From AndrewS: 20mm Nubian Warriors (200 points)

From Andrew: 

Well its celebration time with this entry as a major target for this years challenge has been reached.

These last three Nubian warbands another 48 x 20mm figures conclude the Army build. These have been a grind to finish, although not a difficult paint job, I have after all had plenty of practise by now. I really struggled to get these off the workbench, I definitely hit the challenge brick wall in trying to complete them.

I have continued with the same unit distinctions yellow this time and basing as previous entries as well as the usual spear conversions and stippled shields. This was a huge project overall I have painted in excess of 300 figures for it. I am very happy with the finished result though. This means I can move onto another biblical army, but that can wait till the challenge has concluded.

I was really pleased the weather was at least dry today as it enabled me to get the desert table outside an take some snaps of the entire force for everyone to see, I was amazed at just how big this is when laid out and when its opponents are completed will give myself and Kevin a huge game.

Wowza. That last image conveys a very impressive achievement. And the thing is, this force is in addition to the other stuff Andrew managed to complete during these past three months. Amazing.

These last three Nubian warbands will give Andrew 200 points. Enjoy the army Loki, it's a real beauty.

From AndrewS: 20mm Nubian Warriors ( 200 points)

Well it's high time I made another submission so here are another 3 Nubian warbands.

There are a total of 48 x 20mm figures here and they are like all the previous submissions finished with unit distinctions on the loin protectors, stippled shields and plenty of spear conversions. 

This is the penultimate batch so I have almost completed the entire army, I cant say much more as in truth it has all been said with previous submissions.

Ah, I could be wrong but I get a sense from Andrew's uncharacteristic brevity that we are seeing the early signs of Paint Challenge Fatigue (PCF).  I really don't blame him as he's put in a titanic effort these past three months. With this entry Andrew's total will weigh in at 3298 points. Astonishing.

These may seem like old hat to you Andrew but they're as impressive now as when you first debuted the army. Lovely work.

200 points for you, Mr. S.

From AndrewS: 20mm Ancient Nubian Royal Guard & Command (150 points)

From Andrew:

I have the first of a few smaller entries, as I tidy up the Nubian Army build. This entry is for 4 divisional command stands and 4 spare infantry commands.

The Infantry commanders are spare command stands in case I wish to use the optional ability to split the warbands down into smaller light infantry units. I have colour coded the capes on these to make identification easier on the table top.  All eight figures are from the Hat 20mm range.

The divisional commands are 3 figures to a base over 4 bases and are all a mix of Hat and Caesar 20mm plastics. The spearmen are all conversions. Each command has its loin protectors colour coded to match the respective division. The shields and officers capes have been done with my stipple technique.

Next is two Nubian Royal Guard infantry units each of 8 figures. These are all 20mm figures from the Caesar miniatures plastics range.

I decided to use these figures for the royal guards due to the animal skin kilts, which really distinguishes the from the hat figures, In order to make a further distinction I did some internet searching and found that a traded commodity was feathers for ceremonial headwear so I have given each unit a different type of feather.

The first unit has had to be converted as the Caesar range is rather devoid of spears, so a quick conversion from clubs to spears made the rear rank, stippled the shields in a unique pattern and used a flamingo feather as the main distinction for these.

The second unit, again with the animal skins and lacking shields so added a few extra spears, I tried to be a bit adventurous with the feather for these and used a peacock feather, at this scale it is very hard to be completely accurate in such a small area but I am happy with the finished result.

Beautiful work Andrew! The commanders looks suitably imposing and regal with their leopard shawls and rods of office. I also like the Royal Guards with their ornamental belts and bright coloured plumes. Ah, it makes one nostalgic for the day when a well-placed feather and a jauntily worn animal wrap marked you as a man of substance.  Sigh.

These commanders along with their pink and turquoise retinues will give Andrew 150 points. Cracking job Gramps!

From AndrewS: 20mm Ancient Nubians (200 points)

Andrew motors right along from his win in the 'Vehicle' bonus round with these natty neu Nubians.

From Andrew:

Now I have cleared a large part of the miscellaneous projects from the painting queue it was time to get back to the Christmas Present from my boys.

These 48 figures are all Hat 1/72 Nubian Infantry, and these have been split up to make three light infantry warbands. I have had do a fair bit of conversion work this time as I have almost used all the standard spear/javelinmen in the boxes. 

Again I have kept the painting to a base colour and highlight over the primer. As I have already shown at this scale two colours can often be more effective than full 3 colour work and certainly at gaming distance there is no significant difference. 

These 3 units will form part of the 2nd Division so I have colour coded the loin protectors, in this case they are all blue and only the pattern and officers cloak to distinguish each unit 

I have also given each units shields a different set of colours, Once again I decided to use the stipple effect to represent the hides, I was quite pleased with the final results. 

A little bit of extra work on the bases give a better overall finish to the whole army, and continuing with the scheme already mentioned before.

I am just at the half way point, now with this project.

Beautiful work again Andrew! I love the hide shields, and the colour-coded loincloths are a great idea. Hm, I wonder if Ray has colour coded budgie smugglers for each day of the week? 

Actually, take that back, I really don't want to know.

These lads will give Andrew 200 points, which includes a few bonus pips for the lovely hide shields.

From AndrewS: 20mm Nubian Archers (128 points)

Andrew rallies from being tipped out of the leading position and submits these excellent Nubian archers to regain his standing.

From Andrew:

Knowing my good buddy and rival in this years madness Kevin has snuck up behind me like a stealth bomber and dropped a large payload of very nice Vikings, its serves to keep on my toes and stay focussed on the task in hand. So, I have managed to complete the last 4 units of Nubian Skirmish Archers for the Nubian Army. This army is huge but I am almost half way through on presentation of these.

As with the previous submission each unit comprises eight figures for a total of 32 (20mm) all from the Hat range. These represent the skirmish elements for the 3rd and 4th divisions of the Nubian army I am building. As the Mad Padre described the distinguishing of the units wonderfully these guys come equipped with colour coded “Willie Whackers”!! this really raised a smile when I read it and it has stuck since.

The bases are the same larger ones as before so removing the need to split bases and have gaps I used the wider bases. These are in two sections as when they form part of the later Egyptian army they are half the size in Hail Caesar. I continued with the informality and added some rocks to these bases so as to be depicted in the rough terrain areas these types excel in and ensuring they match with the existing forces.

Wonderful stuff Andrew. I'm delighted to see that the Challenge is prompting the completion of not only beautiful single figures and vignettes (i.e. Anne & Sidney) but also of full armies (i.e. Millsy, Kev and yourself). Warms the cockles of my heart, it does!

These archers will give Andrew 128 points which will indeed give him enough to pop him back into 1st place in the points standings. Nicely done LOKI!

From AndrewS: Banshee, Druid, Gyrocopter Dwarf & Nubians (115 points)

From Andrew:

Another entry as I begin to clear the desk of some side projects. While I don’t do fantasy gaming systems I am always drawn to some of the figures in this genre as they allow me to have a bit of fun, with the painting. The first two figures are from the Northstar Celtic legends Box set. 

The first is a Banshee (above), I wanted this to be a bit brighter in the colour palette and went for a deep purple shade for the flowing dress, set against a pallid skin tone, and deep green hair. This is definitely a heroic scale figure being 60mm from base to top of head and approx 34mm from foot to eye. Set off with a rather vibrant base.

Next up is a druid from the same set this time 28mm scale, I went with muted tones as I wanted this to have the feel of an RPG character, So I used a woodland colour palette throughout and set it off with a woodland base of leaves and heath. This could easily be used in a D&G game as a wise old wizard of one sort or another.

Finally is an old metal Games Workshop Dwarf and Gyrocopter, I picked this up a while back it has languished unloved for about 2 years in a lead pile. This matches perfectly with another I already own and I have based Identically, The base is a flight stick converted to hold a rare earth magnet so it can be detached for storage, This is mounted over a homemade rock outcrop base to give the impression it is flying above craggy ground. A great fun piece to paint originally this was going to be my vehicle submission but my plans have changed for that now.

I've also managed to get a couple of hours in on the Nubians during the week and completed The Army general stand and another warband. All these figures are 1/72nd plastic from Hat except where noted. 

The command stand is 5 figures containing a mix of Hat and Caesar figures, In Hail Caesar this commander will always be attached to the division with the Royal guards so it was a bit fiddly but 3 of the figures got the leopard skins to signify this fact. Green loin guards were used as he will also be the 1st divisions commander. Again I have gone with a larger but more scenic base to keep in character with the one I have already completed.

The next unit is a 16 figure warband is the first of four that will be in the second division. Again these needed some conversion work to equip figures with spears, nothing too complicated. I have continued with the two colour work and using the coloured loin guards to distinguish units. I have used the stippled effect for the shields again, which at this scale does nicely represent hide. Basing to match the existing warbands, so small rocky areas on these.

Wow, what an eclectic set of figures. I really like the skin tones on the Banshee and the Druid is wonderfully hoary and astride a suitably verdant setting. Your Nubians continue to impress, especially with their basing which does so much to tie them all together. Great work.

This group of figures will give Andrew 115 points.

From AndrewS: 20mm Nubian Skirmish Infantry (136 points)

Andrew FTW!

From Andrew:

My final entry this week. There is nothing in this world going to motivate me more than the sight of dang near 400 points of Crusaders from KevH and his impending snatching the 1000 points race title when it is within my grasp. It was like sticking a pin in a donkey’s arse and off I shot and worked at the brushes all night like a man possed to complete 4 units of Nubian Skirmish Archers. 

 

Each unit comprises eight figures for a total of 32 (20mm). These represent the skirmish elements for the 1st 2 divisions of the Nubian army I am building, The bases are larger as these troops can only fight in open order and rather than having to split bases and have gaps I used the wider bases. 

These are in two sections as when they form part of the later Egyptian army they are half the size in Hail Caesar. I also choose to use slightly deeper bases so as to give them more informality and added some rocks to these bases so as to be depicted in the rough terrain areas these types excel in. 

Now if I am lucky Kev will have fallen short and I will have just scrapped past the 1000 point mark with these or I will have failed and have another year of banter to survive. :)

A fantastic final effort to seize the ring Andrew! These figures are wonderful and as you described before, much of it is in their marvellous basework which does so much to tie them all together as units.

This swarm of Nubian skirmishers will give Andrew 136 points, enough for him to claim victory in his 1K duel with KevH. Well done! My congratulations to the both Andrew and Kev for providing us with an exciting race! Now Andrew, what will be your new benchmark since you smashed through your initial target in a little over two weeks?

From AndrewS: 20mm Nubian Infantry (200 points)

In an effort not to let Kent rest on his heels Andrew comes in with this great entry featuring Nubian infantry for his Hail Caesar collection.

From Andrew:

These were given to me as part of my Christmas Present from my boys. This year I want to build Several biblical period armies for myself and KevH to play with Hail Caesar. I decided to start with the Nubians as a long time adversary of Egypt, they were top of my wish list this year.

These 48 figures are all Hat 1/72 Nubian Infantry, and these have been split up to make three light infantry warbands. I have had do some conversion work to a few of the figures as the box sets lack enough spear/javelin-men in the boxes. A relatively straightforward task of taking a sharp scalpel and removing the clubs before drilling the hands and replacing with a blunted dressmakers pins. These 3 warbands took 8 hours to paint from scratch and I spent another 2 hours on the bases. 

I have kept the painting too a base colour and highlight over the primer. At this scale two colours can often be more effective than full 3 colour work and certainly at gaming distance there is no significant difference.

These 3 units will form part of the 1st Division so I have colour coded the loin protectors, in this case they are all green, however each unit has its own pattern, one with plain another with a stripe and the third with a series of dots so as to be able to distinguish them apart.

I have also given each units shields a different set of colours, one is plain hide another is brown and cream and the third brown and white as further definition. As with the Skraelings I decided to use the stipple effect to represent the hides, I was quite pleased with the final results. 

The hardest choice too make was for the bases something I do like to have just right as they can make or break the look of any army. With these being a step down from my usual painting style also a little bit of extra work on the bases give a better overall finish to the whole army, also I have been researching and at the time of the conflicts Nubia was a very fertile land, so I did not want to have the bases feel too arid.

So I raided my supply cupboard and mixed a blend of three various coloured flocks, to give a look of sun bleached grassland and a dryer feel as they will be played with on a desert table. I also scattered patches of rocky ground throughout the bases, painting them as bits of sandstone so in brown shades rather than the black and grey usually seen. They were then finished with a few tufts used sparingly.

What a great gift from your boys, Andrew! They look fabulous and I really like the basework you've gone with as the colour-tone works well with the figures.

These three units of Nubian infantry will give Andrew a cool 200 points, with a few points added for his conversion work for the spearmen and the great hide shields. After a little over two weeks into the Challenge he is less than 100 points away from his initial target. Well done Loki!