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Sunday, 26 May 2013

The Death of Leonidas


The climatic end to the legendary Battle of Thermopylae surely rates as one the greatest ‘last stands’ in history.  The fate of the ‘300’ has been continuously immortalised through popular culture, perhaps no more graphically, if not entirely accurately, as in the celluloid adaptation of Frank Miller’s graphic work – certainly one of my favourites, but then I have never claimed to be a student of the classics!


Following on from the previous post of 'Spartan Hoplites' I am delighted to have finally completed this generously donated vignette depicting ‘the Death of Leonidas’ again from ‘Wargames Foundry’.


As previously mentioned this was originally destined to be part of my entry to the ‘Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge’, but failed to meet the deadline!  Now having completed a couple of test miniatures, I managed to resolve the painting in a relatively short period of time, by my standards anyway, with many of the pitfalls deftly avoided.  Once again, however my Achilles' heel would prove to be the shield decals that I still managed to fudge annoyingly!



The rest of the terrain was the usual pumice paste, small stones and tufts; the only additional extras being the arrows.  It is said that on hearing that there were so many Persian archers that the sky would grow dark with their arrows, Dieneces replied laconically, 
"So much the better, we shall fight them in the shade.”



Now I appreciate that there are not nearly enough arrows on display to have blotted out the sun, but the truth of the matter is that I was somewhat anxious that my arrow supply would lead me into a spot of bother!  To explain; I had stumbled across and article about using the nylon bristles from a household brush as arrows, one end of the bristle flattened with a pair of pliers to represent the flights.  This was all well and good and actually worked rather well, but I was conscious that if I kept harvesting homemade arrows then the 'Saintly Mrs Awdry’s' dustpan was in danger of needing a new brush!

Before & after


All in all a most enjoyable distraction, but not a subject I plane to revisit in any real depth – at least for the time being anyway!







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77 comments:

  1. Furt26 May 2013 at 09:47

    Wow - brilliant as ever. This vignette could be displayed at any angle and still look amazing. Great tip with the bristles too.

    Frank
    http://adventuresinlead.blogspot.com.au/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry26 May 2013 at 20:37

      Thank you so much Frank, I kept the landscaping down so as not to restrict the views of the miniatures.

      Delete
  2. lrqan26 May 2013 at 09:54

    Excellent, very animated. It tells a great story.

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  3. Clint26 May 2013 at 09:57

    I am so glad that I am not currently painting this period. I would simply look at this and feel inadequate! As mentioned by Furt (above) great bristles tip as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry26 May 2013 at 20:40

      Thank you Clint, I hate the idea of making anyone feel inadequate though.

      Delete
  4. Provost Marshal26 May 2013 at 10:02

    Michael,

    As always, very nicely realised. Glad to deposit more lead goodness to help clutter up Awdry Towers. I might not have another 200-odd of these lying around, but I could probably furnish you with the start of a phalanx!

    Pip pip

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry26 May 2013 at 20:41

      Thank you, but don't you even think of it! The Saintly Mrs Awdry may have a word or two to say about and abandoned phalanx on the dining room table.

      Delete
  5. PanzerKaput26 May 2013 at 10:05

    I say classics smashix, Michael that is a really nice vignette you have there and some amazing painting skills on display.

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  6. Andrew McCory26 May 2013 at 10:22

    That's quite splendid, good idea with the arrows.

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  7. Ian26 May 2013 at 10:28

    What an excellent piece.

    Persians being one of my favourites helps

    Ian

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    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry26 May 2013 at 20:44

      Thank you Ian, it made a great change of pace.

      Delete
  8. Smillie26 May 2013 at 10:29

    Great work michael and i really like the arrows what a good idea

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    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry26 May 2013 at 20:45

      Thank you Mr. Smillie, I was really pleased with how they turned out.

      Delete
  9. Dalauppror26 May 2013 at 10:44

    Stunning vignette !!!

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  10. Schedler Vincent 26 May 2013 at 11:06

    Excellent , great work Michael .

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ben Gilmour26 May 2013 at 11:08

    That is truly epic, Michael!

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    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry26 May 2013 at 20:47

      Thank you Ben, quite enjoyed the change of style.

      Delete
  12. TamsinP26 May 2013 at 11:12

    That's a fantastic vignette Sir Michael :)

    Great use of brush bristles for the arrows.

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    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry26 May 2013 at 20:48

      Thank you Tamsin, but may need to buy Mrs. Awdry a new brush though.

      Delete
  13. Rodger26 May 2013 at 11:23

    That is a stunning result Michael!! Great stuff!

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    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry26 May 2013 at 20:49

      Thank you Rodger, very kind of you to say so.

      Delete
  14. James Brewerton26 May 2013 at 11:28

    Great work Sir Michael you have a real talent for bringing these vignette's to life
    Peace James

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    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry26 May 2013 at 20:49

      Thank you James, I have to confess I do like putting them together.

      Delete
  15. Anonymous26 May 2013 at 11:37

    Looking amazing as usual! Especially like the shot with the two Spartan warriors in the background!

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  16. danny26 May 2013 at 11:38

    Hola
    Muy bonita escena,as conseguido un gran movimiento
    "Tonight we dine in hell"
    un saludo

    ReplyDelete
  17. Paul´s Bods26 May 2013 at 11:54

    Cracking!!
    One Thing with ancients..fighting either barefoot or in sandals. It´d be bad enough getting an arrow or whatever stuck in you but the thought of stubbing a toe!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry26 May 2013 at 20:51

      Thank you Paul, nothing worse than stubbing your toe, when trying to look all manly!

      Delete
  18. dramatic katastases26 May 2013 at 12:25

    Marvelous!!!

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  19. Luca Tempesta26 May 2013 at 12:41

    very good indeed!
    great job!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Diplomatist26 May 2013 at 13:01

    Very nice - and I like the smuggled reference to Laconia too!

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    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry26 May 2013 at 21:04

      Thank you Edwin, it is amazing what you pick up when researching the background to these miniatures.

      Delete
  21. Unknown26 May 2013 at 13:20

    Excellent and cracking job!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Simon Quinton 26 May 2013 at 13:23

    Fantastic Diorama. Lovely attention for detail with the arrows and posing. I'm very tempted to get some Ancient Greek type stuff done especially with the release of 7th Voyage by Crooked Dice. Read some good things about it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry26 May 2013 at 20:57

      Thank you Simon, I could see some of these working well for 7th Voyage; loved the look of their demo game at Salute.

      Delete
  23. Finch26 May 2013 at 15:11

    I'll join the Greek chorus: great tip on the bristle-arrows.

    Fantastic work overall as usual.

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  24. Phil26 May 2013 at 15:45

    Fantastic looking vignette, love the arrows!
    Phil.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry26 May 2013 at 20:59

      Thank you Phil, wish I could claim it was all mine.

      Delete
  25. Anonymous26 May 2013 at 19:45

    Good work

    ReplyDelete
  26. Unknown26 May 2013 at 20:22

    Lovely painting, I like the arrows too. But their not wearing designer underwear.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry26 May 2013 at 21:00

      Thank you, I knew I'd forgotten something! ;)

      Delete
  27. Michael Awdry26 May 2013 at 20:38

    Thank you Nathan

    ReplyDelete
  28. Moiterei_198426 May 2013 at 20:41

    Great looking vignette.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Michael Awdry26 May 2013 at 20:45

    Thank you Andrew.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)26 May 2013 at 22:51

    Wonderful vignette you have done here! Nice idea with the arrows too.

    Christopher

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    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry27 May 2013 at 07:32

      Thank you Christopher, I must admit that I really enjoy putting these things together.

      Delete
  31. Millsy27 May 2013 at 04:12

    She's a beaut and right up there at your normal amazing standard. The bristles for arrows idea is genius! I've always been worried they would break but these will just bend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry27 May 2013 at 07:33

      Thank you Millsy, I was worried about snapping arrows so was thrilled when I stumble across this idea - and it's cheap!

      Delete
  32. Monty27 May 2013 at 04:33

    Wonderful piece! So powerful and so sad.

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    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry27 May 2013 at 07:34

      Thank you Monty, I hadn't thought of it as sad before, but of course you are absolutely right; I suppose all sacrifice is.

      Delete
  33. Anonymous27 May 2013 at 05:55

    Absolutely wonderful! You have outdone yourself sir!

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    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry27 May 2013 at 07:35

      That's incredibly kind of you say so, although I do have some ideas for next winter.

      Delete
  34. Stefan (aka. Monty)27 May 2013 at 07:07

    It's always a pleasure to look at your work.
    This one's no exception. Great work, mate!

    Cheers
    Stefan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry27 May 2013 at 07:31

      Stefan, thank you; your kind words are always appreciated.

      Delete
  35. Jay27 May 2013 at 16:45

    Nice action scene here, Michael. That ax is gonna hurt!

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    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry27 May 2013 at 18:56

      He is definitely intent on leaving a lasting impression!

      Delete
  36. Laughing Ferret27 May 2013 at 22:35

    Very fun :) Love the addition of the arrows.
    I too enjoy the Frank Miller's vision of the Spartans, interested to see what the 'prequel' movie will be like

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    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry28 May 2013 at 13:25

      There is a prequel? That sounds like fun, must look out for that.

      Delete
  37. Ubique Matt28 May 2013 at 10:54

    Great little vignette, you can't beat a classical looking Greek warrior, especially one peppered with arrows. I've always enjoy seeing the quote from Dieneces ever since my dad explained, when I was a small kid, what 'laconic' actually meant. Very apt with this model.

    Regards,
    Matt

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    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry28 May 2013 at 13:26

      Thank you Matt, great fun to do too - now let us see what's next?

      Delete
  38. Evan Hughes29 May 2013 at 02:15

    I do love a good vignette, and this is a lovely piece, tremendously well-executed. The bristles are a stroke of genius, and the composition gives the whole a sense of urgency.

    Well done!

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    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry29 May 2013 at 09:36

      Thank you Ev, that is mighty kind of you to say so Sir.

      Delete
  39. Laranabucanera29 May 2013 at 17:37

    Fantastic composition, and the idea of the unsurpassable brush, good work. Regards.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Captain Richard's miniature Civil War29 May 2013 at 18:14

    Pretty creative Michael

    ReplyDelete
  41. Whisperin Al5 June 2013 at 20:31

    Blooming brilliant!!

    ReplyDelete