John Blanke triumphant....2nd draft!

Owing to a bright day for photography this is a re-posting - perfectionism is an affliction!

Here we have a culmination of my efforts over the last few weeks; the completed stand featuring John Blanke alongside a faithful standard bearer. This base will complement the body of demilancers I have though it could easily accompany the King's spears.

As with Blanke I have spent some time converting the standard bearer prior to painting, an aspect which is slowly becoming the norm with this army ! I have sculpted some light caparison horse armour on the chest of the horse. I've had a few experiments with this and it's given some quite good results for what its worth, I really think it helps to bring the figure from 1480 into 1513 along with adding to the unique feel of this army. Here are a few close ups;

I've also made an effort to make the knight's armour look like brilliant gilded white armour - essentially an extra highlight followed by gloss varnish. Another aspect which I have experimented with is to use a Tudor Rose badge on the horse armour rather than the usual St. George cross - I chose to do this to complement the Tudor Rose in the banner and also to help pick the rider out from the rank and file.

The Standard is based upon a banner which features in the middle and far distance of the below contemporary German woodcut of the 1513 campaign.

Finally, here we have a mock up of Blanke sounding the charge of the English cavalry with archers in support - I just need a few French for this photograph and the Battle of the Spurs is done!

Next up......more conversion work!

Stuart