The CaptainCon 2022 Painting Contest

The CaptainCon painting competition is open to all entries regardless of manufacturer or game system so long as they meet the entry criteria for the category they’re submitted into. We intend to showcase the best artistry of the tabletop gaming hobby and the artists that create it at CaptainCon.

Basic Rules:

Logistics:

Categories:

Single Figure. A single model (a mounted rider is permitted in his category too) 40mm scale or smaller no taller than 75mm on a base up to 50mm across.

Bust/Large Figure. A single model of the head and shoulders/upper torso of a person/character/monster or a single figure in larger than 40mm scale no taller than 300mm

Monster/Vehicle. A single model of any scale on a base of 300mm diameter or smaller (freestanding models without a base are OK too) and no taller than 300mm. This category includes vehicles/large mounts with riders as well as single vehicles/monsters without a base.

Diorama or Scene. Two or more models of any scale affixed to a base up to 300mm across and up to a maximum height of 300mm. Entries must be a single piece or mounted in such a way that it can be moved as a single piece. The piece should ‘tell a story’ as it will be judged on narrative quality as well as artistic and technical skill.

Unit or Group. Between 3 and 10 models of any scale mounted separately and submitted on a movement tray or display base. The base is not considered in the judging. Excessively large trays may be refused entry.

Chibi Style. Chibi or related disproportionate style models may be entered in any of the above categories. Such entries will be eligible for this award in addition to the category for which they were submitted. This is a single award across all of the above categories.

Young Blood. Young artists (age 14 and under) may enter any of the five main categories (single, bust, monster, diorama, unit) as normal and compete. This is a separate award in addition to those categories to recognize the best young artist from across the others.

Judging and Prizes:

Judging criteria are:

*Technical Skill: * This includes all skills used in constructing, painting, basing, and finishing the entry such as model preparation (removing mold lines and flash, visible glue, gaps, grainy primer), conversion work (does it blend with the model), painting (consistency of style, smooth paint, etc.), and presentation work such as basing.

Artistic Quality: This criteria encompasses the aesthetic and creative decisions made in the entry including color palette, blending, contrast, shading, focal point and color choice to draw the eye, sense of unity and cohesion, and the general “harmonious” and “expressive” feel of the piece.

Narrative Quality: This criteria is only for the Diorama or Scene group. The narrative element and composition of the piece will be judged. Does it tell a story? Does it lead the viewer’s eye from element to element? Do all the figures in the piece interact with one another. Can the viewer visualize what will happen next in the scene?