Andrew Buckley brings An Undeniable truth to his role as Judge @ArcOpen 2025

We are excited to welcome Andrew Buckley (@andybuckzart) to the judging panel for ArcOpen 2025!

Andrew is an undeniable force in the Australian miniature painting community, bringing years of experience, competition success, and a passion for fostering the next generation of artists.

He won Best in Show at ArcOpen 2024 and has earned multiple Gold Medals at prestigious events like Crimson Brush and Guild’s Inn. Over the past year, he has shifted his focus from competing to judging and mentoring, sharing his wealth of knowledge with the community.

A Journey Back to Painting

Andrew’s path to competitive miniature painting wasn’t always a straight line.

He first discovered Games Workshop models as a child in England, but it wasn’t until years later that he truly embraced painting.

A defining moment in his journey came just before COVID-19, when a colleague asked him:

‘Are you always going to be involved in the hobby but not paint?’

That question hit home. It was the catalyst that pushed him to fully commit to the craft, refining his skills and seeing how far he could go.

That decision led him to dive deep into competition painting, eventually culminating in his Best in Show win at ArcOpen.

The Philosophy of Excellence

Winning ArcOpen 2024 reshaped Andrew’s approach to painting. Rather than focusing on the competition itself, he embraced the process—creating something he was passionate about without worrying about results. Ironically, that mindset shift led to his biggest success yet.

For Andrew, a winning competition piece comes down to one word: excellence.

“Excellence can be achieved in so many different ways. Some people see it as technical execution, but it’s more than that. A piece can stand out because of its atmosphere, emotion, storytelling, or creativity. Whatever approach you take - be excellent at it.”

This philosophy extends to his work as a judge. Andrew doesn’t want to dictate what painters should bring to the table. Instead, he hopes to see artists pushing their own boundaries, creating work that reflects their unique strengths.

A Passion for the Community

Beyond his personal achievements, Andrew is deeply committed to elevating the Australian painting scene. He believes events like ArcOpen are essential for the growth of the hobby, particularly in Australia, where geographic distances make it harder for painters to connect.

“Australia has some of the best painters in the world, but we’re so spread out. Events like ArcOpen bring us together, letting us share knowledge, inspire each other, and lift the whole community.”

Andrew lives by the philosophy of “one hand up, one hand down - always striving to learn from those ahead of him while helping those still finding their way. His goal isn’t just personal success; it’s about building a stronger, more connected miniature painting scene for everyone.

Looking Ahead to ArcOpen 2025

As a judge for ArcOpen 2025, Andrew is excited to see painters take risks, push their creative boundaries, and pursue excellence in their own way. His journey - from rediscovering his passion for painting to becoming one of Australia’s most respected competitors and mentors - is an inspiration to many.

To those entering this year’s competition, he has one final piece of advice:

“Be undeniable. Give people no reason not to consider you among the best.”

With Andrew Buckley joining the panel, ArcOpen 2025 is set to be an incredible showcase of talent, passion, and artistic excellence.

So get painting, grab your ticket, and prepare to step onto the biggest stage in Victoria - ArcOpen awaits!