Fornovo Was The First Major Pitched Battle Of The Italian Wars."

"The French won the engagement and Charles VIII was able to march his army out of Italy."

This 28mm metal model of a Renaissance Knight is produced by "Steel Fist Miniatures" and was bought as part of the ten-figure Code REN 20 - Foot Knights Deal from their Italian Wars 1494-1538 range. The sculpt can also be purchased as part of a pair under Code REN 04 - Foot Knights, and has been painted up to represent one of the soldiers fighting on behalf of the grand coalition assembled against the King of France.

Apparently based upon "a very interesting [set of] armour now in the Wallace Collection in London", I primed the model with a combination of "Citadel" Abaddon Black and "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black, before treating it to a layer of Doom Death Black from Duncan Rhodes' "Two Thin Coats" range. I then began patiently 'picking out' all the armour's trim using a little "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and subsequently followed this up with some Gold.

"The Panther is often believed to be the best German tank of the Second World War."

Once this somewhat time-consuming process was completed, I gave all the ornate decoration a splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and tidied up any errant brushstrokes with either (more) "Two Thin Coats" Doom Death Black or "Citadel" Abbadon Black. I also repeatedly pondered whether the face bars down the front of the Knight's burgonet closed helmet would be so lavishly embellished. But having sought inspiration looking at some photographs of Sir Richard Wallace's "extensive collection" I decided that it may well have been.

Lastly, I picked out the majority of the figure's large, two-handed Zweihander sword with some "Two Thin Coats" Sir Coates Silver and Oblivion Black Wash. Part of the blade was then dry-brushed with (more) Sir Coates Silver, before I rather simply (and probably historically inaccurately) marked the man out as being part of the Holy League by pigmenting his feather plumes with "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - Some French Fusiliers at various stages of completion

Along with this latest addition to my burgeoning Italian Wars project, I have also finished two more 10mm metal German Panzerkampfwagen V Panther tanks by “Pendraken Miniatures”. I picked this particular pair up at Colours 2023, and predominantly painted them using an old OOP pot of "Citadel" Adeptus Battlegrey, some "Vallejo" Gunmetal, and plenty of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

In addition, I've been slowly working my way along a line of eight Napoleonic Frenchmen by "Wargames Foundry". I'm still getting acquainted with these old Perry-crafted Fusiliers in Greatcoat Marching, so resultantly have been pottering about with all their leather straps as part of a batch painting process. However, now these have been roughly layered, I'll probably focus upon just one or two of the infantrymen as 'test pieces' for my colour scheme.