From StuartL - Challenge XVI Wrap Up

Hi all,

    Well, that is another challenge over and done with, and for once, I took it easy on myself. I finished in 24th place overall, came second in the Squirrel hunt and fourth in the Skull duel. 

    From the outset of the challenge, I knew that this year would be a quiet year for me. I set a modest goal of 1000 points and beat it by a small margin. I could probably have done more, but recent events in my life have shown me that I need to manage my stress levels, and spending every hour at my painting desk frantically highlighting skulls isn't the best way to do that. I do find painting relaxing, but there is a limit to how much enjoyment I get from it. I think I did well this year in finding the fun in getting stuff done, without burning myself out. In previous years, I have avoided my hobby room for weeks after the challenge finished, but this year, I have been painting (slowly) in the days since we passed the finish line.

    In terms of my output, I was happy with what I got done. I made progress on a bunch of projects and even started off a couple of new ones. I was able to enter something in all three of the bonus rounds, and gave a good accounting of myself in the duels I entered.

    Looking back over the challenge, I was a little disappointed at first that we didn't have the maps and bonuses from previous years, but I realise that not having them made it easier for me to relax and to enjoy the painting process a lot more. I certainly wouldn't mind if they made a comeback in the future, but I found the system easier to manage this year.

    A big thank you to Curt for organising this event, to Millsy for his minioning of my posts, and to everyone who commented on my entries. Thank you. You are what makes the AHPC such a joy every year. 

    So, that is it from me, I am already looking forwards to AHPC 17. See you all then!

From BartekR: A short wrap up for a short season

Greeting (again) from Kyiv - a city glad to have gotten out of winter. 

So, challenge 16, and my fourth: two miniatures painted and barely one-tenth of my target hit, but its not all bad. So, borrowing from Signore Leone, a quick 'the Good, the Bad and the Ugly' wrap-up (albeit out of title order). 

The Bad: Well, not really bad just a bit short of target...see note on two posts and only 1/10th of the point target hit! :-) I should know by now that going in with a loose sketch of a plan and being completely sidetracked is also a bit of a me thing.

They're not lonely, just unique: Challenge 16 in a nutshell

The Ugly: February and March fell into painting hiatus as "other issues" took precedence (I didn't look at the posts through most of that time so am going to play catchup over the next few weeks). 

I did have a final spurt but missed the 21 March deadline , which is probably my greatest disappointment (managed to finish them over this last weekend). Okay - its an indulgence sneaking in new minis post deadline...in my defence its not for the points and breaks up the text.

They're figures from the 3rd edition of the boardgame Haunting of the House on the Hill, including a IT 2 movie-themed expansion, the draw being Pennywise (in creepy clown and a WTF creepier clown spider form). Like any sane person, I do not like creepy clowns but fun to do. 

The Good: Getting painting done while in Kyiv has been interesting - including finding the local miniatures shops (a lot of Games Workshop on the shelves). Between the local shops and mailing stuff in, I have managed to bug a pile of shame distinct from the one I have in Australia (okay, maybe that deserves filing under "ugly" but does give me another outlet for the rest of my time here). 

*But* the real achievement this time around was introducing someone completely new into the hobby by virtue of the fact I was doing the Challenge and they caught the slipstream. Getting someone started on their hobby journey (from their first space marine) has been extremely satisfying - and to see them find their own niche (historical scale model figures). I'm taking that as a win from AHPC 16!

Again, really looking forward to retrospectively browsing what everyone painted, and hope to see you all for the 17th edition for which I should be back in Oz for (with the expanded pile of shame!:-)

Stay safe and well all, till next time!   

From KristoferD: Mission Accomplished

Well that was an eventful three months to say the least. Thank you for this amazing experience, Curt and Sanders in particular, but also all the rest of you who have contributed in some way or form.

As we were getting close to the end of February I was very confindent in meeting my target and then as usual, life happened. Workload, a 1:1 painting project in one of the childrens' rooms and other topics conspired to keep me away from the brushes. Such plans I had for Cossacks and terrain, but it had to go in favour of finishing the Swedes for the Krakow tournament. Despite having started in December I was still doing bases last Thursday night before getting on the plane in the morning. I had intended to make a final post, since I managed to finish a few more pieces to a reasonable standard (some bases still need dandelions), but then I realized that I hadn't planned how to pack everything and that stole away the last moments of time I had before leaving. In the end everything worked out very well, and I could simply put the miniatures back in the original packaging. Excellent work there Wargamer Poland!

The tournament was an absolute blast! And I say this despite the fact that I finished third to last. I was placed just over two players who lost all their games since I at least managed one draw. I have much to learn, but I will point out that I took out a unit of Winged Hussars by charging them in the flank in one game, so at least there is that. You have to take the small victories when you get them. My opponent advised me that it would have been better to withdraw a unit later in the game to preserve it, and then added: "But you're [clearly] a cossack." I will bear that as a badge of honour coming from a Pole.

The game has a very vibrant scene in Poland, and everybody I talked to was extremely friendly and welcoming. The terrain was amazing and the support from sponsors and the community is mindblowing. Everybody in attendance got a fan list for Polish volunteers with historical background and rules. It looks like it plays great. I had more luck than in my games in the raffle at end of it and won unit of Musketeers. If you ever have the chance to go to Poland and play By Fire and Sword, take it! 10 out of 10 kopis.

One of the friends I travelled with has family in the area so we spent a lazy Monday strolling around Krakow and getting showed the sites including Wavel Castle with a beautiful collection of weapons and armour from the appropriate period. A perfect ending to a perfect trip. Sadly most of my pictures are zoomed in on details for later reference or contain people whose consent I don't have to post online, but here is at least a picture of the city gate in Krakow. I hope I made sure the driver is not identifiable by blacking out them and the plates.

So, onto achievements. Below you'll find a group picture of my official tally. It might be slightly of the mark, but I'm still very happy with the achievement, safe in the knowledge that it still worked out to go to Poland. It's been a wild ride to partake in the challenge and try to have something to show every week until I got derailed, but the end result is definitely worth it.

I also realize that I forgot to mention my charity contribution. I have made monthly contributions to Oxfam to help them with their work to fight world hunger. With that being said I think we have covered it all and I will leave you with a picture of my semi-completed stuff and a solemn promise that they'll have flowers added so they're finished imminently. There's a unit of Swedish National cavalry, a unit of National infantry with a regimental gun, and a new command stand featuring field marshal Douglas, a Scotsman in Swedish service. I hope to be back for more in the future. Until next time, thanks for reading.

From MartijnN: Sweet Sixteen Wrap-up

I had a plan for this Challenge. Now, I am fairly harmless when I have a plan, for it usually does not survive first contact with the enemy, if that long. It was no different this year. I have been struggling to get up to speed, and that I eventually did hit my target surprised me as much as anyone. What is more, I have reached it without many bonus points at all, for although I enjoyed other participants' entries, I only took part in one bonus round and that was more or less by accident. In previous years, I collected a fair number of bonus points, and must confess that I have missed the thrill of running around different locations trying to come up with something that, maybe, fitted the theme. That said, I fully comprehend the work and thought going into thinking up and preparing such a work, most of which would obviously come down on Curt. As a result, however, my painting has been singularly focused, for me anyway, and that is reflected in that I did not collect more than four squirrels this year! 

I also painted exclusively 28mm stuff this year, which is rather surprising. I have always been more of a smaller scale guy, and if anyone had told me a few years ago that I would be painting only 28mm figures during the Challenge, and many WWII ones at that, I probably would have laughed incredulously.

So:

- I painted my first 28mm WW2 figures;

- I painted my first 28mm vehicles;

- I painted my first Silver Bayonet figures;

- I painted my first 28mm Ancients mass battle game units ever;

- I painted my first 28mm mass battle Napoleonics since the 1990s;

- and I did not paint any fantasy or smaller scale figures at all for the first time.

Which has left me with a fully functional French WWII force and a complete unit for The Silver Bayonet, both of which have seen the tabletop already, as well as a solid base to work from for both Hail Caesar and Black Powder (or any other set). I am very happy with that!

Siena and Lucca, the main cause of my distraction. They are not always as quiet as this!

As always, many thanks to Curt and Sarah for hosting the Challenge, and to all the long-suffering Minions, especially my own Minion Sander. Once again you made it a great experience!

I was not as much in on the Challenge as I would have liked or am used to, so I really commented only on a very few posts, sorry. I may be backtracking to see what I have missed, though what I did see was absolutely wonderful once again. I will do better next time! Many thanks for those that commented so kindly on my own submissions, it was and is much appreciated.

See you all in December!

Martijn

Squirrel Duel - The Foregone Conclusion

Greetings fellow Squirrel finding fanatics,

    First of all, my apologies for not getting an update out in early March. Work was busy, life was hectic and putting one of these posts together takes a couple of hours and way more effort than people probably realize. 

    Anyway, I have gone through everything including the theme round entries and put together the final tally of Squirrel Points. Before we go on to the scores, a few quick notes. If you have more points than you expected, it was because I counted some entries that you overlooked. If you have less points than you expected, it is because your claims didn't meet the 25 points minimum to claim a Squirrel Point.

    Let's have a quick look at some of this month's entries, shall we?

A Roman gang by BrianC

Rashaar by CurtC

Some Austrians by KillianF

An undead catapult by TeemuL

Some Saxons by TimP

    This year's Squirrel Duel saw a huge range of minis in terms of periods, scales and genres. I would like to thank everyone who took part, and I would especially like to thank those of you who kept a list of your Squirrel Points in you challenge entries, it made my life a lot easier. In the duel information post I predicted that half of the entries wouldn't include the Squirrel label, and while it was less than half, it was still a fair number. I was pretty lenient and went through every challengers posts one by one, though I probably should have been a lot stricter.

    So, on to this year's winner. In the last Squirrel update, I asked if anyone could catch ChrisW.

...And the answer was.....

A resounding NO!

    ChrisW is this year's winner, with a splendid 36 Squirrel Points, Congratulations to KerryT and TeemuL for coming in joint 3rd place. Well done to all our Squirrel Side Duel challengers. You have proved once again that there is always space for another side project or extra set of minis somewhere in our collections.

    So, that is it for Challenge 16's Squirrel Duel. I hope to see you all again in Challenge 17.

    -The Squirrelfinder General

From RichardM - Wrap up for AHPC XVI - 6mm Peninsular Napoleonics

Well here they all are on display.

Before I get to the photos I would like to echo all of the recognition that has been paid to Curt for the continued offering of such a wonderful opportunity to display and celebrate our hobby.  Huge thanks also to all of the minions but for me particularly to Millsy and to Dave who covered for him on one posting period.  Also a nod to the wonderful group who meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a chat and paint - it adds massively to my enjoyment and output.

Now to the colour and stats.  Firstly a few 'grand' shots (which means you can see nothing closely).

Neatly packed in their boxes - don't look like much do they?

Bit more impressive :)

Over the course of the challenge I have painted the following units - these amount to 2951 infantry figures and 578 mounted figures.

And some closer shots of the various contingents.  Firstly the Portuguese with the Cacadores in front of the Line infantry and cavalry behind.

Then the Spanish Infantry (Guards in front) followed by their cavalry and the British Cavalry at the rear.

And lastly the varied colours of the Confederation of the Rhine units with the French Cavalry at the rear.

I loved Paul's idea of a video so have given it a go and think it gets closer to many of the units and the colour of the Confederation.

This has been my third challenge - although the first was many years ago and I didn't make much of an impact.  I've really enjoyed myself and have a real sense of achievement at getting these units painted - some of which have been in a box for close to 20 years.  I still have a lot of 6mm Napoleonics to paint and refurbish - but this has greatly motivated me to keep going.

I've also put a reminder in my calendar for late November to make sure I do not miss the chance to sign up for the next installment.

Thanks everyone!

 

Skull Duel results!

Absolute scenes! After last week's tussle on the final straight, PaulSS came out of nowhere with a horde of 10mm undead!

• PaulSS 388
• BruceR 318
• TeemuL 298
• StuartL 271
• Barks 238
• MattT 127
• DavidB 111
• MikeW 65
• ErikP 35
• TomL 21
• PaulOG 13
• GregB 8
• SteveA 7
• Curt 2

Paul is now the Skull Champion and will be issued DaveB's skull (last year's champion) in due course. Congratulations Paul!

Notable Skullz

We deserve a good look at some of Paul's winning work; he's sacrificed size but not quality or quantity!

This has truly been the year of 10mm skullz!

BruceR

BruceR

RayR

BrianC

MikeW

Skull of the Week

MarkG's Ukrainian anarchists

Thank you so much to everybody who participated and enjoyed this side challenge!

From: TomL, AHPC 16 final call

Time for the AHPC 16 final roll call.  Had a lot of fun as always painting and looking at everyone else's work.  Managed to get quite a jump on the Battletech plastic mountain:

 

The only mech's I didn't paint were my lone Gothic battletech box.  Maybe this summer or next challenge.  Hopefully this eliminates much of the grey from our club's battle fields.

Completed only few units from my ACW Warlord Epic boxes. I actually managed to partially paint 4 CSA sprues on vacation and was thinking I would crush my objective. Alas getting time to complete the details after vacation proved difficult. Luckily the theme rounds made up for that. 

 

Thanks again to Curt, Sarah, Sylvain and the entire Minion Team for their time in running this.  I shall miss looking at all the painted miniatures everyday.   Hope to see you all again next year.

Tom 

 

from Kerry - AHPC Sweet Sixteen Roundup

 Morning, afternoon & evening all

It seems very strange to put up a round up post so soon after the end of the challenge but I'm doing it because I want to put everything away!

I can't believe that 3 months has gone so quickly, the last few weeks in particular have flown by. I'm lucky though that being a member of the down under crew, I will still have regular contact with my mates at least once, if not twice per week during our regular Tuesday & Thursday night paint n' chats. Its a great group and we'll chat about anything really and throughout the challenge have leaned on and supported each other, its after all what the challenge is about.

I want to say an huge thank you to Curt and Sarah for once again allowing me to take part in this wonderful event. Mate, the amount of work you put into this is phenomenal, the AHPC is such a fantastic thing and long may it continue and be a source of pride to you. Thank you so much

I'm sorry, I  rushed my last post yesterday and had no time to say thank you to another wonderful group, the minions. How would we fare without them? Just brilliant guys, thank you for taking valuable hours out of your hobby time to meet the needs of the rest of us and make the challenge the success that it is. Huge thank you and especially to you Millsy, not only for the practical work you do for the down under or Friday group but for just the way you are. Cheers mate

The challenge is over for another year but already I'm looking forward to next Tuesday's paint n' chat with the regulars Kent, Millsy,  John, Paul and Richard. ( Richard I reckon with those names you should now change yours to Ringo :-) )

I think I went a bit mad this year

I was really pleased to see the return of terrain into this year's challenge, not least because I had a fair bit of 3d printed terrain I wanted to finish, Thank you Byron for minioning this.

This I think is my 5th challenge and it has really given me a focus after retiring last March (though I still work 1 day//week). I think I might have struggled to adjust without it. There are only so many days in a week that you can play golf. 

It was never my intention to try and finish at the top of the points roster, it just happened as I got so carried  away, particularly with the bonus rounds and this along with my tendency to try and produce figures in units and try and post every week meant it just happened. I really do struggle with the discipline of regular basing though. My timing is never great and I think I submitted all 3 bonus rounds with under 10 minutes to spare. That that was also the case yesterday and subsequently meant no time to preview it before posting. I have to address that because I know it stresses me a bit and is not that sensible, in fact its daft! Next year I think I might try and tone down my expectation a level and try not to get so much done every week. To be honest the challenge can take over and become all encompassing, like it obviously has this year!

I'm in a bit of trouble with a couple of blokes because I didn't give them their moment of fame as they had warned me to do in yesterday's "Knight's Tale" because I was so rushed. Most people seem to regard them as some sort of natural born killers so I'm going to play it safe and show them in the next picture. They are Lord Lucan's bodyguards, Lennie the Lion and Idris.

That's Lennie the Lion on the left with the flag, many people think he's named because he must be a handful in a scrap and fight like a lion.  The honest truth is that its not the true story, he got his name because he spends so much time in the Red Lion. Idris is on the right in the picture and again he has a reputation for being really mean - he really is though, but not in a tough killer way, more of in a sort of frugal way, as he never spends any money and would never buy you a pint!

With those two off my back I'll just put up a few pictures of what I managed to get paint over past 3 months.

That leaves only one thank you to make, and that is to my fellow participants. Thank you all for your kindness, encouragement and support. I've had a blast looking at what you've been posting and tried to comment as much as possible. The amount of skill and talent on here is as astounding as is the variety of interests which includes weird shit! Not only has it been great fun but the reality is that you've managed to tempt me into a couple of new projects, yeah, thanks! 

Thank you all

On a final note, I hope to see as many of you as I can at Partizan this year, I've already chosen my clothing so you'll find me easily.  

Thank you all, best wishes

Valleyboy