Crimson Chalice: Common mistakes to avoid
If you’re thinking of entering The Crimson Chalice, the official Trench Crusade painting competition happening at Spiel Essen in October (or you’re already hard at work on your entry), this article is well worth a look! A few weeks ago, one of our illustrious judges Liam Hearne wrote an article covering his top tips and tricks on how to do well in any painting competition.
You asked for more, so now he’s back with some additional advice! But this time, it’s some of the most common mistakes he’s seen during his time as a painting competition judge. So read on and take note, Crusader!
Here are Liam’s top pitfalls to avoid when preparing for a painting competition:
Picking a model for the wrong reason
The most important thing when choosing a competition piece is to pick a model you genuinely love!
Display pieces can take a significant amount of time, and there will almost always be challenges and frustrations along the way. Staying motivated is much easier when you are working on a model you are passionate about, rather than one you have chosen simply because you think it is the “smart” choice.
Your enthusiasm for the piece will show in the final result.
Choosing a model that does not suit your skill set
If your goal is to achieve the best result possible, choose a model that allows you to showcase your strengths.
Play to what you enjoy and what you are confident with! If you are skilled at painting armour and metals, choose a model that lets you demonstrate those abilities. If you have limited experience painting organic textures like fur, it may be better to avoid a model where that is the main focus.
A competition piece should challenge you, but it should also give you the opportunity to show your strongest work.
Not planning your time correctly
It is very easy to underestimate how long a display piece will take!
A competition model involves much more than simply painting the miniature. Planning, preparation, conversions, basing, corrections and final refinements all take time.
Make sure you set aside enough time to complete the piece properly. A rushed final stage can often be the difference between a good entry and a great one.
Not focusing on readability
Miniatures are incredibly small, and in a universe as dark and gritty as Trench Crusade, it is very easy for a model to become visually overwhelming.
Not every paint style needs to be clean and crisp — rough textures, weathering and realism can create incredible results — but the viewer should still be able to understand what they are looking at.
Take a step back and view your model from arm’s length.
Can you clearly identify the different elements of the miniature, or are they all blending together into one shape?
Strong readability allows the viewer to appreciate the details you have worked so hard on.
Focusing too much on the miniature up close
When people think about painting competitions, they often focus entirely on achieving the perfect finish on every small detail.
While technical quality is important, it is easy to lose sight of the bigger picture.
Competition pieces are judged in two ways:
- How the model reads as a complete artwork from a distance.
- The quality of the technical execution when viewed up close.
Both are equally important. A miniature can have incredible individual details but still lack impact if the overall composition does not work.
Always remember to judge your piece from the same perspective the judges will see it.
Painting for the judges
Trying to paint what you think judges want to see is a common mistake.
The reality is that even with an experienced judging panel, you cannot predict exactly what will stand out on the day. Different judges may appreciate different approaches, styles and techniques.
The best thing you can do is create a piece that represents you as a painter.
Paint the way you enjoy painting, make the choices you believe in, and create something you are proud to put on the competition table.
The strongest entries are not always the ones trying to impress the judges — they are the ones where the painter’s passion and personality are clearly visible.
We can’t wait to see your entries at Essen!
Still haven’t signed up for Crimson Chalice? You can do so here.