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Every year many competitions are held to showcase local or international talent in the mini-painting arena. Among these are Games Day, GenCon, and ReaperCon. It is no small measure of worth to earn a top spot in any competition, and it helps to push many to exceed their current level of ability. Some winners even move onto a career in Mini-Painting or, if they catch someone's eye, move into the realm of the gaming industry. I hope to pass on this information to everyone wishing to attend! I was lucky my first Games Day in that I went into the event well armed with anecdotal information from past Demon entrants. I was able to take home the first of my Demon trophies, and using the knowledge I gleaned from that, was able to follow up the next year with a Golden Demon. I still utilize these ideas and techniques in any competition I attend, and it has assisted me in obtaining multiple awards in Local and National shows. Below will follow the information I have learned and will pass on in the tradition of Gamers past.
Painting: You gotta paint well. That is the number one thing about any mini-painting competition. My child won't win because he slops paint all over the mini. (It's cute when he does it, but not when his tubby 30+ father does it.) Learn the basics of painting and have a firm grasp of the advanced before you decide to enter. Basics of painting: applying paint neatly, knowing proper paint consistency, drybrushing, shading, lining, painting eyes, and simple basing. Advanced painting includes: wet blending, feathering, choosing color schemes, painting fine detail, and freehand.
Choice of Miniatures: The newer miniatures tend to catch the judges eye more often than the older miniatures. Chances are the judges have seen the older gear painted in a myriad of ways, and the newer items will be more of an attention grabber than the old. Old miniatures do win, but your chances are increased from what I've found with new models. (Take a look at past online coverage of Golden Demons and GenCon for support on this idea.)
Conversions: Gotta do 'em. Put two of the same mini side-by-side, painted to the same quality but have one converted, guess which will stand out more. Converting can also take static, non-dynamic miniature and make it more action packed. Converting could be anything from a simple head or arm swap, to resculpting whole parts of the model. But look at the winners of Gold trophies and Overall; all are converted. It is possible to win on painting alone. Yet to increase your chances at the Gold, you have to convert, even if it’s a simple weapon swap.
Bases: An elaborate base adds to the character of the model. It is one thing to have a mini walking through a field or dirt and mud. It is another to have the model walking through a field with body-bitz lying around. And it is wholly another to have the model walking through a field with body-bitz and barbed wire, cresting a small knoll to have a look at who to kill next. Get the idea? Make the base add to the overall feel, but not so cluttered that it takes away from the emphasis of the model. Judges look at the whole model and will know if you've put the effort into it, or are trying to distract from a flaw on the mini.
Bases part Deux: Display bases are IMO a must. Put your model on a wooden base or small trophy base with a brass plaque. This adds to the model by showing it is a work of art, as well as a gaming piece. Make the model removable from the display base using a preformed niche or magnets, so it's slotta base is a separate part and the miniature can be viewed on its own. Display bases are cheap at a local trophy store, even less if you head to Michaels and create your own. Plaques will be a bit more expensive, running $20-$30 US. For the more frugal, you can sculpt one out of Green Stuff or carve it out of Plasticard, and paint it to your own specifications. Either way it shows the judges you've put thought into the character of the model.
Banners: Put 'em on. Basic banners can be created out of paper. And outstanding banner will be sculpted with Green Stuff and painted using freehand techniques. If it doesn't need a back banner, it could use a pennon on the spear or lance. But make it stand out from the crowd with beautiful iconography. And hand paint them! If you can't hand paint the banner, use Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro to the best of your ability. Just remember that judges will pick a hand painted over printed because it fits in with the rest of the model. (Ask me how I know! *groan*)
Freehand: This isn’t just on the banners, but on the model itself. The majority of Best Overall winners had freehand designs painted onto their armor and/or clothing. This shows a competent painter and attention to detail, especially if it fits in with established gaming iconography.
These are all opinions based off of actual and anecdotal experience from contestants and myself. There will be exceptions that prove the norm, but armed with this information you will increase your chances at a trophy. And it will come down to painting as the final criteria for judging. So good luck and may the best painter win!
Miniature painting competitions have come a long way in changing the rules to ensure unethical painters are unable to bend, (or break), the rules to win. So this year, stop a volunteer at the Convention, shake their hand, and tell them they are doing a Kick Ass job!
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I hope these tips will add to your Miniature Art repertoire. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at rg@raginggaijin.com.
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