Tuesday, 24 March 2026

From BartekR: A short wrap up for a short season

Greeting (again) from Kyiv - a city glad to have gotten out of winter. 

So, challenge 16, and my fourth: two miniatures painted and barely one-tenth of my target hit, but its not all bad. So, borrowing from Signore Leone, a quick 'the Good, the Bad and the Ugly' wrap-up (albeit out of title order). 

The Bad: Well, not really bad just a bit short of target...see note on two posts and only 1/10th of the point target hit! :-) I should know by now that going in with a loose sketch of a plan and being completely sidetracked is also a bit of a me thing.

They're not lonely, just unique: Challenge 16 in a nutshell

The Ugly: February and March fell into painting hiatus as "other issues" took precedence (I didn't look at the posts through most of that time so am going to play catchup over the next few weeks). 

I did have a final spurt but missed the 21 March deadline , which is probably my greatest disappointment (managed to finish them over this last weekend). Okay - its an indulgence sneaking in new minis post deadline...in my defence its not for the points and breaks up the text.


They're figures from the 3rd edition of the boardgame Haunting of the House on the Hill, including a IT 2 movie-themed expansion, the draw being Pennywise (in creepy clown and a WTF creepier clown spider form). Like any sane person, I do not like creepy clowns but fun to do. 


The Good: Getting painting done while in Kyiv has been interesting - including finding the local miniatures shops (a lot of Games Workshop on the shelves). Between the local shops and mailing stuff in, I have managed to bug a pile of shame distinct from the one I have in Australia (okay, maybe that deserves filing under "ugly" but does give me another outlet for the rest of my time here). 

*But* the real achievement this time around was introducing someone completely new into the hobby by virtue of the fact I was doing the Challenge and they caught the slipstream. Getting someone started on their hobby journey (from their first space marine) has been extremely satisfying - and to see them find their own niche (historical scale model figures). I'm taking that as a win from AHPC 16!


Again, really looking forward to retrospectively browsing what everyone painted, and hope to see you all for the 17th edition for which I should be back in Oz for (with the expanded pile of shame!:-)

Stay safe and well all, till next time!   



25 comments:

  1. Love the IT characters. No points perhaps but lovely painting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers Tom. For boardgame minis, they were (surprisingly) well suited to painting (contrast, with added details/shading). That clown...

      Delete
  2. Great brushwork! And this - "going in with a loose sketch of a plan and being completely sidetracked" - that is the very essence of the Challenge!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Greg. One day...one day...I'll actually map out a plan, generally under the notion of "next time" :-)

      Delete
  3. I knew you'd have some unique challenges due to your work circumstances, but I very much enjoyed your dragon and deep one. More importantly, I'm delighted that you found a kindred spirit and have been helping them along in their hobby journey. Perhaps they can join us for the next edition! :) Take care!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers Curt, and thanks again for bringing together the mini painting world's scum and villainy in another triumphal showing. Again, onboarding a new hobby painter has been a blast...and funnily enough they mentioned putting their hand up for next year!

      Delete
    2. Sounds fabulous! Make sure they do. We always love seeing new faces in the ranks.

      Delete
  4. Fabulous Bartek, my favorite were the creepy clowns

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers BW. Creepy is the operative word... now to play the actual boardgame.

      Delete
  5. Awesome dragon, especially from a "travel" hobby set up! Hope your globetrotting gets you back home soon and well done on getting a new convert! Looking forward to seeing their minis next year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers mate. And thanks for the kind words. Here's to unruly 17!

      Delete
  6. Seems like you have been facing more than one Challenge. Well done, Bartek!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Self inflicted but yeah, if only Putin had taken up hobby painting instead... Cheers!

      Delete
  7. I wish I didn't have to see that spider-clown. Stay safe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't you know it - creepier in the movie IT2 but yeah. How to take something peak creepy (clowns, let alone murderous ones) and double down!

      Delete
  8. vibrant and interesting mix - stimulating!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wonderful painted figures Bartek!
    And no circus for me anymore! 😁

    ReplyDelete
  10. I greatly enjoyed your work Bartek.

    ReplyDelete