Tuesday, April 14, 2020

From MikeV: Another week, another knight

I've taken a liking to these mounted Men at Arms. Admittedly, I'm not churning them out at anything more than a snail's pace but I guess the reason is there for all to see. As usual, the figure is from Front Rank's excellent Hundred Years War 28mm range.  The pictures have been taken with a low exposure setting on purpose as the caparison detailing seemed to come out better this way, so I apologise if certain other parts of the figure are a bit darker than would normally be expected.









I have to say I really enjoyed painting this figure but painting the rampant lions on the right (dexter) side of the figure was a pain in the beginning as they are essentially mirror images of the ones on the left which were the first ones to be painted.  Once I got the hang of it, it was fine though.

I am cross posting this one on the The Analogue Hobbies Quarantine Challenge.

Hope you like it and take care y'all.
Posted by Mike Vella at 12:36 PM
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31 comments:

  1. Moiterei_1984April 14, 2020 at 1:25 PM

    Very impressive! That heraldry is top notch.

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  2. CurtApril 14, 2020 at 2:06 PM

    Mind blowing brush control! Beautiful work Mike!

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    1. Mike VellaApril 14, 2020 at 2:23 PM

      Thanks Curt! Trying to get those lions as identical as possible in such a limited space was a bit of a headache tbh.

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  3. StuartLApril 14, 2020 at 2:46 PM

    The caparison is absolutely astounding. Well done!

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    1. Mike VellaApril 14, 2020 at 11:24 PM

      Thanks a lot Stuart. Yes, it’s definitely the highlight as is always the case with medieval mounted MAA’s after all.

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  4. Yarkshire GamerApril 14, 2020 at 3:47 PM

    What a superb figure, you'll have that unit of 32 figures done in no time 😁

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  5. Peter DouglasApril 14, 2020 at 5:36 PM

    Wow, what wonderful work on the lions. I’m in awe. And who said one knight a week is never enough?

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    1. Mike VellaApril 14, 2020 at 11:28 PM

      Thanks a lot Peter, you’re too kind. This one took around twenty hours painting time in all but clearly spread out over a number of days. Other things to do in life and necessary breaks to give the eyes a well-earned rest!

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  6. Teemu LaaksonenApril 14, 2020 at 10:57 PM

    Impressive!

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  7. SimonGApril 15, 2020 at 12:18 AM

    Great work again Mike -- getting shading on white drapery is a bear and something I'm struggling with mightily. I also love the simplified fleur de lis on the scabbard, that's a trick I should copy :-)

    The lions are very stylish, a little Art Deco! Speaking of heraldry one of the companions of La Pucelle I still need to work up is Teodoro da Valperga whose coat of arms is a cannabis plant (OK hemp, but it looks the same) -- that should be a fun one

    My current project is terrain which is slow slow slow (all that drying time) but I've got a baggage train on the go as well

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    1. Mike VellaApril 15, 2020 at 1:03 AM

      Thanks Simon! Actually I had some doubts on the lion design depth myself as I was under the impression that most heraldry was simply 'flat' 2D colour. However it seems that in later medieval times the embroidery used was more sophisticated and that '3D' effect started emerging in the years leading to the Renaissance.

      Tbh I find bringing out effects on black is more demanding than on white. For the white lions I use a Dark Sea Grey base followed by Sky Grey, Ivory, and a final highlight of pure White. For the black ones I used Black for the darkest parts and gradually lightened using tiny amounts of Basalt as I went along. All colours Vallejo.

      Best of luck with the Valperga CoA :)

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  8. caveadsum1471April 15, 2020 at 12:24 AM

    Gorgeous knight! Superb brush work!
    Best Iain

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  9. flyingshedpainting serviceApril 15, 2020 at 4:06 AM

    Amazing Painting

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  10. SanderApril 15, 2020 at 10:14 AM

    That's some stunning heraldry!

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    1. Mike VellaApril 15, 2020 at 12:47 PM

      Thank you very much Sander. Glad you like it :)

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  11. Jez ToddApril 15, 2020 at 2:52 PM

    If this is Knight 2 what the heck is Knight 3 going to look like? If is fantastic to see - thanks.

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    1. Mike VellaApril 15, 2020 at 3:24 PM

      Actually this IS knight 3 because knight 1 was finished just before the challenge started so was not eligible to be presented here. But you can have a peek on my blog at https://vellamike61.blogspot.com/. Thanks for your kind comment Jez 😊

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    2. Jez ToddApril 16, 2020 at 4:44 AM

      Thanks like the blog and that other Knight figure too ...

      Cheers Jez

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  12. Ray RousellApril 16, 2020 at 5:16 AM

    Great painting Mike!

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  13. JamieMApril 17, 2020 at 7:27 AM

    Hand painted heraldry to that standard? I doff my cap to you sir!

    No need to apologise for the pace when that’s the outcome.

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  14. BarksApril 21, 2020 at 5:27 AM

    Absolutely spectacular!

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  15. Mike VellaApril 22, 2020 at 1:57 AM

    Thanks Barks! Much appreciated :)

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  16. EmjenicApril 24, 2020 at 7:35 AM

    And some people say that 6mm is too small for them to paint... This is absolutely amazing work, and truly a feast for the eyes. Great, great, great painting!

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    1. Mike VellaApril 28, 2020 at 2:06 PM

      Thank you so much! Glad you liked it; however the mini is in 28mm - getting that sort of detail on a 6mm mini would be nothing short of a miracle!😄

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