how to enter step by step
- Take well-lit, high-resolution photos of your built/primed entry against a black/white background
- Then do the same, but with your finished entry
- Email the photos to community@grimdarkcompendium.com before 31.3.2026
rules
what miniature can I submit?
A single miniature of any size. It must be fully painted and based.
A giant monster, a space marine, a goblin, a bust. Size and type don’t really matter. But choose carefully. Bigger models mean more to paint and more to judge.
how many entries can I submit?
You can make only ONE entry per category. Entries must be created SPECIFICALLY for this challenge.
Use of older work and/or anything that was used in any other competition will be disqualified.
The same model cannot enter multiple categories.
what base can the miniature have?
Appropriately sized base, usually the one miniature is supplied with is perfect.
It’s okay to use a bigger base, but consider if the entry wouldn’t fit better in the Diorama Category then.
When in doubt (or the model isn’t supplied with a base), a neat wooden plinth always works.
what about photography?
Photograph your entries well-lit, in focus, against a black or white background. The photos need to be high resolution.
Editing basic photo properties like exposure, contrast, etc., in photography applications (such as Lightroom) is permitted, but using any drastic filters will automatically disqualify your entry.
is there a specific style the entry must be painted/modelled in?
Yes.
The entries must be painted and modelled in the Grimdark Style, and thematically relevant to the current challenge theme.
Other styles (such as ‘Eavy Metal) will be disqualified.
what is the grimdark style?
Grimdark style focuses on trying to capture a dark, dystopian worlds with a suffocating mood. This includes techniques such as surface finish variations, grimdark modelling aesthetics, battle damage, chipping, rust, grime, blood, skulls, reductive technique, high contrast lighting, OSL, decay effects, etc.
how many winners will be there?
The top 3 entries will be chosen as winners in this category.
Additionally, there will be one Best of Show entry chosen by Zatcaskagoon, and one Community Champion chosen by a community vote.
what can I win?
Prizes consist of goodies from our sponsors and us, that means coupons, miniatures, stls, hobby supplies, etc.
Additionally, winners qualify for the Black Chalice Main Category 2026!
Prizes
how to enter step by step
- Take well-lit, high-resolution photos of your built/primed entry against a black/white background
- Then do the same, but with your finished entry
- Email the photos to community@grimdarkcompendium.com before 31.3.2026
rules
what miniature can I submit?
A single miniature of any size. It must be fully painted and based.
A giant monster, a space marine, a goblin, a bust. Size and type don’t really matter. But choose carefully. Bigger models mean more to paint and more to judge.
how many entries can I submit?
You can make only ONE entry per category. Entries must be created SPECIFICALLY for this challenge.
Use of older work and/or anything that was used in any other competition will be disqualified.
The same model cannot enter multiple categories.
what base can the miniature have?
Appropriately sized base, usually the one miniature is supplied with is perfect.
It’s okay to use a bigger base, but consider if the entry wouldn’t fit better in the Diorama Category then.
When in doubt (or the model isn’t supplied with a base), a neat wooden plinth always works.
what about photography?
Photograph your entries well-lit, in focus, against a black or white background. The photos need to be high resolution.
Editing basic photo properties like exposure, contrast, etc., in photography applications (such as Lightroom) is permitted, but using any drastic filters will automatically disqualify your entry.
is there a specific style the entry must be painted/modelled in?
Yes.
The entries must be painted and modelled in the Grimdark Style, and thematically relevant to the current challenge theme.
Other styles (such as ‘Eavy Metal) will be disqualified.
what is the grimdark style?
Grimdark style focuses on trying to capture a dark, dystopian worlds with a suffocating mood. This includes techniques such as surface finish variations, grimdark modelling aesthetics, battle damage, chipping, rust, grime, blood, skulls, reductive technique, high contrast lighting, OSL, decay effects, etc.
how many winners will be there?
The top 3 entries will be chosen as winners in this category.
Additionally, there will be one Best of Show entry chosen by Zatcaskagoon, and one Community Champion chosen by a community vote.
what can I win?
Prizes consist of goodies from our sponsors and us, that means coupons, miniatures, stls, hobby supplies, etc.
Additionally, winners qualify for the Black Chalice Main Category 2026!
Prizes