In Celebration of Challenge XIII

Well, here we are at the end of the thirteenth edition of the Painting Challenge. The film lot is closed, all the votes have been counted for both 'Minions' Choice' and 'Challengers' Choice', Sarah has made her selection for 'Sarah’s Choice' and I’ve done the same for my SnowLord's selection. Whew, it's been a hectic few days! 

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Minions' Choice

Okay, first up! Our intrepid cabal of Minions have convened, muttered their sacred rights and made their 'Minions' Choice' for our last month of the Challenge.

The runners up are:

Dallas for his majestic and imposing Warhound Titan

Kerry for his whimsical Baron Munchhausen.

...and Simon for is incredibly impressive Jewish Revolt Temple Mount

The Minions' Choice' goes to:

Ken for his stunning Italian Wars Spanish Colunella!

Ken, for your prize you have a $50 gift voucher from Westfalia Miniatures. Congratulations mate!

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Challengers' Choice

We had 31 nominations this year for the Challengers' Choice, with a great responce from voters (in fact, there were only a few votes separating 1st and 2nd place). I found it a lot of fun to take in the gallery of nominees as it provided a wonderful retrospective of the thee months of the Challenge. Our Monday Minion Peter was kind enough to tally up the votes and so here are the runners up and podium finishers.

3rd Runner Up 

Curt for his Mad Maximillian Roadsters.

2nd Runner Up 

Sidney for his Samurai figures

1st Runner Up

Miles' Battle of Peleliu Project

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Podium Finishers for Challengers' Choice

Third Place

Tamsin for her enormously impressive and, well, just enormous 'Spirit of Camberwell'

After looking at it again I think you're right Tamsin. It really is worth 1000 points... :)

Second Place for Challengers' Choice  

Darrell for his sumptuously painted Byzantines. Here are just a few selections of his work:

First Place for Challengers' Choice' goes to: 

Ken for his fabulously salty and foamy WWII ships. Once again, bravo Ken! Challenge XIII has been a banner edition for you - well done!

Ken, for your prize you get a print edition of Simon Miller's 'For King & Parliament' and the 'Marlowe to Maidenhythe' scenario book from 'BigRedBat'.

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Snowlord's Choice

Honourable Mentions go to:

Kerry's  Italian Wars Gendarmes

Martijn's Don Quiote and Sancho Panza 

SnowLord's Choice goes to:

Sidney's wonderful Samurai-themed figures and terrain for his upcoming rules, 'When the Last Sword is Drawn'. Absolutely stunning work Sidney, Bravo!

Sydney, for your prize you get a starter boxed set of Moonstone from the good folks over at Goblin King Games.

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Sarah’s Choice 

Hi Everybody!

Another fantastic Challenge comes to a close! Well done everyone!

A highlight of the Challenge for me is seeing the terrific variety of female figures being presented.

The scope of this years figures - from cut throat lady pirates, Viking shield maidens, vampires and zombies, steam punk witches and French Revolutionary peasants, ghosts, nuns and queens and an excellent Frankenstein Bride - has been a real pleasure to re-visit these past few days.

I find that no matter how diligent I am during the Challenge, there are often figures that I missed or forgot about. It’s such a treat to come across these unexpected treasures!

I’d like to highlight the sculpting skills of GeoffreyT, his Bandida was a really fun entry and I liked the cool-hippy chick vibe of his sculpt. Very characterful!

Another of my favourite entries this Challenge was the elegant 75mm Female Duelliste from MartinC. The paint job reminds me of classic toy soldier style… which is awesome. The Duelliste herself could be the heroine from a Georgette Heyer novel .. also awesome!

This years Sarah’s Choice Award will be un-precedented .. and the Snow Lord agrees that I can do this …

We have two winners for Sarah's Choice:

StuartL and MattW!!

StuartL’s Malifaux Mannequins Showgirls, the fish seller, and his steampunk witch are all wonderful.

MattW’s Apple Lady with donkey, medieval milk maid and the French Revolutionary peasant women were also standouts for me.

Definitely treats for all of us to enjoy!

And, speaking of treats, Stuart and Matt, you both will get a $50 Gift Voucher from our good friend Kawe over at Westfalia Miniatures.

Thank you and congratulations!!

- Sarah

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Congratulations to all the nominees and winners. Thank you for sharing your wonderful work with us. To the winners, please email me to work out the details for getting your awards. 

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Before Challenge XIII concludes, I’d like to thank again our fabulous Minions for all their hard work herding entries, managing the Spreadsheet of Doom and keeping on top of the duels. I also wish to thank our Challenge Sponsors for their generous support of the event.  If you have a free moment please visit their web stores via the banners on the left sidebar and see if something strikes your fancy.  As I say every year, the Challenge doesn’t need prizes to be a success, but it adds a bit of sparkle to the show.  Thanks again to all our wonderful sponsors! 

Finally, and I really can't say this enough, I want to thank all our Challenge participants. This event would be nothing without all your industry, your humour and most of all, your open-hearted support. All of these make the Painting Challenge what it is. You folks are terrific, thank you.

So in closing, I bid you all a fond farewell. I hope you enjoy the next eight months 'off', and until we get together again next December...

In Memory of Oscar

- Curt