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It's time for the Pendraken Painting Competition 2023!
It's that time of year again! The Pendraken Painting Competition is back so get those figures finished, grab your camera and get them entered! The 2023 Painting Competition will open to entries on February 1st and will be running all the way through until the end of the month. As always you can enter anything that's been painted over the past 12 months, so we can't wait to see the entries.
Closing date for the competition will be midnight on Tuesday 28th February and we'll then open up the voting threads for everyone to decide our winners.
The categories will be the same as usual:
Categories:
Foot - Pre-20th C. - Max: 40 figures, on either a single base, multiple bases, or in a movement tray.
Foot - 20th C. - Max: 40 figures, on either a single base, multiple bases, or in a movement tray.
Mounted - Max: 20 figures, on either a single base, multiple bases, or in a movement tray.
Vehicle - Max: 3 vehicles on or off bases, including wagons and chariots.
Fantasy & Sci-Fi - Max: 40 figures, on either a single base, multiple bases, or in a movement tray.
Open - Single Base - Anything which doesn't fit into the other categories, with a max base size of 100x100mm. This could be a command base, a single figure, artillery base, etc.
Open - Army - Anything which is larger than the maximums in the other categories, so multiple units or a whole army.
If you're unsure which category to put your entry in, let us know what it is, and we'll point you in the right direction!
Rules - Please Read!
- Firstly, all figures must be Pendraken. Conversions are allowed, but only on our figures.
1. You must be a Forum member to enter, but other than that, everyone is welcome! The Forum registration is open again now, so head over and register!
2. You may enter as many times as you like but each entry is only allowed 2 images (except for the 'Army!' category, see below). We do not allow montage images anymore, just to keep a level playing field. You can however edit your two images into a single file for the sake of uploading/hosting them. The best way to add your images is through a separate photo hosting site, or a blog, but if you have any difficulty posting pics then let us know and we'll help you out.
3. The 'Open - Army!' category may have 5 photo's, as it's difficult to cover a whole army with just a single photo!
4. All entries must be your own work, and have not been entered into any online competitions before.
5. Entries should have been completed in the last 12 months, so we hope you've all been busy!
6. You can post WIP (work-in-progress) photos if you wish, but please create a new thread for these. You can also post extra photos of your work elsewhere on the Forum. These will not count towards your competition entry.
7. The winners will be decided by the Forum members, so once the closing deadline has passed, we'll put up a poll thread for each category where our members can vote on who they want to win. The polls will close 7 days later and the winners will be announced.
8. Competition threads will be created on the opening date, purely for your entries.
9. Pendraken may use your pics in future promo/marketing, catalogue covers or web pics. Entering gives your permission for your pics to be used.
And now the good bit, we've got over £500 of prizes available for you! The winners and runners-up in each category will receive the following:
- The Winner of each category will receive £50 worth of Pendraken credit!
- The Runner-Up of each category will receive £25 worth of Pendraken credit!
Credit will be applied in the form of Loyalty Points added to your Pendraken website accounts, so you can spend it as you wish on any of the 6000 products we've got available.
So:
Competition opens - February 1st!
Closing deadline - Midnight, February 28th!
As always, if there's any questions just let us know!
Gosh! Has my humiliation come round so soon?
Blimey, it's that time of year already! Better get my thinking hat on and my paints and brushes ready...
As I've got a bit more free time this year, I'm looking forward to take part in the competition.
The question is what am I going to paint. Maybe some FIW Indians
Leon expect order
Take care
Andy
Oh gawd, what to do!!
Wow, so soon! Hmmmm, what to do :-\ :-\ :-\
Easy ... Ottoman BTR60 with Danish musketeers! :-[
I'd like to enter :)
Do artillery limbers count as a vehicle? They're close to being a chariot or wagon...
Quote from: Maraviglia on 02 February 2023, 04:47:00 PMDo artillery limbers count as a vehicle? They're close to being a chariot or wagon...
I'd think so yes, either Vehicle or the Open - Single Base category.
I've got 3 of them so vehicle it is! Thanks.
Time to get painting, it's a good way to force myself to get projects done! :D
Good to see the entries starting to come in!
:-bd
Well, I humbly threw my hat into the ring again this year. Already see some fantastic brushwork! I had grand visions several months ago of painting up some Sassanids or Canadians from the 1866 Fenian invasion. Real life snuffed those dreams out. I finally got motivated last week, I posted about the adventure on my blog. (http://lecoqfou.blogspot.com/2023/02/a-challenge-of-sorts.html)
I will try to snap add a few more entries before the deadline.
Good luck to everyone and look forward to seeing all of the eye candy. Always a great motivator to put paint to beautiful Pendraken lead...
Please don't. Someone else needs a chance. :P
Quote from: fsn on 20 February 2023, 09:25:13 PMPlease don't. Someone else needs a chance. :P
Haha. I like your medieval archers quite a bit. Im curious, what did you think of the Vallejo Xpress paints? I'm intrigued, I like the look on your archers...are they similar to Contrast or AP Speedpaints?
Thank you.
I'm getting into the Xpress, they are contrast paints. I'm still experimenting. The first tests I did was a black primer with a zenithal highlight - white sprayed from above. I think this works for larger figures, but I wasn't terribly happy with the shading, so for the archers, I primed white then gave a black wash and I can control that better.
I have some Citadel Contrast Black Templar, and prefer the Vallejo Xpress Black Lotus. Seems easier to manipulate and dries quicker.
The Xpress range I'll happily use for non-uniformed troops, but the range is too limited to satisfy all my needs. It's obviously aimed at the Warhammer market - not historicals.
Keep taking the Frog pills Nobby, that lot is utterly insane
I have a sci-fi group with >40 soldiers and vehicles, would this go in the army category?
Quote from: 19th_century_octopus on 25 February 2023, 12:30:13 PMI have a sci-fi group with >40 soldiers and vehicles, would this go in the army category?
It would yes.
Some really fantastic eye candy on all the categories. I am always incredibly impressed with all of the great brushwork. Skeletons, Pendragons, minotaurs, blood bowl teams, Rif War, Italian CTV (not mine!), Indian Mutiny, and so many more amazing entries. 10mm is such a passion of mine within the hobby that is a passion of mine. Thank you to the hosts and all the entrants for letting me share with others who love the one true scale.
Well said sir.
May I just point out that I am not above receiving a sympathy vote?
Quote from: fsn on 21 February 2023, 06:42:10 AMThe Xpress range I'll happily use for non-uniformed troops, but the range is too limited to satisfy all my needs. It's obviously aimed at the Warhammer market - not historicals.
I'm a bit of a contrast "Geek" at least on the bigger scale figures I use it in a very limited way on 10mm. My take is that Xpress are probably the best and most consistent quality. GW Contrast can be tricky to get into because there is such a huge variation across the range, some are like washes, some are like glazes or inks and some seem more like regular acrylics. The second realeases include some great single pigment paints! Speedpaint, hmmm, not my favourite for general use but if you lean into the reactivation properties they can be used for some interesting techniques.
I seem to recall hearing the the Xpress range is already being added to and is likely to grow substantially in the near future?
Quote from: fsn on 26 February 2023, 03:51:31 PMWell said sir.
May I just point out that I am not above receiving a sympathy vote?
Every entrant I've seen this year is a skilled enough painter to receive votes sans sympathy. :) And I might point out that it was none other than fsn who has convinced me to purchase the Vallejo Xpress paints in the near future.
Doesn't look like I'll have time to get any entries up this year, not that I have anything approaching some of the loveliness on display so far! Well done to everyone who has entered already, going to be some tough choices for voting.
Remember, Vote Early, Vote often :d
I notice that bobm has entered some a fine looking men from that well known Imagi-nation, The Grand Dutchy of Battenburg.
I had always mistakenly assumed that the uniform of this fine nation was yellow, with pink cuffs, turnbacks and facings...
Some incredible entries once again and as always, it's going to be hard to pick a Top 3 (or whatever it might be) in each of the categories. Good luck to one and all.
Luckily for me the Nigerian Independent Electoral Commission will be overseeing the voting, so I'm a shoe in to win in all the categories I entered ;) ;D .
There's so many entries that deserve to win in each category. Last year was good but this year everyone seems to have upped their game :) Good luck.
Excellent entries!
Good luck all!
Quote from: Matt J on 01 March 2023, 03:09:34 PMExcellent entries!
Good luck all!
Ummm, benevolent, certainly. But in a contest, impractical.
Oh ok...
good luck FSN! :D
Thanks, Matt.
Appreciated. ;D ;D ;D
And the voting threads are open, good luck everyone!
:o
Some entries are wrongly attributed. In Vehicles category and in Open category. I'm painting the Brits, Ale the Italians.
Sorry to bother but there's a bet going on involving some beers and the right to reroll a dice in the next match... :D
Votes cast in all categories bar two. The Sci-Fi category, where I am so far out of my depth I wouldn't have a clue what I was voting for, and the Pre 20th Century Foot, where I have an entry of my own. Good luck everyone, I found it really hard voting this year, so many great entries to choose from!
Quote from: mollinary on 01 March 2023, 06:37:12 PMVotes cast in all categories bar two. The Sci-Fi category, where I am so far out of my depth I wouldn't have a clue what I was voting for...
I'll help: vote for the bottom two. :D
But in all seriousness, there are lots of good entries in that category. Vote for whatever catches your eye!
I've voted for others anyway in the categories where I'm competing. This post is a transparent attempt to get a few sympathy votes, of course.
Not looking forward to voting, so many great choices :-\
My sincere apologies to all I didn't vote for, as all the entries ranged from excellent to impossibly brilliant.
Pre 20th foot in particular was an exceptionally tough crowd. I ended up having to eliminate entries which did not have multi-coloured coat cuffs, buttons, hat decoration and neatly trimmed moustaches :D .
I had actually started on some headless children to enter but was beaten to it in both speed and quality. Hey Ho there is always next year.
Some really lovely stuff again this year.
It took me ages to make my decisions last year; looks like being the same this time around.
Pre 20th foot was hard to choose indeed, incredible work there. It's a relief not being in the competition.
Many compliments to all participants in general =D>
QuoteI ended up having to eliminate entries which did not have multi-coloured coat cuffs, buttons, hat decoration and neatly trimmed moustaches :D
What! So freehanding lion rampants and religious icons don't make the cut lol :D :D
Well,that was hard, but votes are done. Good luck all
It's been raised before, but wondering if worth revisiting splitting Pre-20th C Foot into two categories, Pre and Post gunpowder? Then you have all the pretty uniforms in one category and hodgepodge armies in the other (mostly...).
Still pondering some of my votes in a few categories, so very difficult to choose. I did laugh at fsn's headless children though, well played sir.
Indeed. Some most excellent brushwork on display.
If nothing else, I am honoured that amongst the dwarves, trolls, elementals and beastmen is ... Gerald.
Ale and Federico, what do you use on the bases of your soldiers, it looks very nice and realistic, and I love the tufts :-bd
Thank you Octopus! Our bases are 40x40mm mdf 2mm thick bought on Pendraken site with the most classic mix of vinilic glue and sand, for the paint we use for both army, table and items bases just 2 different hues of wall paint (cheaper and well covering), actually the brighter one was a leftover of our hobby cave walls repaint.
The tufts are from different brands, miniNatur for me, Greenstuff and Gamers Grass for Ale. :)
Quote from: Federico on 02 March 2023, 08:19:29 PMThank you Octopus! Our bases are 40x40mm mdf 2mm thick bought on Pendraken site with the most classic mix of vinilic glue and sand, for the paint we use for both army, table and items bases just 2 different hues of wall paint (cheaper and well covering), actually the brighter one was a leftover of our hobby cave walls repaint.
The tufts are from different brands, miniNatur for me, Greenstuff and Gamers Grass for Ale. :)
Thank you very much, that is very helpful as I really love the effect it gives and would love to try it out
Just as an observation for next year, some painters have not done themselves favours with the pictures. I found some just too dark to see what was going on.
QuoteJust as an observation for next year, some painters have not done themselves favours with the pictures. I found some just too dark to see what was going on.
I'll admit, that's one thing I've always struggled with. I know there are basics to good photography but I have no idea how to execute them.
Quote from: Shecky on 05 March 2023, 04:35:44 AMI'll admit, that's one thing I've always struggled with. I know there are basics to good photography but I have no idea how to execute them.
There are several good YouTube videos out there to help. I used to use a DSLR camera but just use a Samsung phone camera nowadays. A couple sheets of white paper and lights overtop and in front of the miniatures does well.
QuoteI'll admit, that's one thing I've always struggled with. I know there are basics to good photography but I have no idea how to execute them.
https://www.warhammer-community.com/2018/03/06/the-model-photo-how-to-photograph-models-for-display/ (https://www.warhammer-community.com/2018/03/06/the-model-photo-how-to-photograph-models-for-display/)
QuoteJust as an observation for next year, some painters have not done themselves favours with the pictures. I found some just too dark to see what was going on.
I really struggle with getting the photography right. Living at the bottom of a valley in an old house(small windows) means that natural light is at a premium and I rely on a "selfie circle" light for extra illumination. But my biggest problem seems to be getting the focus right, especially on the real close ups
To keep it simple, use 2 sources of light from right and left with a 45 degrees angle to the subject. better to use similar lamps to avoid different chromatic dominants (cold or warm tones for both the sources). if the light is too harsh you can apply some backing paper on the lamps to soften it.
Set a back drop with some white or light grey paper, dark colours tend to trick internal light meter thus to overexpose the subject.
If you don't have a table tripod, use something flat like a small box to keep steady your phone (or something bigger if you use a digital camera).
Generally speaking recent devices have a lot of pixels to work with, so if you want you can take the picture from a slightly greater distance and then crop the image after the shot. This will allow to reduce the blurred effect, if you stay very close to the subject you'll have less depth of field and also the minimal movement will blur your shot.
Most important look at the miniature before shooting and choose your point of view, when in doubt better a picture more and a final evaluation in a following moment.
That's exactly how I took my pictures with my 5 years old samsung phone.
QuoteTo keep it simple, use 2 sources of light from right and left with a 45 degrees angle to the subject. better to use similar lamps to avoid different chromatic dominants (cold or warm tones for both the sources). if the light is too harsh you can apply some backing paper on the lamps to soften it.
Set a back drop with some white or light grey paper, dark colours tend to trick internal light meter thus to overexpose the subject.
If you don't have a table tripod, use something flat like a small box to keep steady your phone (or something bigger if you use a digital camera).
Generally speaking recent devices have a lot of pixels to work with, so if you want you can take the picture from a slightly greater distance and then crop the image after the shot. This will allow to reduce the blurred effect, if you stay very close to the subject you'll have less depth of field and also the minimal movement will blur your shot.
Most important look at the miniature before shooting and choose your point of view, when in doubt better a picture more and a final evaluation in a following moment.
That's exactly how I took my pictures with my 5 years old samsung phone.
Oops! Looks like I have been doing it all wrong - I just put the room lights on, rest my iPad on the table, point at the figures, and click!
Quote from: mollinary on 05 March 2023, 12:02:06 PMOops! Looks like I have been doing it all wrong - I just put the room lights on, rest my iPad on the table, point at the figures, and click!
No no your shoots are perfect if you want to show your beautiful miniatures set on the gaming table. No harsh and dark shadows and everything in light. It just does perfectly the work.
I was talking about the "technical" picture to show in a close up the single base or a few. My bad I didn't mention
QuoteOops! Looks like I have been doing it all wrong - I just put the room lights on, rest my iPad on the table, point at the figures, and click!
If I may add, your work is fantastic.
And in your way you did what I was saying, holding firmly your iPad on the table surface, shooting from a distance and having a soft diffuse light on the subject.
I've found that my, admittedly ancient, iPad isn't up to getting the close ups sharp. I do have a "proper" DSLR camera which I used for work but have never got to grips with the correct settings for macro work. Sounds like I have to get on that learning curve :D
Federico, you are too kind. Your technique works beautifully, and your excellent painting is shown off to very good effect by it. My point was really that with a good bit of kit much of the work is done for you. My iPad seems equally at home taking close up pictures of tiny figures, or panoramic holiday photos of ancient temples or battlefields. I wouldn't be without it.
Thank you Mollinary. :)
We indeed can take advantage of some technological wonders (devilries!) and with a little effort get some pretty good results. I agree with you and my point was really to encourage not to be intimidated by chunky manuals, it's easier than it seems.
Quote from: Raider4 on 05 March 2023, 10:09:19 AMhttps://www.warhammer-community.com/2018/03/06/the-model-photo-how-to-photograph-models-for-display/ (https://www.warhammer-community.com/2018/03/06/the-model-photo-how-to-photograph-models-for-display/)
These are really good tips! =D>
QuoteThank you Mollinary. :)
We indeed can take advantage of some technological wonders (devilries!) and with a little effort get some pretty good results. I agree with you and my point was really to encourage not to be intimidated by chunky manuals, it's easier than it seems.
Yes, we are violently agreeing! The digital age makes it so much easier to experiment at no extra cost - we don't have to wait until our snaps have been developed before finding out if we need to do it again. We can take a few photographs, look at them, delete the ones we don't like, change the setup to try and improve things, and take a few more. And the iPad allows you to edit, if you need to, and change the lighting and colour balance. No need this year, but it is fun and easy! What's not to like!
I'm not sure which is worse, my painting or my photography. :D
I gave up using an SLR a while ago, and am just getting used to a new phone. I actually learned quite a bit taking the photos for the comp. :)
I do have a problem in my games room. The colour balance is all off. I'm not sure if it's the colour of the walls that muck up the balance, the rather weird chemical-infused air of Runcorn, or just a malevolent spirit (by which I don't mean this low budget Scotch.)
QuoteI'm not sure which is worse, my painting or my photography. :D
I gave up using an SLR a while ago, and am just getting used to a new phone. I actually learned quite a bit taking the photos for the comp. :)
I do have a problem in my games room. The colour balance is all off. I'm not sure if it's the colour of the walls that muck up the balance, the rather weird chemical-infused air of Runcorn, or just a malevolent spirit (by which I don't mean this low budget Scotch.)
Did you go from the SLR to full auto settings on your phone cam, or do you play with the phone cam settings manually?
QuoteI've found that my, admittedly ancient, iPad isn't up to getting the close ups sharp. I do have a "proper" DSLR camera which I used for work but have never got to grips with the correct settings for macro work. Sounds like I have to get on that learning curve :D
You won't need a true macro setting on a DSLR for taking pictures of wargames figures. Macro is used for things like pictures of coins or similar. You get very little depth of field, and really close up shots (and I mean really close up, which would just show you the head of a figure, and really blow that up to something far to big, given the size of the original.
With a DSLR the key thing to know is the minimum focal distance of the lens, IIRC for my zoom lens its near a metre, but for a 50mm lens its around 50cm. So you need to be at leat this far away. Generally you don't need to fill the frame with the figures - if you are a bit further away you get better depth of field, and can just crop in with the image editing software.
Light is key - decent levels of light to start with, and it helps to reflect some light up onto the figures - a piece of white card will work for this.
Quote from: pierre the shy on 05 March 2023, 07:00:37 PMDid you go from the SLR to full auto settings on your phone cam, or do you play with the phone cam settings manually?
I've just started playing with the phone settings. Like I say it's a new phone, and I've just worked out the basics.
I've also sorted out a set up where I can stand the phone against a box and take the photo using the timer.
It is a learning life!
For a painting competition online it is great for people to share photography tips, to help level the playing field, so we can all focus on the purpose of the competition. That is, celebrating folks' amazing painting skills on these amazing little sculpts!
QuoteFor a painting competition online it is great for people to share photography tips, to help level the playing field...
Plus those people who don't "engage" with the community might find themselves slightly disadvantaged (Evilly laughs...muhahahahahahaha). ;D ;D
Quote from: mollinary on 05 March 2023, 08:12:30 PMFor a painting competition online it is great for people to share photography tips, to help level the playing field, so we can all focus on the purpose of the competition. That is, celebrating folks' amazing painting skills on these amazing little sculpts!
This! =D>
It's incredibly close in some of the categories this year! Two of them are a dead tie for 1st place currently, with another one only having 1 vote between 1st and 2nd place. Only 2 days of voting left before we unveil the winners...
Of you tease ;) ! I like the tension of awaiting the final results, rather than previous years where you could see who had accrued votes or not as the case maybe. Somehow I don't feel my efforts are vying for the top spots ;D .
Quote from: Steve J on 06 March 2023, 06:15:37 PMOf you tease ;) ! I like the tension of awaiting the final results, rather than previous years where you could see who had accrued votes or not as the case maybe. Somehow I don't feel my efforts are vying for the top spots ;D .
I really liked your Imaginations Brigade and your "big cats" in the vehicles so you never know :)
Thanks Baron! I just hoped you registered multiple new accounts so you could vote multiple times to boost my numbers ;) ;D .
Quote from: Steve J on 06 March 2023, 06:15:37 PMSomehow I don't feel my efforts are vying for the top spots ;D .
Mine won't either mate!
Quote from: Steve J on 07 March 2023, 06:39:15 AMThanks Baron! I just hoped you registered multiple new accounts so you could vote multiple times to boost my numbers ;) ;D .
Just registered my grandparents. It seems they're quite into 2ww Brits.
This is something quite remarkable considering they're long time dead.
Quote from: Federico on 07 March 2023, 02:33:50 PMJust registered my grandparents. It seems they're quite into 2ww Brits.
This is something quite remarkable considering they're long time dead.
This isn't really the right approach to the competition. If those votes end up being the deciding factor in who wins/loses then it's not fair on the other competitors.
QuoteThis isn't really the right approach to the competition. If those votes end up being the deciding factor in who wins/loses then it's not fair on the other competitors.
You are quite right Leon, but I am sure Federico meant this as a joke. His painting doesn't need any artificial help.
I read Frederico's comment as a joke and it made me chuckle!
Quote from: Leon on 07 March 2023, 02:41:35 PMThis isn't really the right approach to the competition. If those votes end up being the deciding factor in who wins/loses then it's not fair on the other competitors.
Sorry, it was meant to be a joke but my poor English clearly put me in trouble. My dead grandparents hate me and voted for SteveJ
Quote from: Federico on 07 March 2023, 03:22:59 PMSorry, it was meant to be a joke but my poor English clearly put me in trouble. My dead grandparents hate me and voted for SteveJ
Agh! Family! What can you do, eh? ;)
Quote from: Federico on 07 March 2023, 03:22:59 PMSorry, it was meant to be a joke but my poor English clearly put me in trouble. My dead grandparents hate me and voted for SteveJ
I took it as a joke too so no worries 8)
(...and i'm normally a "stroppy" little bugger when it comes to things like this :D )