Tuesday 1 December 2015

The Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge 2015 - Preview - Fortnight Themed Bonus Rounds

The Incredible Hulk WIPs - The original Hulk was grey-skinned
Having entered the Sixth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge I've been busily basing and priming a number of miniatures from my collection in preparation for its start on 20th December 2015, and in particular having been identifying suitable figures for submission into the event's series of thematic Bonus Rounds. Each fortnightly entry must be based on a particular theme and earns an additional 50 points; something I'm going to need to take full advantage of if I hope to repeat last year's tally of 500 points.

The first theme is Nostalgia, and as an avid superhero comic book fan I couldn't think of something more appropriate than going back to the first Issue of "The Incredible Hulk", when the gamma-giant was actually grey in colour instead of green. As a result I've dug out two identical "Heroclix" models of Bruce Banner's alter-ego; one of which I'll paint as the more recognisable green-hued behemoth, and the other in the monster's original grey. Both though will obviously be sporting a torn white shirt and purple trousers.
Star Wars WIPs - Plenty to paint for my Epic Fail Themed Bonus Round submission
In addition to these two large "Wizkids" plastic figures, I also hope to take advantage of my initial painting fervour and complete a model of Daredevil I'll be sending to Curt as my 'Tip to the Croupier'. This miniature will thus act as my entrance fee for this year's Challenge and will fit in nicely with the event's theme of Risk-Taker, Daredevil or Gambler.

In addition to preparing a few "Heroclix" miniatures, I have also based and undercoated a small number of sculpts from the "Imperial Assault" boardgame by "Fantasy Flight Games". These "Star Wars" models will form my Epic Fail entry and be based upon Darth Vader's failed attempt to capture two droids and the plans to the Death Star...
Popeye The Sailor Man WIPs - Three colourful miniatures for the L'amour Themed Bonus Round 
Lastly, for now at least, I've been busily prepping these three "SLAP Miniatures" of Skipper Fred, Bosun Ace and Steward Gladys. Recommended to me by Bryan from "Vampifan's World Of The Undead" blog, they are terrific likenesses of Popeye, Olive and Brutus; and should make an appropriate entry into the L'amour themed bonus round once painted.

32 comments:

  1. Nearly ready for the off there Simon, that's an interesting mix you have there. I rather glad to see one of the groups, but I'll say no more on that for now.....

    Best of luck with this once you get underway, I'll be watching with interest.

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Cheers Roger. I'm certainly enthused for the Challenge at present, though I'd imagine the grim slog will soon at some point set in, as it did last year. There's a lot to paint over three months. But hopefully these sorts of postings will keep me going :-)

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  2. I love the hulk models, I have it and I really enjoyed painting it. Those Popeye models are excellent, Bryan strikes again!

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    1. Thanks Da Gobbo Grotto. Its certainly my fave Hulk model. I dread to think how much Bryan has cost me... and all of my "SLAP Miniatures" are due to his recommendations.

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  3. Full marks for such an eclectic mix of figures, Simon. I have those two Heroclix figures of Daredevil and Hulk, so I look forward to seeing you paint them. As for your Star Wars figures, what good timing to paint them just as the new film is about to be launched. Surely everyone loves Star Wars. Finally, I have been patiently waiting for you to paint Popeye, Olive and Brutus. They fit in perfectly for your L'amour category.

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    1. Cheers Bryan. I do like to have a few genres on the go at the same time as well you know. I thought the "Star Wars" stuff was a good choice for the same reason as come the middle of this month I am bound to be in the mood for all things connected to the Force, so some George Lucas tabletop goodness should keep me going well into the New Year. Huge thanks to you for directing me towards Popeye etc... I hope my paint schemes won't disappoint.

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  4. Great choices Simon and the Popeye inspired Slap miniatures for L'amour are inspired.

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    1. Thanks Michael. The Popeye trio look good fun to paint... hopefully Brutus' yellow trousers won't prove too problematic.

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  5. Lots of great miniatures on the go. Good luck!

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    1. Cheers Simon. A couple more postings to go before the Challenge starts... So fingers crossed I can get some more prepped and primed before the event begins.

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  6. Nice interpretation of the themes.

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    1. Thanks Roy. I'm hoping to be a bit more disciplined and prepared than I was last year.

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  7. I love the "Popeye" figures, good luck!

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    1. Cheers Fran. Much appreciated. The Popeye mins are great and I'm going to need every bit of luck I can muster if I'm to achieve my 500pt tally.

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  8. The Hulk, Popeye and Star Wars - that's quite some collection! Just as well it's only for a painting collection, rather than these various genres meeting in a game :-) ...

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    1. Thanks Hugh. I'd have to be some sort of gaming oddball to think up a scenario using such a mash-up of genres, surely ;-)

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  9. Great stuff! You really do have such a brilliant selection of figs!

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    1. Cheers Gordon. Your blog's postings are a constant source of blame for my many figures I assure you!! :-)

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  10. Whoah! That's a lot of stuff all on the go at once!

    Very much like all this theme-ing to these groups.

    Good stuff!

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    1. Thanks Dai. The themed rounds certainly do help tie together some minis I'd otherwise have sat languishing for months on end. The Challenge does last for three months though, so there's plenty of time to 'pick off' a few minis here and there... and I've plenty more being prepared for the later stages of the event ;-)

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  11. Having only been vaguely aware of the Challenge through posts referring to it, I shall be spectating properly this year. A nice varied selection of figures there, which should prove helpful one you get started, as there's nothing worse than rank and file, in my opinion. Funnily enough I too have been painting a grossly muscled behemoth with torn clothing, but it's not the Hulk...there's definitely something strange in MY neighbourhood. ;-)

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    1. Last year was definitely a huge learning curve for me Jez, and although I did prep many a figure, I didn't appreciate the enormity of the Challenge until mid-way through the event as I started to lose valuable days prepping and priming more and more figures I ultimately never had time to paint. This year I plan on being more focused and prepared. There should be plenty of wonderful minis painted in the Challenge over the next few months, so I think you're in for a treat.

      Looking forward to seeing what you come up with next!! :-)

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  12. These look like great bonus round entries. I have no idea if I'll be able to come up with anything for any of them this year. I'm also quite surprised that I was not already following your blog. Do you have more than one? I feel like we've corresponded a bit so I don't know why this one wasn't on my radar.

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    1. Thanks Sean. Much appreciated. I do run a super-hero comic review blog, but don't see you down as a follower of that. Anyway I'm delighted to have you on board for this blog and look forward to your thoughts (and support) on the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge, as well as all the other stuff I paint :-)

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  13. Great selection of models there and some excellent use of undercoating to speed things up.

    I think I have that hulk model in my bitz box somewhere, to be painted up for a weird war experiment. You're tempting me to add him to the ever growing (and already too large!) pile of models for the challenge.

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    1. Cheers Paul. It is a wonderful model (I have a third left over for a game of "Heroclix" should I ever need it). Please do put it into your painting queue, its one of "Wizkids" best sculpts imho.

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  14. A veritable feast of mini's Bk! Wonderfully eclectic too. Good luck in your challenge endeavour, I'll be watching with keen interest.

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    1. Thanks Bob. Hopefully they'll be plenty of postings you'll enjoy over the next three or so months of the Challenge... and Zomtober 2016 to look forward to ;-)

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  15. Some fun looking figures, love the Popeye figure, never knew anyone made him??

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    1. Cheers Ray. A big thanks to Bryan for pointing out the "Popeye" trio to me :-)

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  16. What an interesting mix of figures we have to look forward to in the coming challenge.
    From the Hulk, through Star wars and finally cartoony types you've got some very varied painting ahead of you - good luck with the chllenge

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    1. Many thanks Joe. Hopefully they'll be something in the mix to keep you entertained. I certainly like to move from genre to genre to keep my interest going and batteries charged - something which is going to be crucial over the next three months.

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