The SALUTE Painting Competition is an annual showcase of the amazing work created by some of the world’s most talented miniature painters. But it’s also a celebration of the creativity and enjoyment we all find in our shared painting hobby.

Whether you’ve been painting for decades or you’ve just picked up a paintbrush for the first time — whether you’ve painted ninety six figures for your entry or just one — whether you’ve painted Sci-Fi, Fantasy or Historical figures — whether you’ve painted towering titans or tiny troops — we really want to see what you’ve been painting this year.

But, before you submit your entry form, make sure to carefully read the competition rules and information below.

SUBMIT AN ENTRY FORM

General Rules & Competition Info:

  • Bring your entry to the Painting Competition stand (in the very middle of the hall) on the day of SALUTE.

  • Please complete one of our online entry forms (link below) for each of your entries before arriving at the stand.

  • No more than one entry per category per contestant.

  • Entries close at 12 noon, winners will be announced on the Main Stage following the final panel discussion (time TBC), and entries will be available for collection from the back of the Painting Competition Stand from 4pm.

  • Medals will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each category and the entry judged to be the Best of Show across all the categories will also receive the SALUTE Shield trophy.

  • Figure scales (e.g. 54mm) are measured from the bottom of the figure’s foot to its eye level.

  • Entries must be capable of being carried safely by one of our volunteers.

  • Entries which do not fit inside the cabinets (i.e. those more than 30cm tall or very wide) or which pose a risk of damaging other entries may be placed on a table next to the cabinets instead.

  • Unit entries consisting of many individually based figures must include a movement tray of some kind so the entry can be safely and quickly moved to and from the cabinets.

  • The use of AI is not allowed in the creation of any entries to the competition.

  1. Historical Single Figure

  2. Historical Unit

  3. Historical Vehicles, Creatures & Artillery

  4. Sci-Fi Single Figure

  5. Sci-Fi Unit

  6. Sci-Fi Vehicles, Creatures & Artillery

  7. Fantasy Single Figure

  8. Fantasy Unit

  9. Fantasy Vehicles, Creatures & Artillery

  10. Large Scale & Busts

    Any number of figures over 54mm scale or a bust of any size.

  11. Miscellaneous

    Any entry not covered by categories 1 to 10 - including dioramas, battles and duels.

  12. Junior

    Any entry covered by categories 1 to 11 and entered by a person up to and including 16 years old.

  13. SALUTE 51 Figure

    Any entry that incorporates the SALUTE 52 figure of Lieutenant Colonel James Macdonell in some form.

Categories

Single Figure Category Rules

One figure, on foot or mounted on a roughly horze-sized creature or vehicle (e.g. a motorbike), up to and including 54mm scale.

Unit Category Rules

Three or more figures, on foot or mounted on a roughly horze-sized creature or vehicle (e.g. a motorbike), up to and including 54mm scale. Overall unit footprint must be 400cm² or less.

Vehicles, Creatures & Artillery Category Rules

Up to 8 figures and models of any scale at least one of which must be a Vehicle (e.g. a siege tower, helicopter or boat), Large Creature (e.g. an elephant, troll or demon) or Artillery (e.g. a trebuchet, howitzer or tripod-mounted heavy weapon). Overall unit footprint must be 400cm² or less.

FAQs

“I’ve painted some ultra-modern figures. What category do they go in?”

Ultra-Modern or Modern entries should be submitted into the Historical categories.

“I’ve painted a 300mm tall giant. It’s from a game played with 28mm figures so it’s 28mm scale, right?”

No, figures over 54mm scale need to be submitted into the Large Scale & Busts category. Remember that the competition rules are only concerned with the actual measured height of a figure, not the notional scale of the game it’s from.

“I’ve painted a Sci-Fi figure with a small alien pet on its back. Am I allowed to submit it into the Single Figure category?”

Yes. Entries into the Single Figure categories may include:

  • Any number of very small creatures as decoration and basing elements if they are not a major part of the entry (e.g. bugs, lizards, rats, fairies, nurglings).

  • Up to two small pets, creature companions or familiars if they’re the size of a cat or dog.

  • One horze-sized mount.

If you’re in any doubt or have any other questions please email us at painting-competition@salute.co.uk.