Beyond your imagination 2 - Astronaut Challenge 2025

ABOUT THE CHALLENGE

The Massive Voodoo Astronaut Challenge "Beyond your Imagination", launched in 2020 by Roman Lappat, Josua Lai, the Massive Voodoo Team and our main partner MrLee'sMinis, invited artists to create imaginative dioramas featuring a 15mm astronaut miniature, concepted by Roman. Sculpted by Momo Pügerl, the tiny figure inspired over 270 creative entries. The challenge celebrated artistic creativity and community spirit. Now five years later we'd like to welcome you to the second round: feel invited to take part in "Beyond your imagination 2".

The main force behind this challenge is Roman, yet not without the great help of good friends and collaborating partners. Consider supporting Roman in his endeavours to bring more joy to the miniature world by learning with him on Patreon, his eBooks, on YouTube, on his Workshops and/or consider making original miniature art or an Artprint of Miniatures or his Illustrations part of your home's collection. Arigato!

RULES - HOW TO ENTER

• To enter your entries use this registration form.
  Log in to begin uploading your images and managing your entries. Before proceeding, please ensure you’ve read all the rules and information provided.
  Many thanks to "The Golden Demon Compendium" for helping us with the online gallery. Please read our specific "Terms & Conditions" for this particular Challenge.
   
• The final date for submissions is Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 11:59 PM CET.
  With reason we picked such a long time period for this - not annually - challenge. We want you to create without rush and answer as many Astronaut calls you might hear.

YOUR TASK & RULES

• Go crazy, be wild, brave and free. You can build dioramas, single bases, connect with other figures of every scale, add a gang of astronauts to your story and see no limitation in size or else whatsoever. 
  You are also allowed to convert the Astronaut. 
   
• One strict rule: The tiny Astronaut has to be involved at least once. Or in terms of MiA (Missing in Action) ones: obvious parts of it.
   
• Be creative. Tell us your story to what far away planet, crazy situation or miracle your astronaut travels and encounters.
   
• You can take part with as many entries as you like, no limitation in numbers. If you have great ideas you can win multiple times.
   
• In case: The rules do not state a scale restriction at all. Use your astronauts in every scale and build in every scale you enjoy. We do recommend sticking with the provided 15mm as this is most of the fun, but we understand that for some ideas you might need them larger or smaller.
   

OPEN FORMAT COMPETITION

• This is an Open Format Miniature Painting Competition:
  It means that recognition goes beyond the conventional Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards, offering the flexibility to present as many awards as needed at each level. This means that multiple Gold, Silver and Bronze awards can be given, depending on the quality in the field of entries. This contest has three levels: Standard, Master and "Out of Competition".
   
• Medals will be delivered digital and are available for your personal use only. 
   
• There will be a random prize pool, raffled among all participants (each individual can only win one raffled prize, no matter their number of entries). 
  More information on prizes below. If you - as a company or private person - want to add something to the prize pool too contact us.

LEVELS

• Standard: This category is ideal for miniature painters who are stepping into their first painting competition, or those who've entered before but haven’t had the opportunity to win yet. It's a great choice for anyone who's excited to compete, even if just for the experience, and might be looking forward to taking home their very first prize.
   
• Master: This category is designed for seasoned painters. Maybe you've already claimed victory in painting competitions or earned a few top spots. Or perhaps you simply stand out in your painting community. If you're an expert in the craft, the Masters Level offers a chance to gain even greater recognition—and the prestige of taking home a medal from this high-level competition.
   
• Out of Competiton: For everyone who wants to enter, but not compete. Also judges can enter their own projects and be part of the gallery.
   

BEST OF PRIZES

Alongside the Gold, Silver, and Bronze the following special individual awards will also be presented: 

• Best in Show: 
  Awarded to one entry, who is the best of all entries in the eyes of the judging panel.
   
• Creativity Award: 
  Recognizing outstanding creativity alongside exceptional painting.
• Best Astronaut Paintjob: 
  Recognizing the best paintjob on a single astronaut (can be part of a diorama)
• Humour Award: 
  Awarded to the most funniest entry.
• Horror Award: 
  Awarded to the project that creates the most intense, grim horror vibes.
• Love Award: 
  Awarded to the project that radiates the most love.
• Best Storytelling Award: 
  For the best, most intense spot-on storytelling.
• Best Base Award: 
  For the most impressive base design.
• Quantity Award: 
  Awarded to the person who enters the highest number of entries.
• Darwin Award: 
  Awarded to the best presented missing in action aka dead astronaut. 
   

NEW ASTRONAUTS?

Some people asked us, if there will be new Astronauts sculpts: For a long time we thought about creating something completly new, but no new idea was able to challenge the creative freedom the astronaut offers. We agreed on that a new style or new characters to the astronauts would have not added anything to the core of the challenge. No change was needed, just another editition with the classic miniatures. We do not see the fear of this being boring as the Astronauts will invite your creativity and imagination to travel with them. Listen to them!

GET YOUR ASTRONAUTS

• You can get your physical astronaut prints in the highest quality via HonourGuard on Etsy alongside many other, beautiful hobby gems.
   
• Get your own STL files via Roman's Etsy shop and print yourself with a personal license for private use.

FAQ

• Can I show Work in Progress photos?
  Yes.
• Can I enter other Competitions with my astronaut before or after this challenge is over?
  Yes. Do it. Bring them on everywhere!
• After sending my entry to you do I have to wait to show it elsewhere until the official challenge is over? 
  No. You can show it right away!
• Can I enter old Astronaut works?
  Not if the project took part in the first Challenge in 2020. Beside that you can also enter projects that you created during the last 5 years.
• Are there any restrictions in base size, backdrops or else?
  No, not at all.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Our competition celebrates the passion and creativity behind every Astronaut project. We honor the dedication and heart that each artist puts into their work, regardless of skill level. Entries will be judged on the following:

• Quality of Paintjob
• Creativity and Originality
• Passion, Soul, Overall Excellence
  
   

Quality of Paintjob

How senseful your painting is. Means, how readable you make your intentions and your style on your paintjob. Means, how you transport information of different volumes, a variety of different material in light and shadow, how you place your points of interest and focus, about the level of senseful detail you create, how you use smooth blends and intentional brushstrokes alike in a senseful manner, how you demonstrate your own language/style as a miniature painter and make it all readable for the viewer's eye and how much impact you create with a combination of this all. Key is your intension, the idea's readability and the overall impact.

Creativity and Originality

Unique concepts and ideas, color choices, and designs that makes the journey of your Astronaut readable. Engaging basing and storytelling are also considered.

We’re looking for more than skill—we’re looking for heart and vision. Let your passion shine!

Passion, Soul, Overall Excellence

Pieces that show care, effort, and a personal connection. Does it tell a story or evoke emotion? Overall Excellence, means how well all the elements work together to create inspiring final piece. 

Do not forget to take good photos. We are judging your entry on your photos.
Please use the internet to find "tips on how to take better photos of my miniatures".

Information

This judging panel is wisely selected by Roman to gather not only technical painters, yet also very creative individuals who on their own terms set new bars of creativity and story-telling in the miniatures community. Judges are allowed to enter in this challenge too via the category "Out of Competition". They are all excluded from winning any prizes or medals.

Josua Lai

Josua Lai, from Switzerland, grabs attention with his exquisite environmental scenes. Creating small and perfectly - formed slices of worlds – both real and imagined – is his signature look, and his work brilliantly conveys the emotions behind the moments he captures. Find Josua on Instagram.

Jamie Foster

Jamie Foster, award winning artist from the UK and professional teacher of ~15 years. His artistic aims are to combine the worlds of miniature and fine art, creating colourful and expressive pieces that blur the lines between 2- and 3-dimensions. Painter, of things miniature, and otherwise. His artistic ikigai: bringing together the worlds of fine and miniature art. Find Jamie on Instagram.

Jakob Villien

Jakob Villien is a multi-award winning miniature artist, a really nice guy from Denmark and former creative mastermind at Nordly's Miniatures. Well known for his creative approaches and lovely creations his work fascinates with story-telling in composition and color. He is a master in the use of oil colors. Find Jakob on Instagram.

Oliver Späth

Oliver Späth is a german miniature painter and diorama builder from Germany. Passionate about painting miniatures since 2002 he has honed his skills, creating intricate dioramas and miniature art pieces. Oliver succesfully runs a printing and 3D Sculpt shop called "Honour Guard" too. His diverse portfolio and active engagement with the miniature painting community have made him a respected figure in the field. Find Oliver on Instagram.

Roman Lappat

Roman Lappat, from Germany, is one of the most renowned miniatures artists and  experienced mentors in the miniatures world. With the heart of a true artist, he approaches his many and varied creations with an incredible passion. Roman lights the way for other artists who aspire to new creative heights. Roman's creativity, his emotional approach, strong story-telling, and his impactful, characterful brushstrokes help him to always take his art a bit further. Find Roman on Instagram.