All creatures great and small.....

Now that my New Model Army (or Newly Modelled English Army, in light of my previous post!) Faction is complete - at least in it's 4 point basic stage, without any revisions - it's time to turn attention to the Scots, and the other parts of my Donnybrook ECW project. So first up, it's the turn of the creatures inhabiting the table alongside the soldiers.

Pikeman Dolittle talks to the animals...
 

Back in January, I wrote about 'fluff' on the battlefield table top - the bits of scenery and accessories that aren't necessary for game play, but look rather good and set the scene, adding atmosphere and context. In skirmish games, this type of scenery can take a role of greater importance, acting as cover or hindrance to individuals or small groups of figures. Sometimes though, 'fluff'  is purely aesthetic - after all, who really needs chickens?!!

Well, I reckon things like this - little cameo bases, livestock, small scenic items and so forth, really set the scene. I've always been inspired by gamers who put effort into such things, such as Sidney Roundwood and his objective markers, The Two Fat Lardies, and especially Simon Chick, with his Harness and Array and Je Lay Emprins blogs. Their efforts to 'set the scene' are sublime and often innovative, and an example to follow.  My Celtic Cross instantly sets the scene for the table, giving the onlooker the impression that we're somewhere in Scotland or the north of England, or Ireland. Highland cattle or the buildings again suggest Scotland or Northern Britain. So when it came to painting up livestock for my game, I wanted to be reasonably accurate about my animals - if somewhat anally retentive about the level of detail!

First up on the animal painting itinerary, appeared my Highland Cows, from Warbases. I finished these off a while ago, but still have a soft spot for them.

Next, came a goat, I think from Irregular Miniatures, picked up at the Derby World's show in 2014.

I decided to paint this particular example up as an example of the Cheviot goat - one of the types of British primitive goat that was introduced to this country around Neolithic times. I thought that this breed would do nicely for a 'multi - period' goat, suitable from at least Iron Ages times, right up until the 18th century at least.

Photo courtesy of Bing.

 

My chickens came from Warbases, and after a bit of internet research, I decided to paint these up as a type called the 'Scots Grey'. This is a breed that has been in existence for at least 200 years, and that originated in Scotland. I thought that this would be a good 'bog-standard' chicken to have scratching around my northern farmsteads, suitably drab, but fairly eye-catching with its speckled markings. They were a real pain to paint, with a black base coat, and two sets of grey highlights (yes, two!...) which seemed to take ages to 'dot' on, but I think they're worth the effort.

I didn't chicken out on the markings......

The original. Photo from Bing.

The most recent creatures to enter the 'Donnybrook Ark', are my sheep, from Hovels. I wasn't too sure how these would turn out, but I have to admit, I love them! I've got one more from the pack of six, still to paint, as well as two from Irregular sculpted in a slightly different style. I surpassed myself in the painting stakes with these sheep, putting in probably way too much effort on them, for what they are. I started off with a black undercoat, then dry brushed them with 11C Rawhide from Foundry, then another dry brush of 29C Moss. Next was a thin wash of 30C Raw linen, then when this was dry, another dry brush of Boneyard 9B, then one of Boneyard 9C to finish off. The eyes were dotted in using Spearshaft 13A. Ears were filled in using Boneyard 9A. The face, ears and legs were painted using a mix of i) Arctic Grey 33B and Boneyard 9B, then ii) White 33C and Boneyard 9B mix, and iii) a final high light of pure white. Phew! The horns on the ram were done with a range of browns, picking out the details of the grooving on the horns' growth.

Baaaaa!!!



Cheviot Sheep. Photo from Bing

 

I based these sheep on the Cheviot, a white-faced breed that has been used for wool in the border regions of Scotland and England for centuries. It has been recognised as a hardy breed, since at least 1372. The wool of this sheep was often used in the tweed industry, and the animal has a similar appearance to styles of 'white -faced' sheep that were introduced by the Romans, so I might be able to use these models as far back as the 1st century on Roman villas.



In need of a shepherd!

At some point, I'll get round to painting some civilians from Wargames Foundry, one of whom is a shepherd, so he'll do nicely for looking after these creatures. Apart from the three remaining sheep, I'm about there for my livestock. I've based them upon small bases (from Warbases), individually or in pairs, so that I can spread them out a bit. They might also be used as 'booty' in raid scenarios.

Apart from domesticated animals, I'm also thinking about 'wildlife' as well. I bought a pack of Red deer from Warbases   at Warlord Games Games day in 2014, and I've recently got hold of some of their rabbits as well.

What's up doc?....Bunnies for the pot!

Hopefully that has given people a few ideas about including animals in their games - at the least, they look really good, and they'll be a talking point! Next up will be a post on the buildings that are going to feature in this project. See you soon!