Extending a big THANK YOU to the Painting Challenge Prize Sponsors

I'm delighted to announce that we have a wide-ranging group of sponsors (nine and counting!) who've generously offered prizes for the Challenge. I know prizes aren't the be-all and end-all, but you have to admit they do add a certain lustre to an occasion.

This year I'm going to try something a bit different in that I will be holding prize draws for attaining specific points thresholds.  There will be six thresholds, starting from 500 points and going up to 2500.

Threshold I = 500 points

Threshold II = 750 points

Threshold III = 1000 points

Threshold IV = 1500 points

Threshold V = 2000 points

Threshold VI = 2500 points

I'm hoping that with this system I can provide a bit more fun than simply giving out prizes to the top-scoring painters, as I realize not everyone has the time, speed or stamina to compete at those upper levels.

So, without further ado, in alphabetical order, this year's sponsors are:

Barrage Miniatures

Romanesque Spanish Church

Grass Warmat in a Vietnam setting.

Barrage Miniatures specializes in very high quality, exquisitely detailed vehicles, buildings and warmats. I had the pleasure to visit Alf's workshop in Madrid this past spring and can attest to his near maniacal attention to detail and customer service. In addition to his generous prize offerings Alf is also giving a 10% discount to all Challengers who order from his store during the event (please contact me to get the discount code). Thanks very much Alf!

Deep-Cut Studios

Deep-Cut Studio is an artisan studio specializing in manufacturing miniature and RPG games accessories. They mainly focus on miniature games mats for various wargames. Deep-Cut also collaborates with companies looking to outsource their manufacturing and/or handling the distribution of their products. They provide a wide array of services: graphic design, drawings, manufacturing, packaging and shipping the goods to the customer's doorstep.

Diplomatist Books

The stock at Edwin King's wonderful online bookshop Diplomatist Books is always worth a thoughtful thumb through. You'll find titles on Military & Naval History, Archaeology, Early History and Exploration. Also, check out Edwin's Facebook page to keep up with his goings on.

Fife & Drum / Minden Miniatures

British AWI Commanders

Prussian Command Stand

Jim Purky's Fife & Drum Miniatures, whose wonderful 30mm figures focus on the American War of Independence, was awarded 'Best Historical Miniatures Range of 2011' by the Miniatures Page. Jim also has the excellent Minden Miniatures range, which focuses on the armies of the Seven Years War. Both ranges are sculpted by the very talented Richard Ansell.

J&M Miniatures

A long-time supporter of the Challenge, James Manto's J&M Miniatures is a great Canadian-based online hobby store specializing in all manner of products for miniature gaming.

Murawski Miniatures

Murawski Miniatures was created to fill a niche for Napoleonic figure collectors who wanted a comprehensive range that depicted troops from the Grand Duchy of Warsaw as they were dressed and equipped in the 1812-1814 period. The “look” of the figures is very much that of “in the field” rather than parade ground (ideal for the Peninsular, 1813 campaigns etc) . That said figures have also been designed with Czapska chords, plumes etc.

Orinoco Miniatures

A labour of love from the fevered mind of Mark Griffin, Orinoco Miniatures features a wonderful range of 28mm castings depicting the South American Wars of Independence (1810-1830) and the Chaco War between Bolivia and Paraguay (1932-1935). 

SG2 Creations

Byron's SG2 Creations is a Canadian-based studio specializing in MDF terrain, figure storage and acrylic game markers. He is currently developing comprehensive ranges of buildings for 28mm Sci-Fi, 15mm Stalingrad  and another in 20mm for the WWII campaigns in Italy.

Westfalia Miniatures

Russian sledge gun, 1812.

Rude Scots

Kawe's Westfalia Miniatures combines the talents of Niels Rullkoetter, Paul Hicks, Ebob, Frank Germershaus and Bill Thornhill to build 28mm miniatures and 1/56 equipment that they always wanted for their own collections. Their research comes from Michael Bartling and many others.

Again, I wish to thank all our prize sponsors -  their very generous support of the Painting Challenge really adds a wonderful sparkle to the event.


Next Up: Paint Duels and Side Challenges! (Note to Challengers: Please send me your call-outs and white feathers...)