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It’s that time again! After a particularly unusual month of the Painting Challenge, it falls to the community to pick your favourites. This month, the entrants were set the specific theme of painting their models with a maximum of 3 colours on show in the final product (excluding bases and very minor details like eyes or teeth), and this resulted in good variety of approaches, from careful colour selection to some stunning monochrome entries evoking the style of classic 40k black and white art or the stark lines of comic books.

As always, you can vote for as many entries as you like and for whatever reason, whether that be the skill, the ambition and effort on show, the tackling of the theme ect. You are also encouraged to leave some feedback on the entries or throw some votes on their gallery pages, as the entrants always love to know what others make of their work.

Nevelon: Hormagaunt


KernelTerror: Demon Gladiator


Kustomer D: Tau vs Space Marines


ZoBo: Boss Snikrot


ChaosDad: Alpha Legion Headhunters


ZergSmasher: Bloodletters of Khorne


Appollinaire: Eldar Corsairs


Midget Gems: Deathskull Orks


Suzuteo: Mechanicus Datasmith


Vejut: Evil Knight


SirOllox: Black Templar Captain


keezus: Blood Ravens Space Marine


Craggy: Vindicare Assassin


Chris56: Farseer and Wraithguard


Feltmonkey: Dark Angels Space Marine (Monochrome)


Power Elephant: Kingdom Death Knight


Paradigm: Genestealer Broodlord


Modock: Fast Panda

Some very nice stuff this month, but for me the clear stand out is Feltmonkey's monochrome marine...

All in all I think that everybody did a very good job with the three-color restriction...

Instant vote for Chris56: Farseer and Wraithguard. Not only is the painting really good but also the composition and the color scheme is top notch.

Chris56 and Feltmonkey got my vote this month. One was pulled off so superbly it didn't even seem as if there was a technical challenge restricting it, the other took that challenge and jammed it into overdrive and gave me graphic novel nostalgia! Well done you guys. Also I extend my well done to everybody who entered this month. I didn't have the nads technical challenges stress me out too much!

Chris56 I think has far and away the best interpretation. Very nice work. I also voted for ZoBo and Feltmonkey.

I went the "intense planning regarding color adjacently, paint as normal" approach in order to try and generate a result that doesn't look like it is under any restrictions at all. I think the final result is OK, but suffers a bit as it is not terribly eye catching... Each color needed to be assigned to break up adjacency and provide spatial separation - with no spare colors for OSL or other effects.

In hindsight, I think that I could have done something more interesting. Monochrome really opens up the design space for painting effects with the spare color. Will have to keep that in my hip pocket for future technical challenges.

Cheers to everyone who entered! This one was pretty tough for me as it was 80% planning, 20% execution...!

This was a tough challenge to participate in, much less to try and judge and vote for. I'll go ahead and comment on everybody's entries:

Nevelon: Solid work on an old-school model. Definitely evokes an Aliens vibe.

KernelTerror: That's an interesting model, and you didn't let the limited color palette slow you down!

Kustomer D: The fact that you did not just a single model, but a whole diorama in just 3 colors is very cool. I like the use of the red as the tiny bits of color in the sea of grayscale.

ZoBo: I know you called this guy unfinished, but he looks great! I wish my finished stuff looked as good as your "unfinished" models.

ChaosDad: I've got a soft spot for Alpha Legion, and you deserve respect for being able to represent them well in just 3 colors.

ZergSmasher: I really could have done better on these models, but I was trying to get them knocked out quickly so I could get back to my other projects. I know that sounds like a lame excuse, but it is what it is. My highlighting in particular could have been much better and does in fact look better in person.

Appollinaire: I love the colors on these guys! Very good use of just 3 colors to bring out the details on the parts.

Midget Gems: Those Deffskullz Orks turned out great, although that is hardly a standard color for Ork skin (not that there's anything wrong with that). I guess it's an equal-opportunity WAAAGH! Seriously, nice job!

Suzuteo: I like the weathering and dust all over the model. Really turned out great. I also like the head conversions on those Kastelan Robots in the background, even if they weren't part of your entry.

Vejut: You have a real talent for finding models I've never seen before and getting them painted up well. I love that face on the shield; it's appropriately freaky!

SirOllox: Black Templars were probably a very good choice to restrict yourself to 3 colors on. That captain turned out great!

keezus: You'd swear that Blood Raven has more than 3 colors on him, but when you look closely it is in fact just 3. Very nice work!

Craggy: I love that Vindicare model, and your paintwork actually makes him look like he's got active camo or something. I love that!

Chris56: Those Eldar turned out amazing! 3 colors is all they needed, apparently.

feltmonkey: This is probably the most creative entry of the month. Certainly more ambitious that anything I would ever attempt. You nailed the effect you were going for!

Power Elephant: That's an interesting model, and a good use of NMM on his armor. While I'm not a fan of NMM in general, yours actually turned out pretty good!

Paradigm: While there was nothing wrong with your previous paintjob on this model, you certainly have upped your game since that time. That model looks sick!

Modock: Another wonderful Infinity model from you. Cool to see that even those detailed models can look good in just 3 colors.

Seriously, everyone did great, especially considering the technical nature of the challenge. Lots of variety in how everyone tackled it, which is awesome. Shout out as always to Paradigm for running this thing during his busy college schedule. See you all in the next challenge!

I really enjoyed this challenge and the entries show a lot of very cool takes on the topic.

I loved so many of the entries this month but I voted for:

Kustomer D - loved your great monochrome Tau and SM - the red spot colour is perfect;
ZoBo - he may have been unfinished but the work you have done on Snikrot looks awesome;
keezus - super-clean paint job here - your Blood Raven looks like a better version of GW professionals;
Modock - superb blends as always - I know this was a 'quick' entry for you...which is just kinda annoying...well done, great paint; and of course

feltmonkey - this has to be the most edgy entry. I love the awesome Frank Miller style, especially the face and helmet.

Thank you for the kind words (and votes!) and see you all in 'Blades in the Dark'! (I'm really excited about my entry for June!)

This was quite a challenge for me plus almost no time for painting and it shows.
I usually paint with high contrast in mind but this time I couldn't go as far.
Well I hope I'll make it up next month.

Thank you guys for the comments and votes!

I voted for the following entries.

Kustomer D
ZoBo - cool idea executed well. I like it.
Midget Gems
keezus
Chris56 - a marvelous piece! Clean smooth blends with gorgeous tones. This is going to be a well deserved victory. I'm happy for you Chris!!
Feltmonkey - similar to Zobo's entry. Briliant idea with a great paint job. Bravo Felt!
Paradigm

See ya soon guys.

I don't feel this is a cop out but I voted for everyone that entered this month, I just felt that the effort people had put it was worth having some recognition since to me it was a very tough month and required a lot more thought than I originally anticipated.

Well done everyone

Thanks for the comments Modock and Zerg, i did quite like the blue skin in the end, wasn't sure to start with.

The real stand out entry this month for me was Chris 56, just masterfully done and it feels like yur previous wrk has helped build up to this (I'm sure you challenged yourself with a limited pallet Skaven assassin on a previous entry )

Also a special mention to Felt and Zobo for their monochrome entries, you have made me want to watch Sin City again.

An interesting month this, a different kind of challenge. It was quite difficult to pick what to do for a lot of people I think, but we've had a lot of interesting, innovative entries.

Nevelon - I like Tippy a lot. He reminds me of a xenomorph from Aliens. The changes in texture such as his slimy teeth are really effective. The photo that reveals how he got his name made me laugh as well.

KernelTerror - She's got quite the booty. Good neat work generally, but the yellow light shining on it is a bit distracting. As is the booty.

Kustomer D - A lovely, stark scene. Really nicely done, and one of my favorite entries this month. That shield effect is amazing.

ZoBo - It's a shame you didn't have time to finish the whole thing, but what you've done with Snikrot is great. Lovely subtle monochrome stuff.

ChaosDad - I always like your Alpha Legion stuff, and this is no exception. You must have a nice-looking army by now, albeit not as huge as Nev's Ultramarine one!

ZergSmasher - Very cool, simply-done Bloodletters. The three colour limit really lends itself to these guys. I like the way you've picked out the scales on their backs.

Appollinaire - Turquoise and copper/gold is always a good combination. You've picked out the details nicely, but I think some of your paint might have been a bit thick so the armour lacks a bit of definition in places. I like the bases.

Midget Gems - That's an excellent shade of purple on the orks' skin, and orange is a great choice of contrast colour. They look terrific as a squad.

Suzuteo - Another great choice of contrasting colours. Interesting how this challenge has resulted in so many astute colour choices. That sky blue looks fantastic next to the sort of rusty-coloured metal. The blue is crying out for some weathering, though.

Vejut - Another interesting miniature from you. You've done some very nice work on the highlighting and blending on the many folds of the cloak-thing he's wearing.

SirOllox - Very, very nice. Those WWI muddy bases you do are great. The work on the gold is lovely too.

keezus - Excellent smooth blends and highlights. Really high-quality painting.

Craggy - A nice neat Assassin, with good use of spot colours. The skull is nicely done.

Chris56 - Just beautiful work. Not for the first time in these challenges, when I saw this I called my wife in to look at it. The colours, the blends, the amazing freehand - it's all absolutely amazing. Even little things like the icicle on the base, and the blueish tone you've given the rock to tie in with the theme. It's all just beautiful, as I said. A privilage to look upon.

Feltmonkey - Great fun to paint. I reckon the concept outstrips the execution a bit. It works better in some areas than others. The face and chest are good, but I never really figured out what to do with the shoulders and lower-leg armour plates. I'm pleased that the challenge prompted me to create a miniature that stands out in my collection as completely unique.

Power Elephant - Nice work on the NMM. I reckon if you added a few really bright spots of ivory on the points where the light would reflect it might look even better. As I said though, really nice. Keep working on those advanced techniques!

Paradigm - Fantastic, and fantastically gruesome stuff. I think it does look better than your earlier version, and the reason for that is all about the muted colours. The use of blood as a spot colour is very clever.

Modock - Did you really do that in a matter of a couple of days? Is it really a "rush job"??? Great stuff, and another showcase of those vivid orange-red tones you do so well.

Great work everyone! As usual, I haven't even chosen what to do next month yet, despite having an extra month knowing what the theme was going to be.

I voted without recording who I voted for.
Of particular note to me were Keezus and Power Elephant. Booth of you are quite hit and miss in my eyes, but certainly hit this month.

 feltmonkey wrote:

ChaosDad - I always like your Alpha Legion stuff, and this is no exception. You must have a nice-looking army by now, albeit not as huge as Nev's Ultramarine one!

Thank you!

As a matter of fact It is getting at a point where it looks like an army...



And a lot of the progress that has been made in this project over the last few months has been because of this painting challenge... It has helped me tremendously to get me back to my painting desk and getting things done...

Winners!

In third place, ZoBo's monochrome take on Boss Snikrot!





Way out ahead, a close fight for the top two, both of whom had nearly double the votes of the next highest scores! In second place, another black and white entry with Feltmonkey's comic-book-style Dark Angel:














And taking the win by just two points, Chris56's winter-themed Farseer and Wraithguard!









I will join in congratulating everyone who got an entry in this month, it was certainly a tough round and anyone who rose to the challenge should be proud! See you all next month!

Grats to the winners, and all my fellow entrants. Was a fun month. Always interesting to try something new.

I am truly stoked at the result!
Felt's mini this month was really intimidating and it was really close the whole time...I think I logged in to check the voting at least a hundred times. The technical challenge brought out some really interesting work and inspiration.
Thanks to everyone who voted and the kind comments.
Thanks as always to Paradigm for doing all of the hard work so the rest of us can enjoy this challenge every month. Thanks also to Midgetgems for all of the labour on the running totals and stats.
See you all in 'Blades in the Dark'!

Congratulations to the winners and to all entrants. Well deserved victory Chris! I was waiting for your first place for a long time.

Thanks to everyone who voted for me, and congrats to everyone who entered and contributed to another great month!

Congrats in particular to Chris56 for a richly deserved victory. As Modock said, it's long overdue, in my opinion you've been responsible for the stand-out entry several times and it's just weird that you've not had a win before. That is right, isn't it? Not even the sorceresses cottage, or that witch with the poisoned apples? Crazy. I know the vote this month was close, but the truth is your entry was miles better than mine!

Whooo go Chris56

As the other have said great to see you finally get a well deserved 1st, your entry was really rather good

Congrats to Zobo and Felt as well, good paint jobs and ideas. I'm glad we did the technical as a change but also glad we are now going back to something a bit more traditional