MINIATURE PAINTING COMPETITIONS
Location: 1st floor, Exhibit Hall B.
The Origins Miniature Painting Competition strives to inspire new painters to learn more about painting, and to provide an atmosphere which encourages learning, and the sharing of techniques.
This is an open format competition with awards given based on merit. Open Format awards ribbons based on level of skill, regardless of the total number of entries in the whole competition. While there is still an element of competition between painters, the primary goal is to reward painters for their existing level of skill and help give them a measurable goal for improvement from year to year.
Judging Criteria
Each entry will be awarded points by a team of 3 in a judging panel, with the points weighted based on category requirements. For example: In the single figure category, pieces will be judged on difficulty, creativity, workmanship, painting skill, and overall presentation, but painting would be the primary consideration. In the Open category, while painting would still be important, workmanship would play a larger role than in the single figure category.
The judging panel for each category will consist of three judges and one standby judge. The standby judge will assist as needed to break a tie in the event of matching scores for the "Best in category/show" awards.
The judges will use scorecards to score and critique the entries. The limit is ONE entry per category. The score card will be given to the entrant when their entries are being picked up.
All entries will be judged based on five criteria:
Difficulty - Complexity of the piece and of the techniques used, be they painting, sculpting, design, or composition.
Creativity - Use of innovation and implementation of new or unusual concepts, techniques, color schemes, arrangements, and added details. Newness and appropriate use of creative elements are important.
Workmanship - Judges will be looking for technical precision in cleaning, preparation, and construction. Thorough removal or resurfacing of flaws in the piece, seamless joints, well-constructed base, or diorama elements, clean and model-appropriate modifications, and precision in original sculpts.
Painting Skill - As this is a painting competition, this is very important to all categories. Judges will be evaluating the techniques used, and the overall effect achieved. For example: subtlety in shading, crisp details, high contrast, etc.
Presentation - Overall effect of the piece and use of elements within to create a cohesive display. Judges will be looking for unity of style between elements, use of color to good effect, appropriate use of highlights and shadows, and whether the piece maintains the "mood" or "tone" throughout.
Categories
Single Figure: For this category, entries will be judged primarily on the technical painting skills. Overall presentation, workmanship, creativity, and difficulty will play a much smaller role. Scale of single models that can be entered into this category can be any scale up to 53mm.
Difficulty - 5%
Creativity - 10%
Workmanship - 10%
Painting Skill - 70%
Presentation - 5%
Large Figure: For miniatures that are large in size, vehicles, and 54mm scale and above. For this category, entries will be judged primarily on the technical painting skills. Overall presentation, workmanship, creativity, and difficulty will play a much smaller role. Models that would be included in this category would also be monsters and dragons.
Difficulty - 5%
Creativity - 10%
Workmanship - 10%
Painting Skill - 70%
Presentation - 5%
Bust: For this category, entries will be judged primarily on technical painting skills. Overall presentation, workmanship, creativity, and difficulty will play a much smaller role. A scratch sculpt entered in Bust would not be scored based on the quality of the sculpting, but on painting alone. If you would like to be judged primarily on the sculpting, it is recommended to enter the piece into the Open category. If that is the case, please be sure to let the competition registration know ahead of time so that we can make sure that the piece goes to the right place.
Difficulty - 5%
Creativity - 10%
Workmanship - 10%
Painting Skill - 70%
Presentation - 5%
Diorama :In the diorama category, the whole piece should tell a story. While painting skill is one of the primary considerations, much more emphasis is placed on presentation and creativity as it pertains to the piece and how it manages to tell a story.
Difficulty - 5%
Creativity - 20%
Workmanship - 20%
Painting Skill - 25%
Presentation - 30%
Unit: Units should have a clear theme and it should be obvious that they are part of the same group. Units should be attached to a single base for transport. Figures must be secured to the base using sources such as glue, blue tac, white tac, or magnets to prevent damage. Painting quality and workmanship should be consistent throughout the unit. If displayed on a decorative base, the base should be of a similar quality to the unit and should be appropriate to the theme of the unit.
Difficulty - 10%
Creativity - 10%
Workmanship - 20%
Painting Skill - 40%
Presentation - 20%
Youth- Youth will be included in the primary categories and will have the same opportunity to win medals or trophies based on their skill. Consideration will be given to the age of entrants. Youth category and awards are given to entrants 14 years of age and under.
Awards
Each entrant will have the chance to be awarded a ribbon based on the quality of their work as determined by score.
Best in Show - will receive a trophy In Honor of Cathy Wappel
Best Single Figure - will receive a trophy and
Best Bust - will receive a trophy and
Best Large Figure - will receive a trophy and a gift bag with prizes from the painting competition sponsors.
Best Diorama - will receive a trophy and a gift bag with prizes from the painting competition sponsors.
Best Unit - will receive a trophy and a gift bag with prizes from the painting competition sponsors.
Best Youth Entry - will receive a trophy and a gift bag with prizes from the painting competition sponsors.
The judges will award a "Judges Award" given to the most innovative and inspiring entry to catch the judges eye, that did not win best in its category. The winner will receive a trophy.
Manufacturer and Sponsorship Awards
These manufacturers and sponsors will be offering a variety of awards and prizes. More details to follow.
ImpendingDuff - Best Warhammer 40K Entry - win a special prize package from Impending Duff!
How to Enter
Entry Fee is $4 per entry payable via an Event Ticket or 2 generic tickets per entry.
Each competitor may enter ONE entry per category. Each entry requires a separate entry fee of two generic tickets. This covers the costs associated with holding the competition as per Gama and Origins Game Fair.
Schedule
Entry Submission Times:
Thursday (June 20) - 10:00am to 5:00pm
Friday (June 21) - 10:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday (June 22) - 10:00am to 4:00pm
We cannot make accommodations outside of these hours. Please plan accordingly.
Primary competition Judging will take place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. Non-Origins staff are not permitted to loiter in the judging area. Any entrants found loitering in the judging area will be disqualified from the competition.
Manufacturers/ Sponsor award judging will take place Sunday morning.
Award Ceremony
The Awards Ceremony will be held at the Paint & Take booth in Exhibit Hall B at 10am ET, Sunday.
Entry Pickup Times
Entries may be picked up after the awards ceremony on Sunday.
We cannot make accommodations outside of these hours for your travel times, events booked, dinner plans, etc. Please plan accordingly.
As a reminder, there is the option to sign a release form allowing your entries to be picked up by a specific person if you will not be able to pick up your own miniatures. We will be checking IDs and badges.
Entries not picked up by 3 PM on Sunday will be auctioned for charity by GAMA/Origins
Competition Rules and Regulations:
1. Entries must be made in-person by the painter and be the work of the painter. Entries painted by anyone other than the entrant will be disqualified.
2. Entrants must pay the entry fee of two generic tickets for each piece entered.
3. We only accept generic tickets or the event ticket. We cannot accept cash.
4. Best in Show models from other contests or competitions (online or offline) may not be entered.
5. You cannot enter painted models published prior to Origins in any professional print media, i.e., manufacturer magazines or gaming material (box art). Any publication of your painted entry prior to Origins is acceptable only if they are entered as “display only” or to receive feedback on your work from one or more of the judges. Our intention, as ever, is that painters provide untested entries.
Display Only: To put a piece into the competition case with the intention of just publicly displaying the work and/ or to receive critique via in person discussion by one or more of the judges.
6. Disqualified entries forfeit all prizes, titles, and awards. The painter is barred from entry in future Origins Competitions. Awards are given to the next winning entry. Information that may result in disqualification should be brought to the attention of Origins and Competition Administration immediately.
7. All entries must be finished and based. Management determines the final category placement of all entries and can change before or during judging with no notification to the entrant.
8. Entry size limit - 12 inches in width, 12 inches in height. Models too large for display cases may be refused.
9. Entry registration indicates permission for Origins to photograph entries and show them in all public media both online and print.
10. Origins Staff, crew members, and Competition management cannot be held responsible for lost or damaged minis.
11. Gama & Origins Employees, Origins Competition Management/ Administration, are not eligible for entry. Judges are eligible to enter but CANNOT judge the categories that they enter.
12. All decisions of the judges and management are final.
13. Entries must be received by 4 PM on the Saturday of Origins June 22nd, 2024 in time for judging preparation.
14. Entries and Prizes must be picked up by 3 PM the Sunday of Origins June 23rd, 2024, If we receive no replies to our attempts to contact you by phone or email by closing time, prizes will be forfeit and entries still in our possession will be auctioned for charity by Origins.
15. You must pick up your entries in person or sign a release form allowing your entries to be picked up by a specific person if you will not be able to pick up your own miniatures. We will be checking IDs and badges.
Winners Lists and Judge’s Feedback
The Winner’s List is posted the week after Origins or sooner if possible. Feedback from the judges that were entered in the system will also be emailed out to entrants during the week after Origins. If there are judges available after the awards ceremony and Sunday pickup, you may ask about feedback then as well.
Additional Information: If you have additional questions, please email Duff@Impendingduff.com
FAQ
Q: “Do I paint the model at the convention or before?”
A: Before! Whether it be at home or wherever you prefer to paint. Bring your completed miniature to the Paint & Take area for entry submission.