25/28mm Acheson Creations - Graves

These take up up a lot of real estate on the workbench due to their huge footprints but it will be fun to fold some of them in with the first couple waves of graves already completed! (See here: http://flashman14.blogspot.com/search/label/Graveyards%20%26%20Cemeteries)

But, unlike many of the others these are just odd enough to either anchor a row of headstones, or to serve as stand alone pieces. They probably won't blend into a well kept cemetery.

One "error" you may note is that these "freshly" dug graves all have fantastically aged headstones to mark them.

All the bushes (and ivy on another piece below) were sculpted and didn't look quite right, so I covered them in Super Leaf for a more natural appearance.

Here is one that may look out of place in a Medieval or a really haunted spooky setting because it's got a modern, and tidy brick base. I see this one as an intersection monument in a modern zombie game rather than an evil conduit for the dark energies of the necromancer!

Does the marble read as marble?

One can't have a hole as a miniature, so there are a few of these that are almost mountainous. Good cover for a Silver Bayonet skirmish.

These I based entirely different. When I was looking for rock references for these particular models, all were in a desert kind of climate, like for a Western or maybe African game. So these arid and rocky bases are mostly clear of grass and other signs of life. Perfect for a Weird West setting, but they will likely not appear with the others in most scenarios.

This one, though rocky, I imagined perched on a rain swept cliff overlooking a dark and foreboding sea. Could be a stand alone - but, as I said above could anchor a row of more conventional headstones.

Yet another that is not like the others and reads very piratey what with the treasure strewn about it. Lucky I have zombie pirates! Good treasure marker for that sort of game, and another that would look out of place with the others.

 

I worked hard to keep the upturned earth on these to be a lot darker that the hard pack earth found above it. This one, like half the others, is also unsuitable for most graveyards. For one, there is an amateurishly sculpted mummy in it. Looking at the contents list of this pack, I read that it is a mummy of an alien. That makes it better, but also a piece I am not in the market for. There are, I imagine, games where the scenario requires just this. I'll stick with the amateurish mummy, methinks.

It'll work for any grave robbing scenarios too as I ponder on it.

I do like this one even though it appears that who ever was buried underneath them was buried on their feet. Regardless, it could serve as a small family plot in a church yard somewhere.

Speaking of family, this set, like the rocky one above it, actually has what are labeled as 20mm headstones. See, I interpreted them as being for the two kids. Another family plot - and another with very fresh earth but also ancient, decayed stones.

The last "puzzle" is this arrangement of a grave, with a mound shaped like a smooth desert dune, next to a sarcophagus-style monument, just dropped down randomly next to it. It's labeled as a "Double Grave Scene" and somehow, I like it.

I made a path across its length, with another one along one edge so that some family or lover can take solace by being able to actually approach the site.

Lovely piece - and another that won't fit in any orderly row.

 I seem harsh as I describe these, and they certainly have their imperfections and oddities, but I think they will be very useful in any number of scenarios where some grave, or monument is needed. All in all, I like them very much and am glad to see they are still available. The original company had closed and had it's molds and inventory scattered to the nine winds, by many of the best pieces are still in production. 

Finally, here, one can get some insight into my basing processes. Virtually everything, including most miniatures, gets a Ready-Mixed Concrete Patch treatment to add texture and to erase the step of many integral figure bases. It's just far cheaper than textured pastes and putties that I used to use. And I can prime the lot all at once.

This whole set also came with 8 coffins, some occupied, two atop some skulls. I'll tackle all that a later date.

As always, thanks for looking - questions, comments and followers are welcome and encouraged! I'm doing more and more on Facebook so follow my page there too! https://www.facebook.com/One-of-My-Men-Became-Restless-100659928063858

25mm Heritage - Der Kriegspielers - Confederal

 I don't know where I picked this guy up from. I have no intention of doing ACW in this scale. Despite that, many years ago I thought I'd base and paint him up. What else was I going to do with him? Throw him away? 

He's been "in progress" ever since, lingering around by himself or in the corner of the workbench gathering dust. He was nearly done, (all but the rifle and equipment) this weekend when I spied him, and having a few moments, I quickly finished him off and did the basing. I do the ground cover work before I even prime, so I wouldn't use this highly granulated ballast today. Kinda chunky.

I'm sure he'd be fine in a unit and I could definitely improve the eyes, but elected against it. I would also glaze a blue over the pants to fade those gradations in highlights. The bayonet is about to break off, but I dabbed some superglue on the visible crack. He'll go in a foam tray of miscellanea, but more importantly, he's off the workbench at last!

As always, thanks for looking - questions, comments and followers are welcome and encouraged! I'm doing more and more on Facebook so follow my page there too! https://www.facebook.com/One-of-My-Men-Became-Restless-100659928063858

28mm North Star Military Figures - Silver Bayonet - Austrians

My first faction is done for Silver Bayonet - yes I know, I'm quite late. These are the two Austrian sets. I figure everyone will get French so this guarantees a competitor.

The first Austrian Unit, - (L-R) Dhamphir, Officer, Grenadier, Veteran Hunter, Occultist, Supernatural Investigator, Infantryman, and Artilleryman.

 

Second Austrian Unit (L-R) Coachman, Tactician, Woodsman, Heavy Cavalryman, Highwayman, Highwayman, Light Cavalryman, and Irregular. I'm not sure how any of these will fare, seems some have limited use. The cavalry I will not build mounted versions for, the Artilleryman can man guns in some scenarios so maybe he'll get some use.

 

As so frequently occurs, I start with the intention of doing slap-chop only to apply speed paints which turns out wretched. Demoralized, I keep what works, do a crappy hybrid job, layering over the worst of it. I just tend to pick models where slap-chop is simply inappropriate. For this set I primed in gray, then washed with Nuln Oil? Strong Tone? ProAcyrl Black Wash? I can't recall. It didn't seem to matter much.

This unit was black primed then dry-brushed in gray, then white.

Let's not dwell on the many mishaps that occurred along the way and instead enjoy the final results. I'm glad to have them off my table. For Silver Bayonet, initially, I envision  a scenario where my team is much more integrated into army life and historical campaigns. It is here, during combat operations, when the machinations of the Harvestmen begin to manifest. So here they are all the Austrians I own - the single box of Vixtrix Austrians.

The Grenadier and the Dhamphir along with some from No. 59 Jordis regiment.

An officer of No. 50 Stain arrives with a pair of grenadiers, a tactician, two cavalrymen and a doctor. The supernatural investigator marches along with the rest of the regiment (right - background)

The artilleryman rushes ahead to find his unit, while the coachman and the highwayman discuss the absence of both a coach as well as any lupines.

Dhamphir and a grenadier

The tactician demonstrating the proper tactical use of a pistol.

The doctor finds himself on the front lines.

The unhorsed cavalry move to pass through the fence while a Colonel looks on. The woodsman takes a shot at some French or revenants?

A veteran hunter and the occultist (Beethoven) out for a stroll with the supernatural investigator

 For thematic continuity, all Austrians were based with one, out-of-the-bag application of Geek Gaming Scenics' Taigi Hillside. I like this stuff. The blend of materials are weighted so the dark heavy sandy stuff goes to the bottom, the white stony material sits atop that, while the static grass, foam and cork rise to the top. Love it - I have another variant from them I'll use on the Prussians who are next for Silver Bayonet. 

But first, I've collected a mess o' Napoleonic era civilians from Perry, Wargames Atlantic and yes, Battle Honors. Maybe I'll do dwarves or more buildings and terrain bits, maybe another witch. Even I don't know!

As always, thanks for looking - questions, comments and followers are welcome and encouraged! I'm doing more and more on Facebook so follow my page there too! https://www.facebook.com/One-of-My-Men-Became-Restless-100659928063858