Start of the Trojan War

This is where I am going to start up and finish the project...

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

Scale: 28 mm This means contrast and clarity matter more than perfect realism. To maximise the "look" I'll want strong mid-tones, sharp highlights, and slightly desaturated shadows to keep the figures "readable" at arm’s length.

Palette logic: Each faction should have:

• A core tunic / clothing color range

• A leather / wood / metal tone

• Accent color(s) to distinguish elite units  and/or shield motifs

• A shared Mediterranean base (warm earths, sun-bleached fabrics, oxidized bronze)

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BASELINE MATERIALS VERSUS PAINTS

Material	Vallejo	Army Painter	Reaper
Bronze / Brass	VMC 70801 Brass	Greedy Gold	9054 Polished Bronze
Oxidized Bronze	70897 Bronze Green glaze over Brass	Hydra Turquoise wash over Greedy Gold	9222 Tarnished Brass + 9207 Pale Green wash
Leather (light)	70875 Beige Brown	Leather Brown	9062 Burnt Leather
Leather (dark)	70871 Leather Brown	Oak Brown	9061 Shield Brown
Wood	70846 Mahogany Brown	Fur Brown	9073 Chestnut Brown
Linen / Tunic base	70915 Deep Sky Grey + 70976 Buff mix	Skeleton Bone	9063 Linen White
Flesh (Mediterranean)	70804 Beige Red + highlight 70928 Light Flesh	Barbarian Flesh	9061 Rosy Skin

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My plan is to start with the skirmishers...

TROJAN WAR SKIRMISHERS — COLOR GUIDE (28 mm)

 GENERAL NOTES

• Lighting: Harsh Mediterranean sun — strong highlights, warm undertones, and dusty shading.

• Skin tones: All factions are deeply tanned, reflecting lifelong outdoor life. Range from sun-bronzed to dark reddish-brown.

• Metals: Bronze rules; iron is rare. Favor dull, oxidized, or green-stained finishes.

• Weathering: Use Buff or Aged Bone drybrush for dust; fade cloth by mixing Buff/Ivory into highlights.

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1. Achaeans (Mainland Greeks / Mycenaeans)

Theme: Wealthy, disciplined mainland warriors — ochres, reds, and polished bronze.

• Tunic: 70818 Red Leather / 70981 Orange Brown

• Cloak: 70913 Yellow Ochre or 70908 Carmine Red (add Buff for sun-fade)

• Armor: 70801 Brass → highlight 70999 Copper

• Leather: 70871 Leather Brown

• Shield motifs: Red-white-black geometric designs, mythological images

• Skin tone: 70804 Beige Red + 70818 Red Leather (1 : 1) → wash Reaper 9228 Chestnut Brown, highlight 70928 Light Flesh + base
  Mood: Warm, authoritative, sun-burned leaders of the mainland.

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2. Trojans

Theme: Refined Anatolian nobility — purples, blues, and ornate bronze.

• Tunic: 70960 Violet / 70911 Light Orange Brown

• Cloak: 70930 Dark Prussian Blue

• Armor: 70801 Brass shaded 70897 Bronze Green

• Leather: 70875 Beige Brown

• Shield motifs: Blue-gold with eastern patterns (lotus, horses)

• Skin tone: 70804 Beige Red + 70924 Tan Earth; wash Reaper 9235 Brown Wash; highlight Light Flesh + Tan Earth
  Mood: Noble, dignified, burnished under Anatolian sun.

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3. Thracians / Northern Allies

Theme: Rugged highlanders — muted earths, woven patterns, and rough bronze.

• Tunic: 70988 Khaki / 70873 US Field Drab

• Cloak: Striped or checked 70908 Carmine Red or 70902 Azure

• Armor: 70878 Old Gold toned 70814 Burnt Umber

• Leather: 70871 Leather Brown → highlight Buff

• Shield motifs: Plain wood, painted rims

• Skin tone: 70875 Beige Brown base; wash Army Painter Strong Tone; highlight Light Flesh + Beige Brown

• Mood: Hardy, practical, wind-burned fighters.

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4. Lycians / Anatolian Allies

Theme: Coastal desert dwellers — sandy cloth, turquoise accents, green-bronze gear.

• Tunic: 70876 Brown Sand / 70912 Tan Yellow

• Cloak: 70897 Bronze Green / 70965 Prussian Green (mix Buff for fade)

• Armor: 70801 Brass + 70897 Bronze Green wash

• Leather: 70871 Leather Brown → highlight 70913 Yellow Ochre

• Shield motifs: Spirals or sun discs in turquoise-sand tones

• Skin tone: 70924 Tan Earth base; wash 70822 German Cam. Black Brown; highlight 70913 Yellow Ochre + base
  Mood: Weathered coastal veterans, sun-bleached and salt-crusted.

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5. Islanders (Cycladic / Cretan / Aegean Allies)

Theme: Seafarers — whites, blues, and salt-stained cloth over dark, leathery skin.

• Tunic: 70820 Offwhite / 70884 Stone Grey (glaze 70876 Brown Sand)

• Cloak: 70902 Azure / 70904 Dark Blue

• Armor: 70801 Brass with blue-green oxidation

• Leather: 70871 Leather Brown + 70988 Khaki mix

• Shield motifs: White-blue nautical (waves, dolphins, mythological)

• Skin tone: 70804 Beige Red + 70818 Red Leather; wash Reaper 9228 Chestnut Brown; highlight Light Flesh + base (2 : 1)
  Mood: Deep-tanned mariners, garments bleached by sun and spray.

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6. Sea Peoples (Peleset / Sherden / Denye / Shekelesh etc.)

Theme: Mercenaries and raiders from across the Mediterranean — eclectic colors, feathered headdresses, worn leather, and darkened bronze.

• Tunic: 70876 Brown Sand / 70913 Yellow Ochre / 70814 Burnt Umber variations between tribes

• Cloak / Kilt: 70909 Duck Egg Green or 70897 Bronze Green for Sherden-style warriors; 70912 Tan Yellow + Buff for Peleset

• Armor: Bronze or copper, oxidized (70801 Brass + 70897 Bronze Green wash); some iron pieces — 70863 Gunmetal Grey + 70814 Burnt Umber glaze

• Leather: Dark, cracked (70871 Leather Brown → 70822 German Cam. Black Brown wash)

• Shield motifs: Round or oval — rawhide or bronze-rimmed, patterns in red, black, and white

• Accents: Feathers, cloth strips in bright red, turquoise, green or white to suggest mixed origins

• Skin tone: 70875 Beige Brown + 70924 Tan Earth (1 : 1); wash Reaper 9235 Brown Wash; highlight 70913 Yellow Ochre + tiny touch of Light Flesh
  → Deep, sun-baked bronze with a dusty undertone
  Mood: Nomadic raiders — diverse, fierce, scorched by sea glare and endless travel.

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Optional Weathering

Effect	Mix Recommendation
Dust / Dirt	Light drybrush 70976 Buff or Reaper 9064 Aged Bone
Verdigris on Bronze	Glaze 70897 Bronze Green + 70909 Duck Egg Green (1 : 1)
Sun Fading	Add 70976 Buff or Ivory to top-surface highlights
Sweat / Grime	Thin 70822 German Cam. Black Brown into recesses

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Helmets

• Boar’s-Tusk Helmet: Leather or felt cap with strips of boar tusk stitched on.

• Bronze Cap / Bronze-reinforced Helmet: Simple bronze or leather-metal mix, emerging late in the Bronze Age.

• Dendra-style Bronze Plate Helmet: Heavy bronze plate helmet associated with the full panoply, used by elite warriors.

Painting/Colour Scheme Suggestions

• Use a warm polished bronze tone for the helmets (e.g., base metallic bronze + brown wash).

• For boar’s-tusk parts: an ivory or bone colour, slightly weathered (sepia wash).

• Leather bases: dark brown with lighter brown highlights.

• Crest or plume (for elite/higher status): red or white horsehair or dyed leather strips.

• Add wear: scratches, darkened edges, maybe slight green patina for bronze.

Historical Overview

• Greek / Mycenaean helmet production in the 14th-12th centuries BC was evolving: organic materials (leather, tusks) still common, full bronze forms emerging.

• Boar’s-tusk helmets are iconic of Mycenaean elite and referenced in epic tradition.

• Heavy bronze helmets (like those associated with Dendra) would be rarer, probably for chariot crews or nobles.

• Achaeans – Late Bronze Age Greece

Helmet Type	Description	Painting/Finish Notes	Unit Role
Boar’s-Tusk Helmet	Leather/felt base + tusk plates	Ivory-bone tusks, brown leather, red/white plume	Elite hero / chariot crew
Bronze Cap Helmet	Simple bronze shell or bronze-reinforced leather	Warm bronze, brown straps, maybe red crest	Standard infantry
Dendra Plate Helmet	Full bronze plate helmet (elite)	Polished bronze, dark straps, horsehair crest	Noble warrior / command

Trojans & Anatolian Allies – Late Bronze Age Anatolia

• Bronze Dome/Cap Helmet: Rounded bronze shell style, typical Anatolian region late Bronze Age.

• Leather-Bronze Composite Helmet: Leather or hide cap reinforced with bronze bands or plates.

• Ridge/Peak Helmet Variant: Helmet with a central ridge or peak, sometimes decorative, used by Anatolian or “eastern” allied troops.

Painting/Colour Scheme Suggestions

• Use a slightly duller bronze for contrast vs Greek polished bronze — e.g., bronze base + dark wash + very subtle green patina.

• Leather parts: rich red-brown or near-black (to signal different culture).

• Crests: deep crimson, or dark blue with gold trim.

• Decorative bands: perhaps gold or dark blue stripes around helmet rim to denote higher status.

Historical Overview

• Anatolian metallurgy was good in the Late Bronze Age; helmets heavier and solid bronze appear, but also composite forms.

• Helmets in this region may differ in silhouette and finish from Greek ones — using this to visually differentiate factions works well.

• Allied troops (e.g., from western Anatolia) might have variation: composite helmets, different crests, less uniformity.

Helmet Type	Description	Painting/Finish Notes	Unit Role
Bronze Dome Helmet	Rounded bronze shell	Dull bronze, dark wash, crimson crest	Allied infantry
Ridge/Peak Helmet	Bronze with central ridge or peak	Dark bronze, black/blue crest, gold trim	Elite allied
Leather-Bronze Composite	Leather cap with bronze reinforcement	Red-brown leather, bronze bands	Light troops / skirmishers

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Sea Peoples / Maritime Raiders & Allied Auxiliaries

• Feather-Crown Helmet: A characteristic type associated with Sea Peoples imagery — a rounded cap with decorative band and feathers/plumes.

• Horned/Disc Helmet Variant: Some reliefs show Sea Peoples with helmets with horns, discs, or raised peaks.

• Leather/Hide Cap with Bronze Trim: For light/skirmish units – less heavy than full bronze.

Painting/Colour Scheme Suggestions

• Use dark bronze/iron tone for helmets: base metallic dark + black/brown wash.

• Feathers/plumes: vivid colours (scarlet, azure) to show the flamboyant raider style.

• Leather parts: red-brown or even blackened to signal lighter gear.

• Decorative elements: metallic studs, bands of bronze or copper for visual interest.

• Consider variations within this faction: more variety = good for allied/mercenary feel.

Historical Overview

• The Sea Peoples were active around the collapse of the Late Bronze Age (~1200 BC) and appear in Egyptian and Levantine sources.

• Their armour and helmets show mixture of Aegean, Anatolian, Levantine styles; helmet forms are less standardised, making them visually distinct.

• Using this faction gives you flexibility: many helmet types, more decorative variety, which helps differentiate them from the more uniform Greek and Anatolian forces.

Sea Peoples/Maritime Raiders – Late Bronze Age Raiders 

Helmet Type	Description	Painting/Finish Notes	Unit Role
Feather-Crown Helmet	Rounded cap + decorative band + plumes	Dark bronze/iron, vivid plumes, metallic studs	Raider/mercenary light infantry
Horned/Disc Helmet	Helmet with horns or discs	Dark metal, horn/ disc in bronze/gold, colourful accents	Warlord/officer
Leather/Hide Cap	Simpler cap, leather/hide construction	Black-ened leather, bronze rim, minimal crest	Skirmisher / support

Trojan War Shield Design Guide

Achaean (Greek) Factions

Each has regional flair, but generally shares Mycenaean motifs: bronze-faced figure-of-eight or tower shields, linear and spiral decoration, and symbols of prowess or patron gods.

Mycenae (Agamemnon)

• Colors: Deep crimson, bronze, gold.

• Motifs: Lion heads (link to the Lion Gate), sunbursts, twin axes.

• Style: Formal, geometric — powerful but ordered.

• Symbolic pattern: Gold lion over red field or concentric bronze spirals on dark red.

Sparta (Menelaus)

• Colors: Red and black, white details.

• Motifs: Horse motifs, twin snakes (Tyndareus’ sons), simple lambda-style chevrons.

• Style: Spartan even before Sparta — minimal and stark.

• Pattern idea: Red field, black chevron or white twin serpent motif.

Ithaca (Odysseus)

• Colors: Olive green, brown, bronze.

• Motifs: Octopus or squid, spiral waves, owl eye.

• Style: Maritime, intelligent, understated.

• Pattern idea: Bronze field with olive octopus arms curling outward.

Pylos (Nestor)

• Colors: Yellow ochre, ivory, bronze.

• Motifs: Linear meanders, bulls or chariot wheels.

• Style: Old and ornate — proud craftsmanship.

• Pattern idea: Cream shield with bronze bull’s head or spiral cross.

Argos (Diomedes)

• Colors: Blue-gray, silver, bronze.

• Motifs: Starburst or boar.

• Style: Military efficiency.

• Pattern idea: Metallic blue shield, silver starburst.

Thessaly (Achilles & Phthia)

• Colors: White, gold, light blue.

• Motifs: Horse, thunderbolt, stylized sun.

• Style: Heroic and radiant.

• Pattern idea: Gold horse on white field, or blue shield with white lightning.

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Trojan Factions

Troy (Priam, Hector)

• Colors: Gold, scarlet, royal purple.

• Motifs: Sun disks, eagle, city walls.

• Style: Eastern richness; patterned borders.

• Pattern idea: Gold sun on red field with purple edge band.

Dardania (Aeneas)

• Colors: Bronze, deep green, red.

• Motifs: Boar, spearheads, laurel branches.

• Style: Tough frontier warriors.

• Pattern idea: Bronze shield, red boar head.

Lycia (Sarpedon)

• Colors: Turquoise, copper, tan.

• Motifs: Winged creatures, double axes.

• Style: Anatolian–Minoan hybrid.

• Pattern idea: Copper field, turquoise winged serpent.

Phrygia

• Colors: Red, bronze, white.

• Motifs: Geometric diamonds, ram horns.

• Pattern idea: Red field with bronze diamond lattice.

Mysia

• Colors: Brown, gray, dark bronze.

• Motifs: Crescent moon, horned animal.

• Pattern idea: Dark bronze with silver crescent.

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Island & Allied Factions

Crete (Minoan remnant)

• Colors: Light blue, white, gold.

• Motifs: Bulls, labyrinth spirals, marine life.

• Pattern idea: Blue field, white labyrinth.

Rhodes / Kos / Aegean Islanders

• Colors: Light blue, bronze, white.

• Motifs: Dolphins, anchors, wave spirals.

• Pattern idea: White wave motif on blue.

Euboea / Athens (if included)

• Colors: Black, red, silver.

• Motifs: Owl, olive branch, stylized eye.

• Pattern idea: Black field, silver owl.

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Note on Skin & Weathering...

ALMOST everyone lived and fought outdoors.

• Expect deep tans—Mediterranean brown to sun-reddened copper tones.

• Shields, spears, and bronze will be sun-bleached and sweat-stained rather than glossy.

• Weathering suggestion: apply thin, dusty glaze (tan or ochre) to unify colors and make them feel lived-in.