From AndyM: 28mm SYW Imagi-Nation Regiment der Altefritzenburg (130 points)

From Andy:

Part of the reason for entering the Challenge this year was as a driver for a big 28mm ImagiNation game I'll be playing in May for which I've committed (more likely over-committed!) to paint a lot of 28mm SYW types to expand my existing ImagiNation Army of Altefritzenburg. My battalions are organized in companies of twelve with three musketeer and one grenadier company to a unit, officers out front and a stand with ensigns, drummer and NCO. So here are the first two musketeer companies of the Erste Regiment der Altefritzenburg.

The figures are RSM Austrian musketeers. These are the preferred choice for the bulk of my units. However, I'll be using Minden for command figures so the two officers out front are Minden Austrians. 

Beautiful work Andy! I love these figures with their green goats and red turnbacks and cuffs - wonderful. I have a bunch of Minden castings waiting in the wings and seeing yours makes me chomp at the bit to get stuck into them. I'll also have to check out these RSM models as they look quite fine as well. Thanks for showing these to us.

The Erste Regiment der Altefritzenburg will give Andy 130 points.

From SeanS: 20mm Hundred Years War Archers (80 points)

From Sean:

These 20 1/72 scale plastic figures are meant to represent a portion of the army of Treyine in the Talomir Tales campaign. Treyine is supposedly 100 years war England in flavor. This bunch comes from Zvezda English Infantry of the 100 Years War, Zvezda Medieval Peasant Army, Airfix Robin Hood and Strelets Military Order Warriors for the two footmen.

I have been futzing around with these figures for what seems like months. I have to say that painting the 28mm figures feels like a breeze compared to these. I cut out the final dry brush over the ink wash as I didn't feel it was going to add anything. I also experimented with both Burnt Umber and Sepia washes and I like the variety. The varnish step was a little more problematic and a couple of the figures came out ultra shiney. I was able to knock that down with some Vallejo Matte Varnish, excellent stuff. I will do a post on my blog with comparison shots when the figures are released to be put up there.

I hope you all enjoy my very first non themed entry. I'm hoping it will not be my last.

Lovely work Sean. I really like the varied poses of these figures, especially the fellows who are in the midst of nocking and drawing their longbows. I also like the muted effect you achieved with the two washes, it really reinforces the grubby nature of the period. 

This gaggle of archers will give Sean 80 points. Great job!

From AndyM: 25mm Imagi-Nation Grenadier Company Officer of the Savage Swans (5 points)

Andy marches onto the Challenge points roster with this great Grenadier Officer.

From Andy:

Well, I say entry. It's only one figure! I've been meaning to rebase (and paint the extra figures needed) for my Savage Swans from my Altefritzenburg ImagiNation for quite a while and finally got round to it. I'd hoped to get them done before the Challenge started. And I did. Except when I started basing them I realised I was a figure short!!! 

So here he is. Officer for the grenadier company. Figure is 25mm RSM SYW Austrian (as are the whole unit). I've included a picture of him in his place in the line.

It's a start! :)

Well Andy, every journey begins with a single step and now you're officially on the path to your 1K target. This very fine officer of the Savage Swans (I really like his green cuffs and turnbacks) will give Andy 5 points for his entry onto the roster. Well done Andy!