Challenge done but not completed - lessons learned

I have finally finished the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge. I loved it and it drove me crazy. When I initially considered the Challenge I thought that I could maybe get 250 points (based on 5 points per 28mm infantry, 4 per 20mm etc) because I am a very slow painter. However there was only the choice of 500 point intervals so I went for 500, lowest I could choose.
As it turns out I only made it to 216 points. There were many personal challenges along the way, not least of which was my eyesight. I ended up purchasing a flip down magnifying visor (as used by watchmakers) which helps a lot.

Me with my total output from the Challenge, wearing my new magnifying visor and traditional painting fez.

To be eligible for the Challenge a miniature could be cleaned up and undercoated before the start but no additional paint could be applied. It also must be completely finished, including basing, to be earn points. Herein lies the greatest lesson learned - I have way too many unfinished miniatures. Ranging from one or two colours applied, or nearly fully painted through to fully painted but no basing done. This is not acceptable.

So, from now on I am keeping a tally on the blog with two divisions;
Painted Miniatures - meaning painted this year from scratch through to finished as determined by the Challenge requirements.
Finished Miniatures - these are miniatures that I have started previously, or purchased part painted or similar that have done the extra work on to be totally finished. Including magnetizing the bases.
This will be a summary tally on the side of my blog and a more detailed running one at the end of each post. Maybe this will help my output. Or make my shame public.

Type	Painted	Finished
28mm Dark Ages Infantry	12
28mm Empire/Lion Rampant Infantry	8	11
28mm Empire/Lion Rampant Mounted	1
28mm Slaughterloo Infantry	4
20mm WWII	11

An entry finished at last for the Painting Challenge

It's taken nearly four weeks but I finally got an entry in to the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge.

Building a US force in 20mm to be used mainly for Chain of Command and Iron Cross I have decided to do a squad and support team at a time. These are mostly AB Miniatures from that fine chap Nic at Eureka Miniatures with a couple of other brands from my lead pile thrown in for variety.

The first units completed are an Armoured Rifle Squad and a 60mm mortar team. As Chain of Command requires a 60mm mortar to have five crew I was was struggling with a way to make them look like a team. I decided to base them together but I wanted the versatility of casualty removal so I based them on a 40 x 45mm base

 however only one figure is permanently attached. I used putty to build up arond the small bases the figures come on to form "sabots". I then added the basing flock and static grass tufts to tie all the figures together visually. I then removed the figures leaving the sabot areas. Figures can be easily put on and taken off the base. 

I may add some small magnets to make them more secure if needed, depends on how they go in a game. Now, off to paint, there's plenty more in the queue.