My recent entry for Golden Demon Essen 2024 was a personal learning journey, to say the least. I entered with an Aeldari Autarch, and while the experience was thrilling, there were plenty of things I felt didn’t go as planned, which has given me a lot to reflect on. Watch the video below to hear me talk about them, or read on to read it in blog form!
The video on my Autarch for Golden Demon Essen 2024
The Planning Problem
One of the major takeaways for me was the importance of planning. Initially, I approached the model thinking I had plenty of time to complete it. But the reality of tight deadlines hit hard in the last two weeks before the competition. What started as a leisurely project turned into a rush to get things finished—particularly the back of the cloak and the base. These elements didn’t come together the way I’d envisioned, and I’m convinced the rushed execution detracted from the overall piece.
I realized that many successful competitors plan their entries meticulously, often a year in advance, with clear visions of how the model, base, and scene will come together. In contrast, I found myself trying to polish things up last minute, underestimating the importance of the base in framing the model.
The Base and Its Impact
In earlier Golden Demon competitions, bases were often simple or even irrelevant. But as I noticed at Essen (and previously at Adepticon), the base now plays a critical role in telling the story of the model. Many of the top-placing entries had dramatic dioramas that enhanced the overall presentation, while my Autarch’s base was more of an afterthought—something for the figure to stand on rather than a scene that added to the narrative.
Looking back, I now see how much more I could have done with the base. The stacked stones I used were interesting but didn’t tell the story I wanted, and I definitely didn’t give myself enough time to experiment or improve it.
Rushed Execution vs. Creative Process
The rush to meet the deadline also led to creative compromises. In the final days leading up to Golden Demon, I found myself focusing more on just getting the model finished rather than refining it creatively. For example, the freehand symbol on the back of the cloak—a tiny warp spider symbol—was painted quickly without much thought. It was a rushed addition that didn’t reflect the level of detail I wanted for the piece. I had originally planned to add more intricate freehand details and incorporate other Aeldari symbols, but the deadline didn’t allow for that.
Even the pose of the Autarch was something I regretted not tweaking earlier. While the sweeping pose of the legs looked dynamic, the balance seemed off. I’m planning to completely remove the mace and adjust the figure’s positioning so the model stands more upright, which should make the pose feel more grounded.
Overcoming Setbacks
One of the more stressful setbacks came with the jump pack. I’d planned for it to be interchangeable with the Autarch body, but I hadn’t accounted for the fact that the cloak would block part of the backpack’s fitting. The result? Last-minute adjustments, cutting, and trimming to make it fit—a mistake that could have been avoided with better planning.
At the end of the day, these rushed decisions left me with a piece I wasn’t fully satisfied with. And, as I discovered, when you’re painting for a competition like Golden Demon, every detail counts. If you rush through something, it shows.
Looking Forward: What’s Next?
Despite the challenges, I’m not giving up on my Autarch. I’ve already decided to re-enter the model in a future Golden Demon, but this time I’m taking a more methodical approach. I’m going to completely revamp the base and adjust the pose, ensuring that everything is planned out well in advance. I’ll be incorporating more freehand details, improving the balance of the figure, and giving myself the time to properly execute each part of the model.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that, while it’s tempting to rush to meet a deadline, it’s far more rewarding to take the time to plan and refine every element. Competitions like Golden Demon should be a fun part of the creative process, not a source of stress. By focusing on the painting first and viewing the competition as an addition rather than the goal, I know I’ll be much more satisfied with the final result.
This experience has given me a lot to think about in terms of how I approach future entries. Golden Demon is always a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity to grow as a painter. I’m excited to rework my Autarch and enter again, this time with more thoughtful planning and execution. Stay tuned for updates on the reworked model—there’s a lot more to come!
Tutorials for my Aeldari Autarch
For my Aeldari Autarch entry at Golden Demon Essen 2024, I used a variety of advanced techniques to bring the model to life in a cohesive and visually impactful way. The standout feature is the pearlescent non-metallic metal (NMM) armour, achieved through a combination of stippling and glazing to create smooth, reflective transitions. Adding further depth, I freehanded a spider web design on the jump pack, complete with volumetric highlights and red gems featuring horizon lines to enhance their dimensionality. Meticulous attention was given to blending and glazing across the web and gems for seamless colour transitions. I also incorporated delicate freehand work on the back of the cloak and kept the base simple to keep the focus squarely on the Aeldari itself.
Why not give some of these techniques a try on your own Aeldari (or any model you’re working on)?
How to Paint an Aeldari Autarch (Eldritch Omens)
A series of videos on how I painted my Aeldari Autarch (Eldritch Omens). This includes the pearlescent NMM armour, the soulstones, sword and Death Spinner(s).
How to Paint a Freehand Spider Gem
How to paint a freehand spider gem on a round section of a backpack. The goal is to create a smooth, detailed finish using the right colours, applying stippling and glazing techniques, and ensuring sharp, clean lines in the freehand design.
Spider Web and Gems on the Jump Pack
Moving on from the above tutorial to include freehand spider web designs, volumetric highlights, and painting red gems with horizon lines.
Golden Demon 2024 – My thoughts on the event and videos with awards!
In the video I share my personal experience attending Golden Demon 2024 for the first time in Essen — what it was like navigating the event, the incredible models on display, and my thoughts on everything from the lighting to the judging.
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