Monday, January 1, 2018

2017 Painting Log in Review

2017 ended with a whimper on the hobby front.  Rather than enjoying the week between Christmas and New Years' Day with a chance for a bit of R&R with friends and family, I was stricken by a nasty flu.  Still battling the effects of that terrible holiday bug as I write.  Planned games cancelled and painting sessions cut short as fatigue comes quickly.  Just enough energy to file away the 2017 Painting Log Review.  

A few completed units lay in wait at the workbench patiently awaiting their turn at the photo booth but in summary 2017 saw, 
  • Total Number of figures painted: 911 figures and 8 pieces of equipment
  • Total Number of Adjusted Painting Points: 4,334
While figure count was down from 2016 (1,105 vs 911), Adjusted Painting Points actually increased slightly (4,317 vs 4,334) over 2016.  That painting point count placed 2017 in the slot of fourth largest annual total since I began tracking such things more than twenty years ago.

Having ultimately made no formal declaration for project plans for 2017 at the beginning of the year, the following was mentioned in the 2016 Painting Log Review:
While neither the 1799 nor 1859 projects saw action on the gaming table in 2016 as planned, games in these two periods are very close to seeing fruition.  The 1800 and 1859 battles of Montebello are almost ready for playtesting.  The map for Montebello has been transferred onto the gaming table and OB and scenario details for the 1859 action are in the final stages.  Playtesting should begin by the end of January.
What lays ahead for 2017?  Well, in general, more gaming would be most welcome and a new project (Neo-Assyrians) will likely take center stage.  Those thoughts are for another post.  Until next time. 
Very handy when I failed to set a benchmark for accountability at year end. Given that these two paragraphs were all I mentioned as goals at the beginning of 2017, still, they provide insights into my thoughts on a few goals.  First, the two battles of Montebello saw a lot of action on the gaming table in 2017.  Actually, a lot of gaming activity took place in 2017 and easily exceeded two dozen games.  Likely the most gaming I have done in one year in a very, very long time.  Second, the Neo-Assyrian project mentioned as a start-up in last year's post, exploded in 2017 as will be confirmed in the following graphs.  Checking the Painting Log, 46 BMUs for the Assyrian Wars project crossed over the painting desk in 2017.  A tidy sum, that! 

As with past years' analytics, painting totals are presented in unadjusted (raw) figure counts as well as adjusted figure counts.  Adjusted counts consider figure size as a component while unadjusted simply tallies the number of painted figures produced.  Adjustments are made based on Analog Hobbies' Painting Challenge points system.

On an unadjusted basis of painted figures by era (Figure 1), the major effort (34% of total) was in the 25mm Assyrian Wars project.  With 46 BMUs finished, no surprise there.  The count of 308 painting figures does not include the work done to refurbish and base the nine Assyrian chariots.  Next, coming in at 127 figures (14% of total), the 25mm Great Italian Wars project took second billing followed by the 18mm 1799 project (90 figures; about 10%) and 25mm Reconquista (86 figures; 9.5%)
Figure 1
On an adjusted figure count basis (Figure 2), the percentages by project are transformed as the weighting of the 25/28mm projects (Assyrian Wars, Italian Wars, Reconquista) dampen the effects of the 18mm 1799 project.
Figure 2
Turning to disaggregating counts by scale (Figure 3), fully 75% of all painting production was recognized in the 25/28mm classification.  2017 was the year of 25/28mm figure for me.  Perhaps a better balance is needed in 2018?
Figure 3
On an adjusted basis, the 25/28mm classification dominance is even more pronounced.  Fully 85% of all production found itself in the larger scale projects.  
Figure 4
How does 2017 fit into the historical trends and tendencies over the life of my figure tracking?

On an unadjusted basis, painting trends show consistency in 2014 - 2017 periods with each hovering around 1,000 figures annually (Figure 5).  Had 2017 painting output been more balanced between 25/28mm and 15/18mm then 2017 would have seen very similar raw figure counts as 2014-2016.
Figure 5
Converting these counts to an adjusted basis by Year and Scale (Figure 6) shows that painting output in 2017 reached the fourth highest output since painting statistics have been tracked just edging out 2016.  Again, by painting a little most days, consistency remains in place and good gains can be realized.
Figure 6
Project diversity continued in 2017 as shown by the variety of differently colored bars in Figure 7.  Even given the 2017 focus on the Assyrian Wars project, fifteen different projects saw figures muster off from the painting desk.
Figure 7
On an adjusted basis, Figure 8 reconfirms that 2017 was a good year at the painting desk.  The graph also confirms that my painting production has found a very sustainable level of consistency over the last ten years. 
Figure 8
While my totals are not as monumental as some, the balance of about 900-1000 figures painted annually seems about right.  Given that no new projects are on the drawing board for 2018 and that I am slowly shifting towards an emphasis of more gaming, my 2018 goals on the painting front may be lowered.  That, however, is for another post when project planning for 2018 is considered.

42 comments:

  1. Prolific painter and generous blogger is how I would sum up your 2017 :-)

    Sorry you went under with 'the bug', I have been visited by similar for a second time in December and only realised today, as it releases its grip that this time has been a full two weeks.

    So rock on to 2018, to full painting tables and good gaming. Best Wishes for the New Year, Norm.

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    1. Norm, you are always kind and supportive with your words. Your encouragements do not pass unnoticed or unappreciated.

      Happy New Year!

      Delete
  2. That is quite some number of painted figures, especially given the quality of your painting.

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  3. A productive and intense year...Happy New Year Jonathan!

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  4. Jonathan always love reading this post. That is a pretty impressive figure count - approx. 20 per week. Well done and I hope the new year brings lots more enjoyment.

    Richard

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    1. Glad you enjoy this annual review, Richard!

      The New Year will look much better once I get this incessant flu behind me.

      Delete
  5. Blooming 'eck, all that made my head hurt. No chance of me ever being able to add up what little I do hobby-wise in such a way, so fair play to you and good job.

    Will we be seeing a top 10 commentators score for 2017? (hint, hint, I plan on being high on the list as it was one of my 2017 wargaming goals - that really sounds sad, doesn't it!)

    All the best for 2018

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    Replies
    1. Sorry for the headache, Roy!

      As for the Top 10 Commentators score, that is present always. To make it onto the Top 10, you must comment even more. You must not be that far from striking into the Top 10.

      Your support and encouragements are always appreciated, Roy.

      Happy New Year to you!

      Delete
  6. Amazing figure total Jonathan and of course it wouldn't be complete without your famously detailed flow charts! Happy New Year!

    Christopher

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    1. My charts are famous?

      I enjoy the displays because they add color and visual interest into an aspect of the hobby that can be monotonous.

      Happy New Year!

      Delete
  7. Sorry to hear you took ill at the end of the year. As for 2017, I'm certainly impressed with your accomplishments. Well done! Happy New Year Jonathan!

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    1. Still battling the bug but perhaps I will turn the corner soon.

      Thanks for your continued support and Happy New Year to you!

      Delete
  8. Nice charts! I'm with you on the bug , finished decorating and went down with it just before Christmas still hanging around got to pull my finger out to miss the cut on the challenge. You've had a great year I'd say loads of games brilliant unstoppable Assyrian project, Italian wars and your mid nineteenth century and revolutionary battlefield time share! Looking forward to more smashing figures and games!
    Best Iain

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    1. Sorry you fell to a bug over the holidays, Iain.

      Glad you like the charts. I have been tracking my painting output for a long time so seeing where I have been is a useful exercise for me.

      The Assyrians Wars project really developed well in 2017. From 0 to 46 units in 2017 was a surprise to me. Gaming turned up a notch in 2017 too. With much more gaming frequency, scenario design, game design, it was a good year.

      Delete
  9. Sorry to hear about the flu episode: totally awful stuff! Impressive project tracking, analysis, and just plain production! It's a great motivational exercise to see: thanks for sharing!

    Happy New Year!

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    1. Some suggest the tracking and analysis as "OCD." You say "motivational." I pick you!

      Happy New Year, Ed!

      Delete
  10. Phenomenal output! You also maintain high quality while you paint those numbers. I'm glad you are attaining your goal of gaming more.

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    1. Thank you, Aaron!

      It is very good to see that this years Analog Hobbies Painting Challenge has you firing up the brushes again.

      Delete
  11. I'm sorry that you haven't been well, Jon. We'll make up for our missed holiday gaming.

    Congratulations on a very productive 2017! I'm glad we were able to game so often.

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    1. Scott, this flu has been a brutal one. Perhaps they get tougher to combat as one ages?

      Looking forward to making up missed holiday games and many more in 2017.

      Delete
  12. Amazing stats Jonathan. You are an inspiration to us all! Sorry to hear of your bug - it's surprising how often those sorts of things strike just when one's begins to relax for the holiday season...

    All the best for 2018 :)

    Cheers,
    Aaron

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    1. Glad you enjoyed the analytics! It is fun for me as well.

      Seems like when I take time to relax, "bam!" I get hit with a bug.

      Happy New Year to you!

      Delete
  13. Great results Jonathan. I am with you on increasing the game count. Hope the flu departs soon.

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    1. My results pale in comparison to your results (or Scott's or Dartfrog's) but are good for me.

      Even though 2017 saw an big increase in gaming, I intend to keep the gaming bar set to high.

      Delete
  14. Close to a 1000 figures for a couple of years is very impressive! You must have huge armies!

    All the best in 2918

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  15. Likewise sorry to hear about the Flu, hopefully it will depart shortly. An impressive year indeed in terms of out put and gaming intensity both. Congratulations!

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    1. Peter, this has been a bad flu. Physician concerned it might be pneumonia but, for now, that is negative.

      On the hobby front, you experienced quite a good year yourself!

      Delete
  16. Yeah the flu seems like a bad way to end the year, hope you feel better soon. A very prolific year and a lot of good games. I would rate it as a success.

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    1. Very bad way to end the year!

      I was looking forward to our holiday Mollwitz rematch. We will have to reschedule.

      2017 was a great success, I think!

      Delete
  17. Not quite sure what that lot meant. Stats just ain't my thang!!
    Happy New Year to you and yours Jonathan and I hope you have a great 2018 and get to play a few more games. That's one of my plans this year.

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    1. Ray, these charts with their globs of color and patterns are similar to a Rorschach test for figure painters. You tell me what you think you see and I will interpret the results!

      Happy New Year to you, Ray!

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  18. Great effort. I was quietly satisfied with 620 28mm figures, but your total blows that out of the water!

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    1. 620 28s is no small accomplishment, either. Congratulations on your effort!

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  19. Wow quite some analysis! Looks like a lot though and hope your feeling better now Jonathan!

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    1. Thank you, Mark. My output is quite feeble when compared against your massive production.

      With luck, I will be feeling better soon...

      Delete
  20. I love seeing those charts. I'm not sure I could be diligent enough to keep track that way but I'm glad you do.

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    1. Glad you enjoy the charts!

      Once you begin tracking, it is quite easy to maintain. Besides, you cannot manage what is not measured, right?

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    2. Do you have a file that you could send me on the charts? I am assuming that it is some form of excel charts? /Jeff jharrison.bb62@gmail.com

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    3. Hi Jeff, the charts are not in Excel but generated using SAS.

      Delete