Sunday 20 November 2022

The Thirteenth Annual Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge

 

 Hi All!

It is November 20th, and with the coming of winter it is also time to plan for the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge!   

For this season, our 13th, we'll be making our way through the film lot of 'AHPC Studios, GmbH', a loose cluster of stages, workshops, offices and film sets. It is here that we will offer participants to partake various Silver Screen themes. More on this below. 


The Basics

The Painting Challenge will extend from the first day of Winter, 12:01 am December 21st, through to the first day of Spring, 12:01am March 20th, Central Standard Time (CST). 
Miniatures (i.e. figures, vehicles, artillery, terrain, etc.) can be prepared, 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, participants will self-publish photos of their submissions along to the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge blog. Up-to-date scoring (or as up-to-date as we can manage) will be maintained on the blog's main page. 
I will send out an email to all participants a week or so prior to the event to provide additional details on submitting your entries to the Challenge blog.
An Important Note: All participants must have an entry submitted within the first four weeks of the event (i.e. January 21st). Failure to do so will result in being dropped from the Challenge roster. Yep, remember, this is not called a Challenge for nothing. :)
The Scoring

Below is an outline of 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

We'll retain our imperfect-but-it-works  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" square 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.

Example 3: I've painted a few bits of scatter terrain. I estimate they only 'fill' around a 1/4 of a 6" square cube. This would get me 5 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, Here are the list of changes to the Challenge program:

1) The participant cap is set at 70(ish). 
Last year we pushed the limits of the Blogger platform in having almost 100 participants, so this year we will set the cap at around 70 in the hope that nothing blows up. :)
2) The Theme this year is... 
'AHPC Studios, GmbH'! We've returned from the extra terrestrial space of last year's 'Challenge Sector XII', and give you a film studio from the golden age of cinema. 

Welcome to 'AHPC Studios'!

Those doughty Challengers who wish to to test their mettle can enter 'AHPC Studios, GmbH', exploring the expansive film lot, and engaging with the various themed challenges within. 

NOTE: For illustration purposes only. This is NOT the map.

The studio will feature a varied assortment of locations which participants can explore by completing a themed hobby task. Once you finish a task at a location you will get bonus points and will be clear to travel on to the next location. 

Remember, participants do not need to embark on this journey of madness to enjoy the Challenge, it is a voluntary diversion for those wishing to try some theme-based challenges.

In the next few weeks I'll followup with another post laying out the specifics of 'AHPC Studios', its final layout, and its rewards.


The Minions

Keeping to form, I will serve as the Dungeon-Master-of-Ceremonies / Tormentor-in-Chief / Dread-Dork-Lord, etc. etc., but I will also have a happy group of 'Minions' to keep this adventure moving along. Here are the wonderful folks who have taken the Snowlord's shilling to assist me in this year's Challenge:
  • Monday: PeterD
  • Tuesday: TamsinP
  • Wednesday: MilesR
  • Thursday: Teemu
  • Friday: PhilH
  • Saturday: StuartL
  • Sunday: Martin and Curt

Signup, Personal Targets and Duels

For 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.

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 in 'AHPC Studios' (more on this in a later post).

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.


The Cost of Entry

Last year we had great success with our donations to the Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation and so I thought we'd keep our shoulder to the wheel for this edition. Accordingly, the cost of entry to the Challenge is a donation (in the amount of your choice) to this worthwhile charity based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada. Living Sky provides a safe place for injured and orphaned wild animals to grow and mend until they can return to their natural habitat, while also encouraging public tolerance and understanding of wildlife. 

If you can, please send the folks at Living Sky a brief email, noting your donation and that you are a participant of the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge. Thank you!!



_______________________________________



Challenge XIII begins at 12:01am December 21st!

Now, sign up, and get your miniatures assembled and primed - I'll see you on the start line in a month!



72 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. With its usual fits and starts, but she's up and flying. :)

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  2. Here we go again, what fun!
    Best Iain

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  3. Given the scoring awkwardness of my main project, I'd be happy to stand aside to let another victim, sorry!, participant have a place. I can always include project updates in my Tuesday minion posts. :)

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    1. Oh, I'm sure we can figure something out for your project, Tamsin. On meeeleon points should cover it, eh? ;)

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    2. Join, want to see your progress on the ship.

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    3. Mmmm, I think 25 points should cover it. I’m looking forward to you finishing it by the 21 Jan cutoff, when I’ll be putting in my first mini

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    4. Tamsin you cannot leave us alone, won't be the same Challenge

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    5. @ Anibal - I skipped 11 as a participant but was still a minion; that's what I'm proposing here if it allows Curt to let someone in who otherwise wouldn't get a place. :)

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  4. Email sent, looking forward to the fun.

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  5. I did horribly in Challenge 12, but I am game for a rematch!

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  6. E-mail sent! Looking forward to this season!

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  7. Yeah! Finally! I’m in, at least I hope so, e-mail sent!

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  8. I hope I make the cut, could be the kick in the backside I need to get properly painting again.

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  9. Count on me and hope to do it better than last year

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  10. Been looking forward to this, I'm back for more. I've got some Spanish Italian Wars in the pipeline, not sure if I will do it as one big Project like I usually do as I've still got 2 or 3 other things on the go at the moment so this year will be more of a mixed bag.

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    Replies
    1. Small beer to your epic output, but I may try to finish a Spanish unit for my Italian Wars collection.

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  11. Woo! Time to once again hop onboard the runaway train that is the AHPC. What thrills and wonders of painting madness await us on this journey?
    This year, my 5th, I'm hoping to break into the 10,000 points club, so I began assembling and priming models ages ago. That said, I'm sure the AHPC Studios, GmbH will throw a few wrenches into my carefully laid plans. (Who am I kidding, I'll fly by the seat of my pants as always).

    The question remains though, Squirrels or Skulls this year?

    ...or both?

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    Replies
    1. You really are a terrible influence, you know. :)

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    2. Squirrels INSIDE skulls.....seems natural! ;)

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    3. Totally natural. I ask, can anyone topple me as Skully McSkullface? 475 skullz is the bar from last edition.

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    4. We shall have to see what the duel issuing discussion brings.

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    5. I posted 543 skullz during AHPC 10 - just sayin'... :-)

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    6. To remind everyone, the record is 1363 skullz from AHPC 11.

      Just sayin' ;-D

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    7. Fake news. That was from the times of Skull Inflation (ie FatHead). :)

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  12. Hussar and Hoorah, just back from a night out

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  13. Hope the weather warms up enough once more so I can finish some prep.

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  14. I'm in though it will be a lower target this year

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  15. WaHoo! I believe I already have the Snow Lord's invite as I have two feet of snow in my yard! Winter isn't coming, it's already here and breaking into the medicinal supplies!

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  16. Excited to begin again. Let’s paint.

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  17. Count me in. I wouldn't miss this for the world.

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  18. I'm ready! I have two RUB's filled with primed minis waiting to go!

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  19. That was a brisk twelve hours. We now have 50 on the roster...

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    Replies
    1. Receiving more interest than Taylor Swift's latest tour

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  20. With family life and workschedule not really leaving much time for painting anymore I'll have to watch it from the sidelines this time around! Can't wait to see all the amazing minis again!

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    Replies
    1. It's sad not to have you with us this year, Samuli, but I hope you can return for the next one.

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  21. I had a plan regarding this madness, I'll focus on bigger projects this time, not hunting squirrels or bonus points (not avoiding them, of course). And my bigger projects are some LotR armies, so I guess I'll score some theme points and then I can't resist and I get carried away and the plan disintegrates and I soon find myself painting squirrels and old Nagash skulls...

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    1. I was wondering if you were in this year, Teemu. Can't wait to see some LOTR from you then.

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    2. That's the spirit, give in to the insanity and embrace the squirrel hunting.

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    3. @Peter, Yes I'm in and there will be some LotR, probably something else, too.
      @Stuart, I guess I will not be alone... :D

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  22. Cannot wait to get started again and get back in the mix with everyone for another year -- major focus for me this time around will be terrain with a 1.2M x 1.2M multi level re-creation of the Temple Mount and Antonia Fortress taking shape behind me for my 28mm Jewish Wars project -- can't wait to get stuck in (and no doubt chasing lots of areas around the studios as well).

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  23. Email sent. Looking forward to it enormously. :-)

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  24. Sent email. Project is all for me this year. looking forward to this al' year

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  25. Email sent! I'm going to have a bit of a disrupted challenge this year, for good reasons. I'll be on long service leave, and not sure how much time I'll have at the painting desk - but would love to join you all again!

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  26. I'm in for my 9th season - can't wait!

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  27. Replies
    1. I got all my building and priming done early- I've got a batch waiting for a month already!

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  28. Just sent in my registration request. Hopefully not too late to be included! I can promise no (well hardly an) Zombies this year.... but much more likely silly numbers of 40K Orks for a new project plus Marian Wars English, Scots, Irish, French & Spaniards by the bucket load, plus a few old favourite periods. If all goes well!

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  29. Email request sent. I hope to join all of you for another challenge.
    I desperately need something to kick start me into painting stuff again!

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  30. Sent in my registration request yesterday afternoon. Hopefully I made the cut. Lots of minis and vehicles waiting patiently for the start of painting season.

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  31. Really looking forward to it this year. Can't wait to really get into it this year. Plenty on the desk to crack on with!

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  32. Can't wait to get started, the 3d printer has been going non-stop the last week or so. So I now have an entire 15mm Horus Heresy army and 2 10mm Kings of War armies to get painted. I also finally want to get around to finishing my Arena Rex gladiators and arena, and to get a gremlin force for Malifaux done.

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    Replies
    1. Oh that is interesting to hear about the 15mm HH forces! Am doing a 28mm version with many updated 3d bits.. will be good to pull inspiration from your works!

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    2. We have been doing 40k and HH in 15mm for a while now, it just looks so much better on the tabletop being smaller. And of course since tanks are smaller, you can have more of them :-)

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  33. Hi all - I was not sure if the Challenge was running this year and chance that I clicked on. Great news and just sent entry in - as always just put "finger in the air" for points target. I must try to finish a 28mm renaissance caracole that has been carried forward for a few years now though.

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  34. Morning, Afternoon and Evening all - its lovely to hear all your typing voices again after such a long time. I had a great time taking part in last years and have sent in an email to Curt this morning. I'm not sure if I''ll spend the next few weeks priming or designing a multiple squirrel catching machine

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  35. Hoping that there is still a space left! Curt, my email is on its way.

    Cheers, Ross

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  36. Hooray! Can't believe I missed this. Stoked to be going around again. I think for the 10th time!

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  37. Done! The gates closed and we have our roster for Challenge XIII. I'll have it up on the blog asap along with everyone's points targets. It's going to be a blast!

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  38. Email sent just hope I'm not too late 👍

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  39. I am so excited for this year's challenge. I can currently count the number of models I painted since last year's challenge with how many eyes a cyclops has 😆

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