogs are quite nice, but the civilian is a bit lacking in detail especially in his face and he looks tiny when situated next to Battlefront minis. Goes well with the mini diorama so no complaints there.
Ground, the jeep and the wall painted with an airbrush and later highlighted by drybrushing and washes. I drilled some holes on the side of the jeep and tried to paint them to look like it had been shot and abandoned afterwards.
SeanS
For my entry into this weeks themed challenge I give you the Ordine Posta Reiciendis. Brothers Postumus, Raimundus, Ricardus, Franciscus, Leopoldus Maximus, Sergius, Ioannes and Johannes. (Apologies to Dave and Smiffy, I only had 8 figures). The Bishop has been after them as they spend more time transcribing the Atque Ius Belli rather than the churches teachings.
These 8 1/72 (20mm) monks are from the Pegasus set 7051, California Mission Indians. I thought they would be useful for everything from Dark Ages, Fantasy to the Old West.
I chose to do them up as Franciscans because, to me, they are the most monkish looking. My main deviation from reality was the gold crosses. I just wanted to add a little more contrast to the figures.
The techniques used were very simple color blocking with highlights added to the robe folds, then washes applied. Time was my main enemy on these as I was simultaneously working on another unit, which I failed to finish. Strong language and a hair dryer were utilized as I worked down to the last minute before leaving for the airport. Had I more time I would have done a tad more highlighting and dry brushing. While I'm not totally happy, I am glad that I have another 8 figures to call done."
ScottB
I offer you a figure from the Empire of the Dead Requiem sets ; Mrs Hudson from the Sherlock Holmes 221b Baker Street ‘Faction’, although as I prefer to call her ‘Nanny’ after the comments from Robert Downey Jnr, in the Sherlock Holmes movies ;-)
A 28mm scale figure, painted in a simple colour palette, sometimes less is more I think here… and perfect for my ‘Civilian’ theme entry. Can’t get much more civil than a pot of tea now can you!? She does have stats for the game, and indeed even has the skill ‘Apothecary’ in the game – so oddly appropriate for my first offering to the challenge…
ScottS
It's the modern camera crew in 20mm by MJ figures, a reporter, camera man, sound guy, photographer and security guard. Nice figures, if a little shallow in detail, but very cheap at only 50p per figure.
I picked these up for my plodding 20mm USMC and Somewhereistan project. Useful as civilian markers or as an objective in Force on Force, I'm happy enough with the quick paint job.
I'll go over the bases again at some point, I can't decide whether to base the two forces for urban or desert/mountain combat; once I've made a choice, I'll re-base these guys appropriately.
SebG
Here is my first bonus entry, more medieval civilians from the Perry twins.
I had started those at the same time as the others, but wanted to add a bit more colour. At the same time, the palette had to be muted enough, to represent common people. On each miniature, there had to be a colourful spot that would catch the eye, but no extra fancy detail or brightness: the contrast between the maid's dress and her jug, the tunic and the leggings of the merchant, or the blue spot of the baby's cloth, pressed against her angry mother, who really would like to get back home.
Then again, I used a lot of inks, but also some more basic painting, finished with washes or glazes. Without being exceptionally proud of them, I like what I did.
SidneyR
Here is a selection of 28mm “War Reporters” from the Bicorne Miniatures range. The sculpts are extremely characterful, if a little “rustic” and “robust” by the standards of the best of 2013. They fit very well with Perry Miniatures and Great War Miniatures’ figures, making them perfect for 19th and (with a little conversion) early 20th century conflicts.
So here are: (1) William Waud from the American Civil War; (2) a converted reporter, or journalist, suitable for Verdun 1916, and (3) a photographer from one of the late 19th century conflicts.
(Try as I might, I have failed to find the name of a French War Reporter on the front lines from the First World War, although I’m sure there were many.)
Non-combatants all, but braving the hottest of fire to bring the news to the table of their readership!
StefanK
The miniatures are by Perry miniatures who published this excellent set last year. As usual I used Vallejo paints and Armypainter Quickshade to the figures. I mounted them on a 75mm metal base and decorated it with the usual sand, stones, static grass, clump foliage and modeling flowers to complete the scene.
They shall represent a couple of soldiers of the 3rd Regiment of Foot "The Buffs" whose 3rd bataillon fought during the American War of Independence from 1781 in Cornwallis forces. They stayed in the colonies until the bitter end at Yorktown and were sent to Jamaica afterwards. Anyway just now the boys are having some nice tea and a chat while two of their wives shepherd them devotedly.
TamsinP
My entry for the non-com theme is a medieval picnic.
This will be the camp scene for my Swiss army. Figures are 15mm from Donnington. I have a funny feeling that the chap sitting on the log is hoping that the barrel being carried up the hill is for his sole drinking pleasure!
TimB
Japanese Courtiers, Villagers, and Townspeople. Non-combatants - every last one!
I am running a Ronin (Skirmish Wargames in the Age of the Samurai) campaign at the end of February, so most of what I'll be painting over the next two months will be samurai era Japanese - think : miles and miles of corded armour... ugh... what was I thinking!? As Non-Combatants is the theme of the first theme bonus I thought I'd take the opportunity to finish up all the Japanese courtiers, villagers and townspeople I have left to do.
These are from an Old Glory Samurai Villagers pack.
Perry Miniatures Villagers
Perry Miniatures townspeople - there were more in the pack, but I painted them when I first bought the pack a few years back during my last samurai phase...
I think these are mostly old Alderac Entertainment Group Legends of the Five Rings: Clan War figures.... I think... I'm not sure about the one in purple - for some reason I'm thinking she might be from Ral Partha for some reason...? And the one in Green I'm not totally sure about either...
…and Curt
My entry is titled, 'It's not over until...'
The musician and harpsichord is from Eureka Miniatures and the singer is a limited edition figure, sculpted by Paul Hicks, from Kawe's Westfalia Miniatures. She is actually a figure depicting Maria Theresia of Austria but I've done a simple modification, removing her Rod of Office and replacing it with a simple bouquet of flowers.
Kawe is kindly providing this limited edition figure to each participant as a souvenir of the Challenge. Simply amazing - thank you so much Kawe!
There you have it! Again, please visit the poll on the right and vote for all your favourite entries (yes, there is no limit on how many you vote for). Thanks for visiting!
