"Carthaginian Liby Spearmen colour advice wanted!" Topic

Hi guys!

As the title says, I'm looking for colour advice on my Liby Spearmen from Crusader mini's.

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I've got the skintone down, a brown and ochre mix worked up in about four layers. The helmet and greaves will be in a gold(ish) bronze.

For the tunic worn underneath I'll probably go for undyed wool, but as far as I know these units were somewhat wealthier than the average soldier so they might have worn some more colour? Any advice on this?

Also I'm wondering how I should do the breastplate, shoulder pads and lamellar beneath the breastplate? I'm in doubt between bronze or painted leather (and which type of colour should I use for the leather?)

Any advice and pictures are welcome!

The Carthaginians were originally Phoenicians, so possibly some purple would be used by the upper classes, but maybe of a cheaper variety than that used by the higher nobility as a badge of rank. Madder red is another possibility as the madder plant is native to North Africa.

The Carthaginians also produced a good blue dye from another gastropod. Coloured hems on tunics might be appropriate.

Okay so I've painted up my first unit of 20 but I'm still not entirely satisfied. I did some small coloured decorations on their linothorax, but am having my doubts about that. It kind of feels off… Any suggestions are welcome (about colours, patterns,…)

They're still WIP so I know they need some tidying up and I'll also redo their topknot.

[URL=http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Neves77/media/Carthaginian%20army%20during%20the%20Second%20Punic%20War/SUC52850_zpse6882ccd.jpg.html]

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[URL=http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Neves77/media/Carthaginian%20army%20during%20the%20Second%20Punic%20War/SUC52844_zps9e4de7a2.jpg.html]

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Nice work!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mike

I think the coloured borders on the linothorax look really good (and not just because I did something similar with Greeks). They add some flavour, without detracting from the overall white look.

Painting is always subjective but I think the borders look good. My only suggestion and one I used for some Victrix Hoplites was to add a wash using Army Painter soft tone to the linothorax. Added depth, highlights belts and braces though I did have to touch it up a little as too dark is not a good look.

Makes the hoplites look like they have been in the field and not straight out of barracks!

I also used the wash on cloaks where it highlights the detail very well.

Garry

Ok thanks for the replies guys! After setting them aside for a week, I must admit they're starting to grow on me! I'll probably add some more detail in the same fashion.

I'd say good advice on the wash if I hadn't already done so lol! The armour was painted vallejo white, washed badab black and then reworked with watered down vallejo white. It's mostly the picture that brings the white out a little too much. Though I do admit they look very fresh, I kind of like the bright look (though maybe I'll go back with a very light brownish wash) And I'll give that armypainter wash a look!

I'll try to add the shields and finish the base in the coming weeks and post a pic!

I think Duncan Head cites a classical source for red tunics.