Yep. Assyrians continue to mobilize off from the painting desk. This Wargames Foundry foursome is classified as Guard Cavalry. To my eye, the only difference from the "regular" Assyrian cavalry is that these guardsmen wield both spear and bow.
As expected from Foundry, excellent sculpting and good poses. Hopefully, these warriors will strike fear into the hearts of their enemies. The Assyrian Army's cavalry arm now counts six medium cavalry stands in its Order of Battle.
While painting Assyrians is quite enjoyable, at some point attention must be redirected to other projects. When will that break point occur? Soon I think but not yet. One or two more Assyrian units have worked their way high into the painting queue. When I do make the switch, to which project will I turn? With a number of games crossing the table of late including a sound thrashing in a C&C Tricorne rematch at the hands of Kevin and detailing of a Fox's Gap replay, work at the painting desk has slowed. One question that I often wrestle with is how my limited hobby time is allocated to a number of competing interests. Lately, gaming seems to have gained the upper hand while output at the painting desk slows. Researching and planning the Fox's Gap scenario took time away from painting too. A new aeroplane for Canvas Eagles was started. Is there an optimal mix between these competing pulls on my time? I think not. The best I can do is pursue the facet of the hobby that currently grabs my attention so as not to fall under the spell of indecision and inaction. The hobby is a bit like juggling. How many balls can I keep in the air at one time? I have left myself a few questions to answer. Until next time.
Sculpting is such a skill. looking head on at these fine fellows (which your opponent will be) the combined flow of both man and horse gives a great sense of the unit bearing down on your own position. They look like they might be successful even before the first dice are rolled.
Your comments about 'a moment of reflection' has stuck a chord with me. As you know, I like to tinker with rules and things etc and to share, but the down side is that this tends to drive its own demand and if not careful, the project can start to call the tune.
I have just hit a crossroads in which I need to crank up my 12mm 1066 stuff, but instead want to do something that is a bit more pleasure / leisure driven, so I am thinking of painting up my 28's ACW, which I like and maybe testing some commercial rulesets, (in which others have done the work), but most importantly, I want to get some of my reading time back, a self indulgent quality time that I have allowed too easily to slip away.
Of course before this ink is dry, I will be doing something else!
Norm, I hope you are correct about the fear these cavalry will strike in the hearts of their enemies.
At the painting desk, I find it important to paint what motivates me. If your 28mm ACW figures are calling more persistently than your 12mm 1066 project, I would opt for the 28s.
The hobby landscape is strewn with an uncountable number of hidden rabbit warrens; any one of which can swallow the best laid plans and intentions. As travelers, we can only traverse these hazards with care and discipline.
Lovely looking unit, your knocking them out if you've taken your foot off the gas painting wise, what will you be like when it's full on ?! No Italian wars game, do that mean you need to paint more? Best Iain
The Italians Wars project is a tough one. My figures are mustered for battle. My opponents figures are mustered for battle. We now only need to coordinate our schedules to see these fine troops out on the table.
To address your question about needing to paint more, well, that was rhetorical in nature, right?
More great looking and fearsome Assyrians. Speak of switching gears, after my recent Dragon Rampant game, I am considering painting up dome less-than historical models. Not sure what yet though.
As if the concept of facing Assyrians isn't by itself an imposing concept, adding Assyrian "Guard" to the mix will surely get inside the head of the gamer.
Your ruminations on balance certainly resonate. My recent experience with my club's big game was rewarding, but certainly derailed other interests and projects. I reconcile these conflicting interests by figuratively lumping them all into "gaming" activities and then measuring them against other non gaming activities ("work" etc). In that light, it becomes less important whether I'm working on a rules system, doing a blog entry, or painting a unit than it is that I'm doing something game-related. With such tricks of the mind am I able to cajole myself along.
After seeing the effort you put into your enormous club game, I would not be surprised to find you utterly exhausted.
I appreciate your bifurcation of activities into "Gaming" vs "Non-gaming." Still, I like to drill down into my "Gaming" activities since each gaming component has its own appeal and qualities.
Sometimes, my mind is not so easily tricked and cajoled especially when I take a look at The Lead Pile, the Painting Queue, the stack of unread books, the list of unread blog posts, etc..
Great looking unit and another pull on me into getting a Biblical army again. I tend to always paint what motivates me, but often get stuck when things are all equal! Fortunately I've managed to become a bit more focused....will that last....probably not but one can always hope!!
They look fantastic, JKon. No metal armor even for the Guard? The king's treasury must be strained by fielding so many units! :-) H e has obviously sent a high ranking officer or two to seize command of the painting queue... Yes, out hobby has many facets that compete for our time and attention... painting, collecting, planning purchases, reading history, researching flags and uniforms, reading rules, reading blogs etc, writing rules and/or scenarios, testing rules, playing games, running games, making terrain, blogging. However, that is a big lpart of what makes it great, no?
I gave these horsemen lamellar leather armor plates rather than either iron or bronze. Bronze would have looked a bit more flashy perhaps. "Next" guard will wear bronze plates!
The variety and diversity offered by our hobby are exactly the traits that make it so appealing and untiring. We are in complete agreement!
Sculpting is such a skill. looking head on at these fine fellows (which your opponent will be) the combined flow of both man and horse gives a great sense of the unit bearing down on your own position. They look like they might be successful even before the first dice are rolled.
ReplyDeleteYour comments about 'a moment of reflection' has stuck a chord with me. As you know, I like to tinker with rules and things etc and to share, but the down side is that this tends to drive its own demand and if not careful, the project can start to call the tune.
I have just hit a crossroads in which I need to crank up my 12mm 1066 stuff, but instead want to do something that is a bit more pleasure / leisure driven, so I am thinking of painting up my 28's ACW, which I like and maybe testing some commercial rulesets, (in which others have done the work), but most importantly, I want to get some of my reading time back, a self indulgent quality time that I have allowed too easily to slip away.
Of course before this ink is dry, I will be doing something else!
Norm, I hope you are correct about the fear these cavalry will strike in the hearts of their enemies.
DeleteAt the painting desk, I find it important to paint what motivates me. If your 28mm ACW figures are calling more persistently than your 12mm 1066 project, I would opt for the 28s.
The hobby landscape is strewn with an uncountable number of hidden rabbit warrens; any one of which can swallow the best laid plans and intentions. As travelers, we can only traverse these hazards with care and discipline.
I will admit to trepidation, but no fear. Nicely done Jon.
DeleteThanks!
DeleteYour Assyrian units are superb...Excellent!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Phil!
DeleteAnother nice group, Jonathan. I really like that blue.
ReplyDeleteThat hue of blue is a favorite of mine as well.
DeleteLovely looking unit, your knocking them out if you've taken your foot off the gas painting wise, what will you be like when it's full on ?! No Italian wars game, do that mean you need to paint more?
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thank you, Iain!
DeleteThe Italians Wars project is a tough one. My figures are mustered for battle. My opponents figures are mustered for battle. We now only need to coordinate our schedules to see these fine troops out on the table.
To address your question about needing to paint more, well, that was rhetorical in nature, right?
More great looking and fearsome Assyrians. Speak of switching gears, after my recent Dragon Rampant game, I am considering painting up dome less-than historical models. Not sure what yet though.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dean!
DeleteNo hint as to what your next project will be? I will stay tuned!
As if the concept of facing Assyrians isn't by itself an imposing concept, adding Assyrian "Guard" to the mix will surely get inside the head of the gamer.
ReplyDeleteYour ruminations on balance certainly resonate. My recent experience with my club's big game was rewarding, but certainly derailed other interests and projects. I reconcile these conflicting interests by figuratively lumping them all into "gaming" activities and then measuring them against other non gaming activities ("work" etc). In that light, it becomes less important whether I'm working on a rules system, doing a blog entry, or painting a unit than it is that I'm doing something game-related. With such tricks of the mind am I able to cajole myself along.
After seeing the effort you put into your enormous club game, I would not be surprised to find you utterly exhausted.
DeleteI appreciate your bifurcation of activities into "Gaming" vs "Non-gaming." Still, I like to drill down into my "Gaming" activities since each gaming component has its own appeal and qualities.
Sometimes, my mind is not so easily tricked and cajoled especially when I take a look at The Lead Pile, the Painting Queue, the stack of unread books, the list of unread blog posts, etc..
Once again, fantastic work sir!
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated, Michal!
DeleteGreat looking unit and another pull on me into getting a Biblical army again. I tend to always paint what motivates me, but often get stuck when things are all equal! Fortunately I've managed to become a bit more focused....will that last....probably not but one can always hope!!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Tough to pick a path to travel when all else is equal. If that is the situation, how do you choose?
DeleteGood to see that you have found focus. I wish you good luck in maintaining it. Focus is an elusive partner.
Very dynamic. Great figures, painting and basing!
ReplyDeleteAaron, your kind comments are much appreciated.
DeleteThey look fantastic, JKon. No metal armor even for the Guard? The king's treasury must be strained by fielding so many units! :-) H e has obviously sent a high ranking officer or two to seize command of the painting queue...
ReplyDeleteYes, out hobby has many facets that compete for our time and attention... painting, collecting, planning purchases, reading history, researching flags and uniforms, reading rules, reading blogs etc, writing rules and/or scenarios, testing rules, playing games, running games, making terrain, blogging. However, that is a big lpart of what makes it great, no?
Thanks, Peter!
DeleteI gave these horsemen lamellar leather armor plates rather than either iron or bronze. Bronze would have looked a bit more flashy perhaps. "Next" guard will wear bronze plates!
The variety and diversity offered by our hobby are exactly the traits that make it so appealing and untiring. We are in complete agreement!
Great work!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Delete