Golden Demon is basically the most famous miniature painting competition in the world, and this year it went completely feral (in the best way). It was held at Adepticon, I didn’t go, and now I’ve got that special flavour of sadness that isn’t even FOMO because I genuinely missed out. So instead of us all sitting around being tragic, I did a quick rundown of some of my personal favourite Golden Demon 2024 entries—winners and non-winners—because the overall standard this year felt like it blew every other year out of the water. I talk through paint jobs that set the “Golden Demon standard,” like David Ugolini’s pointillism-style Lord of Huís and his absolutely wild Horus Heresy gold winner, plus the terrifyingly perfect Radicar the Beast by Deos Thenni Zylus. I also gush about narrative basing (yes, I know it’s a painting comp, but the bases were insane), shout out gorgeous warbands, and highlight personal favourites like the old-school Gabs mini and the Scar-Snik & Gobbla piece. Then we get into the Diorama category—James Taro’s forced perspective scene, Benjamin Cantor’s Space Hulk lighting masterpiece—and finally the Slayer Sword winner: Alexandra Dos Santos’ mirrored vampire diorama, complete with a reflection that isn’t a reflection… because vampire. Practice, be proud of your progress, and don’t throw your brushes in the bin.