Flats (flat out?) progress

Update and photo dump on progress with the French Renaissance army composed of Zinnfiguren flats.

Some more Gascon "Adventureur" crossbow:

  

In one of a large lot were several "Knights" in active poses but with a 3/4 view; I struggled to see how these could be mixed with side view figures on the same stand. I then realised some rule sets (DBA RRR, Impetus) used separate generals on round stands; these would also be needed for historic refights with multiple commands. So I decided to use the 3/4 view figures as commanders:

A generic infantry commander identity yet to be decided.

It was difficult to get the shading right so I was pleased when some members of the VWC said they looked fully round.

Next "De Foix" who can be Nemours or Gaston de Foix:

Lastly "Tremouille":

I hope to add flags with appropriate coats of arms in due course.

Next, I was never very happy with some of the figures used for the Picard pike; I found some figures to replace some crude conversions (may recycle as early Swiss):

I have shown some later "Archers" basically less armoured Gensdarmes, part of the "Lance"however, there is some evidence that in the early days they were indeed mounted archers. As the DBA 3 list includes such mounted archers (3-4 foot and 1 mounted on a base) I decided to include some. Pictures showing such troops appear in contemporary pictures of Charles VII invasion of Italy, especially some who could be the following ("archers" are listed at Fornovo in some accounts):

Garde Archers Ecosse (Scots guard archers).

As I had spare figures, I added some "normal" Archers:

Lastly the French artillery with crew from spare medieval figures. The chap with one leg in the air will have his foot resting on the cannon. He is not (despite Alan https://tradgardland.blogspot.com/) armed with a FAB lolly! I was trying to hint at a lighted match......😐

As has been pointed out (thanks Brian) he will be in for a shock when the recoil takes effect!

I have a WIP photo showing the basic Contrast paint finish before AP washes and acrylic highlighting.

To finish the army needs Swiss and Landesknechts; I'm waiting for some figures from Germany before I progress to the Swiss. There are also some more Gensdarmes that would allow for Maximillian / Impetus armies (which use 24 elements or double sized bases).

I intend to try out the various rules I have to see which best "fits" the Italian Wars. Other armies are the Spanish, Imperial and various bits for Italian states - I will probably have some dedicated troops for Venice and the Papacy and possibly Milan (cavalry) while the rest are likely to be more "generic" as Italian mercenaries proliferated in both Italian States armies as well as the foreign ones. I also have some Turks for a Machiavelli Campaign.

This has led me to think about naval aspects; despite lots of 1/1200th scale galleys I have been toying with the idea of 1/600th (some of which I may have) or 1/300th......that way lies madness however!

Vive le Roi! (and some less salubrious persons)

The flats insanity continues; I have painted up figures for a stand to represent Louis XII.

In addition, I found some rather ropey "knight" figures with poorly defined heads. Looking at them, I was struck by the thought of converting them to Stradiots......some Green stuff later and we have enough for a couple of stands.

I'm working on the artillery currently but need to clean up some more figures. I have dug out some more potential Picard pike so will probably replace 3 of the figures done previously. There are also some more Gascon crossbow to do and then it will be Swiss and the dreaded Landesknechts....

More French Nobility and lesser "gentlemen"

The Zinnfiguren Italian Wars continues with more French; they have a lot of choice in the various army lists, so even for rules which use a reduced number of "elements" still need multiple figures.

More Gensdarmes

"Archers" - part of the "Lance" originally were mounted longbowmen and in the early Italian Wars may have fought as such; later were less armoured lancers

Finally some mounted Crossbowmen

I have tried to keep to a restricted colour palette throughout to tie the army together, basically blue, red, white and yellow.

The figures mostly come from a large lot; I selected the figures charging (as oppose to stationary with lance upright) to represent the French Gensdarmes, noted for their aggressive charges. As such, they are a mixed bag.

I have a few "front view" Knights cleaned up and primed; these I'm going to pair on circular bases as general figures for those rules that use separate generals which attach to an element - I can see this as necessary for larger games or historical refights. I also have an element which will become the general element, in this case an approximation of Louis XII; I'm toying with variants for Charles and Francis. There are also two large cannon and crew and some converted Stradiots.

Waiting in the wings for cleaning up and priming are Swiss, Landesknechts, more Gascons and possibly more French infantry.