Sir Coates Painting Masters

UK Games Expo and Duncan Rhodes Painting Academy, will be back at UKGE 2026 with the next Sir Coates Painting Masters Competition.

Where Will It Take Place?

The event will take place in Hall 4 at UK Games Expo 2026.

Who Can Enter?

The competition is open to all, from seasoned pros to first-time painters.

How Can I Enter?

Purchase UK Games Expo Entry Tickets via the ticket link at the top of the website.
Register via your UK Games Expo Account. If you don't have an account, it's easy to create one. Click register at the top of the page on our website or progressive app.
Once registered you can enter via the form below (available from Monday 9th February 2026).
Check your entry in your portal via My Expo Events.
Once you have registered, you can then submit your miniature at the Sir Coates Masters event desk in Hall 4 at the UKGE 2026.

When Will The Awards Ceremony Take Place?

The prizes will be awarded on the Main Stage in hall 1 from 3pm on Sunday 31st May 2026.

Sir Coates Painting Masters FAQs

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Sir Coates Painting Masters

Why Enter Your Miniature?

Recognition: Get your work seen by a panel of expert judges and the wider gaming community.
Exciting Prizes: Compete for amazing trophies in multiple categories.
Inspiration: Connect with fellow artists, learn new techniques, and celebrate the artistry of miniature painting.

Prizes

Each entry will be given an exclusive Sir Coates badge and sticker.
Each finalist will be given an exclusive finalist pin badge.
The winners of each category will win a Sir Coates trophy for first, second, and third, respectively.
The ‘Best in Show’ winner will receive a large bespoke glass trophy.
The UK Games Expo Judges' Choice Award. - Judged by the Expo team.

What Categories Are Included?

Single Miniature: This category is for any single human-sized miniature, mounted on an appropriately sized base. This includes everything from solitary troopers to majestic, genetically enhanced commanders. This includes miniatures mounted on smaller vehicles and creatures like bikes, jet bikes, and beasts or mounts.
Squad/Unit: This category is for squads or units of three or more miniatures. The unit may be displayed on an appropriately sized base. This includes miniatures on foot and miniatures mounted on bikes, jet bikes, and beasts, provided they are organised into a unit of three or more models.
Vehicle: This category is for any single vehicle. This includes tanks, walkers, and flyers—everything from historically accurate machinery to strange and wonderful sci-fi and alien Tanks or craft. Models entered into this category that do not require a base may still be mounted on an appropriately sized base.
Monster: This category is for any single large than human sized miniature, mounted on an appropriately sized base. This is the category to really go to town with if you enjoy whimsical fantasy creatures or hulking alien monstrosities!
Squires: This category is for entrants 15 years of age and under. Any single miniature can be entered into this category from Monsters, single miniature, or vehicle.
Board Games: This exclusive category is for board game enthusiast who want to paint the miniatures that come with their board game. These entries must be from a board game defined by a small board that comes with their miniatures, which will include a grid or hex system to move you across the game. The miniatures entered must not be available to use in a wargame (Space Hulk etc..) as these miniatures would be better suited in the singles category.
Large-Scale Miniature: This is a new category for this year and is for anything and everything that is larger than 32mm in scale (Scale is not the size of the miniature but the scale of the setting). This will include busts, toy repaints, statuettes, and any large diorama miniatures.

Competition Judging

There will be a team of four judges who will each review the entries and decide their top choices to move to the final. Once the final entries are selected, the judges will then refocus on the finalists to narrow down the selection to the top three and announce them as the winners. We will have a fifth judge on hand to deal with any tie-breaker decisions. The judges will make selections privately and without giving any indication to the audience or observers what choices they are making, and will make those choices based on specific criteria.

The criteria for the judges will not only be to measure the miniatures on painting skill, but also creativity, colour choice, and theme of the miniatures. This means that the aesthetic and narrative of the miniatures are as important as the painting skill.

Judges

Duncan Rhodes (Chief Judge)
Roger Yates (Co-owner DRPA)
Natalie Heywood (Games Workshop Ex-’Eavy Metal painter)
Mike Anderson (19 x Golden Demon Winner 2001 - 2018)