What a blast!

Well, the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge VI is over...

At the start of the challenge with three months of non-stop painting stretched out in-front of me, I had run all sorts of calculations to determine how many models I could paint if I just really applied myself... While I didn't reach any of the lofty targets I had set myself, I did complete a marvellous 53 miniatures and punched through my target of 500 pints. Most importantly, not only was I inspired to paint a lot more figures than I would of otherwise, I had great fun doing so!

Here are some shots of the rest of the models I managed to finish during the challenge.

'Last of the Mohicans' -  L'amour bonus theme

Milites Christi warlord for 'SAGA'

Kriegsmarine Kapitanleutnant - Naval bonus theme

Pony Express Rider - Risk-taker bonus theme 

'Curtgeld' 

British Regulars for 'Muskets and Tomahawks'

Kriegsmarine squad for 'Bolt Action'

Group Shot - minus the Curtgeld

Next years models, already thoughtfully prepared...  :)

However, what I enjoyed most was being welcomed into, and participating in, the community that has been built up around the challenge. I can't recommend it enough to anyone wanting a little inspiration to break out their brushes, no matter their skill level.

Thanks Curt, and all my fellow challengers, for a fantastic three moths! Until next time...

Cheers,

Steve

Painting Challenge Update

The challenge is now into its fifth week and I've been painting away madly! I've managed to get most of my lead pile assembled and undercoated, and have managed to get quite a few (by my standards) miniatures painted over the last month.

My first completed project were ten Veteran German Grenadiers from Warlord Games which will be used to bolster my Bolt Action forces. I'm trying to build a 1945 Last Levy List, so these guys will give the Kreigsmarine and Volkstrum squads some much needed backbone!

Next up was a challenge round based on the theme of 'nostalgia', For that I painted up these lovely 'Dad's Army' miniatures, also from Warlord Games. These guys were a real treat to paint up, great fun! Hopefully you can recognise the characters from the television show!

Production has since slowed down and I've only added 6 models to finish off my Imperial Assault board game figures. These are all from expansions for the main game.

Then I broke new ground and painted up my first Napoleonic figures! I did this little piece for the challenges 'Epic Fail' round, representing the French retreat from Russian in 1812. This was a little tough, especially trying to get the snow to look realistic. I'm happy with the results, but the figures definitely need some weathering and maybe some paler skin tones.

You can check out all the brilliant entries being added by a great range of talented hobbyists on the Analogue Painting Challenge page! http://thepaintingchallenge.blogspot.com.au/

Wish me luck!

After enjoying last years challenge from the sideline, I have decided to throw my hat into the ring and give it a go. I have given myself a target of 500 points, and since my gaming is all 25-30mm, that means  about 100 models.
When I got back into the hobby about 9 years ago, I painted a Dwarf army for the Warhammer tournament scene (which I enjoyed  while it lasted...), since then though, my usual output is about 20 models per annum. However, this year as I've broadened my gaming horizons, I have painted a war-band of Anglo-Danes for Saga and a Carthaginian army for Basic Impetus and a few other bits and bobs.

I'm hoping the painting challenge will really help me take a chunk out of my lead/plastic pile, because I've been buying models at a rate much higher than 20 models a year! Though if I fall behind, there are always the challenges.

Behold - My lead pile in all its organised glory! Well, the stuff I have ambitions of perhaps, possibly, maybe putting paint on .

It's really starting to pile up...

The only problem I have at the moment is that I keep buying more things for all the painting challenges! I've also accepted a side-challenge - to paint up a war-band for Muskets and Tomahawks, so there is the real chance I will end up with a larger pile of unpainted miniatures at the end of the challenge than when I started. Which isn't a bad problem, really...  =)