From AndrewG: Saracen Cavalry and Infantry - Some test paints (25 points)

I’ve been interested in the early Crusades period for a long time, but never previously thought of pursuing it as a wargaming project. However, with the recent figure releases from Footsore, Wargames Atlantic, and Victrix covering this era I thought I’d give it another look. I’m glad I did.

Last fall I bought a bag each of the Victrix plastic Islamic cavalry and infantry. Overall, I found the sculpts were fantastic – the infantry went together with almost no effort, and while the cavalry can be a bit more finicky, they looked pretty amazing once assembled. I then left them aside for the time being – likely because some other shiny hobby thing arrived to take my attention away. You know how it goes.

Then a friend told me the week before last that he’s started working on his own Crusader and Saracen forces, so I pulled out a couple of the Victrix figures for a test paint with a view to likewise eventually building the same.

My concept for the Saracens is to paint the rank and file in simpler colours so that the leaders can easily stand out. These figures painted up pretty quickly and a bit of variety will go a long way to making a distinct looking formation. For the shields I opted to use Little Big Men Studios transfers because I like them, but one certainly can go the simpler route of just painting their own designs if preferred.

The cavalryman took me a while longer to complete. I wanted a colourful character, but I didn’t want him looking like a circus rider. So, I did a bit of historical research and settled on a palette that gave me variety but not chaos. As I was making him a bannerman for some future cavalry group, I found it easier to paint the horse and rider separately before assembly. Similarly, I painted his shield, sword, and sword harness separately then glued it on after I had secured the rider to the horse. Again, the shield design and the banner are both LBM Studio transfers. 

Overall, a bit of effort but I think the end result was worth it. Looking forward to making more!

In this small batch:

3x 28mm figures = 15 points 

1x 28 mounted figure = 10 points

Nice work on those Saracens Andrew.  I really like the Dark Age Victoria kits but might have to get some of their Arabs now.  I think we can say that you and your painting aced this test.

From Martijn: Final Saga Saracens and Blackbeard (Greed)(105 points)

This week, I have painted up the final unit of mounted Saracen warriors from the Gripping Beast Starter. I know that there are many out there who can paint the complete starter set in a day or less. and far better too, but I am very happy to have actually completed this small project!

Once again, they are really nice figures and enjoyed painting them. Even though they are cavalry ;-).

I mainly used contrast paints again, and Geek Gamers' base ready for the basing.

So here is the complete warband:

For this week's theme, I had to find something suitable for Greed. Looking through my backlog I found this Lovecraft pirate figure. I painted him up as Blackbeard, the famous pirate captain. I gave him a uniform coat he pinched off some unfortunate victim. I think he is very fitting for the Greed theme.

So, that leaves us with:

8 x 28mm mounted @10 = 80

1x 28mm foot @5= 5

Greed location bonus = 20

Grand total 105

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Hello Martijn

Lovely post!

I particularly like your greedy pirate … Blackbeard looks very charismatic, deadly and proud of his captured spoils 

The Saracen’s are also well done, I really enjoy their colourful robes and the dynamic poses of the figures and the entire war band  looks deadly.

- Sarah

From MartijnN: More Saracens, entering Hell, and some pointless buildings (Limbo, Gluttony, Lust)(159 points)

I have worked some more on my Saracen starter for Saga. Gripping Beast metals again. First up is the warlord, a really nice figure:

Being utterly unimaginative, I painted him up per the box art. Next, I painted a small unit of four bowmen hearthguard:

That leaves me with just one unit of mounted bowmen warriors to paint. Should be possible ;-)

Then, it seems time to finally enter the Circles of Hell. Or else I might never reach my target!

First, Limbo. These 6mm French Napoleonic figures from Baccus have sat on my painting desk for ages. They are not difficult to paint, but that's maybe why I keep putting it off. Anyway, they are my perfect entry into Limbo:

They are based for Blücher, the Sam Mustafa ruleset for big battle Napoleonics.

Next circle is Gluttony. I painted this serving girl carrying a large tray laden with food and drink. A great meal for a glutton!

She is a 3D printed figure designed by Iain Lovecraft.

Cher was famously "born in the wagon of a travelling show, my mother would dance for the money they throw". Next up are two gipsy dancers, again 3D printed figures by Iain Lovecraft. I think these seductive ladies are a good entry for Lust.

Finally, another figure that languished on my painting desk for a long time. Alas, it is not very fitting for the next Circle, but I decided to paint him up anyway. Once again a 3D printed Iain Lovecraft figure.

He does hide a nasty surprise behind his back. Perhaps he is a Witcher?

Finally, not for points, some 15mm ACW buildings. I have had these for at least 25 years, so it was about time to paint them. Yes, I know, it is a perfect waste of valuable Challenge painting time, but I wanted to try out a recipe for painting wood by Stuart from the Miniature Realms YouTube Channel.

I need to keep working on this technique, which wet blends grey, green and brown speedpaints, for I would like a more greyish look. Still, I think they look okay.

Anyway, that's it for this week. Scores:

5 28mm mounted @10 = 50

4 28mm foot @5 = 20

58 6mm @0.5 = 29

Limbo, Gluttony, Lust = 60

For a total of 159 points. And a 6mm squirrel.

All of which should enable me to still reach my target by the end of the Challenge...

It you stayed with me to this point, thanks for looking and keep up the good work!

Martijn

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Hello!

Great paint job on the Iain Lovecraft figures! And well done on passing through Limbo, Glutoony and Lust/

I'm very much looking forward to seeing you catch and beat your Challenge target  :)

- Sarah

From RossM - 15mm, 20mm and 28mm figures - (96 points)

A mixed bag here showing the varied projects that are nearly always on the painting table in some way or another.

First up are 5 Arab swordsmen in 15mm, the manufacturer is unknown although recon it to be Minifigs. One of these was painted prior to the start of the Challenge no idea which one it is now

Next up are support elements in 20mm for the D.A.K that where started at the beginning of the challenge. With no real crewed weapons here these count as infantry figures only.

Now there are a few different 28mm figures. Greek skirmishers from Wargames Foundry for Mortal Gods and a piece of scatter terrain from Grand Manner for the same.

A Moor command stand for ADLG in 28mm. The standard bearer and command figure have been painted to join the religious type on this stand. The figures are from Gripping Beast and there will be more from this range on my blog later this year. The flag originally had a green trim and green triangles on the inner panels however, as red and green should never be seen this was over painted in a muted red to fit better with the colours on the figures.

Some armies are just never finished and the Late Romans would be that one for me. These figures from Gripping Beast have been gathering dust since being prepped for last year's Challenge and never made the painting line. Well that has now been rectified and all that is needed now is a game for them to be used in.

The scores so far

5 x 15mm infantry - 10 points
6 x 20mm infantry - 24 points
11 x 28mm infantry - 55 points
1 scenery piece (1.5" radius and 1.5" tall - 10.6 cubic inch or 5% of the 6" cube) - 4 points

The running total

440 points - 88% of the Challenge total

This is beautiful and eclectic submission. Loving the basing and the pile of pots is worth more than 4

From AlexS: A Varied Set Of Different Miniatures (115 Points)

Hello everybody! My name is Alex, I am from Russia and today I will not show you terrain from clay and branches. Today is another set of different miniatures.

Firstly, a sultry oriental woman. She was especially pleased to paint, looking at the snow falling all day long over the fire.

Secondly, two pirates whom I collected from various spare parts which each wargamer stores in a large box.

Thirdly, some more African warriors. Leader, musician, great shaman and shaman squad. Yes, it looks a bit like a comic book, but why not?

Finally, a squad of Saracens or Moors for games according to the rules of the SAGA. Yes, today there are many shades of black, you are right.

General view. It is said that the event ends. I hope to have time to do something else. And if not, then I was very happy with all of you.

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Alex, it is always a treat when I have the opportunity to "minion" one of your outstanding entries.  As always, there is great variety and fantastic, subtle commentary. 

I agree that painting a figure while the fire burns and the snow falls can be amazing...but we're all a little tired of the snow falling here - we got three more centimetres last night! Spring can come any time now...

I am using my powers to add five extra points, because I so loved the idea of figures assembled out of spare bits. Perfect pirates indeed. That will 115 points for you sir!

GregB

From RossM: Final post for AHPC IX (160 Points)

So, we draw near the end of yet another fantastic Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge and this is the eighth I have participated in.  Before I introduce the entrants for this post; just want to say a huge thanks to the minions, fellow painters and of course the Snow Lord himself - Curt. The challenge makes the dark months of the early year fly and is a highlight the hobby year.

This figure is this year's Curtgeld and his brethren have been used in past games of MERP as Black Numenoreans. Given the theme of Fellowship and the request for enemies, I looked for something just that little bit different to pass on and a pre slotta Citadel C09Dark Elf was just the ticket. 

Now I have a confession to make; the figure is based on a 25mm hex base and has been since undercoating. Normally there would be nothing wrong with this, however the Curtgeld figure would sit on a 25mm round base. The dilemma that I faced as I continued to base and flock this figure on a hex base rather than rebase it. Hope that is ok, Curt?

More retro figures from Citadel and more of their classic Skeletons, another six to be precise. Not much more needs to be said about these to be honest.

No kilts to lift here

Yet more 15mm Late Crusaders from Gladiator Miniatures, this time the cavalry arm of a Late Crusader DBA army. Following suit from the earlier figures from this army there are both Brother Knights in red surcoats and Brother Sergeants in black surcoats.

More infantry for the same army and two additional command stands for the same army in ADLG, have the figures and enjoy the game so might as well.

All of the Crusaders as a group shot.

Two stands of Arab swordsmen to oppose the above. Don't know who makes these, probably Minifigs or similar. The undercoat has gone a bit grainy on these and unfortunately this has effected the final wash on the figures. Too old to try and strip them so grainy they will remain.

Another stand of Late Romans that required three figures to be matched in to painting from approx 15 years ago. The figures are front left as seen in front rank and the first and second figures from the left in the rear rank.

The figures are from Wargames Foundry and are still some of my favourite for this period, if perhaps a bit small in comparison to the likes of Gripping Beast and Footsore.

I cut the spears to the wrong length and didn't notice until the figures where glued in place in the unit.  Oh well, its only a couple of mm.

Shown with their fellows who are waiting on basing

Shown below is the entirety of this year's challenge from me and this year I have learnt a couple things for next year:

• Don't change your mind 3 weeks into the challenge and start prepping other figures

and

• Never, ever start rebasing the largest ancients army you have in 28mm, or any scale for that matter 

In terms of points I make this

1 x 28mm figure (Curtgeld) - 25 points
6 x 28mm skeletons - 30 points
15 x 15mm cavalry - 60 points
15 x 15mm infantry - 30 points
3 x 28mm infantry - 15 points

For a total this entry of 160 points.

This will take my overall total to 354 points out of 500 planned for (see comments above)

Thanks again to everyone and I am looking forward to Challenge X later this year.

Cheers, Ross

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First, thanks so much for the wonderful Curtgeld figure Ross. I love these old school Citadel models and this guy's an absolute corker (don't sweat the base, it looks wonderful).  

Wow, what a great assortment you have for us as your closing entry. Skeletons, crusaders, arab swordsmen... this has all the makings of a fabulous adventure movie! I have to admit that my favourite of the lot are the Late Romans, bravely holding the line in their matching shields and Imperial standard - wonderful stuff.

Great work Ross and I look forward to you being with us for Challenge X.

- Curt