Wednesday, February 2, 2022

A Word on my 'Illuminations'

The observant reader will have noticed the occasional hand drawn 'cartoon' accompanying my posts upon my recent Mediaeval games.  I just do these for fun. I just wish I could think of witty captions for them.

Byzantine victory over Bulgarians -
from John Skylitzes


I'm just a fan of the illustrations that adorn and bring to life what few snippets I've seen of the Chronicles of John Skylitzes.  They are simply charming, even the battles scenes depicting a total slaughter. I see that John Skylitzes: a Synopsis of of Byzantine History has been published and is available in paperback. I'd really like to know more about it, especially to the extent that it includes illustrations from the original. I have Anna Comnena and Michael Psellus in translation, so, why not...?



If this sort of thing appears in my blog, it is simply an indulgence, no more...
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13 comments:

  1. pancerniFebruary 2, 2022 at 7:12 PM

    I think you can have as many indulgences as you can afford....oops does this cause thesis to appear?

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  2. rrossFebruary 2, 2022 at 11:37 PM

    I think your little illustrations are great, keep 'em coming, as far as I am concerned ..... And if doing them gives you pleasure, that's a bonus!

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    1. Archduke PiccoloFebruary 3, 2022 at 12:20 AM

      rross -
      I've never been quite sure whether this is a good or bad thing, but I find drawing or cartooning one of those things that I can do only when the mood takes me. That does not happen all that often. But it's fun while it lasts!
      Cheers,
      Ion

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  3. jhnptrqnFebruary 3, 2022 at 3:12 AM

    I have not had time to read your mini campaign, but scanned through to see your drawing. Very enjoyable to look at! Hopefully the mood stays with you for a while.

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    1. Archduke PiccoloFebruary 3, 2022 at 4:04 PM

      So do I, jhnptrqn - I'm starting to wonder if maybe Count Roussel de Bolluxe - a Norman adventurer based in southern Italy - might be interested in making a bid, like a certain Bohemond of Taranto, for the Imperial crown. Could be good for a pic or two...
      Cheers,
      Archduke Piccolo

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  4. Ross Mac rmacfa@gmail.comFebruary 3, 2022 at 4:42 AM

    They are well done though!

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    1. Archduke PiccoloFebruary 4, 2022 at 12:35 PM

      Hi Ross -
      Practice does improve technique; I don't really practise enough. But I was pretty chuffed the way these turned out...
      Cheers -
      Archduke Piccolo

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  5. Mark CordoneFebruary 3, 2022 at 9:19 AM

    Very nice! You could consider producing an illuminated manuscript version of some of your campaigns.

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    1. Archduke PiccoloFebruary 4, 2022 at 12:40 PM

      Mark, ... now there's a thought! If I were to do that, it might have to be a small campaign. At the moment I'm thinking Normans (southern Italy, or maybe Epirus); or possibly Pechenegs.

      That might also be an opportunity to bring in the 'Snakes & Ladders' campaign.... Something to think about whilst I work on buffing up my mediaeval armies.
      Cheers,
      Archduke Piccolo

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  6. ElliesdadFebruary 3, 2022 at 2:31 PM

    A lovely campaign write-up. And your illustrations are first rate. Well done.
    Cheers,
    Geoff

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    1. Archduke PiccoloFebruary 4, 2022 at 12:44 PM

      Hi Elliesdad -
      Tell you what: a bloke with a handle like that is a bloke very proud of his daughter!

      Thanks for your comment. Very much appreciated!
      Cheers,
      Archduke Piccolo (Ion)

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  7. ElliesdadFebruary 5, 2022 at 2:30 AM

    Hi Ion - yes, Ellie is a lovely girl. I’m as “proud as punch” as they say (why they would say it, I don’t know. It doesn’t seem to make much sense, but there you go…).
    More battle/campaign reports please. And lots of illustrations if you’d be so kind.
    Cheers, Geoff

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