The Iron Thistle 2026

The Iron Thistle – Miniature Painting Competition & Hobby Day Whether you're entering your first competition or you're an experienced display painter, The Iron Thistle is a relaxed, community-focused day celebrating every aspect of the miniature painting hobby. Spend the day painting, learning new skills, meeting fellow hobbyists and showcasing your best work in our inaugural painting competition. Included with your ticket Miniature Painting Competition One entry in as many categories as you wish: • Single Miniature (Max 54mm Scale and under 80mm model height) • Large Scale, Bust, Vehicle or Monster • Squad, Diorama or Open • Beginner Every competition entry will receive a professional plain-background photograph, perfect for your portfolio or social media. In addition, after judging is complete, the judges and workshop hosts will be available to you for feedback on your miniatures offering valuable insights to help develop their painting/scuplting skills. Entrants in the Beginner category can also receive constructive feedback to help develop their painting/sculpting. Community Diorama Help create a unique collaborative display by painting a miniature at our hobby stations. This year's scene features brave warriors and peasants battling a fearsome creature from Scottish mythology. Phone Miniature Photography Sessions Join one of two 30-minute sessions and learn how to take better photographs of your miniatures using nothing more than your smartphone and simple household items. Optional Add-ons Painting Workshop (4 Hours) Join @alexpaintstinythings for an in-depth painting workshop. Full details will be announced soon. Sculpting Workshop (4 Hours) Learn sculpting techniques with @requiem__82 in this hands-on workshop. Full details coming soon. BoxArtYourMinis Give your finished miniatures the box-art treatment with professionally staged photography, placing your painted models into realistic scenes that look ready to appear on the front of a games store box. More than a competition The Iron Thistle is designed to bring together miniature painters of all experience levels in a welcoming and inspiring environment. Whether you're competing, taking a workshop, contributing to the community project or simply enjoying the day with fellow hobbyists, we hope you'll leave with new skills, new friends and plenty of inspiration.