UK Games Expo recently announced its partnership with the Duncan Rhodes Painting Academy to bring a big new painting competition to the convention this year. Taking place at NEC Birmingham from 30th May to 1st June 2025, the UKGE Painting Competition, the Sir Coates Painting Masters, is open to all – whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time painter, there’s a category for everyone.

With that in mind, we thought we'd open our Projects System here OnTableTop so all those seeking to enter the event can chronicle their journeys, showing off their work-in-progress entries and chatting with like-minded painters.

What Is The Sir Coates Painting Masters?

For the first time, UK Games Expo (UKGE) has partnered with the Duncan Rhodes Painting Academy to present this ground-breaking event, giving artists and hobbyists the chance to showcase their incredible miniature painting skills as part of the Sir Coates Painting Masters.

Why would you take part?

• Recognition: Get your work seen by a panel of expert judges and the wider gaming community.
• Exciting Prizes: Compete for amazing trophies in multiple categories.
• Inspiration: Connect with fellow artists, learn new techniques, and celebrate the artistry of miniature painting.

With the competition open to both seasoned pros and first-time painters, there are plenty of different categories for you to submit entries to...

• Single Miniature: This category is for any single human-sized miniature, mounted on an appropriately sized base. This includes everything from solitary troopers to majestic, genetically enhanced commanders. This includes miniatures mounted on smaller vehicles and creatures like bikes, jet bikes, and beasts or mounts.
• Squad/Unit: This category is for squads or units of three or more miniatures. The unit may be displayed on an appropriately sized base. This includes miniatures on foot and miniatures mounted on bikes, jet bikes, and beasts, provided they are organised into a unit of three or more models.
• Vehicle: This category is for any single vehicle. This includes tanks, walkers, and flyers—everything from historically accurate machinery to strange and wonderful sci-fi and alien Tanks or craft. Models entered into this category that do not require a base may still be mounted on an appropriately sized base.
• Monster: This category is for any single large than human sized miniature, mounted on an appropriately sized base. This is the category to really go to town with if you enjoy whimsical fantasy creatures or hulking alien monstrosities!
• Squires: This category is for entrants 15 years of age and under. Any single miniature can be entered into this category from Monsters, single miniature, or vehicle.
• Board Games: This exclusive category is for board game enthusiast who want to paint the miniatures that come with their board game. These entries must be from a board game defined by a small board that comes with their miniatures, which will include a grid or hex system to move you across the game. The miniatures entered must not be available to use in a wargame (Space Hulk etc..) as these miniatures would be better suited in the singles category.

More information on the UK Games Expo Painting Competition and the Sir Coates Painting Masters can be found HERE over on the UKGE website and you'll want to check back to see more updates as and when they happen. Additionally, there is also a full FAQ that you can read!

Share Your Projects @ OnTableTop

As this is a new competition open to all skill levels, we thought that we could create a great space for folks to share their ideas for painting projects that they want to enter into the UK Games Expo Painting Competition, the Sir Coates Painting Masters.

This way, both new and veteran painters and showcase their work-in-progress pieces and you might even get a few hints and tips that could help you out.

How Can You Get Involved With The Sir Coates Painting Masters?

Participation is a breeze! Simply follow these steps:

1. Create a FREE account on the OnTableTop website.
2. Create a project in our Project System. For a shortcut to the Add Project Page, Click Here.
3. When creating your project, use the category "UK Games Expo Painting Competition 2025" which you'll find under the Related Contest Filter

From there, it's easy. Just update your project with pictures, text, videos and more as you dive into this painting journey and become part of a new community of painters who will be showing up between the 30th May and 1st June 2025. Remember...

• Everyone who enters into Sir Coates Painting Masters will receive a unique pin badge.
• Those entrants who make it as finalists will receive a brass pin badge and certificate.
• Winners will receive a trophy

So there's plenty of reason to take part. Hopefully, it will encourage you and maybe connect you with some great painters from the wider hobby world.

Highlighting YOUR Projects

Over the next few months, we're going to be dipping into our Projects System and highlighting the work you're doing ahead of the UK Games Expo Painting Competition. In addition to that, you could get a chance to come on stage at UK Games Expo and talk about your project and your experiences in getting it ready for the weekend.

We can't wait to see what you have planned and we're eager to dive into the Projects System and see all of your work in the next few months ahead of the big competition at UK Games Expo!

Remember, to stay up to date and check out more info, go to UKGE Painting Competition!