Time is Running Out...

Just a short note to remind all those who are considering joining the Painting Challenge to contact me soon as there are only a few slots left.

Avoid disappointment - don't delay!

Curt

Paint Duels and Side Challenges!

Macabre yes, but perversely funny...

The the issuing of side challenges, paint duels and grudge matches extends back to the first Challenge and has become a tradition ever since. The duels help motivate participants in keeping their steam up and create a fun atmosphere of smack talk and brush baiting.

For those who are new to this silliness let us explain: the paint duels allow small groups of participants to test one another against a variety of criteria. Maybe it's to see who can paint the most vehicles over the entire Challenge, or to paint figures within a particular historical period/genre, 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.

Over the years the side duels have become more formalized, with many of these clashes of brush and paint become part of Challenge lore.

I've already noticed that a few participants have already started to issue duels, so I thought I'd dedicate an area of the blog to it so we keep track all in one spot. You can now find the link to the Duels page on the top navigation bar.

The indomitable Millsy will be in charge of keeping track of the paint duels this year. ALL updates on duels must be sent to him for tabulation and posting - This will be the official scorecard of the duels. No other flim flam spreadsheets, heretical documents or bogus scorecards will be recognized. So send him a note to get your duel registered and keep him appraised of any progress.

Millsy can be reached at:

challengesideduels@gmail.com 

Again, when you finish an entry that's eligible for scoring in a duel please send Millsy a quick note, giving the name of the duel and the points you wish to add. He in turn will update the sheet. Simple! 

Okay! Let's have some fun with this! I want to see gauntlets dropped and cards exchanged.

The Seventh Annual Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge

Poster by S. Cawthorne & C. Campbell

'The Seven Men from Gascony' by R.F. Delderfield describes the life and times of seven men and one very tough, intrepid woman, who were brought together during the Napoleonic Wars. The characters struggle through battles, imprisonment, starvation and peace. They fall away one by one until only a single member remains to recount their story.

The book is an example of its genre and time: undeniably masculine, perhaps a little wooden and oftentimes quite sentimental. Nonetheless, it has much to say about compassion, friendship and humanity.

 

In light of the Seven Men of Gascony (and the many other 'groups of seven', this year's Painting Challenge celebrates
Camaraderie and Teamwork. 

The 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 cleaned and primed prior to the start date, but you cannot start painting 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. (There will be pillorying for anyone who sullies the hallowed hobby of painting toy soldiers...) 

The figures can be in any scale and in any genre (pulp-adventure, science-fiction, fantasy, etc.).

In order to be scored, photos of all figures/units along with a short description 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 prior to the event to for further details.

Participants must have an entry submitted within the first month of the event (i.e. January 20th). Failure to do so will result in being dropped from the roster.

The Judge (me) will participate, but my score will not have any standing in the Challenge (I will continue my perennial struggle to stay in the midst of the pack).

I will be the master of ceremonies, but I've press-ganged a group of Minions to assist me in keeping this crazy circus on the rails - more on that later.

The Scoring

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

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

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

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

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

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


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. Many participants have found this a great incentive to help maintain their pace over the three months of the Challenge. I encourage Challengers to pick a target that is just beyond your comfort zone, but still achievable. As a rough benchmark, 400 points is considered a manageable amount for someone who is new the the event and/or has a busy work/life schedule. Also remember that a significant amount of points can also be secured by participating in the Bonus Rounds (more on this below).

Relating to the points targets, 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 we're happy to log the duels and keep track of their progress.

Point 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

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 themed vignettes and single figures.

Those Challengers who submit an entry for a 'Fortnight Theme Bonus Round' will receive an extra 50 points on top of the regular entry tally. 

Figures for the Theme Bonus Rounds should be 15mm or greater and can be of a historical or fictional subject.

The five Bonus Themes along with their submission deadlines are:

• January 8th - Armour

• January 22nd - East

• February 5th - Terrain: 'Home' 

• February 19th - West

• March 5th - Character(s) and/or Scene from a Movie, TV program, Book or piece of Music

The theme submissions are to be sent in by 12:01 am (CST) on the specified date (In other words, get it in by Saturday night!).

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

The Price of Entry

As in previous Challenges, I ask for a memento from the Challengers. In the past I've asked for a figure from every participant, but to keep things in theme, for this year the Challenge entrance 'fee' I ask participants to team up with another, or others, to create a submission. For example, two Challengers could work on one figure (one painting the horse while the other the rider), while another group of Challengers could create a vignette or a themed grouping of several figures (a famous trio or band). The point is I want participants to work within a team. The submission can be of any theme, genre, period, etc. Do what you like - have fun with it but it has to have a central theme tying it together. The submissions will be supplied and painted by the entrants. They can be submitted any time up until the end of the Challenge. Again, same as previous years, for each Challenger I will donate $5 to the Saskatchewan branch of the Regina Humane Society.

The Call

If you wish to participate please send me an email along with your desired point target (curtcampbell at mac dot com). I'll place notification in this space when all the participant slots for the Challenge have been filled.

See you in a month!

Is that a clock I hear ticking?

I think it might... 

The 6th Annual Analogue Hobbies Awards

Well, all the votes are in for 'Choice of the Challenge', Sarah has made her selection for 'Sarah’s Choice', I’ve done the same for the Judges selection and we’ve made the prize draws for the six points thresholds. Whew! As you will see below this was a very hectic week for us!

This year, for ease of administration, I've combined the previous Challenger's Choice and People's Choice awards into one called the 'Choice of the Challenge'. We had 25 nominations for this award with 72 people voting. I must say it was a real delight to populate the voting gallery with the images of the nominations as the collective whole provides an excellent retrospective of the three months of the Challenge. 

As the runners up and winners for the various categories are named I provide a sampling of their work. 

For those wishing to see the voting results they can be found here.

_____________________________________

Choice of the Challenge

Honourable Mentions go to MartinN (Nick) and Millsy for their excellent bodies of work.

 Nick's Late Romans Ballistae

 Nick's 'Shaeffer's Last Chancers'

 Millsy's 'The Luncheon'

Millsy's 'Motte & Bailey'

Third Place was tied between SidneyR and myself. Sidney will receive a 30 Euro gift certificate from Barrage Miniatures. Well done Mr. Roundwood!

Sidney's  The Artist Chance Card'

Sidney's 'The Flemish Cavalier'

Curt's 'Denizens of Edgar Rice Burrows' Barsoom'

Curt's 'Landsknecht Pike Block'

Second Place goes to MichaelA for his body of work. Michael will receive a subscription from 'Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy'. Congratulations Michael!

Michael's 'Clocktopus'

 Michael's 'The Great Escape'

First Place for 'Choice of the Challenge' goes to Anne and her excellent body of work. She will get a 20 GBP gift certificate from West Wind Productions. Wonderful job Anne and congratulations!

Anne's 'Clint' 

 Anne's 'Steampunk Annie'

Anne's 'Hasslefree Moderns'

Judge’s Choice

The Honourable Mentions go to MartinN's collective submissions, masterful work sir, and Anne’s collective work, especially impressive with her fabulous skin tones and colour blending. 

The Judge’s Choice goes to Michael’s for his 'The Great Escape' – Thank you Mr. Awdry for treating us to your fevered imagination, inspiring modeling and beautiful brushwork. Micheal will receive a painted figure of his choice from me.

Michael's 'The Great Escape' for the 'Nostalgia' Theme Round.

Sarah’s Choice 

With typical Canadian Prairie spring weather outside (yesterday brilliantly sunny and 21C, today dreary and overcast and 8C) I really have no excuses to not sit down with my iPad and scroll through all the terrific "Sarah's Choice" entrants.

Cup of coffee in hand, hounds by my feet and good tunes on the Hi Fi, and utilizing a highly scientific process I have determined the results.

3rd Runner Up
A tie between ClintB's 'Nurse Docherty' and Millsy's 'Margaret Graham'.
I attended a Girls School and Nurse Docherty has a strong resemblance to a certain headmistress ..... and maybe perhaps the infamous Mind Bleach has influenced my cognitive powers!

Clint's 'Nurse Docherty'

Margaret Graham appeals to me as I'm a manager of a busy retail store .... There are days when I do feel a wee bit cantankerous and Margaret Graham's method of stress relief, although extreme, definitely has its appeal:)

Millsy's 'Margaret Graham'

2nd Runner up
Anne's 1970's Female Action Hero
I've chosen this figure of Anne's due to the amazing yellow/gold of the lady's flared trousers and her skin tones. As has been said before, Anne's understanding of colour is amazing and this yellow is so rich and deep that there is a beautiful glowing tone. Just lovely!

 Anne's 1970's Female Action Hero

1st Runner Up
AlexS' 'Tamsin the Gladiator & Anne the Sorceress'
I love that Alex has painted his rendition of Tamsin's and Anne's personalities. Both these ladies have made such a strong contribution to AHPC and beyond. Alex's artistic impression of them is inspired and a wonderful honour of their contribution this hobby.

Alex's 'Tamsin & Anne'

And the winner of Sarah's Choice ....

KyleC Slanneshi Daemon Princess

I've spent the last hour scrolling thru all the Sarah's Choice entrants and this entry really resonated with me, because I love purple (and green; your Valhallian Commisars are quite splendid) and the figure itself has such a lovely sense of ethereal motion. Your choice of pale luminescent colour really highlights the idea of movement.

KyleC's Slanneshi Daemon Princess

Thank you to everyone who has painted female figures for this Challenge, it has been real pleasure to view them all once more. I look forward to what next Challenge will bring!

Sarah, aka Snowlady

Thank you m'dear and congratulations to Kyle on his Sarah's Choice! Kyle, you will receive a 30 Euro Gift Certificate from Barrage Miniatures.


Points Threshold Prizes

Next we have 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 / 500-749 points: ChristopherS

(Gift Certificate from BigRedBat Ventures)

Threshold II / 750-999 points: PeterD

(20 CDN Gift Certificate from Comic Readers)

Threshold III / 1000-1499 points: GregB

(30 CDN Gift Certificate from Dragon's Den)

Threshold IV / 1500-1999 points: DaveB

(3 x 3 Mat of Choice from Deep Cut Studios)

Threshold V / 2000-2499 points: AlexS

(30 GBP Gift Certificate from Orinoco Miniatures)

Threshold VI / 2500+ points: MartinC

(30 Euro Gift Certificate from Barrage Miniatures)

Also, I think it only proper to give some prizes to our Paint Monsters who dominated the points roster:

3^rd in the Points Standings: AlexS (Figure Voucher from Murawski Miniatures for a Baden battalion)

2^nd in the Points Standings: MartinC (75 GBP Gift Certificate from Westfalia Miniatures

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

Congratulations to all the prize winners and thank you for sharing your wonderful work with us. Please contact me to work out the details of your prizes.

______________________________________________

There you have it folks, another Painting Challenge, our sixth (!), now behind us.  I’d like to thank all our Challenge Sponsors for their generous support of the event. All of the sponsors are listed below and on the right sidebar, so if you have a free moment please visit their sites, see if something strikes your fancy and consider giving them some trade.  As I always say, the Challenge doesn’t need prizes for it to be a success, but it sure adds a nice bit of sparkle and glamour to the proceedings. Again, my great thanks to all our wonderful sponsors!

Finally, and I really can't say this enough, I want to humbly thank all our Challenge participants. This event would be nothing without you. It is your humour, your vigour and your good will that makes these three months such a joy. I doff my hat to you all.

I bid you all a fond farewell until the leaves fall next autumn.

Curt

______________________________________________ 

Barrage Miniatures

Barrage Miniatures specializes in very high quality, exquisitely detailed vehicles, buildings and warmats. I had the pleasure to visit Alf's workshop in Madrid last year and can attest to his near maniacal attention to detail and customer service. In addition to his generous prize offerings Alf is also giving a 10% discount to all Challengers who order from his store during the event (please contact me to get the discount code). Thank you very much Alf!


Comic Readers

Comic Readers is our local game store here in Regina. Dana and Chad are wonderful pair of guys who do a great job supporting the local gaming community.

Deep-Cut Studios

Deep-Cut Studio is an artisan studio specializing in manufacturing miniature and RPG games accessories. They mainly focus on miniature games mats for various wargames. Deep-Cut collaborates with companies looking to outsource their manufacturing and/or handling the distribution of their products. They provide a wide array of services: graphic design, drawings, manufacturing, packaging and shipping the goods to the customer's doorstep. I have several of their mats and can attest to their quality and excellent customer service.

Diplomatist Books

The stock at Edwin King's wonderful online bookshop Diplomatist Books is always worth a thoughtful perusal. You'll find titles on Military & Naval History, Archaeology, Early History and Exploration. Check out Edwin's Facebook page to keep up with his goings on.

Dragon's Den Games

Just 250km up the road from Regina is Saskatoon's Dragon's Den Games (it seems nuts but this is a relatively short distance in the Canadian prairies). Darren has been a long-time supporter of the Challenge and I'm delighted that he has once again offered to provide some lucky Challenger a gift certificate. Cheers Darren!

Fife & Drum / Minden Miniatures

Jim Purky's Fife & Drum Miniatures, whose wonderful 30mm figures focus on the American War of Independence, was awarded 'Best Historical Miniatures Range of 2011' by the Miniatures Page. Jim also has the excellent Minden Miniatures range, which focuses on the armies of the Seven Years War. Both ranges are sculpted by the very talented Richard Ansell.

Murawski Miniatures

Murawski Miniatures was created to fill a niche for Napoleonic figure collectors who wanted a comprehensive range that depicted troops from the Grand Duchy of Warsaw as they were dressed and equipped in the 1812-1814 period. The “look” of the figures is very much that of “in the field” rather than parade ground (ideal for the Peninsular, 1813 campaigns etc) . Their figures have been designed with Czapska chords, plumes etc.

Orinoco Miniatures

A labour of love from fellow Challenger Mark Griffin, Orinoco Miniatures features a wonderful range of 28mm castings depicting the South American Wars of Independence (1810-1830) and the Chaco War between Bolivia and Paraguay (1932-1935).

 

SG2 Creations

Byron's SG2 Creations is a Canadian-based studio specializing in MDF terrain, figure storage and acrylic game markers. He continues to develop ranges of buildings for 28mm Sci-Fi, 15mm Stalingrad  and another in 20mm for the WWII campaigns in Italy.


Warbases 

Martin and Diane Murray of 'Warbases' return this year to provide a gift certificate to some lucky individual from their excellent shop. 


Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy

Fellow Challenger Guy Bowers, editor of 'Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy', has kindly offered a 1 year subscription as a prize to some lucky winner. Thanks very much Guy, much appreciated!

Westfalia Miniatures

Kawe's Westfalia Miniatures combines the talents of Niels Rullkoetter, Paul Hicks, Ebob, Frank Germershaus and Bill Thornhill to build 28mm miniatures and 1/56 equipment that they always wanted for their own collections. Their research comes from Michael Bartling and many others.


Westwind Productions

The good folks over at Westwind Productions contacted me about being a prize sponsor after our own Challenger JonathanO gave us a shout-out. Thanks very much to both Westwind and Jonathan!