From Curt: Gnomish Airship for Moonstone (35 Points)

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all are enjoying the Holiday Season, taking in the treats and festivities, and perhaps managing to tuck in a little time with the brushes and paints. 

Last night out gaming group had a Christmas-themed game of Moonstone which, as usual, was a lot of great fun. I was hoping to have this entry done for the game, but it just wasn't quite ready for the tabletop, so I got up early this morning to properly finish it off. 

This is the 'Gnomish Airship' for Moonstone (one of our proud Challenge sponsors). It's a lovely little model, packed full of whimsical character and silliness (who can deny an pedal-powered airship, armed with a steam harpoon and bombs). I painted it up using fairly punchy colours, reasoning that Gnomes are a jolly lot and so would like their flying machines to be much the same.

I considered breaking out the airbrush for this little brute, but frankly I was just too lazy (rum and eggnog are good sandbags to activity) and the model actually seemed well-suited to straightforward brushwork. I used a mixture of VMC, Contrast and good ole craft paint for this. It was a lot of fun to work on (though it's a surprisingly delicate piece, so I had to be mindful).

The base was built up with foam bits, liquitex and tallus. I had some great mushroom prints on hand, which I glued in for a bit of additional whimsy.

The Airship will be a nice addition to the Gnome troupe and I hope to see it plying the skies, causing mayhem, during our next game.

Mama Grimble, her two Boys and the new Gnome Airship.

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As to scoring, I'll pitch it at 15 points, between a 28mm cavalry model and a vehicle, which seems about right. Since it is for a fantastical setting, I'll also be bold and claim an extra 20 points for the 'Fantasy Book' topic. So all together that's 35 points in the bag for this clever bit of Gnomish engineering.

Thanks for popping in for a look!

- Curt

From MilesR: Tactical Santa - the First Entry for Challenge XIV (25 Points)

 

OK, the Painting Gods seem to be conspiring against me as our power goes out as I'm taking these pictures.  Still the show must go on.  So the lighting's really poor as we're running off the genny.   

My first entry this year is one full of Holiday Cheer and Hot Lead for those on the Naughty List - Why it's Good ole Tactical St Nick.  He's a jolly old elf with a carbon black SAW.

This is a 28mm figures I bought on Etsy.  The model is 3D printed in Resin and came with another second figure that didn't have the night vision.  I painted that one up earlier for my Holiday club game "The Night The Reindeer Died". Sadly I didn't have a Lee Majors figure for that game.  Bonus points to you if you get the reference.

This figure was painted using the Army Painter "Speed Paints".  I'm still experimenting  both how to use these paints and also how to undercoat - this figure was primed black that them lightly sprayed from above with white.  I think the kids call that "zenithal".  It can out a bit too dark but that's likely due to me not really have a honed priming process.

To continue the Holiday cheer, I'm going to try and stretch the boundaries of the Challenge Libray's Dewey Decimal system and cram this figure between the covers of a Fantasy book.  How? Santa is a mythical figure but I suspect there are a few people on his naughty list that really deserve lead over coal.  I think we can agree that Santa would make a splendid Spec Ops Elf.  He does come with his own vertical insertion team....

Ho, ho, ho, indeed.

Anyway that's one 28mm figures and one rather raggedy Fantasy book for a cool 25 points to start.   I'm hoping to be somewhat productive this challenge and you'll be seeing some 28mm Skirmish figures and A LOT of 10mm figures from me - especially Russo-Japaense War.  Oh one other thing my lovely wife got me a laster cutter for Christmas so there may be some custom terrain..........  

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to all of you and your families!

(I'll try to take better pictures in the future)

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Merry Christmas Miles, and welcome back to the Challenge, which has become a long-running tradition of its own.

I like your Tactical Santa, though he is a bit off in the distance. Probably for the best, really. He does have a SAW, and I'm not sure where I stand on his Naughty or Good List. I do like his tactical kneepads - I imagine they would be handy for those hard to manage chimneys and kneeling under trees. 

Great work Miles! I hope your power comes back on soon so you can enjoy your laser cutter and a fully electrified Holiday Season. 

- Curt

From JP : Bullywug Raiders [Fantasy] (50 points)

Hi - my first submission for my first ever Analog bash. Thank you Frederick for talking me into getting off my ageing painter's duff...

I am a slow and a**l painter. I started as a wargamer painting to get figures on the table and now I am more a painter getting figures for games that may never happen.😀

The group are from Otherworld's fabulous Original Dungeons and Dragons style range. There are 6 28mm Bullywugs. I start with Vallejo cammo brown undercoat (on any and all jobs) and paint the figure fully, even if carrying shields. I paint the latter separately, so as not to miss detail (see 2nd para above).

I use Foundry paints and apply my approximation of the Dallimore 3 colour approach to painting. The painting handles are a wonder to have and use, kudos to the inventors.

I am seeking points as follows:

6 x 28mm figures = 30

Fantasy Library    = 20

Total of                 = 50 

Thanks for the opportunity to be more productive!! 

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First, welcome aboard the Challenge, JP! Delighted to have you with us.

These Bullywugs are terrific! You've done a great job on their green skin and creepy eyes (and I also love the shell shields). I have done a few Otherworld Miniatures in the past and really enjoyed working on their sculpts - you've done them proud here. Well done!

- Curt

From SimonM: Iceman by "CoolMiniOrNot" (5 points)

Thought I’d best get an entry in straight from the start, so I thought something reasonably straightforward would be a good place to begin…

This 32mm scale translucent plastic model of Iceman was produced by “CoolMiniOrNot” as part of their "Marvel Zombies" stand-alone game using the "Zombicide" rule-set. One of numerous "Kickstarter" exclusive figures, this particular incarnation of Bobby Drake's frosty alter-ego was created by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips for the May 2007 issue of "Marvel Zombies: Dead Days" by "Marvel Comics".

Presumed to be residing at the Xavier Institute on Earth-2149 when the zombie plague first struck, the mutant superhero was initially undercoated using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer White and the Spanish company's Model Colour White. He was then drowned in "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade, before being slowly 'built back up' using multiple patient dry-brushes of White Star by Duncan Rhodes' "Two Thin Coats". Finally, the X-Man's eye sockets were given a dab of "Citadel" Abaddon Black and spotted with (more) "Two Thin Coats" White Star.

One x 32mm scale foot figure = 5 Points

Total = 5 Points

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Welcome back to the Challenge, Simon! I thought for sure we'd have a masterclass in your signature black, but here you keep us on our toes to give us the delightful 'Iceman' in cool whites and blues - well done! I came across 'Drakenhof Nightshade' last year and it's a fabulously useful wash which you put to fine use here. Over the next three months I look forward to being educated by you regarding all manner of superheroes and their dastardly villains. :)

- Curt

From: MarkB - Zona Alfa - Special Action Team - "New New Acquisitions" (50 points)

Hi all! Well with all the snow on the ground here in Sweden I figured I would start off with a little something that just arrived in the mail just last week, so I will use them for my first entry into this years library.

 These are six x 28mm Future war infantry from a company called "Enemy Spotted Studios". I will primarily use these for gaming Zona Alfa, which I was introduced to earlier this year.

I did not go crazy with camouflage as I wanted to give the miniatures a feeling of being more of a Special Ops civilian cloths type unit. 

So for the scoring:

6 X 28mm infantry = 30 points

Bonus theme "New Acquisition" -20 Points

Total: 50 Points

Have a Merry Christmas!

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A nice ice-breaker with this new unit of special operators, Mark! I have the Zone Alfa rules, but have not tried them yet (we typically use Spectre Operations for modern tactical), so it's interesting to hear of someone who has actually played them. As to your team, I like the addition of the metallic faceplates and the red ammo clips - brings them together as a squad. Well done!

- Curt 

From DaveD - Necromunda Hive Scum - “New Acquisitions” - 40 pts

Next up is my very latest acquisition- sourced from my local game store on Monday this week in fact. JamesM and I have been working on Necromunda on and off over the last year and I found these in the local shop and thought hmm why not . They are a GW pack and were a simple construct.

In an addition to being a new miniature acquisition they are also painted using the newly acquired Vallejo Xpress paints . I am taken with them for primary colours - that’s what I decided to do for these lads . Apparently they will also be releasing some more traditional military colours. 

These were done over a pure white base coat so the colours are really popping , they were also really quick to do . I haven’t added any extra wash or highlights- just let the paint do its work 

So total - 4 x 28mm = 20 pts

 Bonus theme “New Aquisition” - 20 points.  

Total - 40 pts .

 

Nice paints . Recommend. 

Right - on with the airbrush next ..

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Great work Dave! Love the punchy, vibrant colours of these downhivers. I have a few of the Xpress Colors as well and agree, they are great additions to the pigment quiver.

Let's see what you have next for us, eh?

- Curt

From DaveD - Sir Garnet Wolseley & Sir Sidney Ruff Diamond. - 30 pts

Having worked on ‘Nam for the last few challenges , it’s time to leave the green and the heat of the jungle mostly behind. This year will see a bit more of a variation in output with top ups for most collections, and two new ones starting off. 

My opener sees a return to more dusty trails with the arrival of Sir Garnet Wolsley in the natty red jacket and cord trousers . He is engaged with the infamous Sir Sidney Ruff Diamond looking out for restless natives from the fort  walls  . MartinC and  I have a large 3 day game booked in August (with 9 players) to revisit Gordon in Khartoum so I might as well clear out the lead pile. I last added to this collection in 2021, with the bulk of it being done 2014-2018 . 

 

Both figures are from the limited edition WI Heroes in Miniature range . They have been sitting in the lead pile for a few years now and with a revisit to the Sudan this year - more to come with the expansion of the Indian army brigade - I thought let’s get these lads done . I trust they fit into the opening library area  of Overdue and Returns . 

Scoring 2 x 28mm = 10 

Bonus theme = 20 

Total = 30 

As usual I have an autumn and winter “plan” - I usually get through about 2/3rds of it so we will see how things go .. mind I have already come up with a “side diversion” - hey him 

Cheers Dave D 

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First, welcome back to the Challenge, Dave! This year you get to put aside your minion's mantle and just 'relax' with your paints and brushes. With no outward distractions I anticipate full hobby mayhem from you.

Lovely work on these two lads, Dave. Nothing says 'Imperialism' like stiff-necked collars and overzealous facial hair. I look forward to you revisiting this project!

- Curt

From Barks: Yuletide Cultists (15 points)

Hello all, season's greetings! Here are three terrifying cultists. They're 3D prints from Imitation of Life. I'm trying out Army Painter Speedpaints 2.0 for this Challenge, and they're doing a lot of the heavy lifting. I haven't got to grips with a consistent le slapchop technique for better shading and highlights; these are just on white. I'm trying Jon Hodgson's background art book.

Her candy cane axe snapped. Midsommar vibes.

Absolution Green is a really nice paint.

3x 28mm (15 points)

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What a wonderful trio of Christmas lunatics, Barks. I particularly like the fellow with the garland and candles on his head - that takes good balance, baby. May have to pick up some Absolution Green...

Welcome back and prepare to count skulls!

- Curt

From PaulSS - Cold War T-62 company - 60pts

 

The will to paint has been weak these past few months so I was looking forwards to the challenge to get that mojo back on track.

I set the alarm for 0530 this morning and bleary eyed, with a cup of coffee in hand I slapped a coat of Russian Green on these chaps and base-coated the bases with some dull brown emulsion. Then, off to a couple of work meetings, boring! 

Fortunately, I had booked a half day off to kick off the challenge and just before lunch was able to pick up a brush again.

A bit of black on the machine guns and tracks followed by some mud splatters then a light dry brush before lunch - mushroom pate on toast with a side salad for those of an inquisitive nature!

Finally, a coat of Military Shade and then left to dry, while some base-coats were slapped on my upcoming entry, a Napoleonic Dutch artillery battery.

Once all was done I was able to get the bases finished with tufts, bushes and grass and then a coat of dull cote.

Victoria and I went out to the solstice celebrations at Paoli and on our return took a few snaps of the tanks for this post.

The tanks are 3D prints that chum Drew printed for me on his Elegoo Mars. These will add a whole new option of cheaper tanks to my Seven Days to the River Rhine Soviet force that currently fields the much more up to date and expensive T-64B.

Ten 12mm vehicles at 6pts each gets me off to a start on 60pts.

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Welcome back to the Challenge, Paul! 

These T-62s look excellent as was your culinary indulgences for the day. Well done!

- Curt

From StuartL - Shh! - New Acquisitions (30 Points)

Hello all,

Just a quick first post to get myself onto the scoreboard.

A friend of mine has been printing up some 3D parts for me and recently I purchased some files for a new Warhammer 30K army. As a Christmas gift, he printed up one of the minis for me and gave it to me last Sunday. (So it is less than a week old, qualifying for the new acquisitions area I think). 

The model is a jetbike for the Sisters of Silence army for Warhammer 30,000. GW have written rules for it, but they don't actually produce any suitable models for it.

The 3D Stl comes from DivergingRealm on MyMiniFactory and really looks the part. The main body of the bike is hollow so it is pretty light and doesn't use too much resin.

So for a 28mm model on a mount, that should be 10 points. Add on another 20 for the Library area and that gives me a nice 30 Points for my first entry. 

Looking forwards to seeing what everyone else posts up over the next few days.

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Welcome back to the Challenge, Stuart!

This Sisters of Silence jetbike provides an excellent dash forward on your campaign up the points chart (and a lovely gift as well). Well done!

- Curt 

Socials - “Painting Alone - Together” - a reminder

Over the years the Challenge has become a a real community event linking people around the globe. The creation of painted armies is by its nature a solitary activity with us beavering away at our paint desk. This year we have decided to try something new to enable challengers to interact together more.

A few of us challenge old hands run online "Paint and Chat" sessions where we have audio, and visual contact direct from our painting desks. These are run via our Zoom account facility (if you don’t know what zoom is where we’re during the great Pamdemic ?) 

We talk through a range of hobby related topics while wielding our brushes - times fly 

These are co-ordinated either via the  AHPC Facebook page for those of you who don’t use FB we also have a Discord server ( Click to join here  ) , that is more of traditional forum style .  .Just stick a request in to join one or both groups and one of the old sweats will sort your membership out. The groups are closed and moderated. We publish on the community pages when someone is on (or plans to be) the  chat link so people know and can jump on as well. These sites are also a place for further interaction and "banter".

You can join the Paint &Chat  via a mobile or tablet device by installing the Zoom app - you don’t need a paid account For a PC you will need to install the appropriate plug in. You need around a minimum 2.5-3Mb speed for your connection to work well. 

From Curt: The First Post of Challenge XIV - The Rosetta Stone (21 Points)

Welcome to fourteenth edition of the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge!

This year's theme focuses on libraries, and so I wanted to make sure I made my first entry about reading, specifically the words and symbols that we use to communicate out thoughts and ideas. 

Here is a small vignette depicting a group of Napoleonic soldiers and French academic savants examining the Rosetta Stone (perhaps only a few hours before it became a  British trophy). 

The Rosetta Stone was discovered by the French in 1799 during their ill-fated Egyptian campaign near the town of Rashid ('Rosetta') in the Nile Delta. 

As many know, the Rosetta Stone's importance stems from it providing the linguistic links between Egyptian and Greek, and three writing systems, hieroglyphics, demotic script (a cursive form of Egyptian hieroglyphics), and the Greek alphabet. The Stone provided a definitive key to translating Egyptian hieroglyphic writing.

The Rosetta Stone was later taken by the British as a war trophy, part of the Capitulation of Alexandria in 1801, resulting from their victory over the French in 1800. The Stone has been part of the British Museum's collection ever since, and is in fact their most viewed object. The Egyptian government has made requests for the Stone to be repatriated, but there has been little movement on this matter. With an increasing number of cultural objects being returned to their traditional owners, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles and other priceless objects held in foreign repositories. 

I got the Rosetta Stone as a STL file from MyminiFactory. It's very cool in the sense that the file is from a scan of the original artefact. I simply reduced it down to scale to fit with 28mm figures. The assorted minis shown here are a conceit, coming from a previous Challenge years ago (and so will not be scored), but I thought it might be a bit of fun to have a scene depicting French scholars madly taking some sketches before the heathen British arrive to despoil their discovery.

As to points, the stone itself is hardly worth scoring, say 1 point. BUT I will be cheeky and claim the New Acquisition Topic on the map as the Rosetta stone was a new acquisition to both the French (briefly), and the British.

So, 21 points for me!

Just so everybody knows, I'll be handling the posting and scoring until January 1st where I will then pass on this weighty responsibility to our wonderful, merry band of Minions. As it's just me in the cockpit for these next few days, please be patient with me as I, like many of you, are contending with work, family and festive responsibilities (and, yes, mad hobbying). 

Again, welcome to the Challenge! Now, let the fun begin!

- Curt