We’re sponsoring the Hammerhead Painting Competition again in 2024! Here are the details you’ll need to enter.
The basics
- There’s no entry fee and up to one entry can be submitted to each category.
- Entries must be your own work.
- Each entry must be accompanied by an entry form.
- There will be an overall winner as well as a second and third for each category. Winners get a trophy and second and third certificates. A final overall ‘Best of Show’ award will also be presented to the day’s most outstanding entry.
- Entries can be standard figures, 3D prints, conversions, kitbashes, or self-sculpts.
- While we will do our very best to ensure your entries are looked after we can take no ultimate responsibility for any damage or losses that may occur.
- By entering the competition you give Wargames Illustrated the right to photograph your entries and use them in the future online or in the print magazine.
Where and when
Bring your painted miniatures to the Wargames Illustrated stand, located in the George Stephenson Hall, Newark Showground, at Hammerhead on Saturday 2 March.
- From the show open until midday – Entries are accepted at the Wargames Illustrated stand.
- Midday to 2 pm – Judging takes place and winners are determined.
- 2 pm to 3 pm – Entries can be collected from the Wargames Illustrated stand.
- 3 pm – Winners announced!
Historical Single Miniature
A single historical miniature, up to and including 54mm scale, on a single base. Scenic bases are permitted but should not be dramatically larger than the figure’s standard base size in width and length. Any figures on larger bases will still be permitted entry but the construction and detail of the groundwork and terrain will be dismissed in the judging process.
2023’s Historical Single Miniature 1st Place – Richard III by Paul Mackay
Sci-Fi Single Miniature
A single sci-fi miniature, up to and including 54mm scale, on a single base. Scenic bases are permitted but should not be dramatically larger than the figure’s standard base size in width and length. Any figures on larger bases will still be permitted entry but the construction and detail of the groundwork and terrain will be dismissed in the judging process.
What constitutes sci-fi versus fantasy is up to the competitor but as a guideline, we’d suggest that steampunk, post-apocalyptic, and alternative universe modern figures should be entered into this category.
2023’s Sci-Fi Single Miniature 1st Place – Tau Fire Warrior by David Morris
Fantasy Single Miniature
A single fantasy miniature, up to and including 54mm scale, on a single base. Scenic bases are permitted but should not be dramatically larger than the figure’s standard base size in width and length. Any figures on larger bases will still be permitted entry but the construction and detail of the groundwork and terrain will be dismissed in the judging process.
What constitutes fantasy versus sci-fi is up to the competitor but as a guideline, we’d suggest that horror or fairy tale-type figures should be entered into this category.
2023’s Fantasy Single 1st Place – Nurgle Lord by Martin Collier
Historical Unit/War Machine
A historical unit or war machine (including mounted units, chariots, artillery, elephants, siege engines, etc.) up to and including 54mm scale. A minimum of three models is essential for a unit; a war machine can have a suitable number of crew. The basing type is up to you and scenic bases are permitted but should not be dramatically larger than the figures’ standard base size in width and length. Any figures on larger bases will still be permitted entry but the construction and detail of the groundwork and terrain will be dismissed in the judging process.
Please keep in mind that your figures will be moved around and, if they are all on individual bases, it will make this process far easier if they’re placed in a movement tray or on a plinth.
2023’s Historical Unit/War Machine 1st Place – Chasseur à Cheval by Eddie Bermingham
Sci-Fi Unit/War Machine/Large Monster
A sci-fi unit, war machine (including tanks, walkers, flyers, etc.), or large monster (aliens, monstrosities, large greenskins, etc.) up to and including 54mm scale. A minimum of three models is essential for a unit, a war machine can have a suitable number of crew, while a large monster should be a self-contained model. The basing type is up to you and scenic bases are permitted but should not be dramatically larger than the figures’ standard base size in width and length. Any figures on larger bases will still be permitted entry but the construction and detail of the groundwork and terrain will be dismissed in the judging process.
Please keep in mind that your figures will be moved around and, if they are all on individual bases, it will make this process far easier if they’re placed in a movement tray or on a plinth.
2023’s Sci-Fi Unit/War Machine 1st Place – Death Guard Dreadnaught by Liam Hopkins
Fantasy Unit/War Machine/Large Monster
A fantasy unit, war machine (including tanks, walkers, flyers, etc.), or large monster (aliens, monstrosities, large greenskins, etc.) up to and including 54mm scale. A minimum of three models is essential for a unit, a war machine can have a suitable number of crew, while a large monster should be a self-contained model. The basing type is up to you and scenic bases are permitted but should not be dramatically larger than the figures’ standard base size in width and length. Any figures on larger bases will still be permitted entry but the construction and detail of the groundwork and terrain will be dismissed in the judging process.
Please keep in mind that your figures will be moved around and, if they are all on individual bases, it will make this process far easier if they’re placed in a movement tray or on a plinth.
2023’s Fantasy Unit/War Machine 1st Place – Nurgle Lords by Liam Hopkins
Diorama/Duel
A new category for 2024, created to avoid some of the awkwardly clashing entry types that were forced into the Open category in previous years.
At least two figures in a duel or diorama scene that tell a story, have a strong atmosphere, or recreate a moment of history. Basing/height should be no more than 30cm x 30cm x 30cm (we will give a little leeway if one length is pushed slightly due to a large model, lots of verticality, a tall plinth, etc.). The scene can be historical, sci-fi, or fantasy-themed.
Open
Everything else goes here! This is a category for busts, larger-scale models, oddities, artefacts, huge creations, or a second entry that you can’t otherwise submit into another category. This tends to be the most fiercely contested category at the event; only enter if you’re ready for the challenge!
2023’s Open 1st Place – Scuba Steve by Martin Collier
Youth
Younger entrants are free to enter into any of the categories listed here. If you are 16 or under be sure to note it on your entry form. We will assess those entries against each other, to determine the top three overall Youth entries.
2023’s Youth 1st Place – Plague Marine by Yan Pacek
Kalistra
A special category, run by Hammerhead organisers, Kalistra. Any stand or unit from the Kalistra range may be entered in this category. The basing type is up to you and scenic bases are permitted but should not be dramatically larger than the figures’ standard base size in width and length. Any figures on larger bases will still be permitted entry but the construction and detail of the groundwork and terrain will be dismissed in the judging process.
2023’s Kalistra 1st Place – High Elf Spearman by Matthew Leggett
