I'm in the Painting Challenge

Well that's it, I've done it now! After several years of dithering I have finally taken the plunge and signed up for the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge. Like most wargamers I suffer from incurable Shineybloodyitus and I have my own personal lead Mountain hidden in a cupboard under the stairs like a guilty secret. The Lead Mountain isn't as huge as it used to be because I have had several 'purges' over the years where I have either sold or given away excess models rather than see them neglected, but there is still a sizable collection remaining. 

I have set myself a very modest target of 250 points (minuscule compared to the gargantuan 4500pts that James is aiming for!) which I hope to achieve by painting some wildly different models across several different scales. My 'to-do list' may change as the Challenge progresses but for now here is how I see myself achieving my target.  

6mm Projects

The bulk of my painting for the Challenge will be a continuation of my 6mm North Africa Project. I already had a vague idea that I would like to build and paint up another Italian Company to go with the Compagnia Carri (Tank) Company I already have. I don't have any clear plans yet, and a lot depends on the availability of figures and vehicles in 6mm, but I think that a target of about 100points is achievable. 

I recently also bought some vehicles to bolster my British forces but in the end I decided I didn't need them for my up-coming game and so these haven't been painted yet. If I can get them done they will add another 10 points to my tally. I also have several of the 6mm Resin buildings by Levin Miniatures that need to be completed. There isn't an official score for painting buildings but I'm hoping I may garner a few points for any I complete. 

[Challenge scoring regime - 6mm foot figure = 0.5 point / 6mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 1 pts / 6mm vehicle = 2 points]

15mm Projects

Just before I started my 6mm North Africa project I bought a box of British Cromwell Tanks and although they may never reach the games table I would really like to get these painted. These should make a comfortable 30 points. I also have a couple of multi-part Tiger Tanks that are begging to be completed for a further 10 points. 

[Challenge scoring regime - 15mm foot figure = 2 pts / 15mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 4 pts / 15mm vehicle = 6 pts]

28mm Projects

When I was at Blog-Con last week I was so inspired by the Blazing Dice game that I immediately picked up a couple of blister packs of Wild West gunmen. I also bought a couple of 2000AD character figures (Dredd of course and Rouge Trooper) just to paint for fun. So assuming these all get painted I should get about 60 points for these.  I also have quite a few special models (things like old Salute giveaway figures) that could be painted if I make a proper effort. 

[Challenge scoring regime - 28mm foot figure = 5 pts / 28mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 10 pts / 28mm vehicle = 15 pts]

Rather worryingly all this only adds up to about 230 points and that seems like a massive challenge to a slow painter like me. But I guess its not called a 'Challenge' for nothing and the whole reason I have signed up this year is to push myself. So I guess all that is left for me to do now is to start prepping some figures, hit the Internet and place some orders for figures and scale the north face of my lead mountain in search of some models to inspire my paint brush.