Chellsshade In reply to CaptainNorthernSea [2011-10-06 14:32:24 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome nfire:

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Chellsshade In reply to WhiteMink [2011-10-06 14:32:49 +0000 UTC]

YW

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Chellsshade In reply to PirateLotus-Stock [2011-07-08 11:52:41 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

PirateLotus-Stock In reply to Chellsshade [2011-07-08 14:16:31 +0000 UTC]

No problem ^.^ Thanks for entering the contest!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Chellsshade In reply to PirateLotus-Stock [2011-07-08 15:09:17 +0000 UTC]

I hope you won't mind answering a question. Does original art hold more appeal to most DA folk than manipulations? Not that I expected to win by any means but I have noticed that manipulations almost never win contests (unless it IS a manipulation contest) For instance I liked [link] easily as much as the 2nd place winner and quite a bit more than the 3rd.

Not that I am out to win contests but if I am going to work on improving I'm wondering if I should put more effort into drawing over manipulation.

Steve

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

PirateLotus-Stock In reply to Chellsshade [2011-07-08 15:50:13 +0000 UTC]

I also really liked the Mirror one, it was one of my top picks. But I think the short answer to your question is "probably." I think it's easier to create a cohesive-looking and eye-pleasing finished piece when you start from scratch (you don't have to match the lighting/levels/contrast/etc. of the elements because you make them the same to begin with, and the color palate is much easier to control...things like that). I think, also, that a lot of people are in awe of drawing work because they suck (or feel like they do) at drawing. It's just impressive when someone can use their hand (maybe along with their tablet pen, or mouse) and draw something that looks right. I'm certainly speaking for myself, but hopefully I'm covering what other people think as well.

I tried to explain why we chose the winners how we did, but let's see if I can explain more. The second place piece is gorgeous. It's so nice to look at. The color palette is condensed into about 4 colors, the framing is very nice (and unique), the style is solid, and there are references to art history. I'm not sure if Roli's reasons would be exactly the same as mine for loving it, but that's what I think about it.

As for third place, we loved the way that the artist used the stock. They used it as a pose reference, but totally changed the style of the body. It's impressive to us that they could get the right proportions and everything, while making the figure cartoony/anime-ish. That's probably the main reason why we loved that one...they used the stock so well.

I think maybe another part of why drawings tend to appeal more to people than manips is the style. I've mentioned it a couple times already, so this thought just came to me...It's easier to make something that's all in your own style when you start from scratch (or completely paint it over). It's difficult to get that same effect in photomanips.

Now, I'm not saying that photomanips are a lesser art form at all. Hopefully I didn't come across that way, because that's not my intent. I do manips myself sometimes, and it's damn difficult and takes a lot of work. The same amount (or more) of time and effort can easily be spent on a good manip as a good drawing.

Hopefully that answers your question. It's a tough one to answer, especially since I am just one person with one opinion...I do look around this site a lot, though, and those are some of my observations.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Chellsshade In reply to PirateLotus-Stock [2011-07-08 18:13:52 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for your opinion. While obvious no one person could answer for DA collectively I think you are probably spot on. Given the number of contests I've stumbled across and the winners vs contributors, manips really don't fair well.

I hadn't thought about how the lighting and angles could make a manip seem awkward. The sense that an image altered lacks style/originality makes sense too.

Also please don't think I was say that there was anything wrong with the winners you picked. They were both very cool. The Magic Mirror image was brash and dynamic which I prefer.

Thanks again for your thoughts. Hope you have a great weekend.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

PirateLotus-Stock In reply to Chellsshade [2011-07-08 23:15:37 +0000 UTC]

No problem, I understand what you're saying It was a seriously difficult decision, and it's a good thing there were 2 judges. I never would have been able to decide by myself. I'm glad you're not upset, but I must tell you, I really liked your entries. I think I like the Crow one the best out of the three.

Thanks You too

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Chellsshade In reply to SMS00 [2011-07-06 11:44:49 +0000 UTC]

Thanks. I have some ideas that could be cross-group activities. Let me flesh them out and I'll pitch them to you.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1