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Carlie

6,817 posts

Blacksmith

Posted September 11, '08 8:55pm UTC

Hello and welcome!

This is a spin-off of the original GFX Art Battle, but with some updated rules and changes. Please make sure to read the rules before entering, since they have been modified. Good luck, we look forward to seeing some creative artistic entries!

Competition Rules
1. Must be hand drawn, either on paper or in a program. It can then be manipulated in an graphics program. But unoriginal artwork cannot be used as the main focus. Copyrighted images cannot be used. All pieces containing copyrighted images will be disqualified.
2. Submissions must follow the current theme that has been chosen by a moderator for that week. If you submit more than one piece, please clarify which one you would like to be judged.
3. If your image is larger than 600 pixels wide, please provide a link to the image instead of posting it in the forum. Otherwise, the image will be cut off.
4. Artists cannot win in subsequent weeks. You can still submit, but if you won the week before, you cannot get first place again the next week.
5. After the deadline, a moderator will pick the winner, and they will be awarded a 25 AP award.

Hello and welcome! \r\n\r\nThis is a spin-off of the original [url=http://armorgames.com/community/thread/1185080/gfx-art-battles]GFX Art Battle[/url], but with some updated rules and changes. Please make sure to read the rules before entering, since they have been modified. Good luck, we look forward to seeing some creative artistic entries! \r\n\r\n[b]Competition Rules[/b]\r\n1. [i]Must be hand drawn, either on paper or in a program. It can then be manipulated in an graphics program. But unoriginal artwork cannot be used as the main focus. Copyrighted images cannot be used. All pieces containing copyrighted images will be disqualified.[/i]\r\n2. [i]Submissions must follow the current theme that has been chosen by a moderator for that week. If you submit more than one piece, please clarify which one you would like to be judged.[/i]\r\n3. [i]If your image is larger than 600 pixels wide, please provide a link to the image instead of posting it in the forum. Otherwise, the image will be cut off.[/i]\r\n4. [i]Artists cannot win in subsequent weeks. You can still submit, but if you won the week before, you cannot get first place again the next week.[/i]\r\n5. [i]After the deadline, a moderator will pick the winner, and they will be awarded a 25 AP award.[/i]

6,846 Replies

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Cenere

13,656 posts

Jester

Posted January 27, '09 11:13pm UTC

Okay, listen up, Thoad. First of all, all artists get the "hell, I hate my missing ability to draw". Even people who are good at drawing, because THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE BETTER! You are still young, and I think you might lack the rules of anatomy and such. You should start practising that, so you have something to work from. I know many artists older than you, who lack the basics, and you do not get very far without them.
Then begin asking for advice (though it is hard to take critique), and learn from it.

I like the idea of your entry, it is "cool, dude!", but (there is alwaysa but, huh?) you might need to get some better work tools. A basic 0.5 or 0.3 pen to do the outline, and some better colour pencils. I am sure that would help a great deal. Or at least make sure the lineart fits a little better (the black outline of a pen would have fitted better than the pencil one). Pratice basic colouring techniques and a way to make the shadows fluid, merging with the colour (often done by starting out with a light layer of colour, then a darker nuance for the colour harder and harder, then a layer of a lighter colour or white to merge).
And then pratise anatomy.

Okay, listen up, Thoad. First of all, all artists get the "hell, I hate my missing ability to draw". Even people who are good at drawing, because THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE BETTER! You are still young, and I think you might lack the rules of anatomy and such. You should start practising that, so you have something to work from. I know many artists older than you, who lack the basics, and you do not get very far without them.\r\nThen begin asking for advice (though it is hard to take critique), and learn from it. \r\n\r\nI like the idea of your entry, it is "cool, dude!", but (there is alwaysa but, huh?) you might need to get some better work tools. A basic 0.5 or 0.3 pen to do the outline, and some better colour pencils. I am sure that would help a great deal. Or at least make sure the lineart fits a little better (the black outline of a pen would have fitted better than the pencil one). Pratice basic colouring techniques and a way to make the shadows fluid, merging with the colour (often done by starting out with a light layer of colour, then a darker nuance for the colour harder and harder, then a layer of a lighter colour or white to merge).\r\nAnd then pratise anatomy.

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Cenere

13,656 posts

Jester

Posted January 27, '09 11:24pm UTC

*looks at own rant*
Ha! What an idiot.
I hate the fact that little to no people care to read. It is the society of today...

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thoadthetoad

5,634 posts

Peasant

Posted January 27, '09 11:29pm UTC

you might need to get some better work tools. A basic 0.5 or 0.3 pen to do the outline, and some better colour pencils. I am sure that would help a great deal. Or at least make sure the lineart fits a little better (the black outline of a pen would have fitted better than the pencil one). Pratice basic colouring techniques and a way to make the shadows fluid, merging with the colour (often done by starting out with a light layer of colour, then a darker nuance for the colour harder and harder, then a layer of a lighter colour or white to merge).
And then pratise anatomy.

*breaks it down (thx for the critique btw)*

A basic 0.5 or 0.3 pen to do the outline, and some better colour pencils.

I have heard of doing pen on drawings, but for some reason I always thought it made it look like crap because of my terrible inability to draw decent lines without the sketch marks. I have Prismicolor, and I think it has to do with my skill more than my pencils, but the sad part is that I won't be able to get them till August the 17th, because money is probably the tightest it has been in a very long time.

Or at least make sure the lineart fits a little better (the black outline of a pen would have fitted better than the pencil one).

I agree with you, but since I am something of a newbie to the professional art (actual measurments, intermediate shading techniques, etc. I was self taught and my mom is teaching me how to do shading with a colored pencil), I'm not sure what you mean by a 0.5/0.3 pen, all I have are ballpoints and colored sharpies ^^;.

Pratice basic colouring techniques and a way to make the shadows fluid, merging with the colour (often done by starting out with a light layer of colour, then a darker nuance for the colour harder and harder, then a layer of a lighter colour or white to merge).

Like I said, I know maybe 2, and I'm pretty fresh as far as color shading. *looks up "naunce"*
ERROR, did not find "naunce".
yes, I did have a lot of trouble figuring out how to merge the white and black sides of the heart, so that overly made the right side of the picture look utterly flat, so I can see why this didn't get as far as the top 3.

And then pratise anatomy.

Yeah, I have to start doing the "skeleton" thing again. To help show anatomy so I can make it look more...anatomically correct. I, however, don't quite know how to make a heart look anatomically correct, besides the wings though.

thanks for the critique!

Okay, listen up, Thoad. First of all, all artists get the "hell, I hate my missing ability to draw". Even people who are good at drawing, because THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE BETTER! You are still young, and I think you might lack the rules of anatomy and such.

*is a little embarrassed for being whiney and emo*
There's rules to anatomy? I mean, I thought that most things you could make the anatomy from scratch, or at least with original species (I hope o-O).

[quote]you might need to get some better work tools. A basic 0.5 or 0.3 pen to do the outline, and some better colour pencils. I am sure that would help a great deal. Or at least make sure the lineart fits a little better (the black outline of a pen would have fitted better than the pencil one). Pratice basic colouring techniques and a way to make the shadows fluid, merging with the colour (often done by starting out with a light layer of colour, then a darker nuance for the colour harder and harder, then a layer of a lighter colour or white to merge).\r\nAnd then pratise anatomy.[/quote]\r\n*breaks it down (thx for the critique btw)*\r\n[quote]A basic 0.5 or 0.3 pen to do the outline, and some better colour pencils.[/quote]\r\nI have heard of doing pen on drawings, but for some reason I always thought it made it look like crap because of my terrible inability to draw decent lines without the sketch marks. I have Prismicolor, and I think it has to do with my skill more than my pencils, but the sad part is that I won't be able to get them till August the 17th, because money is probably the tightest it has been in a very long time. \r\n[quote]Or at least make sure the lineart fits a little better (the black outline of a pen would have fitted better than the pencil one).[/quote]\r\nI agree with you, but since I am something of a newbie to the professional art (actual measurments, intermediate shading techniques, etc. I was self taught and my mom is teaching me how to do shading with a colored pencil), I'm not sure what you mean by a 0.5/0.3 pen, all I have are ballpoints and colored sharpies ^^;.\r\n[quote]Pratice basic colouring techniques and a way to make the shadows fluid, merging with the colour (often done by starting out with a light layer of colour, then a darker nuance for the colour harder and harder, then a layer of a lighter colour or white to merge).[/quote]\r\nLike I said, I know maybe 2, and I'm pretty fresh as far as color shading. *looks up "naunce"* \r\nERROR, did not find "naunce".\r\nyes, I did have a lot of trouble figuring out how to merge the white and black sides of the heart, so that overly made the right side of the picture look utterly flat, so I can see why this didn't get as far as the top 3.\r\n [quote]And then pratise anatomy.[/quote]\r\nYeah, I have to start doing the "skeleton" thing again. To help show anatomy so I can make it look more...anatomically correct. I, however, don't quite know how to make a heart look anatomically correct, besides the wings though.\r\n\r\n\r\nthanks for the critique!\r\n\r\n[quote]Okay, listen up, Thoad. First of all, all artists get the "hell, I hate my missing ability to draw". Even people who are good at drawing, because THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE BETTER! You are still young, and I think you might lack the rules of anatomy and such.[/quote]\r\n*is a little embarrassed for being whiney and emo*\r\nThere's rules to anatomy? I mean, I thought that most things you could [i]make[/i] the anatomy from scratch, or at least with original species (I hope o-O).

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thoadthetoad

5,634 posts

Peasant

Posted January 27, '09 11:32pm UTC

*looks at main epic fail*
*types in nuance*
oh I see, so using soft shading you mean?
I thought I did that ^^;

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crimsonblade55

5,399 posts

Shepherd

Posted January 27, '09 11:44pm UTC

OK uh sure I come on here and find out its my turn now.So I had this idea in my head for awhile and thought "Lets see what they come up with" so without further torture here it is...

Theme: Culture
Deadline:NEVER!!!!(AKA February 4th at some time Mid-Day Possibly,which is next Wednesday)

OK so I guess I should elaborate on the topic.Culture can be whatever you see fit as culture.This could include artistic values,things concerning literature,Fine tastes in music,or ethnic heritage.I'm not really looking for anything in particular for this theme as I want to see how creative you guys can get with this theme,and see what you can come up with for it.Just for kicks I went ahead and made an example a couple of days ago.(I had this planned out after all)Although I'm not so sure how much it will make sense to you guys.Anyways here is the Example with Sasquatch and all I have to say after that is well...Good Luck with the theme!!!

Example for Theme:
Watercolor Paint, and a Bell Pepper.Enough Said(I hope)

OK uh sure I come on here and find out its my turn now.So I had this idea in my head for awhile and thought "Lets see what they come up with" so without further torture here it is...\r\n\r\n[b]Theme: Culture \r\nDeadline:NEVER!!!!(AKA February 4th at some time Mid-Day Possibly,which is next Wednesday)[/b]\r\n\r\nOK so I guess I should elaborate on the topic.Culture can be whatever you see fit as culture.This could include artistic values,things concerning literature,Fine tastes in music,or ethnic heritage.I'm not really looking for anything in particular for this theme as I want to see how creative you guys can get with this theme,and see what you can come up with for it.Just for kicks I went ahead and made an example a couple of days ago.(I had this planned out after all)Although I'm not so sure how much it will make sense to you guys.Anyways here is the Example with Sasquatch and all I have to say after that is well...Good Luck with the theme!!!\r\n\r\n[b]Example for Theme:\r\nWatercolor Paint, and a Bell Pepper.Enough Said(I hope)[/b]\r\n[img]http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/crimsonblade55/culture.png[/img]

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Zophia

9,424 posts

Scribe

Posted January 27, '09 11:47pm UTC

I'm not sure what you mean by a 0.5/0.3 pen, all I have are ballpoints and colored sharpies ^^;.

Ballpoint pens RULE! you just needa learn to control the pressure and the angle of the strokes, then they probably classify as one of the most versatile drawing tools in existence.

I, however, don't quite know how to make a heart look anatomically correct, besides the wings though.

Lol. No, symbol hearts are difficult to make anatomically correct. X)

*is a little embarrassed for being whiney and emo*

Aw, don't be. It happens.

There's rules to anatomy? I mean, I thought that most things you could make the anatomy from scratch, or at least with original species (I hope o-O).

You can, but if the "rules" aren't followed, it doesn't look alive.

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Cenere

13,656 posts

Jester

Posted January 27, '09 11:49pm UTC

I have a saying (that is smacked into my head a couple of times every time I draw) "You have to know the rules to break them".
Basically you need to be able to draw something realistic to do something cartoony or made up. A good way of learning is by looking at yourself (or have an annoying fascination of shadows > &gt
Stuff like that. Your Nerg should end up looking more real, when the boundaries of (a) reality binds him.

On the pen issue: A 0.5 pen is a black pen (used for inking or caligraphy), because ballpoints usually suck butt, when you are making a good outline you need to colour.

Yes, softshading. SOmehow it seem harder when you have more than one colour to use. I had a course in mind, but I dropped it again, because I made the MWT. Might end up trying again. (just how colours are used).

Prisma being... ? Well, everything darker can be used... I would recommend that you start practising on stable lineart, though even good artists end up with a little shaking.

*is a little embarrassed for being whiney and emo*

You have no idea how many times I have been going "Oh God, I will never be able to draw that or that, because I really suck at this, and I cannot even draw a simple (something), I will never draw again ever!"... Just think of how my younger sister feels.. She is a decent artist, but I am better (due to agedifference)...
But pratice makes better. Just look at the "COUGH"-drawing. Better than some of my other crap... Though still crappy. But not crappy enough to keep me from being just a little proud of myself.
And you should be too. Be proud of actually finishing a drawing, og get an idea down on paper before it slips your mind. Little stuff like that.

*fails to continue due to heavy a** migraine*

I have a saying (that is smacked into my head a couple of times every time I draw) "You have to know the rules to break them".\r\nBasically you need to be able to draw something realistic to do something cartoony or made up. A good way of learning is by looking at yourself (or have an annoying fascination of shadows > >)\r\nStuff like that. Your Nerg should end up looking more real, when the boundaries of (a) reality binds him.\r\n\r\nOn the pen issue: A 0.5 pen is a black pen (used for inking or caligraphy), because ballpoints usually suck butt, when you are making a good outline you need to colour. \r\n\r\nYes, softshading. SOmehow it seem harder when you have more than one colour to use. I had a course in mind, but I dropped it again, because I made the MWT. Might end up trying again. (just how colours are used).\r\n\r\nPrisma being... ? Well, everything darker can be used... I would recommend that you start practising on stable lineart, though even good artists end up with a little shaking. \r\n\r\n [quote]*is a little embarrassed for being whiney and emo*[/quote]\r\nYou have no idea how many times I have been going "Oh God, I will never be able to draw that or that, because I really suck at this, and I cannot even draw a simple (something), I will never draw again ever!"... Just think of how my younger sister feels.. She is a decent artist, but I am better (due to agedifference)... \r\nBut pratice makes better. Just look at the "COUGH"-drawing. Better than some of my other crap... Though still crappy. But not crappy enough to keep me from being just a little proud of myself.\r\nAnd you should be too. Be proud of actually finishing a drawing, og get an idea down on paper before it slips your mind. Little stuff like that.\r\n\r\n*fails to continue due to heavy a** migraine*

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thoadthetoad

5,634 posts

Peasant

Posted January 28, '09 1:19am UTC

And you should be too. Be proud of actually finishing a drawing, og get an idea down on paper before it slips your mind. Little stuff like that

maybe I should stop throwing away the 100's of drawings, doodles, and utter chaotic crap.
...
*goes back in emo corner for no real reason*

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Gantic

11,889 posts

King

Posted January 28, '09 1:45am UTC

Darn. I was going to do what tuna did but it was too... what's the word... corny! Corny enough it's a pun I would touch, but it's so corny that it's funny.

[quote]Oh well, fail at winning because of too many symbols (the thing Gantic seem to win on).

Not really.[/quote]
I don't win through symbolism. I've won through touching upon art style/theory. Repetition of a repeated pattern based on my username. Lines to form fruit. No symbolism there. Not entirely loaded.

I always hated awards that made people feel special and non left out. Misses it's meaning.

I hate that too. There's a whole world of cynics and realist (which for the purposes of this example are mutually exclusive) out there that hate it, too.

---
In contrast (or perhaps in supplement) to technique, one may learn to draw better through imitation, that is the mindset of "How would so-and-so do it?" I've obviously been bs-ing my way through the entire comp. I've never used GIMP before my first entry.
With hand drawn pictures, calligraphy, writing, any for of art out there, having some examples readily available is rather helpful reference when you want to do something like what someone else did.

Darn. I was going to do what tuna did but it was too... what's the word... corny! Corny enough it's a pun I would touch, but it's so corny that it's funny.\r\n\r\n[quote][quote]Oh well, fail at winning because of too many symbols (the thing Gantic seem to win on).[/quote]\r\n\r\nNot really.[/quote]\r\nI don't win through symbolism. I've won through touching upon art style/theory. Repetition of a repeated pattern based on my username. Lines to form fruit. No symbolism there. Not entirely loaded.\r\n\r\n[quote]I always hated awards that made people feel special and non left out. Misses it's meaning.[/quote]\r\nI hate that too. There's a whole world of cynics [i]and[/i] realist (which for the purposes of this example are mutually exclusive) out there that hate it, too.\r\n\r\n---\r\nIn contrast (or perhaps in supplement) to technique, one may learn to draw better through imitation, that is the mindset of "How would so-and-so do it?" I've obviously been bs-ing my way through the entire comp. I've never used GIMP before my first entry.\r\nWith hand drawn pictures, calligraphy, writing, any for of art out there, having some examples readily available is rather helpful reference when you want to do something like what someone else did.

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Zophia

9,424 posts

Scribe

Posted January 28, '09 2:06am UTC

Darn. I was going to do what tuna did but it was too... what's the word... corny! Corny enough it's a pun I would touch, but it's so corny that it's funny.

Exactly. Or... It's so simple and full of "why have I never seen that joke before" to me. And it still makes me smile~

[quote]I always hated awards that made people feel special and non left out. Misses it's meaning.

I hate that too. There's a whole world of cynics and realist (which for the purposes of this example are mutually exclusive) out there that hate it, too.[/quote]But... I don't give awards! I categorize just for the fun of doing so. I think thoad's is the only one that can be considered an HM, because he said he didn't want one.

Repetition of a repeated pattern based on my username.

Now that you mention it... What does your username mean?

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thoadthetoad

5,634 posts

Peasant

Posted January 28, '09 3:19am UTC

I think thoad's is the only one that can be considered an HM, because he said he didn't want one

Does not compute.
Error.
Fatal error.
Emo mode - engaged.
Blood levels low.
Water consumption levels, high.
Nah really, I don't really understand how me not wanting the HM makes it an HM...

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Gantic

11,889 posts

King

Posted January 28, '09 6:16am UTC

Now that you mention it... What does your username mean?

Kant + Antic

Obvious innit? It wouldn't be Kantic.

The Son of Sasquatch

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/blackcairn/AG/TheSonofSasquatch.jpg

Magritte. What have I done?!?!

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Strop

10,816 posts

Bard

Posted January 28, '09 9:34am UTC

*pops head in*

Culture eh? I should do a Chinese New Year entry.

But I don't have the time.

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Strop

10,816 posts

Bard

Posted January 28, '09 9:40am UTC

I have a saying (that is smacked into my head a couple of times every time I draw) "You have to know the rules to break them".

Quote for truth. It took me a few years of drawing picture-'erfect' bodies to know how to start drawing variations of them convincingly. As for which, learn. Use every facet of your knowledge to your advantage.

In contrast (or perhaps in supplement) to technique, one may learn to draw better through imitation, that is the mindset of "How would so-and-so do it?"

This actually helps me understand how I judged the contest better myself.

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Cholokid

1,667 posts

Shepherd

Posted January 28, '09 4:38pm UTC

Strop!!!!!!!!!

Ahhh!!!! I don't know if I'm making a big deal of your post for no reason! I'm pretty sure I am, but AH!!!!

*headdesk*

I'm hopefully getting my tablet tomorrow, or Friday. Maybe over the weekend. Anyway, I will finally be able to unleash my true art ability! Oh, I'm a lefty and have been cursed to draw with a right handed mouse sense... forever. So I will be maharajah.

To sum it up, I will be entering. Yay.

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