bench update 14 April 2024

Colors are blocked in and optimism that this will not be too horrible arrives.

My plan is to add contrast blocks or stripes before moving on to bronze.

bench update 06 April 2024

Today I learned that my approach to the Trojan/Mycenaean foot is wrong, at least as far as flesh goes. 

It was time to do the footwear and inner (or reverse side) shields. After studying art, I was disappointed to learn that really, nothing fancy seems required. I suspect that rich civilizations like these featured fancy boots, but artwork says "brown."

I chose simple Vallejo saddle brown, and realized this approach should have covered the entire legs and arms. Later I could have picked out detail with Elf Skin or the like. 

So if you are thinking of doing the same project, I suggest just choose a brown base - I think anything from burnt sienna to mid brown - for any exposed flesh/Hair area plus any wood, leather or bronze near it, then use highlights to show what the actual material is. If I had discovered a spray paint that didn't react to the plastic, that would have been ideal!

Speaking of footwear, I get the impression that Caesar's sculptor wanted to depict those clunky, strap-over greaves. I'll need to do a bit more research.

bench update 24 March 2024

I tested two possible short cuts but no, they aren't convincing, so I begin blocking out color today, in the traditional working-outward manner, using Vallejo dark flesh for skin.

bench update 10 March 2025

Over past couple of weeks I've drybrushed the fully gesso'd minis with Vallejo silver grey. Slow pace, but they are ready to begin blocking out color.

Among the many projects I meant to get on with

During the week (briefly) and finally yesterday, I completed the gesso base coating. I did have a good intention of brushing white highlights on today, but, nothing got done!

bench update 11 February 2024

Black gesso, half the minis so far. Only 1 shield knocked loose!

Shields swords spears

The Plasticsoldierreview.com has many nice things to say about Trojan and Mycenaean minis. What it doesn't mention is:

Many of the lugs provided do not fit well into the shields;

Some minis that ought to have a lug to mount a shield only have a natural hand, that does not fit into any shield;

Spears tend to be a little loose in ring-hand mounts.

So, a good few hours are required to perform those fiddly joins, and by the 3/4 mark I regretted buying these kits. I have a nasty feeling that some of the shields will fall off as paint is applied.