Hammerhead 2026 Painting Competition
We’re sponsoring the Hammerhead Painting Competition once again! Here are the details you’ll need to enter.
The basics
- There’s no entry fee, and up to one entry can be submitted to each category.
- Entries must be your own work.
- Entries can be standard figures, 3D prints, conversions, kitbashes, or self-sculpts.
- While we will do our best to ensure your entries are looked after, we cannot accept ultimate responsibility for any damage or losses that may occur.
- By entering the competition, you give Wargames Illustrated the right to photograph your entries and use photos online or in the print magazine.
How to enter and timeline
Date
Saturday 28 February 2026
Until midday
Submit your painted miniatures at the Wargames Illustrated stand. Just bring your entries – we’ll do the rest!
Midday to 2pm
Judging takes place, and winners are determined.
2pm to 3pm
Entries can be collected from the Wargames Illustrated stand.
3pm
Winners announced!
The Categories
Historical Single Miniature
A single historical miniature, up to and including 54mm scale, on a single base. Scenic bases are permitted but should not be dramatically larger than the figure’s standard base size in width and length. Any figures on larger bases will still be permitted entry but the construction and detail of the groundwork and terrain will be dismissed in the judging process.
2025’s Winner – Chris Tasker’s Trumpet-Major of the 21st Dragoons 1810
Sci-Fi Single Miniature
A single sci-fi miniature, up to and including 54mm scale, on a single base. Scenic bases are permitted but should not be dramatically larger than the figure’s standard base size in width and length. Any figures on larger bases will still be permitted entry but the construction and detail of the groundwork and terrain will be dismissed in the judging process.
What constitutes sci-fi versus fantasy is up to the competitor but as a guideline, we’d suggest that steampunk, post-apocalyptic, and alternative universe modern figures should be entered into this category.
2025’s Winner and Best of Show – David Soper’s Alderai Corsair
Fantasy Single Miniature
A single fantasy miniature, up to and including 54mm scale, on a single base. Scenic bases are permitted but should not be dramatically larger than the figure’s standard base size in width and length. Any figures on larger bases will still be permitted entry but the construction and detail of the groundwork and terrain will be dismissed in the judging process.
What constitutes fantasy versus sci-fi is up to the competitor but as a guideline, we’d suggest that horror or fairy tale-type figures should be entered into this category.
2025’s Winner – Lee Hebblethwaite’s Slambo Chaos Warrior
Historical Unit or War Machine
A historical unit or war machine (including mounted units, chariots, artillery, elephants, siege engines, etc.) up to and including 54mm scale. A minimum of three models is essential for a unit; a war machine can have a suitable number of crew. The basing type is up to you and scenic bases are permitted but should not be dramatically larger than the figures’ standard base size in width and length. Any figures on larger bases will still be permitted entry but the construction and detail of the groundwork and terrain will be dismissed in the judging process.
Please keep in mind that your figures will be moved around and, if they are all on individual bases, it will make this process far easier if they’re placed in a movement tray or on a plinth.
2025’s Winner – Paul Mackay’s Napoleon on the Heights of Borodino
Sci-Fi Unit/War Machine/Monster
A sci-fi unit, war machine (including tanks, walkers, flyers, etc.), or large monster (aliens, monstrosities, large greenskins, etc.) up to and including 54mm scale. A minimum of three models is essential for a unit, a war machine can have a suitable number of crew, while a large monster should be a self-contained model. The basing type is up to you and scenic bases are permitted but should not be dramatically larger than the figures’ standard base size in width and length. Any figures on larger bases will still be permitted entry but the construction and detail of the groundwork and terrain will be dismissed in the judging process.
Please keep in mind that your figures will be moved around and, if they are all on individual bases, it will make this process far easier if they’re placed in a movement tray or on a plinth.
2025’s Winner – Alison Kersley’s Sons of Medua Space Marines
Fantasy Unit/War Machine/Monster
A fantasy unit, war machine (including siege engines, chariots, flyers, etc.), or large monster (tolls, dragons, large greenskins, etc.) up to and including 54mm scale. A minimum of three models is essential for a unit, a war machine can have a suitable number of crew, while a large monster should be a self-contained model. The basing type is up to you and scenic bases are permitted but should not be dramatically larger than the figures’ standard base size in width and length. Any figures on larger bases will still be permitted entry but the construction and detail of the groundwork and terrain will be dismissed in the judging process.
Please keep in mind that your figures will be moved around and, if they are all on individual bases, it will make this process far easier if they’re placed in a movement tray or on a plinth.
2025’s Winner – Mark Lifton’s Zarbag’s Gitz
Diorama/Duel
At least two figures in a duel or diorama scene that tell a story, have a strong atmosphere, or recreate a moment of history. Basing/height should be no more than 30cm x 30cm x 30cm (we will give a little leeway if one length is pushed slightly due to a large model, lots of verticality, a tall plinth, etc.). The scene can be historical, sci-fi, or fantasy-themed.
2025’s Winner – Fet Milner’s S.A.R.
Open
Everything else goes here! This is a category for busts, larger-scale models, oddities, artefacts, huge creations, or a second entry that you can’t otherwise submit into another category. This tends to be the most fiercely contested category at the event; only enter if you’re ready for the challenge!
2025’s Winner – Kevin Collier’s Old Sailor
Youth
Younger entrants are free to enter into any of the categories listed here. If you are 16 or under be sure to note it on your entry form. We will assess those entries against each other, to determine the top three overall Youth entries.
2025’s Winners – Charlotte Brealey’s Von Ryan’s Leaper and Billy Brealey’s Salamander Captain
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