From PeterB: A trip on a yacht to find some exotic creatures [Noel's Comet] (65 points)

In an interview once, the Oscar winning actor Ben Affleck was asked what his kids thought of his movies. He remarked that he showed his kids some of his films, the only one they liked is Armageddon and even that one they like to mock him for. "What are you, driving a tank on the moon?" I believe the quote was. Why am I mentioning this? Well, Mrs B told me the same story when I showed my youngest some of my recent painted models. "What do you think?" I asked. "Rubbish" was the reply. Kids don't hold back, do they?

So, where am I next on my trip around the stars? Well I was on Coruscant, but I didn't fancy my chances on any of the neighbouring planets. So, a trip on Sarah's Star Yacht is in order again. What better model to do so, than a pilot volunteering for service on the yacht?

The model is from the Stargrave Kickstarter and is one of the metal sculpts that were added on to the bundle. (The rest are coming too, don't worry) It's such a nice sculpt to paint. I couldn't resist giving her a jacket and boots in Mechrite red. So many models in my collection have Mechrite red jackets.

So where am I heading on this trip? Well, over to catch up with Noel's Comet and once the yacht has neatly tucked in to match speed with the astronomical phenomenon, we can sit on the shuffleboard deck, sip mai tai's and I'll tell you a tale of friendship.

When I was a young lad, fresh faced and full of innocence, a GW fanboy with my Blood Angels pin badge affixed upon the lapel of my black leather jacket (I no longer wear such a jacket, I have since upgraded to one that can only be described in colour as Mechrite Red.) I returned home from University having said farewell to my gaming friends. Our home town at the time was missing a GW store, but we did have an independent that stocked Warhammer. I therefore headed on down to poke my nose into the local gaming scene. The member of staff on duty managed to persuade me to purchase some starter decks for the "newest up and coming CCG" involving werewolves called Rage (I have never played it since) but other than that I came away a little disappointed.

My paints, brushes and models were packed away and for a couple of years they were forgotten. I did however return to the store one day and got chatting to a chap called Ian. Ian invited me to join him for some lunch in the local high quality food establishment, McDonalds and we got chatting. We exchanged details and agreed to get together for some games.

Through Ian I have made some great friends, not all of them wargamers, but a fair few. He was an usher at my wedding, I consider him a great friend and we have been friends for around 20 years now. Without Ian I wouldn't have made friends with someone who then invited me to help out on their stand at Salute wargame show for my first ever visit. I've been to every year bar one since.

The Salute wargaming show held by the South London Warlords often falls near my birthday, so sometimes a couple of friends may buy me something at the show as a gift, something I always appreciate. One year, knowing I was in the beginning of building a collection to play some games of Warhammer historical Old West, Ian bought me some buffalo.

Then at Colours in September he bought me some cows.

Every show we have attended together since, he has bought me livestock, including, but not limited to,

Chickens
Rabbits
Badgers
Pheasants
Geese
Llamas
Pigs
Sheep

The last two things Ian gave me were still in my leadpile at the beginning of this challenge.  Ian has recently moved away, so unfortunately for now the zoo won't be growing any more, but the friendship is still there thanks to the wonders of technology. So this post is for you Ian.

Not sure on the manufacturer on this one I'm afraid.

Before you paint this, it looks super freaky without the camouflage.

The Giraffe I actually painted the lighter colour first, then painted the random darker patches. I have some unpainted Victorian British on my shame pile, when I finally get them done, maybe the giraffe can lurk in the background for the photos.

The Dodos are from Freebooter Miniatures

The Dodo's are just the most bizarre thing I have painted. The insert in the packaging state they are for a game called Freebooter's Fate, which I have never played. They will make great objective markers for something I am sure though. Apparently they are 30mm scale, but they are 15mm tall. Oh, and although the zoo may not be growing anymore, Ian did leave me a parting gift of a toolbox full of 3D printed models to add to my to do list. (Can't have me not having anything to paint!)

So points.

• Star Pilot in 28mm scale: 5 points
• Yacht bonus: 20 points
• Giraffe in 28mm: 5 points [Millsy: I reckon that's worth 10 points]
• Dodo's x 5 in 15mm: 10 points
• Noel's Comet bonus: 20 points

Total: 60 points.

There you go, I hope that story is loquacious enough, apologies to Millsy for making him go through all that to get to the points at the end.

From Millsy:

LOL, no need to apologise Peter, I love a good background. You'll be pleased to know that when your kids are grown (mine are in their 20s) the frank and pointed feedback doesn't stop, they just know more words to beat you up with.

What a wonderful entry this is mate. I love all of it, including the story, but I'm most impressed with the giraffe. I've been painting minis for 40 years or so and still struggle with animal prints and colour choices. The savanna basing is spot on too. Given the size it's not really a 28mm mini to lets call it 10 points. Do you have a pic without the camo? It would look freaky and I'd love to see it.

65 points added to your total. Keep the good stuff coming!

From MikeD. 10mm ACW Terrain and Commands (36 pts)

In last year's Challenge I painted some 10mm ACW figures, my first foray into tiny scales. I think I got about 60 foot done. Since then I've gotten up to about 600, which adds up to about 100 bases of each side (I'm intending to use Regimental Fire and Fury). So by the time this years edition kicked off I was focused on trying to get them on the table. I found some scenarios I could actually do with such a paltry few figures and I'm still in the process of getting terrain together. Also going to need some command stands and markers, etc. I've gone with Brigade command with one mounted figure and Division command with two each. This entry is pretty much what I was working on when the Challenge began and were completed during that first week. 

I've just ordered a ludicrously expensive set of Gettysburg buildings in this scale including the Lutheran Seminary so perhaps you'll see those by the end of the Challenge, and I've figured out just the perfect toothpicks to use to make snake rail fencing, so we'll see how that goes too.

For scoring purposes, it's:

• 8 x 10mm Mounted @ 2pts = 16 pts
• 1 x  6'' x 6'' box of terrain = 20 pts

Total = 36 pts

From Millsy:

At first glance I these look like 15mm scale stuff Mike they are painted so well. The farm buildings are particularly impressive, weathered to perfection and painted in just the right mix of earthy tones. It would be great to see some pics of what sounds like quite an impressive collection mate, so if you do any more of these this Challenge can we see some of the rest please?

From ByronM - Star Wars Legion Imperial Officer for Vogsphere (26 Points)

This second quick post of the day is simply to pass through the planet of Vogsphere and collect a quick 20 points from it as I try to navigate the endless Bureaucracy of the Imperial government with this Imperial Officer from Star Wars Legion.

This is one space that I really had no idea what to do for, as I don't have any Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy figures and even if I did I am not sure I would want to paint a Vogon as their ugliness is only beat by how horrible their poetry is... but anyway, enough of a sidetrack...  I eventually decided that one of the only figures I had that would fit the theme of Bureaucracy was an Imperial Officer. After all I know of no other organization known to man that can be more bureaucratic than the government or the military and I think she counts as either or both!

Overall I am ok with the uniform and basing, but painted the face about 10 times... there is just zero detail there to work with and I am NOT a good freehand painter so couldn't really add anything in there.  Oh well, from tabletop distance she looks ok, its just close up she looks like crap....  sigh.... 

This is a single 35mm scale figure as of course Fantasy Flight had to go and make the game in a non standard "new" scale, so I am claiming 6 points for her, right smack between 28mm and 40mm scale points.  I also get my first planet of the middle ring, Vogsphere, and a bonus 20 points.

From Millsy:

Ding ding! Round 2 for today! Some great shading and depth on this lass Byron despite your own assessment. Grey is one of the hardest colours to make look good and you've absolutely nailed this mate. The stark highlighting on her belt and gun is a good compliment, really lifting those areas up so they are not lost against the clothing. Nice.

From Codsticker: Warriors of Rohan (80pts)

Back to my main drive for this challenge: my pile of unpainted LoTR plastics from GW. This time a number of Rohirrim, some armed with bows some with hand weapons.

I believe they are known as Oathsworn Militia in the catalogue. It's been so long since I read the books I don't know if the term comes from Tolkien or if it is a GW invention.

When trying to work your way through several hundred minis it's probably best to cut a few corners though I did struggle a bit with that.

I loved painting these figures.

I tried to get them done for last Saturday but just missed the deadline by a day.

That is 16, 28mm figures @5 pts each= 80 pts. 

Next up... another ECW distraction.

From Millsy:

Very nice indeed Rob! You often see these miniatures painted in variations of greens (which isn't a bad thing) but I've always thought a more muted dark age earthy palette is equally if not more appropriate given the landscape they hail from. They have a solid, effective feel too them, like they will always get the job done no matter what the risk or challenge. The basing sets them off very well too.

Great stuff mate and 80 points well earned.

From TeemuL: Androgynstealers on Gethen [Sarah's Star Yacht] (70 points)

"The Genestealers have no true genders, and require a creature of any species, of any gender, to reproduce. The Genestealer will find a suitable host and hypnotise them into passivity using an effect induced with its eyes."

warhammer40k.fandom.com/

The maelstrom sent me from Coruscant to the inner ring, to the planet Gethen. I had no idea what to paint here, but then I started thinking what miniatures I do have and started to think if Genestealers have genders and according to the Warhammer40k Fandom, they do not, so they are androgyns. Great!

Happily travelling in space, trying to avoid the LV-426 we found ourselves in Gethen, where we found nasty looking androgyn aliens. We quickly start to think a way out.

Nothing special on these Genestealers, painted in the same style as my previous 8 on Klendathu. You might wonder why 3, when 4 would have been better number. The reason is simple, my yound padawan claimed one for himself, it might appear later in the Challenge.

Anyway, enough of Gethen. Luckily there is a local bug exterminator, who kindly catches us a ride on Sarah's Star Yacht on our way to Xanth. What never ending unique talent we find there, probably a squirrel...

She is Janey, Paranormal Exterminator from Crooked Dice. Nice and simple miniature, who got a quick paint job, so I can get out of Gethen. I painted her suit in thinned down blue contrast to get the shadows and then painted white on top. Looks quite good, if I may say so. Pink hair gives futuristic appearance and sunglasses and green gloves give professional authority.

No squirrels this time, these are additions to existing squirrels.

• 4 models in 28mm scale, 20 points
• Planet Gethen, 30 points (via Maelstrom)
• Sarah's Star Yacht, 20 points

Total 60 points

I seem to be more comfortable on the Galactic West...

From Millsy:

Ha! I learned something today, not having known that genestealers were genderless until now. These will be a great addition to your previous entry Teemu. Things like genestealers are always better in droves to represent the hive.

The bugs are great but your exterminator is awesome mate. The eye-watering green gloves contrasted with the pink hair and purple hose is quite something. I love it when people push the colour palette to the max like this!

From TobiasK: Animated Scarecrows (25 points)

For this week's entry, I painted some animated Scarecrows from Foundry. I plan to use them in some Fantasy skirmish games.

Because the models have a lot of recesses, I chose Contrast Paints to paint them. So this was a relatively quick paint job that suited me because I was short on time this week.

Group shot:

Some details:

Book keeping:

5 x 28mm figures = 5 x 5 = 25 points

From Millsy:

Great looking scarecrows Tobias! Contrast paints have made such a change to the painting regime of so many of us. I'd argue they are single biggest improvement in that part of the hobby since acrylic paints became a thing. I can see loads of in game uses for these ranging from medieval to the present day. Love em!

From ByronM - 10mm Kings of War Zombie Horde and Heroes (150 Points)

This week saw the completion of a few pieces that have been in progress for a little while.  They may not look like a lot, but painting that many individuals and trying to keep randomness to the colour patterns was a pain in the backside...

First up is my promised Horde of Zombies for my 10mm Kings of War Undead project.  These are all once again 3D printed from the excellent sculpts from Forest Dragon, and I wanted to have enough of them to actually look like a horde.  In 28mm scale KoW it would only be 40 zombies on a base to makeup the "horde", to me that is just not enough... So, here is my 136 zombie horde!!!  20 of them are 1/2 zombies though (the tops crawling along) so I will count them as 126 models for points purposes later.  I don't know about you, but to me this actually looks like a horde of zombies.

Painting these was a major pain, as there are only so many colours to use, and I wanted it to look random, and at a small scale subtle colour differences just do not show up.  So I stuck with brown, tan, red, blue, green, and purple and went to town on them.  It took far longer than I expected though as keeping it random looking took a lot of going back and forth between models and strips.

Next up is the Heroes of the Undead army, a vampire count on foot, a mounted female vampire count, and two necromancers. While I would not necessarily call a vampire a hero, they are hero choices in the army list, so even though they are evil, I am claiming them as heroes for the space map Glorantha space, which is my fourth space on the outer ring, so time to move into the middle ring.

I decided to base these heroes on 25mm round bases even though KOW wants them on 20mm squares.  I did this as the placement of heroes in KOW is not super fiddly (essentially if they are beside a unit they are involved in the combat with the unit) and this way they are easy to spot on the table and it makes the army usable in other games like Warmaster or any of the derivatives from it (Hail Ceasar, Pike and Shotte, Black Powder, etc) so that if we ever decide to mod any of those games to a fantasy block based setting we can.

Overall this should count as 126 zombies and 4 characters and 20 bonus points for the planet Glorantha bonus, for a nice round 150 points.  Not a bad start to a Saturday.

From Millsy:

Starting off small with the first of three offerings this week I see Byron. These are brilliant mate, hitting just the right mix of grotty consistency with mixing colours across a horde. I totally get the challenge that presents from painting 15mm undead myself. I like the stepped back basing on the horde too, really effective.

150 points on undead goodness added to your tally. Woot!

Blurgh. Saturday.

Get a booster they said. It'll be fun they said. They lied.

If I'd been smarter I would have picked a weekday. But nooooooooo, I decided to get my jab last thing Friday so I'd be good for work come Monday. And so here I am, struggling manfully on with my Saturday minion duties and once again regretting my life choices.

At least I have a wonderful collection of creativity, cleverness and [bugger, something else that starts with C] for you to marvel at. Stay tuned for...

• Warriors of Rohan
• Sludge dragoons
• Androgynstealers
• Zombies! Fahsands of em!
• Tint terrain
• Scarecrows
• Exotic creatures
• Star Wars Legio
• Good vs. Evil
• and more...

Bring it on.

PS. If you're reading this and in ANY way involved in health care, THANK YOU for the wonderful job you do. You are rock stars, have and will continue to save countless lives and you deserve every plaudit. Kudos.

Cheers,
Millsy

From Kyle C - Adeptus Titanicus Shipping Containers (10 Points)

 So better late than never right? 

The holidays this year was spent with my friends and family in Turkey which caused a ton of visits to all of them throughout the trip. 

And this caused a lot of work needing to get done upon my return. 

Buuuuuuut.. let's get the brushes wet a bit.. 

A semi quick paint up for Adeptus Titanicus to give a bit more scatter terrain. 3D printed a long time ago but cries out to get painted to shake out the cobwebs to get back into the swing of things. 

And it has helped me some. And am hoping now to get the titans and knights finished up very soon. Or at least tackling them here. 

Absolutely no idea how to score these as they barely fit half of a cube but am just happy to get back to painting and see all that others are doing in this great comp. 

Let's see where this takes me now 😉

__________________________

Terrific to see you join us Kyle! I love Adeptus Titanicus, but for it to really sing it needs a good bit of terrain and these fit the bill perfectly. I can just see a brace of Warhounds stalking around these piles of containers, all jockeying to get in the killing shot. 

Well done Kyle and welcome back!

- Curt

From BenF: First Submission 0 Horsemen of the Steppe - 15mm Scyths (Klendathu) [48 points]

Here's my very belated first entry to the AHPC XII. It's great to be back for my 5th year, and this year I'm hoping to get more done than my abysmal effort for AHPC XI - one entry! That's what moving schools and having a 2 year old will do I suppose. I've actually managed to get a fair bit of painting done since the beginning of the challenge, but due to some renovations, my little Evelyn turning 3, (and a resin 3D Printer I got for Christmas) I've not had a chance to get some photos until now. 

This entry is another addition to my 15mm Late Achaemenid Persian army for Impetus 2. This is a very long running project which I began back in 2018. While the Achaemenids are a fascinating force the ornate decorations and clothing on some of the contingents are definitely a challenge for the painting mojo. There is something to be said for Imperial Romans with their plain, easy-to-paint, reds, whites, and steel. I teach a course on Alexander, and next year will incorporate some historical gaming with Basic Impetus 2 to help the kids come to grips with the  battles of Gaugamela, Issus, and The Granicus. I've already got a Macedonian force, and with the last few Persians I'm working, on, I'll finally have some Persian opponents. 

I've used a fair bit of gaming in my Extension History classes before, and last year even finally managed to get a school gaming club up and running. I've heard lots over the past few years lamenting the greying of the hobby, but seeing the enthusiasm of the 9th and 10th grade boys and girls, I think the future ain't all doom and gloom. Speaking of getting younger people into the hobby, Santa got Evie a model Spitfire for Christmas, and she loved sitting at Dad's painting table and painting her aeroplane all the colours of the rainbow. 

So, this entry is a base of Scythian cavalry, excellent little 15mm sculpts from Forged in Battle. These are armoured medium cavalry from the Patient Wolves clan, armed with lance, bow, and sword, and charging into battle under a rather grisly war trophy. Listening to Christian Cameron's superb 'Tyrant' Series while painting has given me a fascination for the horse nomads who travelled the sea of grass, alternately terrorising and trading with the settled societies to the south. It's also where I've taken the clan names from. Barry Cunliffe's exceptional book gives a really good insight into the sophisticated society. They were extremely capable warriors as well, wiping out a force of up to 30,000 Macedonian troops under Alexander's lieutenant Zopyrion in 331BC while the boy king was off conquering the Persian empire. 

Its the Patient Wolves role in destroying Zopyrion's invasion of the Bosphorus that nets me the Klendathu bonus. The colourful patterns on their clothing is all based on information gleaned from Ancient Warfare, as well as fabrics and other burial evidence. I painted the horse using contrast paints over a white undercoat. While I wasn't at first entirely convinced, mixing a few paints has given me some recipes that i'm happy with, making my lest favourite task of painting horses much less painful.

I've got some heavy Scythian cavalry, as well as a few more bases of Light cavalry in the painting queue and this will fill out the Scythian contingent - maybe even expand out into it's own Impetus army.

Next up, some more Persian contingents, Thracian and Illyrian hillmen, though I may try to grab the Glorantha bonus with some heroic Kinsmen cavalry and commanders.

Points Breakdown

7 x 15mm mounted @ 4pts  =  28pts

Klendathu bonus (failed invasion) = 20pts

From DaveD

As this is your first submission to make the cut I will process this one today. Great to see the encouragement of the younger generation - and on a Spitfire too - well done. I do love the horseflesh you have completed - its worth the wait. So welcome to the right side of the cut Millsy will be pleased - that's you back on the Saturday crew!

With that my shift is done as I have an early start tomorrow - I  will leave you to you to tender mercies of Millsy - oh yes indeed very tender .. he's not known as the G*** for nothing ..