300 followers and thank you!

I couldn't resist using this film image for the header as many of us cannot.:-) I'm very grateful for those who have given their time to follow what I do in this wonderful hobby we call wargaming! Hitting the 300 mark is a very special event for me that has been a goal of mine for quite some time that frankly I wasn't sure I would reach as the new followers hit the molasses at 270 or so. Once again thank you all very, very much and I do read every single comment you write!
The blog will be quite over the next few weeks as I'll be very busy with "real" life, but I promise the postings will pick up again towards the end of May to my normal levels. Upcoming things will be my Samurai(priority#1), ACW revamp and some SCW. Stay tuned!!

Victorian Adventuress

I entered this Victorian Adventuress in Curt's painting challenge and haven't got around to posting it until now. I really did enjoy painting this as I like working in earth tones and neutral colours quite a bit. As a matter of fact I'll probably due a few more.

A friend of mine is running some Zulu stuff and at first I was going to do some Natal contingents and I still might, but I think I'll do some Boars (as in Dutch natives) first as I really like their look.

When I do the Boars I can't really say as my schedule is pretty full for the summer which leads me into my next topic. I have some painting projects that really do need to get done and so I won't be able to follow blogs as closely as I usually do, but I will do my best for sure. For example I spend about 70% of my free time on blogs and forums and 30% at the painting table which doesn't help productivity very much. I need to at least change that to about 60% to 70% at the painting table and the rest on blogs and forums. So please understand if I miss a post or two I'm not ignoring you and will get back to you as soon as I reasonably can. By this I mean I'll read as often as I can, but commenting might prove difficult. I figure after September things will loosen up for me where I can go to about 50/50. Thanks for following my blog and understanding my situation and I'll do my best to support yours within my time allowance!

Complete Analogue Hobbies challenge results

I mentioned last year joining in a winter painting competition hosted by Curt at  http://analogue-hobbies.blogspot.de/ where points were awarded for each painted miniature that ran from December 20th 2011 to March 20th 2012. Whoever amassed the most points would be declared the winner and receive the grand prize with 2nd and 3rd also getting a prize.

The final results for the points challenge were:

RayR: 4940 link

KentG: 4724 link

TimB: 3385 link

FranL: 2152link

SteveM: 2044Link?

ChrisP: 2029 link

DaveD: 1975link

MilesR: 1061link

GregB: 1019 link

JohnM: 1000link

IanW: 900 link

MikeW: 867link

Curt: 791 link

Scott: 695 link

PhilH: 519 link

JuanM: 446 link

ChristopherS: 442 Myself!

DallasE: 420 link

Michael: 315link

JohnB: 310Link?

RossM: 269link

TimmyD: 138link

Sylvain: 90link

PaulP: 34link

As you can see the top dogs scored some truly staggering point totals that left me bugged eyed in amazement!! I wonder if they are not really half machines then real human beings! The sprint to the finish between Ray and Kent was nail biting and dramatic with each slipping in final posts at the last minute with Ray just edging out Kent at the very last moment. Another highlight had to be the rivalry between Fran and Ray heckling each other throughout the competition, however it was all in good fun as in actuality they are very good friends.
Outstanding results to the top dogs and I wish to congratulate all of them on an awesome performance!

Unsurprisingly and therefore needless to say I was nowhere near the top as I paint rather slowly with what can best be described as a less then stellar point total, but thankfully Curt in his wisdom realized all men are not created equal in their ability to both paint a figure quickly and efficiently and so gave us more mortal underdogs other goals to achieve.

People's Choice Award- This is given to viewers of the competition and is open to anyone to vote. I was both honoured, humbled and of course delighted to be declared winner of this category with my 15mm Ayyubid Mamluks! They can be viewed in my side bar under 15mm Crusades if you wish.

Challengers choice- This is by the participants in the challenge for their favourite entry which was won by Dave's excellent Baverian Chevaulegers "Konig"link.

Sarah's choice- This innovative idea is given by Curts wife for a female themed historical figure which was won by Phil's Femme Fatale from the Societe Archeolgique and 1930s Gun Molllink.

Judges Choice- This is given by Curt for his personal favourite entry. Rather then just one entry Curt decided to award Juan the prize for his very nice complete body of worklink.

It was great fun and I enjoyed being part of something if not unique then at least not often done where you group a bunch of painters from all over the world and bring them together to compete in a friendly format. No question I'm really looking forward to the next one to see if I can improve on my total and once again enjoy watching what everyone does. Oh and of course watch Fran and Ray's verbal boxing match!

Well done to everyone who stepped up and competed regardless of your points and most of all a superb job to Curt for making it all possible!!