From JuanM - Low Velocity Painting (15 Points)

Hello!

Here are three new figures I have been able to paint, with a more common speed, now that my Christmas holidays have finished. 

First one, this is a Roman Auxiliary Centurion from Aventine Miniatures H4H Charity Figures range.

This is a fantastic miniature, really good, and one of the models I am painting as a part of an old, project, II Century Romans of Marcus Aurelius reign.

I would like to use "War & Conquest" from Scarab Miniatures, a rulebook descendant of the, for me, cherished "Warhammer Ancient Battles" ruleset. This Centurion can be the representation of an Strategic Point for the Roman player or as an additional officer for a Legionary unit.

Next one, is a Roman Auxiliary soldier from Aventine Miniatures too with a LBMS shield transfer. He is a test for the first unit of Roman infantry I expect to paint.

I like a lot the helmets of these figures. They add a lot of character to a really limited range of poses. I think I´m going to put the figures in individual bases, the ones the ruleset recommend.

And the last one, another Red Box Games miniature. This time, an Aelfar, Mordred Wyrmsbane.

What can I do about these figures? They are wonderful, a pleasure to paint. This time, I wanted to paint this figure as a sophisticated warrior, a Prince in full armour to mark a difference with the wild Barbarians I have.

And this is all for now. 15 points, I think.

Now, this is time to paint faster; Phil is approaching fast too!


Fantastic work Juan. Your paintwork is so clean and precise, while your colour blending is no slouch as well. I'm particularly impressed with the armour on all these figures, especially the leaf scale on the Elf warrior. This may be low-velocity painting but with 'high impact'. Just beautiful. 

15 very well-earned points.

From PeterD - 28mm Mounted Condottieri Commanders: 'Silvano & Cambino' (35 points)

'Get off your duff and get your troops moving Aleramici!'

My next posting is two command stands for my Italian Wars Project.  I have based these on real Italian families of note from the period, assuming that minor or wayward members have gone off soldiering as Condotierri.  These two may have some resemblance to local gamers participating in the Challenge...

The Aleramici family ruled varous small Northwestern Italian fiefdoms (in modern Piedmont). The family were Frankish in origin and often sided with the French in the Italian Wars. Silvano Aleramici is a product of an obscure branch and fights for who ever will pay him. Silvano is renowned for his umm prudent and careful approach to battle and boasts of a large library of military manuals and histories. His comrades in arms question whether he has read any of these military works as he seems more interested in books with lots of pictures and only a few words. He also claims to be have literary intensions himself.

Silvano believes in the value of upgrade equipment and rides into battle in full Milanese plate for both himself and his mount. The flag is historical, but I reversed the order of the colours for Silvano's horse trappings, as it seemed to work better than a thin band of red along the top of the horse. This figure comes from the Perry mounted Italian command and the standard bearer is from the plastic command sprue from the War of the Roses bills and bows set.

 

In contrast Cambino Barbarigo cuts a dashing figure on the battle field and is known for his quick and decisive approach. The Barbarino's were a prominent Venetian family and members of the family were elected as Doge during this period. They don't talk much about Cambino however... Cambino loves flashy new clothes and equipment and rides into battle on a fine new Bavarian charger wearing a rather ridiculous embroidered red cap because Silvano's gilded barbette is sooo 1478. It has been noted that Cambino might conquer all if he settled down to one plan of action instead of chasing new shiny prospects every time one appeared.

 

 
This figure is also from the Perry Italian Mounted Command pack and is based on the famous painting by Paolo Uccello, the one with the 3D horses hooves. His standard bearer comes from the Perry Mounted Knights plastic box set (have I mention how much I like this set), and is the first figure that I have completed with the barding. The barding is a little fussy but after some trial and error I found that masking tape can hold the bits in place while the glue sets.

The flags involved are historical and were downloaded from the excellent site http://www.krigsspil.dk/download/download_2.html. I resized them and printed them on our home laser printer using regular paper. I choose the Barbarigo family for Cambino because of the beards on the family crest, which matches our UberLord's facial fur. Also apparently in his wild youth, Curt spent some time as a nomadic hair stylist wandering about Northern Italy and other European locales...

 

So by my count that's 3 mounted figure and one foot figure = 35 points.  How many of you can avoid the Beach Boys "Barbara Ann" ear worm using the Barbarigo family name?

 

My pair of falconets appear in the background of many of these shots.

Haha! You're a very clever wag Mr. Douglas. I love 'Cambino's' beard banner and your back stories are pretty much spot-on. You must have been rocking back and forth sniggering while writing up this post. Very nicely done. These are great figures and I think your first attempt at barding turned out very well. My only suggestion is that for Silvano's stand you may want to swap out the sword being handed to him for a battleplan instead. :P

From Millsy - 28mm Catachan Imperial Sentry Guns (40 points)

[Drumroll...] The Catachans are COMPLETE! Well, as complete as any of my projects ever get anyway. This really is the last unpainted lead for this army and takes me to a cool 2500 points in game terms. I can't see it getting any bigger as there are already so many infantry it's a bit mad just to set up.

Imperial Sentry Guns are analogs for the (remarkably similar looking) guns in Aliens. They don't have crews in 40K either but I've used a few spare miniatures to give the impression they are being set up.

The gun on the left below is a first edition sculpt and the scanner/horn(?) thingy on top was a bit damaged when it arrived so I've assembled the gun back-to-front to provide a little protection. I actually prefer it that way. Maybe that says something about the way my mind works.

The second gun has the dubious honour of being attended by the only plastic chap in the whole army (he's kneeling).

Technician 3rd Class Bromley is hard at work below configuring his gun for action. He's the only man in the whole army wearing his standard issue flak armour but still disdains the helmet as it crushes his mohawk and won't fit comfortably over his head band. He's nobody's fool though and is wearing his armour for good reason, the Series 5 units were famous for randomly entering target acquisition mode when being configured. Your Series 6 unit, now THAT was a proper sentry gun and no mistake...

First edition IG gun crew with Catachan head-swap

Plastic kneeling guy? Sheesh... standard are slipping!

So that's it. An army I started painting almost 12 months ago in Challenge 5 is complete at roughly 130 x infantry, 20 odd man-packed support weapons, 3 x walking AFV and 2 x tracked AFVs. This is what the Challenge is all about folks - the kind of motivation that makes you disdain family, friends, food, water and personal hygiene. What's not to like?

Cheers,
Millsy

A disdain for personal hygiene... Hmm, you know, I thought I could smell something coming up from Australia, but I couldn't quite place it.

Technician 3rd Class Bromley?! That kills me. Maybe when he hits 2nd Class They'll give him a truck to haul.

I fondly remember this army from last year Millsy, and it's wonderful to see you bring it to a conclusion.  Well done. Now, be a good lad and go have a bath - and go all-out and use the soap this time! 

Edit: Just ejected a mid-sized house spider from my daughter's bedroom and couldn't resist...

By the Emperor's Hand Bromley, shoot that damn thing before it turns round!!!

From SidneyR - A Lannister (or a Roundwood) always pays his debts! (50 Points)

As befits all of the contestants in this, and previous, Analogue Hobbies Challenges, I like to consider myself a person of honour.

However, dear fellow-contestants I confess that my standards of punctuality in painting have not always (or, indeed, ever) been ideal.

“Enthusiastic” is a word which could be used to describe me. “Organised”, “timely”, “early” or “efficient” are words which would not be used, even by my own dear family, to describe Sidney Roundwood.

It is therefore with deep shame that I confess before you all that I have failed to deliver in a timely manner on previous obligations of two painted miniatures for the Fourth and Fifth Challenges …. the required Curt-geld of legend.

I know. It is shocking. Deeply shocking …

But there is more …

Some of you may also remember the two unsuccessful duels fought by me with Curt in the Fourth and Fifth Challenges … with the wager of one completed grey-scale miniature for each contest. Although made a reasonable stab at completing my figure target in the Fourth Challenge, my Challenge last year (the Fifth) fizzled out. The victor in both contests – one Mr. C. Campbell Esq., of Regina, Canada.  And yes, as you may have guessed, circumstances had conspired to make the delivery of Mr Campbell’s prizes somewhat late also …

Some of you may by this point in this post now be too overcome to read more ...

There is, however, a happy ending. So read on, dear fellow-contestants.

In my own defence, and although Curt was far too much of a gentleman ever to remind me, my failure to deliver these four miniatures has been engraved on my mind for months! The models have looked at me, accusingly and scowling for month after month, season after season, so much so that in starting this Challenge, I made a promise to myself (and the said silent scowling miniatures) to get them done first.

So here they are – my (very late) Curt-geld from the fourth and fifth Challenges and Curt’s duelling prizes. 

First up – one of the Wild Bunch, with a touch of the Warren Oates about him. Advancing in years (like so many of us), but deadly, none-the-less.

Second – a very nice figure of a VergeltungsWaffenTruppenfűhrer (boo! hiss!), which I thought would fit with Curt’s evil rocket troops as they embark on some new dastardly plot with their loathsome Retaliation Weapons. 

And, finally, two greyscale heroes of the Great War – one a British cavalry officer, with a touch of the Tom Hiddelstone about him, and the second – well, that dimple should give it all away. It’s a Scarab Miniature of Kirk Douglas storming (or trying to storm) "The Anthill". Maybe this time you'll make it, Kirk ... 

 
They say, a Lannister always pays his debts …. 

… and, finally, I can justly claim that a Roundwood does also! 

Ahh, this is fantastic work Sidney! The two WWI greyscale models (with their evocative flourishes of colour) will be honoured additions to my collection. In addition, I can see both the grizzled Mr. Oats and the ranting Rocket Trooper as future villains in our upcoming Pulp games. Absolutely brilliant.

It would be negligent of me not to give a just reward for such wonderful figures, especially as you did not benefit from them in the previous Challenges.  50 points for you Mr. Roundwood, paid in full and thank you very much!

Out of the Park!

Impressive. Most Impressive.

Well, I don't know about you but I thought this week went rather well. Bravo to Peter, Tamsin, Dave, Millsy and Greg for their excellent work as compliant minions er, sage adjudicators! Yes, tempered, just and sage Adjudicators. I think you've taken to this whole tyrant thing like fish to water. 

(Hmm, I must watch my back.)

Just as an administrative reminder, if you haven't done so already, please remember to visit the gallery on the Theme Page and vote for your favorite 'Nostalgia' submissions. This Sunday I will be announcing the poll results and awarding extra bonus points to the top three, along with a prize from one of our sponsors to the winner.

Now, back to boring old Curt for the rest of the weekend. 

Chin up! The floggings will begin at 4pm, right after cocktails... 

From DavidB - Catachan Green Everywhere! 28mm Catachans (160 points)

So, I finally have gotten some stuff done in my usual OCD/ ADD manner. Family, holidays and work to include military did give a few obstacles. The above slanted pic is from early December near Challenge start. It is shocking not for the lack of snow and cold, but because I was actually sent into the woods with a truck. They NEVER gave me a truck before! You would not believe how hard it was to stuff that truck in my ruck, I had to leave behind a few shirts just to get it to fit!

I totally miffed the Nostalgia Round and no doubt will totally miss a few more too! So I put a bit of nostalgia in the background. Above are my Elite Catachan Devils squad. As an elite hard bitten veteran unit, they are allowed up to three special weapon troops, as well as shotguns, auto guns, pistols, and close combat weapons instead of or in addition to their lasguns. A loaded for bear unit, they are also allowed a veteran Lt. Off to the right you will see Lt Maddog Millsy who has a power fist and plasma pistol, for reasons unknown he also carries a vortex grenade. ( okay, I got that really neat half sphere template, and it would be a shame not to use it!)

The Catachan Devils are joined by another elite taking the moniker Dead Men. They are an assault team equipped with shotguns, two demo packs, a plasma gun and heavy flamer. The veteran SGT has a power sword and bolt pistol.

Catachan deathworld vet armies have a weapon skill of 4 which means these fellows will have more fun in melee than your typical guard squad.

Death world Vets are allowed a squad of Ogryns as a troop choice, so I rummaged up 5 to serve them in that capacity.

The bonehead SGT is an old RT sculpt and has been dubbed " FrrrRRRRrrrpp" after the Ogryn fondness of gaseous bodily functions. I think it is this, their raucous laughter, and lack of hygiene which is why they cannot sneak, ambush, and infiltrate like the Catachans do.

Still, at 5 strong they will last a bit unless Lt Maddog Millsy gets a little too happy with that vortex grenade!

I also completed this four man recon team of Sequoia Indian scouts. They were assembled from Defiance Games marines and Wargames factory Woodland Indians. Apparently the 1st Nation plastics are now unavailable as Warlord bought them up and are retooling the whole line. But for $260 you can get 8 of em plus all sorts of British and Americans in Warlord Games latest big box set...my wife said "No" but used way more words. ;)

I assembled from the left: A point man, a marksman, a Sgt, and a scout. They are well equipped with cutlery and the scout also sports a warclub. I used my usual method of painting and highlighting all the flesh areas first -5 layers. The war paint was all inks and washes except for the white which was sparingly thinned. The inks and washes just seem more natural to me and give a bit of stained translucency to the warpaint.

I included this to show why the plastic Catachans are so hated on the left is a plastic trooper who's arms are just random slabs of bulges with no clear understanding of anatomy, The Ogryn clearly is a deformed Mutant, but he has solid musculature. The woodland Indian and the Necromunda ganger are really fine in muscle tone and believable. Lt Millsy is showing that the newer plastics of heavy weapon teams and command squads have finally restored anatomy back to the realm of reasonable.

The metal Catachan sculpts are still better though.

This lot is a gang painted in the 90's...lookit all the orange guns! They are the Orlock Sump Snakes and will eventually get repainted to join the Catachan Grass Snakes. I included them as the unpainted roster are filling up the squads of the deathworld veterans and the commander of the force is the former leader of the Sump Snakes. He has the big power fist and bolter and is standing front left.

I stopped painting them last century as I really hated the arms on the plastic troops, but the Perry sculpts are not getting cheaper and its a crying shame to leave them unused in a box. Millsy also gets kudos for inspiring me to get them out after all his great Catachan entries and work post challenge season.

Well David, I have to make a bit of a confession - I have always despised the Catachan figures, but here you have done a wonderful job painting them and giving them character - work the on the faces of the one vet squad in particular totally fits the part.  The old-school Rogue Trader-era Ogryns are marvellous, and the conversions with the woodland scouts are very, very well done.

$260 bucks for a few figures? That sounds like a bargain compared to Forge World...take it from a guy who does communications for a living - it's all about the context...

I usually find the Catachans to be tired and terrible, but you and Millsy make them fun and entertaining.  Shows what a cranky cynic like me knows - nothing! Great work!  I can imagine them stalking the enemies of the Imperium (or just some guys who tried to rip them off at cards) with blades and a handy vortex grenade, literally ready for anything...

Those Ogryns are big fellas, so we'll give a few extra points for those lads.  On the whole, 160 points - well done sir!!

From JamieM - 30k Salamanders (130 Points)

You may (or may not given the sheer amount of miniatures involved) recall that I started my 30k Salamanders legion army in last year's challenge. True to form I haven't managed to "complete" them in the intervening period (is "complete" ever a word we can use for an army once started?) but the incentive of the challenge has me working on them once again!

For your delectation, shown below is a melta gun unit.

These are from the excellent "Betrayal at Calth" boxed set recently released by GW and the armour is Mk4. The melta gun fires super heated..... errrrr.... "stuff" and is excellent at busting armour. The salamanders history is that they love heat and flames, so I just had to add a unit of these to the mix.

Next up are ten tactical marines, also in Mk4 armour. No sarge with a natty plume in this lot as they are intended to bulk up a squad of ten painted last year to turn them into a squad of twenty.

And an alternative view.

These plastics really are excellent and the range of weapon options in the box is superb.

Moving away from that boxed set, three contemptor class dreadnoughts, all in resin this time around.

I really like the Contemptor design (the name harks back to Rogue Trader days when it was the name of a load out for the first ever dreadnoughts) and the resin ones come in plenty of pieces so you can make them quite dynamic and different, as I have tried to do above.

Two are armed with multi meltas (bigger versions of the melta gun above) and the other has a converted "conversion beamer" a fearsome weapon that gets stronger the further away it is fired from. I also added parts from GW lizardmen kits to further tie the models into their background and differentiate them from other legion.

I mixed up the other arms, taking some from the plastic "ironclad" dreadnought that I had lying around. This is partly to look a little different and partly because sometimes I'm a cheapskate and I didn't want to buy all the spare arms from Forgeworld!

Glad to get these off my desk as I am finding I'm starting lots of things and struggling to put the finishing touches to any of them. This also gets me off the mark in the 30k challenge against GregB, but his excellent start means I'm still behind...

Wow Jamie - just wow! This submission is excellent, but I have to say the "holy sh*t factor" is off the charts on those dreadnoughts in particular! They look frigging awesome - especially the conversion beamer - and that is in the context of overall excellent work, weathering effects, the posing on those dreadnoughts, the extra conversion bits, and great green tint to all the models. It's great to see this project taking off once again in this year's Challenge.

I also assume the flame effects on the shoulder plates are painted free-hand? And the heat effects on the barrels of the melta weapons? If so, more impressive work!

The posing on the Contemptors is really well done. I struggle with those models - my Contemptors look like they are standing in line at the DMV - yours look like they are fired up to get some revenge for events on Istvaan V...

The "Betrayal at Calth" box set has indeed been a gold mine - I have quite a few new plastic fellows waiting in my "pending" pile. And no force is ever completed - that notion is, well, heresy!

As a certified 30k mega-dork(TM), I am totally impressed by this entry, and it's great to have you join in the 30k side duel. For the 15 foot-sloggers, three vehicles, and extra points for the great conversion, posing, modeling and hand-painted effects, you get 130 points - the 30k duel is well and truly joined!