Abcdefg's WIP: Dale

abcdefg · **Joined:** Mon May 28, 2012 3:52 pm **Posts:** 273

Thanks for the ideas.
I have altered both spears as suggested and they look much better.
I've also gone for a compromise on the helmets between Weta and Spanish conquistadors. Still not quite right though by my reckoning.
Finally I've started looking at the heraldry of Dale post Smaug. I figured since the line of Girion could speak to thrushes this may prove a large part of the house emblem in the same way as the raven might with Erebor's ruling house. I've looked closely at Tolkien's own artwork for the dragon design.

Next up I need to look at the men-at-arms and heraldry of Esgaroth. Presumably very lake and ship based.

Hodush · **Posted:** Fri Jun 20, 2014 12:49 am

Looks good man!
I tried drawing the spear with the T-Bar the other night, was harder to do than expected, I think you have got it spot on with both of them.

The heraldry looks pretty cool.

Dorthonion · **Posted:** Fri Jun 20, 2014 11:33 am

Great drawings!

Drumstick · **Joined:** Sat Sep 19, 2009 8:57 am **Posts:** 1223

Nice sketches. Depends if your looking at the films or trying to create your own artistic direction but the men of Dale (in the film) have strong ties to Mongolian races.

Another related area which has a lot of very interesting history and inspiring designs is the Byzantine Empire. They were just the eastern hemisphere of the Roman empire (mostly greek speeking I believe), but had a very rich culture and actually survived a good while longer after the fall of the Roman empire. Their successors were the Turks creating the Ottoman empire after that. Give it a quick google and have a look at some of their armour and weapons. Using them, with a mix of your colder nordic tribes will give you plenty inspiration.

abcdefg · **Joined:** Mon May 28, 2012 3:52 pm **Posts:** 273

Thanks all. Some of the heavily armoured turks look promising for ideas. Perhaps as an elite unit. They are very close to what I would consider Easterling though, so a balance would be needed. I guess they may be similar however, living in the same area to some extent.

abcdefg · **Joined:** Mon May 28, 2012 3:52 pm **Posts:** 273

A further update on Dale designs:

I've decided on the following designs to look at:

Esgaroth / Laketown:
> Archers - as shown in previous drawings
> Footmen - as shown in previous drawings (I think I will go with a simple bill for these rather than the spear. Update to come)

Dale:
> Royal Cavalry - as shown in previous drawings (helmet to be altered)
> Dale Dragon Guard - shown below
> Dale Infantry - shown below

Dale Infantry

These would be converted from Libyan Spearmen in Lino-thorax armour from the soon to be released Warriors of Carthage set (Victrix). I have yet to decide on a shield design.

Dale Dragon Guard

These would be converted from Libyan Veteran Spearmen in the same set. As with the Dale Infantry the shield is unfinished. I'm thinking some sort of dragon insignia twisted around the spike. Something like this: http://www.mierce-miniatures.com/ks2.5/ ... d_unit.jpg

What are your thoughts? Any criticism or suggestions?

abcdefg · **Joined:** Mon May 28, 2012 3:52 pm **Posts:** 273

I've pretty much completed the designs for the Dale Infantry and Dragon Guard:

Any comments or criticism welcome. I'm worried I may be getting too involved in the intricacies and may be losing the 'Dale' essence without realising it.

abcdefg · **Joined:** Mon May 28, 2012 3:52 pm **Posts:** 273

So, I have compiled documents for each of the major factions (some are grouped) of the best miniature painting I could find on the web. Apologies for the poor quality in some pictures, I figured it was best to make them as large as possible to avoid further loss of resolution. You can always zoom out! Apologies also for the background watermark obscuring some of the subtitles. It got a lot darker when I converted the files to PDF for some reason.

Obviously I have not painted or created any of the miniatures pictured but have collected them from blogs, websites and this forum. I do not have permission of the owners to use the pictures, but I cannot see this being a problem - I only aim to help other hobbyists with ideas. If it is a problem then I can easily remove the pictures.

I hope these documents provide some inspiration.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/p4gaq4nesnbf ... i1f8a?dl=0

Dead Marsh Spectre · **Posted:** Wed Nov 26, 2014 7:47 pm

You've obviously put a lot of time and effort in to them. Makes for a nice collection of pictures. lol even have some of mine in there :-)

Harfoot · **Posted:** Fri Jan 09, 2015 2:27 pm

just spent ages looking at some of the files, very inspirational. Thanks for putting it all together,

abcdefg · **Joined:** Mon May 28, 2012 3:52 pm **Posts:** 273

It's been a long time. Here is a small update:

Having finally got hold of the Galadhrim Captain with bow, I have decided he is too out of scale compared to the plastics and Haldir. The picture below doesn't show the extent of the difference by a long way (I stupidly took the photo from below the level of the figures), but it does give an idea.

The figure on the left is my attempt at converting a metal Galadhrim Elf into a similar Captain's pose. Below he is shown with a banner made from a metal Galadhrim and the banner from the Galadhrim Knights set.

I have also begun converting some Guards of the Galadhrim Court. If I get them done in time I shall enter them into the S&C competition at the moment.

Feanorthenoldor · **Joined:** Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:44 pm **Posts:** 879

very nice gotgc sculpts. I hate the one's gw have.

Abcdefg's WIP: Dale

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