This year has been a weird one hobby-wise. On one hand, I must have painted less than 20 miniatures all year, which is very few even by my modest output standards. On the other hand, I’ve been fairly prolific with terrain – building a whole new pirate board for example. To showcase what I’ve done this year, I set up most of my pirate stuff on my new board for a major photo shoot. To be honest, this is what I’m mostly in the hobby for: I game very little, so the pirate project is more of a dollhouse thing than something for frequent gaming use. I think this goes back to old Citadel Journals, where dioramas with tens of minis were used to display the variety of miniatures available. Another, more recent example and a great inspiration has been the pirate gallery on War in 15mm.
The table has many items that I haven’t featured in dedicated posts. If there’s something that catches your eye, just let me know in the comments and I’ll do a separate post. There will be one on the table itself, too!
My pirates have become by far my most enduring and consistent project of the past years. I’ve stuck almost exclusively to them since 2015, and there’s been no drop in enthusiasm. On the contrary, I’m more and more interested in the 18th century (and there has been a bit of an overspill into 17th and 19th century too) and I’ve for example amassed quite the collection of books on the subject. Might be a post or two in those, too.
You can click on any photo for a larger version, opening in a new tab.
The governor and his family survey the town
A wealthy merchant with his bodyguard in tow – a highwayman lurks behind the turn
One of the governor’s footmen keeps an eye on the pirates making landfall
A scoundrel with a heart or an assassin?
A boatload of pirates lands on the jetty
Trouble might be brewing
It’s Jean Blanc – the Unkillable Frenchman!
The obeah woman and her maroons keep watch
A pirate is about to get hanged – is this what drew the Frenchman?
“Nasty business, hanging.”
The captain makes sure the king’s law is carried out
A few pirates got off with an easier sentence
On Tyburn Island, trade carries on
…even in the shadow of the gallows
Speaking of trade, the governor’s men have discovered a stash in a beach cave
A footman keeps watch as the cave is investigated
At least the weather’s nice
…unless you’re working
…let alone using the outhouse
Barrett’s dead drunk in the pigsty again
“Need a hand wi’ ‘im Peg?”
Old Rogers’ cart is a landmark by now
Whatever happens on the island, the Queen knows about it
So, that’s where I’m at now! Feedback is most welcome. To all new readers and regulars, happy 2018 and thanks for stopping by!
Dawn of the Lead 