A Toast to the Prize Sponsors of the Sixth Painting Challenge

I'm happy to announce that we have a spectacular lineup of sponsors who've generously put forward prizes for the Painting Challenge. I know I've said this many times before, prizes aren't necessary, but we all have to admit that they do add a certain sparkle to an occasion.

At the end of the Challenge we will be holding prize draws for those who've attained 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

With this system we can provide a bit more fun than simply giving out prizes to the top-scoring painters, as we recognize that  not everyone has the time, speed or stamina to churn out figures at the pace of those maniacal brush jockeys who seemingly never eat nor sleep.

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

Barrage Miniatures

Barrage Miniatures specializes in very high quality, exquisitely detailed vehicles, buildings and warmats. I had the pleasure to visit Alf's workshop in Madrid last year 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). Thank you very much Alf!


Comic Readers

Comic Readers is our local game store here in Regina. Dana and Chad are wonderful pair of guys who do a great job supporting the local gaming community.

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 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. I have several of their mats and can attest to their quality and excellent customer service.

Diplomatist Books

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

Dragon's Den Games

Just 250km up the road from Regina is Saskatoon's Dragon's Den Games (it seems nuts but this is a relatively short distance in the Canadian prairies). Darren has been a long-time supporter of the Challenge and I'm delighted that he has once again offered to provide some lucky Challenger a gift certificate. Cheers Darren!

Fife & Drum / Minden Miniatures

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.

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) . Their figures have been designed with Czapska chords, plumes etc.

Orinoco Miniatures

A labour of love from fellow Challenger 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 continues to develop ranges of buildings for 28mm Sci-Fi, 15mm Stalingrad  and another in 20mm for the WWII campaigns in Italy.


Warbases 

Martin and Diane Murray of 'Warbases' return this year to provide a gift certificate to some lucky individual from their excellent shop. 


Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy

Fellow Challenger Guy Bowers, editor of 'Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy', has kindly offered a 1 year subscription as a prize to some lucky winner. Thanks very much Guy, much appreciated!

Westfalia Miniatures

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.


Westwind Productions

The good folks over at Westwind Productions contacted me about being a prize sponsor after our own Challenger JonathanO gave us a shout-out. Thanks very much to both Westwind and Jonathan!

Again, a HUGE thank you to all our prize sponsors for  their very generous support of the Painting Challenge. 

Administrative Note: I sent out the Painting Challenge packages to everyone a few days ago, BUT if I inadvertently missed someone in amongst the flap and flurry please drop me a note and I'll get it sorted.

Next up: A short Q&A regarding this year's Painting Challenge.