WIP Uthred of Bebbanburg

[Martin64]

Hi there!
A quick heads up what`s going on on my bench. After a too long job related absence from my man cave I decided to first try my brushes again.
The figure came from FRANK Miniatures and was sculpted by Carl Reid.
See here: http://shop.frank-miniatures.com/Figuren-Frank-Miniatures/75-mm-38/Uhtred.html
"Uhtred" is based on a fictional character from the novels of Bernard Cornwell. He is my favorite author and so the urge to paint Uthred put all other projects behind.
Painting was done with acrylics (Andrea, Darkstar and Scale 75).
The pictures were done in a hurry - so apologies for the quality. Here`s the current status.

The two last pictures were taken without flash "freehand" so they are a bit blurred but the colors are close to the actual figure. The other were taken with the flash covered so they are sharper and more dramatic.
All hobby related comments are welcome.

Cheers, Martin

 

[ometz]

Really like your effort here, especially the figure's cloak and shield (but entire figure is well done).

 

[ChaosCossack]

Really nice work Martin. Uthred is definitely one of my favourite characters from my favourite author.

Great job

Colin

 

[Dekiman]

Beautifull figure.Shield,cloak and boots are superb.
I also love books by Bernarde Cornwell but my favourite character is Sharpe.
If I may notice that in books Uthred have two white lightning across his black cloak

 

[Martin64]

Thanks for the comments and likes.
Dekiman - I will give the two lightnings a thought, thanks for your attention to detail. Although I read all parts of the Saxon Chronicles so far it slipped through. I like the Sharpe-series as well but feel that Cornwell developed further as a writer in his following novels. For myself it started with "The Winter King" and while the still nice Sharpe-series suffered from the problem to show larger scale battles of the Napoleonic Wars on screen with their limited budget I am surprised that so far nobody considered to put the Warlord Chronicles on film.
Colin - the same about Uthred on my side - his struggles to fight against his personal convictions as a pagan for christendom and the strong influence of women on his decisions are easy to understand.
All the best, Martin

 

[Martin64]

Progress:

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Cool! Im listing to the fourt book right now.
Nice touch with Uthreds details.

Cheers
Janne Nilsson

 

[tock24]

Dont mean to hijack your post [nice figure by the way!] but :-

Alexander Dreymon​

has been given the lead role in BBC2 and BBC America's new historical series ​

THE LAST KINGDOM​

! The American Horror Story actor will play King Uhtred in the eight hour epic series based on​

Bernard Cornwell​

's ninth century set book series. Real historical figures and events will be mixed with fictional characters during the reign of Alfred the Great, who as King of ​

THE LAST KINGDOM​

fought off a Viking invasion. After Uhtred's noble Saxon parents are killed by the Vikings, the marauders kidnap him and raise him as one of their own. Forced to choose between the country of his birth and the people of his upbringing, his loyalties are continually tested.​

BR​

Ian​

 

[tiberius57]

Very dynamic figure and you did a great job, Martin! All elements are working very well together! Great free hand on the shield!
I'm looking forward to see this piece done. The groundwork looks excellent so far!
Cheers,
Zeno

 

[Martin64]

Getting closer - hope to be able to post better pics within the next days. Thanks Zeno - groundwork is continuing and your works are a great inspiration.

 

[pmfs]

Hi Martin!

I like the way you painted the shield and the look of the groundwork.
Following your progress.

Cheers,
Pedro.

 

[Marty]

B

Dont mean to hijack your post [nice figure by the way!] but :-

Alexander Dreymon​

has been given the lead role in BBC2 and BBC America's new historical series ​

THE LAST KINGDOM​

! The American Horror Story actor will play King Uhtred in the eight hour epic series based on​

Bernard Cornwell​

's ninth century set book series. Real historical figures and events will be mixed with fictional characters during the reign of Alfred the Great, who as King of ​

THE LAST KINGDOM​

fought off a Viking invasion. After Uhtred's noble Saxon parents are killed by the Vikings, the marauders kidnap him and raise him as one of their own. Forced to choose between the country of his birth and the people of his upbringing, his loyalties are continually tested.​

BR​

Ian​

Beat me too it!!
As a long time fan of all things Cornwell im looking forward to this, and having read all books on both series I reckon that if done right could be way better than game of thrones.
But I digress, great work Martin!
Marty

 

[ChaosCossack]

I too am waiting for the series to come out and really hope they do the books justice.
"All things Cornwell", I like that. Sharpe, Thomas of Hookton, Uthred, his one off books like Stonehenge and The Fort... every time I read these great books, my mind is flooded with dioramas, vignettes and single figures, more than I could complete in my lifetime.

I hope to see some better pics Martin, to truly appreciate this figure

Colin

 

[Dekiman]

Dont forget the Arthur books (Winter King,Enemy of God and Excalibur).
every time I read these great books, my mind is flooded with dioramas, vignettes and single figures, more than I could complete in my lifetime. Chaos Cossack I could not agree more.
Martin 64 keep it up with you work.
You have a lot of fans.

 

[Viking Bob]

A very well painted figure, love it.

 

[Martin64]

Thanks for the comments and likes! It is good to know that there will be a film coming up. I sincerely hope they will get it "right". Sometimes films don`t convey the pictures you got in your head when reading the book. Therefore I am glad that the figure is currently just guided by the sculpt of Carl Reid and my imagination. I tried to make the wolf`s head on the shield and the snake on the sheath of "serpent breath" look as if being painted on. - Although I admire the fancy 3D-shield designs of the top painters in our hobby I wonder if these kind of shields were seen on the battlefields of times past. - Groundwork is still underway although I will not add too much vegetation due to the suggested remains of a "fortification" Uthred is storming through and go more for a muddy effect.
Will now think about adding the lightnings to the cloak. Can somebody give me a hint, where this is being described in the books?
Base came from my last stock of bases from Poste Militaire. The nameplate was made up from A&B putty and painted up.
All the best!
Martin
So here is another attempt on taking acceptable pictures: