Painting War: Dark Ages

The latest book in the Painting War series looks at the Dark Ages and suggests a range of different methods to get your miniatures painted up the ‘right’ way. As always, the techniques on show are shown step-by-step and, with practice, should really make your Warbands stand out.

After the usual excellent advice regarding tools, the colour wheel and more, there are a number of pages that look at methods to paint different skin tones, hair and clothing, with some great tips on painting Scottish and Irish Tartan, cape decoration and also armour, from chain to scale and lamellar.

There are also examples of how to paint shields in general and, interestingly, how to paint particular colours or shades on shields to really make them ‘pop’. In a period known for its browns and greys, with darker coloured clothing being the norm, this is a great way to make your figures stand out on the tabletop.

The issue of cloaks and fur capes is explored over two pages, with advice on how to lift them using washes and highlights, so they are a separate part of the miniature’s outfit.

Moving through flags, terrain and basing, with some interesting techniques, we have a series of 39 ‘files’ that focus in on painting examples drawn from the ‘Who’s Who’ of the Dark Ages, moving from the human form of one of the Norse Gods themselves to those nations known for going ‘a-Viking’ (Swedish, Norwegians, Danes and more).

We then move through Normans, Bretons, Flemish, Anglo Danish and Anglo-Saxons. One page deals with Arabs, then we’re back to Europe, with Franks, Welsh, Scots, Irish and even Monks.

Interestingly, there are also Norse-Gaels and Skraelings, plus the Rus, Kha-gan and Mag-yar. Every page has information on the colours used, plus the shading and mixing needed to achieve certain effects. On the vast majority of pages are tips or historical facts that add another layer to this great resource.

As has become the norm with the Painting War series, this is a very accessible painting guide with some excellently painted examples of miniatures from the Gripping Beast, Artizan and Crusader ranges. The level of research that has gone into the creation of this high quality publication appears to be indepth, and the quality of the brushmanship exhibited by Alberto Mateos is fantastic. Once again, here is a resource which covers a great deal of ground in relatively few pages, with plenty of ideas and support for those looking to recreate the warriors of a bygone age. Visit North Star Military Figures to order your copy from the UK or Brigade Games in the US.