As we have now passed the 500 member mark, it's time to announce the first ever 'Pendraken Painting Competition'!
The competition will be running for 4 weeks, starting on Feb 1st, and running through to the 28th. There will be 4 categories:
Foot - Min: 3 / Max: 10 figures on a single base.
Mounted - Min: 3 / Max: 6 figures on a single base.
Vehicle - Single vehicle on or off base.
Open - Anything you'd like to put in, single figures, mini diorama's, anything. Maximum base size of 60x60mm.
RULES
- Firstly, all figures must be Pendraken. Conversions are allowed, but only on our figures.
- You must be a Forum member to enter.
- You may enter as many times as you like but each entry is only allowed one photo. You can combine several shots into a montage if you wish, but still only one image. If you have any difficulty posting pics, they can be emailed to Pendraken and we'll put them up for you.
- All entries must be your own work, and have not been entered into any online competitions before.
- You can post WIP photo's if you wish, and you can also post extra photo's of your work elsewhere on the Forum. These will not count towards your competition entry.
- The winners will be decided by a team of judges (to be announced closer to the opening date).
- Competition threads will be created on the opening date, purely for your entries.
There will be some decent prizes up for grabs, so this is a great opportunity to get your hands on some Pendraken goodies! Remember, the opening day for entries is 1st Feb, which gives you just enough time to get any figures ordered, grab your brushes and get busy!
If there's any questions, let us know!
Good stuff, I will def be puting a few entries in for this, is there a max file size for the photos or a max width
Quote from: exilesjjb on 13 January 2011, 03:20:11 AM
Good stuff, I will def be puting a few entries in for this, is there a max file size for the photos or a max width
No maximums really, I think most people will host them elsewhere, and link the images from there.
I may be tempted to put some of my stuff up its not pro quality but holds up (well I think it does)
Tom H
aka Bilbo
Very cool! I'll be sure to enter.
have ordered a few bit ready to get painting
Leon
this is also open for me ?? :)
P.
Can we put pictures of finished works already published in our blogs, or do they have to be completely original and started to be painted now?
Damn you :d
What do I tell to my wife?!?!
I'm in!!
:-bd
Pendraken rules
Oh Yeah!!
Quote from: blacksmith on 13 January 2011, 12:03:38 PM
Can we put pictures of finished works already published in our blogs, or do they have to be completely original and started to be painted now?
We'd prefer new stuff, but for this first comp we won't insist on it. Next year we will though!
Another quick point for everyone though, you can enter as many times as you like, but obviously this is within reason!
I'll have a go for sure!
will you be setting up a gallery or will be post pictures in the thread?
Might have a bash at this one :D
Quote from: exilesjjb on 13 January 2011, 10:31:48 PM
will you be setting up a gallery or will be post pictures in the thread?
The entries will initally be posted in an official thread, but we'll have a look at putting them into some kind of gallery for judging purposes.
Are you banning Nick?
I'm in.
Getting ready to set up some more figures to be painted so I'll probably enter those and not something I've already painted.
I already started last night to choose the material for the competition. :-\
I'll probably submit more than one work! Still waiting for my SYW stuff.
:d
Got a couple of things in progress (well hardly started really), this could be the ideal spur to get them completed.
Excellent - I'm really looking forward to this.
Do WW2 mototrcycles go in the 'vehicles' or 'mounted' category?
I'm in. I had hoped to receive my order of AWI but I have some WWI that are much too shiny and beg for the brush.
Quote from: AndyT on 15 January 2011, 07:48:51 AM
Excellent - I'm really looking forward to this.
Do WW2 mototrcycles go in the 'vehicles' or 'mounted' category?
Vehicles probably.
Will my order be here by then :-[
no pressure :D :D :D
Quote from: Maenoferren on 15 January 2011, 08:38:54 PM
Will my order be here by then :-[
no pressure :D :D :D
It should be yes, I'm currently working through orders from the 6th and 7th, Dave's a couple of days behind.
Hurrah :D
I'm ok for the competition! ^^
Hope my command will come soon! ^^
Quote from: Maenoferren on 15 January 2011, 08:38:54 PM
Will my order be here by then :-[
no pressure :D :D :D
Yeah, ditto! :D
Quote from: arsenus on 22 January 2011, 08:52:21 AM
Hope my command will come soon! ^^
Quote from: Luddite on 22 January 2011, 04:16:15 PM
Yeah, ditto! :D
Your orders were placed on the 18th & 19th, so they should be with you in time!
Quote from: Leon on 22 January 2011, 06:52:09 PM
Your orders were placed on the 18th & 19th, so they should be with you in time!
Yes!! Ahahah!! I will prepare my brushes!
you say it all has to be pendraken, any chance you can do some troop transport aircraft for the us ;)
Quote from: grimreaper on 24 January 2011, 02:14:58 AM
you say it all has to be pendraken, any chance you can do some troop transport aircraft for the us ;)
That's one for the Requests board!
Good luck to every one, I'm really looking forward to seeing all the entries.
Andy Mac
Quote from: Leon on 13 January 2011, 03:11:03 AM
Foot - Min: 3 / Max: 10 figures on a single base.
Mounted - Min: 3 / Max: 6 figures on a single base.
Vehicle - Single vehicle on or off base.
Open - Anything you'd like to put in, single figures, mini diorama's, anything. Maximum base size of 60x60mm.
Sorry but my english is pretty weak...
When you say "on a single base" do you mean:
1) a soldier per base or
2) three soldiers min on the SAME base?
Quote from: arsenus on 24 January 2011, 02:21:20 PM
Sorry but my english is pretty weak...
When you say "on a single base" do you mean:
1) a soldier per base or
2) three soldiers min on the SAME base?
Definitely option 2!
3 à 10 figures sur une seule base pour l'infanterie, 3 à 6 pour la cavalerie, seulement les vehicules ont leur propre base. Par contre, tu peux mettre une figure à pied sur une base sous forme d'un diorama.
Ok! Merci!
Je comptais plus utiliser les figurines pour des escarmouches mais je vais en faire quelques unes sur socles! ^^
Une photo d'armée, ça compte dans la dernière catégorie?
Ok! Thank you!
I intended to use the figures to more skirmishes but I'll do some on bases! ^ ^
A photo of an army, it counts in the last category?
Merci Pruneau! :) Je suis content que vous pouvez parler français! Je dois me fier uniquement sur Google Translate :'(.
Quote from: arsenus on 24 January 2011, 03:39:48 PM
A photo of an army, it counts in the last category?
The last category has a maximum base size of 60x60mm, so you'd have to fit a whole army on that!
Just want to make sure - as I do not see it mentioned either way. This is an international competition?
Quote from: MiniPatton on 24 January 2011, 05:22:36 PM
Just want to make sure - as I do not see it mentioned either way. This is an international competition?
Yep, open to everyone!
Quote from: Leon on 24 January 2011, 05:20:15 PM
The last category has a maximum base size of 60x60mm, so you'd have to fit a whole army on that!
Errr...yeah! Of course... In pyramid like pom-poms girls! ^^
Quote from: arsenus on 24 January 2011, 05:39:03 PM
Errr...yeah! Of course... In pyramid like pom-poms girls! ^^
:D
Wow. I just discovered this painting competition. It light be a good reason to get back at my French SYW army :P
Quote from: arsenus on 24 January 2011, 03:39:48 PM
Ok! Merci!
Je comptais plus utiliser les figurines pour des escarmouches mais je vais en faire quelques unes sur socles! ^^
Une photo d'armée, ça compte dans la dernière catégorie?
Ok! Thank you!
I intended to use the figures to more skirmishes but I'll do some on bases! ^ ^
A photo of an army, it counts in the last category?
Les escarmouches, c'est aussi permis, avec une base de 60x60 ou moins.
Do we get bonus points for the most figures on a 60x60 base??? ;)
The prizes look good, Leon. Though the photo you used on TMP is far too good. I have those figures and mine look awful compared to those :'(
Quote from: arsenus on 24 January 2011, 05:39:03 PM
Errr...yeah! Of course... In pyramid like pom-poms girls! ^^
You
knew I couldn't pass this up, right?
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3081/3124316900_d17e2e4367.jpg)
Don't tell us Nik - just undercoat with a 2 inch brush, blocked with dark green and flesh, then a bit of dip?
Quote from: Last Hussar on 24 January 2011, 08:40:16 PM
Don't tell us Nik - just undercoat with a 2 inch brush, blocked with dark green and flesh, then a bit of dip?
You won't catch me commenting about 'dipping' and 'cheerleaders' in the same sentence - at least not until Friday ;)
Quote from: fred12df on 24 January 2011, 08:20:09 PM
The prizes look good, Leon. Though the photo you used on TMP is far too good. I have those figures and mine look awful compared to those :'(
If I remember correct, they belong to Pawel and Andy Mac respectively. I had a browse through our Flickr account for some suitably impressive work, and figured something by the judges should do it!
Quote from: Leon on 25 January 2011, 02:02:48 AM
If I remember correct, they belong to Pawel and Andy Mac respectively. I had a browse through our Flickr account for some suitably impressive work, and figured something by the judges should do it!
That's not nice, putting all us blotch painters down before the comp has even begun! :D
Quote from: Pruneau on 25 January 2011, 08:38:13 AM
That's not nice, putting all us blotch painters down before the comp has even begun! :D
Haha, no I just know that nice figures catch the attention, like magpies to the shiny shiny... :D
I think I may have a go :)
Well I think we might be sending some photos from one of our club members here in Copenhagen he does beautiful SYW figs. So we will have to have a photo session.
One thing I would like to request for next years contest how about Best Painted Army, it seems to me that when you have one unit with a couple of figures painted on a base you lose the impact of large beautifully painted armies. It is one thing to paint 10 or 20 figures to a fantastic standard but another to paint 200-500 figures to a very high level. That to me is what a wargame painting competion should be. I have often seen painters thart are just that painters and collectors paint up a couple of figures then move on to another period or scale for them the painting is the hobby not wargaming.
So please next year Best painted army with min of 200 figs to 500 figs.
William
Well that's me finished my entry.
Possibly that should have said ... Finished deciding on what to do for my entry ;)
Quote from: Wkeyser on 31 January 2011, 07:06:56 AM
Well I think we might be sending some photos from one of our club members here in Copenhagen he does beautiful SYW figs. So we will have to have a photo session.
One thing I would like to request for next years contest how about Best Painted Army, it seems to me that when you have one unit with a couple of figures painted on a base you lose the impact of large beautifully painted armies. It is one thing to paint 10 or 20 figures to a fantastic standard but another to paint 200-500 figures to a very high level. That to me is what a wargame painting competion should be. I have often seen painters thart are just that painters and collectors paint up a couple of figures then move on to another period or scale for them the painting is the hobby not wargaming.
So please next year Best painted army with min of 200 figs to 500 figs.
William
Thanks for the suggestion, we'll definitely have a think about that next year. Everything depends on how many entries we get for this one!
Can't wait to begin!!!!
^^
Only a few hours to go before the Competition begins!
planning furiously... funnily enough found some hardboard in the shed and a power saw. I now have some nice 60mm bases :)
it is now that I am planning stuff, I realise I could ahve done with various other figures that I forgot to order - poot :(
Quote from: Maenoferren on 31 January 2011, 08:17:02 PM
planning furiously... funnily enough found some hardboard in the shed and a power saw. I now have some nice 60mm bases :)
it is now that I am planning stuff, I realise I could ahve done with various other figures that I forgot to order - poot :(
The contests open for 28 days, we can always send something out if you need it?
I'm not sure what to enter, I have a bunch of AWI figures left from what I was kindly sent, although not a "unit" as such, I have a load of WW2 germans to paint up so could pretty much enter every category.
What are the criteria being used for the judging, are we looking at only the painting of the figures, or are the suitablity of the figures, the basing, the dioramic setting being evaluated also?
Okies do you have any arabic tents, do the mammoth's have riders? And what do you have in terms of pistol armed dudes for a pulp type set up.
Cheers
Stephen
Quote from: GavinP on 01 February 2011, 12:11:17 PM
What are the criteria being used for the judging, are we looking at only the painting of the figures, or are the suitablity of the figures, the basing, the dioramic setting being evaluated also?
It's the painting that will be judged first and foremost. Basing, setting, etc. is nice and can add to the visual impact of the figures, but is not essential to the piece. But, it's worth considering that nicely painted figures on a wooden stick won't look too great!
Quote from: Maenoferren on 01 February 2011, 12:26:49 PM
Okies do you have any arabic tents, do the mammoth's have riders? And what do you have in terms of pistol armed dudes for a pulp type set up.
Cheers
Stephen
Arabic tents - just one type, PS15, 2 to a pack.
Mammoth's have riders - No, but you can buy the howdah version and put someone in it. Or you could add something like the Goblin riders or Samurai Ape riders, which come separate to their mounts, or even some of the riders from the Ancient Indian elephants...?
Pistol armed dudes - not sure, need more info. There's a few command types that could be suitable?
Quote from: Leon on 01 February 2011, 06:23:49 PM
It's the painting that will be judged first and foremost. Basing, setting, etc. is nice and can add to the visual impact of the figures, but is not essential to the piece. But, it's worth considering that nicely painted figures on a wooden stick won't look too great!
dam extra work for me then ;D, is that even if I paint the stick green :-\
Quote from: exilesjjb on 01 February 2011, 10:45:27 PM
dam extra work for me then ;D, is that even if I paint the stick green :-\
LIke it ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: Leon on 01 February 2011, 06:26:53 PM
Arabic tents - just one type, PS15, 2 to a pack.
Mammoth's have riders - No, but you can buy the howdah version and put someone in it. Or you could add something like the Goblin riders or Samurai Ape riders, which come separate to their mounts, or even some of the riders from the Ancient Indian elephants...?
Pistol armed dudes - not sure, need more info. There's a few command types that could be suitable?
Hi Leon To save filling up theposts I will PM you.
Cheers
Stephen
Quote from: exilesjjb on 01 February 2011, 10:45:27 PM
dam extra work for me then ;D, is that even if I paint the stick green :-\
:D
Almost finished the Samurai apes with longbows! Picture tonight, I think...
Looking at some of the other entries, I wonder why I bothered entering! ;D :P Nice work chaps!
The level of entries is really high - I'm still finishing stuff off and need to get some photos taken - but do wonder whether it is worth it in some of the categories!!
There is definitely some excellent stuff so far. Don't forget though that each category has a winner and a runner-up, plus there's the People's Choice award! So quite a few chances to win a prize!
I have already prepared apes on tigers! ^^
Well my painting time has been somewhat curtailed by my Mum dying on the 6th and me needing to spend some time at home helping my Dad out for two weeks.
This isn't a plea for sympathy, rather a hint for what I should try and get done.
I had intended to try and do all this but now can only really get one or maybe two of them done.
AWI British Grenadiers
German WW2 FAO team
German WW2 Wespe's
German WW2 Lt Recce company
British WW2 MG's
British WW2 Mortars
So, please let me know what you want to see.
Hello Gavin
My sincere condolences, but life goes on... :(
In response to your request, I would like to see AWI British Grenadiers
Regards
Jorge
sincere condolances for your loss.
would like to see the light recon
Sorry to hear that Gavin. :(
I'd go for the Wespe's, only 3 entries in that category so far, so better odds of coming away with a prize! :D
Damn never thought of that...might have to get some vehicles done lol
OK, well if I do the wespe's I should be able to do the FAO team as well, which will be an entry into the open category I guess.
Thanks for the condolences.
Quote from: GavinP on 19 February 2011, 09:38:12 AM
Thanks for the condolences.
Add mine to those Gav.
My preference [non-tactical!] would be to see the Recce...
My condolences, Gavin. I wish you strength during a difficult time.
Hi Gavin, so sorry for your loss. :(
Sincere condolances for your loss, be strong.
Painting competitions are always a great motivation to get more minis done.
I bought an army of Ottoman Turks from Pendraken last year. The models look great. (A friend commented it looks as if they just shrunk down 28mm models.) I'm still busy painting them though. I keep getting sidetracked by work and other projects. This competition will offer me a bit more focus. I'll have some entries done for all categories except vehicles (because those didn't exist back then. And I guess cannons don't count :) ).
Quote from: BucketKnight on 21 February 2011, 12:14:04 PM
Painting competitions are always a great motivation to get more minis done.
I bought an army of Ottoman Turks from Pendraken last year. The models look great. (A friend commented it looks as if they just shrunk down 28mm models.) I'm still busy painting them though. I keep getting sidetracked by work and other projects. This competition will offer me a bit more focus. I'll have some entries done for all categories except vehicles (because those didn't exist back then. And I guess cannons don't count :) ).
Good to hear, looking forward to the entries! Cannons would go in the Open! :D
My competition entries are finished but I'm finding it so hard to get the right photos. I've taken two lots now in varying types of natural light and the colours seem totally different.
Maybe instead of taking photos the judges should go on a tour and come to us - I'll ply them with drink and they can view my figures "in the flesh" :D
Quote from: AndyT on 23 February 2011, 12:51:45 PM
Maybe instead of taking photos the judges should go on a tour and come to us - I'll ply them with drink and they can view my figures "in the flesh" :D
Works for me...what time are you sending the car? ;) :P :d ;D
I will send a boat to a port nearest you :)
Quote from: Maenoferren on 23 February 2011, 01:21:57 PM
I will send a boat to a port nearest you :)
And there she is - be with you in a while...
(http://www.hustlerpowerboats.com/388/images/38girl2.jpg)
12-14 hours from Aberdeen, 12 direct and 14 via Orkney
is that authentic uniform for the Shetland's navy ?
Quote from: AndyT on 23 February 2011, 12:51:45 PM
Maybe instead of taking photos the judges should go on a tour and come to us - I'll ply them with drink and they can view my figures "in the flesh" :D
They're all a bit scattered around Europe for that!
yep that is standard summer navy dress for the shetland naval ratings :D
Quick question - I posted the wrong picture of the M10 in the vehicle area, can I re-post the correct picture (by editing) - that was actually a WIP picture I took.
Quote from: MiniPatton on 24 February 2011, 06:54:50 PM
Quick question - I posted the wrong picture of the M10 in the vehicle area, can I re-post the correct picture (by editing) - that was actually a WIP picture I took.
Yeah, that's fine. Is the 'Edit' option still there for you? If not, send me the pic through and I'll put it in for you.
I'm glad I was able to get a few entries in but I do hope that there will be a 2012 competition because I have so much more stuff that I wanted to paint and enter into the comp, plus there's so much more that I haven't even bought yet.
So many toys, so little time...
Quote from: AndyT on 27 February 2011, 05:41:44 PM
I'm glad I was able to get a few entries in but I do hope that there will be a 2012 competition because I have so much more stuff that I wanted to paint and enter into the comp, plus there's so much more that I haven't even bought yet.
So many toys, so little time...
With the amount of entries we've had, there will definitely be a 2012 Competition! I'm hoping to get some sponsorship on board as well, so that we can offer bigger and better prizes! 8)
There'll be another type of Comp coming in a few months time, but I'm keeping that one to myself for now! :-$ [-(
I need a rest. But I got everything finished bar an M113. Phew!
Quote from: chortle on 28 February 2011, 02:28:54 PM
I need a rest. But I got everything finished bar an M113. Phew!
And looking very good it is! Your flag work is excellent.
Have a few that I finished up and was able to post...waiting for a few more to finish drying (Dull Cote) before I post the picture...hopefully I have time.
I think my painting skills exceed my photography skills - does anyone have tips for taking better pictures? Mine look dark, so maybe some type of lighting?
Quote from: MiniPatton on 28 February 2011, 08:21:06 PM
I think my painting skills exceed my photography skills - does anyone have tips for taking better pictures? Mine look dark, so maybe some type of lighting?
I have that problem all the time with the Pendraken figures, I have to have two big photography light units to get enough light on them. Have you got any desklamps or similar?
What kind of settings are you using as well? I'll ask MaximumJpeg for some advice.
I think I got better pictures this time - I put the miniatures directly in the windowsill with lighting above as well. Looks brighter - not sure I will have time to re-shoot the other pictures as I have to take my son to an appointment. Fun to paint so much this month, I think it's the most painting I've done in a long while. And I bow down to the awesomeness of my competitors - there are some excellent miniatures in the competition and I do not envy the judges.
Exposure Settings
One problem you can have with a white background is that the camera will see all the white and adjust the exposure down, which will make the model look dark.
Either try getting an exposure setting using a middle coloured card or similar, or just adjust the exposure settings manually, I find I often increase the exposure by a full "unit", and that is often having the camera using "centre weighting" on the exposure.
You can also bracket the exposure - which means taking several pictures will slightly different settings, then picking the one you like the most.
The camera screen is usually quite bright - so can be hard to judge the exposure on it. Also computer screens vary quite a lot.
Lighting
Take care that you don't end up with harsh shadows if you use bright lights - a light tent can help a lot with this. A light tent can be a purchased item (they are fairly cheap) or make one from a box with windows of greaseproof paper for the sides.
Minis are especially tricky as they are so small, so getting lights low enough can be tricky.
The only problem is once you get all the above sorted you will realise that what looks a good paint job by eye, now looks awful when exposed to a high resolution photo!!
Something else that can improve your photos a lot, is crop the photo once you have it on the computer.
MiniPatton - your Airborne command looks lost in a sea of white - but your Stuart looks good.
I find that whatever setup I try with a simple desk lamp, the lighting becomes directional and hard. I will have to do some 10 mm tests in my minibooth I normally use for 28 mm, the lighting there is omnidirectional, I just have to make an adapted background, coz I now use one with 6 mm long static grass, and it looks silly.
http://runequestfun.blogspot.com/2010/10/miniature-photo-booth.html (http://runequestfun.blogspot.com/2010/10/miniature-photo-booth.html)
flippin heck that was close... 20 minutes to the deadline, due to battery failure this morning I never got the chance to look at the photos, came in from feeding the horses tonight and suddenly realised I had an hour to get the things uploaded, so not the best pics, but up and in...phew