My Thoughts on Golden Demon

This video takes a look at my trip to Warhammer Fest in Manchester and the Golden Demon!
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[@DjangoMoses]

i entered a model this year into youngbloods - the votann diorama (not in the video), and i got a commended entry. I absolutely loved the event and I am going to enter again next year - it gave me a lot of inspiration and even though i didn't go up to people and ask for feedback it has really inspired me to push my painting skill

[@fl9674]

congrats man !

[@demonrich]

Congratulations! The level of the Youngbloods entries was so high! Sorry I didn't manage to video your entry, but at least you know it meant it was being consufor a trophy!

[@DjangoMoses]

@@demonrich Thank you! It means a lot, I have learnt a lot from your videos in terms of advancing my techniques etc, especially with lighting and stuff like that and it really helped in golden demon

[@PictishMiniPainting]

Amazing. Seeing my finalist Terminator Librarian at 7:46 was a treat. So rarely seen any of my stuff from this year as sadly 2 of my other entries didn't place and most people don't film the stuff not on the higher shelves. Thanks for putting this together Rich, i might have said High to you briefly in the ceremony as i was chatting to James from Siege and Matt Kennedy as the ceremony finished.

[@LPP_YT]

Best Golden Demon round up and walkthrough I’ve seen. Great work 👍

[@merlynmodels]

Thanks for including myself and everyone else from Funhammer Cosplay UK in your video :) the parade was so much fun. I was one of the two Tanith guardsmen :) I'd love to say hello to you next time but I don't know what you look like!

[@fawxxx5975]

Great Video! This was my first year entering and I got a pin. You caught 3 out of 4 entries on mine in your video! Your entry was beautiful! Very well done!

[@ChrisHall-d7y]

Thanks for this Richard, your insight is really helpful. The lighting was atrocious; there were amazing entries I had been following on Instagram which ended up looking so washed out. Thanks for filming as many entries as you could, it was so nice to see my entries in your video even if they didn’t get anywhere (Imperial Fist sergeant with epic scale hololith, and Imperial Fist squad - 15:12 and 19:28 )

[@danjones1307]

I entered for the first time this year. 4 entries and I was stunned to get 3 pins for them. Your video got them all!

[@domcisme]

This was excellent best wrap video I’ve seen yet. Your thoughts and all the models. Thank you.

[@thisoldwarhammer]

Thanks for taking the time to film this stuff for those of us who really cannot travel to Warhammer Fest... and on a side note it was nice to see Louise in your footage in the beginning of the video... and it was also cool to see her rainbow warrior... on another note... perhaps it would be more effective to take photo's and basically do a slide show... but to be fair that would be just an insane amount of editing...

[@kiesminis]

Seeing my Squig duel here made me smile immensely, Rich. It was great to see you again. Well done on the commendation, and thanks very much for filming the entries. Sadly, I missed so many this time due to the queues and having my son with me. He definitely got the bug and enjoyed when you and Chris told him to enter next year. Thanks again, see you at the next one!

[@ingl0rius]

I loved that squig duel - I kept staring at it in the cabinet 😂

[@lookfishart]

here is my diorama 38:45 , thanks for the video, there it was very difficult to see all the miniatures with so many people. ^^ See you next year!☺️

[@demonrich]

I'm glad you could find your model!

[@DarrynNightmare]

Great breakdown for GD! Spotted my stompa 24:55 which was cool to see on film!

[@MichaelBlatherwick]

Fascinating insights, lots of important myth-busting, and absolutely wonderful of you to showcase as many of these amazing entries as possible. Overwhelming quantity and quality of models

[@BigMekDanskull]

Happy to see my "extraction grot" at the 32:06 mark. The standard this year was phenominal, my mind was blown to have gotten a pin. Loved your vampires, each is painted in an individual manner, but the colour selections really tie them together.

[@demonrich]

Thank you and congratulations! The standard was so high!

[@TheMiniMadCat]

It's some of the best footage I've seen of it all Richard! Thank you so much for doing this video!

[@Jackalos1]

Thanks for taking time to video and talk about this. Without it, I would likely never have seen some of these other interesting entries like that "Solarii Cargo Lighter" at 37:50 or the Sanguinius vs Ka'bandha diorama at 39:33

[@demonrich]

That was my main aim with this video. We often see the winners, although still not enough, but after the GD the other entries tend to be forgotten.

[@worldhalo4912]

Great video it was nice seeing my bezerker pop up on screen, wasn’t expecting that 😂 ,was my first gd and basically painted him the night before so wasn’t to happy but still cool to see 😂😁

[@edwindaughenbaugh2939]

Thank you so much for this video, it made me feel like I got to attend the event and see all these wonderful entries!

[@scottburns2671]

Great video Richard! Was happy to spot all three of my entries in there 😀

[@demonrich]

Awesome! I really wanted people to be able to see their models in the cabinets.

[@UntiltedName]

Thanks for showing as many models as you could. It is always a struggle to check out these entries online.

[@cronchtube]

Saw my Wight King in single mini! Thanks for making the effort to catch as much as possible, great to hear your thoughts on the process.

[@london463]

Thanks for the video Richard. Appreciate you trying to cover all the models, there were so many great entries. Also nice to see my Vashtor and my friends Belakor here!

[@london463]

To add on the lighting part of the video - although it was my first entry and I've got a lot of space to develop, the harsh lamp was inches away from my Vashtor and it blew out the whole thing. Some softer more balanced bar lights would probably work better at that first stage, either that or I'll test how it looks under a spotlight first 😅

[@carlstanford7607]

Great video and agree about the design staff. They are the heart of warhammer. It doesn’t exist without them

[@slthlrdz]

Thank you for taking the time and effort to put all this together. As someone who will likely never attend one of these it is fantastic to see as well as get your thoughts on the event.

[@Hurtone]

Sorry I missed you, come to think of it, not sure I would recognize you in a crowd. I just wanted to say thanks for the best NMM tutorial available, used it for my entry.

[@hall79w]

Hi Rich, as someone who is preparing to enter me first GD next year I can't tell you how much this video settled my indecisions down! I suffer from analysis paralysis quite a lot for my models and to hear someone so experienced give such good advice is amazing, thank you!!

[@GoblinGreen2021]

16:05 🥳🥳🥳🥳

[@jameswrr]

Thanks a lot for putting this together, mate! I spotted my Lord of Change at 05:44 and my Gandalf at 34:47. Must admit it was heart-wrenching to see all those green dots appear around my models so quickly after submitting them, and then discover them again at the bottom of the shelves on the Monday. But the standard today is just insanely high, I can only see it as a drive to improve! As you say, though, Golden Demon certainly isn't the be-all and end-all of competitive painting, and I've been enjoying taking models to other shows around Europe (and bringing back medals from them as well!) In all honesty, I probably won't be back to Golden Demon for a while, personally, but I'm absolutely here to support all those entering in the future! Can't wait to see what comes next!

[@SimonTheSorcerer87]

Hey James, loved your Gandalf! I’m trying to find out what other competitions there are around Europe/UK, you mentioned you might compete in some, can you share the competitions please? I’d love to branch out!

[@garysmithson9707]

Great video Richard. Thanks for giving us a glimpse into such the massive golden daemon entries which we normally wouldn't see. I've been seeing your WIP on Instagram and absolutely loved you entry. 👌

[@demonrich]

Thank you 😊 Time to get going on more entries

[@alexknott1696]

A really great video, very interesting listening indeed. Lots of little bits I hadn't know as well, especially about the open comp. This was the first comp I'd ever entered and I was ecstatic with my finalist pin. Your advice on just entering and seeing is 100% correct, I cant wait for the next one. P.S loved the Vampires 🧛‍♂️

[@demonrich]

Thank you! And congratulations on your finalist pin. The standard is so high now that many of the finalist pins now would have been competing for trophies a few years ago.

[@alexknott1696]

@Richard Gray thanks. I think one of my biggest takeaways from the entire project was painting a model I was enthusiastic about rather than what I thought was new/popular. I spent far too long messing about with the Killteam Kroot figures and really struggled to find any flow, then 2 weeks before the event, switched to a plague marine in a decaying wood and it all just fell in to place. A lesson learnt I think.

[@akselolsson7576]

Great vid Richard!💥💥💥

[@rickysrealmofcolour]

Woop woop literally just sat down to paint and the notification for this popped up 😊😊

[@demonrich]

I hope you enjoyed it!

[@half_painted_hero]

Hi Richard, great vid and I love the vampires. I only managed to glimpse them through the crowds on the day so it’s great to see some nice images of them. Congrats on the commendation. I entered open this year with 54mm Inquisitor Eisenhorn. The competition was out of this world. Would have loved to have got some feedback whilst I was there but it was just so busy around the cabinets.

[@lukasvalkovic2205]

Your entry looks awesome and you not getting a trophy speaks to the level of competition itself. Thanks for your thoughtful insights.

[@stuartthomas6603]

Great video, and really interesting to hear your opinions on the event. I'd have been terrified of going up on that stage too, but thankfully my little necromancer (in your video at 30:20, front row- dead chuffed you photographed it!) didn't get anywhere so it wasn't an issue I had to deal with 😆 Gitted I didn't get to see your entry in person though, I was really hoping to do so. And congrats on your Commended entry.

[@demonrich]

Thanks Stuart! There is definitely still room for improvement in the display and access of the cabonets!

[@MacReadyness]

Very nice summary of the GDUK'23! I did the Purple and Teal Orruk Bazdrogg in AoS single - happy I got a pin, but sad it didn't make commended. Still wondering if the Lore/IP was a factor 🤔

[@uriance88]

Looking forward to the discussion on your entry (in part because the Askurgan Trueblades have been a "I need to paint those" since they were revealed - and to hear about the stylistic choices behine the colour scheme. (and so I don't feel as bad with my Cado that's going into a contest at my local Warhammer store next month). Can't fathom how they can't take images of every entry - you have to stop to register your entry, woudn't be that hard to have a light box and camera set-up at the registration table and take 1 image of each to post on the site (after all they did post a ridiculous amount of Everchosen images the one time they did it)

[@alanshroue7]

I entered but I had already pulled my model as I didn't make the cut and we were leaving on the Sunday early. I'll definitely be entering again and I have a good idea were I went wrong, plus I want to hang about on the last day to chat to other painters as I defo missed out on that. Till next year

[@demonrich]

I feel like people took their entries out a bit early as there wasn't much time between cut off and the start of the proper judging. I'm sure some pieces got finalist pins after 12pm although I might be wrong.

[@alanshroue7]

@@demonrich i had had it in since early on the Saturday, the staff where really loverly as they said are you sure it not got a sticker. It was still a good experiance and I'll try to enter more categories as well.

[@Wijkert]

29:38 the guys over at MiniatureArt TV, have things figured out quite well. Maybe they can give you some pointer on how to improve your cabinet shots.

[@demonrich]

I can't see any videos that they have recorded of cabinet shots?

[@Wijkert]

@@demonrich Apologies, not sure if they have this time (although I suspect they did and will release them later), but they have great shots of events from last year.

[@Wijkert]

@@demonrich MiniatureArt TV just released their first video I was revering to earlier.

[@mantradox]

Loved your entry, expecting the video about it soon! Can't wait for Dante! Is it going to be here or on richardgraycreations? already bought the mini!!

[@njkf]

34:40 slayer sword winner entry

[@Shelveystudio111]

Amazing I did the tau Taunar titan. 😊

[@demonrich]

Awesome work!

[@TheSixYardBox]

I saw that krieg bust in the open competition, that's a 3D printed model that I've got on file myself and is very readily available, I couldn't believe someone had the cheek to enter that 😂

[@Nahkapukki]

Interesting video and insightful commentary, Richard. I entered an exodite wraithblade (40k single) and the wraithlord jumping off a tree (40k vehicle), the latter of which got a pin. First GD for me, so nothing to compare it to, but read you would/could get feedback on your entrys in previous years. Do you know when this changed?

[@theSimIaingamer]

Thanks for this Richard. I entered three minis; A Lord of Blights, Gothmog on a Warg and an Emperors Children Cataphractii which won me my first pin! I couldn't agree with your comment about 'just enter'. So many people over the weekend say 'I'd like to enter but I don't know if I'm good enough'.

[@demonrich]

Congratulations! It's quite scary to enter I think, but really we are all friendly and its a great experience overall.

[@theSimIaingamer]

@@demonrich That was supposed to say couldn't agree more 🤣 I entered last year for the first time and though the competition and the models were great it's the people I've met that have made it special each time.

[@jamesmaybrick2001]

I clearly missed something, the chaos marine /whire dwarf cover termy, i assume they released that at some point? When was that? If i had known i might have bought it. Also, this was a comment for the algorythm god of the Tubes.

[@demonrich]

You can only get that if you have a warhammer+ subscription.

[@TheSixYardBox]

As someone who is really big in the community and has a good relationship with gw, have you suggested they sort the cabinet lights out? Also maybe mention some of the shelves were dusty which I thought was a bit disrespectful to those that entered

[@demonrich]

I think I have mentioned the lights to various GW employees at every GD I've been to 😂

[@Wijkert]

2:10 yes, it was very busy. Waiting in line for multiple hours is not my thing. Was only willing to do that for the award ceremony.

[@markmorris2207]

It is really nice to see all these models. Thanks for making the video. The lighting at Adepticon Demon is terrible also. Not enough in some places. And one side of the display is backlit because there are huge windows behind it. And the lights are mounted vertically on the sides of the cases so it gets in your eyes. Just from this relatively brief showing, it is obvious that the UK Demon is much better than the US Demon. Frankly, I would rather have Crystal Brush back. Original sculpts and really masterful painting by the Europeans.

[@therealsuheir]

that strike cruiser was nice to see i hope gw brings bfg back

[@demonrich]

I'd love some BFG

[@Wijkert]

6:00 I agree, the lighting was horrible and inconsistent. Was there a time where it was better?

[@demonrich]

It's never really been "good" but it has varied in quality.

[@alexthomas2182]

Do you do commissions rich? Just to a high tabletop standard? Thank you

[@patjames5937]

So if you sculpted a model in zbrush and 3d printed it you could enter it?

[@Heimdall1987]

Yes

[@demonrich]

Yes, although the sculpting would have to be very good.

[@gamedude412]

I loathe judges changing category of entries without asking. I made the model I’ve spend likely 100+ hours of work. I filled out the paperwork and catergory paperwork I know where my model belongs

[@DonCurrywurst]

Same issue with the lighting at adepticon. A lot of incredible miniatures had atrocious lighting. But then again, I do understand that. You have limited space for a huge amount of miniatures and you cant use proper lighting on every individual model.

[@demonrich]

That's true, but it just needs to be less bright. They need some sort of dimmer switch.

[@Bunyip_Studios]

Do you think with the quantity of high quality entries now GW should move away from the 1st 2nd and 3rd format?

[@demonrich]

I quite like the gold, silver and bronze as it's more exciting. I do think they could give a medal or small trophy for commended entries though as really they are all very close in standard.

[@dhxmg]

GWs photo of the single model 40k winner was not good at all, at least I'm assuming so since the photo was rather underwhelming compared to 2nd and 3rd place.

[@Heimdall1987]

40k’s single was a galaxy away from anything else in that category. Not even in the same league. Some of the most incredible painting ever done on a 28mm model.

[@demonrich]

The GW photos give a false impression of the models. Some things look better than they were and some look a lot worse. The painting on the Nurgle marine was amazing, easily the most detailed piece in the competition.

[@dhxmg]

This is what I keep hearing, sadly I don't have the ability to go to England and stand in queue for an entire weekend just to see a model, so I only have the photos to go on. And I'm well aware of how photographing miniatures is painfully difficult, though I do expect GW to do better than most.

[@BarokaiRein]

Wait, that's the lighting people are supposed to use for judging models? That's just atrocious, especially considering how the judges can only spend like few seconds per model when going through cabinets. That explains so much about why certain bloody incredible models don't get placed in GD.

[@WardenOfTerra]

No. That's not true.

[@demonrich]

The proper judging is done in a separate room with proper lighting. It's only the first cut that's done in the cabinets. Models definitely do get missed but it's rare.