looking for an army for a lazy painter

[Stiglitz]

Hello everybody!

I'm new to this board and new to FoG, too. A friend and me, we tested the rules once with armies of about 400 points. But we want to start.
I have already bought a classical greek army at ebay. Now I am looking for a medieval army. Sure, a few more plays should come first.

My problem is, I'm realistic enough to say that I have not enough time to paint a "normal" army. I need one, that can be painted fast. REALLY fast.

I have seen pictures of knight miniatures in whole plate armour... the horse being plate armoured, too. No shield, no heraldic.

First question:
Which armies can field such knights? Late armies, I know, but all of them? Or just certain ones?
My guess would be French and burgundian ordonnance, Later medieval german, Italian condotta?... any others?

[Stiglitz]

additionally to knights that can be painted fast:
are there armies of this kind with additional troops, that can be painted reasonably fast? Or otherwise, is an all knight army (or almost all knights) playable?

Thanks for any advice.

(Sorry for my bad english )

[ethan]

A lot depends on your painting skill and style.

One of the fastest armies I ever painted was Malays (using the excellent Grumpy figures). These guys are basically all in loin cloths/kilts with turbans. So the technique I used was:

Prime in brown
Dry brush cloth bits white (actually I wound up doing kilts in color organe, blue, etc)
Paint weapons
Apply a coat of Sepia Ink

and your done. Then paint some elephants and a few cavalry.

This technique can be used with Indian infantry as well and similar techniques can be used on robed/turbaned middle eastern infantry.

One thing to consider when looking for something fast to paint is an army with some "star" troops you spend some time on, supported by a bunch of easy to paint types.

[Skullzgrinda]

Your English is fine!

Speaking of English, I would recommend considering Wars of the Roses for quick painting. Expensive troops so not very many, and a lot of plate if you wish. Footmen can be in uniforms which also go more quickly. You are on the right track for army selections. Any of these would be good - now consider the troop balance and run what appeals.

One bit of advice is to use the approach that 6mm guys use, if your primary concern is sheer speed of painting. Prep your figures as little as you can stand, spray a thorough black primer coat on them, then just hit the high points of the sculpt with a broad brush. Strictly limit your pallet to 3 - 5 (at most!) colors (including flesh) and one metallic.

Have a few beers, put on some motivational music and just rip through them.

I did this recently with surprisingly good effects. The troops were more complicated than plate armored knights and foot, and I was able to finish 48 castings in four and a half hours.

Late medievals would go even faster. I hve never done this before but had a hard deadline to meet. The results were surprisingly effective. I did not say pretty or subtle . . . but effective, yes. I had no shame putting them out.

[ethan]

One late medieval option is to prime them metallic then paint the non-metallic parts and wash it with ink.

[Skullzgrinda]

One late medieval option is to prime them metallic then paint the non-metallic parts and wash it with ink.

This gives a very rich look to the army as well.

[Stiglitz]

Thanks for all the answers

@Ethan:
Yes, I was thinking about such armies (like Malays), too... I considered Numidians, New Kingdom Egyptian or Classical Indians... but for the one or other reason I decided against them. And now I am looking for a medieval army. And I want some knights - a simple charge tastes me more than subtile skirmishing

Talking about my painting skills. They are not too good, but not too bad either. Drybrushing and using of washes is okay. Any more difficult - like free hand painting or lining - is too difficult to make it in a reasonable time. So painting of heraldics is out.

@Skullgrindaz
War of the Roses? Hmm, I was very disappointed about all the english armies having almost no knights... I think, I'm definitly wanting an army with at least three units... more, if playable. Don't the english man-at-arms use heraldics, though?
I know how important it is to paint the overall army instead of the single miniatures. I'm a painter, who prefers painting rank and file to painting characters...

[Stiglitz]

@Ethan again:

priming in metal is an interesting tip

Can you suggest a good primer in this colour?


So am I right, that all the late medieval knights (let's say, 15. Century) wore full plate, plate barding and no shield or heraldics? Or just the examples I called? (French ordonnance, Burgundian ordonnance, Italian condotta, Later medieval german)

How about the later medieval danish or swedish for example? Or the different spanish armies? (Crown of Aragon for example)?

[ethan]

@Ethan again:

priming in metal is an interesting tip

Can you suggest a good primer in this colour?

http://www.thearmypainter.com/index.php

I have not used their metallic primer, but have used their other primers and find them pretty good - if a bit pricey.

[Stiglitz]

@ethan

thanks for the link...

I used the dips of army painter and made mixed experiences... The effect ist very good, but can be a bit luck dependent...
And I'm not sure, how effektiv it is with 15mm. But in the end, the whole job of dipping was too dirty and smelly for me... I switched to the new Games Workshop Washes - lots of more control and less dirt and smell. AND different colours.

[Irmin]

I remember reading somewhere a quick way to paint armour was to use coloured wood varnish on the bare metal, you got an ink and varnish in one coat.

[carlos]

How about the FoG PC game?

[daleivan]

Indians are a great quick army--I'm painting my Classical army next and plan on doing a version of the approach Ethan suggested.

Cheers,

Dale

[deadtorius]

How about the FoG PC game?

I wouldn't recomend dipping it in any kind of varnish, now matter how nice your armour might look after your done