Wednesday 30 August 2017

Marcus Ansell's Glorious Battlefield Full Of Glorious Classic Models And Scenery. Huzzah!


Marcus Ansell's meritorious posting of these wonderful photographs on Facebook late last night no doubt caused many an eminent and distingusihed enthusiast to sit up swiftly and exclaim, '%*@£', as their spouse looked on in startled bemusement. After all, as every adherent to Old School Citadel will know, photographs such as these are invariably packed with an abundant array of classic miniatures and scenery pieces, and are as rare as fallen snow in midsummer. 
Despite the miserable afflictions of August here in England, it seems that the sun does shine in Stoke upon a field of battle once again. No bodies of slain English and Irish would be strung up this time however, rather the gangly green forces of an orc warlord and the vulgar, ill-bred soliders of the Empire. 
Images such as these are best left to speak for themselves and I thought it prudent to post them here for those many Oldhammerers who don't use Facebook, or indeed those who do who, due to the unfavourable algorithims of social media, may find this superb collection of photographs lost to them. 
Thanks must go to Marcus for (no doubt) arranging, photographing and sharing this pictures for Old School Citadel fans to enjoy the world over. He went on to state that all of the figures you see here are from the old Games Workshop lines and are owned by Bryan Ansell - I am sure that you will recognise many of them from arcane and ancient publications of yesteryear. The main set of buildings, walls and temple ruins were built by Dave Andrews and Phil Lewis, many as part of the popular scenery articles published in White Dwarf from the late 1980s. 
The Jolly Coachman, Armoury, Apothecary and Castle were constructed by Rick Priestley and Richard Halliwell. Two of the oldest buildings were built by Bryan himself. 

































23 comments:

  1. Stunning...those buildings really remind me of Gary Chalk's work as well.

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    1. I can see your point. The bright, bold colours (especially yellow and red) but I wonder if this is a historical element rather then a stylistic choice. I am fairly sure medieval buildings were far more brightly decorated than we imagine.

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    2. Indeed. I've excavated quite a few medieval houses which had green glazed floor and roof tiles, which must've looked amazing. Houses were also rendered in a range of very garish colours including bright pink (made by mixing the render with pig's blood). Great inspiring battle scene and a super article, glad to see you're back.

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    3. Thanks Will, great to hear that professional feedback. I know similar things can be said about castles. Forget the grey stone walls you often see on television and in films, these were also brightly decorated and sometimes (such as at Corfe Castle) you can still see evidence of the old plasterwork and decorations. Something to consider when we produce scenery. (:

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  2. Did you just release a little sex wee on the viewing these? hehe

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  3. Massively inspiring!!! Can you tell us where on FB these were posted? because I didn't see them...

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    1. On the Oldhammer Community Page. Yes, kids... you can see my point in action. These wonderful photos even slipped past one of the admin team's eyes! (;

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  4. Gawwgeous. Thanks for saving these for posterity.

    I think the models in that final photo were in the Warhammer Armies book! Love 'em.

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    1. If you look carefully, you will see a few others. You have to remember that this battle is made up of just a samll selection of Bryan's painted figures. He reckons he owns more than anyone else in the world!

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  5. What a splendid table, gorgeous buildings and spectacular pictures!

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  6. Those are some mind blowing shots. It's basically the greatest toy ever devised by the hand of mortals.

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  7. Hobby crack. I'm stunned in the nicest possible way.

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  8. It is stunning...my eyes are happy)

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  9. I recognise the ruined temple bottom left of the second photograph, this was the first scenery modelling project I tried after the how-to article in White Dwarf, must have been issue 114 or thereabouts!

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