Saturday, 1 May 2021

The Peasants Are Not Revolting!



 The Red Spear Society began as a rural self-defence movement in warlord-era 1920s China. They looked to defend their villages against bandits, warlords, tax collectors and later on nationalists/communists and Japanese. Clearly not an easy time or place to be living.

The colour red was chosen as it was believed to offer protection from disaster  and you need that when all you’re armed with is a tasseled   spear!



4 ‘companies’ each of 6 figures

The figures are mostly Copplestone Castings. Even though there are different sculpts, the pose of all the figures is virtually identical. And there are 2 types of spear, but again they’re almost impossible to differentiate. So I’ve added a pack of Pulp Figures Tongs. As well as providing a variety of poses, they came with 4 different spears. All these figures are available from the same vendor; North Star.



The majority of the painting utilised those wonderful Contrast paints. I highly recommend that you try the Guilliman Flesh if nothing else. One coat of this over a white undercoat gives a great looking flesh. 


The figures are based for Triumph of the Will rules. The number of figures in a company represents how committed they are. A unit of 6 is going to be fragile at best...

So why have these figures at all? They’re dross right?! Well they can give the umpire something to do, deny both sides a strategically important village, be the first line of defence against a Russian incursion... So they can be very useful at being a nuisance. 


Looking to be a nuisance!

Real Red Spear Society 

Looking far more martial, these Red Spear Society militia are all ladies! 1920s Chinese equivalent of the WI!


The Buddhist monks are nice to have, but in addition one base can serve as a command for the Red Spear Society. Buddhist monks were known to lead some Red Spear Society units into battle! The figures are lovely and by Pulp Figures. They were a joy to paint (mostly Contrast paints again).


My fledgling collection for warlord-era China continues to take shape. Ace painter and top bloke Andy White is busy with some of my warlord infantry and support weapons. Might even get the opportunity to get them on the tabletop sometime this year.

Take care 

Chris 


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6 comments:

  1. Neil Scott1 May 2021 at 15:32

    Very nice

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  2. Reiverdance3 May 2021 at 22:02

    Thanks Neil. I enjoyed painting them and won’t feel too bad when all comers make them run away!

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    1. william coutts4 May 2021 at 19:56

      Chris,yet another interesting blog-cracking stuff!-could you do an article on how to use these "contrast" paints?
      johnc

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    2. Reiverdance4 May 2021 at 20:42

      Not sure it’s difficult enough to merit a post length description! A light undercoat eg white. The Contrast paint is very fluid. It flows. So with a brush that holds paint well you direct it over surface you want to tint. The Contrast gives a base colour and shades all in one. Hmmm I’ll post on the figures I’m currently painting ;-)

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  3. rross6 May 2021 at 08:16

    Nice work and MAYBE you have convinced me to try the contrast Palm face, if nothing else!

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    1. Reiverdance6 May 2021 at 19:09

      At least try the Guilliman Flesh. So easy and effective :-)

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