Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Chariots and Trillium

Here's the 2nd of 4 new Assyrian Heavy Chariots.

I used the brown Micron ink pen for the detailing (pattern)  on the yellow portions of the Cab, and the green pen for the green quivers affixed to the cab.


The reins are made from the tape like form of Dental floss, painted a suitable color. 


Some more ink pen detailing on the fringes and the shield border. 


A coat of dark magic wash brought out the sculpting details on the wheels, ropes, and horse furniture nicely. 

About 10 days ago, my wife, our dog, and I were walking in neighboring Roxbury,  on the former rail bed of the rail line that used to run to the Granite and Garnet quarry at Mine Hill a century and a half ago. As we walked the amazingly durable bed laid down so long ago, I was excited to find some red Trillium wildflowers.  I hadn't seen one in in the wild for over 30 years, and there were a couple of spots where they were growing. This reclusive and ephemeral flower, nicknamed Red Wakerobin for it's early season blooms, and Stinking Benjamin (it is pollinated by flies and, like many similarly pollinated flowers [Jack in the Pulpit] it uses a rotting carrion fragrance to attract them). The blossoms were already becoming spent in mid May, so I didn't photograph them, but made note of their locations for next may. When we got back, I suspected that the cultivated Trillium that I had planted in the very shady front side of our home nearly 30 years ago might have gotten enough light and water this year to bloom, and that it would probably be a week or so behind its Forrest brethren. And so it was! I find the multiple threes of the flower and leaves (bracts) very satisfying aesthetically, with the red petals and green sepals making a sort of Star of David pattern. As the plants grow fairly low to the ground (12 to 18"), I have never had reason to sample their fragrance. It is best never to pick Trillium, as the flowers wilt almost immediately, and if you damage the three leaves, it may take years to recover, if ever. 


A different angle on a different day, taken to show the arrangement of the bracts (Leaves). Other varieties of Trillium found in North America can have white, pink, yellow, green or purple petals, but this red variety is the one that is native to New England... when you can find it!

22 comments:

  1. Peter, these Hinchliffe models are really quite impressive despite their age. I like your paint scheme as well as your pen decorations.
    Nice result!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jon. I agree that they stand up quite well ? 40 years after they were sculpted!

      Delete
  2. Lovely work Peter, and they have come up beautifully. Adding the reins is a nice touch.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lovely chariots and great to see the trillium too.
    Alan

    ReplyDelete
  4. Didn't know this flower...and this chariot is wonderful Peter!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trillium is very fussy as to habitat... it likes partial but not deep shade, moist but not swampy soil.It is usually found along the borders of trails where some sun breaks through. The Northwest version has white flowers that are pendant (hang down) and pleasantly fragrant, I believe!

      Delete
    2. The Northwest species of Trillium found in my neck of the woods does indeed have white petals but also can have purple petals.

      Delete
  5. Good work on the chariot scheme. Using the floss is a good technique for straps.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Excellent work. The reins are a nice touch. Congrats on the find, I always find it refreshing to discover wild things still exist long after we thought them departed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jake. I was very happy to find them. They are uncommon enough to be protected in some states.

      Delete
  7. Great looking chariot, nice detail work with the pen, I haven't used one for ages I must dig it out, still look great, after all these years!
    Best Iain

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The pen works best with older school figures, I find.

      Delete
  8. Superb especially for so called Vintage figures !

    ReplyDelete
  9. Peter,
    Your Assyrian "moving vans" look fierce and ready to roll down their enemies. In my past a friend, as a joke, placed a small scaled "white kitchen sink" in one of my chariots. Took me several games to wonder why his smile was beaming when the old Assyrian army hit the table. Big laugh when finally spotted, as I chased a bouncing die across the table. Took a photo.... but alas gone missing to the time of history.

    Side note: Playing my Gospic 1809 scenario this weekend at the local convention. Should be interesting. WR write up in the works.

    Michael
    Ps. Loved the flower too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. Michael. Great tale about the Kitchen Sink!

      Delete