From GeoffreyT: Books [Books](55 Points)

Hello Challengers,

The studio I enter is about books.  Books that would make a good movie.

I will start with a classic book that went to film.  Asterix in Britain by Goscinny and Uderzo.

This character is the British Chieftain, "Mykingdomforanos" raising a cup of hot water to the success of the mission.

This book was written in 1966 made into a film in 1986.  Fortunately I have a copy of the book on my shelf for reference.  The miniature is by "Metal Magic"

Next we have a miniature from a book that has been onto the small screen, in two different TV serials.

This model is inspired by, but legally distinct from Worzel Gummidge.  It is made by "Slave2gaming".

I wasn't a fan of the show, despite featuring an excellent actor, Jon Pertwee.  I always felt a bit ripped off when I saw the show as I would have preferred if Jon was doing a Dr Who episode.  Obviously I didn't quite get how TV worked at that age.

Next is a medieval crossbowman.  A home sculpted one.  He could be William Tell, or he might not be, who can tell (badda-boom).  William Tell's story was first written in the White book of Sarnen (1474) and his story has been translated into numerous more recent books as well as film (1960).

Not sure he would have had bare arms. Probably would have had sleeves for that era.  So maybe he is actually a fantasy crossbowman instead.

Finally we have 4 characters from a little known book series that might make a good film, The Lord of the Rings trilogy (1954-1955)

The four hobbits are Frodo, Samwise, Merry and Pippin.   They are all from Citadel miniatures Lord of the Rings range from 1985.   These miniatures pre-date the 2001-2003 movies, so don't have the well known style characterised from those films.

In all we have 7 28mm scale miniatures.  However 4 are half sized, so probably would count as prone.

3 x 28mm foot = 15 points

4 x 28mm prone = 10 points

1 x Books bonus = 20 points

Total = 45 points

From here I have completed every studio but the directors chair, for which the snowlord has assinged me a special task.

Goodbye until then

Geoff.

From TeemuL: In Finnish book the chief "Mykingdomforanos" is called "Veribigbos", but I know many of the names are different in different languages. Very fine British gentleman, but are you sure it is hot water in the cup, not warm ale? You have accomplished a very nice cartoonish style on him, good job.

Worzel Gummidge is unknown to me, but looks interesting, a scarecrow? William Tell I know, nice sculpting. And the hobbits are great, very characterful, and I belive we have scored hobbits in full points in the past, so I will continue that fine tradition. If anyone argues, I'll say the points are awarded from the hand painted shields. :)

From GeoffreyT: The last one (Xanth)(60 points)

At last I have reached the last of the pre-defined planet based objectives, Xanth.  I was going to use the theme of never ending to cover the issue of scale creep, but felt better of it, and have gone for the key phrase "Unique Talent".

Cacofonix the Bards musical skills are indeed unique, unfortunately they are not appreciated by all.

This miniature did not get painted with the previous batch of Asterix figures I posted for Noel's Comet, because he was a poor casting, with the front foot and half the base missing.  Therefore he was delayed as I took time to sculpt in the missing parts with green stuff.

I decided to build this planet on a theme of the miniature left behind.  For various reasons, good and bad, one or more miniatures from a batch seems left behind to habitate the bottom of cardboard box.  

So I scraped around in boxes and found some projects where I had left one behind for a reason.  Some recent, some older.

Next we have a Copplestone Castings Spy, from the same set of the two spies I posted for Solaris.  This guy came in a second hand lot with the others, but his base tab was cut off.  I was undecided how I would base him, on a flat or raised base, so he got delayed.  The plunge was made and here he is.

The next chap is one of Beowulf retinue that I posted for Glorantha.  28mm from Eureka miniatures.

I lost his shield and spear, so he was put aside.  I found some spare stuff for him and here he is.

An old plastic shield by Citadel, and a bronze wire spear.

Next I have an AWI British Officer (28mm Crusader miniatures).  When I got a my first AWI stuff, I had no idea why some blokes were randomly holding a spear, when their mates had guns.  Did he just point it and shout BANG.  I just didn't see a need to paint them all.

I have since learned these random spear guys are the Officer's and quite useful for Sharp Practice, so I dug him back out for painting.

This 'last one' is also the 'first one'.  The first Dr Who, William Hartnell by Citadel Miniatures.  This miniature was quite venerable, and appears to have suffered for having been stripped down and repainted too often, with a loss of detail on his head, like it had been scrubbed too hard with a toothbrush.  So wasn't one I was inspired to paint.

I painted him nonetheless, specifically for this post.

Next is some Gallic casualties.  These guys were duplicates of others I had.  They are very useful for things like clue markers in "Rangers of Shadow Deep", so here are the last three painted.  Brand unknown, in 28mm scale.

Next is a lady in a bath tub.  Why did I leave this one.  Well she is the third I have, and how many do you need; probably none.  For a wild west scenario maybe one.  Brand unknown.  25mm scale.

Finally I have an Epic Eldar Wave Serpent by Citadel Miniatures.  I was given a painted second hand force of Epic Eldar (Space Elfs in 6mm scale) and got enthused and purchased some bits to supplement it.  I acquired two used 'Wave Serpent' hovering troop transporters.  One painted and one unpainted.  I have now belatedly painted this one to match the other.

Here it is next to the one I copied.  Close enough I say.

There are plenty more examples where I have left one or more behind, you could say I have a 'never ending' supply (Xanth theme again!).  I probably should have finished this post with some Mohicans, but that is enough for today.

***

Cacofonix (about 20mm, he is quite small) = 4 points + 20 point Xanth bonus.

5 x 28mm foot = 25 points

3 x 28mm prone and no base = 9 points

1 x 6mm vehicle = 2 points.

A grand total of 60 points.

With all the planets now done, now it is time to crash my spaceship into the Challenge XII Star in a fit of ecstasy, just like the Fire Clown in Moorcroft's book 'The Winds of Limbo'.

Geoff.

I, too, find that the Challenge inspires me to slap paint on those neglected oddities we all have floating around. Good work salvaging the bard, and his tunic looks great as well. He's a great choice for a Unique Talent. The eclectic collection you've thrown in here is wonderful. Congratulations on completing all the locations!

Barks

From Dallas: Evil Lord in the Pit! (25 points)

Another model from Midlam Miniatures' Metal Magic back catalogue... a very scary Evil Lord sculpted by Josef Ochmann.

At first I painted him with the "shoulder dragon" as part of his armour, but later reconsidered... I think he looks rather menacing with his pet dragon perched on his shoulder like a Tonkinese cat.  

Herr Ochmann put some great detail into the faces of these MM sculpts and I've got a few more in the pipeline. I particularly like his range of female adventurers and I've got a few of those lined up for the Lady Sarah challenges.

Stay safe!
 

From ChrisH - Tuesday's Mixed Bag (107 points)

I may just get there, well that is the hope. A mere 700 points this year and I still think I have bitten off more than I can chew. Work just got a whole lot busier as my Boss if off on paternity leave with his wife's first born and I have stepped into his shoes. Alas I spend my nights without a brush in hand. But to stay sane I get to lick the point into shape and splash the occasional colour on some old toys. In this case some Gripping Beast Dark age minis to go with my growing horde for SAGA and some really old Metal Magic Sci-fi troopers. Points wise 21 X 28mm at 5 each (based this time hehehe) I hope to net 105.

 Enough for the intro now onto the miniatures.

More Modern miniatures than those below. Infinity Nomads both painted just before CanCon 2017 but I only used the one on the right. He actually did rather well but seemed to take a bullet in every game.

Back shot, needs more work, oh well no time.

10+ year old gripping beat shield wall to add to my collection

Metal Magic (from Germany) Sci-Fi troopers, they were meant to be Japanese? I think but I have no paperwork to remember them by. These are the same company that made the brilliant Asterix miniatures. Oh how I want those figures. But they are out of my price range on evil-bay.

Purchased 15+ years ago and painted up for the new Osprey Black ops rules set I picked up in January.

Command for the section. What I like about these is the deep detail on all the figures. They take a wash rather well and even finger nails are present. I would love to know who the sculptor was and what they are up to now.

Section part a, of course there are more details to add, the webbing and packs need a khaki and the guns could do with further highlight. The "hacker"/medic/coms operator? in the middle has some great little button controllers that scream out for reds and yellows but no time.

Section part b, I tried a really simple desert style to practice on as I have some of the Empress Miniatures Australians that were bought in the Kickstarter they did around 2? years ago. The brown is a bit bright and the "blobs" a bit big for modern camo but I hope to refine it. Thanks for looking.

Alan and Paul: Well you have certainly managed to get an eclectic bunch finished this week, and a very respectable output given the selfishness of your boss in having a baby during the Challenge. Keep on plugging away there! I'm very taken with the Metal Magic troopers in particular. Never heard of this company, but they look great with your paintjob, and it must be very satisfying getting some paint on them after all this time. I've added a couple of extra points for the hand painted shields.