From TomG - 300 Shades of Grey - 15mm Warlord Games ACW (600pts)

Grey, grey and more grey, that has been the order of the week, and although I've struggled to get more painting done, I knew that if I just kept plugging on I would get there in the end. Well 300 more tiny men later, and I'm now a third of the way through the Confederate contingent of a game I would love to run one day. 

Each regiment this time also had banners attached, and I picked the Texan banners purely on the basis that I had three regiments and there were three flags on the sheet of banners. However the keen eyed amongst you will notice I made a small mistake on the final banner, and I humbly beg your forgiveness. 

Each regiment, like the last update, have been painted using Games Workshop Contrast paints with the only exception being the bedrolls. I've used these to nominally denote different groups for when I do get to play with them, but it is just as much to break up the sea of muted tones.

The hardest part of painting all of these, was basing them, simply because the gap between each strip of men was so narrow it was difficult to get glue and flock to settle. However, with some addition of a long thin brush and a relaxed mentality of covering up shoes, I was pleased to see the bases come together. 

So now we come to the end of all things, and with only a week and a bit left until the end of the challenge I doubt any more of these little chaps will make it out in time, but I can't thank you all enough for the support and care you've shown me. I feel empowered to finish this project, hopefully before the next challenge comes around! 

This year has started badly for me, with great suffering and family strife, but the challenge has given me something to hold on to, and to focus on; and for that I will be eternally grateful. 

But here I end this post with a lovely great big chunk points:

300 x 15mm @ 2pts each = 600pts

Stay safe, be well and hold those you love close. 

Tom. 

From DaveD

Oh my thats a big Friday points KABOOM. I do actually really like the close order jam packed ranks of these - you've done a fine job bringing them to life . Good to hear the challenge has helped you through things too .

From TomG - On The March To Salem via Arda - 640pts and lots of ACW (Arda) (Sarah's Yacht)

Hey all, I have returned with many figures to share with you all. I have however decided to go no further on the planet rings until my American Civil War project is finished, and yet I wanted to get the outer ring completed. 

So here we are, first port of call is a trip on Sarah's Yacht with this female mouse figure out of the board game "Mice & Mystics", measuring in at the 28mm mark. 

Although not my favourite model I have ever painted, it went quickly and, I feel, turned out quite nicely. Sadly it wasn't until too late that I noticed the photos are slightly out of focus... whoops. 

But with this ticket bought (properly this time) I shall sail all the way to Arda, and bring out this fantastic Highlander Cow, which admittedly is my wife's, but I was given permission to paint it for her. 

He was a delight to paint, and a fun challenge to get the hair as ginger as possible. This was also my first time painting tartan, and it was both terrifying and fun, all at the same time. 

Now on to the project at hand! To join in with the two stands of Union troops from last week, I bring you the final 60 Yankees. Again all of this project will be painted with GW Contrast Paints, in an experiment to see just how quickly I can get them done. 

Now to this week's main focus; 2 sprues of Confederates, each sprue containing 100 infantry, 1 mounted officer, 1 cannon and 4 crew. Although rough and ready, the speed in which an all grey force comes together is very motivating for me. 

All told each sprue takes about 3 hours, with breaks, which allows for one an evening if I knuckle down, and the kids go to bed on time! 

So there we go, a grand total of 277 figures in one week, which is definitely a personal best for me, and one I will try to beat for next Friday!

Points Breakdown - 

15mm Infantry x 272 @ 2pts = 544pts

15mm Mounted x 3 @ 4pts = 12pts

15mm Artillery Piece x 3 @ 4pts = 12pts

28mm Mouse @ 5pts + Star Yacht @ 20pts = 25pts

28mm Mounted (monster) @ 10 pts + Challenge 20pts = 30pts

See you all next week. 

Tom. 

From DaveD

Did you hear that one coming people! Its a whole lotta KABOOM from Tom. That's a fine Highland cow - I am sure James from the chat will be impressed! Its been great to have you around on the evening chats this week and watch you work through the sprues while chatting the tedium away - the way you have chosen to do them is certainly working. I have topped you up with extra points for being a tartan virgin for a grand total of 640!

From TomG - A Little Bit of This & A Little Bit of That (Babylon 5) (Istvaan V) - 143pts

What better way to start the new year than with my favourite war, battle, King and model company?! Welcome 2022 and all of you lovely people to my rendition of King Henry V from Perry Miniatures, a suitably regal header to this article. 

I've studied the Hundred Years War since I started university, and it never ceases to inspire and entertain me, be it the bloody battles, or the political swaying that took part on all sides. Gruesome murders, plots, plagues, music, joy, you name it, it happened! 

Below we see Henry V in situ with a group of Knights that were painted 3 years ago, ready to take on the deceitful and ignorant French forces of DaveS, my local and loyal hobby buddy! 

I know that historically Henry was said to have been on foot, but for easy recognition on the gaming table, you can't say no to a bit of fun anachronism. 

Next up is my first entry to the ACW Duel, with two stands of Epic ACW Union by Warlord Games, entirely painted with GW Contrast Paints. A fun and fast experiment which is working out as well as is to be expected! 

Although I could have put in a fair amount more variety, knowing I have thousands of them to paint, meant I needed to hasten my efforts, so variety was the spice I had to remove. But I think you'll agree they still look fine for a game. 

Now to my space fairing holiday on "Curt's Constellation Cruises" and a great evenings watching of some low budget horror movies as we orbit Babylon 5, with obligatory groaning from both the mummy... and the crowd. 

This wonderful chap is from Crooked Dice and their pulp range of minis, specifically from a villains set they ran as a kickstarter a few years ago. Although 28mm he stands much taller than your average figure, so he really suits the role of baddie. 

And as we leave Babylon 5, we arrive at the desolate wasteland of Istvaan V, and my offering of an Imperial, "loyalist" Sister of Battle, as well as being a sacrifice for a ticket on Sarah's Star Yacht, hopefully taking me over to Arda, pretty please. 

I took colour inspiration from my favoured NFL team, the Minnesota Vikings, sporting their iconic purple, white and yellow. Conveniently they also work together for a groovy scifi feel, on one mean Sister... of Battle.

So there you go, one King, 40 Union infantry, a mummy and a Sister of Battle, all bringing me a tidy packet of points:

1x Mounted 28mm = 10pts

40x 15mm Infantry = 80pts

1x 28mm Infantry + Challenge Bonus = 25pts

1x 28mm Infantry + Challenge Bonus = 25pts

Total = 140pts

Finally, my current journey on Curt's Constellation Cruises, with projected final leg on the Outer Ring. After that, it's time to adventure onwards and inwards! 

Take care and farewell! 

Tom. 

From DaveD

Tom now that is an eye candy treat for Friday morning. I love King Henry - though pretty sure i can just hear Dear Sir Larry! The epic ACW are indeed looking epic , well done. With a little minion bonus for the King and big mummy I  make this 143!