Sunday, 20 December 2015

'Alea Iacta Est - The Die is Cast' - The 6th Annual Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge Begins


Whoa, am I ever beat!

This working through the night is a young man's business. It serves me right though - doing a mounted command stand for the opening entry was definitely a little too ambitious, but, what can I say, I simply couldn't resist. :)

 Welcome everyone, to the sixth edition of the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge! 

We have 88 participants this year from all over the globe, and with that we're going to treat our visitors with a wonderful display of our hobby all the while having a great time doing it. I'm really looking forward to the next three months!


For my first entry I thought I'd follow this year's theme of 'Gambler/Risk-Taker', by creating a command stand depicting Julius Caesar as he is about to cross the Rubicon River, thereby inciting civil war within Rome. These 28mm models are from 1st Corps. A bit lumpy and somewhat rough around the edges, but they have great character and get the primary elements right.


 I also managed to scare up a rather grotty replica of a Roman die and created a socket on the base to accommodate it - this way we can count down to when Ceasar gets stabbed in the back, poor lad.
 

The Aquilifer is supposed to have a shield on his left arm, but at 5am I couldn't face either a decal or hand painting the design. So here we see him sporting a brand new Apple Watch on his wrist (as we all know, those Romans were trend-setters).

'Lucius, what time is it?'  

'Umm, it's 6am, sir, ...your stocks are bullish and Reuters would like an interview with you later today.'


With this opening entry I'm also delighted to announce that Simon Miller (aka BigRedBat), creator of the excellent ancients-to-medieval ruleset 'To the Strongest', has kindly offered prize sponsorship for the Challenge. Thank you so much Simon for your generosity!

Okay, now for points (pulls off mittens and socks). Hmm, two mounted figures with a minion carrying firewood... 25 points for me - WooHoo! 

Now, just 975 points to go... 


Posted by Curt at 11:26 am
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75 comments:

  1. david bromley20 December 2015 at 11:39

    The die is a classy touch! I'd give ya a few extra pips for the water effects and die, cuz style does count! ;)

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    1. Curt20 December 2015 at 12:14

      Thanks David. The dice were a special order and just arrived Friday - Whew!

      Delete
  2. Phyllion20 December 2015 at 11:44

    A very fine and fitting first offering Curt

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  3. Blaxkleric20 December 2015 at 11:54

    What a breath-takingly good start to the Challenge, Curt!! The dice is pure class. What a great idea. Wonderful command stand :-)

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    1. Curt20 December 2015 at 12:17

      Thanks very much, Simon, for your kind words.

      Delete
  4. JamieM20 December 2015 at 11:54

    Outstanding. And crazy. As you say, a mounted command stand painted from midnight? That, sir, typifies the lunacy so often shown in this challenge, so I salute you for a fitting first entry. Up to us to keep the standard up now!

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    1. Curt20 December 2015 at 12:17

      Lunacy is right. I don't think I'll be trying that again anytime soon.

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  5. jmilesr20 December 2015 at 12:02

    A superb first entry Mr Curt - very nicely done

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  6. Moiterei_198420 December 2015 at 12:08

    As always you set the bar very high for us all with your first entry. Magnificient work Curt! So fitting and breath takingly executed.

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  7. Jonathan20 December 2015 at 12:08

    Very impressive, Curt. I am amazed that you could stay awake long enough to paint such a super first entry to start the challenge.

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    1. Curt20 December 2015 at 12:19

      Thanks Jonathan. I'm a bit bleary-eyed but happy with how it turned out - though I'm not sure if I'll try this stunt again anytime soon. :)

      Delete
  8. MartinC20 December 2015 at 12:29

    Cracking start but don't burn out before Christmas

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    1. Curt20 December 2015 at 13:49

      Indeed! That was precisely what was on my mind at 3am this morning. ;)

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  9. Anibal Invictus20 December 2015 at 12:33

    How am I supposed to work on my painting bench if you Sir, are distracting me?
    Beautiful entry, putting the bar high to the rest of paticipants.... I hate you so much XD

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    1. Curt20 December 2015 at 13:50

      Cheers Benito - to hate me is to love me (or something like that...) Good CoC game this morning?

      Delete
  10. Clint20 December 2015 at 12:35

    A most excellent start. But 2 mounted and 0ne foot figure over night is just plain crazy. I am flabbergasted. It makes my efforts seem very paltry indeed

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    1. Curt20 December 2015 at 13:52

      Oh, don't worry Clint, I'm completely gutted and probably won't paint a thing for the next few days.

      Delete
  11. alex sengir20 December 2015 at 12:39

    Great job, which gives a high standard to all participants.

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  12. Samuli20 December 2015 at 12:42

    Great start Curt! Way to set an example for the start!

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    1. Curt20 December 2015 at 13:53

      Thanks Samuli - it is my one shot at glory before I get swamped by the rest of the field.

      Delete
  13. AdamC177620 December 2015 at 12:46

    Well done

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  14. Juan Mancheño20 December 2015 at 13:19

    What a surprise, Curt, with this entry! You are the Master, this is cristal clear. Wonderful first entry, great painting work and basing. I like a lot the ADC with wristwatch, really useful for the Big Man.
    And thank you a lot to Simon Miller for his generosity!!!

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    1. Curt20 December 2015 at 13:55

      You are too kind Juan, but thank you. Yes, I think Apple Watches would've been very helpful to generals from the ancient period. Not sure of the data cellular plans though... :)

      Delete
  15. Chasseur20 December 2015 at 13:28

    Beautiful work!

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  16. Curt20 December 2015 at 13:58

    Cheers Andrew! Great to see you amongst us here!

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  17. Unknown20 December 2015 at 14:15

    You're mad as a hatter to take on something this complex in so short a time. Mounted figures, water effects and the dice-just beautiful. Beautiful work and certainly worth the sacrifice.

    Now get some sleep!

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    1. Curt20 December 2015 at 15:13

      Thanks Anne. I'm relieved it came together as well as it did - I was a bit worried there in the middle of the night!

      Delete
  18. Paul O'G20 December 2015 at 14:19

    Wondering how I can be amazed and unsurprised at the same time :-)
    Great job Curt - well done indeed!

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    1. Curt20 December 2015 at 15:14

      Cheers for that Paul! When are you home and unpacked enough to start painting?

      Delete
  19. Evan Hughes20 December 2015 at 14:21

    I can only watch and applaud at the moment, since the weather yesterday was too darned hot to undercoat figs! Honestly, the aerosol dries before it hits the figure!

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    1. Jonathan20 December 2015 at 15:13

      Too cold to undercoat here! -20C

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    2. Curt20 December 2015 at 15:15

      Thanks Evan, much appreciated. I finally broke down and set up an indoor spray area that is ventilated. I HATE relying on the weather to cooperate.

      Delete
  20. TamsinP20 December 2015 at 14:45

    Fabulous work Curt! A magnificent opening entry for this year's Challenge :)

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    1. Curt20 December 2015 at 15:15

      Cheers Tamsin!

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    2. TamsinP20 December 2015 at 17:24

      Something was nagging me about your entry and now I know what it was. There's no snow and they aren't Nappies! ;)

      Delete
  21. BigRedBat20 December 2015 at 14:58

    He's terrific Curt! Also very apt for the theme. Good luck with the contest!

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    1. Curt20 December 2015 at 15:16

      Thanks very much Simon and a BIG thanks again for your prize support for the Challenge - it's much appreciated.

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  22. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)20 December 2015 at 15:15

    He looks great Curt and a very good choice to open this years challenge! Thanks to Simon as well!

    Christopher

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  23. Endtransmission20 December 2015 at 15:44

    Excellent start Curt

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    1. Curt20 December 2015 at 21:56

      Thanks Paul, it felt a bit wobbly at first but I think I got a hang of this again.

      Delete
  24. The Angry Lurker20 December 2015 at 16:14

    Damn nice work Curt!

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  25. Dux Homunculorum20 December 2015 at 16:18

    Wonderful start Curt!

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    1. Curt20 December 2015 at 21:57

      Thanks Dux. I was thinking of converting the fasces guy into Bob Dylan but I ran out of time. Shucks. :)

      Delete
  26. Barks20 December 2015 at 16:42

    Very nice indeed!

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  27. The Kiwi20 December 2015 at 17:51

    A great kick off piece. Very nice and a big effort. cheers

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    1. Curt20 December 2015 at 21:58

      Cheers Brendon. I'm happy to have this one off my chest so I can move onto something else.

      Delete
  28. Mad Padre20 December 2015 at 21:29

    Hoc bonum est.

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  29. ByronM21 December 2015 at 00:45

    Very nice looking piece Curt. Exceptional as a first piece done in one night!

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    1. Curt22 December 2015 at 14:39

      Thanks Byron and, yes, there was a bit of that midnight oil being used that night.

      Delete
  30. Michael Awdry21 December 2015 at 02:23

    That's setting the bar pretty high Mr. Campbell! Stunning work Sir and a very fitting first entry.

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    1. Curt22 December 2015 at 14:39

      Thank you for your kind words Michael. I saw the pack online and knew it had to be done.

      Delete
  31. Ian21 December 2015 at 03:14

    I love your tradition of posting the first mini's and these do not disappoint

    Ian

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    1. Curt22 December 2015 at 14:40

      Yes, it's good to have traditions like this (even as the expense of a bit of sleep). :)

      Delete
  32. MrLee21 December 2015 at 05:04

    Great work there mate! Nice kick off to the competition and setting the tone for it as well! Nice! Love seeing all this and getting the rest of us set up for the rest of it :)

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    1. Curt22 December 2015 at 14:41

      Thanks Kyle! Yes, I always like kicking-off with a piece to set the tone. Lucky enough there was a pack of figures out there that fit the bill pretty well.

      Delete
  33. Sander21 December 2015 at 05:47

    Very nice! A well themed starter for this years challenge indeed.

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  34. Sean21 December 2015 at 05:50

    Great job Curt. I love the way you based it. I also always enjoy your photographic style. I must remember to ask you how you do it.

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    1. Curt22 December 2015 at 14:42

      Cheers Sean. The black background has become my mantra now. :) It's a bit of a pain to work with but I usually like the minimalist effect it gives.

      Delete
  35. Greg B21 December 2015 at 09:29

    Great stuff dude!!

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  36. Millsy21 December 2015 at 15:09

    So. It begins.... :-)

    That, sir, is rather nice indeed and certainly worth the nocturnal efforts required in order to execute it. A fitting first entry!

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    1. Curt22 December 2015 at 14:43

      Cheers Mr. Mills! I very much look forward to your first volley...

      Delete
  37. David Larkins21 December 2015 at 16:40

    Woo-hoo! A great start--but should you really be burning the midnight oil already? Isn't that supposed to come at the end? ;)

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    1. Curt22 December 2015 at 14:43

      For me the oil gets burned EVERY night. ;)

      Delete

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