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It's that time of year again! Get yourselves ready for the Pendraken Painting Competition 2025!
Our annual Painting Competition will once again be running throughout the month of February, so get those entries finished, grab your camera and get them posted! The Competition will open to entries on February 1st and will run all the way through until the end of the month. You can enter anything that's been painted over the past 12 months and we can't wait to see the entries.
Closing date for the competition will be midnight on Friday 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 products, including the TB Line ranges. Conversions are allowed, but only on our figures.
1. You must be a Forum member to enter, but other than that, everyone is welcome!
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 a £50 Pendraken voucher!
- The Runner-Up of each category will receive a £25 Pendraken voucher!
Vouchers will be sent out to you by email once the winners have been announced. You can then use it on any of the 10,000+ products on our website.
So:
Competition opens - February 1st!
Closing deadline - Midnight, February 28th!
As always, if there's any questions just let us know!
Oh no! I haven't made any plans for this year at all!! 😱
Time to get deep into the catalogue and go random picks.
Quote from: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 23 January 2025, 08:23:54 AMOh no! I haven't made any plans for this year at all!! 😱
Time to get deep into the catalogue and go random picks.
;D
I have a couple of questions. Would the 17th c. pirates painted for a made up setting fit better in the pre 20th c. category or fantasy?
Also about the 1 year time limit, I have an army entry that I've been doing for a while (about 2 years actually) and some of it was even entered in previous years competitions. However since about March last year I've repainted about 50% of each existing model and rebased it all to fit my new ideals and style for it and have also doubled the size of each unit (which has largely contributed to why I don't have many entries in other categories this year... yet)! So is it as a whole still eligible or should I just enter the stuff solely started and finished in the last year?
Ta!
February and the painting competition always sneaks up on me...looking forward to submitting a few entries!
QuoteI have a couple of questions. Would the 17th c. pirates painted for a made up setting fit better in the pre 20th c. category or fantasy?
Also about the 1 year time limit, I have an army entry that I've been doing for a while (about 2 years actually) and some of it was even entered in previous years competitions. However since about March last year I've repainted about 50% of each existing model and rebased it all to fit my new ideals and style for it and have also doubled the size of each unit (which has largely contributed to why I don't have many entries in other categories this year... yet)! So is it as a whole still eligible or should I just enter the stuff solely started and finished in the last year?
Ta!
My only concern would be allowing any entries which contain figures which have been entered in previous years competitions. It has the potential to open the floodgates to resubmissions, and puts Leon in a very difficult situation by having to judge what is and is not allowable. I would prefer an absolute prohibition on any entry which contains figures previously entered into an earlier competition. I think exactly when you painted a particular figure is a much less important question.
QuoteI have a couple of questions. Would the 17th c. pirates painted for a made up setting fit better in the pre 20th c. category or fantasy?
Also about the 1 year time limit, I have an army entry that I've been doing for a while (about 2 years actually) and some of it was even entered in previous years competitions. However since about March last year I've repainted about 50% of each existing model and rebased it all to fit my new ideals and style for it and have also doubled the size of each unit (which has largely contributed to why I don't have many entries in other categories this year... yet)! So is it as a whole still eligible or should I just enter the stuff solely started and finished in the last year?
Ta!
Pirates - up to you - have a look at prior years to see whether yours are more fantastical than historic
Army - given the amount of rework on these, I'd say they are fine. Frankly if you hadn't mentioned it, would anyone of known?
I have enough trouble working out what I have painted in the last year, to know what I could enter, let alone policing someone else's entry. The only real exceptions would be winners from prior years, which may be more widely recognisable.
Quote from: fred. on 25 January 2025, 08:02:15 AMArmy - given the amount of rework on these, I'd say they are fine. Frankly if you hadn't mentioned it, would anyone of known?
I doubt anyone would know but I want to enter in the right spirit. Plus with each battalion doubling from 20 to 40 models I'm not 100% sure I can identify the previously entered parts myself! Anything that I can identify will be at the back/off to the sides of a single group picture whereas the new stuff will be my actual focus (alongside the fact I've made historically accurate brigades with the correct colours and facings).
My first time to (possibly) enter the painting competition - dependent on my question.
I am currently painting in the annual Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge. It is called a Challenge as there are no prizes and we set our own 'target' in terms of points painted and then work towards meeting or exceeding our personal target - with displays of work painted along the way.
I am painting Pendraken figures in the Challenge and wanted to check if this disqualifies me from entering this work. Perhaps splitting hairs - but as it is not a 'competition' and has no prize I wanted to check.
Thanks
Richard
Quote from: Maraviglia on 24 January 2025, 04:16:43 PMI have a couple of questions. Would the 17th c. pirates painted for a made up setting fit better in the pre 20th c. category or fantasy?
Depends on size/basing I think? If they're a full unit then in the pre-20th Foot category, if they're a small stand of figures I'd go with the Open - Single Base category.
Quote from: Maraviglia on 24 January 2025, 04:16:43 PMSo is it as a whole still eligible or should I just enter the stuff solely started and finished in the last year?
Anything painted in the last 12 months, so if you've repainted those units then they'd be eligible.
Quote from: rct75001 on 27 January 2025, 02:06:14 AMI am painting Pendraken figures in the Challenge and wanted to check if this disqualifies me from entering this work. Perhaps splitting hairs - but as it is not a 'competition' and has no prize I wanted to check.
Those will be fine, no problem at all, I don't think that qualifies as a competition.
I've no time this year
Goodluck everyone
Quote from: Leon on 28 January 2025, 06:12:24 PMThose will be fine, no problem at all, I don't think that qualifies as a competition.
Thanks Leon
hi Leon, how mutch is the photo size?
thank you
ale
Quote from: ale on 02 February 2025, 03:12:31 PMhi Leon, how mutch is the photo size?
thank you
ale
I think the limit is 500kb per entry? I can double check though.
And after a slight delay, the 2025 Painting Competition is now open!
Good luck to everyone!
Some really great entries so far!
There are a few models (ghosts and Sardukar) that I didn't know where in the catalogue
oh my... I knew it would be tough, actually it's getting harder and harder every year.
Some very interesting entries as usual. Well, best of luck to everyone
I'm in awe already.
Quote from: Federico on 10 February 2025, 08:17:28 PMoh my... I knew it would be tough, actually it's getting harder and harder every year.
The quality and skill is a bit good isn't it? Personally I'm torn between "inspired" and "demoralised"!
It is making me get some of my toy soldiers painted and just a little bit nicer than I'd normally do though so ultimately I'm winning (he says reassuring himself).
Definitely some nice entries coming in so far!
Quote from: Maraviglia on 11 February 2025, 12:20:39 PMPersonally I'm torn between "inspired" and "demoralised"!
I'm tending towards the latter, was going to enter some of my "normally-painted-to-an-acceptable-wargaming-standard" units but it's a bit outclassed, so don't feel inclined to bother at the moment. Maybe I'll change my mind before the end of the month!
Quote from: sultanbev on 12 February 2025, 09:47:10 AMI'm tending towards the latter, was going to enter some of my "normally-painted-to-an-acceptable-wargaming-standard" units but it's a bit outclassed, so don't feel inclined to bother at the moment. Maybe I'll change my mind before the end of the month!
If it goes wrong and you place near the bottom, at least you can post something along the lines of "Congratulations to all those talented winners. I'm sorry that I shan't be joining the contest next year, but the specialist says my Hassenpfeiffer's disease is too far advanced for me to expect to make it even to Easter this year. Ah, well, the hope that I'd get somewhere this time, foolish though it was, has at least sustained me through a few pain-racked nights on life support..." and make the winners feel bad.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 12 February 2025, 09:57:08 AMIf it goes wrong and you place near the bottom, at least you can post something along the lines of "Congratulations to all those talented winners. I'm sorry that I shan't be joining the contest next year, but the specialist says my Hassenpfeiffer's disease is too far advanced for me to expect to make it even to Easter this year. Ah, well, the hope that I'd get somewhere this time, foolish though it was, has at least sustained me through a few pain-racked nights on life support..." and make the winners feel bad.
;D ;D It makes me tired just thinking about the effort to do that lol
Quote from: FierceKitty on 12 February 2025, 09:57:08 AMIf it goes wrong and you place near the bottom, at least you can post something along the lines of "Congratulations to all those talented winners. I'm sorry that I shan't be joining the contest next year, but the specialist says my Hassenpfeiffer's disease is too far advanced for me to expect to make it even to Easter this year. Ah, well, the hope that I'd get somewhere this time, foolish though it was, has at least sustained me through a few pain-racked nights on life support..." and make the winners feel bad.
Exactly this, delivered by Ricky Gervais
Quote from: Maraviglia on 11 February 2025, 12:20:39 PMThe quality and skill is a bit good isn't it? Personally I'm torn between "inspired" and "demoralised"!
It is making me get some of my toy soldiers painted and just a little bit nicer than I'd normally do though so ultimately I'm winning (he says reassuring himself).
Same here, I'm still following my plans for my armies but feeling compelled to give it a little extra attention... but then the Hassenpfeiffer kicks in...
I guess it's that time of year again where this enigmatic octopus comes out from hibernation to post entries in this competition :) . In reality I've just got off school for the midterm break and finally have the chance to post. My entries will hopefully pop up in the next week or so and I'd like to take this opportunity to commend those who have already entered, the quality of entries is exceptional as always.
In response to fred., I'm not sure where the ghosts are from (they might be wraiths/spirits from the 10-12mm fantasy, code FAN-UND8) but the 'Sardukar' are Sci-fi Human Collective power infantry, item code FWC-COL2. It is somewhat ironic, as I'm planning to enter an army of Human Theological painted to resemble Fremen (from Arrakis aka Dune)
Quote from: 19th_century_octopus on 14 February 2025, 04:10:17 PMIn response to fred., I'm not sure where the ghosts are from (they might be wraiths/spirits from the 10-12mm fantasy, code FAN-UND8) but the 'Sardukar' are Sci-fi Human Collective power infantry, item code FWC-COL2. It is somewhat ironic, as I'm planning to enter an army of Human Theological painted to resemble Fremen (from Arrakis aka Dune)
I can't wait to see those Fremen! I painted up those Saudakar (I think I've spelled their name about half a dozen different ways, maybe one of them is correct?) only because I had never entered the Sci-Fi/Fantasy category before and as soon as I saw those power infantry they immediately reminded me of the 1980s movie Saudakar (which I always wanted to paint up). Here is my blog post when I was thinking of the idea: Blog (https://lecoqfou.blogspot.com/2024/11/saudakar-idea.html?m=1)
It's been a blast participating in the painting competition this year, especially since the majority of the figures I entered were purchased from Leon in person during Claymore and specifically purchased for this competition.
Some brilliant entries this year, the pictures are always excellent motivation for future projects. If anyone is interested, here is some of the rationale and background for my entries here (https://lecoqfou.blogspot.com/2025/02/pendraken-2025-painting-competition.html?m=0), here (https://lecoqfou.blogspot.com/2025/01/frozen-chosin.html?m=0) and here (https://lecoqfou.blogspot.com/2025/01/sardaukar.html?m=1).
Was thinking about posting my first entry somewhere random, like Vehicles, because...
I looked at today's compo entries, just amazing stuff going on there.
Hello, I'd like to add some entry photos but it's saying they are too large (MB). I've used software (GIMP) to crop, any suggestions? Thanks
Quote from: Shaun J on 25 February 2025, 11:23:56 AMHello, I'd like to add some entry photos but it's saying they are too large (MB). I've used software (GIMP) to crop, any suggestions? Thanks
Set width to 800 (IMG width=800 close brackets
Might help
The commonest way around it, Shaun, is to use an image hosting site such as Imgur, Flikr, Google Photos or the like, Link to the image there, make sure you drill right down to the actual image. The site handles images much better than it used to but storing huge files on the forum eats up storage space.
Thanks - having spent over an hour trying think I'll have to give up..oh well I get links from both google photos and tubmlr but I can't seem to get that to be a visible image on the forum.
QuoteThanks - having spent over an hour trying think I'll have to give up..oh well I get links from both google photos and tubmlr but I can't seem to get that to be a visible image on the forum.
The usual problem people have is that they see an image and assume that's the image itself. It's often not and you need to drill down another level.
If it doesn't end jpg, png, gif or similar you are usually a layer too high still.
In extremis send an email to Leon and see if he can help.
I keep meaning to finish off my entry - must get on to it.
Quote from: Shaun J on 25 February 2025, 11:23:56 AMHello, I'd like to add some entry photos but it's saying they are too large (MB). I've used software (GIMP) to crop, any suggestions? Thanks
Shoot me an email if you're having any trouble and I'll get that sorted for you.
QuoteThanks - having spent over an hour trying think I'll have to give up..oh well I get links from both google photos and tubmlr but I can't seem to get that to be a visible image on the forum.
This is what I use to post photos from Google Photos here. It's a bit clunky as you have to do one image at a time, but it works. It will give you a link to post in the "insert an image" button here.
https://www.labnol.org/embed/google/photos
Quote from: streetgang on 14 February 2025, 04:46:56 PMI can't wait to see those Fremen!
Very glad to hear that, I hope others will share your view :) . The quality of entries this year however
is concerning...
(for me);)
Last day, good luck to everyone
Just a quick update, as we're away at the Hammerhead show today and tomorrow, I won't be able to close the entry threads until we get back from the show. So you've all got a little extra time to get your last entries sorted out!
Just to check - we have to upload pics for the forum to a dedicated picture place (like Flickr) then link to here?
Quote from: Last Hussar on 28 February 2025, 01:10:21 PMJust to check - we have to upload pics for the forum to a dedicated picture place (like Flickr) then link to here?
Yep, you can press the 'picture' icon on the 5th panel at the top of the message box (the one with the Youtube, Picture, link and postcard icons) and then paste the link to the picture in the box provided. You can then provide a size (in pixels, it's all just html, if you know how to use it) it should look something like this;
[img.]http://YourImageHere.jpeg[/img.]
(The full stops after img should not be there, it's just so you can all see the actual command, otherwise html hides it)
Or you can manually type it in. A common mistake is to link the
website and not the
image, you want to right click in the image to get the image link. Make sure it has a file extension attached (.jpeg, .png, etc.) Otherwise it will not work. I would also suggest linking the page it's on (the image hosting website) so that if the images don't work, people can still find them. I hope this helps out anyone who needs it.
As always some wonderful entries on show and good luck to one and all :) ! Maybe one year i'll get my act together to actually finish stuff I'd planned and take some decent photos too ;D .
Good luck to everyone. I had planned to paint some of my new Vikings for the competition, but, sadly, the real world got in the way!
Hope all is okay Mollinary.
QuoteHope all is okay Mollinary.
Yes, sorry if my post implied something sinister! Just my personal incompetence, I am afraid!
My favourite type, at least it's not...
(Delete as appropriate) medicinal, financial, political, agrarian, feline, canine, equine, other.
And that's all folks! Entry is closed for the 2025 competition and the voting threads will be open from 6pm on Sunday night!
The voting threads are open so make sure to place your votes! The winners will be announced at 6pm next Sunday!
My votes are in, some great entries this year. Good luck all.
First time I've ever voted in a painting competition, that was harder than I thought! Some impressive work out there.
Definitely took some time to review all the entries and select the top 5 in each category. Good luck to all who entered!
Good luck everyone.
My entry (single base) is not a duel;; I don't know where the label came from. It's some poor malefactor running the gauntlet (being beaten by all the officers).
Amazing entries by everyone! Voting was harder than I thought..
Can I have as many votes as entries next time please? This was HARD and I had to keep reminding myself to vote on the painting not on "do I want this". Amazing work by all but the AWI entries in particular would not be bad painting if we were looking at 28mm scale.
QuoteAmazing entries by everyone! Voting was harder than I thought..
Thankfully each of our votes are of equal weight. If I'd had to rank my votes in order, I think I'd still be trying to make up my mind.
Voting was hard, some really good entries.
Can't decide if picking 5 is easier or harder than picking 3. 3 would mean more decision making, 5 means trying to remember which names you like vs ones further down the list, when you come back to vote ;)
Leon, one suggestion for future years I think that the number of votes available to be cast, should be no more than half the entries in that category- eg if there are just 7 entries then give people 3 votes in that category not 5.
Many compliments to the winners, well deserved! =D>
And thanks to everyone who in this feast for the eyes voted for my ambulance.
Note: those injured infantrymen are now better and currently recovering in Alexandria.
This is the shot that inspired me, found in the Imperial War Museums archive while searching for some references. It was taken by sgt. Chetwyn from the No. 1 Army Film and Photographic Unit on the 12.6.1942
signal-2025-02-05-092350_002.jpg
Huge congratulations to all the winners, the accolades were very well deserved, the standard was exceptional
A big congratulations to all participants and especially the well-deserved winners! Well done everyone!
I have to say I'm positively amazed I placed twice this year (and especially that I won one) given how good all the entries were... again! It's been a really good boost for me as it's been a rough year for hobbying so really I just wanted to express my admiration for the other entries and appreciation to everyone that voted. Also especially to Leon for organising this for us every year as well as doing even more to help me actually get my pictures on the forum (I'm not great with technology).
Here's to next year!
Another great competition! Well done to all entrants and congratulations to the winners.
I'm delighted to have been among such wonderfully painted units. Thanks to those for voted for my entries - I really appreciate it. I'll be back next year :)
Richard