Wednesday, 30 December 2020
From Ian: More Indians and 1812 British (West Indies)
SebastianR: The Armoury
Another short post. Dropping into the armoury with a collection of American MBTs and IFVs.
They're the start of a... lets just say it's a latter day American Civil War scenario and leave it at that.
Like the ghouls I made some questionable painting choices along the way. Unlike the ghouls, I only partially managed to recover from it, at least as far as the temperate ones are concerned.
The desert ones? I think I pulled it off.
I was trying to replicate the style used by Battlefront on their tanks, the very clean style with strong picked out details. I think I should have thinned my wash more. And done a pin wash rather than an all over wash. And had a green to better match the base green spray... I took a risk getting a satin varnish on these things, it didn't really pay off. Back to the drawing board.
I got them second hand and the lack of decals makes them feel surprisingly bare. I hear it's surprisingly easy to make your own; if it ever starts bugging me I might indulge them.
20 points for the challenge and 48 for the minis for a total of 68.
AdamC Chamber of Darkness (25 Points)
Over all I am pleased with how this fellow came out. He's another selection from my Bones III collection. It's a 25mm for 5 points plus 20 points for the room. On to the Aquifer!
From SidneyR: Hall of Traps (and Snares) (50 points)
"He's coming...Yes, of course it's him. Why? Well, everything about him is glittering and golden, so that's a good guess. And, well... he's handsome. And tall. Apollo-esque maybe. No, no... I'm not having second thoughts. Pass the the poison, quickly. Don't drop it! Oh, for the blood of Sint Jacobus.... how on earth did you get recommended to me as an apprentice assassin? Quick, quick - flutter your fan in front of my hands while you pass the poison over. QUICK... Oh...OH! Your Majesty....what a surprise to see you here. We were just taking a stroll in your gardens. Monsieur Le Notre was kind enough to invite us. But you've quite trapped us here, almost as if you had intended it...."
Louise de Gisoreux, Founder of Le Lapin d'Or, and would-be assassin, 1688
Greetings, dear Challengers, to another year of lunacy, nonsense, frantic painting, grandiose plans and expired paintbrushes. The annual madness which is the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge has commenced, and here is my first entry, for the "Hall of Traps".
Much as I love the dungeon theme which the Snow Lord has selected for us, I wanted to start the Challenge with another glance back to the late seventeenth century, and in this Chamber - The Hall of Traps - we visit the royal gardens of the Palace of Versailles, in 1688.
One of the things which comes from reading about the courtly intrigues of Versailles, and the politics of Louis XIV's court, is the sheer sense of unease and danger experienced by its residents. Who was in favor, who was living on borrowed time (exile to Brittany being a terrible thing in 1688), and who was currently in the King's eye. A perfect place for traps and snares of all kinds.
So here we have a small cabal of would-be assassins, perhaps Flemish sympathizers or unusual allies for the beleaguered Spanish, plotting to ensnare Louis Le Grand in his own courtly gardens.
The scene is all set, as Louis' roving eye catches the sumptuous fabric of Louise de Gisoreux's dress. A tempting target for the infamous Royal Passion, no doubt. Unknown to the French King, however, the brave Louise de Gisoreux is the founder of the secret society of "Le Lapin d'Or", a league of wealthy nobles who despise the King (and wish to replace him with his easy-going brother, or the Man in the Iron Mask, or... well, almost anyone, really).
It's a scene which is almost foretold by the avaricious King's love of classical mythology; the statue on the plinth depicts the young Apollo being spurned by the river nymph, Daphne. Murder is clearly being planned among the slowly-turning, autumn leaves.
But wait... Who has snared who in this baroque drama?
Behind the plinth, slyly creeping out of sight, the wily French fox has trapped a golden rabbit in its jaws, and is carrying away it's prize. What treacherous traps and snares does Louis, the Sun King, have in store for our brave heroine and her small cabal of (slightly hapless) co-conspirators...?
And, to carry on the same nonsense as I indulged in last year, I could not resist the temptation to prepare a couple of more of my ludicrous 'character cards' for this vignette - one for each of the competing traps and snares, French or Flemish (depending on whether you like the good guys, or the very bad guy).
And now, to the business-end of the post. Four 28mm miniatures is 20 points (Louis and Louise are from Wargames Foundry, Louise's accomplice is from Redoubt, while the Turkish servant is from Old Glory's Pirates range). The two classical characters on the plinth are a little smaller than 28mm and were really only dry-brushed bronze, so I'll claim just 5 points for the pair ('Apollo' being a lovely Wargames Foundry cherub, and 'Daphne' being a diminutive and politically incorrect Daemonette from Games Workshop, 90s vintage).
I did come conversion work on Louise de Gisoreux - some extra lace and a silken bow on the back of her dress, - but not enough to add any points for. The bottles and goblets littering the base of the plinth were from Scotia Grendell. The plinth was scratch-built, but the base is from Warbases, as is the fox and rabbit (say another 5 points?).
So, all in all, for the figures and extras total 30 points, and then 20 points for the 'Hall of Traps' itself. Does that sound right?
From MartinC Dunsterforce and some Ottomans to fight (187.5pts)
Evening all
So I am now in Tier 4 and the hospitals are full. All is about to get very messy, again. Luckily my hobby keeps me inside. I was listening to the Wargames Soldiers and Strategy end of year podcast today, one of the few I occasionally listen to as it hosted by Angus, a friend, member of my club and along with the rest of the crew a participant in this illustrious event. I was unexpectedly mentioned in dispatches, which was nice, and specifically about the current project.
So Angus yes I will play WW1 with you, eventually. To keep you on your toes I've finished the Dunsterforce.
This is the last unit (although I may increase it's size). These are are 1/2 section of 9th Hussars with dismounted figures as well. Actually they are Perry WW2 British Yeomanry but you can't tell the difference really.
I will at sometime show the lot but it has 5 infantry sections, 1/2 cavalry section, 2 HMGs, and already painted 2 field guns, 2 armoured cars and a plane. If it does grow it won't be by much. Normally we play Bolt action and 20 units per side takes all day to play. These will have cossack and Armenian support. That being said I've already ordered some Anzac types to go full WW1.
So they need somebody to fight, and in this case it's Turks and the Army of Islam. Although there were Bolsheviks vs Cossacks vs Turks and Azerbaijanis vs Germans and Georgians vs Brits and Armenians vs Jangalis. Everybody's dance card was full - the Germans even fought the Turks.
These figures are Gripping Beast, from Woodbine Designs, and I picked them up in their sale pre Christmas. They are lovely and nice to paint
However they are very fragile - about 6 have already lost their bayonets and muzzles and 2 broke on the stand as I have clearing them up. I have loads of these to paint
Scores on the Doors
6 cavalry = 60
25 infantry + 1 prone = 127.5
Grand total = 187.5 pts
Stay safe and as a final request can everybody slow down, I can't keep up with commenting
From SimonG: Braving the Chamber of Darkness -- Greyscale HYW Knight (30 points)
For my next venture into the Chambers of Challenge I present a mounted 28mm Front Rank Miniatures Hundred Years War Knight. Specifically this is Sir William Clinton, 4th Baron Clinton of Marstoke who fought at Agincourt. I believe it could also be his son Sir John Clinton the 5th Baron who was captured and held for ransom by the French -- however as the style of barding and armour is older best assume it's the old Baron!
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This was an interesting exercise in technique. I actually used two approaches. The barding is a more traditional approach, albeit using Citadel contrast Apothecary White as the base coat on top of a white undercoat. The horse and knight were all undercoated in black and then basically dry brushed up to this finish. The coat of arms is all hand painted (the Mission Crosses) or hand drawn in fine liner (the stars).
All in all I'm quote pleased with the result and it's surprising how quickly you can operate when you are not so fussy about colours! By my reckoning that's good for another 30 points -- 10 for the figure and 20 for the chamber.
From TomM: Lady sarah - Arwen Undomiel (30 pts)
Only one room has been cleared in the Chambers of Challenge, and yet I already call upon the mighty sorceress Lady Sarah.
With this offering, it will allow me to pass by the Pendulum, as I will take a magical ride to the Golem's hideout.
And
that offering is none other then the lady Arwen, betrothed to Aragorn,
and daughter of the master of Rivendel and Lord of the West, Elrond
Half-Elven.
The
model hauls from the excellent GW range for Middle-Earth, and shows the
lady wielding her fearsome half and half elven sword, and while she
goes to battle unarmoured, if you can`t even hit her...
For
additional bonus points in these transports, if the lady in question is
a spellcaster, an extra 5 points are to be added, and I found no less
then 9 witnesses that can atone to her awesome magical powers.
So
that yields a lovely 5 points for being a 28mm model, a bonus of 20
points for the Lady Sarah service, and another 5 for being a magic user
for a lovely total of 30 points!
From LeeH - The Chamber of Darkness - Greyscale Adventurer with Lamp
I knew when I read the description for this room, exactly what I wanted to do, but I didn't know if I could pull it off. I've never painted greyscale before but I really enjoyed working on this figure. I've also never tried to paint lighting effects before so this figure was a double challenge for me. I may do some more like this in future, I'm sure I could improve on the technique with a little practice.
The figure is a Northstar plastic figure for Frostgrave that I prepped for last years Challenge but never got round to starting. Nine (eventful) months later and, seemingly in the blink of an eye, its back on my desk demanding to be painted. Once again I'm trying to make as many of the bonus round figures usable on the games table (as opposed to being display figures only) and have based this as per my Frostgrave theme.
As for points scoring it ought to be straightforward but I understand the inclusion of the lighting effect means this isn't 100% greyscale. I'm happy to accept a points deduction if this is deemed outside the brief, I know I'm pushing my luck a bit here. 😉
(Scoring: 1x28mm Foot + CoC Bonus = 25 points)
From Mike W [Hall or Traps] Irish Scallywags leading the good Father astray! 35 Points
This is my third Challenge (excluding the interim Lockdown Challenge last summer) and it feels good to be back! I hope everyone has stayed (and will stay) well and thanks again Curt for organising this diversion from the real world...
My topic for today and the initial one for this challenge, is a small vignette depicting two Irish Kerns leading a travelling priest astray, this is for the first chamber of the Challenge XI Dungeon - The Hall of Traps . The Priest is a Gripping Beast plastic monk from their Anglo-Danish set, whilst the Kerns are both form the Wargame Atlantic plastic 28mm set.
You'll likely see many more figures form these sets in coming posts during this challenge as I build upon my Anglo-Danish forces for my Hastings 1066 project and the ongoing Elizabethan Wars project we have going at my local Wargames Club.
So the premise of the vignette is that we have one kern directing the travelling priest off the well worn road to a position where the two scallywags will rob the priest of his golden cross and other religious artefacts.
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| L to R: Wargames Atlantic Irish Kerns, 1st is pointing the way. 2nd is encouraging the priest with a spear. Gripping Beast Priest |
The priest is in a brown habit, with little of worth about him except his crucifix and holy staff, the kerns are in traditional 'ochre' type coloured garb.
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| Spear Armed Kern, before washes applied |
As usual I have undercoated all figures in white then painted on (in this case) quite a lot f flesh and then their clothes before detailing weapons, shields and belts etc.
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| Priest, pre-washes |
All finished off with various coloured washes - which I'm currently experimenting with, and then varnished with a matt finish.
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| The other Scallywag - pre washes |
So I used Flesh wash on all skin areas, cut 50/50 with water to tone down the pigment. On the priest's robe I used uncut brown wash, to help give the cloth a richer, darker feel and I used a brown wash cut 1/2 with water on the Kern's cloths to give a light brown shade. After washing the figures I applied a little base colour as highlights.
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| Final Vignette: Priest being diverted off the main track |
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| Final Vignette: From another angle |
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| Final Vignette: Priest has his 'bling' on view, encouraging the Scallywags! |
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| Final Vignette: Priest trying to ignore the Kerns |
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| Final Vignette: A Kern with spears behind you is never good.... |
Points:
3 x 28mm Figures @ 5 Points Each = 15 Points
Hall of Traps Bonus = 20 Points
TOTAL 35 Points
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