Wednesday 20 November 2019

'X Marks the Spot!' The 10th Annual Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge


While many places in the world are enjoying a lovely long autumn, or better yet, a rejuvenating spring, here in the Canadian prairies the remorseless grind that is winter begins in earnest.  Yes, it can be a bit depressing: frozen extremities, navigating treacherous roads and the absolute worse, enduring the five million games that make up the NHL season. Nonetheless, it's not all hoarfrost and death-by-hockey, the winter also heralds a wonderful decade-long tradition: that of reacquainting with old friends, making some new ones and having a bunch of laughs painting a load of cool minis - all through the madness that is the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge.

The Basic Rules
The Challenge will extend from the first day of Winter, 12:01 am December 21st, through to the first day of Spring, 11:59 pm March 19th, Central Standard Time (CST). 
Your miniatures (i.e. figures, vehicles, artillery, terrain, etc.) can be cleaned, assembled and primed prior to the start date, but you cannot start painting until December 21st. In order to gain full points the figures should be based (if appropriate) and any planned groundwork completed. The figures have to be painted by you. 
The Challenge follows the honour system in the completion and entry of figures. 
Miniatures can be in any scale and in any genre (pulp-adventure, science-fiction, fantasy, etc.).
In order to be scored, photos of your submission along with a short description 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 a few days prior to the event with further details on submitting your entries.
All participants must have an entry submitted within the first month of the event (i.e. January 21st). Failure to do so will result in being dropped from the Challenge roster.
The Administrator (me) will participate, but my score will not have any standing in the Challenge (except to allow me in the mad scrum with the rest of the participants).

The Scoring

Below is the scoring that will be used for the Challenge. 
6mm foot figure = 0.5 point
6mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 1 point
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 points
15mm mounted figure, artillery piece or large crew served weapon = 4 poin
ts
15mm vehicle = 8 points

20mm foot figure = 4 points
20mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 8 points
20mm vehicle = 15 points

28mm foot figure = 5 points

28mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 10 points
28mm vehicle = 20 points
40mm foot figure = 7 points
40mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 15 points
40mm vehicle = 25 points
54mm foot figure = 10 points
54mm mounted figures, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 20 points
54mm vehicle, limber, etc. = 30 points 
Other scales, miscellaneous models/figures will be scored on a submission-by-submission basis. 


Terrain Submissions

While admittedly not perfect, I want to keep things simple for terrain submissions, so we'll keep to our 6" cube format. Briefly, if your terrain piece (or collected terrain pieces) fills a 6" cube, you get 20 points. If your terrain would 'fill' multiple 6" cubes, then multiply 20 points for each cube of volume. 

Terrain filling the 6" cube on the left would be worth 20 points. The composite group on the right, made up of eight cubes, would be worth 160 points.

Example 1: I've painted three 28mm barrels and six trees. They would roughly fill a single 6" cube. I would get 20 points for this. 

Example 2: I've constructed and painted a large 28mm manor that is approximately 12" wide, 14" long and 10" high. All in all, this would roughly take up 8 cubes worth of volume. This would give me 160 points.

Submissions of terrain should be sent in with a picture illustrating the scale of their work (a ruler laid alongside should do the trick). This will give your hard-working Minion a basis for scoring. Extra points for extra detail, scratch-built insanity, etc. will be left to the Minions to adjudicate as they see fit.  

Changes to the Challenge

Okay, this is a bit of a biggie. As this is our 10th anniversary year, I thought we'd shake things up a bit. Here are the list of changes to the Challenge program:

1) The participant limit is set at 60 with no reserve list. 
While I’ve always loved having loads of people participate in the Challenge, what I’ve found over the past few editions is that the high numbers have made it somewhat cumbersome  to manage and a little difficult to follow. I’ve heard from several participants and observers that the sheer number of daily entries could sometimes be too overwhelming to keep up with, especially if you missed a few days of posts. So this time we'll keep the group smaller and a little more intimate. Please note that we will not have a reserve list this year - it's first-come-first-served, so if you're a Challenge veteran please get your request in.
For all those wishing to participate please send me an email, providing: 
1) your full name,
2) your country of residence
3) your blog address (if you have one), and
3) your points target for the three months of the event.
My email address is:
curtcampbell at mac dot com 
I will post a comment below when the roster has been filled and will follow-up with an email in a couple weeks detailing the specifics of the event.

2) The Challenge will be entirely 'Free Fire' 
We're going to go back to a 'Free Fire' approach this year, allowing participants the latitude to submit entries whenever they wish, as opposed to having them assigned to a specific day of the week. The only limit we'll have is that each day there will be a cap of 10 submissions, with any remainder spilling over to the next day.

3) There will be no bi-weekly theme rounds. Instead we have something better... 
This is a big change, especially as the theme rounds have been somewhat of a favoured child of mine. In consultation with the very talented Sidney Roundwood we've created something new for you to enjoy: I give you 'Challenge Island'!

Challenge Island 


Welcome to 'Challenge Island'!

Those hearty participants who chose to test their mettle can explore the mysterious 'Challenge Island', tackling the multitude of hobby challenges to be found there. 

The island features a rich assortment of geographic locations that participants can explore by completing a themed hobby task at each. Once they finish a task they will be allowed to travel onto the next location, ultimately making their way inland to the summit of 'SnowLord's Peak' to where 'X Marks the Spot'! 

In the next few days I'll followup with another post laying out the specifics of 'Challenge Island', its geography, its rewards and a more detailed map. ('Yes Sidney, the chains and ball-gag only come off when you deliver the final version of the map. Now back to your cell and get to work on your watercolours!')


The Minions

As usual I will serve as the Master-of-Ceremonies / Tormentor-in-Chief / Dork-Lord, but I also have happy group of 'Minions' to help keep this madhouse moving along. Here are the wonderful folks that I've convinced to assist me for this year's Challenge:
  • Monday: GregB
  • Tuesday: PaulOG
  • Wednesday: DaveD
  • Thursday: MartinC
  • Friday: TamsinP
  • Saturday: ByronM
  • Sunday: MilesR

Personal Targets and Duels

Upon signup, I ask that each Challenger provide me with their name, nationality, blog and declare his/her points target which they hope to achieve by the March 19th deadline. 

Many participants have found the personal points targets to be a great incentive in maintaining their pace over the three months of the Challenge. I encourage participants to pick a target that is just beyond your comfort zone, but still achievable. As a rough benchmark, 300 points is considered a manageable amount for someone who is new to the the event and/or has a busy work/life schedule. Also remember that a significant amount of points can be secured by adventuring on 'Challenge Island' (more on this below).

Relating to the points targets, 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 dream-up, organize and keep track of.


Shiny Prizes


During the event I will maintain a gallery of submissions for each map location and at the end of the Challenge we will vote for our favourite entries. 

Also we will award prizes for Challengers' Choice, Judge's Choice and Sarah's Choice.



The Price of Entry

Each participant will be required to paint a figure as a prize for another participant. These will be awarded to those who have successfully completed the 'X Marks the Spot' final adventure of Challenge Island. If you have a specific participant you'd like to paint for their prize please notify me and I'll make note of it. 
All prize figures must be completed and submitted for scoring during the first month of the Challenge.

_______________________________________



Challenge X starts at 12:01am December 21st!

Now, sign up and get some miniatures prepped - I'll see you at the start line in a month!





83 comments:

  1. Email entry sent, Very much looking forward to it.

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  2. Email sent! Best of luck to everyone and thanks for putting it on again Curt!
    Best Iain

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  3. Email duly sent, Curt! Looking forward to it very much (if I make the cut!).

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    1. Glad you've accepted the Challenge's schilling, Sid. Now, get in the ranks and get prepared for the madness.

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  4. f5... f5... f5... f5.. Finally, the challenge is back. I've been refreshing this page since March! :D
    Email sent, fingers crossed I can enter again this year.

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    1. Haha, great stuff Stuart. Well, your persistence has paid off and you're shackled with us for another winter of paintcontent. :)

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  5. Won't be entering but able to follow along with all the splendid entries from an overall view rather than just the few bloggers I follow that enter, good luck to all and will send a email to Curt about donating a prize

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    1. How very generous Dave, thank you very much for thinking of us! I'll be chatting with you soon.

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    1. Done! The spreadsheet is being prepared for the strain of the extra point sandbags...

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  7. Email Sent Looking forward to it. My painting time has fallen off a clif since the last challenge... this will get me back on track

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    1. That's what its all about Adam - delighted to have you back with us.

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  8. My favorite event of the cooler months! I cannot wait to see what the lead pile will drag up this time!

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    1. Brilliant stuff Dave! I'm sure it will involve something green and have at least some reference to Native American culture. ;)

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    2. Well native culture is the best culture, but Ork "kulture" does have a certain charm! ;)

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  9. Replies
    1. hey! That Challenge Island looks pretty intriguing... looking forward to reading more details

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    2. Welcome back Benito! I think you'll like Challenge Island.

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  10. Count me in as usual. I have a new 6mm army waiting in the wings for the starting pistol!

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    1. More 6mm stuff, excellent, that will be a real treat.

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  11. I already starting assembly and priming for this year a little while ago.... I need to cut down on my pile-o-shame at least a bit!

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  12. I won't be taking part this year (not, I hasten to add because of any of the changes! I'd already decided that my grandfathered place on the roster was unjustified.

    But I wish everyone a fruitful and enjoyable challenge, and shall be watching with interest.

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    1. You will be missed, Edwin. I always enjoyed your pulp and Dr Who entries. I hope to see you in the comments over the coming months.

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  13. Curt and Minions, Thanks for doing this. It makes the winter go so much faster. Email sent.

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  14. Ten years is an awesome achievement Curt, hopefully I will be able to join the celebrations. Email Sent.

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  15. Email sent too... Hopefully I'll make the cut!!

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  16. I'm looking forward to being a full minion once again. I'll need to think about my target for this year - I'm not planning to paint (m)any big projects, my main focus will be on finishing my pulp era figures.

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    1. Lovely, I always enjoy seeing your pulp themed work Tamsin.

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  17. So it begins! Delighted to take on the Minion mantle once again and assist running this awesome event. Thanks for putting it together once again Curt!

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  18. Hello to all. I sent the application. If I didn’t, I will look with interest. I believe that Tamsin will win!

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  19. Glad to see I made it on Challenge Island!

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    1. Both of us have a Sand related place called after us: theme for a side duel?

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  20. Whilst thrilled to have made it on the map, I am afraid that I will have to enjoy this year's event from afar. The Castle and run up to Salute are going to demand most of my time, but I shall be watching closely, ready to shout 'foul' at the first sight of a sandbag!

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    1. A pity you won't be joining us this year Michael, though its completely understandable when one witnesses the magnificent work you're doing for your upcoming Salute display.

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    2. Thank you Curt, it was difficult decision, but I think the right one. I shall, of course, be supporting from the wings.

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  21. Sent my email to once again throw my paints and brushes into the melee.

    Christopher

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  22. I've sent my application - will I make it...?

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  23. Email sent requesting passage to the island. Thanks.

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  24. Email sent!

    I am sure Tamsin will do wonders upholding the tradition that is the Friday Follies!

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    1. You can rest assured that Friday will be subject to the same brand of madness that I brought to Tuesdays a few years ago - everyone's favourite Senior Flight Attendant flies again! :)

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    2. Thanks for the warning. I’ll make sure that I pack my Gravol, buckle my seat belt and bring my emotional support animal.

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    3. But are your tray tables and seat backs in the upright position, electronic devices in Challenge Mode, and all unused paint water returned to the cabin crew?

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  25. Mail has been send, I hope now that I'm on time :-)

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  26. Email sent, looking forward to hearing about Challenge Island

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  27. Email sent earlier today, I can't wait! Gluing and priming has commenced!

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  28. Email sent and the priming will start at the weekend

    Cheers, Ross

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  29. Email sent last night, almost missed it with work, fingers crossed I have a Challengers Choice Trophy to defend 😁

    Regards Ken

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  30. I'm in! Looking forward to painting some different stuff for this year's challenge!

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  31. Thanks for running this staple of the hobby. I doubt I'll play but I do owe you a mini from a previous competition, it got forgotten when my wife died in 2018 but I just found it the other day, I'll get it in the post next week.

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    1. Great to hear from you Mike. Absolutely no worries (or rush) on the mini. Look forward to seeing your support in the comments in the coming months.

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  32. Email duly sent and I am honoured to be in the map as well!

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  33. Looking forward to it - welcome back everyone!

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  34. E-Mail sent this morning - hope there are some spots left on Challenge Island, me hearties.

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  35. Email sent..Hoping enough room. Cheers and the new format and challenge Island looks really good.
    I guess if enough interest someone else could run a parallel challenge. Group 1 here and group 2 somewhere else.
    Actually that could smell a little competitive as well. :)
    Cheers

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    1. Challenge francises?! Wow, I could be like the Ronald McDonald of mini-painting...

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  36. Minion for Hump day reporting in ...I think I will be looking at 1500 points this year... but one never knows!

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  37. Hi all another entry email sent to Curt. Fingers crossed ..... Great to see that everyone getting back in the zone again but it does mean that another year has gone by so quickly.

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  38. Email sent - hopefully still a couple of places of Challenge Island up for grabs. Good luck everyone!

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  39. E-mail sent out. I'm definitely in once again if there is still room ;)

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  40. Looks like a fun challenge year! Due to school and Master's program applications draining all my spare hobby time, I think I will remain an observer this time around, but I look forward to seeing all of the excellent submissions as they start to roll in. Best of Luck to Everyone!

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    1. Sorry to hear that you won't be joining us this time out Grant. Have fun at school, good luck with the MA applications and do drop in for a comment now and then.

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    2. Thanks! I will be sure to keep updated with the challenge!

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  41. Email sent the other day! Prepping is underway!

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  42. Okay, cut!! We're filled to the brim. Actually, as usual, I exceeded my cutoff limit, but not by too, too much. The full Challenger roster to follow soon

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  43. Bummer. Looks like I missed it by a day. I just found out about this challenge. I'll follow along and perhaps be able to participate next year.

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  44. Missed it!! First time in 9 years. Oh well, I could use the break this year. Best of luck to all

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  45. Dammit!!! That didn't take long...

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  46. Hi Curt,

    Would a Medieval cart, drover and animals count as a vehicle?

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    1. Depending on the specific requirements of the challenge I don't see why not.

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    2. Thanks mate- that will do for me.

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