On the (new) workbench...

It's been a few months again, but here's a small update to show you what I've been working on.

First of all, it's really a game-changer to have a new dedicated hobby room, and a desk with all my tools, brushes, paints and everything else I need right in front of me!

So what's on the new workbench? I've been getting back into painting infantry figures for upcoming units - the plan is to have several new units of both French and Burgundians, in both advancing/attacking and standing/defending poses. Most of what follows are for the first French unit. I'll show you some of the current highlights, most of which are conversions of some form or other. I'm also really pleased with how my painting has been progressing in terms of neatness and consistency, and the colours I'm using. Having said that, one batch of these did have a bit of a strange experience with my spray primer - it gave them quite a rough texture for some reason, which is most notable on the helmets and other metallic parts on a few of them.

First off, this is a pair of conversions I'm really pleased with. Perry plastics, with new riding boots sculpted on, along with new mail shirts beneath their livery jackets. I didn't do the sculpting myself, they were a commission job, and It's not the first time I've had these same conversions done. These two though look just right I think - the idea is for them to be well-equipped dismounted 'archers' or coustilliers of the compagnies d'ordonnance. The arms of the sword-and-buckler one were created from cutting and re-combining different plastic pieces.

Next, some Perry plastics with 3D-printed heads from the Warsteel Miniatures Swiss kickstarter that ran last year. They are a good match as you can see.

Two more sword-and-buckler men. The one on the right uses arms from the Agincourt set (plus another 3D-printed head), the one on the left is simply a metal standard bearer with a buckler instead of a flag in his left hand.

Next up are some examples of the bodies which were sculpted by Talos Miniatures, which since earlier this year have been available in metal from Steel Fist Miniatures. They were designed to be combined with Perry plastic heads and arms, as I've done here (though one of the heads is actually from Steel Fist). Another sword-and-buckler man using the same arm conversions from the first pic. These are very nice sculpts, and it's been great to finally get some paint on them. They are full of excellent detail, just look at those buckles!

A couple of metal standard bearers next.... The one on the left has one of my swappable heraldic banners, the one on the right is yet to receive his flag.

And a couple of metal polearm men, both with headswaps (of course). The one on the left is a conversion I've done once before - he originally had a shouldered weapon, but new hands and turning his head to the left gives him a new pose and role.

These are two plastics conversions I did years back, and they're being rebased to fit into the new units. Leg swaps - quite easy to do with plastics, giving them both new poses.

And finally another leg-swap conversion, this time a metal figure from Eureka given new plastic legs, to change him from an advancing to stationary pose. This one must be where the primer mishap is most evident.... let's just say his armour is unpolished, rough from the hammer!

There should be some more updates between now and Christmas, with some quite exciting news I'm keen to share soon, and these figures will be getting based into their units before too long!