Upgraded Napoleonics

I'm in the process of reassessing my Napoleonic project and consequently updating my Austrian army (rebasing and going from a 16 figure regiment to a 24 figure battalion). 

This is my first "upgraded" Austrian batallion : 
  
The first battalion of the (IR11) Erzherzog Rainer regiment

 If you're interested, you can see a pic of the original unit on my website Clash of Empires (as well as tons of other Nap pics in the picture gallery and the blog) as well as more pics of the upgraded battalion and a long winded explanation for the change.

I won, I won!

I have to say I have the worst luck in the world when it comes to random draws and such. I NEVER, EVER win anything. I'm not kidding. Last time I won anything was in 1985 when I won a Playmobil castle set by mail draw (it was an amazing set though). I haven't won anything since.

The last thing yours truly won by luck

But not anymore! I indeed just won the Special draw prize from Lokis Great Hall, which is a fantastically painted Thor miniature. Yeah!

Now I don't own a Viking army or anything like that, but it will nonetheless find a place of choice in my display cabinet. I love to get my hands on well painted miniatures to observe the technique and brushstrokes up close. 

So thanks a lot Andrew! Hopefully you just broke my curse. I have to say contests have been going well for me recently...

This calls for a happy dance!

 

Ooooh...free stuff (Loki's Great Hall 2nd Anniversary Give Away)

In a clever and Machiavellian attempt to increase traffic to his blog and to celebrate the blog's second anniversary, Mr Sanders over at Loki's Great Hall has started a giveaway which includes all kinds of cool prizes for the winners. Our task is to link to his blog and then comment the shit out of it. So please, have a thought for a poor Canadian in need of more figures and click on the link above, you'll feel better for it. I'm on a roll right now, having almost won something yesterday, so now is not the time to let me down!

As a bonus, it's a great blog with fantastic painting and I believe you will enjoy the visit very much. Unless you don't like looking at well painted figures...but then why the hell are you reading my blog you freak?! 

Below is an example of the fantastic painting you will find. This entry was one of my favourite of the Analogue challenge.

Award time (yes, I almost won something!)

Curt announced today the Awards for the 3rd Annual Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge.  The challenger's choice was my second choice, so I quite agree with the pick obviously. I was pretty sure it would win as it is quite original and very well done. Pretty cool stuff, hey?

You can see the other winners on Curt's blog, all fantastic work. And yes, yours truly was nominated for the People's choice award for his Canaanite spearmen (woo hoo). Thanks to all those who voted for me! Next year, I'm going for the win ;-) 

A pleasant and unexpected surprise on my birthday! (I just turned 34 today).