2026

Why Enter Golden Brush?

Golden Brush is an annual three-month miniature painting challenge that encourages painters to push their creativity, learn new skills, and complete a project they can be proud of. Whether you're entering your first miniature or your hundredth, the challenge is designed to celebrate growth, community, and the incredible art of miniature painting.

How to Enter

Photograph your unpainted entry.
Submit your entry online.
Receive your reference number.
Pay your entry fee.
Spend three months creating something amazing.
Bring your finished piece to Golden Brush.

Entry Details:

Take a picture of the model/s you wish to enter in an unpainted state with a piece of paper in frame showing: YOUR NAME | DATE OF ENTRY | ENTRY NAME | CATEGORY & SUBCATEGORY | #GOLDEN2026
Submit your entry Here.
You will receive a reference number for your entry in your email. Make a payment using the following link and use the reference we sent you.
Then you have up until the 14th of November to finish off your entries! Online entries need to submit at least Three to Five high quality images before the 8th of November 2026.
Then bring along your finished project for the judging and celebrations on the 14th November, at Musketeers Pub/German Club in Westville, KZN. Location: https://g.co/kgs/7NHKkdZ

ONLINE COMPETITION!

The Online category is open to all those who cannot make it to the event in KZN. Entry is R50 per entry and you must submit one image as per the normal entry criteria. Then once you have finished your model, we require no more than 5 and no less than three high resolution images to be sent to us before the 8th of November 2026. We will be awarding a first, second and third prize to this category in the form of Vouchers to the combined value of R2500 from the Big Bang Store!

Notes from the Event Organizer

This year we are trying something different: Open Judging. This is how a lot of the more prestigious painting competitions and challenges that happen internationally judge their entries. Its goal is not to have a head-to-head ranking system, but instead to reward entries on their own merits. This means that if the piece you have entered meets the required thresholds, judged by our panel of judges, they will be rewarded accordingly. So there won't be a winner per category anymore. Instead, there may be many gold, silver, and bronze medals awarded in each category if the entries are of that caliber. This also means some categories may not get any awards. However, we will still be awarding Best in Show and Judges' Favorites. We are extremely excited to see what you bring!

Awards for the Event:

Awards may include Gold, Silver, Bronze, Best in Show, Judges' Awards, and other special recognitions. The number of awards presented may vary depending on the quality and quantity of entries received.

Rules:

Closing Date for Entries is 01 November 2026. All Entries must be Paid for by this date.
All Entries need to be completed by the 14th of November. Any entry that is not completed may be entered into the judging but will not likely be awarded.
All Entries must be present at the Event to be judged.
Do Not enter any model that has been entered into a previous miniature painting event.
Do Not enter any miniature that has been painted by anyone else.
It is the judge's discretion to change the category of the entry. For example, if we feel the model should be in the small category instead of large, or beginner instead of advanced, and vice versa.
Only entries that have been confirmed via the entry process will be allowed.
Judges may decide to remove any model from entry due to any circumstance and no refund will be given.
You can only enter one entry per category.
Entries must be at the event by 11 am. Prizes awarded at 15:00.
Participants are encouraged to enter as many entries as possible but must enter each one separately.
Banners and plinths are excluded from height limit.
No AI Images to be used.
This is a miniature painting challenge. With the exception of the Open Category, all miniatures must be Painted Miniatures.
Online entries need to send at least three images and no more than five images of their final finished model via the website portal by no later than midnight 07 November 2026. No entries will be accepted thereafter.
No Refund will be given under any circumstances.
Prizes will be awarded as per the judges and event coordinators' judgement.

TERMS

Unpainted: Miniature can be assembled and primed. No Zenithal or any further colours.
Beginner: This may or may not be the first time you have ever painted a miniature, or you don't feel you have the grasp of any of the more advanced techniques.
Masters: You have mastered or are mastering the form and feel you can take on the big dogs.
Small: Single figure - no bigger than ten cm in height, ten cm width. This includes mounted models, like bikes and steeds. Mounted monsters do not count.
Large: 10cm upwards. Don't make this too big! This includes vehicles, monsters, and large mounts.
Diorama: Any diorama of any type or size. Please don't make them larger than 50cm footprint or height.
Squad: 3 or more miniatures painted in a unifying theme. This needs to have a base that all miniatures stand on. It can be scenic, but if any models on this base are not a part of the squad it may be relegated to the Diorama category.
Open: Any busts or miniatures that do not fall into any other category.
Young Bloods: Anyone under the age of 15.
Veterans: This Category is a free and open category that is meant for any of the past Golden Brush Award winners and judges. Will be given an award based on public vote.
Online: For anyone (who is a resident of South Africa) who cannot travel the distance to the event but wants to take part.

FAQ:

Q: What models may I use?
A: Anything. Literally anything.

Q: Is there a WhatsApp group?
A: Yes there is! Follow this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/F19EY7wUM9m6S8ZPgxIFUT

Q: Who will be judging the event?
A: Richard Cordeiro, Owner of Wildstorm Studios and Professional Miniature Painter, and other experienced Miniature Painters from our community.

Q: Why do I need to submit an unpainted entry photo?
A: Golden Brush is a challenge, not simply an exhibition. The unpainted entry photo helps us verify that work was completed during the challenge period and ensures a fair competition for everyone.

Q: Can I enter multiple entries?
A: Yes you may! R100 per entry or R50 for Online! BUT only one entry per category (this does not count for Online Entries; there is no limit but a person can only win one award in this category).

Q: Can I show Work in progress before the final submission?
A: Yes! If you decide to post on social media please tag us on @goldenbrushza on Instagram and use the hashtag #Goldenbrush2026.

Q: What if I do not finish my entry in time? Do I get a refund?
A: All entry fees are being spent on resources for the event and are non-refundable.

Q: Can I change my entry?
A: Yes, but only up till the 24th of October. All changes thereafter will be made by the judge's discretion only. You also need to inform us before this date and send the relevant pictures.

Q: What if I cannot make it to the event? Do I get a refund?
A: Unfortunately not.

Q: So how big can I go with the diorama category?
A: Try not to take up an entire table. Remember the more space you take up the more work you have to do, and time is limited.

Q: How much of the miniature needs to be in the Entry submission picture?
A: As much as you possibly can. If you are making a diorama try your best to include as much of the resources you are using for it. We want to eliminate any possibility of previously painted models making it into the event. We will also be comparing final submissions to the entry pictures.

Q: Why can't we use any models we have already painted?
A: This would be against the spirit of the challenge. We want everyone to challenge themselves in a limited time and push themselves to make amazing entries.

Q: I don't live in KZN, can I enter?
A: Yes! This year's competition is open to all residents of South Africa. The only requirement is that you are at the event on the day with your entry! Or try the Online category!

Q: Where will the judging event be?
A: Musketeers Pub/German Club in Westville, KZN.

Q: What other events will happen on the day?
A: Golden Brush is more than a painting competition. Throughout the day there will be hobby activities, community challenges, sponsor showcases, and opportunities to meet fellow painters. Additional activities will be announced closer to the event.

💳 Register & Pay for Entry 📋 Check Entry Status

Use this link to register your entry and complete the entry fee payment.