2014 and all that.

2014 is a year I can look back on and be rather pleased about all the things that have gone off. Overall it's been a very positive year hobby wise. I finished within the bracket I wished in the Analogue Painting Challenge though overall I enjoyed that years Challenge less than the previous two I had been involved in, much of that being my own doing. A change of mindset and a much more open choice of projects is making this years the most fun for me.

Talking of projects, how can I not mention Project Quatre Bras which was completed and saw me involved with my first ever Display Game at The Joy of Six. It also saw me finish my commitment towards the French for Project Waterloo pictured above. I have also completed the Prussians and have yet to get a group shot of them but it will happen. 

So two large projects finished figure wise though I still have a good number of buildings to paint up but I am well on my way to achieving this. But how about other projects that got started ether late in 2013 or this year?

The WWII planes remain fully unpainted and will do for the short to medium term whilst the WWI bought in July still wait further work. Another project started in 2013 was the Roman army that is only just starting to get worked on again but I think this will be one of the main gains in 2015, so watch this space.

Another 2014 winner is my Saga no I don't have six points painted yet but it's coming along and will get more progress in January. The Cowboys also continue to progress though I have stalled on the buildings but again these will see work in January as I am hoping to get a few games in with Lee and or Matt in the coming months.

Talking of winners the 1/72 Russians have blasted into a good position with the start up infantry painted and the tanks about to get started within two weeks max. 2014 also saw Roleplaying become a not infrequent diversion with a number of sessions and a steady rate of monsters, NPC's and Characters painted up this year.

Figure gaming has been a bit like tides with me seeming to have a few periods where I have had a good run of games but then longer periods of nothing. Now I could have regular Thursday action at Kev's this has made the opportunity much better. However I still want to improve the number of games I have with Matt and Lee so if I actually get my arse organised I could have a bumper 2015.

So looking forward what can I look forward to?

That game of games our Waterloo game played out on a massive sculptured terrain board with every unit depicted down to Battalions batteries and cavalry regiments. It's going to be epic. Also taking the set up to Joy of Six, setting it up and just sitting back safe in the knowledge that were not actually trying to play it again.

A year of painting just what I want it's fair to say that Project Waterloo has been a tough one to get through but only once did I feel like a break and I had factored three such breaks in the planning of the whole painting process (yes I had a spreadsheet (ok 2)) and as such finished five months early. But the fact I am almost at a point I can paint what I want when I want is a great feeling and whilst I was not jaded regarding painting I am more fired up than ever before.

Aims for 2015.

Finish Matt's Zulu's before the end of February.

Get all the Waterloo buildings finished before the end of March.

Paint up at least eight points of Vikings in the year (including painted troops)

Get the WWI planes painted and get a few games in with the boy.

Get the Roman army finished before end of May

Paint up enough 6mm Ancients that I can have a game with them.

Buy and paint up a number of Celtic Warbands for Hail Caesar in 1/72, the buying is sorted.

Paint up the Arena Rex gladiators and get a few games under my belt.

Start a new 6mm Napoleonic Army, certainly the Poles but probably the Spanish as well.

Continue painting yet more Prussians, French and French allies in 6mm, no way am I finished with the two main forces I have worked on so far.

So a fair amount of plans for 2015 and whilst it may not be feasible to do them all I do think I have a chance of managing it if I don't add another tangent to my roaster.

Hope you all have a great New Year, I plan to paint  ;-)