Online: 2023

Following the resounding success of the first MPO: Online 2021, we were excited to announce the return of this competition for another year. From the 4th to 30th November, artists and enthusiasts from every corner of the globe gathered to share their favourite works.

Award System

MPO makes use of the Open Format Award System.

Recognition is not constrained to a traditional framework of just a single Gold, Silver, and Bronze award. Instead, it allows for the presentation of as many awards at each level as deemed necessary.

In addition to the Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards, there are also the following individual awards:

  • Creativity Award – Considering creativity as much as painting
  • Grimdark Award – Our favourite Grimdark style piece
  • Best Base Award – Best Base!

Levels

  • Standard: Geared towards artists with skills ranging from everyday to intermediate, welcoming participants of all backgrounds.
  • Master: Tailored to cater to seasoned painters who have amassed an impressive collection of awards and accolades.

You must choose the same level for all your entries; you cannot have entries in both levels.

Categories

You may enter once per category. If multiple entries are submitted for a single category, only the latest entry will be used.

  • Single Figure – Figures up to and including 54mm in scale and 80mm in total height (including reasonable mounts).
  • Unit – 2 or more figures, any scale.
  • Vehicle or Warmachine – Any scale.
  • Monster – Any scale.
  • Large Scale and Bust – Figures larger than 54mm; busts of any scale.
  • Sculpture – Fully scratch-built and unpainted figures; digital sculpts allowed if physically printed.
  • Critters – Special 2023 category (bear-sized beasties and below).
  • Diorama – Large displays with a theme or narrative.

Judges

Andy Wardle is one of the most decorated modern miniature painters around, repeatedly attending and taking home trophies from the biggest competitions in the world. He also produces tutorials for Cult of Paint and is a painting coach for several aspiring artists, many of whom have gone on to win awards themselves. He’s also one of the founders of Cult of Paint and the perfect head judge for the MPO.

When discussing artists who have taken the scene by storm over the last few years, it is hard to look past David Colwell. Hailing from Australia, he is heavily involved in driving the national miniatures painting scene and continues to produce pieces that always succeed in making people happy. We’re thrilled to have him on board as a judge.

Will Hahn speaks passionately and articulately about miniature painting. As an accomplished artist who enjoys painting armies as much as huge display pieces, his breadth of knowledge rounds out the judging team.

There is a deliberate international feel to the judging panel. We want the MPO: Online to bring together painters from all over the world, and we’re keen to take advantage of the differences that a virtual competition offers over the traditional in-person show.