Laketown

 I’ve been working on figures for Laketown from the Hobbit.

I liked the vibe of the costumes from The Hobbit film but had no desire to use the official figures for many reasons, including the fact all my other figures for the project were Vendel Miniatures.

I looked at art from a variety of sources for ideas and inspiration.

The figures , as of yesterday, looking really full of character.

A further view of the Laketown troops. I am pleased with the vibe which is Rus and Slav. I had a sprue of Vikings in 28mm which I built but abandoned as they were , unsurprisingly, too Viking for the project. 

I wanted something eastern with a variety of armour styles.

The famous JRR T illustrations. Ideas for watercraft perhaps…

Another interpretation of Laketown, I like the houses and bridge mechanics.

The figures just out of their respective ( and charming boxes) which are by Drabant Miniatures and are beautiful, crisp, flash free 28mm figures. Beautiful castings and a joy to work with.

I enjoy working on figures as l listen and look in on the Virtual Wargames Club on a Saturday. A cup of tea or coffee and inspiring company makes all the difference. Yesterday these arrived-

Looking forward to opening these and seeing how they will fit with buildings, coffee stirrers and other scenic items

Garden mainly

 A few photos, mainly of the garden. Note the John Ruddle figure on guard in the alpine planter, the hedgehog seen yesterday evening and a couple of interesting buildings noted on a wee visit to Edinburgh yesterday.

Back to my roots.

 Figures based now , varnished and just needing a finishing touch or two.

They have come out well and I found my bat swarm and ogre/giants today too.

Recently l asked a rules question on the Wargaming in Middle Earth Facebook group about what rules would work best with 30-40 figures a side. There were lots of helpful suggestions from a knowledgeable and friendly group of folk. I was taken by this one-

Fantastic Battles is a brilliant fantasy game and superb for doing Tolkien battles. But if you are looking for a small scale skirmish game then MESBG is perfect. It's a brilliant game and the profiles for the various heroes work very well. The previous edition is probably it's best manifestation

So after a little research and further chat l ordered Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game core rules and The Hobbit army lists. They arrived whilst I was sitting in the garden this afternoon. I was able to have a wee look at them over a cuppa.

The system was not new to me. When the set below came out circa 2001 Jan made a point of making sure l picked up a copy although we were in the midst of major family health stuff at the time. I recall the game being a welcome distraction and diversion. I played briefly around that time with the starter set and a few additional metal figures. 

I next played the game in terms of the figures after Jan died , added to them but probably played with other rules.

So here we are in 2026 with a later, but not latest version of the GW game system. I am looking forward to  trying the rules out with my Vendel figures and some others l have been planning round. So things come round full circle in a way.

A close look or banner pondering.

 I got out one of my favourite books I have had for around 40:years . It has been kept through numerous moves and book purges due to down sizing. There are loads of great illustrations in it but this is my favourite. It is of The Battle of the Five Armies and is by the renowned artist John Blanche .

The double page spread from the book.

The book carefully kept and poured over time and again.

Looking for ideas for banners for my current project. Some ideas here, in this close up.

Again more ideas. Food for thought indeed. 

This is next

 Decided to finish off this project of a number of forces each of around 30- 40 figures.

Some wargs and Olog Hai await final basing touches.

My research text for the current project, or at least part of it.

Wood elves from Mirkwood , neeeding bases finished and some final touches.

Earlier in the week on the overflow painting area near my desk, some dwarves and elves in process.

Figures by Vendel Miniatures, now called Bloody Day, sadly only available now from the US. More anon later in the week.

 

Not super at all.

 Super glue isn’t super anymore. What glue do you use to stick shields onto 28mm metal figures ? Something that sticks and doesn’t fail.

What next , you help me decide…

 Just finished forty Welsh Nationals in 28mm for VBCW.

Wondering what to do next . The options are :

Firstly finish an ongoing project to do a later fifteenth century German army, a mix of plastics and metal, for DBM , in 28mm

Secondly a larger scale skirmish project, already started too, again in 28mm , based on The Hobbit. Focussed on Wood  Elves and Lake Town Folk plus goblins. 

Thoughts and reasons please.