Subject:  
Black Knight
Lead Warrior 54mm

Review & model by:
Ian Dow
Pictures: R. Forys

May 2006
Model of the Month





[This style of armor is known as the Maximilian style.]



During the period from 1515-1520, a style of armor known as the "Maximilian" style of armor became popular.   It was so named after Emperor Maximilian who reigned in Germany from 1493-1519.   It was in fact not designed or worn by Maximilian himself, but the armor's popularity coincided with Maximilian's reign.   It was a definite break from the traditional armor of the day in the fact that it depicted the human form.   Up until this point most armor was more boxy or bulky and was designed to not show off the human form or the contours of the body.   It was believed that showing the human form was sinful and not virtuous.   With the renaissance, the human form was celebrated and a more open attitude was accepted about its function in the world.   These views translated into many forms of art including the armor.




[This style used fluting on the breast, back and arm pieces.]



Another thing that made the Maximilian design different was the use of fluting on the breast, back and arm pieces.   These newer fluted designs were originally designed in Italy and incorporated when the armor was reproduced in Innsbruck, Germany.   It had a very clam shaped design that tapered at the waist, and also a separate padded codpiece, which was previously not acceptable.   This design became very popular due to the ease of mobility that the suits provided. Although weighing up to 80 lbs in full armor, these newer styles were considered cutting edge and very fashionable.





[The figure was purchased from Lead Warrior.] [They offer relatively clean castings at a fair price.]




The figure was purchased from Lead Warrior.   They offer relatively clean castings at a fair price.   There are better manufacturers of lead figures that offer crisper lines, and the figures also require more assembly, which allows for better painting.   These better castings also run about $10-$15 dollars more per figure.




[I choose to burnish the entire figure with a metal scribing tool.]




To begin with, the figure was soaked in paint thinner to remove any release agents or finger smudges.   It was next scuffed with a wire brush to remove any burrs or flash that was still on the figure.   Since this figure was dressed in full armor there was not going to be any facial or skin tones to deal with and very little fabric.   The aim was to make the armor look like real metal and add some accents without overdoing the details.   I choose to burnish the entire figure with a metal scribing tool first.   The change in appearance was remarkable.   It took a dull metal look and gave the entire figure a shiny metal appearance.




[I washed the whole figure with Windsor Newton oil based black.]



I then used Windsor Newton oil based black as a very light wash over the whole figure.   This brought out all the details and just slightly tarnished or dulled down the overall look of the figure.   I then laid several darker coats of the black on areas that I wanted to look like polished black metal.   These areas were the alternating flutes on the leg armor, chest and back plates.   The shoulder, knee, elbow and upper leg armor pieces were accented with Windsor Newton oil based gold.   This was applied over the black and gave it an antique gold finish.   It helps to accentuate the details without overshadowing the armor itself.   At this point, I went through and re-burnished any pieces that I wanted to lighten up, or that may have had too much black washed over them.




[I finished with painting the pants Windsor Newton burnt sienna oil.]



I finished with painting the pants Windsor Newton burnt sienna oil and highlighting with various shades of light and dark.   The feathers were painted raw sienna and Indian red oils. The feathers did not get as much depth as I wanted and after finishing another project, I realized how these could have been painted to have a little more life.   Live and learn.   The base was made from a block of plywood painted to look like marble with four small plastic balls as feet.   Overall the project was fun to do, and turned out fairly well.   It was recognized with a bronze award at the 2006 SEMMEX competition in the 54mm category.




[The feathers were painted raw sienna and Indian red oils.]