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| "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" Zygon WIPs - The aliens have just some tidying up and basing to be finished |
Ordinarily at this time of year I have already begun busily prepping and priming a multitude of miniatures I earnestly aim to get painted during the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC), and perhaps unsurprisingly, subsequently end up with a painting desk simply teeming with all manner of genres, scales and materials. Indeed, its amazing just how much more room a 'gadzillion' undercoated models can take up as opposed to when they are sat upon a shelf safely ensconced within their restrictive blister/box or tucked away within a draw still firmly held upon a sprue.
On this occasion however, I'll be doing something entirely different, and rather than participate in my fourth event, I'll instead try to reduce my ever-increasing mountain of metal, plastic and resin models by embarking upon an inaugural, personal goal entitled the Partially-Painted Pledge. As a result, I don't intend to purchase any more miniatures until "Salute" in 2018, and over the next four months endeavor to paint a hundred figures I've previously started working on; whether they be merely prepped, primed, layered or almost finished.
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| "Heroclix" WIPs - Hellboy, Liz Sherman and Sergeant Rock are all at different painting stages |
Leading this charge will be a plethora of "Warlord Games" miniatures for their "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" tabletop game. I've only recently had my review of the company's Zygon models published on the “Doctor Who News” website, so thought a quartet of the “shape-changing humanoids”, which have done nothing but gather dust ever since I super-glued some Scatter Shrooms by "Wargames Terrain Workshop" to their bases, would be a good place to start.
To be honest I currently own quite a considerable backlog of the Lenton Business Centre-based company's miniatures, and with their imminent release of ("Gale Force Nine" manufactured) resin First, Fourth, Fifth, Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors, along with K-9, its become clear that I need to give my partially-painted Tetraps, Vervoids, Draconians, Ogrons, Sea Devils and Clockwork droids the much-needed attention they deserve.
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| "Victrix Limited" Austrian WIPs - The fusiliers have had all their white uniform 'picked out' and shaded |
In addition, I have 'unearthed' a significantly-sized box of long-forgotten "Heroclix" plastic figures, which should help me conclude a number of "Wizkids" mini-projects from yesteryear. I actually attempted to paint Sergeant Rock and the “DC Comics” 1959 comic book character's Easy Company at the start of my first AHPC in 2014. Whilst my initial plans to field Hellboy and his numerous associates from the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense disconcertingly arose just a few weeks later in early 2015...
Similarly, I am persevering with my aspiration to finally play some Napoleonic Wars in 28mm, despite already finding myself somewhat behind on November's French fusilier-focused goal. Hopefully, the seemingly straightforward target of just four predominantly white “Victrix Limited” Napoleonic Austrians for this month should be more easily attainable, and thus leave me plenty of opportunity to 'finish off' my outstanding Frenchmen.
"I don't intend to purchase any more miniatures until "Salute" in 2018", really? I nearly spilt my cup of Earl Grey when I read that Simon. A noble endeavour and I wish you the best of luck, pretty sure that I wouldn't be able to do that! :)
ReplyDeleteLOL Michael :-) Its going to be tough, but I thought I'd rather try and clear up my partially painted backlog over the next few months, than simply add to it by priming and half-finishing a load more minis.
DeleteYou're a better man than me! :)
DeleteI do though look forward to your AHPC entries with great interest, Michael, and in some ways am a bit sorry I won't be participating in it. But the fact I've hundreds of minis I've primed purely for the AHPC and never subsequently touched sadly speaks volumes...
DeleteGood luck with the challenge - I think something I need to do, but I know I couldn't commit to 4 or 5 months like you my friend! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Leon. I've already got the shakes from not buying any new minis for a few days ;-)
DeleteWell that's quite an eclectic mix to get through. I hope you do well.
ReplyDeleteCheers Phil. Fingers crossed they'll be lots of finished minis which you'll recall me first starting a few years ago :-)
DeleteOh boy, the very thought of not having recourse to any 'retail therapy' going into the new year gives me the shivers ;-)
ReplyDeleteMy hat's off to you Simon, and all the best with your Partially-Painted Pledge!
Thanks Greg. There are always presents of course, to help me through my 'dry-patch' ;-)
DeleteGoing four months without spending anything on new figures is a mighty challenge. I did it once myself... but that was back in 2013 when I spent four months in hospital. Not recommended! I wish you well in your endeavour.
ReplyDeleteCheers Bryan. I remember those posts, or rather your brothers!! I would hope over these next four months though you'll spot plenty of minis I've previously said I was painting and never finished - a few BatReps showcasing them too!
DeleteYou've really set yourself a goal and a half Simon, but what happens if Warlord have two releases before that deadline, you'll be further behind on your Doctor Who ! Just kidding, shows great resolve to want to clear some of your backlog, I SALUTE you sir !
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Dave. I'm hoping I'll have plenty of stuff to keep me occupied Ref "Warlord Games"; and just think of the "Salute" loot in April!! I also have a considerable "Wargames Terrain Workshop" backlog to pigment, so lots of reasons to take stock, work my way through many a partially-painted mini and then buy loads more!!
DeleteThe reward system, clear existing then replace with new pile ! LOL We each have to find what works for us. Will very much look forward to seeing your output over the next four months
DeleteCheers Dave. I have quite a few 'old' projects to dust down and pay some attention to, so there should be plenty to peruse.
DeleteYep, I have the same problem as you've got with the Dr Who stuff. I'm having to focus on things other people want/need before I can get to my stuff, but if that's where the money/free stuff comes from then that's what must take priority I've realised. End of the day though you'll have a load of Dr Who stuff painted and to play with, and a lot of free publicity for your various talents and blog so its all good in the end. At least that's what I tell myself. Best of luck not spending anything - I know I couldn't do it :)
ReplyDeleteCheers Roy. I've actually already almost gone two weeks without buying anything, since "Warfare" weekend, and the shakes have started :-)
DeleteHellboy and Liz Sherman are two lovely figures (I never did have Sergeant Rock), but rather than repaint them, I just built up layers of drybrushing to the existing pre-paints, them added some unique detail to the bases. I do like those Zygons very much. I`m currently sculpting mine from scratch (in 20mm) along with a few Silence. But it sure doesn't stop me admiring these WG BBC ones as well.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the sculpts, Hils and I look forward to seeing your results posted up. "Warlord Games" are really producing some stunning stuff currently.
DeleteGreat stuff as usual! I'm going to echo everyone else's comments about not buying any figures for four months - MADNESS! I completely understand though lol :) I'm really in the same boat as you, the number of primed and half finished figures is staggering. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ivor. It's an undertaking to be sure, but hopefully when I'm celebrating the Partially-Painted Pledge Challenge XIV, then I'll have finally caught up LOL :-)
DeleteI admire the restraint Simon, I’m sure come Salute you’ll be laden down with some “Make-up” shopping. Good luck with the challenge 😉
ReplyDeleteCheers Andy. I too have little doubt that the "Salute" loot will be 'hefty' if I can carry this challenge off :-)
DeleteThe difficulty with (and the secret to) Napoleonic French is not to make them too clean. Except for parade, they campaign overalls were in truth pretty darn dusty, and if fighting in the wet, filthy with mud and specked with kicked up grime. If painting Napoleonics old school style (i.e. shiny) then this can only be achieved (standard convention anyway) by keeping the figures themselves clean looking, and emphasising (making a feature of) the muddy boots and backpack (but never the cloak... except the very bottom edge only). The matt paint modeller is at an advantage with Napoleonics. But following the tried and tested conventions, gloss troops of this type have their own unique feel to them as well.
ReplyDeleteSound advice indeed, Steve, and hopefully a line I'll be able to successfully walk with my matt paints and gloss finish :-)
DeleteGood luck with your part painted pledge, I'm disappointed your not doing the challenge as your regular entry of a (to me) unknown superhero was always a highlight, and good luck not buying anything for four months, I went two years recently, the after effects were, messy. .and the reason I now have hundreds of unpainted napoleonic figures!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks very much Iain. Not participating in the AHPC was a tough decision but last year I found not being able to post my painted minis when I wanted, and waiting for minions etc, to be incredibly frustrating. Plus, I ended up with loads of primed minis I never even touched. This year, I want to focus upon that partially-painted backlog.
DeleteAs for superheroes - there should be plenty of those posted up over the next few months as I tackle a huge backlog of "Heroclix", and nice to hear about someone else stepping into the world of Naps :-)