My first painting competition

[Drunken Elf]

Good morning gorgeous people and a happy new year to you all

I have decided to enter my very first painting competition. Its only an instore one for Games Workshop but you win a little trophy as a prize which is kinda neat, and ive never won a trophy before.

My question IS, has anyone got any tips to win, aside from "Do a good paint job". Anything in paticular the judges look for? The category is a ny single model, any size. Im thinking of painting Grimgor Ironhide. A good solid model I feel.

 

[10 ball]

Hi, make sure the face of your mini is perfect and standout, also pick a mini that 'sells' GW (to them a competition is just a good advert for their products)

Good Luck

 

[CrookedEye]

I've been told by more than one GD judge that after selecting the best of the category they start looking for mistakes. Make sure you correct as many mistakes as you can find. A basic "clean" job will very often beat a more complicated or complex entry with shiny new techniques and lots of errors.

Zach

 

[Einion]

My question IS, has anyone got any tips to win, aside from "Do a good paint job". Anything in paticular the judges look for?

This is really a crap shoot since judging can be so subjective (even assuming no bias or favouritism) but beyond doing a neat, clean job I suppose the simplest suggestion is just to aim for the wow factor if you can.

Einion

 

[Tommie Soule]

Get a work in progress thread and post pics, then we can help you properly.

T

(P.s. Which store?)

 

[ischa]

what tommie said. beyond that, get friendly with the staff! not saying gw staff are specially prone to nespotism, but it´s rarely a bad idea to be friends with the judges
you should also try to keep the mini clean, and spectacular. a mini that is converted and looks striking allways has a bigger shot of winning competitions, especially when the judges dont have expectations to look for tiny details and be super fair as with the demons.

 

[Wench]

Use at least three colors.
Don't leave any primer showing.
Try to stick to techniques you are familiar with, experimentation has its place, but usually not when you are facing a deadline for a tournament entry.
Try to find models that won previous events so that you know the level of competition you are facing and what the judges favor.

 

[Tommie Soule]

When in doubt do a space marine.

 

[Mourner]

When in doubt do a space marine.

or basicly anything newly released...


My tips:
Make sure you're mini has the wow-factor... make sure it stands out among all the other models
Use every technique, and all the knowledge you're comfortable with
Build a cool base... the base tells the story around a mini, where he is, what he's doing etc.
Make it flawless, first thing judges look for is wow-factor, second is your painting, if that doesn't give a winner, they look at mistakes... (i've lost comps by 1 mistake...)
Put it on a plinth... This automatically raises it above the competition, literally (just make sure the gaming base is removable, or you might get DQed)

 

[Drunken Elf]

This is all great advice!! I've decided to go for Grimgor Ironhide as my model. Im going to paint him in Bad Moon colours with a dark green skin. Posting a WIP would be quite fun actually. Im not entirely out to win the comp (but the trophy would be nice). I do need to get used to watering down my paints a little tho, sometimes when I highlight it looks to obvious and dry.

I'll try post a pic tonight, please be gentle tho and I know im not as good as some of you guys. you're all fantastic painters. I wouldn't mind trying my hand at some water effects for a base, pretty tricky tho. I've never converted a base before. where should I start

 

[Drunken Elf]

Oh and its in the Bluewater store

 

[Bloodhowl]

I'll try post a pic tonight, please be gentle tho and I know im not as good as some of you guys. you're all fantastic painters. I wouldn't mind trying my hand at some water effects for a base, pretty tricky tho. I've never converted a base before. where should I start

Ha! You have obviously never seen my painting! Get a WIP post started ASAP. The folks on here are fantastic in answering questions and offering advice so you can improve.

Water effects are not overly difficult, the devil is in the details. You need to figure out what type of water effect you want: trickle of water from a pipe, raging torrent in a swollen river, placid lake scene, swampy marsh, the ocean from the Perfect Storm...
Also consider size of the project, will you be using a small gaming base, a display base, or building a full diorama? Materials? Epoxy Resin, polyurethane, EZ Water, Water effects, painted plaster?

These looks all require different ways of shaping and coloring. Best resources I have found for inspiration and information are model railroad sites and miniature sites that deal with terrain: terragenesis, woodland scenics, Hirst Arts, Minwargaming, etc.. Also check through the article section here on CMON.

Once you decide on the look you want, then start posting specific questions for the members here to further clarify or offer advice on how best to accomplish or improve what you are looking for?

 

[Drunken Elf]

Fantastic advice on Water Effects. Thanks for that. So you would reccomend I buy and make from scratch as opposed to buying a set piece base, ready made. Trouble with that is I would need fiddle with the legs to make it fit on the base...im not big on converting my models as im not great at it eeek.

Ok, any tips on camera settings to take the best quality photo? Shold I continue to post in this forum or move it to the WIP forum?

 

[CrookedEye]

One more tip on the water effects. Do a test first. I ruined a major project last year by rushing a job and not testing it first. Water effects can be tricky and until you get the hang of it a dry run will save you lots of heartache.

Zach

 

[Bloodhowl]

Fantastic advice on Water Effects. Thanks for that. So you would reccomend I buy and make from scratch as opposed to buying a set piece base, ready made. Trouble with that is I would need fiddle with the legs to make it fit on the base...im not big on converting my models as im not great at it eeek.

Ok, any tips on camera settings to take the best quality photo? Shold I continue to post in this forum or move it to the WIP forum?

Check the comp rules. Using a completed display base purchased from someone/somwhere might be cause for DQ as you didn't do the work.

Making from scratch is not that hard, and chances are you already have a good bit of materials on hand around the house. Do the research and learn from those that have done it before. Ask questions, and if it seems a difficult technique, as suggested before, do a test run on some scrap before doing it on your piece.

I would start a new thread in the WIP. Start with a picture of the mini or concept sketches and then post as you complete a stage for feedback and critique.

 

[Drunken Elf]

Great, i'll get started tonight. All your help is and will be appreciated, no matter how brutal or kind the feedback is . Keep an eye out in the WIPS.

 

[Ydouneed2nomyname]

Pick a Finecast model. If the decision is very close, the Finecast will prevail. Not saying metal or plastic don't ever win, but usually Finecast has the edge if there is a close call. Also pick a model that will stand out visually, the sculpt should have a dynamic pose to it. And to me, warm colors stand out more than cooler colors. And focus on the face. A lot of times people do an awesome paintjob and then screw up the face and the judges wave it goodbye. Add character to your faces. And besides all that do a good paintjob. How well you have to do depends on your area. Good luck with your competition! Have fun!

 

[Dragonsreach]

Pick a Finecast model. If the decision is very close, the Finecast will prevail.

The painter side of me wants to say Bollox, but the GW cynical push new stuff view says probably right.

 

[Drunken Elf]

Ok so far I have started the skin and done the base of the armour. Im going to borrow my friends camera now and take a pic. Im nervous. its not going to win any medals but its nice to enter for fun plus with you guys and girls helping me i'll learn alot

 

[Ydouneed2nomyname]

The painter side of me wants to say Bollox, but the GW cynical push new stuff view says probably right.

I hate Finecast, but I'm only saying this because it's true. Whenever I go to the GW shop, they constantly tell customers how the Finecast is a "New Innovation to the miniature world" even though resin has been around for awhile. I wish it was bollox. You can't even find the metal miniatures in the GW stores you have to buy them online now.