"The King of Persia" Topic

A little while since I shared any flats progress, so here is a newly completed command stand … the Great King himself – 'King' as the Greeks would call him (you didn't need to say where of)

The model is from the Cortum Battle of Issus range and follows the famous mosaic (though, in painting, I haven't copied it exactly) …

As usual, the painting is acrylic over enamel with some oil paint finishes to give it (I hope) that classic look.

I am just dipping in and out of the 480 BC project of late but hope to get a little run at it soon.

Phil Steele

'King' as the Greeks would call him.

I would call him Shahanshah. Very nice work!

Looks great, Phil. Some real artistry there.

Cheers,
Aaron

Phil: very attractive work. I look forward to seeing more.

Very nice Phil.
Shanashah came later Cyrus

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone … (comments are always appreciated !)

Re Cyrus and sumerandakkad, I confess my remark was based on remembered schoolboy Greek …

I am doing my best to supply him with limitless resources …

Phil

Always loved flats and you have really done them justice!

Phil; some very nice brush work!

Shanashah came later Cyrus

Shahanshah literally "King of kings" is as old as the Achaemenid Empire and is actually a borrowed word from the Medians. I have rendered it in a more modern form. I certainly don't posses the diacritical marks necessary to render properly in its more ancient form.

As usual, the painting is acrylic over enamel with some oil paint finishes to give it (I hope) that classic look.

@Phil,
Could you give a few more details of your painting method for flats. Really, one of these days I AM going to paint some of mine up!

I did take some pictures in process when painting this relatively simple Egyptian boat (simple as in it is nearly all earth tones and skin tones with just a few colours)

1: prime with Humbrol enamels … linen, sand and brown (in order of darkness) – allow to dry completely – then, 2/. coat the whole model in un-thinned raw umber oil paint (i.e. from the tube) and then remove most of the oil paint with a rag (so you get a smokey effect) then – before it dries completely – 3/. paint in the main areas (mostly using acrylics: these days I just use whatever gives nice colours) … doing this before the oil dries gives a fade effect around the colour … then allow to dry before 4/. finishing with the usual touch ups and highlights …

(the completed Egyptian boat: 30mm flat model)

The oil stage in the middle is a bit messy and takes getting used to (basically smothering your so far neatly done model in dark paint trusting that most of it will come off) but is very quick compared to traditional oil techniques (which are sort of messy anyway) yet still retains some of the magical character of oil painted flats (that fadey old master look) ..

I wouldn't pretend that this technique doesn't improve with a bit of practice of course

Shading is very important in giving flats a 3D effect, especially in photos

Phil
(I'll try to do some stage-by-stage pictures of something more helpful than brown people in a brown boat next time)

Phil,
That was really informative! Learn something new all the time.

I love flats.. love your technique.. only wish I had the time..

funny how some German flats are so much better than what we have from modern miniatures companies… I had to jump through hoops to create a Darius figures that I'm only partially proud of in 28mm…

Sorry, Cyrus. I stand corrected. I thought it was more a Sassanian title

Dear Yesthatphil

I am amazed and astounded. You are indeed a master artist. Nothing I've ever done comes close to this. I have a few hundred flats I collect but I am intimidated to try to paint them. I love them for the sheer artistry but I'm not good enough for the task. (I know, I tried many times, failed more often than that).

Good work, excellent work.

Makes me want to smash all the stuff I've done. Don't worry, I won't. The lads are safe. But praise and honor to you.

Otto

Well, indeed, my cup runneth over … thanks again for such a positive response.

It is good that on a forum where we can find so much to dispute so many of us seem to share an affection for flat figures. Yesteryear's wargame soldiers for the ancients enthusiast, for sure, but still a museum standard in Europe and so widely collected.

Other than my Airfix Romans, as a youngster, flats were the first ancient figures I really saw, when Blue Peter did a short feature on Deryck Guyler's collection*.

Phil
*for non-Brits who may not know, Blue Peter is an iconic BBC children's magazine show, and Deryck Guyler was a TV character actor and comedian who served for years as Life Vice President of The Society of Ancients … By some circuitous generosity, I now own some of Deryck's flats (who knows, maybe even some of those that I had seen on that TV show as a wide-eyed young enthusiast )

@sumerandakkad,
No worries. With a handle like sumerandakkad I thought you might say something like you could trace it back even further!