Winter Painting Competition - Cast a Spell

[Hobby Wyrd]

This year, we want our community to show us some magic! We’re talking about magical effects of all kinds. This is definitely a contest to let your imagination run wild. So pull out your tomes, talismans and wands because we’re asking you to Cast a Spell!

NOTE: We constantly look to evolve our competitions to be as fun and fair as possible, so please review the rules below carefully along with our rules PDF.

Submission - In order to submit your entry, you must forum PM @Hobby Wyrd with a starting picture that includes the miniature (unassembled or assembled primed,) your forum name, and the date. This will ensure that the entries are all pieces done for this contest. Once you finish your piece, submit it as usual to the appropriate category here. Final entry submissions are due by 11:59 pm EDT March 6th.

In addition to the entry photo sent via forum PM, a WiP (no more than 50% complete) picture will need to be taken with your forum name, date, and the phrase "abracadabra" written and visible in the photo. Failure to do so will result in disqualification of your entry, no exceptions.

Reminder - Winners of the last 2 painting contests (City Nights and Danse Macabre) must enter in the Overachievers category if they choose to enter!
Theme - Our theme this year? Magic Effects! These can be scratch-built, added, or sculpted, but the magic effect must feature prominent magic effects aka flames, smoke, sparks, swirling energy etc.

*NOTE: As it has been asked off thread- yes, magic effects included in a sculpt counts! 

We have two (2) categories for this contest-

Single Model - A single model on a base of appropriate scale or on a plinth of similar size (not to exceed 50mm). The single model should make up most of the submission and be the focus of the piece, Additional basing and accessories should enhance, not distract or overwhelm the model.

Community Poll - Based on Community vote for each model in the Category
1st Place: $75 in Wyrd webstore credit
2nd Place: $50 in Wyrd webstore credit
3rd Place: $25 in Wyrd webstore credit  

Overachiever - Overachiever entries must meet the following criteria in addition to the theme:

Magic Fight! - A Diorama/Vignette, with at least two different magic effects engaging (for example: crashing into each other, mixing, reflecting, etc.)

Overachiever Category Prizes- 

Community Poll - Based on Community vote for each model in the Category
1st Place: $300 in Wyrd webstore credit
2nd Place: $200 in Wyrd webstore credit
3rd Place: $100 in Wyrd webstore credit  

Overall Contest Prizes (Staff Picked)-

Singles Staff Pick - $100 USD cash prize (via PayPal)

Overachiever Staff Pick - $200 USD cash prize (via PayPal)

Best of Wyrd (Wyrd Models only)- Two Nightmare boxes of the winner’s choice (from a list of available Nightmare boxes)

Participants may submit one (1) entry and may be eligible for one prize per contest. If you haven’t already, please review our general competition rules. There have been disqualifications in the past and we'd rather avoid that! Again, if you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out to  @Hobby Wyrd for assistance.
 

[Silver_lining_minipainting]

Very exciting! And this a very cool theme with so much possibilities.

[dzlier]

3 hours ago, Hobby Wyrd said:

Single Model - A single model on a base of appropriate scale or on a plinth of similar size (not to exceed 50mm). The single model should make up most of the submission and be the focus of the piece, Additional basing and accessories should enhance, not distract or overwhelm the model.

I don't know if this is intentional or not, but for the last couple contests I've noticed that the Single Model category doesn't actually make any mention of the theme in this post. The singles category still has to have the magical effects as mentioned in the Waldo's Weekly, yeah?

[Hobby Wyrd]

3 minutes ago, dzlier said:

I don't know if this is intentional or not, but for the last couple contests I've noticed that the Single Model category doesn't actually make any mention of the theme in this post. The singles category still has to have the magical effects as mentioned in the Waldo's Weekly, yeah?

Hey, thanks so much for asking! Yes, the Singles category is always subject to the overall theme. The Overachievers category will have an additiontional criteria in addition to the overall theme. 

I hope that helps to clarify!

[Malifuk]

Hey guys, I am not the most technically minded about these computer things LOL

Can I submit my starting and work in progress images by email ? (I think I did that last time)

 

Many thanks in advance

[Hobby Wyrd]

3 hours ago, Malifuk said:

Hey guys, I am not the most technically minded about these computer things LOL

Can I submit my starting and work in progress images by email ? (I think I did that last time)

 

Many thanks in advance

sure thing, shoot me an email hobby.assistant@wyrd-games.net with your forum name and "Cast a Spell" in the subject line.

[ProrokLebioda]

On 2/6/2023 at 8:40 PM, Hobby Wyrd said:

sure thing, shoot me an email hobby.assistant@wyrd-games.net with your forum name and "Cast a Spell" in the subject line.

Can I also send an email? Imgur is not cooperating in terms of using link as image upload.

[Hobby Wyrd]

yep, same format please!

[Skrytnik]

It is a pity that there is no "single" category for overachievers. There is not always the time or the opportunity to assemble and paint a whole vignette, or even more so a diorama. But to paint a very beautiful game model on a game base would be great! There should be more beautiful models on the tables, I'm sure)

[Enigma]

I agree with Skrytnik. You don't always have the time and energy to do something grandiose, but you want to participate! Sometimes there are too many commissions or you're just tired. At such a moment, making a beautiful "single" is a great way to relax and take part. It would be great to ADD a "single" category for "overachievers". And leave the "vignettes / dioramas" as it is. This is really the biggest and most interesting work with the most valuable prizes. And sometimes, when you have the strength and time, it's a real pleasure to make such a piece!

Of course, I mean future contests and I do not urge you to change something in what has already been announced.

By the way, the topic of the current contest is very interesting, as always! If I find the time, I will definitely participate ✨

[MisterWerks]

I'd like to take a second to express my appreciation for how the contests have improved over the past couple of years.  I remember being very frustrated by dioramas with a single model being counted in the Singles category, requirements and/or categories being largely ignored and people submitting whatever they want into any category, and constantly seeing the same handful of professional artists win every time.

I think the Overachievers Division is a wonderful addition to these contests and this new requirement of before & WIP photos will go a long way to preserving the good nature of creative competition.  Thanks for giving us something fun to do between games!

[Hawkoon]

I'm going to chime in with @Skrytnik and @Enigma as well. I love participating in these contests, but a dioarama/vignette takes a lot of time and effort that is not always possible.

I am currently in a situation where I temporarily don't have all the tools and space required for such work availiable, and being a previous winner I'm locked to the overachiever category. (I could probably get a single painted).

Sadly, I most likely will have to pass this time 😔

[Diddick]

I feel the same way, not a lot of time for a whole diorama, and tbh in this occasion I couldn't come up with an idea that would fit the topic and made me proud at the same time, so i'll pass too.

BUT here's my probably unpopular opinion:  to my understanding that's why the category is called overachiever, and not just very-good-painter, is intended to push us a little bit harder and make us sweat for those 300$ store credit and/or 200$ cash.

[Skrytnik]

5 hours ago, Diddick said:

Я чувствую то же самое, не так много времени для целой диорамы, и tbh в этом случае я не смог придумать идею, которая соответствовала бы теме и в то же время заставляла меня гордиться, поэтому я тоже пас.

НО вот мое, вероятно, непопулярное мнение: насколько я понимаю, именно поэтому категория называется overachiever, а не просто very-good-painter, предназначена для того, чтобы подтолкнуть нас немного сильнее и заставить нас попотеть за эти 300 долларов в магазине и / или 200 долларов наличными.

It is not necessary to make huge prizes in the "overachiver single", the opportunity to paint your game model as well as possible and at the same time compete with other good painters is already great))

[Silver_lining_minipainting]

On 2/11/2023 at 4:48 PM, Enigma said:

I agree with Skrytnik. You don't always have the time and energy to do something grandiose, but you want to participate! Sometimes there are too many commissions or you're just tired. At such a moment, making a beautiful "single" is a great way to relax and take part. It would be great to ADD a "single" category for "overachievers". And leave the "vignettes / dioramas" as it is. This is really the biggest and most interesting work with the most valuable prizes. And sometimes, when you have the strength and time, it's a real pleasure to make such a piece!

Of course, I mean future contests and I do not urge you to change something in what has already been announced.

By the way, the topic of the current contest is very interesting, as always! If I find the time, I will definitely participate ✨

@Skrytnik

@Enigma

 

I personally don't mind the overachiever category being diorama but I understand the comment especially regarding painting a game piece, as this is still a game. So giving overachievers access again to a singles category would be a good idea. A possibility to not split up the category and not change things regarding prize money is to alternate, have 2 overachiever singles categories each year and 2 diorama ones. I don't think having both is a good idea as last time there were only 12 overachiever entries. I would also be fine with having an open category, I like that the theme for the overachiever category is more detailed, but the execution could be open to the painter, so no diorama requirement. In that case people painting a singel figure will have to compete with a diorama entry, but an excellently painted single figure could stand out against a diorama anyway. 

[Silver_lining_minipainting]

On 2/13/2023 at 1:37 AM, MisterWerks said:

I'd like to take a second to express my appreciation for how the contests have improved over the past couple of years.  I remember being very frustrated by dioramas with a single model being counted in the Singles category, requirements and/or categories being largely ignored and people submitting whatever they want into any category, and constantly seeing the same handful of professional artists win every time.

I think the Overachievers Division is a wonderful addition to these contests and this new requirement of before & WIP photos will go a long way to preserving the good nature of creative competition.  Thanks for giving us something fun to do between games!

I always thought games were something fun to de between painting miniatures ...?

[Silver_lining_minipainting]

On 2/16/2023 at 4:49 PM, Skrytnik said:

It is not necessary to make huge prizes in the "overachiver single", the opportunity to paint your game model as well as possible and at the same time compete with other good painters is already great))

So you think that a possible solution would be to also have a overachiever - singles category again, but with low prize pool? I also want to add to other people that a vignette can be quite basic. Do the rules specifiy it has to be of a certain size? You could technically have a small plint with a backdrop and have the game figure stand in front and have it count as a vignette? I once painted a singles miniature standing in front of a wall, with no basing elements whatsoever and it got critisized and not voted upon by various people because it wasn't a singles entry. And seeing it is a game it wouldn't bother me at all if a miniature on its game base stands in a slot on the diorama. So it serves a dual purpose.

[Hawkoon]

13 hours ago, Silver_lining_minipainting said:

 And seeing it is a game it wouldn't bother me at all if a miniature on its game base stands in a slot on the diorama. So it serves a dual purpose.

I did that! 😁

[Skrytnik]

On 2/19/2023 at 4:18 PM, Silver_lining_minipainting said:

So you think that a possible solution would be to also have a overachiever - singles category again, but with low prize pool? I also want to add to other people that a vignette can be quite basic. Do the rules specifiy it has to be of a certain size? You could technically have a small plint with a backdrop and have the game figure stand in front and have it count as a vignette? I once painted a singles miniature standing in front of a wall, with no basing elements whatsoever and it got critisized and not voted upon by various people because it wasn't a singles entry. And seeing it is a game it wouldn't bother me at all if a miniature on its game base stands in a slot on the diorama. So it serves a dual purpose.

You are right, the size requirements are not specified, but for the "overachiver" category there is a clear requirement - two magic effects interacting with each other. I really hope that it's just that I don't have enough time (and imagination) for this, and the rest of the participants will show us great vignettes or dioramas. If there was such an opportunity, I would prefer to participate in the "overachiever single" category, albeit with small prizes. 
As for the game base in the slot, this is of course a solution, but not for me - I just don't like this.

[Silver_lining_minipainting]

I think the important thing here is that this is a casual contest which is primarily for fun. 

[eHobo]

When I go to upload my photo, I just get a message saying that I don't have permission to see the gallery. What do I do then?

[Fairyteller]

2 hours ago, eHobo said:

When I go to upload my photo, I just get a message saying that I don't have permission to see the gallery. What do I do then?

When I did the same thing yesterday, I also saw this message. At first I wanted to send it to the mail indicated above, but then I found the "Add photo" button right in the gallery section. Then the folder is selected already at the time of adding.

[eHobo]

1 hour ago, Fairyteller said:

When I did the same thing yesterday, I also saw this message. At first I wanted to send it to the mail indicated above, but then I found the "Add photo" button right in the gallery section. Then the folder is selected already at the time of adding.

Thanks, I'll give it a shot!

Edit: It worked!

[Hobby Wyrd]

Attention:

The most recent back-end update has made some unfortunate issues for a few folks trying to submit. Specifically it's giving an error rather than the "you do not have permission..." message. Regardless, if you are having issues submitting please do the following:

• Email hobby.assistant@wyrd-games.net 
• include your forum name and "cast a spell" in the subject line
• attach one photo you want to submit (as always multi-shot collages are fine)
• in the email body include you category (this helps prevent *any* issues)
• include any important info (title, model maker if not Wyrd, etc)

 

[kangram]

@Hobby Wyrd how can we check if our entry is ok?