bench update 16 May 2023

The "brush upward" being satisfactory - had to use quite a liberal brush or else multiple coats - it's then time for "brush downward" with about 25:75 tan to bronzed flesh. 

Again, quite a liberal brush is needed and I later spot-brush onto shoulders or sheltered cheeks with a much smaller dry brush. (The steps above using a big makeup brush).

Next I'm testing how easy or hard a simple silver-grey coat onto feathers, loinband, and cloak is:

bench update 14 May 2023

Stage 2 of the Libyan paint job is brushing, in an upward-focused way, Vallejo Elf Skintone. 

I've also sorted out the two light chariots needed for 7b, but have yet to prep them. They are the ubiquitous Atlantic Egyptian types.

bench update 11 May 2023

Thanks to Norman Dean I have a new approach to base coating the Libyans - gesso! It's pretty good, just a few gaps here and there, though I won't know how flexible it stays until towards the end of the project. I used the same splat on thick, brush again with a coarse dry brush, as I do with thin base wash.

I/7ab Early Libyan project begins

I'm not sure how far along I can get with this project. Caesar's minis don't have a great match to the 3.0 edition list. But I do have spare LCh components for the b list, and I swapped sword wielders for javelin bearers today. Many years back when I first began this kit, I added grey stuff cloak/garments to some Atlantic Egyptian clubmen so those are ready.

Washed and on strips but Caesar plastic has once again nobbled my normal thin base coat. I'll have to experiment with paint plus varnish.

bench update 07 May 2023

As a minimal update of Hebrews early and late, I've added two Psjav elements using the ever-useful HaT Alexander's Lights, and rebased a LCh. Getting the paint and flock right was a challenge! I succeeded with the Ps and went too heavy on the yellow ochre with the LCh.

Now the next problem I have is with three somewhat similar but different basing finishes, with armies that are supposed to mix and morph. These are Hyksis, Mitanni, Aramean, and Hittite OMK armies. 

I may just park this issue - perhaps do the Early Libyan army I have had semi-prepped for years?

bench update - banners for Normans and Andalusians

Over the past few days I've done some flags research, and Wikipedia has been the best resource.

I've selected two "Sicilian Normans" banners, and have used both of them!

Research shows that the Andalusians were mostly just using a plain white silk banner, so I've added one of those to denote a different CvGen element than the big square option.

Andalusian III/34b complete for now