From BrendonW - Stab, Loose, Stab, Stab (48 points)

This weeks submission is 5 x 28mm foot and 2 x 28mm Mounted and all plastic.

The inspiration for the two Arab Ninjas or Hassassins came from an historically based Novel and also 'counts as' Hero for Kings of War. When I proxy my Arabs as Elves they get access to a 'Hero' named the 'Master Hunter'. Comes with a bow most suitable for sneaking around and being a sniper perhaps. Two below have bodies from FireForge while one is entirely Gripping Beast except for an extra dagger from Conquest Games. Mr Swordy McSwordface is modelling another hand painted shield and I am happy to have him completed as he fills the last slot in a unit tray. 

The last of the double ups for my Perry Miniatures. A heavily armoured pikeman and a horn blower. That's it for the heroic defenders of Black Beer and Bacon this season. I may have only one infantry body left in my stash but I will keep that just in case I get some crazy idea to make something of it. 

A real mix of kits on these two. A head from the Knights, parts from the Light Horse and so on. 

Two Normans with similar painted horses from Conquest Games to reinforce my Norman collection. Two plucky heroes to lead the charge or take the glory after the charge. The shields are hand painted.

Here is the Regiment of Arab infantry with the final hole filled with this posts Arab and previously painted Arabs with some from this Challenge and others from previous times.

cheers from Brendon
I won't be posting anything next week as I am away for a few days.
______________________________________________

Tidy bit of work on these figs, Brendon - the last Saracen looks great when put into the line with his compatriots, a terrific mass effect there with the added bonus of some splendid textiles and shields.

And it's always a good day when there's Beer and Bacon! Although I would DEFINITELY ask the ninja types to take a drug test before sending them on any crucial missions...

45 points for the figures, plus another 3 for the spiffy freehand shields!

Ev

From BrendonW - 1 x Weekly dose of painted minis (127 points)

This week I have completed 9 x warriors on horses, 7 x soldiers on feet (2 freehand shields as well). All plastic and all 28mm.

First the friends of violence meet-up group image.

Conquest Games mix and match Dark Age die hards.

FireForge Mounted Mongols.

Gripping Beast Arabs.

The warrior on foot has actually been sawn in half but fortunately the magician found him an armoured top half from the Heavy Cavalry set. Phew!

Next Perry Miniatures Wars of the Roses defenders of Beer and Bacon.

The Foot pike figure has been converted to get that pike on that angle. The plastic set has them all marching with pikes upright. The Skewbald was completed last week with the previously shown ones but he didn't have a rider ready. Actually a big jump for joy moment as these two are my last Light horsemen from 2 boxes. Wahoo! 24 Light Horse completed! Hitting goals like this is one of the great results of this motivational challenge not to mention having a red hot go at horse variations. Cheers Millsy and Cheers Curt!

Ahhh... Another lovely mixed bunch from Mr Skewbald himself!  Once again you've delivered a very tasty mix of periods and theatres Brendon and the result is wonderful. One of the real challenges of The Challenge from my perspective is maintaining output without the quality dropping off. You've done that in spades and if anything the quality has continued to improve! 

Well done once again, another richly deserved 127 points for your tally including a couple of extra for the lovely hand painted shields. Just 345 more points and you'll pass your initial target. Nice work! Cheers, Millsy.

BrendonW Mounted Kinghts and Mongols (120 Points)

On your horses, get set, GO! 

3 x Perry Plastic Knights and 9 x Fire Forge Plastic Mongols. What a crazy ride the Painting Challenge has been. Lots and lots of fun. This may be my last post but you just never know if something can get completed in the last few hours.

Thank you all participants, visitors and especially Curt. I have tried to comment on as many posts as I can but some I missed but I may go back and post something. Project Mongol will continue after the challenge on my Blog as will a few more additions to the 'Red & Black'.  Cheers all from BrendonW (The Kiwi).


From Curt:

Whoa, that is some lovely cavalry Brendon - well done! It's all so good but I especially like the black and red stripped lances on the WotR knights. 

Brendon, it's been a real pleasure to have you with us again this year. I really appreciate the support you've given to both me and all the Challengers. I monitor all the comments that roll into the blog and I know you're one of the most dedicated commentators of the event - again, thanks so much for that.

I look forward to seeing the forces of the 'Red and the Black' develop over on your own blog. Until next time.

From BrendonW - Mongols & Red & Black Wars of the Roses (80 Points)

Hello. This week I present 16 x 28mm plastics with 9 being FireForge Steppe Warriors and 7 Perry War of the Roses. The Black and the Red.... 5 archers, 1 Handgonne and 1 Pike. More recruits for the defenders of Beer and Bacon.

I am in the midst of reading a Mongol historical Novel series by Conn Iggulden and it provides great background for painting Mongols. While primarily a Pony mounted army on occasion they certainly did fight on foot. Not an entire army of course but parts of it.  Incredibly adaptive tactics could result in Mongols crossing terrain too rough for mounts and appearing behind an army that thought its back was protected by that terrain.

Through the books I am getting an idea of how the Mongol war aspect evolved over time. Starting with Mongol vs Mongol tribal war or raids against tribes that border Mongolia like the Tar Tars. Later Heavy armoured horse and lance influenced by the Chin (much like a European knight), siege technology such as catapults through to artillery. The array of opponents they fought as well provides the wargamer with a massive amount of Historical scenarios.

Terrain as well is hugely varied so basing is also something you can get creative with. When burning Kiev and Moscow The Golden Horde had a preference for going to war in the winter. Frozen rivers became roads for the highly organised Mongol Tumans.

Very enjoyable set of miniatures to paint.


From Curt:

Ah, it's great to see more additions to House Beer & Bacon, but I must say these Mongol fellows are top notch as well. I really like how dynamic the poses are, especially with the splayed open hands loosing the arrow and the position of their heads/necks. Very cool.

From BrendonW - More Red & Black Wars of the Roses (65 Points)

This submission is 13 plastic Perry miniatures for my expanding collection.

Bill armed figure arms from foot knight set. Weapon head swop out.

I got to admit that I had to slow down after the 'Hot' entry. Probably needed to just do some different things from this. Watch a few movies etc. It's easy as well to hit a wall filled with indecision when you assemble these figures after you have completed a few. Avoiding clones and keeping it mixed up required having a good glance at the completed ones. 

I broke with the majority of previous figures and swapped the colours (red/black or black/red) as well to try and avoid clones. Even though I found something for the Comedy round I just couldn't get it done in time. Instead I cracked on with this project that still has more to add. Army's are never complete perhaps.

I realised that the Crossbow dude is without the pavise that all of his associates have. Will have to amend that perhaps. More to do in the factory so perhaps an army photo after that.

From Curt:

I think more than a few of us are feeling the 'burn' now. It comes with every Challenge: the 'End-in-Sight Paint Exhaustion.'  The upside is that there's been some glorious work done over this season, with your's definitely amongst it. 

Again, another wonderful addition to this project Brendon AND this entry sees you break past your 1K point target. Well done! 

 I'm quite keen to see a 'force-to-date' shot of this project when you get a chance. Perhaps right near the end of the Challenge?