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Sunday, 5 October 2025

Still Here... Still Game!

"Isn't it about time you updated the blog, Phil?!"
OK, OK...

My summer painting project has been very enjoyable... a foray into Billhooks Italia.
I've been developing a sort of fictional pairing starting with the Grand Duchy of Capriccio...

As you can see, they have a sort of Florentine flavour.

Above and Below: Lorenzo di Sangiovese, Granduco di Capriccio



Above: Conte di Montepulciano
... and Below: Leading his Gendarmes.


Above: The Capriccio light cavalry... A band of Crossbows, supported by a unit of Caspriccio light lancers.
Below: commander of light horse, Paulo di Chianti.


Above and Below: Swiss from Berne and Fribourg

These Swiss figures are from Warlord Games; plastic landsknechts, painted to look a bit Swiss-ish. I figured that Swiss circa 1515 looked very similar to landsknechts (and certainly very different to the oft seen Swiss figures from the Burgundian Wars). Having painted these, then Warlord brought out some Swiss... but I still prefer these.

Above: May years ago (c 2003-05) I previously "did" the Italian Wars, and had a couple of figures left over. This is a Foundry character figure... a dwarf in Renaissance clothing. I have named him The Gnome of Zurich (I thank you), and he acts as the Swiss quartermaster!

Below, another vignette from my previous Italian wars collection.

Below: skirmishers for the next Swiss unit. Pikemen still to be done.

Below: some atmospheric shots...



Over the summer there have been a few games of Billhooks with the old Berks (Andy, John, and Steve), using our WOTR armies. The rules system always throws up a good game with plenty of luck and surprises!
Sadly, I didn't attend the Derby "Bash", but I gather it was rather good... maybe next year.

Meanwhile, I have an Autumn/Winter hit list that I am working through with lots of bits to do for a number of my projects - some units to paint (including a second unit of Swiss pikes for the Capriccio army), and some scratch-building, terrain bits, and vignettes. I'm working through it all on an "as the fancy takes me" basis, hopping between the many armies I have that need some attention.

Next weekend I plan to attend Partizan, so hope to see many readers there. I have a shopping list...

'Ciao for now,' as they say in Capriccio!


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26 comments:

  1. Norm5 October 2025 at 14:11

    Lovely job, a very eye catching project ….. you should get extra points for being so productive and battling the summer heat! :-)

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    1. Phil6 October 2025 at 10:21

      Thanks Norm. Productivity was hit by the heat, occasionally... but I survived on a diet of painting and ice creams! Phil

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  2. Donnie McGibbon5 October 2025 at 14:29

    Back with an almighty bang Phil, lovely painting, really very nice looking units, top notch!

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    1. Phil6 October 2025 at 10:21

      Thanks Donnie. Much appreciated. I enjoyed painting these very much. A colourful period. Best rgds. Phil

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  3. tidders5 October 2025 at 15:16

    Super Italian wars units, thanks for sharing

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    1. Phil6 October 2025 at 10:23

      Thanks Tidders. It makes a change to do all the 'plumage' as a change from uniformed troops. Best rgds. Phil

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  4. Jonathan Freitag5 October 2025 at 15:18

    Inspirational work!

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  5. John Kersey5 October 2025 at 16:53

    Excellent and inspirational work as ever Phil. Look forward to seeing them on the tabletop! Sharing a Florentine theme with my own Firenza force makes them a natural ally!

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    1. Phil6 October 2025 at 10:24

      Thanks John. Yes, will be good to get them set up on table for a game ... at some point. Best rgds. Phil

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  6. Andy McMaster5 October 2025 at 17:15

    Those are most excellent! Hopefully bump into you next Sunday.

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    1. Phil6 October 2025 at 10:24

      Thanks Andy. See you at the show. Best rgds. Phil

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  7. Tiberian general5 October 2025 at 17:58

    Beautifully painted figures Phil, thanks for sharing.

    Willz.

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  8. Anonymous5 October 2025 at 22:36

    Nice to have you back. Great eye candy as always

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  9. Anonymous6 October 2025 at 07:05

    Lovely stuff Phil! Great to see the fruit of your labour and have you posting again.
    Alan Tradgardland

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  10. Neil Patterson6 October 2025 at 14:33

    Wondered why we haven't seen you on the VWC!
    Welcome back to the blogosphere!
    Swiss of 1515 - after researching it for my Zinnfiguren, the consensus appears to be that it was difficult to tell them apart from Landesknechts; the latter in effect, copying the Swiss. Distinguishing features, apart from a less extravagant costume ( not so many clashing colours or extreme styles) was feathers and longer swords. The Swiss were very fond of Ostrich and other exotic bird feathers - the Landesknechts called them "feather johnnies" - the sword was longer and guard different shape from the shorter "Catskinner". It's often the only way to tell flats apart!
    Neil

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    1. Phil6 October 2025 at 17:16

      Thanks Neil. Yes, my research indicated similar things about Landsknechts/Swiss. Certainly, by 1525 looking at the Pavia tapestries, the differences seem practically non-existent. For these figures, I added in a couple of Perry Swiss heads, with extra ostrich feathers. Best rgds. Phil

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  11. Aly Morrison7 October 2025 at 13:11

    Very pretty indeed Phil…
    You have certainly returned with style…
    I am hoping to get to Partizan… It all depends if I can get a lift.

    All the best. Aly

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    1. Phil8 October 2025 at 08:52

      Thx Aly. Surely, there's someone from the "Notts Lead-belt" available to give you a lift on Sunday..? Hope to see you there. Best rgds. Phil

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  12. Andy M8 October 2025 at 19:23

    These look marvellous, Phil. Very striking!

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    1. Phil9 October 2025 at 09:57

      Cheers Andy. There will be more... Phil

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  13. Duke of Baylen10 October 2025 at 13:48

    Got home from a short break today so have the big desktop screen to have a proper look. It's good to see your paintbrush an general's acumen are still at work. Thanks for the colour and the skeet [a Manx word for news, gossip, having a nosey, the latest etc.]
    Stephen

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    1. Phil11 October 2025 at 13:18

      Thx Stephen. I like "skeet"! I have some happy memories of visits to The Isle of Man. Best regards. Phil

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