Judging

Resin Beast Judges:

Guide for Judging of the Resin Beast:

 

Judges should endeavor to conduct themselves without bias to a particular entrant. If a judge feels that they cannot be impartial towards an entry then they should inform the Overseers and their scoring will be discounted when considering that entry. From what we know all of you are awesome, so we aren’t too concerned about this :)

 

First Round of Cuts: Heart of the Beast  (General Appeal)

 

Judges will individually, and choose up to 11 entries that they feel are the best in the competition. This choice is the sole discretion of the judge, and has no criteria other than the individual Judge’s personal consideration. Judges may communicate and discuss if they choose to do so.

 

Cut to Final 10: Heroes of the Dungeon (Top 10 by most chosen)

 

10. a) From all the Judges Choices the top 10 will be statistically determined based on the entries most often chosen. This is based on the overall popularity of a model amongst all the Judges. E.g. if all judges selected the same model then this model will be in the top 10.

 

1. b) Ties are broken first by any obvious flaws in workmanship, then by complexity of the entry (complexity here refers to the relative challenge and difficulty of the two pieces), and then if there is still a tie the Overseers at their discretion will break it.

 

Rankings: Beast Slayers (Victors for each category)

 

1. a) Individual Judging and Ranking of the top 10 from. Judges should not discuss their rankings with other Judges. They may share their thoughts or seek guidance from another Judge or from the Overseers if they have questions or concerns about a specific entry, but they should not seek to sway the opinion of other Judges.

 

1. b) Entries will be considered on 4 criteria and each criteria should be considered separately and not be allowed to influence another criteria. The criteria are weighted differently depending on the Category being judged, and the final score in a Category will be the weighted average of those criteria. The Criteria are as follows:

 

1. Originality, Ambition, & Challenge
2. Theme, Narrative, and Ability to Evoke Emotion
3. Workmanship and Consistency
4. Artistic Application (Shape & Form, Color & Value, Light, Composition, & Texture).

 

When looking at each criterion then the judge should not allow factors related to the other criterion to influence the ranking. For example a model may score very highly on Artistic Application, but this should not affect the model’s ranking on workmanship if there was a flaw in the assembly or lack of consistency. 

 

1. c) After completing their rankings Judges will try to make themselves available for interviews, discussion, and questions about how they ranked, and why they ranked in the way they did. These interviews will be posted online with the goal to both inform and entertain.

 

Detailed Explanation of Criterion:

 

Each criterion has a focus which allows the judges to score the entries for each category on those specific criteria without concern for the overall ranking. For example a judge does not need to consider how having a poorly filled gap or lack of theme will affect the overall ranking, as that will be determined mathematically. The weights and values of each criterion has been arranged ahead of time, and all the judges need to decide is who has performed better on each specific task. As the Resin Beast continues to evolve the weights may change, but they will not be changed during the judging. By separating out each Criterion there should be an increase in consistency in judging and hopefully makes the tough choices a little easier on the judges.

 

1. a) Originality & Ambition & Challenge (weighting is different for each category, please see category pages)

 

For this criteria we are looking for models that go above and beyond the norm. These may be models with extensive conversions, larger than average models, complex models, unusual use of materials, or a non-traditional painting style. 

 

In general this should be a straight forward criteria to judge. A stock model painted with 360 degree lighting in a simple and clean style, should score lower than one that has been well converted and painted in an unique way. Remember there are other criterion to judge how well the technique is applied, this criteria should focus on whether the Entrant “went for it”. That is, did they take some sort of risk artistically, creatively, with technique, or with the technical challenge. Perceived difficulty is also a valid consideration when assessing this criteria.

 

This criteria is related to the theme, and an especially unique or creative theme may increase the rank on this criteria. However, Judges should be cautious about considering the theme too heavily as focus should be on the originality and ambition required for a particular theme rather than the execution of the theme as a whole.

 

If a judge feels two models are tied in this criteria, the complexity & size of the pieces should be used to break that tie (higher complexity receiving the higher score). If this alone cannot break the tie then following Criterion in order should be considered:

1. Theme, Character, and Ability to Evoke Emotion
2. Workmanship and Cleanliness
3. Artistic Application

 

1. b) Theme, Character, and Ability to Evoke Emotion (weighting is different for each category, please see category pages)

 

For this criteria we are accessing if the entry is able to tell a story, add character to a model, or convey an atmospheric feeling to the viewer. This can be told through skillful application of paint, or subtle conversion, or base details. Larger entries, including units, dioramas or just models with larger bases will often have an easier time conveying the theme to the viewer, as there is greater opportunity for the interaction of models. For single models there will often be a sense of character that can speak volumes if executed skillfully.

 

Consideration should be given to the following:

1. The strength & clarity with which the theme is conveyed. Can the viewer clearly see a story that is being told, or a question being asked, or the nature of the characters depicted?
2. Does the theme pull the viewer in, is it engaging to look at, and does it hold the viewer’s attention?
3. Does it cause an emotional reaction in the viewer as they experience the story of the piece?

 

Judges should not consider things like technical application of the paint, or artistic choices (color, freehand, lighting, or texture), except where these technicals skills/artistic choices have directly enhanced or were detrimental to the theme (e.g. if poor application makes the theme difficult to read or interpret, or vice versa, if the skilled application of lighting effects conveys a deeper understanding of the story behind the piece).

 

If a judge feels two models are tied in this criteria, the complexity & size of the pieces should be used to break that tie (higher complexity receiving the higher score). If this alone cannot break the tie then following Criterion in order should be considered:

1. Creativity, Originality, & Ambition
2. Workmanship and Cleanliness
3. Artistic Application

 

1. c) Workmanship and Cleanliness (weighting is different for each category, please see category pages)

 

This relates to the mechanics of how the model was constructed and painted. Attention to detail, cleanliness, and consistency are all important. Things to consider are:

1. Clean preparation and construction of the model. No mold lines, no gaps.
2. Any conversions appear natural and consistent to the original.
3. Consistent application of painting style, regardless of style chosen.
4. Consistency of work throughout. All areas of the model are treated with the same degree of care and quality.

 

Things to look out for are brush strokes when the style is intended to be smooth and clean. Improperly glued or assembled pieces. Gaps or other flaws that should have been sanded and cleaned. Paint that doesn’t look like it belongs in an area (spills). Conversions that do not appear to be a natural part of the model, or look like they do not belong. Tool marks on putty or visible sanding/scuffs. Inconsistency in the quality of the work (the back is not as well painted as the front).

 

Things that should not be considered are the artistic choices. There may be poor choices in color selection, or where a technique is applied (for example painting an element red where it would have been more complimentary as blue, or painting so much texture on each piece that the contrast between textured areas suffers), but if the paint itself is skillfully applied then an entry could still score highly in workmanship.

 

It should be noted that some techniques can use brush strokes to create texture or convey a haphazard or dirty feel to a model and if these techniques are effective and intentional there should be no penalty for employing those painting styles. 

 

In the case of a tie in this criteria, Judges should consider the complexity of the models. A significant increase in complexity should increase a model’s rank. However, if models are tied both in complexity and in quality then they should be ranked equally. It is entirely possible that all entries will be without any significant flaw, and would therefore receive the highest ranking. This is the only criteria in which ties are permitted.

 

If an entry exceeds the maximum allowable dimensions for the contest - or violates any other entry rules that has not resulted in a disqualification - then after scoring the entry will receive a penalty to this criteria.

1. This is the only criterion with an automatic penalty and the penalty will be applied by the Overseers after the judges scores are collected. The judges do not need to consider this penalty themselves.
2. This will drop the core of models for this specific criterion by a single point. E.g. A model that scored 10 points would be dropped to 9 points for this criteria if it was found to have violated the size restrictions.

 

 

1. d) Artistic Application (weighting is different for each category, please see category pages)

 

This criteria is often the most heavily weighted criteria, and the one that is most reliant on the skill and training of the judges. Many of the judges have an artistic background and are skilled in artistic theory. Others have many years in the hobby and have earned equivalent knowledge through the experience of painting miniatures. In other words, the judges are experts in the field of miniature painting. Things for the judges to consider are:

1. Shapes, patterns, symmetry, or asymmetry applied meaningfully, and in a way suitable to the piece.
2. Use of color palette as suitable to the piece (following color theory, or breaking color theory in a skillful and meaningful way - matching the character of the piece with colors), including creating contrast through color use.
3. Value and contrast applied in such a way as to create a readable model even without color.
4. Use of texture either as painted (faux) or true texture (powders, flocking etc) that enhances the realism of the piece, and creates pleasing contrast.
5. Flow of the piece (does the piece guide the eye in a pleasing fashion)
6. Framing and presentation of the piece. Does the base and placement of models on the base have purpose and is done appropriately.
7. Freehand details (both quality, and placement)
8. Consistent and skillful application of light and shadows (whether done as an object source, multiple point, or full surround).
9. Whether the use of a specific technique enhanced the artistic nature of the piece?

 

Judges should avoid considering how original or engaging a piece is and focus more on the skillful application of art theory within a piece. 

 

Judges should not consider flaws in the construction or technical application (gaps/minor brushstrokes/minor errors like paint bleed or splatter) unless they have significant impact on the overall feel of a piece.

 

Judges should not focus on the quality of the theme or the story telling component of the models for this criteria. However, the judges will have to consider if the theme and techniques used to create the theme were done in an artistic way. For example if a model lit with a heavy O.S.L. spotlight then the spotlight may be very cinematic and enhance the theme, but it may be executed in a way that was unrealistic, or that didn’t suit the model. Such an entry could score highly on theme, but may have a lower score on Artistic Strength. Another example could be an amazing battle scene that scores highly on theme, but may have the figures arranged haphazardly on the base in a way that is not artistically appealing. 

 

Winner Determined:

After all Judges have submitted their rankings for their criteria the results are compiled. This is an open and transparent process and will be discussed in our Play on Tabletop video series. Results, both ranking and score, will be published immediately after the awards are given for the top 5 in each category, and any contestant may request their own scores/ranking.

 

This works as follows:

1. Judges Ranking on each Criterion is converted into Scores for that Criterion. A rank of 1 awards the maximum score of 10 and a rank of 10 rewards the lowest score being 1.
2. The Scores for that Criterion are then averaged. *
3. If there are any penalties for exceeding size restrictions or other violations of the category rules these are applied to the Score.
4. Weighting is applied to the Score for that Criterion
5. Weighted Scores from each Criterion are added together giving a final Score.
6. Final Ranking is determined by the highest score to the lowest score. A perfect Score for a Category would be 10, which could only be achieved if every judge ranks a piece as the best piece in every possible Criterion.
7. The highest Score would be then Considered Rank 1 in the Category and receive the first place prize, proceeding downwards.
8. In the case of a tie for rank then the highest weighted Criterion for that Category would be used to break the tie.

 

*If a Judge has ranked a model more than two standard deviations from the norm their result will not be considered in the final ranking. This means if a judge’s response is significantly unusual, when compared to the other judges’ responses, then the result would be removed and would not affect final placement.