Every year at Gen Con something amazing happens: miniature painters from all over the world come together to showcase their work and compete for recognition, as well as for $5000 in prizes, at the Formula P3 Grandmaster Painting Competition.

It is up to Ron Kruzie and me to sift through and evaluate the entries and, in the end, choose the ultimate winners. Having competed in miniature painting competitions many times, I’ve known the thrill of victory and the bitterness of defeat. It is with these experiences in mind that I approach judging; it is both an honor and burden to know you have the ability to affect someone else in such a significant way, so it is not a responsibility to be taken lightly. I try my best to make the competition an overwhelmingly positive experience for all the entrants who have poured their time and their hearts into the works on display.

One of the most positive things about the Grandmaster competition is how it allows people to see one other’s work side by side and up close. For the first time we’re now extending that opportunity to the entire Privateer Press community through an online gallery. This is your chance to stop by and see all the great miniatures! I hope you’ll be inspired and I’ll see you at next year’s Formula P3 Grandmaster Painting Competition.

May all your painting be joyous.

—Matt DiPietro

2013 Grandmaster Award Winner by Marike Reimer