Build big. Get weird. Tell a story.
The legendary Hobby Challenge returns, your chance to unleash pure hobby creativity all weekend long!
How It Works
- Pick Your Model: Choose from a selection of kits curated to match this event’s theme.
- Hit Sprue Mountain: Dive into our massive pile of sprues and supplies to bring your wildest idea to life. We provide cutters, glue, mouldline removers, paints, brushes, water and more!
- Build & Paint All Weekend: The Hobby Challenge is open Friday through Sunday, come and go accross the 3 days as much or as little as you like. No timers. No pressure. Just pure, creative fun.
- We’ll Prime It for You: Once your build is complete, our staff will prime it so you can jump straight into painting.
- You Keep Your Creation: The model (and bragging rights) are yours to take home!
The Theme
Each event features a unique theme to inspire your build, whether that’s narrative, dramatic, heroic, chaotic, or just plain bizarre. How you interpret it is entirely up to you.
Award Categories
At the end of the weekend, we celebrate standout builds in:
- Narrative
- Paint
- Youngblood (ages 12- 15)
- Best Overall
Big imagination, bold choices, and clever storytelling are all encouraged, whether you’re a seasoned kitbasher or brand new to the hobby.
Why Join?
It’s relaxed, creative, collaborative, and one of the most beloved traditions at the Warhammer Open. Make something wild, learn from others, grab inspiration from Sprue Mountain, and have a blast.
More interested in hobbying with some models and paint? Check out our options here.
What is The Warhammer Open Painting Competition?
Warhammer Open Painting Competition is an open painting competition that welcomes hobbyists of all skill levels to showcase their work. Held at Warhammer Open Events around the world, entries are judged against a set standard, with Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards available based on merit. There will also be a Best Overall prize selected from the Gold winning miniatures. Whether you're a seasoned painter or new to the hobby, the goal is to push your limits and strive for excellence.
Warhammer Open Painting Competition is a standards-based judging system. Each miniature is assessed individually against defined criteria, allowing multiple awards at each level to be given out. This ensures fairness and accessibility across all levels of painting experience.
There is no limit on how many Bronze, Silver, or Gold pins may be awarded. Any entry that meets the set standard for a level will be awarded the corresponding level, regardless of how many others do. However, there will only be 1 Best in Show award per day, chosen from the Gold level entries.
Overall The Warhammer Open Painting Competition is your opportunity to push your painting skills and be recognised for your craftsmanship. Whether you walk away with a pin, valuable feedback from your peers or a greater understanding of the painting competition experience, every entry helps you grow as a hobbyist.
Good luck, and happy painting!