The List of Duels and Side Challenges for the 6th Painting Challenge

Below you will find a list of all the side challenges and duels that have been arranged by the participants. Some are still awaiting participants so I urge the Challengers to look over the list and see if anything piques your interest. 

I think I managed to capture all of them, but if I made a mistake and/or missed something please drop me a note and I'll make the corrections and update the list. 

- The 6mm Challenge - IanW, MarkO and TamsinP have challenged each other to paint the most points in 6mm, in any period.

- The Sci-Fi Challenge - GregB, SeanS, KyleC, SylvainR and DavidB will bash it out to see who paints the most points of sci-fi figures over the Challenge. Winner gets a figure from the rest of the competitors.

- The Native American Challenge - DavidB and TamsinP are dueling to paint the most points of Native Americans/First Nations/Aboriginals.

- The Bronze to Steel Challenge - IanW, ChristopherS, JonathanO, MarkH, MartinC and SebG will battle with brushes to see who can amass the most points painting Ancients in any scale.

- The Horus Heresy Challenge - JamieM, GregB and PaulO’G have challenged one another to see who can paint the most points of 30K models in any scale.

- 101 Years War Challenge - RayR and Curt challenge each other to see who paints the most points within the period 1662 - 1763.

- English Civil War Challenge - AaronH and PaulO’G are dueling to see who can paint the most ECW models. Paul in 6mm and Aaron in 28mm.

- All Things Naval - MilesR challenges one and all to see who can get the most points from nautical themed entries (not including the Nautical Theme Round).

- 1/1200 Napoleonic Ships - MilesR has challenged PaulO’G to see who can paint the most points in 1/1200 Napoleonic ships.

- The Italian Job or The Renaissance Men - Curt and PeterD are dueling to see who can paint the most points for their respective Italian Wars collections.

- The Pulp Challenge - Simon, Curt, PhilH and MichaelA have challenged one another to see who can paint the most points in Pulp adventure figures over the three months of the event. The winner will get a painted figure from each of the vanquished. (Pulp being defined as being from 1850-1950)

- The Bothers Hawkins - PhilH and IanH are dueling to see who will paint the most points by the end of the Challenge.

- Frostgrave Challenge - AdamC, BillA, ScottS and SimonM are challenging each other to see who can paint the most points of Frostgrave related figures. These will include any official Frostgrave or other fantasy figure which are thematically appropriate.

- Dungeon Saga Challenge - PaulS challenges anyone to beat him in completing all the miniatures in the core set.

- The Cetshwayo Challenge - MartinC and MichaelA are conducting a Zulu duel. Whoever completes the most Zulus by the end of the Challenge receives a painted Induna from the other. Michael will have to paint one for every four from Martin

- The Bavarian Challenge - Nick and Christopher are in a duel to see who can paint the most straight points (theme Bonus not included) over the Challenge. The winner gets a painted figure from the other.

- The Reject Challenge - Fran and Ray are challenging each other and ALL Rejects to see who can amass the most points over the Challenge.

- The Duel of Spreadsheets - MilesR has challenged Millsy (and any others mad enough) to see who can create the most mind-numbing spreadsheet plan for the Challenge and then stick to it.  Winner gets to give Curt a 4 hour course on the Joy's of Spreadsheets and why financial analysis really is cool.

- Modern Mayhem - Curt, ByronM GregB and KyleC are dueling to see who will paint the most points in modern-period figures (from 1960 to Post-Apoc). The winner gets a figure from the vanquished.

- The LOTR Challenge - ScottB and SteH are duelling to see who can paint the most Lord of the Rings figures over the duration of the Painting Challenge

- The Odin’s Night Challenge - Dux has challenged JohnS, PaulO’G and StephenS to complete a warband for Musket & Tomahawks.  He will paint a character figure for each that meets the challenge.

- England and Spain, At It Again - PhilH & JuanM are reprising last year’s race in which they challenge one another to see who can get to 100 points first.

Individual Challenges & Paint Duels for the Sixth Challenge

I'm the one with the whistle...

Well, it would seem that our comments may have busted the initial Challenge announcement post so I thought I'd begin another here to shepherd the conversation and also to bring up that perennial favorite: Challenges & Duels. 

As many of the Old Salts would know, the declaration of personal challenges and paint duels extends back to our very first Challenge where harmless smack talk sparked healthy (and humorous) competition between participants.  Over the years it has become more formalized with many 'Paint Duels'  becoming part of Challenge lore (if there can be such a thing). For those who are new to this sillines let me explain: the challenges and duels allow small groups of participants to test one another against a variety of criteria. Sometimes it's to see who can paint the most figures within a particular historical period or genre, while other duels may be to see who can get to a specific points threshold first. The sky's the limit - it's really up to your imagination.

I've noticed that a few participants have already started to issue a few duels, but I thought I'd dedicate a page for it so we collect them all in one spot. I'll update this page to reflect all the duels so we know what's what before we head into the Challenge next month.

Let's have some fun and let the smack talk begin!

The Die is Cast - The Sixth Annual Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge Starts December 20th

In 49 BC Julius Caesar halted his XIII legion along the north bank of the Rubicon river in northern Italy. He knew that if he crossed with his army into southern Italy he would be violating Roman law, thereby making the lives of both him and his men forfeit, but Caesar also aware that if he returned to Rome as a regular citizen he would be censored by the government and quite possibly killed. After some deliberation he resolved to cross the Rubicon and risk civil war. Once on the other side of the river Caesar is reported to have said, 'Alea iacta est' - The die is cast. 

This year's Painting Challenge, our sixth, celebrates risk takers, daredevils and gamblers. 

Julius Caesar

The Basic Rules

The Challenge will extend from the beginning of Winter, 12:01 am December 20th , through to the first day of Spring, 12:01 am March 20th, Central Standard Time.

Figures can be prepared and primed prior to the start date, but no colour can be applied until December 20th. In order to be fully scored the figures have to be based and their groundwork completed. The figures have to be painted by you. The Challenge follows the honour system in the completion and entry of figures. Dishonour and public shaming goes (with perhaps the throwing of frozen vegetables) upon anyone who besmirches the venerable craft of painting toy soldiers! 

The figures can be in any scale and in any theme, including pulp-adventure, science-fiction and fantasy.

In order to be scored, photos of all figures/units along with a short descriptive note must be uploaded to the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge blog. Up-to-date scoring will be maintained on the blog's main page. I will send out an email to all Challengers to provide further details regarding participation.

The Judge (me) will participate, but my score will not have any standing in the Challenge (I will continue my struggle to be amongst the middle-of-the-pack).

Since I can't leave well enough alone, I've again tweaked a few aspects of how the Challenge will be administered. I will still be the master of ceremonies, but I've called upon a Happy Few to assist me in keeping this joyous circus on the rails - more on that later. 

Rosa Parks

The Scoring

6mm foot figure = 0.5 point
6mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 1 pts
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 pts
15mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 4 pts
15mm vehicle = 6 pts

20mm foot figure = 4 pts
20mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 8 pts
20mm vehicle = 12 pts

28mm foot figure = 5 pts
28mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 10 pts
28mm vehicle = 15 pts

40mm foot figure = 7 pts
40mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 15 pts
40mm vehicle = 20 pts 

54mm foot figure = 10 pts
54mm mounted figures, artillery piee or crew served weapon = 20 pts
54mm vehicle, limber, etc. = 30 pts 

Other scales, miscellaneous models/figures will be scored on a submission-by-submission basis. 

Amelia Earhart

Challenger Personal Targets and Duels

Similar to previous years, I ask that each Challenger declare his/her points target that they hope to achieve by the March 20th deadline. I encourage Challengers to pick a target that is a bit beyond their comfort zone, but still achievable. Many participants have found this a great incentive to help maintain their pace over the three months of the Challenge. As a benchmark, 400 points is a manageable amount for someone who is new the the event and/or has a busy work/life schedule. Remember, many points can be secured by participating in the Bonus Rounds (more on this below).

Also, 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 organize, but I'm more than happy to log the duels and keep track of the points.

Vo Nguen Giap

Challenger Target Thresholds & Prizes

There will be six point thresholds set out for the Challenge. Each time a participant reaches a Point Threshold his/her name will be entered for the prize drawn for that level. So, the more points you accumulate the more prizes you will be eligible for. We have many generous prize sponsors who I will introduce in a following post. The Threshold prizes will be drawn at the end of the Challenge.

Threshold I: 500 points

Threshold II: 750 points 

Threshold III: 1000 points 

Threshold IV: 1500 points 

Threshold V: 2000 points 

Threshold VI: 2500 points

Gebhard Lebrecht Blucher

The Fortnight Theme Bonus Rounds

Same as previous years, we will have a series of thematic Bonus Rounds. Each Bonus Round asks Challengers to enter a submission that illustrates a particular theme. The Bonus Rounds are not mandatory, they are just a little bit of fun to pace out the the Challenge and allow people to gain some points and fame through presenting vignettes and specific single figures.

Those Challengers who manage to submit an entry for a 'Fortnight Theme Bonus Round' will receive an extra 50 points on top of the regular entry tally. No scales less than 15mm will be eligible for the Theme Bonus Rounds but they can be of a historical or fictional subject.

The seven Bonus Themes along with their submission deadlines are:

• January 3rd: Nostalgia 

• January 17th: Epic Fail 

• January 31st : Defensive Terrain 

• February 14th: L'amour 

• February 28th: Nautical 

• March 13th: Gambler/Risk-Taker

The theme submissions are to be sent in by 12:01 am (CST) on the specified date (Sundays for all).

For each bonus round I'll post a poll listing all the round's entries so visitors can vote for their favourite. 

Neil Armstrong

Tipping the Croupier

As in previous Challenges, I ask for a small memento from each Challenger. In keeping with this year's theme, the entrance 'fee' for this year's Challenge will be a single 28mm figure characterized as a risk-taker, daredevil or gambler. The figure will be supplied and painted by the entrant. This miniature can be submitted any time up until the end of the Challenge. Again, same as previous years, for each figure I receive I will donate $5 to the Saskatchewan branch of the Regina Humane Society.

Robert E. Lee

The Call

Please don't wait too long if you're interested - drop me a note below to get on the roster. I'll place notification in this space when all the participant slots for the Challenge have been filled.

Let the fun begin!

5th Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge Awards

Well, it’s been a very busy week! All the votes are in for Challengers’ Choice and Peoples Choice. Sarah has made her selection for Sarah’s Choice and I’ve done the same for the Judges selection. Finally, we’ve made the prize draws for the six points thresholds. Whew!

Okay, on to the awards!

Challengers’ Choice (35 Euro Gift Certificate from Tsuba Miniatures)

Honourable Mention goes to:

- Anne’s body of work over the Challenge

- DaveD’s Sudanese project

The Challengers’ Choice goes to: MartinN’s Greyscale Viet Minh

Peoples’ Choice (35 Euro Gift Certificate from Barrage Miniatures)

Honourable Mention goes to:

- AdamC’s very impressive body of work over the Challenge

- MarkO’s incredible force of Austrian Napoleonics

The Peoples’ Choice goes to MartinC’s fantastic and incredibly imaginative flying carpet force

Judge’s Choice (20 Euro Amazon Gift Certificate)

The Honourable Mentions:

- MichaelA’s collective submissions – masterful work sir!

- AlanD’s collective work, especially impressive with his mind-boggling freehand brushwork on his shields and carpets.

The Judge’s Choice goes to MartinN’s Collective Submissions – Thank you Nick for treating us to your stunning brushwork!

Sarah’s Choice (20 GBP Amazon Gift Certificate)

From Lady Sarah:

The "Sarah's Choice" award began after the first Challenge had started because I whined to Curt that there were no "lady figures" being painted. Curt, being curt, said to me that maybe I could start painting (?!) or issue a specific challenge. Well, a challenge was definitely the easier choice.

Over the three months of the Challenge, I regularly popped in to check out what was happening and to see what kept Curt’s attention every night until the wee hours of the morning. Hmm, I just had a thought: Is Curt an espresso addict because of the Challenge, or does the Challenge exist because he's already an espresso addict?  (BTW Miles, thank you very much for the coffee beans).

I am always astonished at the volume, quality and range of submissions. You guys and gals have tremendous talent and a repartee through the comments. I love the community you have created.

I have spent the last 3-4 evenings zooming thru all the submissions , (I really should have made notes to begin with!) and I am overwhelmed. Not only have I made my Sarah's Choice selections, but I have also submitted my votes for People's Choice.

Sarah's Choice, with honourable mentions first:

PhilH's  'er Madge

Phil has captured Madge's Stylish Frumpy look wonderfully. I aspire to be this grand looking when I am an octogenarian out trampling thru the woods with my Hunter Wellies and the dogs. ( no shotgun for me) Heck, I aspire to this now!

ByronM's Steampunk Tinker Belle

Byron has some mad painting skills as evidenced in all his submissions. But Tinker Belle caught my fancy. Now if I get Curt to paint me the SteamPunk Mary Poppins......

And the award for Sarah’s Choice goes to MichaelA for his ‘Adele Blanc-Sec’

What could be better than an intrepid heroine flying over the streets of Paris on a pterodactyl? And that this wonderful figure was created out of bits and bobs by Michael. Salut!

To all the participants, you all are terrifically creative painters and I look forward to seeing what your minds and brushes come up with for the next Challenge.

Oh, and I am still waiting for someone to do "Josephine in her Rose Garden at MalMaison”.

Well done Sarah! Okay, following are the Point Threshold prizes. These are a random draw awarded to participants who broke through the six points barriers over the course of the Challenge:

Threshold I / 500 points: IannickM

($20 Gift Certificate from J&M Miniatures)

also, AlanD

($20 GBP Gift Certificate from Westfalia Miniatures)

Threshold II / 750 points: SeanS

($25 Gift Certificate from SG2 Creations)

Threshold III / 1000 points: SanderS

(30 GBP Gift Certificate from Westfalia Miniatures)

Threshold IV / 1500 points: AaronH

(35 Euro Gift Certificate from Barrage Miniatures)

Threshold V / 2000 points: AdamC

(one pack of each code from Orinoco Miniatures' Chaco Wars range, plus each pack of the British Legion in the Liberation Wars range)

Threshold VI / 2500 points: TamsinP

(35 Euro Gift Certificate from Barrage Miniatures)

Also, I think it only proper to give some prizes to our Titans who dominated the points standings:

3^rd in the Points Standings (tie) Millsy and Miles ($25 Gift Certificates each from Fife & Drum Miniatures PLUS a pack each of the Retreat from Moscow set from Murawski Miniatures)

2^nd in the Points Standings MarkO ($50 Gift Certificate from Fife & Drum Miniatures

1^st in the Points Standings DaveD ($100 Gift Certificate from Fife & Drum Miniatures)

Finally, I’d like to give a ‘New to the Hobby’ award to Evan & GrantH to thank them for their infectious enthusiasm and for reminding us all what it was like to start out in this funny little hobby of ours.  Boys, I’m going to get you into Napoleonics. You’ll get a complete command set from Murawski Miniatures and a 20 Euro Gift certificate from Barrage Miniatures. Enjoy!

Congratulations to all the prize winners!  Thank you for participating in the Challenge and sharing your wonderful work. Please contact me to work out the details of getting your awards.

We also have a few loose ends regarding a few of the Side Challenges and Paint Duels.

Space Ships!

I was asked to provide Tamsin’s title for her victory in the Space Race. I think ‘Domina Prima of Sector Challengux' fits nicely.  We all bow to your terrible splendour Ms. P... :)

Pulp Trio

Though he did not class his Dr. Who and Crooked Dice figures as Pulp, I believe that Simon should triumph in the Pulp race.  Simon, drop me a note and we’ll discuss your figure from me.

10mm Smaller

Tamsin, Alan and I participated in the 10mm and Smaller duel and Ms. P bested us handily with her excellent ACW submissions. Alan and I have discussed the matter and we have decided to collaborate on a command stand for one of Tamsin’s armies. I’ll follow up on the progress of that in a future post. Congratulations Tamsin!

Well, that’s it folks and what a ride it’s been!  I’d like to thank all our Challenge Sponsors for their generous support of the event.  I've listed all the sponsors on the right sidebar, so if you have a free moment please visit their sites and see if something strikes your fancy.  As I often say, the Challenge doesn’t need prizes to be a success, but it sure adds a nice bit of sparkle to the proceedings. Thank you!

Finally, and I can't say this enough, I want to thank all the participants from the bottom of my heart for their humour, vigour and generous good will during the three months of the Challenge –this event wouldn’t exist without your efforts. Bravo to you all!

Until next time.

Curt Out.

Voting for People's Choice Has Now Begun! (Announcement of all Challenge Awards and Prizes this Sunday)

Hi All!

First off, thanks to all the participants who took the time to cast their votes for Challenger's Choice. It was very entertaining to read through all the submissions and witness the opinions of my fellow brush-jockeys. More on this soon.

Our final poll of the Challenge is for the People's Choice. The voting for this award is open to all those who visited the Challenge (yes, participants can join in as well) and were particularly impressed with what they saw. 

Using the poll on the right sidebar please feel free to vote for your top three entries. The vote is free form, meaning you can vote for an individual figure, a participant's body of work, a theme entry, etc.

The poll will close Sunday morning upon which I will be announcing the results for:

• Challengers' Choice
• People's Choice
• Sarah's Choice 
• Judge's Choice
• Satisfaction of the Paint Duels 

I will also be making the prize draws for those Challengers who reached the six specific point's thresholds over the course of the three-month event. This is the part I've been keenly waiting for since the Challenge began as I love giving out prizes! 

So stay tuned on Sunday to see all the results and join me in celebrating the close of this season's Challenge.

Thanks for dropping by everyone!