2016-17 Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge thoughts...

Despite Curt not formally announcing anything as yet there's a definite buzz starting to build across the gaming blogosphere as the 2016-17 instalment of the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge draws closer.

I'm going to participate once again in what will be my fifth consecutive effort. This evening I've been faffing about NOT doing any prep and instead having a bit of fun looking at past efforts. In order to keep Miles happy I've conducted a little statistical analysis of the previous four years...

Lies, damned lies and statistics...

Each year I've tried to challenge myself in a different way, shifting my focus from one area to another. Last year I really hammered the bonus rounds, racking up a total of 906 points from those along the way and gaining a podium finish in every single round. This year I'm going to cherry pick just 2-3 bonus rounds I think and try and find some other area to dive into. Not sure what that will be at this point though.

So tomorrow I'll start prepping in anger and at the same time try to clear a few half finished projects lurking about as well. I find it a good incentive to be able to start with a clean workbench so I need to get my finger out to make sure that's the case before kick-off.

Cheers,
Millsy

Paint Table Saturday

It's been a while since I've done one of these but that's largely due to the fact I seem to have a lot of stuff only just started on a Saturday afternoon and consequently not much for show and tell.

Today, however, I finished a unit of 18thC hussars for my imaginations project. Evan and I have a game coming up next weekend and these chaps will be making their debut in the service of Herzog Mikhail Johann von Hollerenschaut IV of Saxe-Coburn und Buchholz.

And so ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the just finished and yet to be based CR Nr. V, von Leightfynggar's Hussars!

These are Front Rank miniatures from their 18thC Austrian line. Lovely miniatures but for some reason they gave me the very devil of a time to paint. Not sure why but they are done now so no matter. I have another unit to do which will be predominantly blue but given how frustrating these were I suspect they will be a while making their way onto the workbench.

With the hussars out of the way I've started work on an artillery regiment, AR Nr. 1, von Fuse-leighter's Battery, once again Front Rank Austrians. They will have scarlet facings and despite the fact the gun carriages look black they are in fact base coated in a dark green.

In other game related news I managed to at last pick up a unit of Warhammer Fantasy Grave Guards for my Army of the Lichemaster project.

I've been after these for a solid 2+ years but until now have not managed to find a complete unit at a decent price. I'm more than a little chuffed to finally get my mits on these.

I've also managed to pick up the last two Alan Perry sculpted chaos hounds (undead and scorpion tail) from this set:

These will soon join their friends who I painted earlier this year in the painting challenge...

Picking up a couple of hounds seems somehow poetic as we lost our last four legged canine friend yesterday. Hardy, our beautiful lab/kelpie cross, has been with us for something like 14 years but hasn't been himself for a few months now since his little life partner Minnie passed on. It seems losing his constant companion exacerbated his ageing and various ailments. In the end we decided we had to do the right thing for him and let him go no matter what we wanted.

Both of them were rescues (like all our pets) and it's a little easier knowing they had a wonderful life full of love and companionship instead of the alternative. We think Hardy had been mistreated before he came to us but he soon shook that off and the real Hardy came out, full of energy, quick as lightning and as gentle as you could wish for. Here's Hardy and Minnie together in much happier times...

Who, me? No, I'm fine here thanks. You can go outside and I'll just stay here...

Stackable dogs, the ultimate in space saving inventions!

And finally, here's how he looked the day we brought him home. Completely irresistible I think you'll agree...

See you later mate and thanks for the memories :-)

Cheers,
Millsy