Miniature Painting and Model Competition
The Rocky Top Game Con Miniature Painting Competition is focused on helping inspire local artists to get involved in their community. We want to provide an educational event where artists can learn how to improve their work and exchange ideas with like-minded individuals.
The Event is an open format competition with awards and/or trophies given based on merit and skill.
Each entry will be awarded points by a judging panel that has been selected by Rocky Top Game Con administration in Partnership with local miniature painting studio, Mythic Minis.
The Miniature Painting and Model Competition Event is completely free to enter. If you would like to register in advance, you may do so at the Best Coast Pairings Event Scheduler to get on the roster. Click the button below!
Table of Contents
Event Schedule
The RTGC Miniature Painting Competition Friday, May 24th, at 10 AM EST and ends Sunday, May 26th, at 4 PM EST.
We will begin checking in entries at 10 am.
Event Location
The Jacob’s Building, 3301 East Magnolia Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37914
Registration
To enter, submit your entry at the Rocky Top Game Con. Entries must be submitted to Rocky Top Game Con representatives, as directed at the Event, between 10am and 7pm Fri, May 24th and between 10am and 12pm Sat, May 25th. Late entries may only be entered into the Open Exhibition category.
Each competitor may enter ONE entry per category.
Pick Up of Entries
Entry models may be picked up Sunday, May 26th beginning at 12 pm. Entries not picked up by Sunday May 26th by 4pm are considered abandoned and those models may be sold or auctioned and proceeds will be contributed toward future events.
You must pick up your entries in person or sign a release form allowing your entries to be picked up by an alternate person. We will be checking ID’s.
Categories
Sci-Fi Single – Any Sci-Fi themed model on a base 80mm or smaller can be entered into this category.
Sci-Fi Unit or Squad – Sci-Fi themed models that are a squad, party, or group. Scoring from judges will include cohesion of theme among the each model to easily recognize they belong as a group. Ideally, units should be attached to a single base for transport. Consider durability and transportation by securing models to the base using sources such as glue, blue tac, white tac, or magnets to prevent damage.
Sci-Fi Large – Any Sci-Fi single model with a base 80mm or larger can be entered into this category. However, vehicles and ordnance will likely be placed into the Vehicles and Ordnance category.
Sci-Fi Ordnance and Vehicles – Any Sci-Fi themed model such as tanks, artillery, and transports, etc. The Ordnance and Vehicles category has an emphasis on painting skill and workmanship. Attention should be paid to consistency of design, textures, use of light, and surface finishing.
Fantasy Single – Any Fantasy themed model on a base 80mm or smaller can be entered into this category.
Fantasy Unit or Squad – Fantasy themed models that are a squad, party, or group. Scoring from judges will include cohesion of theme among the each model to easily recognize they belong as a group. Ideally, units should be attached to a single base for transport. Consider durability and transportation by securing models to the base using sources such as glue, blue tac, white tac, or magnets to prevent damage.
Fantasy Large – Fantasy themed models with base sizes 80mm and larger can be entered into this category. Monsters and dragons would likely be found in this category.
Youth Competition – All models and sizes are welcome in this category, but the Entrant must be 14 years of age or less. Youth will be included in the primary categories and will have the same opportunity to win awards or trophies based on their skill. Consideration will be given to the age of entrants.
Open Exhibition – This is a category for late entries or for entrants who would simply like to display and have their model scored without a competition. Judges will score these models, but there are no trophies, awards, or public accolades. There are no winners or losers. This is a great category to display your model if it doesn’t fit any given categories.
Scoring
All entries will be judged based on five criteria:
Difficulty – complexity of the piece and of the techniques used, be they painting, sculpting, design, or composition.
Creativity – Use of innovation and implementation of new or unusual concepts, techniques, color schemes, arrangements, and added details. Originality and appropriate use of creative elements are important.
Workmanship – Judges will be looking for technical precision in cleaning, preparation, and construction. Thorough removal or resurfacing of flaws in the piece, seamless joints, well-constructed base, or diorama elements, clean and model-appropriate modifications, and precision in original sculpts.
Painting Skill – As this is a painting competition, this is very important to all categories. Judges will be evaluating the techniques used, and the overall effect achieved. For example: subtlety in shading, crisp details, high contrast, etc.
Presentation – the overall effect of the piece and use of elements within to create a cohesive display. Judges will be looking for unity of style between elements, use of color to good effect, appropriate use of highlights and shadows, and whether the piece maintains the “mood” or “tone” throughout.
A Hint from the Judges:
While Painting Skill is the most heavily weighted of the five criteria, innovation, originality, and execution in the other four criteria could be what places you best in category.
Judges
The judging panel for each category will consist of three judges.
The winner of each category will be chosen by the judges and announced at the Event.
The judges will use scorecards to score and critique the entries. The score card will be given to the entrant when their entries are being picked up. As a reminder, entrants can also ask for feedback on their pieces after the awards ceremony on the Saturday evening of Rocky Top Game Con.
Judges are selected by RTGC. Judges’ decisions are final and no conversation or correspondence will be entered into changing scores or winners.
All winners should be present at the Event for awards and accolades. Awards and accolades will be given during Event ceremonies on Sunday, May 26th beginning at 3:30 pm, EST.
Awards are not transferable, and cash alternatives are not offered.
The judges may award a “Judges Award” given to the most innovative and inspiring entry to catch the judges eye, that did not win best in its category.
General Rules
- Entries must be made in-person by the painter and be the work of the painter. Entries painted by anyone other than the entrant will be disqualified.
- All entries must be finished and based.
- Entry registration indicates permission of Rocky Top Game Con to photograph entries and show them in all public media both online and in print. Please see our terms and conditions and our privacy policy below.
- Rocky Top Game Con staff and volunteers are not responsible for any lost or damaged models.
- Rocky Top Game Con staff and volunteers are able to compete in the painting competition, but judges will NOT have entries into the competition.
- All decisions of the judges and management are final, and no conversation or correspondence will be entered into changing scores or winners. Please maintain a level of decorum when inquiring about scores, feedback, or critique. Inappropriate behavior may result in disqualification, forfeiture of awards, or ejection from the convention.
Limitation of Liability
RTGC does not accept responsibility for any loss or damage to entries howsoever caused. RTGC will make reasonable efforts to keep entries safe with proper handling and theft or damage prevention.
Ownership of Competition Entries and Intellectual Property Rights
RTGC does not claim any rights of ownership in your competition entry.
You agree that Sponsors, Affiliates, and Representatives of RTGC may, but is not required to, make your entry available on any of its websites and any other media, whether now known or invented in the future, and in connection with any publicity of the Competition. You agree to grant RTGC a non-exclusive, worldwide, irrevocable license, for the full period of any intellectual property rights in the competition entry and any accompanying materials, to use, display, publish, transmit, copy, edit, alter, store, re-format, and sub-license the competition entry and any accompanying materials for such purposes.
RTGC reserves the right to vary any of these terms and conditions, postpone or cancel the Painting Competition at any time without notice. In such an event, RTGC will make reasonable efforts to communicate any changes to entrants.
If there is any reason to believe that there has been a breach of these terms and conditions, RTGC may, at its sole discretion, exclude you from participating in the competition.
Data Protection and Privacy
Any personal data provided to us is connection with this Competition will be held and processed in accordance with RTGC Privacy Policy. We may also use that data for administration of, and communication in connection with, the RTGC Painting Competition 2024. By submitting your personal information in connection with this Competition you confirm that the information is accurate and complete.
Be a Part of the Miniature Painting Community
Rocky Top Game Con has partnered with local studio, Mythic Minis, to build a community of local miniature painting artists.
Print this Community Registration Form and bring it to the event to stay up-to-date on Convention News, Hobby Tips, and Local Gaming Events. Also, get tagged on social media on convention photos and galleries!
We look forward to meeting you at the convention!
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