Tuesday 20 December 2016

A Hobby Review of 2016

As 2016 draws to an end, it's time to reflect on the year's hobbying. At the same time last year, I set myself some goals: fun games, enjoying modelling and painting. 

I had ambitions of Melniboneans and Pan Tangians Frostgrave warbands, Genestealer hybrids and Inquisimunda gaming. I also wanted to complete my Citadel and Iron Claw Space Pirates collections.

How did I do with these ambitions? Pretty well, I think! I painted up a Pan Tangian warband and flew across to Ireland to Knavecon to play Frostgrave (and other games) for a weekend with my fellow WIPsters.

Pulpy space adventure in the Dorty Double Dozen at Knavecon
Frostgrave goodness

Late night Brewhouse Bash action


I painted up an Eldar Void Pirate warband and used it in an Inquisimunda campaign at the start of the year. I also completed my Space Pirates collection, but I failed again to paint any hybrids (they've been waiting for at least 25 years, what's another year?!).

Eldar Void Pirates in action

I've also been lucky enough to play some other great games, both home and away:

Bonkers fun at Warhammer World with antipixi, cheetor & Curis.
54mm plastic toy soldier gaming in Graham's garage.

Invading the Red City
Machines v dinosaurs! In our Ash Wastes campaign.

My painting output has been pretty steady, averaging around 10 'things painted' per month - sometimes big, sometimes small:

January
February
March

April
May
June
July
August
September
October

November
 
December


In addition to all this, myself and my fellow WIPsters launched the Scale Creep blog, Asslessman Greenstuff Gretchin and myself have started our 40kthulhu project, and I produced a second set of Colony 87 figures But you're not reading this because of all the self-congratulatory stuff, are you? You quite rightly want to see cold hard statistical interpretation. OK, here it is then:



The bare figures reveal 122 'things' painted and 43 games played. That's right, 2016 and wasn't as abundant a year as 2015, but I'm not complaining. I think I hit a groove which balances hobby output with family and all the other real life stuff that goes on.

Plans for 2016?

Fun games, enjoy modelling and painting

That sounds like a mantra I want to keep. I know I want to make a Nobilist warband for Inquismunda, I want to paint some of my Rogue Trader adventurers and that Melnibonean warband. I want to make it to BOYL17 at Wargames Foundry in the summer and build some more terrain. I might even get round to painting those Genestealer hybrids...!

Have a good New Year all - see you in 2017!

20 comments:

  1. Pretty damn fine year there, Jon! I do like a good annual review. A great input of innovative and we'll executed paint jobs as per usual. I'm sure we'll all be seeing more of the same for 2017!

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    1. Thanks End! It's been a pretty well-rounded year I think. I'm hoping to keep things up for 2017 :)

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  2. Brilliant round-up mate, some amazing projects completed over the year. Hopefully see you at BOYL!

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    1. Absolutely! I was gutted not to be able to go this year. I plan to make up for it in 2017!

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  3. Your blog is my favourite of the ones I follow Jon. Keep up the great work!

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  4. Steady as a rock Jon.
    Really fantastic output, well done.

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  5. A year of hobbying to be proud of! Happy New year buddy! ;)

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    1. You're a kind man! Happy New Year to you too :D

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  6. Your output puts a lot of us to shame Jon, although my terrain initiatives have taken up a lot of my time this last year. Looking forward to some more adventures together in 2017!

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    1. I've enjoyed playing on your terrain Graham! Some spectacular output at your end too!

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  7. I'd say your achievements are up to your ambitions' standards !
    It's such a pleasure to follow your inspirational metronome output really.
    Even greater to be able to share part of the path !
    Here's to more of the same !

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    1. Thanks buddy! It's always a pleasure to share and be inspired by other hobbyists. I'll drink to more of the same ;)

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  8. Quite an achievement and I hadn't noticed till your roundup your innovative use of Eternal champion / Melnibonean figures very impressive.

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    1. I love the EC range. I hope to get a bunch more painted next year :)

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  9. A great review of what looks like a very nice gaming year! Fun games with good friends that are a pleasure to look at (the games, not necessarily the friends!) are what you want. I really like your month by month photos: might have to steal that idea for next year!

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    1. Fun games with friends are what it's all about, right?! I'd like more, but the ones I do manage are great :)

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  10. Whoa, a year end hobby review with charts. Impressive. Most impressive. :) You truly did some great work last year and may it continue this year.

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    1. Charts are the most important part. Next year I might forget all the pictures in favour of more charts!

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