From EvanH - 28mm "The Man Skilled In All The Ways Of Contending" (20 points)

What a contest it's been so far! Not even a month in, and we've already seen so many amazing submissions.

I'll be honest, I'm working pretty much as an artisanal producer of painted figures rather than a Stakhanovite like so many of my fellow Challengers. Well, I've not really gone in to win this thing; I have a realistic idea of my own capabilities, and I am fully aware of the speed and dedication needed to reach the dizzy heights of a Martin, a Miles, a Tamsin, or even a GIMP...!

I can but present my own humble submissions, and hope that they meet with the approval of my peers. So let's get the mandatory entry out of the way now. The estimable Mr Campbell has devoted a considerable chunk of his time to running the Challenge (now in its SIXTH big year, can you believe it?), and all he asks of us in return is a single painted figure to add to his collection; the Curtgeld!

So here is the price of my admission, my own 'thank you' to Curt for going to such trouble to herd ever-increasing numbers of cats each year. We've all been asked to submit a figure which represents a gambler or risk-taker, and I think I can say that my entry meets the requirements. He's a character whose exploits are famed in legend, a man skilled in all the ways of contending, the hero who conceived the stratagem which took Troy; Odysseus of Ithaca, my favourite character in the Iliad.

A prophecy said that Troy would never fall as long as the statue of Athena remained in its sanctuary. Never one to let prophecies stand in his way, Odysseus risked life and limb to enter the city by night and take the statue. We see him here upon his return to the Greek camp, his trophy in hand, having brought the doom of Troy just a little bit closer...

"I'd like to thank the Academy..."

 The figure is from Wargames Foundry, and was sculpted by Alan Perry.

I took my cue for the colour scheme from the illustrations in Peter Connolly's excellent book, The Legend of Odysseus, a must-have for any fan of the Aegean Bronze Age.

The statue in his left hand was sculpted by me from green stuff, and was based on the lovely ceramic cult statuettes from Mycenaean Greece. They're almost like modern art in their stripped-down forms, and I hope I've done them justice.

The base has been textured with sand and slate, and the Tajima Tufts have been drybrushed with light brown to give them a more Mediterranean look.

So that's another 20 points to add to my princely total! Yay!

Now Odysseus, it's time for you to go on another voyage, this time to the fabled isles of the Saskatchewoi! Penelope will have to wait just a little bit longer, methinks...

Stay tuned!

You mightn't be the most prolific of painters Ev but you never fail to impress me when you do produce something. Never mind the depth of colour on the bronze armour, or the most convincing stripes on the tunic, you've only gone and sculpted an amazing statue to boot! You clearly have a real attachment to Odysseus of Ithaca and I'm sure Curt will appreciate your efforts. 20 points mate and well done! Cheers, Millsy.