If you missed the memo, the annual celebration of our hobby known as Armies on Parade is fast approaching. Submissions open on the first day of October and close on the last. The award show will take place shortly after, so if you’re shooting for a spot, crunch time starts now.
You’ve already seen some inspiration, but let’s take things a little further – here are a few things we loved to see in the last few years’ crop of winners. Let’s dig in.
Show Us Your Best Side
In-person judging allows the viewers to experience your work in three dimensions, but photos only capture two of them. Make the most of it by getting the perfect angle to show off all the models, and compose them carefully for the camera. Joan Sitjar did a fantastic job of not only painting these Nighthaunt, but setting them up for an impact when seen as a whole.
Taking a really nice shot of your display is crucial, so a bit of early planning will pay dividends as you put the project together. Now is as good a time as any to read this classic article about model photography.
A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words
In person, you have a chance to tell people about your work and point out all the cool little things you added. Sharing your work online is a bit different, as everything has to come through the images. Try to weave a story with your arrangement, painting, and display to make it more memorable and stand out from the crowd.
If an Armies on Parade display can be thought of as a story, Stefano Levorato has penned his magnum opus with this Speed Freeks collection.
Not content to simply show off some bright and beautiful paint jobs, Stefano created a full-on diorama depicting the madness and intensity of a race to the death or a gathering Speedwaaagh!* Take a look at the way he suggests the throaty rumble of the engines, the smell of burning rubber and exhaust fumes, and the riot of details spelling out a dozen sub-plots. Also note the use of vertical space, suggesting a much larger area through his painted backdrop.
Sometimes the story you want to tell is a really simple one – a comedy, even. Graham Shirley’s Halfling Blood Bowl Team is hilarious from concept to execution.
Can you imagine your opponent rocking up to the table before your match with what appears to be their lunch tucked under one arm? Out pops this stunning team, surrounded by gingham textiles, wooden flatware, and pennants in their team colours. How can you not root for these plucky little fellows?
Perhaps you’re trying to evoke a feeling, such as the chill of a frozen tundra. There are some tried and true techniques for achieving a cold-looking army, which Connor Sutton demonstrates beautifully here.
Orruks are often depicted in warm, fiery colours like yellow and red. In this case, desaturated, rust-hued reds offer contrast in a primarily blue colour palette. The green flesh of the orruks is even shifted towards the cooler end of the spectrum. The colours carry the theme just as well as the snowy scenery and bases.
Add a Little Extra
There are lots of creative ways to make your entry something a bit special. We’ll give you a few more examples to get your creative juices flowing.
Sometimes it’s the little things that help sell the piece. For example, Louise Sugden’s** Blood Bowl entry from a few years ago used printed signs for everything from posters to pitchside adverts.
Sometimes it’s the little details that push a display over the top. Some folks go wild on the backdrop or scenery, and a great theme is certainly one way to catch some attention. Gareth Cosby decided to create a full board with cog-rimmed discs on the base – yes, they actually spin in unison.
Gareth’s Adeptus Mechanicus army blends with the machinery to make a strong impression, and the industrial theme is everywhere. If you like to kitbash or convert models, Armies on Parade gives you the chance to create something unique. Wong Wai Long created an army that mixed the Necron range, Adeptus Mechanicus, and Chaos Space Marines.
You can’t help but pore over these models, trying to see which bits came from where.
Spend a few minutes and do a quick gut check – if your display rewards viewers for looking at it longer and more closely, you’re on the right track.
Put some thought into your board, push your limits, and show us what you’re capable of. We’re hurtling towards the October deadline, so get cracking on your Armies on Parade display before submissions close on October 31st.
* Is there any difference between the two when it comes to Orks?
** Yup, the very same Louise Sugden who’s now hosting the Citadel Colour Masterclass on Warhammer+