Join the Challenge
Hey folks! A second round of the Black Chalice competition is upon us! We've decided to let go of themes, so you are completely free to come up with your own ideas and follow inspiration where it strikes. As long as the entry falls into one of the categories, do whatever you like! We've also changed the prizing, which now makes placing and qualifying for the Main Category much, much easier. We've also streamlined the rules to be less restrictive. Entering here is how you get a chance to qualify for the upcoming Black Chalice Main Category, as well as win prizes set for the current round.
Judging
30 Jun 2026
Category options
Unit / Open
Beyond a single miniature — cohesive groups, warbands, units, or entirely open creations. Got a unique idea? This is your category.
Large
Any miniature larger than 54mm scale and over 81mm total height — large-scale collectibles, busts, warhammer monsters/vehicles and similar.
Single
Single human-sized miniatures (28/32/54mm), including figures on reasonably sized mounts. Reasonably sized vignettes or scenic bases are permitted.
Diorama
Entries that tell a story through composition, environment, and interacting elements. Any number of models at any scale — focus on narrative, mood, and atmosphere.
How to join the challenge
Open your piece
Go to any published gallery image of your own — nothing new to upload.
Hit “Join the Challenge”
Choose a category and add an optional note for the panel.
Confirm
Acknowledge the rules and you’re in. Edit or withdraw any time before the deadline.
Rules
Painted in the grimdark style — Grimdark style captures dark, dystopian worlds with a suffocating mood — surface-finish variation, battle damage, chipping, rust, grime, blood, skulls, reductive technique, high-contrast lighting, OSL, decay effects, etc. Presentation matters — Photograph entries well-lit, in focus, against a black or white background, at high resolution. Editing basic photo properties (exposure, contrast, etc. in apps like Lightroom) is permitted. Must be new to competition — This must be the first time your entry is submitted to a competition — we avoid re-use of the same pieces across rounds. Already-finished models that haven't been entered anywhere are fine.
Prize & awards
1st place
Grimcore / Fleshcore Set + Anti-Death Mineral Spirit + Tutorial Course
2nd place
3 Villainy Inks + Tutorial Course
3rd place
1 Villainy Ink + Tutorial Course
Tier
Best of Show — All Villainy Ink Enamels, Anti-Death Mineral Spirit, Villainy Ink Oils + sponsor prizes (TBA)
Tier
Best Unit/Open Entry — Villainy Ink Complete Collection, Anti-Death Mineral Spirit, Villainy Ink Oils + sponsor prizes (TBA)
Tier
Best Large Entry — All Villainy Ink Enamels, Anti-Death Mineral Spirit, Villainy Ink Oils + sponsor prizes (TBA)
Tier
Best Single Entry — All Villainy Ink Enamels, Anti-Death Mineral Spirit, Villainy Ink Oils + sponsor prizes (TBA)
Tier
Best Diorama Entry — All Villainy Ink Enamels, Anti-Death Mineral Spirit, Villainy Ink Oils + sponsor prizes (TBA)
Tier
Community Champion — Villainy Ink Phase 1/2 set + sponsor prizes (TBA), voted by the community on social media
This round’s judge panel
Kendon Oates — Zatcaskagoon
Grimdark Compendium / Villainy Ink
Founder of the Grimdark Compendium and the maker behind Villainy Ink enamels and oils; he has spent years teaching the unorthodox beauty of the grimdark style.
Alessandro Bonavero — Dark Ages Workshop
Dark Ages Workshop
If the compendium were a ship, he'd be its first mate. His commitment to bringing miniature painting closer to its darker source material is an ever-burning passion.
Jan Juras — Echoes of Vermin
Echoes of Vermin
Youngest member of the compendium; started as a fan and follower, invited to join the team — a young talent and an example of where learning from the tutorials gets you.