Monday 18 November 2013

I'm in the Painting Challenge

Well that's it, I've done it now! After several years of dithering I have finally taken the plunge and signed up for the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge. Like most wargamers I suffer from incurable Shineybloodyitus and I have my own personal lead Mountain hidden in a cupboard under the stairs like a guilty secret. The Lead Mountain isn't as huge as it used to be because I have had several 'purges' over the years where I have either sold or given away excess models rather than see them neglected, but there is still a sizable collection remaining. 

I have set myself a very modest target of 250 points (minuscule compared to the gargantuan 4500pts that James is aiming for!) which I hope to achieve by painting some wildly different models across several different scales. My 'to-do list' may change as the Challenge progresses but for now here is how I see myself achieving my target.  

6mm Projects
The bulk of my painting for the Challenge will be a continuation of my 6mm North Africa Project. I already had a vague idea that I would like to build and paint up another Italian Company to go with the Compagnia Carri (Tank) Company I already have. I don't have any clear plans yet, and a lot depends on the availability of figures and vehicles in 6mm, but I think that a target of about 100points is achievable. 

I recently also bought some vehicles to bolster my British forces but in the end I decided I didn't need them for my up-coming game and so these haven't been painted yet. If I can get them done they will add another 10 points to my tally. I also have several of the 6mm Resin buildings by Levin Miniatures that need to be completed. There isn't an official score for painting buildings but I'm hoping I may garner a few points for any I complete. 

[Challenge scoring regime - 6mm foot figure = 0.5 point / 6mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 1 pts / 6mm vehicle = 2 points]

15mm Projects
Just before I started my 6mm North Africa project I bought a box of British Cromwell Tanks and although they may never reach the games table I would really like to get these painted. These should make a comfortable 30 points. I also have a couple of multi-part Tiger Tanks that are begging to be completed for a further 10 points. 

[Challenge scoring regime - 15mm foot figure = 2 pts / 15mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 4 pts / 15mm vehicle = 6 pts]

28mm Projects
When I was at Blog-Con last week I was so inspired by the Blazing Dice game that I immediately picked up a couple of blister packs of Wild West gunmen. I also bought a couple of 2000AD character figures (Dredd of course and Rouge Trooper) just to paint for fun. So assuming these all get painted I should get about 60 points for these.  I also have quite a few special models (things like old Salute giveaway figures) that could be painted if I make a proper effort. 

[Challenge scoring regime - 28mm foot figure = 5 pts / 28mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 10 pts / 28mm vehicle = 15 pts]


Rather worryingly all this only adds up to about 230 points and that seems like a massive challenge to a slow painter like me. But I guess its not called a 'Challenge' for nothing and the whole reason I have signed up this year is to push myself. So I guess all that is left for me to do now is to start prepping some figures, hit the Internet and place some orders for figures and scale the north face of my lead mountain in search of some models to inspire my paint brush. 

18 comments:

  1. Welcome to the fray!
    I'm a first time ditherer too, so you wont be alone :-)

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    1. A couple of my mates in The Rejects are regular entrants and the last couple of years I have watched the challenge half kicking myself for not taking part. But I am a notoriously slow painter and tend to work in fits-and-starts. I'm hoping the Challenge will keep me focused.

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  2. welcome to fun! This time will be my third in the challenge and I do find it to be a good motivator and I try to use the event to make a good sized dent in the old lead mountain.

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  3. Good Luck, Lee! I will be watching from the sidelines. I do have a mountain of neglect, but kids and work hour changes may make it more than a challenge this year. Perhaps next year I'll attempt entry. I will proceed to continue my own projects without the stress of the challenge on my blog so I can gauge a goal for next years challenge.

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  4. Nice one Lee, its a lot of fun and very surprising at how motivational it is.

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    1. Its definately about setting myself a goal to aim for. There's little point in 'competing' against the other entrants, especially with sandbaggers such as yourself in the line-up (lol...couldn't resist).

      No idea how James could get 4500 points done...thats a huge target.

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    2. I use the force my young padawan, the force is strong in this one :)

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  5. I'm with you Lee. I've been watching enviously and wishing I'd gotten involved. I'm also not very fast, but as Loki said, it's about setting a goal and working towards that. We'll be more than happy to keep you on track, through a little gentle mockery if necessary.

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    1. Gentle Mockery is part of the entry fee ;-)

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  6. Welcome Lee - looking forward to seeing your output

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  7. Welcome to the madness Lee. I'm sure you'll surprise yourself by how much you can get done.

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  8. Fabulous news Lee and the best of luck Sir.

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  9. Good to see you join the club, it's all about having fun and pushing yourself to do that bit more.

    The encouragement you receive from the other Challengers really is the highlight for me, I know more people see my work and it's a nice feeling when they like it

    Ian

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  10. Best of luck on your own challenge. I am tend to go slow at times as well.
    I missed out on getting in this challenge but might do it outside of it anyway.
    It will be interesting to see just how much can get done with it.
    cheers

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  11. It's great to have you along for the madness Lee! Personally, I think you'll blow past your points target - we'll all be watching to see how you get on. No pressure....

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    1. I hope so. By my own admission I am not only a slow painter but a lazy one as well. Projects take so long because I prevaricate, constantly putting off working or getting sidetracked. Hopefully the Challenge will encourage me to 'keep at it'.

      Over the comming weekend I'm going to dig out some of the figures I want to paint so I can start cleaning them up and prepping them. I also I need to finish off a couple of projects I'm already working on before the Challenge starts. Ideally I want a clear workbench and a load of models primed and ready in the wings for when this thing kicks off on the 15th December.

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  12. Good luck and have fun with the challenge !

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  13. Best of luck on the challenge! Looking forward to seeing some army pics of your 6mm stuff!

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