This 28mm metal model of a Renaissance Knight is produced by "Steel Fist Miniatures" and was bought as part of the ten-figure Code REN 20 - Foot Knights Deal from their Italian Wars 1494-1538 range. The sculpt can also be purchased as part of a pair under Code REN 05 - Foot Knights, and whilst not specifically named as the Marquess of Mantua, was painted with Francesco II Gonzaga in mind.
"Regarded as the finest knight in Italy", the multi-part model was super-glued together and given a couple of coats of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, followed by a combination of Sir Coates Silver from "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. The armour and blade were then given a dry-brush of (more) Sir Coates Silver before receiving two more 'drownings' of "Citadel" Nuln Oil. This was because Francesco appeared to always be wearing black armour in his portrait pictures, and whilst I didn't want to go that way with this particular sculpt, I did want to make his suit appear a little darker than normal.
Due to selecting this particular miniature to represent "the commander-in-chief of the army of the Italian League in the Battle of Fornovo", I 'picked out' his barely visible moustache with a dab of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and splosh of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, before applying plenty of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson to his skirt - a colour which would starkly contrast with the predominantly blue palette I am planning for their French opposition. In addition, I did a little research on the Marquess of Mantua's flag for this historical period, and decided to represent its red cross with four black dragons on a white background with his helmet's plumes.
Resultantly, the various feathered hackles were painted using White Star and some heavily watered-down Carcharodon Grey by "Duncan Rhodes' Two Thin Coats", pure "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and "Vallejo" Heavy Red with plenty of the "Citadel" Shade Carroburg Crimson. As a final touch I dabbed a little "Vallejo" Gold" and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade over the pommel of Francesco's sword.
With the second of my Battle of Fornovo combatants completed, I have focused much more of my hobby time upon some more of the 28mm Russian Infantry in Oilskin Covered 1812 Shako Marching by "Wargames Foundry" I want to field as part of my Third Coalition force. These soldiers will initially form up alongside a pair of already finished British 95th Riflemen for some skirmish games of "Xenos Rampant". At least they will once I complete the handful of Napoleon's French Fusiliers I intend to field as their early opposition.
To help me have a break from all the white straps of the early Nineteenth Century uniforms, I've also assembled and primed (using a mixture of "Vallejo" Primer Leather Brown and Heavy Sienna) three large metal Yeti by "Warlord Games". These 28mm scale classic monsters from the "Doctor Who" science fiction television series are now sadly OOP (out of production) since the Nottingham-based company lost the licence. But I was recently lucky enough to snag a trio of the models second-hand, so have wasted no time in getting them ready for my brush-tip...