Saturday 21 November 2015

The Die is Cast - The Sixth Annual Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge Starts December 20th


In 49 BC Julius Caesar halted his XIII legion along the north bank of the Rubicon river in northern Italy. He knew that if he crossed with his army into southern Italy he would be violating Roman law, thereby making the lives of both him and his men forfeit, but Caesar also aware that if he returned to Rome as a regular citizen he would be censored by the government and quite possibly killed. After some deliberation he resolved to cross the Rubicon and risk civil war. Once on the other side of the river Caesar is reported to have said, 'Alea iacta est' - The die is cast. 

This year's Painting Challenge, our sixth, celebrates risk takers, daredevils and gamblers. 

Julius Caesar
The Basic Rules
The Challenge will extend from the beginning of Winter, 12:01 am December 20th , through to the first day of Spring, 12:01 am March 20th, Central Standard Time.
Figures can be prepared and primed prior to the start date, but no colour can be applied until December 20th. In order to be fully scored the figures have to be based and their groundwork completed. The figures have to be painted by you. The Challenge follows the honour system in the completion and entry of figures. Dishonour and public shaming goes (with perhaps the throwing of frozen vegetables) upon anyone who besmirches the venerable craft of painting toy soldiers! 
The figures can be in any scale and in any theme, including pulp-adventure, science-fiction and fantasy.
In order to be scored, photos of all figures/units along with a short descriptive note must be uploaded to the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge blog. Up-to-date scoring will be maintained on the blog's main page. I will send out an email to all Challengers to provide further details regarding participation.
The Judge (me) will participate, but my score will not have any standing in the Challenge (I will continue my struggle to be amongst the middle-of-the-pack).
Since I can't leave well enough alone, I've again tweaked a few aspects of how the Challenge will be administered. I will still be the master of ceremonies, but I've called upon a Happy Few to assist me in keeping this joyous circus on the rails - more on that later. 

Rosa Parks
The Scoring
6mm foot figure = 0.5 point
6mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 1 pts
6mm vehicle = 2 points
10mm foot figure = 1 point
10mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 2 points
10mm vehicle = 3 points 
15mm foot figure = 2 pts
15mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 4 pts
15mm vehicle = 6 pts

20mm foot figure = 4 pts
20mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 8 pts
20mm vehicle = 12 pts

28mm foot figure = 5 pts

28mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 10 pts
28mm vehicle = 15 pts
40mm foot figure = 7 pts
40mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 15 pts
40mm vehicle = 20 pts 
54mm foot figure = 10 pts
54mm mounted figures, artillery piee or crew served weapon = 20 pts
54mm vehicle, limber, etc. = 30 pts 
Other scales, miscellaneous models/figures will be scored on a submission-by-submission basis. 


Amelia Earhart

Challenger Personal Targets and Duels

Similar to previous years, I ask that each Challenger declare his/her points target that they hope to achieve by the March 20th deadline. I encourage Challengers to pick a target that is a bit beyond their comfort zone, but still achievable. Many participants have found this a great incentive to help maintain their pace over the three months of the Challenge. As a benchmark, 400 points is a manageable amount for someone who is new the the event and/or has a busy work/life schedule. Remember, many points can be secured by participating in the Bonus Rounds (more on this below).

Also, many folks have a lot of fun issuing 'duels' to other participants in order to race to meet a declared target, paint the most figures for a specific period, etc. I leave this to the participants to organize, but I'm more than happy to log the duels and keep track of the points.


Vo Nguen Giap
Challenger Target Thresholds & Prizes

There will be six point thresholds set out for the Challenge. Each time a participant reaches a Point Threshold his/her name will be entered for the prize drawn for that level. So, the more points you accumulate the more prizes you will be eligible for. We have many generous prize sponsors who I will introduce in a following post. The Threshold prizes will be drawn at the end of the Challenge.
Threshold I: 500 points
Threshold II: 750 points 
Threshold III: 1000 points 
Threshold IV: 1500 points 
Threshold V: 2000 points 
Threshold VI: 2500 points
Gebhard Lebrecht Blucher
The Fortnight Theme Bonus Rounds
Same as previous years, we will have a series of thematic Bonus Rounds. Each Bonus Round asks Challengers to enter a submission that illustrates a particular theme. The Bonus Rounds are not mandatory, they are just a little bit of fun to pace out the the Challenge and allow people to gain some points and fame through presenting vignettes and specific single figures.
Those Challengers who manage to submit an entry for a 'Fortnight Theme Bonus Round' will receive an extra 50 points on top of the regular entry tally. No scales less than 15mm will be eligible for the Theme Bonus Rounds but they can be of a historical or fictional subject.
The seven Bonus Themes along with their submission deadlines are:
  • January 3rd: Nostalgia 
  • January 17th: Epic Fail 
  • January 31st : Defensive Terrain 
  • February 14th: L'amour 
  • February 28th: Nautical 
  • March 13th: Gambler/Risk-Taker
The theme submissions are to be sent in by 12:01 am (CST) on the specified date (Sundays for all).
For each bonus round I'll post a poll listing all the round's entries so visitors can vote for their favourite. 
Neil Armstrong
Tipping the Croupier

As in previous Challenges, I ask for a small memento from each Challenger. In keeping with this year's theme, the entrance 'fee' for this year's Challenge will be a single 28mm figure characterized as a risk-taker, daredevil or gambler. The figure will be supplied and painted by the entrant. This miniature can be submitted any time up until the end of the Challenge. Again, same as previous years, for each figure I receive I will donate $5 to the Saskatchewan branch of the Regina Humane Society.

Robert E. Lee
The Call

Please don't wait too long if you're interested - drop me a note below to get on the roster. I'll place notification in this space when all the participant slots for the Challenge have been filled.

Let the fun begin!


33 comments:

  1. Hi Curt,

    I'd be happy to participate in the Sixth Analogue Painting Challenge, which will be my fifth challenge. Due to restricted hobby time I will commit for 250 points from a mixture of fantasy, sci-fi and historical genres. Looking forward to the start!
    Cheers, Ross

    ReplyDelete
  2. 3rd time around for me. A few more Red & Black to do. I reckon 1500 for my target. Cheers and thanks for running this motivational and fun event once again.
    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  3. You can count me in for the 4th time! Same boring goal of 1000 points again

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Excellent! Delighted to have you with us again Samuli!

      Delete
  4. Something odd going on with your main blog - comments keep disappearing.

    Please put me down for 1000 points as my initial target. It will probably be increased at some point during the course of the Challenge; probably earlier than planned as well :p

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup, that is why I've been telling folks to come here. :) Blogger lost its sh*t at around 230 comments...

      I've marked you down for 1K m'dear.

      Delete
  5. You receive a lot of comments! Planning now my 555 points objective, and looking for some of those not too common Bonus Themes!

    Thank you a lof for this fantastic adventure, Curt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I got you down for 555 Juan! Looking forward to seeing your work over the coming months!

      Delete
  6. Just in case you've lost my original request Curt, I'm in for 500 pts please... and a couple of side-challenges :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No worries, I have you locked and loaded for next month! :)

      Delete
  7. I'm intrigued by the January 31st Bonus Round - "Defensive Terrain". Will Challengers be required to build a fort?
    : )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolutely! Complete Zulu Kraals and Roman hillforts... Or perhaps a homely foxhole? A Hussite Wagon? A Testudo? You get the picture. :)

      Delete
    2. Time to get a good supply of stone and timber, methinks...

      Delete
  8. Hi Curt. It is wonderful to be back. I make this my third application for the Challenge. I was a bit embarrassed by how quickly my challenge faded last year. I felt I never really got started. But hopefully, I have learned my lesson, and my enthusiasm is once again re-fired and topped up. It all looks brilliant, and with a great theme. So.... if you have a spare place....I humbly request to join!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A space has been reserved for you, Sidney! I think I can say that there will be many of us who are eager to see what you come up with this year - especially for the Bonus Theme Rounds.

      Delete
  9. Not sure if the original got through... put me down for a beginner's 400 points please!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I got you logged in Samulus!

      Delete
    2. Samulus, please send me an email at curtcampbell at mac dot com. Thanks!

      Delete
  10. Hi Curt- I know this was asked last year, by t I can't remember the answer. Is it ok to use coloured spray primers?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sure, but keep away from things like tartan spray, or German splinter camo spray. :)

      Delete
    2. German splinter spray cooooool, do I buy it from that odd little shop in the black forest built out of ginger bread?

      Delete
  11. Are there any spots left? If so can you sign me up for the beginners spot at 500points please.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Chris! Yes, no problem, I have a spot for you. Please send me a note at curtcampbel at mac dot com so we can set up communication.

      Delete
  12. Hi Curt! I'd like to join again, let's say 500 points.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Curt, I'd like to enter for the first time.
    Put me down for a 400 point commitment please.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sure Sean, please send me an email at curtcampbell at mac dot com so I get your email.

      Delete
  14. Hey id like to get in, dont know if you get me from the other post, i would like to go for 500

    ReplyDelete
  15. Please sign me up for 1000 points!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds good Keith. Please send me an email so we can establish communication: curtcampbell at mac dot com. Thanks!

      Delete