Introducing ArcOpen 2025 Judge: Nat Szymczak (@evalaina)

ArcOpen is proud to welcome an incredible talent to the judging panel for 2025: Nat Szymcsak @evalaina. An accomplished painter, passionate instructor, and innovative artist, Nat has already made a lasting mark on the Australian miniature painting community.

Following her Best in Show win at Crimson Brush 2024, she also served as a Masters Judge at the same event earlier this year.

Now, this powerhouse of the Australian miniature display painting scene is bringing her expertise, unique artistic vision, and love for the hobby to ArcOpen!

A Journey Through Colour and Creativity

Nat first stepped into the world of miniature painting in 2016, starting with board games and Warhammer models. A background in design and illustration gives her an edge, allowing Nat to quickly develop a distinctive approach.

It’s the limitless creative possibilities that come with interpreting a single model in different ways - but most of all, the strong and supportive Australian painting community that drives Nat to agree to move into judging this year.

Despite her rapid progression, there was a time when Nat struggled to find her place in the display painting scene. A pivotal moment came when she attended the first Guild’s Inn event - organised by the Sydney Display Painters Guild. It’s here, when surrounded by varied painting styles and traditional ideas of competition painting and having conversations with other artists that really helped Nat realize a crucial lesson:

‘Learning and improving is essential, but make sure to embrace the parts of the hobby that you love.’

Nat’s Crimson Brush Best at Show piece is a masterpiece of miniature painting art.

This epiphany encouraged her to lean into her own unique style, which she describes as bold, colourful, and whimsical, often incorporating intricate freehand work and saturated colour palettes.

From Competitor to Judge

Winning Best in Show at Crimson Brush was a defining moment for Nat. It didn’t change her painting approach so much as reinforce what she already loved - creating vibrant, dynamic pieces that stand out through both technical execution and artistic vision.

Now, as a judge, she will be looking for pieces that demonstrate three key qualities:

Impact - The ability to stand out in a room full of incredible work.

Technical Execution - A mastery of technique that supports the overall concept.

Consistency - An even level of quality across the entire model.

Nat is no stranger to mentoring and teaching, having run workshops at PAX, Crimson Brush, and Guild’s Inn. She loves helping painters step outside their comfort zones, borrow techniques from different artistic mediums, and find their own unique painting style.

Looking Ahead to ArcOpen 2025

When asked about judging at ArcOpen, Nat expressed her excitement about experiencing the work of so many talented painters in person.

She believes events like ArcOpen are vital to the miniature painting community, bringing together artists who are often only connected online. These events foster friendships, mentorships, and a collective drive to improve and push artistic boundaries.

So, what does she hope to see in this year’s competition?

‘I would love to see more people embracing pieces that think outside the box or take the original sculpt and interpret it into something entirely different. It takes planning, consideration, and is a risk in a competition setting - but those are often the most impressive pieces.’

With her fresh perspective, technical expertise, and deep passion for miniature painting, Nat is set to be a phenomenal addition to the ArcOpen 2025 judging panel.