The Gauntlet Dropped - The 2nd Annual Winter Painting Challenge

Sigh. He's back again. That spiteful, hateful, nasty git: Old Man Winter. 

Bugger. Him. 

Here in Saskatchewan the temperature is now well below freezing, the trees are bare, the ice is on the roads and I can categorically say I don't want to hear A SINGLE WORD from my sun-kissed compatriots near or below the equator about their warm weather. I hate you all (but of course in a benign, friendly way).

Oh well, the upswing is that it forces me to slow down and spend more time indoors, which in turn gives me more time for my hobbies. So, in order to further encourage industry, camaraderie and a bit of friendly competition I thought I'd issue another Painting Challenge similar to the one last winter.

The Painting Challenge Rules:

'The Analogue Hobbies Winter Painting Challenge' will extend from December 20th to the first day of Spring, midnight March 20th.


Those wishing to participate are to contact me via this blog.


As opposed to the previous Challenge, which was exclusively Napoleonic, I thought it would be interesting to broaden the Challenge to include ANY HISTORICAL wargames figures.


The Scoring:

• 5 points per 25/28mm foot figure 
• 10 points per per 25/28mm mounted figure 
• 10 points per 25/28mm artillery piece or limber model 
• 4 points per 20mm foot or unmounted horse figure 
• 8 points per 20mm mounted figure 
• 8 points per 20mm artillery piece or limber model 
• 3 points per 15mm foot or unmounted horse figure 
• 6 points per 15mm mounted figure 
• 6 points per 15mm artillery piece or limber model 
• Vehicles will be scored on a model-to-model basis 
• We'll keep it to figures/models only - so no terrain, sorry! 

(Other scales/models points value will be determined by The Judge)

Figures can be primed prior to the start date (Dec 20th) but no colour can have been applied until the start date. In order to be scored the figures have to be based and any groundwork completed. The figures have to be painted by you. The honour system will be followed in relation to the completion and entry of figures to the Challenge. Woe goes upon the head of anyone who besmirches themselves in the painting of toy soldiers!

On top of general bragging rights, smack talk, etc. prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. (Prizes will be gift vouchers (or their equivalent) from a wonderful online hobby store.)


In order to be scored, photos of the completed figures/units are required to be submitted to me (The Judge) for posting here on the Analogue Hobbies blog. Updated scoring for 'The Challenge' will also be tracked on this blog.


The Judge (me) will participate in the competition but will not 'place' as a scoring competitor (i.e. no prizes for me).

But, you see, I have a cunning plan...

There is ONE condition to your participation to The Challenge. To be counted as one of the vaunted members of this august enterprise you will be required to paint one Viking figure for my collection. I will send out a figure to you with a self-addressed return enclosure. It will count as 10 points towards your score but it has to be submitted back to me before the end of the Challenge.


This way I get both a momento of the Challenge, and, in a sense, all the participants will form part of my Viking warband. Now, how neat is that!


So, there you have it. If you're interested please drop me a note. I hope you take up my challenge and join me in getting a bunch of stuff done over the coming winter months!


Warm Wishes,


Curt