The Dogs - Spring Clean Challenge 2026

Every project benefits from an evaluation.  It is good to reflect on what was done and what the best bits were.  The Spring Clean Challenge was to revisit and complete a project in the 92 days of spring 2026 (from the vernal equinox to summer solstice)

Things I have done on this project:

• Completed 170 miniatures that’s close to 3 per day.
• Finished 1 army with 14 units and 6 command bases.
• Finished basing a second army with 18 units and 7 command bases.
• Have enough units done to have spares to get another project seeded – Sea Elves for example as there are 2 or 3 units here that could transfer across to a new army if desired.
• Learned a brand new technique – nail stamping. I’ve had enough of a go to get confident in doing it and now know what to look for when buying a new stamp plate.  I’ll definitely be using this technique on other projects going forward.
• Found a new method for doing glass lenses. I’ve always struggled to get something that I like and the technique with the Pastel Indigo Speedpaint has produced an effect I’m happy with.  I’ll be doing them this way from now on.
• Going back to the Vinted trade that pushed this project to the fore this year. I bought 11 original boxed Regiments of Renown.  I used four boxes in this army (the Elwing’s and Lothern City Guards).  That meant I had 7 boxes left over and I sold those on eBay.  I’ve been able to recoup my investment, passing on the unwanted items to other collectors who had a fair chance in a timed auction and didn’t have to pay the excessive prices that some resellers try to charge.  It is a silly market though as proved by my ability to sell the empty boxes from the units I kept.
• Completed a bespoke supplement book for the army with stats and lore for each character and regiment.
• Completed a game of Midgard using both armies and wrote up a battle report. The Dogs of War won.  Huzzah!
• Created a Project with 28 posts, one per 3 1/3 days.
• Resources used include 3 ½ pots of Krautcover Meadows of Purity plus 1 1/2 pots of grass flock. I killed 3 Vallejo Promodeller brushes which isn’t unusual for Speedpaint as they work down into the ferrule when fresh and runny and then turn into a sticky mess which is hard to clean out.  I’m very happy with how well these brushes lasted under this abuse and treated myself to a brand new set in celebration of finishing.  I used up 4 pots of Speedpaint and one of Speedpaint Medium.

Overall then the categories this year were:

Best Skill – The most skilled work, be it painting or overall finish

All I can say is I did my best given the quantity of miniatures and the time available.  I’m certainly happy with the results. There were some new skills learned and developed and I’ve got more tools in the painting toolbox after this project.

Best Tutorial – The person who shows us, in detail, the steps from start to finish.

I’ve tried to give full explanations of all of the steps in the processes used and the early project entries went through each different process in full with photos of each stage on the first occasion.  I’ve not repeated this for every subsequent iteration of similar techniques.  I have provided tutorials for some really practical techniques like the paper and metal foil sandwich flags and the nail art stamping.

Best Idea – You don’t have to have finished your work to be able to produce something which showed great skill in planning.

I’m happy with the concept which I think anyone else can use – just look through your collection and decide what to do with your favourite miniatures.  I’m pleased with the planning that went in to delivering the final outcomes, particularly because I’ve had the time needed to finish this year.  I’m pleased that there was enough room in the process for some innovation and creativity.

Best Army Refresh – An old army refresh of 25+ miniatures – brought back to the tabletop for another battle!

This is the main one for me.  At 170 miniatures I’m certainly over the 25 minimum.  Some of these miniatures have been in the collection for more than 30 years so it definitely counts as old.  I’ve had them on the tabletop already and they even won 😊

A Breath Of Fresh Air – Take a beautiful picture of your finished work in an awesome outdoor location!

We even went outside! Twice!!  The Green Knight and the Herbstwald Brigands made it into the woods for some adventures and colour scheme test photoshoots.

Overall I had an absolute blast doing this project.  Thanks OTT.  The SCC is my favourite competition here.  It is great to be a member of a community engaging with this joint enterprise and I’m always amazed and inspired by the variety and quality of projects here.  This is a really positive community and it is fun interacting with everyone as we work on different things but all under the same banner.  The challenge is interesting and causes me to interact with my collection in unexpected and creative ways.  I’m so pleased with the outcomes this year.  I have been able to appreciate the quality of design and casting of my favourite miniatures in a way that you only get when you paint them.    Looking forward to next year’s SCC already 🙂

And now the armies go in the display cabinet for “a good coat of looking at”.