Caemgen

Z - your still shooting out great works... Well done! And not that I am complaining but you don't have to do every topic

Bah humbug, this is just amateur night anyways...

I'll either be online, sleeping or rearranging furniture. But you youngins have fun and be safe... Remember to wrap that rascal and call a cab for a safe getaway...

I think he has one? But he should put his arts up there and give us a linky link!

http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...d/Alpha%20new/
http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...Caemgen%20new/
http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c1.../Fenian%20new/



You know you can tackle any of those you want. By all means, try to give art to the artless first, I've been feeding my need for it quite fine... but there's no way I wasn't going to toss my hat into the ring just in case you had a yearning, urging, burning desire to draw one of these three.


(And if you do have a yearning, urging, burning anything.. See a doctor!)


By the by, I'm not really into the resolutions thing. Mainly because I am perfect and need to make no changes... either that or I'm too lazy and complacent to try. I forget which. Anyway, the point is I am really glad to see you make this one... You have mad talent brother, you really should put it to use!

ARRRRRRRRRGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

I literally just spent an hour quoting entries, writing out long, witty, amusng replies/responses (well, long anyway) and lost it all when I tried to delete one of CR's pictures from the quote...

DARN YOU CR! DARN YOU TO HECK!!!!

*sigh* Ok, I am NOT going to go back and rewrite everything all over again... Sorry, I really wanted to thank everyone for ideas where appropriate, explain why I didn't think the idea would work where that was, and generally ramble on...

But I will touch on a few points:

Fenian

• Quite a few people suggested cheesecake / sexpot pics of her. While I am all for these type of pics (Have you seen the latest arts Katfood got? Yowza! Nice!) these aren't really what I'm going for with Fen. I purposely gave her the smallest chest the game allows... I see her as more cute than bombshell sexy. Personally I like cute way more anyway... But I more want the hotness of Fen to come out secondary rather than be the centerpiece of the pic. Nothing wrong at all with the other way... Not at all! But in the backstory I will eventually write for her, Fenian did that kind of thing and more to survive... And she's not ashamed of it at all but at the same time it's not who she is anymore. It also explains why she has a huge hate on for the Family... I really need to get around to writing that.
• Jophiel's floating book suggestion - Fenian doesn't willingly study. She could probably be a world class mage if she studied, incorporated ritual and talismans, etc... But she doesn't want to be too powerful... she also doesn't want to study! Also had just hit up Wassy with almost the opposite pic - Fenian sitting and studying a magic book and looking very unhappy about it So, great idea just the wrong slant on it
• EnnVee's pose for Fenian - Love it and will definitely steal/ use eventually
• Katfood's Fenian getting drunk idea - There is a team up pic with Fen in a bar in the works... Close enough?
• Powerstream's wagging finger idea - Talking to the artist he thought it would be difficult to incorporate with the other elements otherwise I would have included this
• Red Valkyrja's (hope I spelld that right, too lazy to check, sorry) idea of defeated thugs being seen by the glow of Fen's powers - I like this idea... but if I do use sometime I think I'll simplify it a bit and just have Fenian holding up a charged/electrified fist to provide light as she makes her way through one of CoT's tunnels or such...

Alpha

• Vivace's Alpha going to Nova form - While Alpha's latest incarnation is a Peacebringer I don't think of him as being Kheldian (is that right? I'm new to these guys) but rather I just think the powerset works well with the powered armor idea. Plus I like being able to fly off the bat!
• Powersrteam and the giant stone Crey Industries sign - Err, does this exist in game? I can't recall seeing it at all. Where is it??? I do really like the idea of his destroying that sign!
• Starwind's Alpha dragging foe being him idea - A classic and something I really should have done eventually!
• A bunch of ideas for Alpha out of his armor - This is a side I definitely want to explore more... I've got one imagine in mind specifically I am just trying to decide on who the right artist for it is - Alpha in his apartment, wearing nothing but boxers, leaning against the front window... I see his bionic arm pressed across the window, his head kind of down and resting on it. Behind him, kind of looming over one shoulder, is his armor - The individual pieces all justa bit crooked to show it's empty. Kind of give the idea that the armor is always with him, kind of haunting him. After reading Kai's idea of him hunting up evidence on Malfearance (that's the villian that killed his fiancee) I think I'll add a newspaper in his good arm, him holding it at his side, it almost slipping from his fingers... The headline something about Malfearance Kills Again or some such - Done right I think this could be a very powerful piece.

Caemgen

• Beefcake picture of Caemgen? Seriously??? I didn't think he'd be the type people would want sexy pics of... And personally, I'm not really looking for sexy pics of guys! But it seems the demand is there... I just may have to have one of these done eventually just to make the audience happy... lol
• Ordinary life scenes... Definitely something I want to explore a bit. However, my take would be more about how no matter how much he tries is life isn't ordinary... Like him shopping in a supermarket and some little kid all bug eyed staring at him, maybe pulling on the hem of his mothers skirt while pointing... The mother trying to discreetly pull him away.. Caemgen being embarassed and ashamed over the whole thing. Or maybe Caemgen having a perfectly good bed that he never has to make because he sleeps hanging frm the rafters? (Not sure he does... toyed with the idea but *shrug*) But even if he does sleep in a bed, he can't sleep on his back - Damn pesky wings... Shame too considering women really belong on top!

Anyway, that should cover most of the ideas... At least the broader based ones.

I really want to thank everyone who participated. You all triggered some cool ideas and things to think about even if I didn't pick any of the suggestions exactly.

Was glad I could finally make one of these runs... Usually I'm just seeing the occasioanl very late nighter or early morning person, nice to see a large group... If only I could take off work more often *sigh*

The problem I see with a point system is the one that has been stated, it would be possible for someone to get far enough ahead so that the could coast into the win, or at least the finals.

A problem I see with eliminations each month is that we don't know the number of entrants yet and don't know how many will drop out which could result in 10 people left for the finals or not having enough people to make it that far... (I think TA solved this by having some months with no eliminations or counting those who didn't submit as the eliminated?)

Frankly without a set number of entrants and gaurantees they will compete each month I don't think any system is going to work perfectly. I think Wassy will have to adapt and adjust as things go on... One of the perks of running things I guess


I do like 1st, 2nd and 3rd being recognized each month... Sure you could have counted all the votes to see where you ended up each month but recognition is good for ego's and we all know how fickle and shallow artists are

I also like eliminations. They are harsh but they are also motivating. I think combining eliminations with the idea of a mid season return being possible would be a great idea... Heck, I'd even enjoy it if 1 person was eliminated each month but part way through (4 months? 6? Whatever) those eliminated could once again submit pieces and there would be two votes: The first for who won that month out of those still in the competition and those who won the month out of those eliminated - The eliminated winner wins their way back into the contest. You could do this every month so that people have a reason to keep trying...

I would probably have some rule though that an elimination on any month eliminated you from being the overall champion. I would hate to see someone who was in the top 1 or 2 each month lose the championship on the final month to someone who narrowly won their way back in but then had one final masterpiece work. Seems a bit unfair...


I would really suggest one or two "free passes" for every entrant which would allow them to skip a month. This is a long and time consuming contest and I imagine it's hard for everyone to give it their best each and every month... If they had a chance or two to take a break to catch up with life it might improve the overall quality...

And that's all I have to say about that... for now at least

Great art!

Sweet art... But Juggy doesn't look down for the count quite yet

Thor's Assassin's Network - A Resource is indeed the first place you should start your search. http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=193630 This contains many, many artists of varying styles and the vast majority should be open for commision... Things change and it's impossible to keep totally up to date so not all will be.

A quick look on the first page of that thread and I see at least half a dozen people who look like they could probably fit into your no anime, no comic-booky and no porny requirements. But furthermore, you should keep in mind that the thumbnails provided by the artists for that thread are what they believe will be most likely to draw the target audience of that thread to their pages... And let's face it, most people around here are big into comic book like art, anime and being predominately male... Porn to a certain extent or another

I suggest you spend some time going through that thread and checking out the artists whose style appeals to you as well as the artists who you just feel are really talented. Most talented artists can do more than one style - Check out their galleries and see what else they offer.

And don't be too put off if the majority of their art is scantily clad, big breasted warrior chicks... That's just predominately what people are buying. If all else fits your taste, when sending a note inquiring about hiring them note that you are looking for a flat chested girl in a winter coat (if that is what your after) and ask them if they can do that... The artists will most likely be completely honest on whether or not they can pull it off - They want happy customers so they get recommended to others so they'll tell you if they can't do what your looking for.

Besides TA's thread, be sure you have an account on Deviant Art...

This is important because finding an artist you like who is taking commissions RIGHT NOW can be difficult. Your best bet is to add all the artists you like to your Watch List so that when they update their journal saying they are open you will see that and can jump on it... (Sorry if you know this already but others who don't may read this thread...)

If you've searched TA's thread and have watches set up on your favorite artists another tact to take is to check out the favorites list of your favorite artists... Artists who do style X tend to like style X and watch what others who do that style are doing... Sure they will have other styles in their favorites list but you may be suprised what gems you find that way when you didn't even know you were looking for it

OOops... Guess I may be a bit late here.

Amd nope, I didn't pass out! Sheesh! Seems my dear old mother had no problem driving to the casino earlier in the day but apparently the conditions were too bad to drive herself home so I had to go get her... *sigh* The only condition that changed was the sun went down - who would have guessed that???


Anyway, on to the winners...

StormVyxen and ChristopherRobin

Almost everyone had fabulous ideas and on strictly pose alone I was stumped totally who to choose. However, after reading over all the entries again I noticed that these two both nailed one of the opponents I was having in the pics - StormVyxen with Countess Crey appearing in Alpha's pic and CR with the Circle of Thorns going up against Caemgen...

StormVyxen's scene of Alpha holding the defeated Countess is very close to what I finally decided on for his pic...

CR's suggestion that CoT may have something to do with Caemgen being what he is... Well when writing up the svene to have drawn I decided kind of the reverse of what CR suggested - Instead of Cae investigating CoT, they are harassing him, hounding him... But close enough for government work

Sorry, I know I never asked people to pick opponents in this contest and that it was likely the pic would contain only my characters... But again, there were so many good suggestions for poses that I had to come up with some kind of tie breaker.

A very honorable mention goes out to PowerStream for his suggestion containing the image of Fenian waving her finger to warn off someone sneaking up behind her. That had him neck to neck with the above two but I had to whittle away one somehow. Honorable mention also to EnnVee, the Fenian pose you suggested is awesome and I can definitely see myself getting that one in the future. I'll find you some kind of consolation prizes early in the new year for you two...

Thanks to all for participating, there were many great ideas and it was really, really difficult to come up with the final two. I think I said it last time but this is definitely the last non-random contest I am having... being a judge sucks when there are so many great entries.

<--- yep, buffalo game. 'zawright though, Sabres stopped sucking and came back from 3-0 to win 4-3. . I think that extra beer and me yelling "Shooooooooot" helped.


Mm, bout 40 minutes for last minute entries. Post now or no arts gor you!

1st intermission of hockey game, time left to enter is dwindling...

(my team is sucking, thanks for asking...)

Numbers and facts make my brain hurt

Great job on them both, Z - And WELCOME!!!

Quick Update

I'll be closing this contest sometime around 12:59pm Tuesday the 29th (later tonight) and hopefully soon after naming the winners. Winner announcement may be delayed if I drink too much at hockey game but I should be sober enough to do it

Once I post the winners names I'll also send them each a PM on the boards. If you are notified that you won please send me the following via PM asap so I can forward it on to the artist:

• Link or links to reference pics to the character you want drawn.
• Brief description of the pose you are after, if you're picky
• Any other details which may be relevent (ex: I always specify Fenian's bandana should have shamrocks instead of the black dots the game provides.)
• E-mail address the artist can contact you at if they have further questions. It'll be much faster if he can contact you directly rather than going through me but if you happen to not want to provide this for some reason I imagine we can work around it.
• Home address you want the original artwork and the colored print mailed to. If you do not wish to send this through me I can have the artist contact you directly (assuming you provide an email addy) or you can just forgo the actual art if you are that privacy concerned...

Please note: Winners art will only contain one character and I'm a bit unsure as to how much background is included. Most examples included in this sale had very simple or no backgrounds so please keep that in mind when describing pose/scene desired.

Not that it matters for the contest but:

I've already decided on what I'm going to be asking for. This in no way affects the contest or the possible winning of future entries.

Each "scene" I will be asking for includes multiple figures (which I'll be payng extra for) and while one (maybe two?) elements are similiar to suggestions above I think that's mainly coincidental and definitely is not mean any winners have been decided.

I'm finding the suggestions very interesting and there have been several similiar to stuff I have previously considered and several others that I will definitely consider in the future So if you haven't entered yet you should definitely consider doing so... Nothing has been decided and you could very well be a winner!

And sometime after the end of the contest I am going to make a nice long post responding to most suggestions... I've thoughts on most all of them one way or another but I just don't think it right to share until this has ended...

Ok, I HAD to go back and read them all...

Some of the individual episodes were stronger than others but overall it was pretty darn amusing

Some interesting ideas, some amusing ideas and some interestingly amusing ideas But I'm not commenting specifically until at least the contest is over.


One thing I will comment on: The idea is for each of my characters to have a commission to themselves. It's possible I may include a villian or two but I'm not thinking team up between my characters in a single piece...


And lastly, the artist has ok'd a delay so this will run at least 24 hours... but I don't think I'll push it past 48. I'd rather have him working on my arts than catching up on old episodes of M*A*S*H.