Okay, I'll admit that this is certainly not the most exciting figure review post I've done but here it is any way. A couple of months ago when I was about to run my first
Six Gun Sound batrep, I knew that one element that was missing from my Wild West scenery items were unmounted horses. I had loads of hitching posts but no horses, apart from one pack mule, to make use of them. Fortunately, quite a few companies produce figures of horses without a rider, so it was just a question of finding one that best suited my needs. In the end I chose this range of GBA03 Standing Saddle Horses from the Knuckleduster Gunfighters Ball range of 32mm scale Animals.
Each pack comes with two horses, one of each of pose and they cost £7.50 for the pair. I ordered three sets to give me six horses.
Being 32mm scale, the horses are a nice size, not too big and not too small, and they fit in well with my other Wild West figures. The horses are nicely equipped with saddlebags, blankets, saddles and reins. Note that on the one in the centre I added a small sack made out of Milliput to the saddle. Quite often if I mix up too much Milliput for what I need, I'll use the excess for making little bags like this.
These next three horses have their heads bowed and their legs are positioned differently to the previous three. Once again, the horse in the centre has had a small sack added to it.
Reading comments from other bloggers it seems that many of you don't like painting horses. I must admit that I thoroughly enjoy painting them. I find them a lot easier to paint than humans. As is usual when painting animals, I refer to Google Images for appropriate colour schemes so that my horses look as realistic as possible.
Look out for these figures in upcoming Wild West batreps. I can see me getting a lot of use out of them. If you are interested in purchasing them, here's the link for them -
http://www.caliverbooks.com/figures/catviewer.php?i9nop6ugfsuggnci21s9hqonk7&producer=126&range=32mm%20Animals&menu=2
I am definitely a horse-painting fan, Bryan, as they have black eyes, black hooves and no markings in my universe :-) Some great colours in use with yours, taking full advantage of the saddle gear and baggage.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your own insight into painting horses, Simon. In addition to these I have also been painting a fair few horses with riders. Most of them are from Black Scorpion and for me, they are a joy to paint.
DeleteNice work Bryan, and something that is often over looked. you could always add a few "palomino's" and "piebald's" to add a bit of colour, but I wouldn't want to saddle you with the extra work, you might bridle at that!(runs for cover).
ReplyDeleteCheers Roger.
Groan! More puns like that and you'll be for the high jump, aka Beecher's Brook! I admit that these have very similar paint jobs but at least they're all different. I'm going for more varied colour schemes for my mounted horses, one of which is a palomino. I've yet to do a piebald but it's on my list, so will get done.
DeleteI don't mind painting horses, and never understood why some people cite it as one of their least favorite painting tasks. I do try to add some variation in the form of white, grey, black, roan, etc., as well as stockings or blazes on some, just because I find it more interesting.
ReplyDeleteNice work on these 6 painted ponies! And the sacks are a good use for that excess bit of milliput.
Quite so, FB. I'm with you 100% on this topic. I don't like throwing unused Milliput away, so I try to find some use for it. Little sacks is just one of my uses for it.
DeleteHi Bryan, you've done a nice job with these, I went with the Perry ACW ones but the Knuckleduster ones might be a bit better. The bags and any other gear is a good idea, it makes them into more of a working animal.
ReplyDeleteI didn't enjoy painting mine until I went back to a technique I used 30 years ago. A thick coating of oil paint, wipe off with a flannelette cloth and hey presto, graduations of the main colour. I just couldn't achieve that with acrylic, mind you after 5years I'm still getting to grips with the stuff.
The horses will make a difference to your table I'm sure.
Hi John. Thanks for your comments. I did look at the Perry ACW horses and they are nice sculpts but I much preferred these ones.
DeleteIt is good to find a painting technique that you're happy with. I paint my horses the same way as I paint my other figures - base colour, washes, and dry-brushed highlights... all with acrylics. It works for me and I'm happy with that! :-)
Great painting on the horses Bryan, can see a lot of uses for these in games tied up outside saloons or a bank during a robbery
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated and that is exactly my thinking, Dave.
DeleteHi Bryan great paint job as always & interesting to see how you & John have different ways to paint horse's, I pick up some set from Foundry the one that give you a mounted character & an unmounted one & was disappoint to fine that when the saddle was part of the raider not the horse if you get my point, so horse's like these will be on my list.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Frank. I must admit that my preference is for the saddle to be moulded to the horse and not the rider. This was a major factor in me choosing these particular horses.
DeleteOne always needs livestock! I am positive that many a game will be improved with having these on the table. Excellent additions.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, Clint. Thanks for the comment.
DeleteThese look really good Bryan. I am yet to attempt any horse so far.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Simon. I'm sure you'd be able to paint horses just fine as you're such an accomplished painter.
DeleteGREAT painting scheme, pardner, CONGRATULATIONS!!! :O)
ReplyDeleteI remembered that one when a bank robber said to his partner just before entering the bank: "Keep the horses running!" :O)
Many thanks indeed, Edu. I love that quote you added. :-)
Delete:O)
DeleteIt’s not painting Horses I object to, it’s all the tack!
ReplyDeleteGood job mate
Thanks, Andy. That's a good point! :-)
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