The Lead Painters' League Season 7 - Rules

[Overlord]

Lead Adventure Forum proudly presents




LPL7 Rules

Participants

As in LPL6 the maximum number of LPL participants will be limited to 50. The LPL has become increasingly popular, but unfortunately, these large numbers exceed the capacities of the volunteer organisers and cause a huge workload.

We do NOT want to limit participation to those who apply the most quickly. We wish to keep the application process as fair and transparent as possible and specifically want to encourage the prolific/productive painters to participate.

Therefore, to register for participation, you MUST complete the following steps:

1.   All applicants MUST submit THREE newly-painted (previously unpublished) teams in time for the first round.
2.   You may not enter your LPL7 registration pics before Monday 8th April, 19.00 pm GMT. Any earlier entries won't be accepted.
2.   The deadline for the first round is Saturday 13th April 2013, 12.00 noon GMT. Remember, you must submit THREE teams by this date.
3.   You MUST specify which of these THREE teams is to participate in the first round, which in the second, and which in the third.

Should we receive 50 valid applications prior to the date specified above we will immediately put up a notice on the LAF and close the application process.

Therefore, you should get painting immediately!

 
How to enter

All entries must be emailed as jpeg attachments to lpl@leadadventureforum.com and must meet a previously-specified deadline - namely 12.00 GMT on the Saturday before the ensuing round opens on Sunday.

Each entry should consist of an image not exceeding 800x800 pixels. All competitors must resize their own images before submitting them. This means they can be uploaded straight into the competition pages without any work in photoshop. Your images can be smaller than this if you like - but not bigger. If you don’t know how to resize images, please ask someone before the competition gets underway.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Photographic Manipulation by means of software (e.g. The Gimp, Photoshop, etc.)  is NO LONGER ALLOWED. This includes, but is not limited to:
-   The "erasing" of bases/base rims to blend the figures into the terrain;
-   The addition of background imagery, including, but not limited to, blue or cloudy skies, urban panoramas, etc. by electronic means;
-   The addition of graphic elements, such as text banners, "comic book" layouts;
-   Any other computer-generated effects, including, but not limited to, smoke, laser beams, glowing spots etc.

You may, however, use basic functions such as correcting white balance, colour levels, lightness and contrast to improve the faithfulness of your photo. It is, however, preferable to light your models properly in the first place, as this will likely yield the best results.

Please note that the above restrictions do NOT include composite photographs, in which you add some close-ups of figure details you consider important or useful. For example, you may create a picture that has a central main image showing the team, and add a row of detail shots on top or bottom, or on one or both of the sides. Remember that the 800x800 pixel maximum size still applies, and you must keep the collage as simple as possible - so no blending effects, or anything described above.

The image shall speak for itself, as the prime objective is the quality of the figures and NOT your skill with graphics software programmes.

Example:





thanks to Westfalia Chris for the example pics!


Duration

The league will run for a total of 10 rounds, with each round taking one week of real time. The intention is that these rounds will run consecutively over a 10 week period - although we know from past experience that sometimes real life gets in the way. So don’t be too surprised if there is a hiatus of a week or two here or there!


Entries

Participants will enter pictures of their ‘teams’.

A team consists of a number of painted figures - at least five, but more if you wish. The ‘team’ must follow a common and coherent theme. For example, you might enter a cowboy posse, but not Masai led by a Silver Age Superhero or German Fallschirmjägers led by Indiana Jones. Other than that, a ‘team’ might be a ‘posse’, ‘squad’, ‘gang’, ‘group’ or even a ‘regiment’ – the sky’s pretty much the limit.

To recap - at least five figures following a single, distinct theme.
The team must represent a homogenous group - not antagonists from the same period. It's supposed to be a team.

The entry should not be an out-and-out collage of individual pictures, but primarily a ‘group shot’ of the team, in either scenic setting or against a plain backdrop, as you prefer. You may add close-ups or cutaways of small aspects, like faces, equipment, etc. and/or show different angles of the same figures (front and rear view for instance). But the main focus of the image must be on ‘the team’. The bases of each miniature should be in full view in the main photo and not obscured by terrain, scatter, etc.

You are NOT allowed to post pictures of your team elsewhere on the LAF while the team is active in the LPL. You may do so only after that particular team has ceased competing.


Painting

All figures must be completely painted, and all bases must be finished. We ONLY accept pictures of finished models, ‘work in progress’ (WIP) shots are NOT allowed.


Scale

There are no scale restrictions. From 2mm to 120mm and beyond - anything goes.
Of course, the scale should be consistent within the team, although you might enter different teams in different scales, and there might be some leeway for scales within teams (for example including a larger-scale figure as a ‘giant’ in a group of otherwise smaller-scale figures - just make sure all figures follow a consistent theme).


Composition of the Team

The only thing NOT acceptable as part of a team is any type of terrain, which may only be used as a backdrop for your entry.
Other than that, you may enter any assembly of miniatures, including humans, aliens, monsters, animals, robots, vehicles, ships, aircraft, spacecraft etc., or a combination thereof - for example a team of humans and animals or of humans and a vehicle (or multiple vehicles). The ONLY stipulation being that the team must follow a consistent theme.
Note: Mounted figures (i.e. mount and rider) count as one figure for the purposes of the competition. In other words, a team of cavalry must consist of 5 or more horses and riders.


League Tables

All results will be collected in a ‘League Table’, updated after each round to show the prevailing state of the championship.


Matches

In each round, a number of matches will be held. In each match, two randomly-determined participants will face each other, the winner being determined by public vote in a Poll linked to the respective match.

Depending on the number of votes cast, participants receive League Points.


Points

There are four ways of accumulating points in the Lead Painters’ League:

1.   Points for winning, drawing or losing a match
2.   Vote bonus points – the more votes you get, the more points you get
3.   New team bonus points – get extra points for every new team you enter
4.   Theme round bonus points – get points for painting a team to a set theme


1. Points for winning, drawing or losing a match

If the difference between overall votes cast for either competitor is five or less, the match is considered a draw and both participants receive 20 points.

If the difference between votes is six or more, the participant who received more votes is considered the winner and receives 30 points, whereas his opponent, the loser receives 10 points.

However, since it isn´t a knock-out system, losing a round will NOT mean you have to leave the league, just a drop in the league table! If you put on a good show in the following rounds, you may still claw your way back to the top.


2. Vote Bonus Points

In addition to points allocated for winning, drawing or losing, participants also receive ‘vote bonus points’ dependent on the number of votes cast for their entry in any given round.
For this, the total number of votes cast for the participant is divided by 10, the result being the number of vote bonus points the participant receives, ranging from 0 (9 votes or less) to a maximum of 20 (200 votes or more). The voter points will be rounded up if the player receives 5 or more votes. So 15 votes equals 2 voter points, 14 votes - 1 voter point.


3. ‘New Team’ Bonus Points and Replacement Teams

You do NOT have to enter a new team in every new Round, but you are ALLOWED to do so. Note however, that you receive 10 bonus points for every NEWLY-PAINTED (PREVIOUSLY UNPUBLISHED) team you enter.

Again, bonus points will be scored for newly-painted teams - which means previously unpublished ones. In other words, groups of figures which have not been shown before, either here or on other internet forums. You can enter ‘old’ teams if you like - but if they’ve been pictured online or in print before - no bonus points. Please tell us when you send your entry if it’s a ‘new’ team or an ‘old’ one.

In rounds One/Two/Three, bonus points will NOT be earned for entering a newly-painted team in the league because everyone is entering three newly-painted teams into the start of the League.

From Round Four onward, bonus points will be awarded for entering a new team which is newly painted (or previously unpublished)
 
Please also clearly state the name of your team / entry. Please try not to make the titles of teams too long. They all have to be typed in by hand as each match is set up. And there is only a certain field size available for the title of each match. Do us a favour and keep the titles short as you can please  


Withdrawals

Once you've entered three teams and the competition is running, withdrawal from the league part-way through is not permitted. If you decide you no longer want to take an active part (by entering new teams, for instance), that's entirely your decision.

If, for whatever reason, you wish to/are no longer able to provide new teams for the following rounds, please notify us. Also, in this case, please specify which of the teams you submitted previously shall compete in the following rounds to improve variation; if we do not receive such information from you, we will choose a team of yours to compete in a given round to keep the match-ups interesting.


 
Theme Bonus Rounds

Rounds 1, 5 and 10 will be ‘theme bonus rounds’, in which participants may enter teams that follow a previously-determined theme. If they meet the theme, they will be awarded a bonus of "x" points.


Round 1 bonus theme:  HQ Group

Although themed a very open category.  The team should represent some form of command element, distinct from the rank and file troops of a force or army.  Examples might be; Napoleons and Generals, Platoon CO with 2IC, Radio Op & runners, etc.  While some miniatures might well be from the massed ranks, it should be obvious that the group performs a command function.

To qualify for the 10 Bonus Points, paint a team of 5 or more figures.  A nice and easy start to the new season.

 
Round 5 bonus theme: Historical Civil War

This round's bonus theme is to paint one, preferably both, sides of an historical civil war. This should be evident within an historical context, but if in doubt then check with me. (Note: this theme has been amended slightly from the initial contest announcement)

Paint a team of five or more miniatures forming one side in a civil war and gain 10 bonus points.

Paint a team of five or more miniatures and include a second team of five or more miniatures portraying the opposing sides in a civil war, and gain 20 bonus points.


Round 10, grand finale bonus theme: Science Fiction:

Although limited to a single genre, the scope is (hopefully) broad enough to generate a wide range of entries.  Flash Gordon vs Emperor Ming, Stormtroopers vs Ewoks, Tripods vs Victorian soldiers, etc.  The final round has always provided an opportunity to tell a story in a single scene, and this should be a great opportunity to do something special.
 
Paint a team of five or more miniatures with a recognizable connection to science fiction, and gain 10 bonus points.

Paint a team of five or more miniatures with a recognizable connection to science fiction , and include a second team of five or more miniatures portraying their opponents, and gain 20 bonus points.

Paint a team of five or more miniatures with a recognizable connection to science fiction , include a second team portraying their opponents, and include a spaceship, vehicle,  large alien beast, or other creature and gain 30 bonus points. Please make sure we will be able to see the whole ship/vehicle/creature/whatever on the photo of your team.


Bonus Awards Points

These bonus points could be collected during the Season 7:

Round 1  - 10 pts theme bonus " HQ Group"
Round 2  - no bonus
Round 3  - no bonus
Round 4  - 10 pts newly-painted bonus
Round 5  - 10 pts newly-painted bonus, 10/20 pts theme bonus "Civil War"
Round 6  - 10 pts newly-painted bonus
Round 7  - 10 pts newly-painted bonus
Round 8  - 10 pts newly-painted bonus
Round 9  - 10 pts newly-painted bonus
Round 10 - 10 pts newly-painted bonus, 10/20/30 pts theme bonus " Science Fiction "


The Championship Title

After the final round of the league (round 10), the winner will be the participant who collected the greatest number of League Points. Should two participants have scored an equal number of League Points, we will hold ‘paint-offs’ - but probably this will not be necessary.

The first three places will be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze status and will receive a special notation to their LAF account and post info.


Timings, Registration and Deadlines

The first round of the first season will start on Sunday 14th April, 2013.

Entries to any round must be received by 12.00 GMT on the Saturday before the next round opens on Sunday / Monday.

Which means that you have until 12.00 GMT on Saturday 13th April 2013, to get your first three entries in at lpl@leadadventureforum.com

The deadlines for Season Seven will be as follows:

Round 1  - Saturday 13th April
Round 2  - Saturday 13th April
Round 3  - Saturday 13th April
Round 4  - Saturday 4th May
Round 5  - Saturday 11th May
Round 6  - Saturday 18th May
Round 7  - Saturday 25th May
Round 8  - Saturday 1st June
Round 9  - Saturday 8th June
Round 10 - Saturday 15th June

Please also note that if life, work and other commitments get in the way, it's possible that once the competition is up and running, there may be one or two interruptions to the smooth flow of the rounds - which may delay subsequent rounds by a week or two. I'll try to avoid this, but it may become necessary.

PLEASE USE THIS RULES THREAD ONLY FOR QUESTIONS OR CLARIFICATIONS ON THE RULES.
FOR GENERAL COMMENT ON LPL7, PLEASE USE THE GENERAL LPL7 THREAD – http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=51648.0

[Blackwolf]

Excellent,no questions from me

[Hammers]

Paul, I think I need to ask:

In the 2nd bonus round, will a VBCW be considered kosher or is this a too wide an interpretation of "... limited to literature or film & television"?

[Overlord]

Thanks Hammers, I should have realised that rules never survive the first contact with the contestants! 

Its actually a good point I had overlooked.  I am prepared to accept AVBCW as legitimate entries, given that it has become generally seen as a wargaming "period" and might well feature in various lead-mountains (Apologies to those whose opinion differs, no slight intended). 

My stipulation would be that this applies only to the myriad factions as laid down in the AVBCW books (ie a British setting).  I know it can be applied to other countries/settings, but I don't wish to open a complete can of worms that would allow any individual interpretation.

I will amend the rules accordingly.

[Hammers]

Thanks Hammers, I should have realised that rules never survive the first contact with the contestants!  

Its actually a good point I had overlooked.  I am prepared to accept AVBCW as legitimate entries, given that it has become generally seen as a wargaming "period" and might well feature in various lead-mountains (Apologies to those whose opinion differs, no slight intended).  

My stipulation would be that this applies only to the myriad factions as laid down in the AVBCW books (ie a British setting).  I know it can be applied to other countries/settings, but I don't wish to open a complete can of worms that would allow any individual interpretation.

I will amend the rules accordingly.

I would be fine either way, but just as you say, due to the fact that aVBCW is popular the question was bound to be raised. I could see the charm in the challenge of only allowing strictly historical civil wars.

[Centaur_Seducer]

So, if VBC is alright, one could assume that a conflict between the two rival families in the archipelago of the near future would be alright as well?

[Blue in vt]

My question comes from the fantasy side of things...would an established conflict in the Warhammer World be considered acceptable....?

...say for example...dwarfs vs. Chaos dwarfs? (not that I would ever paint any of those... )

Just curious...I'm in either way...Id love an excuse to buy a few ECW figures as well!

Cheers,

Blue

[Argonor]

Should be interesting to follow. 

[Thargor]

Just a little point about the examles you give for Round 10 - It was Flash Gordon that went up against Ming; Buck Rogers fought against many different enemies in comic/radio/TV/Film formats but never Ming.   

[Overlord]

So, if VBC is alright, one could assume that a conflict between the two rival families in the archipelago of the near future would be alright as well?

My question comes from the fantasy side of things...would an established conflict in the Warhammer World be considered acceptable....?

...say for example...dwarfs vs. Chaos dwarfs? (not that I would ever paint any of those... )

"In this case they should be limited to literature or film & television (otherwise any two groups could qualify as opponents in the mind of the painter!)." 

As stated in the rules for Round 5 any non-historical submissions are too easy to shoe-horn into this category.  Regarding "Literature" I will allow forces within formally published rulesets/army lists but, if required, would need the contestant to provide the specific reference to me (Specific, not a generic bunch of post-apoc survivors, to use the above example). 

The point of all three bonus rounds is to paint miniatures within a fixed, though reasonably wide, theme. Those painting historical miniatures are constrained, so should fantasy/sci-fi entries. 

Just a little point about the examles you give for Round 10 - It was Flash Gordon that went up against Ming; Buck Rogers fought against many different enemies in comic/radio/TV/Film formats but never Ming.   

Oops, missed that.  Already edited. Thanks.

[Blue in vt]

thanks for the clarification Overlord...

...and thanks for taking on this daunting task!

Cheers,

Blue

[Dr Mathias]

Should be interesting, I like the bonus themes. The Civil War category is a tough one... initially I thought of doing Quar vs. Quar, but I'm not sure that could be considered a 'Civil War', since they've been fighting for centuries anyway. Is the War of the Roses a civil war (I presume so)? How about the entire Sengoku period of Japan? Tough calls.

I'm going to have to do some reading, and stick with the strict definition of 'civil war' to be safe

On the issue of graphic elements, comic book format etc. I used a thin border, a couple pixels to help visually separate composite pictures in some of my entries in the past. Is that permissible, or not? I can work around it whatever the case, I just want to be clear on it. The graphic designer in me strives for clarity of images

Sorry to be a bother, and thanks for announcing (and running) LPL7.

Edit to Add:
I'm slightly reluctant to use Wiki, but here's a 'list of civil wars' :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_civil_wars

[Pil]

Cool set of bonus rounds! Not being a historical gamer I still have to figure out what to do with the civil war theme. Which brings me to the following question:

Would the Horus Heresy books from GW count as literature? And would it be considered a civil war?

[Overlord]

On the issue of graphic elements, comic book format etc. I used a thin border, a couple pixels to help visually separate composite pictures in some of my entries in the past. Is that permissible, or not? I can work around it whatever the case, I just want to be clear on it. The graphic designer in me strives for clarity of images

Having looked through last years submissions it is permissible to deliniate images by one or more lines in a single colour (Black or white preferably).

Acceptable examples:

Submitted by Frank.


Submitted by Orctrader.

As stated in the rules, no further embellishment is allowed.

[Overlord]

Would the Horus Heresy books from GW count as literature? And would it be considered a civil war?

Given my limited rather knowledge of the subject, I believe it does meet the criteria.