This year we were lucky to participate in the third edition of the Hussar miniature painting competition. This event grew to become one of the most important events for miniature painters in Poland, and with support from Cool Mini Or Not, Hussar 2012 was a tempting choice for any miniature painting enthusiast. After all the main prize is nothing to scoff at!
Who was there?
This edition of Hussar was special not only because it confirmed the contest’s position, but also because there were as many foreign entrants as never before. Oh, well, it means only two, but it’s still more than any previous edition got. 😉 The two guests were Nakatan (Ivan Victorovich Melnikov, who came with his wife) and Zaphod (Michael Bartels).
Of course there were many Polish painters, including the most popular and recognized Polish painters. We met many old friends and had a chance to get to know new ones. People started socializing very soon and hobby talk was heard all over the place.
There was a special promotional miniature named “HussaAAARGHHH!!!”, which could be purchased at the event.
There were a few hobby stores present at Hussar 2012, so hobbyists could see in person many products they have only known from the internet, including MaxMini bits, Kromlech stuff, Ogniem i Mieczem (By Fire and Sword) miniatures and all the stuff brought by the White Tree staff.
Other attractions
Most curious or adventurous guests could try their skills at digital 3-d sculpting. There were tablets with necessary software, plus some assistance from experienced experts. Moreover, there was a special presentation by MaxMini about the process of digital sculpting.
One of the most popular things at the contest was a special cabinet for showcase of miniatures, which were not entered into the contest. There were quite a few miniatures from Ana, Bohun, Flameon, Karol Rudyk, Loler, Maru, Nameless and Przemo there.
There was also a painting workshop with Przemek Wałęga (Przemo), who taught about painting miniatures and contrast. And people who spent the day at the location of the contest, could participate in a fun speed painting contest, more about which will be written later.
Hussar 2012 miniature painting contest
Obviously the central part of this whole event was the miniature painting competition. This time there were 75 entries, but the overall quality surprised both the judges and the entrants. I heard it from many participants that they hadn’t expected that high quality and such strong competition. We’ve seen high quality entries in the previous editions of Hussar, but the overall quality of entries has never been as high as this year.
Just like in the previous editions of Hussar, there were 4 categories: Diorama, Large model, Single fantasy miniature and Single sci-fi miniature.
Here are pictures of all the entries from the competition with some special attention given to winners of trophies and honorable mentions.
Diorama
As there are no separate categories for units or duels, these go into the diorama category. This category allows to emphasize modeling work, story worked into the model, and interaction between models. It also allows to use bigger bases than the remaining categories.
Honourable mentions
Ania Machowska [AŃA] – “Orc Warboss & Grot”
Iga Walczewska-Bińczyk [IGNIS] – “Black & White”
Jarosław Borzdyński [MADFLY-ART] – “Karabidae & Krapbots”
Przemek Wałęga [PRZEMO] – “Bunt”
Michał Jankiewicz – “Orc Buggy”
Piotr Karpiński – “Dzidy”
Large Model
This year there was still no separation between machines and other larger miniatures. It seems this category may be split into two separate categories in future, if only enough entries are prepared and entered to the competition.
Honourable mentions
Marek Borowski [KERAM] – “Gorbad the Headhunter”
Jarek Drabek [CAMELSON] – “Hellbrute”
Ania Machowska [AŃA] – “Nokjaegerin”
Jarosław Borzdyński [MADFLY-ART] – “Death Guard Contemptor Dreadnought”
Single Fantasy Miniature
These don’t really need to be fantasy models. Historical models representing characters from the period before 1914 are also allowed, and some historical models in 15mm scale were entered, indeed. This category was very popular and so many entries displayed great quality, that many honourable mentions were awarded.
Honourable mentions
Jarek Drabek [CAMELSON] – “Yarry”
Radosław Bartnik [LEMARTES] – “Tomb King”
Michael Bartels [ZAPHOD] – “Ode to Raffa”
Magdalena Wróbel – “Captain of the Empire”
Michał Cios – “Regimentarz Stanisław Lubomirski”
Michał Pisarski [LAN STUDIO] – “Isabela von Carstein”
Przemek Wałęga [PRZEMO] – “Goblin”
Przemek Jacko [SZARY] – “Caradryan the Sea Fenix”
Single Sci-Fi Miniature
This category also allows historical models from the period of 1914 and later, yet no historical models were entered. Maybe the next year we will see any? This time most entries were Warhammer 40.000 models, but some other manufacturers were represented as well.
Honourable mentions
Michał Orzeł – “Still searching”
Adam Hałon [LOLER] – “Chaplain”
Michał Gendek – “Imperial Fist Veteran”
Ania Machowska [AŃA] – “Geisha Assassin”
Michał Pisarski [LAN STUDIO] – “God of Winter”
Łukasz Grzyb [CTAN] – “Time for dinner”
Best Junior
There is no separate category for youngbloods at Hussar, so young painters compete in the same categories as their older colleagues. But there was a special award for the best work of a painter born in 1996 or later. The award for the Best Junior painter went to Marek Borkowski (KeraM) for this work, which also won him an honourable mention in the Large model category.
Grand Prix
The Grand Prix always goes to the author of one of four works that took gold in our four main categories. This time the winner was Nakatan, who painted this impressive Eldar model. It seems it was a good decision to come to Poland and try his luck at Hussar!
As some of you surely remember the winner receives a return ticket to the USA for the next edition of the Crystal Brush contest. We’re sure Nakatan will enjoy the trip just as much as he enjoyed the trophy – a beautiful sabre, admired and complimented by everyone who saw slayer swords.
Speed Painting
As it has been mentioned already, there was a speed painting competition for everybody who felt like participating in this little fun contest. There is always a little twist that every painter is only given 3 colors and can only use them until a signal is given to pass the paints to another participants and receive new ones from somebody else. This results in pretty creative color schemes and forces out-of-the-box approach. There were nearly 20 entries, and the winners were:
- Łukasz Grzyb [CTAN]
- Filip Marković [NAMELESS]
- Tomasz Wolski
Here is a photo of the winning speed-painted high elf:
The ceremony
Everyone anxiously awaited the awards ceremony. It was great to see hobbyists congratulate their colleagues and their successes, and especially to see Nakatan’s happy face when he was declared the overall winner, received the sabre trophy mentioned before and a special prize from Cool Mini Or Not – return ticket to Crystal Brush 2013.
After the ceremony most participants went to the afterparty, for yet more socializing, some beer and enjoying seeing the miniatures in person without the barrier of display cabinets. Our foreign guests seemed happy and satisfied with the event.
Hussar 2013?
So will there be another edition of Hussar in 2013? We hope so, and what we heard unofficially, everything seems to be going just right to make Hussar 2013 possible! We hope the reputation and popularity of the contest continue to grow and improve, and to see more foreign hobbyists in Warsaw in a year.
Hope to meet you at Hussar in October 2013!
