Pendraken Painting Competition 2026!

[Fingolfin]

I would say Fantasy & sci-fi, unless they have riders, in which case I think it would probably be up to you which category they would go into.
Assuming they have riders, I would make the decision based upon my other entries, as the fewer items you enter into each category, the better your chances of doing well is, as you won't split your votes.

Thanks for that - I think you are right: unmounted minis in the Mounted category does seem a little wrong, even though they might be "cavalry"... I've already entered the Fantasy category, so I think I'll leave them out of the competition. Thanks again

[Maraviglia]

Have you ever held yourself so still while painting you hurt your back? Because I just did finishing my single base Napoleon entry!
I MAY be getting old...

[Techno 3]

No. My back's well and truly trashed already.
I AM old. 

If I ever DO  paint, rather than push the putty around, it's my neck that gives me grief. 

[Fingolfin]

Have you ever held yourself so still while painting you hurt your back? Because I just did finishing my single base Napoleon entry!
I MAY be getting old...

A subject close to my heart, as I had to retire from sculpting through back pain after a spinal ligament tear.

Some positive advice and a warning:

The pain you are experiencing when painting is due to tensing the body (especially when detailing etc). That pain is actually the tightening of the muscle/tendon/ligament fibres... which just makes the problem worse by progressively increasing the pain level and prolonging the recovery time. So: you *must* stop when you feel the pain. It's a shame, but a fact. Pushing through the pain barrier or taking pain killers to mask the signals, will result in a prolonged back problem.

The solution:

• Move the body every 15/20 mins - set a timer or alarm on your phone as time flies when you paint as we all know.
• Alternate painting positions: Hard unless you have a sit/stand desk or can find another well-lit position when standing with good arm support.
• Stop when you feel pain.

Hope that helps you Maraviglia, and you can enjoy some pain-free painting time 

[Maraviglia]

Thanks for the tips, they sound very sensible and I will try to do as many as I can. However I think most of my current issues have been caused by a knackered mattress and 2 energetic toddlers!

[Martin1914]

Hi Leon

Many thanks for re-sizing submitted photos for better viewing. Another great competition in progress.

[Techno 3]

I trust we're all going to get at least 10 votes per category, rather than the usual 3(?).
The standard of entries is STILL  going up and up.

It's going to be sooooooo difficult to pick out the winners this year!

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

The standard of entries is STILL  going up and up.

Agreed, done truly awesome work, unfortunately my standards aren't keeping up with some of the others! 🤣

[hammurabi70]

Titivillus entries not visible as not available in your region.Some adjustment required?

[fred.]

Titivillus entries not visible as not available in your region.Some adjustment required?

Yeah, don't host them on Imgur - it is geofenced to block access from the UK

[fsn]

Centurion has added two entries to the vehicles, but I can't see the pictures. Not blocked. Just invisible

Really good camouflage?

[streetgang]

Have you ever held yourself so still while painting you hurt your back? Because I just did finishing my single base Napoleon entry!
I MAY be getting old...

Hahaha! I understand your struggle! I was just posting on my painting blog how I managed to cripple myself with an extremely stiff back after a marathon painting session trying to get some SCW regulares finished in time for the competition.

[streetgang]

Well I managed to slip in a few entries into the competition this year just before the deadline. I had a look at the other entries and, my goodness, there are alot of stunning gems on display! Good luck to everyone.

If you care to read about my entries and the various mishaps (and an aching back), there is a blog post on it: https://lecoqfou.blogspot.com/2026/02/pendraken-painting-competition-2026.html

[Leon]

Titivillus entries not visible as not available in your region.Some adjustment required?

I've emailed him to get the original images and then I can edit those in for him.

Centurion has added two entries to the vehicles, but I can't see the pictures. Not blocked. Just invisible

Really good camouflage?

Those are all fixed now too.

[MonAtArms]

My apologies to Leon — I reused the template and accidentally left "fantasy" in the description of historical miniatures. Sorry about that! Best of luck to everyone!

[Leon]

Voting is now live, so make sure to place your votes!  Good luck to everyone!

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Vote early, vote often.

[Maraviglia]

Are the vote results supposed to be public now? I only ask because they never have been before but they are currently in 2 categories. At least they are to me...

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Suspect the wrong button was pressed

[Steve J]

Good luck to one and all! This year real life got in the way of submitting any entries, so fingers crossed for 2027...