Saturday 10 January 2015

The Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge V - December

Over a month into this year's Fifth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge and there have been such treats on offer - the bumper crop of participants with around 250 entries so far.

I did n't manage to make a strong start - busyness at work hit the preparations (some of which I'm still working on), then Christmas sapped time away from the painting table. So I'm floundering in both side challenges with Curt and Juan.

My entries for December also firmly sat in my comfort zone - predominantly tidying up loose ends of the long-running Sudan project. But it'll be all change for January...

To get me out of the block on the first weekend, a small unit of skirmishing Sudanese Bazingers.



Bazingers were African irregulars, either mercenaries or slave-soldiers. They could be found in government service or the private employ of Arab slavers and merchants. They formed part of the garrison at Khartoum and Suakin and fought in Egyptian service at El Teb. They can also serve as the troops of local Shaykhs and warlords loyal (or not so loyal...) to the Egyptian government, provided with standard-issue Remingtons. 


The colours are fairly uniform but the poses and motley equipment suggests they are irregulars, I think they'll sit well alongside my Egyptian regular troops. I wish I'd bought more and will likely add another pack and command. As always, they are Perry Miniatures. 



Next up, the second theme round: 'Mounts and Riders'. Nothing too imaginative , I already had the last three Baggara cavalry prepped up, so painted them to match my existing ones.





The glad is courtesy of Flag Dude (and is damned fragile - I've already broken it once!



Here's the Mahdist cavalry wing - I should paint more camels to match it these fearsome horse!





Next, a little dalliance with single miniatures, first a particularly flamboyant a Egyptian officer. He's a fantastic sculpt from Gringos 40s Maximillian Adventure range. I'm really pleased with how his face came out






Last up, the Spanish Civil War onslaught begins. He was a freebie from Empress miniatures because my club put in a large joint order. In fact, the order was so big that eight of him were included! Happily, there is a 'priest' option in the Chain of Command SCW support lists, he can offer some religious zeal to my Requetes


An entirely new project offer the chance to use new methods, many picked up from this community. I'm reducing my use of washes as I think they slow my painting down quite a bit and often aren't necessary - AP strong tone has become a bit ubiquitous recently. So only one wash used on him, though he was a very simple paint job. I've also used a new colour for the highlights on the base: Vallejo 'Iraqi Sand' rather than 'Buff' and added more variation to the shade. I think it looks much better, but I'd be very interested what you all think as he project develops.  Unfortunately, it won't match my terrain, but that's already in a motley collection of colours as I've changed my bases a few times for different projects. I also used more definition to the face and a slightly different flesh recipe, though this one didn't quite come out right. Further improvements have been made though. 


That's it for December, I currently sit at 181 points, a good way to my 500 target but 50 behind Juan. Do check out the Challenge blog for everyone's excellent entries, if you don't already! 

17 comments:

  1. Great entries..I like the dust storm behind the cavalry...will be nicking that..Iraqi Sand is my default drybrush for bases it works well on various finishes, mix a bit Ivory in the further highlight if need be..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it needs one highlight more doesn't it

      Delete
  2. As always, you've produced some lovely work so far Phil. I'm looking forward to seeing what else you submit during the Challenge :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. You're cranking out some lovely Sudan stuff mate. Keep it up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Michael - it's Been the focus for stone time but now to dally elsewhere...

      Delete
  4. Looking good Phil, need to get myself sorted for next years challange.
    Cheers Stu

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should Stu - you'd rank well I suspect

      Delete
  5. Excellent job, beautiful minis and some gorgeous details!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Fantastic painting work, Phil. I like a lot your Sudan collection with those nice colours you use with them and I´m very interested in your SCW project. The first models have been very good, full characters themselves. But you are too near me in the roster...

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would be thrilled if I managed this much for December! Tremendous work Phil, looking forward to seeing what January has in store for us.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yet more really nice Sudan work!

    Christopher

    ReplyDelete
  9. Some cracking looking figures Phil.

    ReplyDelete

Please feel free to leave a comment if you liked this post.