Irish Confederates

[wowbanger]

Hi there. I'm new, both to this forum and to wargaming and modelling in general (I bought my first figures only a few weeks ago). So, my idea was to build an army for the Irish Confederate, using the Montrose Irish models as the core of the army. To them I am going to add some a mixture of Royalist cavalry and Scots lancers to provide mounted support (my sources say the Irish used both sword and lance armed cavalry with a few pistols thrown in when available). Add a cannon or two and the basis of the army should be complete. So far progress has been rather slow (stupid work getting in the way of painting) but here is what I have so far. Please bear in mind that these are the first miniatures I have ever painted and they were done using just the contents of a starter paint set.



My musketeer, the first guy I ever painted.



A couple of pikemen.



My first horseman, carrying the flag of the Confederate.

So then, what I wanted to ask was firstly, what you think about the planned army. Secondly, what you think about the painting, any hints or tips to improve? Thirdly, if anyone knows of any sources about the armies or uniforms of the Confederate. And finally, any ideas on what I could do about a general to led my forces (I was thinking about using the Count Tilly model, he looks like a good Catholic).

[BigMike]

Welcome aboard!

They look really nice - especially for first models. It looks like you've applied the most important rule of painting which is applying neat and tidy coats! For your next step i reckon you'll want to have a go at basing them which i always find does wonders for the finished look of a model!

For uniform ideas and tips I'd recommend looking through the Osprey series of books for inspiration. I often find they're a good place for basic information so you get a feel for the right sort of colour palette. Though bear in mind that that in the 17th century dyes tend to fade quite quickly as they're natural rather than chemical and that the brighter the colour the more expensive it will be.

Tilly is a lovely model for a commander, but i think my favourite of all of the Warlord commander models is probably Montrose and might look good with your force as he's in less armour and might fit with the rag-bag look of the Irish brigade a little better, but obviously your call!

Congratulations on some nicely painted models - I wish i could say my first attempts looked so good!

[Cubster]

Big Mike done stole my words. Me left with pictures and hand gestures. Crisp and neat job, nicely effective and a fine beginning.

Basing is a personal thing- some people will always base on circles, some people on squares and the rest of us will swap between them depending on the type of troops.

For the sorts of troops you're doing I think most would recommend square bases so the guys can 'rank up' (ie. sit comfortably on the tabletop or shelf as a unit, without the weapons poking into the model ahead) together easily. For 28mm infantry something like 20mm or 25mm square (you don't have to base every model individually, but if one model is on a 20mm x 20mm base, for example, then a line of three abreast would be on 60mm x 20mm) would be ideal, giving you a little room to move about but not so much that they don't form a cohesive unit. With pikes it's a very good idea not to glue them down before you've made sure they 'rank up' properly. As a beginner, perhaps the easiest way to get an effective base would be to buy ready made plastic bases and then glue flock or static grass on them when you've finished the rest of the model.

Later on, if you want to get into the world of shading and highlights, an easy way of doing it would be to paint your models as you already have, then give them a 'wash' with a brown shade. A wash is ink or paint diluted down so it is thin enough to slip into the creases and folds of the model without staying on the higher surfaces, which gives a simple and effective shadowing effect.

[mikeland]

First off, welcome to the boards! Great choice for an army, 17c are my favorites. Your plan to build your Irish Confederates around the Montrose Irish is a good idea. I think that you could go for about an equal mix od 50:50 pike to shot, in most armies of thhe time shot out numbered the pike but I think for the Irish they tended to have more pike due to the fact that they were not so well equipped. Lancers the royalist cavalry sound good.

Your painting looks great! You have done a very tidy job on them. You could try using some washes on them to ad depth to the shadows, a lot of folk here us the Games Workshop Devlan Mud or Badab Black, I tend water these down a bit.

Athough this stuff is all fantasy I would start by having a good look throughh these GW tutorials, there are some really useful tips.

http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/conte ... 2&section=

The other suggestion I would make is to re-base these figures, e.g. Stick them onto another base. This not only looks better but helps them to be more stable. There are number of bases you can buy, some on the warlord store, or some people just use a small coin, like the English 2p.

Also check out this guide... This guy is amazing, Gives us all something aspire to, but there are some really useful tips here:

http://www.sdean-forum.co.uk/phpBB3/vie ... =2&t=25706

Once again, well done on the minis, fantastic start.

[carvel2]

Welcome aboard Its a slippery slope this forum...
IMHO those are a fantastic first go...if thats your standard at the starting point you are going to be a natural! Games Workshop are an excellent place to go for a painting tutorial..on line yes but even better invest in a small GW model and go in on a quiet day and get them to show you how to paint it ...pick colours you will be working on in your real project.
The washes and inks are brilliant.
If you have a lot of figures paint in batches( a number that fits your ability to maintain enthusiasm!)...do all the flesh tones, all the boots, all the steel etc etc
As others have said basing is a massive help to your painting its time well spent and really lifts your figures...don't forget to add a variety of textures and tufts (Tufty Club Member).
Cant help with army stuff ..its all a mystery to me!
Keep us all posted with your progress (madness! )

[Invisible officer]

Well, just repeating the other statements, very nicely done for first miniatures.

I like to support Cubster with his basing suggestions, 20 x 20 mm is the size I use for decades. Rule systems come and go but my armies stay ready for many more fights.

And never forget the rule No. 1: Have fun with your miniatures. Paint only if you are in the mood, that's the most important point for good results.

[Cubster]

And never forget the rule No. 1: Have fun with your miniatures. Paint only if you are in the mood, that's the most important point for good results.

That one should be set in bronze and placed above the door of every hobby room.

[wowbanger]

Thank you everyone for your comments and tips. It looks like I'll have to go out and buy some washes and basing materials next I already have the 20mm bases that came with the box so I'll use them, just need to get the stuff to stick on them, but I'll wait until I have a few more models painted and do a few all at the same time.

@Bigmike
I already have the Osprey book on Cromwell's campaign in Ireland, that's where I got the idea for the deep green jackets but other than some Confederate flags it mostly glosses over the Irish, focusing instead on Cromwell's forces.
As for Montrose, I do like him and is second choice at the moment I think.

@Mikeland
I agree with you about the pike to shot ratio. Irish armies were often less well equipped than their English or Scottish opponents, they generally had fewer cannon, fewer muskets and fewer cavalry (what cavalry they had was poorly equipped, lacking pistols and armour). Having said that, the next addition to the army is a cannon, the frame and barrel were base coated this morning, just need some wheels on it now.

And finally, I like that Rule 1 and will always remember it.
Again thanks for all your kind comments.

[brownpants]

Those minis look good. I'm not an experienced painter, and I too find that work gets in the way of painting. I'd really recommend Army Painter quickshade. It's great for adding shade and depth to a miniature without using washes and highlights and it will help you get your first army painted in a relatively short time. It works well of light colours too- which is what your appear to have used.

I painted over 120 infantry and 40 cavalry in about 2 weeks earlier the summer. And they really do look OK, even under the time constraints I had.

Cheers
Mark

[Biggus Dickus]

That is a pretty fantastic first go.........you should have seen mine!
Washes will ehance what you have there.
Starting with a darker shade then highlighting is the next step.
A good way to pick up tips is to hang around here!!! But popping into games workshop would also be of use...they also have a book out...may be out of print now about how to paint miniatures, that explains washes and highlights etc check out ebay or amazon for it.
Have to agree with the guys about it being fun, it's also a mood thing with me, I have to be in the right frame of mind, and moderately awake!
Best tip i can give you if you are just starting is this.....get yourself a daylight bulb/lamp combination for the sake of your eyes............they are a lot cheaper than reading glasses! I learned my lesson too late.