Welcome to the Nautilus Painting Competition.

Who?

You and your beautifully painted models.

What?

A miniature painting competition with over 400$ in prizes.

When?

November 22nd 2025 @11:30

Where?

Out of the Box Sports Cards and Collectibles.

Why?

Meet other mini-painters. Win prizes. Show off your art.

How?

Check the rules below.

THE RULES.

If you are looking to compete you are expected to show up around 11:30-12:00 for entry registration. You will be given a registration card where you will be able to write down the names of your entries and which categories each entry belongs to. This entry card will be used by the judges to ensure no entries are missed and will be your key to vote in the two public vote categories. (“Monster & Machine”, and the “Open” categories)

There will be a total of four categories. 2 of the categories will be judged by a set of three judges. These categories are;

- Single Model

- Squad

There will also be two public vote categories. These are called;

- Monsters & Machines (large monsters, vehicles, and giant robots)

- Open (busts, dioramas, even alternate single models)

Entrants will be able to enter all 4 categories if they wish but they must enter different entries for each category. As per usual I do not care what hobby manufacturer you decide to use when entering the competition. You are also allowed to 3D print for this. I am expecting individuals to bring new entries that they have not used for competition before. The only thing that I will enforce is that you are not allowed to submit something to this competition that you have previously submitted to this competition. I expect all new models. These models can be models you have previously finished.

Prizes: Each category has the same set of prizes to be won.

First Place: A Plaque and 70$ GC for OOTB

Second Place: A Plaque and 20$ GC for OOTB

Third Place: A Plaque and the burning motivation to place higher the following year.

Winners will also get a photo or set of photos of their entry. (Digital)

Photography: In previous years we had some photographers onsite who graciously volunteered their time in order to snap shots of each and every entry that was entered. Unfortunately last year we had so many entries that a few were missed, and unfortunately these entries never got photos. This year we will be doing something different. A member of our community who you may know as “GeronimoJak” has volunteered his time in order to take photos this year. Anyone who wins will have their photo automatically taken.

For anyone else who wishes to have a photo taken, Jak will be able to facilitate this for a small tip of 5$. I understand that a lot of people have really enjoyed the photos in the past, for this reason I didn’t want to eliminate them, however the photo booth has been an absolute nightmare in terms of admin and with these new limitations it allows myself, the photographer, and the judges more freedom and time to perform our duties on the day of.

Thanks for your understanding, and I’m excited to see what you bring this year!

Single Model Category

This can be any model on a base size up to 100mm. The idea behind this category is to show off your hero models or perhaps small vehicles or monsters you are particularly chuffed about. This category will be judged by a panel and rated on completeness, colour choices (contrasts and harmonies) as well as technical execution. There will be scoring for basing work, meaning that an incomplete or messy base will cause minimal point deductions. In the past there have been situations where certain models may actually not come with a traditional base (e.g. busts, some flyers, etc.) In order to work around the advantage based models have in this category, the total potential point value of “basing” has been reduced proportionally to the entire potential score. This means if you are intent on entering a bust, you may be at a disadvantage if you are choosing to enter it in this category. It may be better suited for you to enter your busts in the open category.

Squad / Warband Category

The idea of this entry is to have a set of models that are all cohesive together. I'm looking for anywhere from 3-10 models that share cohesion thematically. Models should be on bases no larger than 50mm. This category will be judged by a panel and rated on completeness, colour choices (contrasts and harmonies) technical execution as well as overall cohesiveness. A display base or mini diorama is permitted in this category, and as such there will be scoring for basing work, meaning that an incomplete or messy base will cause minimal point deductions. In the past there have been situations where certain models may actually not come with a traditional base (e.g. busts, some flyers, etc.) In order to work around the advantage based models have in this category, the total potential point value of “basing” has been reduced proportionally to the entire potential score. This means if you are intent on entering a bust, you may be at a disadvantage if you are choosing to enter it in this category. It may be better suited for you to enter your busts in the open category.

Note: Additional decorative models like an ammo grunt won't be counted as part of the total to allow slight model count overages - these overages will not provide a benefit to your score)

Open Category

Open Entry: This entry is intended for those that are interested in competing but may have a type of entry that they don’t feel fits any other category as explicitly. This category is not scored by judges, and instead anyone who participates in the competition by submitting a model will have the opportunity to write down their top 3 favourite entries and vote on the winners. I expect to see some busts, figures and statues, as well as some dioramas in this category. I also expect to see some models that would otherwise also fit in the single model category or even in the monsters and machines category. Squads are permitted here as well, but in this case are encouraged to be presented with a scenic diorama in order to have the squad show up as one succinct entry.

There are no hard and fast rules in this category except that the size of entries may not exceed 1ft cubed. (1ft x 1ft x1ft).

Monster and Machines Category

Last year this category was named the Final Boss category and was won by the talented Mary Nethery. SHE IS THE FINAL - FINAL BOSS. In previous years winners chose a theme that would be applied to the subsequent year, and entries would have to adhere to that specific theme. This year I have decided to do away with the theming convention as I feel that it's far too limiting on personal creativity. The only limitations in this category have to deal with the size of the submitted entry, which must be no larger than 14 inches cubed. (14in X 14 in X 14in)

This category will be publicly voted upon the day of the competition by anyone who has also entered any of the categories in the competition. Voting will begin shortly after noon so as to ensure people who bring an entry for this category or the open category will have time to display them and not miss out on potential votes.

That means I need to have all entries in and set up before 12:00 P.M. as votes will be cast from 12:01p.m. (assuming no major delays) to 4:00p.m. These times are subject to change and this post will be edited to reflect any changes in the future. There is also potential for slight delays on the day of, please be patient if these occur as there is a hefty amount of administration work that needs to occur depending on how many entries show up.