From KentG: 28mm Norman’s and Baron Wars (260 pts)

 

Baron Eustace of Lowdham and two men at arms from the baron wars range. These three chaps are my first entrance into the Library as new minis that arrived just of late

I was n’t looking forward to painting Eustance with all that white and tiny
yellow crosses but was really happy with how he turned out.
Total of 3 cavalry here.

   This next batch is my second entry into the Library as these chaps have
been sitting in their box for years, and they were actually bought second hand off a friend so who knows how long the lads have been sitting in the dark. I’m not the greatest fan of Gripping beast figures Until they are painted so I’m sure they are please to see the light of day.  9 cavalry here

Who doesn’t like a good smattering of Norman archers,
 unless you are on the receiving end, we have 12 archers here

And to finish off the boxset we have 8 crossbow which are a mix
Of armoured and unarmoured 

So for points we have

12 x 28mm cavalry for 120 points

20 x 28mm foot for 100 points

AHPC Library entrance 

Overdues & returns 20pts

New acquisition 20pts

Total 260 points

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First, welcome back to the Challenge, Kent! It's been a few years since you were last with us, but that certainly hasn't dulled your productivity. What a lovely medieval points bomb! As always, I admire your clean, precise and bright brushwork, especially on the heraldry and livery of these Norman fellows. I'm with you in your estimation of some of Gripping Beast's early sculpts, but as you say they look absolutely terrific when they're all painted up - especially to this quality. Bravo!

- Curt

From JamieM - Advent Calendar goodies (35 points)

Hi all, great to be back after a sabbatical last year and I’m looking forward to working away on the pile of opportunity.

First off though, something a little different. I saw that Mantic games were selling an advent calendar game this year. I was intrigued and ordered one to support such a fun idea and it arrived and looked like this

Looked promising and said it had lots of tavern terrain pieces and 6 new and exclusive resin miniatures for the characters.

It was really good fun to open and paint through December and the last two miniatures were opened and painted after the 21st and can so count for the challenge.

These two are a player character dwarf wielding an ale and a massive drumstick and a goblin who is the bouncer in the game (if he appears near your character, he might eject you from the inn for a turn)

 

Great fun to paint, exclusively with contrast paints as I wanted to get them done and on the table on Christmas Eve!

Just behind them are the three pieces of tavern furniture that were also painted after the 21st that came in the calendar.

I managed to get them finished today and badgered my kids into a game and it was rather good fun! Essentially players are running around trying to grab as much food and drink as possible whilst stopping your opponents doing the same and the barkeep and bouncer can cause trouble as they run around the tavern.

For the points, I’ve gone for 2x28mm figures for 10 points, 1 point for the pieces of furniture and 20 points for the “new acquisitions” as they were picked up through December, to give me 31 as an opening shot.

Have a great Christmas everyone and I look forward to seeing you on the other side.

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It's great to have you back to the Challenge after your sabbatical, Jamie! 

What a fun-looking game! It's amazing that Mantic has an advent calendar game supporting a good cause. As you say the tavern terrain itself if worth the price for admission. Well done in getting it all done-up for a festive game with your kids (worthy of a few bonus points in of itself). 

Happy Christmas Jamie and I look forward to seeing what you have in store for us in the new year.

- Curt

From BruceR: Tank Crew and Spanish Guerilla - For 'Front Desk' and 'History' (80pts)

Holiday greetings to one and all (especially miniature painters).   It's great to be back.   I was able to sneak away from work on Friday afternoon and started my challenge journey.

I'm entering the Analogueville Public Library  at the front desk with five British tank crew recently given to me by a 3d printing friend.  They are TrenchWorx files and have great character.  One has his ride and the other four wait the completion of their steeds.  I much prefer my armor to have figures on board as it gives the AFV so much more character to have leaders and drivers on board. I painted US crew  last challenge and they really bring the vehicles to life. 

 

I propose 10 points as they are 28mm, yet only half a body, plus the Front desk + new acquisitions. 

 

Walking through the shelves I naturally head to the history section.  Here I journey into Napoleons ulcer, Spain.  These figures are North Star and from the Spanish guerrilla section.  I enjoy painting these figures as they are bulky, making painting easy, and the guns tend not to bend.  These six add another group to my Sharp Practice Spanish forces.  Who would not wish to go into battle sporting a top hat.  Hope you like them. 

 

Here I have 6 28mm for 30 points plus proposing the History section of the library for 50 total. 

 

Points

10 points for 5 half figure 28mm

20 points for the Front Desk

30 points for 6 28mm figures

20 points for the History section

 

80 points Total

It's Christmas and here is my gratuitous puppy shot (my son is home with his black and whites)

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First, great puppy shot, Bruce! What a house-full you have with those lovely K9s in the mix!

These minis look terrific. The tank leaders are awesome. As you say, they will bring some added character and life your Commonwealth armour. I also really like your Spanish Guerrillas, especially the two with the patterned blankets over their shoulders. I'm going to have to pick up a set of those to augment my collection - thanks for bringing these to our attention is such a smashing fashion. 

Merry Holidays!

- Curt

From LeeH: Seasonal Jolly Dwarf (25pts)

I might get a bit of a tradition now that my first entry to the painting challenge will be a Christmas figure. Thankfully lots of manufacturers have Christmas-themed minis not least Foundry where this jolly dwarf originated.

I'm a little bit late posting this than planned because it's been a VERY busy week. The week running up to Christmas is always busy in my line of work and this year especially so. In addition, my wife and I are also getting the house ready for Christmas guests, which as usual, we have left to the last minute! However, I have now finished work and I don't go back until the new year. So this little feller has kicked off my winter painting season and I can relax a little (hopefully with a glass of wine or three). 

I hope everyone has a really nice Christmas and of course, get lots of painting done. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone produces this year. I'm always blown away by the quality of entries and the productivity of the Challengers. 

I'm entering this as my submission for the Challenge Library “Fantasy” section so as well as the normal 5 points for a 28mm model I'm going to claim an extra 20 bonus points which will make a miniscule dent in my modest target for this year. 

1x28mm foot (5pts + 20Pts)

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Welcome back Lee! It wouldn't be a proper Challenge without a Christmas-themed entry from you - awesome! :) This dwarf looks very jolly, having put aside his axe and mail for a bell and festive tunic. Wonderful! Thank you for the season's well wishes and I return them twofold!

- Curt

KenR : 28mm Garibaldi Infantry (121 points)

 

Back again in the Challenge, after all what else would I be doing at this time of the year!

No Big Project this year but I do plan to top and tail some projects you will be all familiar with (if you've seen my Challenge stuff before. The first thing I need to finish is the Garibaldi Project I started 2 Challenges ago.

I've been chipping away at the figures and the Papal Forces are complete, but I have 5 (well 4 now 😁) Infantry Battalions, 2 lots of Skirmishers and a small Cavalry unit to complete for Garibaldi and I've got a table at the York Show in February to put the game on so there's no mucking about ! There's also some terrain as well.

The figures are from a company called Gringo40s who do a comprehensive range of figures in 28mm for the Italian Risorgimento. They are on the large side for 28mm, but great detail.

The unit has 24 figures based in 6s on 60 x 60 bases. The front of the bases are extended to give some protection to the Muskets of the unit. At 5 points a piece that bags me a nice start of 120 points. 

I always try and get a score on the doors before Xmas in the Challenge and usually just do a Command Base, I went for a full unit this time and only just made it !

Merry Christmas everyone, looking forward to seeing all your entries coming up over the next few months.

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First, welcome back to the Challenge, Ken!

I always love seeing your big projects come to fruition during our event and this will be no exception. (Will you do the blank base photo for us to track?) Beautiful work on these Garibaldian lads. They very much look the business, all ranked up in their firing pose. Like you, I love the chunky sculpting from Gringo40 and am eager to see this force slowly (or quickly) flesh out!

- Curt

PS: I've given you an extra point for the national flag (apropos considering what all the fuss was about). :)