June 24, 2021

The Winged Hussars Core Unit and some talk!

Good evening guys! ⚔️⚔️

Ramon talking here. Sorry for not being too active in the past two weeks. I’ve been going through a big creative/sculpting burnout lately and going out of this kind of emotional state has been difficult and it took me some time.

As many of you know, we’re not a big company, neither a medium or small company, as many other Patreons out there. We’re just a couple: Marta, who is responsible of managing the community, the social media and everything (she also works in a school here in Scotland, she is the best ❤️), and me (Ramon), the sculptor of the miniatures. Since a few months ago I’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the Patreon dynamics. We have to create too many miniatures each month, and we always have to push the quality a step further, trying also to bring new stuffs to make the Patreon more appealing for the people. And of course, the amount of other Patreons out there is crazy. I mean, every time I open Facebook I see a new Patreon offering a crazy amount of miniatures for a ridiculous price. 😅

I have been thinking a lot lately about the future of all of this, the Patreon and other projects I want to create, and how to make it compatible with the way I want to develop my career as a 3D sculptor. I think I’ll try to bring all the different projects to Patreon even if it takes us more time to develop the “standard” armies, so we can work some months in these armies and other months in the parallel projects, like the one we posted the other day (Transilvanya) or many others we want to create (Undead Pirates, Aztec “not-Lizardmen but with dinosaurs costumes”...). Doing it in that way I think it could help me to avoid these crazy burnouts and to be more creative, breaking the routine from time to time.

The past weekend I had the opportunity to take a workshop with one of the best sculptors from Spain, Raul García Latorre (https://www.artstation.com/raulatorre). I used that time to start working on the Eastern Khazars, the ogre faction we’ll develop for the Barbarian Hordes. I really love the output of the first ogre I’ve created for this faction. I’ll make a post with the preview and the references for the faction in a few days for you to see it!

So, after all this long talk… The first miniatures for this upcoming July Release are here! 🎉🎉 Today we can finally show you the first five miniatures for the Winged Hussars unit. Due to the complexity of the armors, this time these knights are not going to be modular, but we’ll make a variant with swords instead of spears.

We still have to finish the command group for this Winged Hussars and keep working on the Daughters of Volhynia, the elite women unit that we’ll also create for this July Release!

Hope you like these miniatures and have a great weekend all! 🙌🏼

Comments (56)

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Patrick Cunningham · June 30, 2021

fantastic!!!! Love your continued work! thank you!

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John Adkins · June 30, 2021

Great figures and much appreciated! Make whatever changes you need to remain happy and inspired. I think I can speak for most of us in that we are here to support you the artist.

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Highlands Miniatures · June 30, 2021

Thank you very much John for your comment! :)

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Greg McDonald · June 28, 2021

I agree with everyone, don't burn yourself out. I joined a few months ago and your work has been great, but take it slower or take a month off. I'd rather see your usual great quality at a slower pace than have it decrease or quit altogether. Plus my printer can only go so fast!

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Eli Williams · June 27, 2021

Cannot wait for these! They look excellent!

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John Wainscott · June 27, 2021

Here's a vacation idea...Each month, offer 1 less figure, but create 1 figure based on a different "yearly" theme. Do that for 11 months of the year and at the 12 month you have a set already complete. Take the month off.

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Jason Davenport · June 27, 2021

Sorry posted a few times.... just wanted to say you are my top two!! If I had to pick two subs you would be one of them. Your work is worth the wait man, take some time if you need it. (BTW my current tabletop army is 50/50 you and another sculptor). You're my boy blue!!

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Highlands Miniatures · June 28, 2021

Oh Jason thank you very much for your words! This really means a lot, thank you for understanding!

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Daniel Peterson · June 25, 2021

Great looking Winged Hussars for both fantasy and historical applications. But as others have noted, their best known foes were the Ottoman Turks at the siege of Vienna so hope you will do them too! And as also mentioned, Ottomans are indispensable for any sort of Vlad Dracula scenarios. The idea of human Mesoamerican warriors wearing dinosaur costumes (much like the elite Jaguar and Eagle knight of the Aztecs), but hope there are also plenty of lower class Aztec warriors in their traditional dress, including a few Jaguar and Eagle knight for all of the historical gamers. to my knowledge, nobody else has made 3d files of historical Aztecs yet so they are certainly needed, and would be a perfect opponent for the planned, Spanish themed Imperials.

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Highlands Miniatures · June 26, 2021

Thank you very much for your comment and for your suggestions Daniel, they're amazing as always! :)

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Alexander · June 25, 2021

You have 950 patreons, that should be a good income. Work a few more months and build up some reserves, then take a month off. The prospect of a holiday coming up will make it all a bit more manageable now and after the month off you will feel a lot better. Your patreons will totally understand if you pause the patreon for a month.

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Highlands Miniatures · June 26, 2021

Thank you very much for you comment Alexander! :)

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Jon Letham · June 25, 2021

Have you considered adding another sculptor to your team? A lot of these Patreons that offer big releases each month are multi-sculptor affairs.

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Highlands Miniatures · June 26, 2021

Thank you for your comments Jon! We've been thinking about it, but we think it would be complicated for us to mantain the same miniature design and style being different sculptors. We'll keep thinking about it anyways! :)

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Ed Thüringen · June 25, 2021

Sounds like you have a lot on your plate.

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Patrick Todd · June 25, 2021

I would hate to see you burnt out on sculpting and feeling like you just have to keep pushing models out. Do what is best for you and your craft! im always happy to see what you come out with but would be more then happy to scale back if it meant you would have a better balance.

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Highlands Miniatures · June 26, 2021

Thank you very much for your comment Patrick, it means a lot! :)

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Jon Letham · June 25, 2021

I love everything about them! Except the nose guard on their helmets. They look odd to me, but that preference. Otherwise good show. I understand they are correct style so no hit at you lol

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Ed Thüringen · June 25, 2021

It's historically accurate if that helps

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Silvio Martins · June 24, 2021

Love these guys! Also the suggestions made by Oliphant Supplies sounds nice as well. Anyway I love your work, Martha support is also great. So the important stuff here is to support your incredible work and no matter if you need some extra time to chill and recharge the batteries. Also the group here seems also incredible and I believe we all would love to help you with insights, ideas, suggestions and references. A warm hello from Brazil! Stay healthy&well!

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Highlands Miniatures · June 26, 2021

Thank you very much Silvio for your comment! As I said in another comment before, the thing I love the most about Patreon is the community we're creating here! :)

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Nicholas McCurdy · June 24, 2021

Like others have said, I’m here for your artwork. It’s really well detailed without being as flashy as a lot of other sculptors. That’s what’s going to keep me as a subscriber, not building a specific army. You do you and the muse will come. I’m excited to see what happens when you step out of the box a little.

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Highlands Miniatures · June 26, 2021

Thank you very much Nicholas for your comment, I really appreciate it! :)

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Richard Stuhlsatz · June 24, 2021

I agree with Christian and John above - I'm here for YOUR artwork. I think the Patreon model can be how you want to make it. I'd rather see you explore your creativity and produce a few great models (like you have been doing) than have you working towards a volume that you feel you have to meet each month to be competitive. I'm not leaving! If it takes more time to start some new armies and that results in smaller units - I'm still going to be enjoying every bit of what you share with us!

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Highlands Miniatures · June 26, 2021

Thank you very much Richard! The thing I love the most about Patreon is definitely the community we're creating here! :)

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John Wainscott · June 24, 2021

I agree with Christian and Clive. Love your work. Excellent detail and quality. Enjoy life. Take time as you need. Future request...Romanian army with Vlad vs some Ottoman Turks. Impaled bodies would be great. :)

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Highlands Miniatures · June 26, 2021

Thank you very much John! Some Romanian miniatures could be a great addition for the Transilvanya project!

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Christian Raap · June 24, 2021

Hi, First of all (and I think I'm speaking for all of us): I love your work! And as a commercial and private enthusiast of your miniatures I'd like to say: Take your time, don't hustle and most important stay healthy! You are in the strong position to work in your passion. Don't worry about us, we can wait a few days longer for such great minis. Best regards Chris

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Highlands Miniatures · June 26, 2021

Thank you very much for your comment Christian, you guys are amazing! :)

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Clive Henrick · June 24, 2021

These are fantastic. You have taken the time to do the models justice, and if you need it, take breaks please! For me its better to have min's that I am proud to put on the table than have a bunch a not so great models, so please take the time and don't burn yourself out.

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Highlands Miniatures · June 26, 2021

Thank you very much for your comment Clive, I really appreciate it! :)

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Red Shark Minis · June 24, 2021

Personally I love that these will not be modular. If that is a big turn off for a lot of people though you should try and do a crossover with Kyushuneko. Great guy and he has done some great kislev style stuff/is also looking to try different things each month. I agree with your decision. Burnout is bad for everybody. People work best when they feel best :)

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Highlands Miniatures · June 26, 2021

Thank you very much for your comment Ryder! :)

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Keg and Krow · June 24, 2021

We love your work. I prefer quality over quantity, even if it means only making one unit a month. Don’t burn yourself out.

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Highlands Miniatures · June 26, 2021

Thank you very much for your comment Khail! :)

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Toggers · June 24, 2021

first off these hussars look amazing ! - on the other topic its important to get your balance right, we definitly dont want you burning out having just embarked on a huge world building plan! if that means some months we get one unit rather than two, or a unit ends up being spread across 2 months i personally wouldnt mind that - one of the other Patreons im only in does a unit each month and some more charactorfull pieces that he's interested in - (casualties, camp scenes, named charactors, "monsters" - its historical so his monster has been St George and the Dragon)

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Highlands Miniatures · June 26, 2021

Thank you very much for your comment Michael! I would love the idea of start making again some props or sceneries for the releases, instead of only miniatures. :)

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Oliphant Supplies · June 24, 2021

Lovely! As a Pole, I always appreciate any images of Husaria and yours are really nice but the lances could be longer. As for swords, there are many known variants to choose from but perhaps consider some Husaria specific weapons too? The koncerz, nadziak [horseman's pick], palasz, and perhaps a reflex bow or a pair of flintlock pistols would make them significantly more Eastern-themed. Also, don't forget to add more pennants to those lances :) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_hussars

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Silvio Martins · June 24, 2021

Oh I miss Poland... Warszawa <3

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David Brawley · June 24, 2021

Those are fantastic! But, please, look after yourself. The quality of the miniatures you've been creating to date are excellent. There is no need for improvement but I can fully understand your desire for self-improvement.

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Highlands Miniatures · June 26, 2021

Thank you very much David! :)

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Andrea · June 24, 2021

You have done a great job Ramon! Better less figures, but still high quality... Each of us follows more Patreon, but your "scottish" miniatures look like a great pure malt whisky! Greetings from Italy!

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Highlands Miniatures · June 26, 2021

Thank you very much for this comment Andrea! :)

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ProtecThor · June 24, 2021

They are beautiful

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Christian Förster · June 24, 2021

Awesome Work!

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Joris Dee · June 24, 2021

Ramon, dont fret yourself over other patreons, I think I speak for a lot of us patreons that we are here for your style and out of love for your work. Not some sense of getting the best deal. Also, see peoples enthousiasm for what it is, enthousiasm eventhough sometimes we might sound like a pack of wolves who are never satisfied, dont ever take it as peer pressure. Its only love and enthousiasm.

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Highlands Miniatures · June 26, 2021

Thank you very much for this comment Joris, I really appreciate it! :)

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Joe Motteram · June 24, 2021

Hope you get everything sorted with yourself mate, it seems like your trying to compete with other patreons that probably have multiple sculptors by yourself, your work is spot on

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Highlands Miniatures · June 26, 2021

Thank you very much Joe! :)

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Phil Walling · June 24, 2021

They look amazing Ramon. Doing creative stuff all the time can easily lead to burnout. It’s something that is seen all the time on platforms like Patreon. The important people in all of this are you and Marta. If you need break, then take it. I would hope people will understand. The work you both do is simply stunning. When I used to commission paint I had a breakdown because of the constant demands. Just take your time, breathe, walk in the beautiful place you live.

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Highlands Miniatures · June 24, 2021

Thank you Phil for being always here and being so comprehensive. Definitely we need to have that beer when this pandemic ends!

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Joe Motteram · June 24, 2021

Hope you

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StarScream1813 · June 24, 2021

Ooooh! These are awesome! I hope you release these as foot soldiers too!

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Highlands Miniatures · June 26, 2021

Thank you Isaac! We'll make a foot version of the winged hussars and a flintlock version of the riders if we hit the Patreon goal the next month!

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Ramiro Aznar · June 24, 2021

The pace and the quality of this patreon is perfect. Take care Ramón!

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Highlands Miniatures · June 26, 2021

Thank you very much Ramiro! :)