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Monday, January 17, 2011

Caballeros Hidalgos(Spanish Noble Knights)


As I mentioned earlier I would be starting a Christian mercenary army for the El Cid/Reconquista period for WAB.See my notes under El Cid labels for more information on this army.This is my first unit of Caballeros Hidalgos(Noble Knights) who were the cream of the Christian armies consisting primarily,but not exclusively of the wealthy noble born.
Like I mentioned they have a very Moorish flair to them to represent their cultural make up and their various employers they fought for both Christian and Moors.
The General is naturally the grizzled veteran on the white charger.I decided to grey his hair and even add some white to represent the hardship of years of hard campaigning.The army standard is carrying the large Lion banner which represents the commanders personal heraldry.The other knights are his personal bodyguards and most loyal supporters.
The army is done using army painter,but with added highlights which costs significant  painting time,but is still faster then black lining and doing the eyes.However,I will add that the white charger,white bits on the horses,shields and banners were all painted normally.All shields and banners are hand painted and painted in a uniformed colour scheme as I wanted the army to look as if they are all part of the same force,but varied the designs to still retain their individuality.With the bases,shields and banners in uniformed colour I was able to paint the clothes in different colours without losing an army identity and still stay somewhat within period background.
I did some minor conversion work in helmet adjustments and adding more length to their garments to try and give more of Spanish knight feel to them.
Another choice common to Spanish for this period is a heavy red and yellow,but I preferred to go with a deep red and off white as I like the more mellow tone as I hope some of you do as well.
Also,I mixed up several companies for this army as I wanted the variety for this one.
Thank you for reading and viewing. :-)
Miniature Company-Artizan Designs,Perry Miniatures,Conquest Games
 


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29 comments:

  1. DeanMJanuary 17, 2011 at 9:17 PM

    Superb! Dean

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  2. ChristianJanuary 17, 2011 at 9:48 PM

    Nice banners and the horses look really great!

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  3. JehanJanuary 17, 2011 at 11:53 PM

    Realy nice miniatures. Congratulations Christopher !

    Jean-Baptiste

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  4. Chevalier de la TerreJanuary 18, 2011 at 12:42 AM

    Excellent Christopher, I love colour scheme and the sense of uniformity you've achieved across the unit. Very cool.

    CdlT

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  5. HetairoiJanuary 18, 2011 at 1:11 AM

    Great work Christopher!
    Love those banners.

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  6. Sire GodefroyJanuary 18, 2011 at 1:34 AM

    First class, Axe! Nice mixture of ranges as well, they go together quite decently - although, of course, I like Perry and Artizan (on Ebob horses) best. Fortunately, I've just sold my 28mm Normans, so don't feel the urge to dig them out again.

    Cheers
    SG

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  7. The DocJanuary 18, 2011 at 2:57 AM

    Absolutely stunning, mate! I would never have guess that they were dipped. Especially the horses look great painted that way. Did you highlight them as well after applying the AP? Looks great and you've achieved a slightly silky feel to them which is an awesome effect for horse fur.

    Absolutely great.

    @Sire Godefroy
    Pity you sold your Normans. They were great.

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  8. The DocJanuary 18, 2011 at 2:59 AM

    I have to add that shield work, banner work and the white horse are very beautiful. I like the red-off white combo a lot.

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  9. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)January 18, 2011 at 4:10 AM

    @Everyone
    Thank you Guys I really appreciate your very kind words of support!:-)

    @SG
    That's a real shame you sold your Normans as they were very nice.:-(

    @Doc
    I did mention I added highlights to the AP and quite a bit.All shields,banners and the white steed are fully painted with no AP added.;-)

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  10. The DocJanuary 18, 2011 at 6:27 AM

    Thanks, Christopher. Yeah, I read those comments, I just wasn't sure if you highlighted the horses as well. :) Now I know you did. :)

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  11. TWDJanuary 18, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    Now they ae lovely.
    Can't wait to see the rest of the army. Great stuff.
    Tom

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  12. BartenderJanuary 18, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    Highly impressive painting!

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  13. BroedersJanuary 18, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    Stunning figures.

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  14. GuitarheroAndyJanuary 18, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    Blimey..done with AP!!!! Cool!! Excellent unit and, as you know, cos I did it in my army, I am totally sold on the idea of a colour scheme...Yours is excellent...great choice of red, not too bright.

    Keep 'em coming...

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  15. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)January 18, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    Thank you gentlemen!:-)

    @Andy
    I know all about your fantastic army and you were a big inspiration on this project and I even mentioned that in the WAB forum at the beginning of my El Cid "In The Service Of Kings" thread in the gallery.
    If anyone has not seen Andy's El Cid army then you need to check it out!

    Cheers
    Christopher

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  16. Lt.HazelJanuary 18, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    Great unit. I like the painting, your choice of colours and I´m a bit surprised that all this different manufacturers work together.
    Cheers
    Jan

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  17. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)January 18, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    Thank you Jan and your right although there was some size differences they were not too dramatic and so I was happy they still fit in together giving me more scope of miniatures for this army.:-)

    Cheers
    Christopher

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  18. Fritz II.January 18, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    You did a really great paint-job.

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  19. GilesJanuary 18, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    Absolutely fantastic painting, Christopher. All the different manufacturers sit well together but the painting ties them all together. Wonderful!

    Best wishes

    Giles

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  20. GuidowgJanuary 18, 2011 at 7:56 PM

    Beautiful results, I love the way they all come together as a unit.

    The horses are superb.

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  21. Paul´s BodsJanuary 19, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    They look really nice...very well painted..I hope when I start into 28mm medievals, mine will look as good
    Cheers
    Paul

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  22. pJanuary 20, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    Those are really cool miniatures!

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  23. AnonymousJanuary 21, 2011 at 1:11 AM

    Lovely work Chris. A favourite of mine.

    Cheers,

    Helen

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  24. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)January 21, 2011 at 6:27 AM

    Thank you everyone for your support as it's very,very much appreciated!:-)

    Cheers
    Christopher

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  25. JET (aka Jason)January 21, 2011 at 11:21 AM

    All of the details really make a difference. superb work... if only they were based for Impetus ;)

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  26. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)January 21, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    Thank you Jason!
    As for Impetus I have plans for that later this year(not likely) or next year(likely) in the form of Aztecs and their enemies and Samurai and their wars against each other,warrior monks and Koreans.All of these armies are light infantry and light cavalry based with really suits the Impetus basing IMHO.

    Cheers
    Christopher

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  27. HetairoiJanuary 21, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    Wow... thats a lot of armies! :-)
    More samurais are always welcome. 28mm?

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  28. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)January 21, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    Yes it is a lot of armies and indeed all will be 28mm.However,I might do one Samurai army in 15mm(Peter Pig) and one in 28mm(Perry). Initially I'll do Aztecs and the Samurai first and then the others.Were talking a few years to accomplish what I listed.;-)

    Cheers
    Christopher

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  29. The Angry LurkerJanuary 24, 2011 at 4:02 AM

    They are a truly beautiful unit.

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