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Writer's pictureBlaxkleric

Fornovo Was The First Major Pitched Battle Of The Italian Wars."


"The French won the engagement and Charles VIII was able to march his army out of Italy."

This 28mm metal model of a Renaissance Knight is produced by "Steel Fist Miniatures" and was bought as part of the ten-figure Code REN 20 - Foot Knights Deal from their Italian Wars 1494-1538 range. The sculpt can also be purchased as part of a pair under Code REN 04 - Foot Knights, and has been painted up to represent one of the soldiers fighting on behalf of the grand coalition assembled against the King of France.


Apparently based upon "a very interesting [set of] armour now in the Wallace Collection in London", I primed the model with a combination of "Citadel" Abaddon Black and "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black, before treating it to a layer of Doom Death Black from Duncan Rhodes' "Two Thin Coats" range. I then began patiently 'picking out' all the armour's trim using a little "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and subsequently followed this up with some Gold.

"The Panther is often believed to be the best German tank of the Second World War."

Once this somewhat time-consuming process was completed, I gave all the ornate decoration a splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and tidied up any errant brushstrokes with either (more) "Two Thin Coats" Doom Death Black or "Citadel" Abbadon Black. I also repeatedly pondered whether the face bars down the front of the Knight's burgonet closed helmet would be so lavishly embellished. But having sought inspiration looking at some photographs of Sir Richard Wallace's "extensive collection" I decided that it may well have been.


Lastly, I picked out the majority of the figure's large, two-handed Zweihander sword with some "Two Thin Coats" Sir Coates Silver and Oblivion Black Wash. Part of the blade was then dry-brushed with (more) Sir Coates Silver, before I rather simply (and probably historically inaccurately) marked the man out as being part of the Holy League by pigmenting his feather plumes with "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - Some French Fusiliers at various stages of completion

Along with this latest addition to my burgeoning Italian Wars project, I have also finished two more 10mm metal German Panzerkampfwagen V Panther tanks by “Pendraken Miniatures”. I picked this particular pair up at Colours 2023, and predominantly painted them using an old OOP pot of "Citadel" Adeptus Battlegrey, some "Vallejo" Gunmetal, and plenty of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.


In addition, I've been slowly working my way along a line of eight Napoleonic Frenchmen by "Wargames Foundry". I'm still getting acquainted with these old Perry-crafted Fusiliers in Greatcoat Marching, so resultantly have been pottering about with all their leather straps as part of a batch painting process. However, now these have been roughly layered, I'll probably focus upon just one or two of the infantrymen as 'test pieces' for my colour scheme.

10件のコメント

5つ星のうち0と評価されています。
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2023年10月07日

Excellent looking Italian wars knight and great looking French infantry man!

Best Iain

いいね!
Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
2023年10月07日
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Thanks Iain. Both the Italian Wars and Napoleonics will be slow burn projects - especially now Steel Fist Miniatures have closed their doors, so I'm currently unable to get any more Foot Knights or reinforcements.

いいね!

undercoat2670
2023年9月27日

That is one fancy knight! Great job on the armour as it looks amazing. You have found a lovely range of minis there.

Lovely job on the Panther tanks and hats off for the quick turn around from purchase to completion. I did double check to make sure you said Colours 2023 though!!!

I love seeing those French soldiers in different stages of completion as it really shows how a miniature comes to life when painted.

いいね!
Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
2023年9月27日
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Cheers Undercoat. Probably my favourite Foot Knight to date. I was a bit nervous at first but once Duncan Rhodes' Doom Death Black was applied I was fine.


With hindsight I should probably have bought some Panzer IV and III tanks at Colours 2023. But the Pendraken Panthers are so lovely that it was impossible to resist. LOL!! Still, there's always Warfare 2023 in a couple of months time.


The Foundry figures are just lovely to paint. There's a bit of flash around the legs where they meet the trousers. But that's fine as these are old school sculpts.

いいね!

Dai Dead
Dai Dead
2023年9月25日

Love the knight! Reminds me of a suit of armour I recall from the Norwich Castle collection or some other that I saw last time I was in the UK. Very nicely done picking out the gold.


THe Frenchmen are some dour fellows. Fitting considering what those poor buggers went through in the frozen Russian territories.

いいね!
Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
2023年9月25日
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Thanks Dai. I was a bit put off by all the gold trim at first. But once I started it was quite easy to draw a line along each detail - plus tidying them up afterwards didn't prove as troublesome as I feared either.


One of the French are now finished, and should be posted up soon. I've been encouraged by realising I can play a very small skirmish game of Napoleonics once I've finished just four of the fellows.

いいね!

Michał Kucharski
Michał Kucharski
2023年9月25日
5つ星のうち5と評価されています。

Agree. Lovely work on knight sir!

Love the Panther too.

いいね!
Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
2023年9月25日
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Cheers Michal. My favourite of the Italian Foot Knights to date. I do like the Pendraken Panthers too. 😀

いいね!

wargamesterrainworkshop
wargamesterrainworkshop
2023年9月25日

Excellent work on the knight Simon, the black and gold scheme really stands out, and saw similar in Malta, very striking. Another great looking tank to add to the collection, and nice progress on the fusiliers

いいね!
Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
2023年9月25日
返信先

Thanks Dave. I certainly think the black and gold armour suits the armour's design. The two Panther tanks give me four in total now, so I might stop there for Panzer Vs for a while - especially as I have some King Tigers and big German anti-tank guns to come too. Hope to have at least one Fusilier finished by the end of the month, and crack on with the rest through October.

いいね!
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