From JohnS: Renaissance Undead (420 points)

I had high hopes for this year's painting challenge, but I wasn't able to carve out the time to make much of a dent in my leadpile. With a paltry few hundred points completed, I expect these undead figures to push me over my self imposed minimum threshold of 500 points, alleviating my shame a bit.

I've wanted an undead army since spotting a fantasy scenario featuring a skeletal horde in Battlesystem 2nd Edition, nearly 30 years ago. Manufacturers never seemed to have the same vision for the undead that I did though. Game Workshop took a decidedly Egyptian feel with their Tomb Kings, and many of the more recently released undead miniatures have been too dynamic in pose and expression for my taste.

When I saw these figures based on the 1562 painting "Triumph of Death" by Bruegel the Elder, I knew I'd found my guys. While an undead shambling horde represents our own inevitable mortality, I also think they are a metaphor for the unfeeling, unsensing march of time, scouring all before them. These staid, emotionless automatons marching in their perfect ranks, with halberds and javelins at the ready don't slay out of hatred, but as part of the entropic machine that will inevitably collapse all of man's creations, grind mountains to dust and darken every star in the sky.

That's a bit dark, but don't be glum. This skelly brought a giant fish to cheer you up. What a whacky guy!

All 83 of these 28mm figures will likely be my final entry in this year's Analogue Painting Challenge.

 For my Curtgeld I've donated to Veteran's K-9 Corps, an organization that provides service animals for veterans and first responders. Thanks to Curt and the minions for managing the challenge, and loosening the entry rules to allow some decidedly non-historical figures into competition.

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And yet more French! Ish. Perhaps after invading Naples, the various wars, and the touch of the infected ladies of the night?

That skellie with the fish is absolutely bonkers. The fish looks alive, very discombobulated, and trying to decide what on earth just happened to him. You have managed to put an amazing expression on his face.

There's some real gems in there, like the skellie dopplesoldier (I HAVE to snag him for Frostgrave) and the bishop/grenadier, but the fish is the big win.

83x28mm is 415 points, and I'm throwing in another five just for the fish. Yes, he's that good.

That's also a splendid Curtgeld. Thankfully, all the ones I was responsible for supporting during Camp Fire came back safe, sound, and not needing their services.