After a very long hiatus from the painting table (almost two years!), a unit for this long neglected project was pushed into the painting queue. Why so long of a layoff from the project? Good question. I suppose so many projects and not enough time. Coupled with my more active projects, du jour, and the long time since the Reconquista troops last saw the gaming table, this absence is really no surprise.
Off the painting desk today is a BMU of twelve Black Tree Design Warriors of Islam figures. The seven crossbowmen are flanked by two spear-wielding guards to discourage enemy cavalry while they ply their trade. Up next is a similar unit of crossbowmen but for the opposition.
At first I just saw the powder blue headgear against the contrast of the figure and I thought very nice .... then I noticed the clever and subtle patter on the clothing and thought very nice - so that’s two very nices (I don’t think that is a word, at least my spell checker doesn’t think so!)
Once again, beautiful work Jonathan. I have read a few comments about BTD withdrawing a lot of their figures for retooling ....hopefully they all come back, as they are very nice miniatures indeed...love the basing and the size of the BMU as well!
Thank you, Mark! THe leg is improving. Been out of cast for about three weeks and retraining my muscles to work properly again. Leg continues to remain swollen most of the time but I am on the road to recovery. I appreciate you checking in!
Nice to see figures for this under represented but very interesting period. Being a man of a certain age, always conjures up images of Charlton Heston as El Cid.
Thanks, George! Not only are there wait times but many of the ranges have been withdrawn. Luckily, I over ordered (not a surprise) and have enough to last a while.
They are great figures, easy to paint and have plenty of character, it is a pity Black tree let you down when you order, I have Celt chariots on order for 8 months and have never heard a peep from them, and given up the email follow up.
Thought about another order but stopped myself, now they have changed name again.
Great figures and easy to paint, for sure. Too bad BTD is having production issues. For now, I have given up on them. I had Celtic chariots on order from last May. I gave up on that order and finally got a refund.
Really great job on these miniatures! I like the subtle patterns in the clothing. I must admit that I embarrassingly failed my history check and don’t immediately know what is meant by the reconquista. 😀 I think everyone has 1 or 2 or 15 miniatures projects that have seen some love in awhile.
Arabs would have invented the pike and shot? 🙄
ReplyDeleteBeautiful colours!
Bravo Jonathan! 😀
Well, Arabs were at the forefront of many inventions. Why not pike and shot tactics too?
DeleteThank you!
Nice work again, Jonathan! You certainly are pumping these out at a steady and impressive rate.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dean! You may see a dip in the painting output soon...
DeleteNice work
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated, Neil!
DeleteAt first I just saw the powder blue headgear against the contrast of the figure and I thought very nice .... then I noticed the clever and subtle patter on the clothing and thought very nice - so that’s two very nices (I don’t think that is a word, at least my spell checker doesn’t think so!)
ReplyDeleteNorm, you are always very kind on my work. Always appreciated too! For the patterns on the clothing, I am a bit of an impressionist and not a realist.
DeleteLovely looking Arab unit, nice to see you back in this period!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks, Iain! This was a welcome change of pace.
DeleteOnce again, beautiful work Jonathan. I have read a few comments about BTD withdrawing a lot of their figures for retooling ....hopefully they all come back, as they are very nice miniatures indeed...love the basing and the size of the BMU as well!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Keith! Looks like the BTD plan is to resculpt and then present as Kickstarters. We will see how that goes.
DeleteGlad you like the size and density of the base!
Lovely work Jonathan and the patterns on the cloth is brilliant and really makes the unit look lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Steve!
DeleteQuality Johnathan, I really admire the neatness of your basing and paint techniques, well done.
ReplyDeleteRobbie, your feedback is most appreciated and very kind. Thank you!
DeleteGreat looking unit Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Thanks, Christopher!
DeleteVery nice Jonathan...
ReplyDeleteThat white and light blue mix does work rather well....
All the best. Aly
Thank you, Aly! I like the white and blue combo, myself.
DeleteNeat work Jonathan, especially the patterned tunics and the spearman’s quilted armour.
ReplyDeleteI guess your foot is close to healing by now?
Glad you like them, Mike!
DeleteYes, leg is healing. Out of cast and now working on physical therapy.
Nice work again Jonathan. I love the spearmen standing guard in particular.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lawrence!
DeleteBeautiful unit Jonathan! Love the tunics!
ReplyDeleteThanks, a lot, Michal!
DeleteTruly superb, lovely white color on a great base!
ReplyDeleteMerci, Phil!
DeleteGood looking units. The patterning on the uniforms must have taken a steady hand.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Peter! A steady hand helps but even I can make a few impressionistic dot patterns.
DeleteAnother lovely unit Jonathan. How’s the leg?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mark! THe leg is improving. Been out of cast for about three weeks and retraining my muscles to work properly again. Leg continues to remain swollen most of the time but I am on the road to recovery. I appreciate you checking in!
DeleteNice to see figures for this under represented but very interesting period. Being a man of a certain age, always conjures up images of Charlton Heston as El Cid.
ReplyDeleteEd, it was a pleasure returning to this long, neglected period of mine. This period conjures up images of Charlton Heston for me too.
DeleteVery nice, I would like to use more BTD WWII but am afraid of the wait time, pity those are lovely.
ReplyDeleteThanks, George! Not only are there wait times but many of the ranges have been withdrawn. Luckily, I over ordered (not a surprise) and have enough to last a while.
DeleteThey are great figures, easy to paint and have plenty of character, it is a pity Black tree let you down when you order, I have Celt chariots on order for 8 months and have never heard a peep from them, and given up the email follow up.
ReplyDeleteThought about another order but stopped myself, now they have changed name again.
Cheers
Matt
Great figures and easy to paint, for sure. Too bad BTD is having production issues. For now, I have given up on them. I had Celtic chariots on order from last May. I gave up on that order and finally got a refund.
DeleteAnother nice looking formation. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteReally like that blue, Jonathan. Great figs well painted as always!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Aaron! Very good to see you back!
DeleteVery handsome Islamic foot, Jon!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like them!
DeleteReally great job on these miniatures! I like the subtle patterns in the clothing. I must admit that I embarrassingly failed my history check and don’t immediately know what is meant by the reconquista. 😀
ReplyDeleteI think everyone has 1 or 2 or 15 miniatures projects that have seen some love in awhile.
Thanks, much, Stew!
DeleteIn a nutshell, think of the Reconquista as a nearly 800 year campaign for the Christians to take back control of the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors.
Rare stuff. I like it!
ReplyDeleteRare stuff, indeed!
Delete