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 01 - Foot Knights, and whilst not specifically named as the "close advisor of Kings Louis XI , Charles VIII and Louis XII" was painted with Pierre de Rohan in mind.
The "Marshal of France since at least 1475", the multi-part model proved slightly cumbersome to assemble before painting, due to the caster's belief that the figure's massive number of helmet plumes would apparently stay attached with just the smallest of nodules fixing it in place. Considering just how heavy the panaches were I decided a much safer option was to file down the 'underwhelming peg' and pin the collection of feathers in place with wire.
Only once this ensemble had been super-glued together and given an appropriately long time to harden, did I dare apply a couple of coats of "Citadel" Abaddon Black to "the youngest of the Rohan-Guéméné family." This was then followed up by a combination of Sir Coates Silver from "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" and "Citadel" Nuln Oil, before the armour and blade were given a thorough dry-brush of (more) Sir Coates Silver .
I did initially consider colouring de Rohan's plumes in an elaborate mixture of white and blues. However, having perused the marvellously sculpted feathers, the headdress appeared a little too fiddly for me to easily 'pick out' the odd area with a brush-tip, so I ultimately decided to go with an all "Vallejo" Heavy Blue palette. This was subsequently shaded with "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade and later carefully dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Blue.
With the recent arrival of eight Foot Knights Attacking from "Steel Fist Miniatures", along with my two missing models from my first order, I've found my mojo for this skirmish-sized Italian Wars project to have bounded back with great aplomb. So perhaps unsurprisingly, I have made some steady progress on some more combatants in the Battle of Fornovo, with several other figures impatiently waiting in the wings.
In addition, spurned on by my recent purchases at the "Pendraken Miniatures" stall at Colours 2023, most notably some Canadian armoured decals, I have also been busy putting a brush to some of the last 10mm Allied World War Two tanks I previously picked up off of Leon whilst visiting Salute 2023. These three M4A4 Sherman Fireflies still have some work to go. But with a dedicated session or two should soon be busy representing the Second Canadian Armoured Brigade for Late War (Winter) campaign.
What a load of plumage! ;)
Wonder how many of those feathers survived the battlefield? Cool model though and I think the solid blue throughout was a good choice.
Fireflys really gave the allies the oomph they needed versus those Panthers and Tigers. Great pickup!
What a cracking knight that is and what an amazing set of feathers! It looks really good, great job.
The other knights all look like great sculpts too so I can't wait to see those completed. Oooh a Firefly! Lovely looking model, another I am keen to see the finished result on.
Oh, my! Beautiful knight's armour. Always difficult for me!
Excellent work on the Knight Simon, reminds me of the model knights my dad would make and paint when I was a young boy, and nice progress on the next three as well, your mojo for this project definitely seems to have returned. The tanks are progressing well as well, you can't have that many left now, or is there still a large stash to get through ?