Welcome all to the 130th round of the Dakka Painting challenge. For the unfamiliar, this is a friendly painting competition open to members of all skill levels and experience, whether your entry is your first or you thousand-and-first time painting miniatures. Each month, finished entries are collected into a thread where the community can vote on their favorite pieces, and those votes go towards an annual overall League that runs for 12 rounds.

This month is the Open Round. Subject to the normal rules, but paint whatever your heart desires. This is a busy month for a lot of people so paint what you have time for. Have a hobby related New Year’s resolution you need to do a few more models for? Now’s the time! Let’s finish 2025 off with some fun and amazing entries!

How To Enter

- You may enter up to 5 MODELS as a SINGLE ENTRY, and are permitted one entry per member per month. If you enter multiple models, they should ideally be related in some way, such as part of the same squad, unit or scene if you are doing a diorama
- You may enter at any time during the month, up to the last minute. We do encourage people to enter early, as to be part of the community, but if you can’t start until the 11th hour, that’s OK.
- You MUST post a 'proof' picture of your entry in the thread of the state it was in before you started working on it; this must be either unassembled, unpainted, primed or coated a single colour. Entries that do not submit a valid Proof Picture will not be eligible for voting.
- After this, you may post WIP pictures in this thread and your own if you wish, and on completing the entry, you may post up to 6 final pictures IN THIS THREAD that will then be used for voting. Please note that pictures in a montage or collage picture will be considered individual images for this purpose, so while these types of presentation are certainly acceptable, please keep the image limit in mind when compiling them. For example, a collage of 5 images and one separate image would count as your 6 picture allowance.


So What Do I Win?
- Points... and points mean... bragging rights for the next month! Following the vote, points will be awarded to every entrant. This year, the Points you receive will be equal to the Percentage of Votes your entry receives in the final Voting thread; if you get 10%, you get 10 points, if you get 6% you get 6 points, so on and so forth.

These points will be used to form a league table, which will be updated month on month as the results come in.

How Long Do I Have?
This challenge begins 1st of December and will end at midnight EST on December 31st. After this, I shall compile the finished entries into a new thread, and voting will run for 5 days.

This time around I didn't have the time or energy to prepare anything big and flashy to end the year with a bang like I usually do, so instead I'm going to paint a seasonal model.

When you think about it Frank is a lot like Santa. He is generous in giving, goes to great lengths to ensure everyone gets what they deserve, and you do so not want to end up on his naughty list. Who knows, maybe there's even a fake beard and funny hat in that bag of his.

This month, I will be painting my advent calendar :

I'll probably just pick my favourites, but I'm leaning already towards the Bretonnians in a festive Green Knight scheme.

Hopefully I can get all 5 done, but might fall short and just get one or two across the line.

I did a retrospective advent last year, was a fun hobby project. No way can I paint a mini a day for a month.

I'm looking forward to seeing that Blood Bowl team, Graven

I just happen to have five freshly primed models that I haven't started yet, but badly want to finish this year. This open round works out well for me. I'll try to finish my custom White Scars and Raven Guard captains (firstborn) two scratch built dreadnoughts and a 3D printed dreadnought.

I’ll paint these Valkyrie miniatures for Robotech RPG Tactic.

You better watch out:



Improvised with a body from the Kill Team starter box, a Necromunda v1 plastic Goliath ganger, and an upside-down Stormcast head that'll hopefully look like a mug of ale when it's painted, to look like the chap on the left:

Eeheehee! Love it!

I will figure something out. I now have some more old metal Necromunda to paint.

Cheers,

CB

Need to finish the dwarf army.

I just wasted time and money, anyone ran into similar issues before?
Metallic paint reacting/re-melting the primer?
I waited few hrs between the primer and metallic paint, should have I waited a day or two? Is that a wrong metallic paint to use over that type of primer? Is the plastic surface too shiny?



Stripped it.

I’ve never double sprayed before. I do a rattlecan to prime, then fuzzy sticks to smear the rest of the colors around. That does seem really odd.

I waited 3 hrs between primer and the metallic paint.
Used chatgpt, to find some answers and it seems that I should of waited 48 hrs for the primer to fully dry. The propellant in the metallic paint is too aggressive.

What do you like to use for metallic basecoat?

I generally wait 24 hours or more after spray priming for things to cure/outgass. Makes sense.

I prime everything white, and work from there. Best practice? Probably not. What I do? Yup!

 Nevelon wrote:
I generally wait 24 hours or more after spray priming for things to cure/outgass. Makes sense.
I prime everything white, and work from there. Best practice? Probably not. What I do? Yup!

Lesson learned, I will give it 24hr from now on.
I tend to always prime white, but these guys are all metal (like GK), wanted to save some time with the basecoat.

Primed white (bonding primer), but I gave a spray from the bottom to avoid painting in the shadows by hand, but left the top because silver will go on top anyways.
I am trying to cut as many corners as possible, and sometimes it even works.

Related PSA on that topic:
if you ever get a bad prime, strip and scrub it ASAP. There is a huge difference in the elbow grease needed to scrub it before it’s fully cured and after. So get it into your paint stripper of choice before you regret it.

One day of drying wasn’t enough. I even tried a different metallic paint, but it still wrinkled—smaller wrinkles, but still there. It seems like the primer may need a full week to cure.
Think folks skip the primer when base coating with metallics, so maybe I should’ve tried that first.

90% of the time, cutting corners does not work.
But I can work that 10% and upgrade from (New shiny golem) to (Same New shiny golem but with a "Battle Worn" skin dlc)
I am varnishing them as is and spraying with metallic over varnish.

I’m feeling good about my chances. Adding a couple of more minis to my entry. Here’s the proof pic.

Progress

My brother wants a bronze dragon for his DnD campaign. I have always wanted to try my hand at some of the stuff from Rescale Miniatures. I have already started the printing process, so I should be able complete this by the end of the year.

@Mothsniper: I'm glad to see you're still progressing with so many setbacks.

I just started to put the first bits of paint on mine this morning.

I will throw these guys in for my Christmas return to the fray!

I love the variety in these open rounds.

I'll be painting these guys from Midland Miniatures:



I got them from Midlam's Down and Out on Grubb Street KS.

Done - Garaz-Ngol Golems
(https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/30/804229.page#11793803)

In a bizarre turn of affairs, I've had some free time in the past couple of weeks. I was also entering a competition on Instagram on some Blanche style cards and to create a mini based upon it.

I finished the build on Friday night and painted it up last night, thought it would do quite nicely for this comp as I've not managed to get anything done for ages.

Here's the progress photos:





I present: Suffer not the Alien...





Few things more enjoyable to me than having a good rake around in the bitz box to find the parts for a project.

I think it looks suitably grim and dark..

Cheers all.

Love those bursts of energy and purpose.

Since I won't have much free time this December, I'm only going to do a small entry.

A couple of Fireforge Games Samurai:

The first of my five is complete: My scratch-built, Iron Hands Dreadnought "Emendatio"

I'm back, and going to have to keep it kind of simple this month due to lack of free time (and serious lack of energy with this new job). I'll be entering some Tomb Kings Skeleton Horse Archers:

Army Painter Speedpaints should mostly make quick work of these, and I'll pick the best ones to be my entry since we only get to enter five models, as usual.

Having circled around hobbying for most of the year, I have a definitive project that is feasible to do in December

Terminators are needing some nice colours. Ignore the painted test guy (an extra to make up the 5th entry is en-route):

Lots of fun stuff this month!

Remember that time gets all wibbly-wobbly around this time of year. So even though we are not at the halfway point yet, keep an eye on your progress and pace accordingly.

Or do it all on Christmas eve like your holiday shopping. We don’t judge. (Although we will laugh)

Well said Nev

I've finished my second scratch-built box dreadnought. Being Raven Guard, I keep the colors and decorations subdued. Here is brother Subdolus.

Daia T'Nara - Christmas Marine






He knows when you've been naughty or nice (if naughty, bolt shell though the head, if nice, a lifetime of toil and suffering for the glory of the Emperor).

Liking that festive entry Daia!

These may not be the 5 i submit, and if course they're not done yet, but here are the Santaklaus Slayers so far

Looking good, everyone! I have the first two ne'er do wells essentially finished, apart from their bases and eyes:



I'm not actually sure how to approach the eyes. They don't have sculpted eyeballs, but are a little too large to leave undone. I'll have to try and see what happens, I guess.

I've been sick all month and didn't get any painting done so far, which is a bit of a problem because two weeks later I'm no longer in a superhero mood and don't have any momentum to keep me going, much less get me started.

So I'm changing my entry. Luckily whenever I think of Hera the words open and round come to mind, specifically in that order, so she's the perfect fit for this month's theme.

So not sure how likely I am to succeed in getting all of these done in time, but I intend to try! Working on Nids and thought it made sense to group the brain bugs together, plus a Red Terror as that at least has a vague link to a Christmas theme...

We have confidence in you!

We still have half the month left, but only half. Still plenty of time to procrastinate, but start thinking about your excuses now.

Just about finished with the 5th Beatle... I mean terminator for this entry. A captain to count-as Caanok Var, based on the standard push-fit Leviathan captain.

Now would also be a good time for suggestions for next month’s topic. I might put it up early this month, as the end of the year is kinda busy…

I suggest "Like the phoenix from the dumpster fire". Celebrate the new year with rebirth, or delight at 2025 never happening again. Various themes around flame weapons, artillery or fireworks could also fit nicely.

How about Shiny New Toy? Could be something you got for xmas, or a factory fresh paintjob, or an Ork with a particularly snazzy boomdakka, or anything else that sums up that vibe?

I like shiny new toy!

I like shiny new toy as well.

Great updates, like the Crimbo marine Daia.

"Finish Him!" Complete a project that you weren't able to in a previous challenge, or another project that you ran out of time for. The usual unpainted proof pics would be replaced with proof pics of the project at the beginning of the month, and the usual limit on number of models is lifted. If you don't have an unfinished project that you want to work on, the theme would be to paint an executioner, or a unit that is particularly lethal in its effect, or a character from Mortal Kombat.

Some good ideas, keep them coming!

 Pariah Press wrote:
"Finish Him!" Complete a project that you weren't able to in a previous challenge, or another project that you ran out of time for. The usual unpainted proof pics would be replaced with proof pics of the project at the beginning of the month, and the usual limit on number of models is lifted. If you don't have an unfinished project that you want to work on, the theme would be to paint an executioner, or a unit that is particularly lethal in its effect, or a character from Mortal Kombat.

Unless there is a huge objection, I was planning on have feb be “finish it February” as a set month going forward. That seemed to go over well last year, and a nice way to wrap up the season, as we reset in March.

I don’t know if we want to lift both the “start primed” and “model cap” rules for the same month. People can always paint more then 5 and pick the best. Thoughts?

 Nevelon wrote:
People can always paint more then 5 and pick the best. Thoughts?

That's how I approach pretty much all of my entries.

Prime start, maybe good idea, I do not know?
Unit cap is fine, I got 33 ogryns to paint will pick 5 best.

Your call, I am just happy to have time to do this.

Light volumes airbrushed on. Slightly left of shot is the poor failed shoulder pad mook. I forgot to take one of the stampy bits out and therefore it was all over magnified and I massively missed the target :(

 Nevelon wrote:
Some good ideas, keep them coming!

 Pariah Press wrote:
"Finish Him!" Complete a project that you weren't able to in a previous challenge, or another project that you ran out of time for. The usual unpainted proof pics would be replaced with proof pics of the project at the beginning of the month, and the usual limit on number of models is lifted. If you don't have an unfinished project that you want to work on, the theme would be to paint an executioner, or a unit that is particularly lethal in its effect, or a character from Mortal Kombat.

Unless there is a huge objection, I was planning on have feb be “finish it February” as a set month going forward. That seemed to go over well last year, and a nice way to wrap up the season, as we reset in March.

I don’t know if we want to lift both the “start primed” and “model cap” rules for the same month. People can always paint more then 5 and pick the best. Thoughts?

Sounds great! So long as I can clear some stuff off my painting table while still keeping up with the painting contest, I’ll be well satisfied.

"Shiny new toy" and then "Finish it Febuary" both sound great.

Never mind about the dragon. i have come up with a better idea.

Last time I was at the FLGS I was talking to the guy who runs it about snow globes. He had picked up some bubbles that were designed for them, that you could fit a mini in. He was going to have a paint event where people would do up a sylvaneth tree thing and make a snow globe ornament from it. Everything seemed to work, but the “snow” he got floated wrong in water. The hobby supplies are out there, just needed to find the right ones for the project.

Made me think about painting some of the 2nd ed bolter huggers I have in all the legion colors and making a set...

Mothsniper wrote:We have confidence in you!

Thanks, but probably misplaced!

Flinty wrote:Just about finished with the 5th Beatle... I mean terminator for this entry. A captain to count-as Caanok Var, based on the standard push-fit Leviathan captain.

Spoiler:

Really like that conversion! Maybe the basing angles help too, but looks much more dynamic than the stock model.

Quick WIP:



The sarge is all done but the decals and base work. Rest of the squad is almost done with basecoats, but still a ways off. And I’ll be AFK for over a week starting tomorrow. I should have a few days at the end of the month to put the finishing touches on the sarge, and to see if I can get any of the boys to join him for the entry. Hopefully the rest will be done shortly after the deadline. Gotta start the year off on a good foot!

If I die on the highways, this will be my final entry pic.

Sounds like you have to brave murderous blizzards, road raging maniacs and mutant cannibal hillbillies. Good luck! Have fun! Don't die!

 Geifer wrote:
Sounds like you have to brave murderous blizzards, road raging maniacs and mutant cannibal hillbillies. Good luck! Have fun! Don't die!

Worse: Ohio.

Weather report has strong winds in spots, and lake effect weather in the Erie/Buffalo area is a real thing. And who knows what will happen on the way back. Last winter they closed the highway and we needed to detour. It’s a long day drive, but vacation on the other side.

I’ll still have internet, so will keep up here if anyone has questions. But will be more sporadic.

 Nevelon wrote:
Last time I was at the FLGS I was talking to the guy who runs it about snow globes. He had picked up some bubbles that were designed for them, that you could fit a mini in. He was going to have a paint event where people would do up a sylvaneth tree thing and make a snow globe ornament from it. Everything seemed to work, but the “snow” he got floated wrong in water. The hobby supplies are out there, just needed to find the right ones for the project.

Made me think about painting some of the 2nd ed bolter huggers I have in all the legion colors and making a set...

That sounds like a great idea for a whole set of baubles. You could keep it Christmas themed and and limit yourself to green and red chapters.

Hopefully I can find some good bargains of previous year's gobbos at some point.

@Nevelon
Safe travels, keep away from the Semi trucks.

Now on holiday, and this year we aren’t going anywhere! So to have half a chance of actually finishing an entry, I’d better get a shuffle on!

Progress! Got the blue sides done of the main squad, and the captain primed. 4 of the 5 bases also have their toppers sorted. My GS is the nastiest I’ve ever used. The yellow sides done has partly cured so indeed to pick hardened chunks of yellow out of the mixed material, so the base toppers are a bit grungy, but they will mostly be black anyway.

Another possible topic for January:

The Hunter and the Hunted: Rangers, inquisitors, assassins, snipers, and other combatants who search for the enemy and destroy them.

So, having painted one half of BB3 in festive fashion I'm now doing the other half as well...

Oops.

I live! (Some pretty crappy weather, moderate traffic. I’ve had worse drives, but also a lot better)

Next month’s poll is up. Keep up the good work! The end of December always races up. If you need an extension, let me know.

Happy solstice. Nights get shorter from here on out. Unless you are on the flip side, in which case it’s all darkness. Which according to the fuzzy Void I live with, is a good thing.

Been doing something very different this month.

Here's the proof.


I'm creating a "snow globe" using this Reaper miniature as a gift for a couple whom are close friend of mine and the missus.
Been thinking of this idea for a long while, but after seeing Gabi's entry in Golden Demon (Adepta Sororitas Dialogus in a watery globe) , I was inspired and had to get to it!

Here's where I am now. The model is pretty much painted, but the scary part is still ahead of me.

Looking good, Ezki. Beautiful colours. Good luck with the fun part!

I'm joining late with some tonks that I built a while back and have just been gathering dust on the shelf.

I'm gonna start with the cow tank hidden in the back - but who knows, maybe I'll get a burst of holiday energy and get a few more over the line.



Happy hobbying in the last week or so everyone!

Oh man… I thought that was an autocorrect off a Grot tank, but no. It is indeed a tank running on cow power

 Flinty wrote:
Oh man… I thought that was an autocorrect off a Grot tank, but no. It is indeed a tank running on cow power

Fast then you’d think. It can really moooooove.


I’ll see myself out.

Actually made a good chunk of progress over the weekend...

Started like this:



Ended like this:



Still lots of detailing to do, but the main colours are finished at least!

Well, went a bit nuts, got both teams painted...


So I guess I just need to narrow it down to 5 now...


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Of course, I could paint the elf referee, with his naughty list...

Great work on those nids, Piousservant - red really popping. Is that an old school ravener on the right? Nice find!

That's some very impressive productivity inmygravenimage - well done. For your 5, maybe a little vignette of the ball in play between the two sides?

I've made (mooed) some progress too, with some base coats (cowts) and washes and a bit of messy (moossy) drybrushing. I'm pretty confident (cownfident) I'll get these three done before New Years (Moo Years) - just need another hour or two - I'm not paying too much attention to detail and the grunginess kinda (cownda) plays into the whole TONKS aesthetic. Happy with this output in amongst the chaos (cowos) of the last few days (moo days)!



Keep it up crew - happy painting!

@tzurk - those are delightfully bonkers! And, thanks, you're a troublemaker aren't you?

So, maybe...


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oops...

Yes he's making a list, checking it twice...

... and YOU'RE on the Naughty List!

Thanks mate, they are a bit of fun and a nice change of pace from more serious 28mm work.

Nice job on the ref, he looks suitably annoyed! The script looks tiny - well done on that, would have taken a steady hand.

I've managed to get all 5 tonks finished. We're hosting New Years this year so hoping to push through some terrain in the next few days and maybe get a game or two in on the day while the kids are running around.









Good luck everyone for the rest of the competition, happy painting, and hope you're all enjoying some downtime with your loved ones.

That is so fun!
Glad you found the time to do them all.

The tanks are great I especially like the one with medieval tower, and Cowpanzer II

Yep. Lots of nice stuff coming in. Those tanks are sweet!

I am currently racing towards the deadline. Should just make it I hope!

Don’t be afraid to ask for a extension if you need it. Time slips away if not careful, amd we ate in the wibbly-wobbly time of year.

Festive photos for the season.

You're all on the naughty list!

Jolly old saint nick!



And not forgetting...

Sir Rudolph!

Merry Open Roundy y'all

 Nevelon wrote:
Don’t be afraid to ask for a extension if you need it. Time slips away if not careful, amd we ate in the wibbly-wobbly time of year.

I might have to take you up on your offer here Nev… running a touch behind. The models have more bejanglums and niblets than it at first appears and I have only just got the base gloop on… which takes a while to dry. Also, you’re right, I have consumed much chocolate and, with a bad stomach in general, am now paying the price for my gluttony…

Done and done!
Actually got this done just before Christmas, but amidst all the holiday madness, I did not have time to post it before.

This thing was given as a gift to a couple whom are players in a D&D campaign I'm running.
It's vaguely based on a water fey creature called "Wenena" in the campaign. So I guess that's what I'm calling this thing.

It was real hard to take pictures of this, as the globe reflects lights quite badly. Tried with different backgrounds.

"Wenena"









As the pictures don't really give this thing the right "oomph", I will link a video.
I'll put in on spoilers, as it bends the 6 image rules. So it does not have to be added to the voting thread.

I’m going to need a couple extra days as well I think. Underestimated the time required for details across multiple models

XvArcanevX wrote:

 Nevelon wrote:
Don’t be afraid to ask for a extension if you need it. Time slips away if not careful, amd we ate in the wibbly-wobbly time of year.

I might have to take you up on your offer here Nev… running a touch behind. The models have more bejanglums and niblets than it at first appears and I have only just got the base gloop on… which takes a while to dry. Also, you’re right, I have consumed much chocolate and, with a bad stomach in general, am now paying the price for my gluttony…

Flinty wrote:I’m going to need a couple extra days as well I think. Underestimated the time required for details across multiple models

Despite the best efforts of lake-effect weather of western New York I made it home safe. So we get to keep at this whole painting contest thing. Extension granted, we’ll wrap this up at midnight on the 1st.

I too have completed a small bauble. Not in time for Christmas, but before the tree was taken down at least.

Despite the snow, it truly was a green Christmas.

Ezki - Yo! That is next lvl.

Alright may as well lol, gonna sneak in here last minute with The Golden Paladin here.



My last mini of the year

Okay plucking up the courage to enter... first timer, last minute entry.

I've had these three Bad Squiddo figures primed for months sat on a shelf waiting for some attention. So time to give them some attention...

Glad to have you guys on board

My models are finished, I just need to take photos.

Extension granted, we’ll wrap this up at midnight on the 1st.

Thanks for the extension Nev, think I'll need it as tomorrow is looking unexpectedly busy. I've been slowly painting these dwarf warriors


and progress so far

Ezki and Mr Nobody, the snow globe and bauble respectively are both amazing! Really nice and great inspiration too, not something I'd have thought of trying - maybe next year...

 Nevelon wrote:


Despite the best efforts of lake-effect weather of western New York I made it home safe. So we get to keep at this whole painting contest thing. Extension granted, we’ll wrap this up at midnight on the 1st.

Glad to hear you made it home safe and sound! Going to need that extension too, didn't have as much hobbying time between travelling around family as I'd hoped.

Grubb Street Ne'er Do Wells:

All finished up with The Golden Paladin! Or as I like to think of him, The First Bretonnian





I do love all the entries so far, happy new years everyone!

Great work bong264 - he looks amazing, especially in such a quick turnaround. Love the mixed metallics, and the strong colours are very Medieval Hero. Well done!

Beautiful faces, JoshInJapan - especially the eyes! You've done a great job with the colour palette here, providing spots of colour without making them look overly garish which suits the sculpts I think.

Get some, Maharg and john_chandler, you got this!

@Maharg, love the colour palette you’ve chosen for those dwarves!

Not quite up there with the other entries (the baubles and snowglobes are just fantastic!) but finished the painting this morning.

Introducing the Kil-More Girls:

One notorious terrorist, right on time for the fireworks!

Hera Syndulla:

Great work everyone and welcome to the last minute entries. Let’s get that last push going and get some more minis across the finish line to end the year on a good note!

Robotech Mecha

Evening All

I've had a rather busy Xmas period and and been Ill the last few days as well so progress has not been as hoped.

Putting some placeholder pics up and will do a final bit of touching up and proper photos tomorrow, that way I can go to bed (Happy New year everyone and I hope you all had a good Xmas)

Proof


Placeholder photo

Necromunda Goliath Ganger





Cheers,

CB

Everybody cracking on some nice paintwork. Especially like seeing bad squiddo!


For my entry, to somewhat lower standard:
Proof pics of some mechs with the first post prime layer on:



Final pics of some last minute lyran guard:

Got my entry done. Bit phoned in perhaps, but it's more stuff out of the pile. Here are my Tomb Kings Skeleton Horse Archers:



Just some more solid goons to fill out the undead ranks of my Tomb Kings army. Definitely not my best work and I don't expect many votes, but at least I got something done. Way too many distractions keeping me away from the painting desk of late, what with the new job and all, so it's nice to get back to it before the year is out.

Keep the entries coming in! We’ve got until the end of the day to finish and grab those pictures.

But don’t let that stop you from starting this month’s topic:
https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/818177.page

Happy New Year.

Just finished painting the rims. Got a coat of varnish to give them and a little shrubification of the bases and it will be photo time.

Last minute wally on!

I should probably take some slightly better photos before the end!

I hit a mental wall, and didn't get the other 3 minis painted, just the two scratch-built dreadnoughts from early in the month.

repeat pics to hopefully make things easier for Nev:

Sorting some final highlights and trying out a magma effect on the sergeant power sword. Will be done later today.

Took some slightly better angled photos for my entry so this is the final one!






Good luck everyone and happy new year!

Okey Dokey… all finished. I was racing at the end there! Awesome stuff coming in… great to be participating again. I have had some issue getting the focus right on these pics and the images aren’t as sharp as I’d like. Very frustrating. That said, I couldn’t fiddle any more with the settings so these are the best pics I got. It’s the Three Amigos!

Well I've had to pare down my entry to just one model, but managed to get the Red Terror finished today!

I was aiming for the whole squad, but the sarge is the only one finished in time. Rest are close, but will be a few more days.