Wednesday 6 April 2022

My Italian Wars Units So Far

This project has been on the go for many years now. First in an attempt, interrupted by illness and a a four to five year hiatus away from the hobby, to put on a Fornovo game which, to be honest, at the time I had little chance of achieving. Then the goal changed from that of Fornovo 1595 to that of Cerignola 1503 or Ravenna 1512. 

I have a real Horde of Shame when it comes to models for The Italian Wars to paint up, Steel Fist, Wargames Foundry, The Assault Group and more but despite suffering from a debilitating mental illness which at time has taken me away from the hobby I love so much I have managed to make what is at least a start on first the Italians (Gonzaga Vignette) and tackled a couple of unit of Spanish and a gun so, as I have done with my Anglo Danes and Early Byzantines I am going to tally up what I have so far in one post.

If it wasn't for the illness and the time taken up in therapy and putting that therapy into practice there would be much more to show. But, it is what it is as they say. I make no apology for talking about Anxiety and Depression as I lost a friend a couple of years ago to the illness and I am determined to keep fighting, even though at times things are overwhelming. 

The Italian Wars have long been a favourite of mine. One just cannot beat the period for colour and spectacle. 

As usual, all the images are "clickable" if you want to see the work warts and all.

Federico II Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua's Fighting Crossing of the River Taro at Fornovo:





















Small version of a picture of the vignette that featured in Wargames Soldiers and Strategy magazine:


Speed Painted French Mounted French Crossbowmen:

In retrospect I wish that I had really taken my time with these models, not least because some were kit bashed and converted and are some of my favourites. Still, they are definitely table top standard and I would not hesitate to put them on the tabletop.









Stradiots












Spanish Trastámara Arquebusiers:

The Assault Group produce some superb sculpts from the very talented hands of Nick Collier. lovely crisp clean castings and a real joy to paint up.














Spanish Trastámara Ordinance Piece:
















Spanish Trastámara Rodeleros/Sword and Buckler:









So, there you have it. A short sojourn into one of my passion projects. I hope to have a 64 man unit of pike painted up next! And, a few more based of Arquebusiers to help make up the first whole Colunela.

16 comments:

  1. Absolutely lovely. Well worth the wait. Please keep them coming.

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    1. Thanks Neil. They will indeed keep on a coming :>)

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  2. Hello,

    Alwways superb miniatures !!!

    Nikkobourges

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    1. Many thanks for your continued support Nikko :)

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  3. These are bonkers good. The river crossing is brilliant, and if that's what your speed painting looks like, it puts my slow-snail painting to shame, so well done.

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    1. Thank you. It was just the French Mounted Crossbows that were speed painted Firemonkeyboy. The rest I took my time with :)

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  4. These are really beautiful figures. The Gonzaga scene is inspiring. Thank you for sharing about your health issues and, please, consider that your hobby is therapeutic too, so keep going and produce more of your speed painted models, they are lovely and I would like my display quality be at that level!

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    1. Thanks Ratmaul. I'm really trying. At the moment I've found it hard to even pick up a brush never mind paint. I've been through this before and I always return. I think it's very much a mood thing for me.

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  5. Pike block is a must-have! Lovely collection, but you need more ;)!

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    1. Thanks Bartek. Yes, you're right, I need much, much more! At present I've got plans for two full Colunela including Pike, Arquebusiers and Sword and Buckler plus a couple of units of Jinettes and Gent d'Armes. I will no doubt decide that I need more and more as time goes on LOL

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  6. I wish you all the best with your ill health. I'm sorry it robs you of so much. We have a wonderful hobby and your troops are a real adornment to it. I've enjoyed seeing all of your collections. Thank you for share.
    Stephen

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    1. Thank you Stephen. I'm fighting hard to get things as near to normal as they can be. It is a lot harder then I ever expected and your words of encouragement are appreciated.

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  7. I mentioned do it on the TTS forum, but I’ll say it again…bloody lovely stuff.

    A huge effort to get that lot done and when arrayed against a French army, hopefully yours, it will be ‘the standard’ for others to aspire to.

    Have you got a TTS scenario for Fornovo planned in the winds?

    👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

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    1. Thank you for the very kind words mate. I haven't got any specific scenarios in mind at the moment except to say that I've jumped slightly forward in time and I'm, looking at Cerignola 1503 and Ravenna 1512. Both interesting very battles as you know. :)

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