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There might be a way to get all closed helms. I am tryign to keep the bits as manageable as possible but I can see the benefit to havign a spreu of closed and a sprue of open faced helms.
2014/06/03 15:34:07
Subject: Re:Barbarian Hordesmen NOW on Kickstarter!!
I'd be very happy to add a couple bucks to get more head sprues as an option if that's more convenient. I'm in for two groups and I'll be getting the archers for sure too!
2014/06/03 19:28:42
Subject: Re:Barbarian Hordesmen NOW on Kickstarter!!
I actually far more enjoy the open helmets over the closed, and if I were to back this for several troops, I'd for sure want to get more of the open ones instead.
Regarding the horses... this is an area that I really would love to see your talent at work,Tre!
On the first horse, the neck is MUCH too thick and short. The neck and body look more bull-like than horse-like. The leg proportions are not quite right, either, especially the rear legs. The second wireframe looks a bit better, but overmuscling would be a concern.
Just to get it out of the way, I know this is fantasy and you can do whatever you want... so please take this as suggestions and encouragement!
So, first thing first... horse bulk is inversely proportional to speed. The stockiest, heaviest draft horses are bred to pull wagons and plows, not carry warriors in battle. They look slow, ponderous, and heavy because they ARE, relatively speaking. Generally a warhorse should be as fast, therefore light, as possible, while still able to carry the warrior and his armor. Smaller horses also eat and poop less, not a inconsiderable factor!
May I suggest looking at Friesian horses for physical conformation and proportions? Friesians are considered good approximations of (and are descended from) early medieval, light armored knight's horses. They look like this:
Spoiler:
If you want to mount up the heaviest armor guys, here's art of the Old English Black, an extinct, late medieval knight's horse, bred to carry heavy armor:
Spoiler:
If you want to have the biggest horse, the Percheron is debatable but is a possible knight's horse... They definitely pulled wagons etc in war, but are more draft-horse than warhorse:
Spoiler:
In comparison, Shires are examples of the biggest draft horses. They pull wagons, and they look like this:
Spoiler:
Draft horses are always hooked up to the load by the shoulders and that is where they bulk up. All those neck and shoulder muscles are for steadily pulling extremely heavy loads, not charging at enemies.
It might be hard to get proportions correct from photos due to foreshortening effects and only being able to see 2D in any given picture. I suggest, if you can, pick a breed that works, then pick up a Breyer or Safari Winner's Circle model horse of that breed for a 3D representation. They can be a bit pricy, but you can get a smallish version pretty cheaply, and they are known for being accurate representations. I know being able to hold it in your hand can really help!
Anyway, apologies for so much info and some big photos. I hope it helps! I already love the barbarians, so give me an excuse to buy horses! Lots of horses... I'd seriously buy multiples and change out all my cavalry models! Oh, and pretty please, offer them as separate sculpts?
"When your only tools are duct tape and a shovel, all of life's problems start to look the same!" - kronk
"Evil will always triumph because good is dumb." - Darth Helmet
"History...is, indeed, little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortune of mankind" - Edward Gibbon, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
Wow thanks for that very thorough and very helpful post Gymnogyps. i will definitely take that advice to heart. I think in my midn I see the HElsVakt Horses as being brutish so the Shires look like the most similar real horse breed to what I am tryign to achieve.
That said though I do take the actual realities into mind.
2014/06/06 02:17:50
Subject: Re:Barbarian Hordesmen NOW on Kickstarter!!
Great looking archer Tre! He would look right at home leading my Rackham Bow Drunes, and those lads desperately need a leader!
Also, fabulous post Gyps! Make an article of that please; I need to be able to link to it every time PP makes a new mounted model so I can point out the errors to certain gamers in my area...
Er, that is the Hollywood myth. Historically that Arabian horse was probably a little bigger (if less stocky) than the small horses/big ponies the vikings would've ridden. In When the Raven Flies (Hrafninn Flýgur) they go about on cute little Icelandic horses, which are descended from the ones the Norse settlers brought over.
Which I guess is relevant for when the Njorn get mounted figures. The Helsvakt horses should be big and brutal to the point of improbability.
2014/06/10 21:22:39
Subject: Re:Barbarian Hordesmen NOW on Kickstarter!!
Curious as to what Garm is going to be lugging over his shoulder. Does he have any facial features really showing through? Hard to see from those angles.
He's tempting me though...
Poorly lit photos of my ever- growing collection of completely unrelated models!
Metal is reliable and within my grasp. I am not opposed to plastic, but I Am a bit gun shy. If the demand were there I would produce in plastic. First though I would want to test the materials and process against my sculpting style before taking people's money on it. I did make the figures with plastic production in mind though. The hordesmen are made in 4 universally interchangeable parts. Torso, legs, head, right hand with weapon, and shield to fit over the back of the left hand. The heroes are made in a single piece but they could be cut to allow for plastic production if need be.
I am very skeptical of plastic production.
Garm's weapon is a ball mace, and his shield is still WIP as well. It will be spiked int he same manner as the hordesmen's shields are.
tre manor wrote: Garm's weapon is a ball mace, and his shield is still WIP as well. It will be spiked int he same manner as the hordesmen's shields are.
If I may I would propose a big double axe or hammer. Something big for sure.
tre manor wrote: Metal is reliable and within my grasp. I am not opposed to plastic, but I Am a bit gun shy. If the demand were there I would produce in plastic. First though I would want to test the materials and process against my sculpting style before taking people's money on it. I did make the figures with plastic production in mind though. The hordesmen are made in 4 universally interchangeable parts. Torso, legs, head, right hand with weapon, and shield to fit over the back of the left hand. The heroes are made in a single piece but they could be cut to allow for plastic production if need be.
I am very skeptical of plastic production.
Garm's weapon is a ball mace, and his shield is still WIP as well. It will be spiked int he same manner as the hordesmen's shields are.
@Atxmiley- Tre's models are perfect for RPGs, characters, and the like. It is hard to make a unit with only 3 sculpts, particularly when they don't usually match up with alternatives. I have a bunch of metal bonebacks (goblin-like models) which he did many poses for, which is awesome! But there are still only 3 archers for the normal goblins- archers seem to get the short end of the stick
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2014/06/11 12:06:46
