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<center>| U P D A T E S |</center>

01.02.04 @ 1am EST -
I need to sleep. ~_~. I'll post the winners tomorrow.

I will say, for now:

I've picked 17 "honorable mentions", added one catagory, and tacked on 3rd prizes to four catagories. sweatdrop I'm going to double-check the list tomorrow when I upload all the entries and post the final winners, but that gives you an idea of just how hard this is. D:


01.010.04 - Some last-minute prize changes, because of the entries:

"Most Original" is gone. The 75K originally set aside for this will be added to other prizes and HMs.

I also reserve the right to:

(a) Add a 25K (or more) 3rd place wherever I see fit.
(b) Permit 'ties' for 2nd place where instead of one person getting the 2nd place prize and the other getting the 3rd place prize, both get an equal amount (the average of the two).

I don't know I'll have to do that, but juuuuust in case. XD I'm selling a December '03 and intend to put all the profit into additional prizes. heart

Also, the overall prizes are... most likely going to work like this: The overall winner gets the Oct and subsequently forfits any other major prize the same image is winning; however, the lower three prizes will be in ADDITION to any other prizes won. This is because while the Oct clearly outvalues any other prize (it's worth TWICE the second-highest possible prize, which would be 2nd overall /and/ 1st group combined), the lower three might actually be worth less. (For example, someone might get 200K for 1st prize group, but only 150K for 3rd place overall. So that's not very fair.)


11.28.04 - I've decided to extend the deadline until January 10th. Why? Well, considering most of us are in school and recieve several weeks off in late December/early January, and considering how busy we are BEFORE then... it seems stupid not to. Sorry if this causes problems, but I sware it won't be extended again. u.u;;


11.14.04 - Just some small updates: There are currently 48 entries total, and only two catagories have less than three: Karasu needs two more (I added another reference picture for her, since I know it was needed), and Group needs one more. Were the contest to end today, the Kumi Prize would be split into pieces of 6,250g per picture. <3 And... that's really all I had to say. Keep the entries coming!


10.24.04 - Despite my lack of apperances, I am NOT DEAD!! In fact, I spent the better part of my night selling things so I could have the 2,400,000 pure gold (plus the Oct, Nov, Dec and Jan letters) on me for the future prizes of this contest. I'm so close that I can assume by the time you read this, I'll have it all. (BTW, it's on a secret mule, so don't try hacking this account, as you'll be dissapointed to find... roughly 70g total.)

Anyway, just letting you all know. biggrin SO ENTER THE CONTEST! e_e. I don't want all this to go to waste!


08.24.04 - NEW CATEGORY! I've added the category "Best Multiple Character Picture", which is for any two-character (or more) picture that isn't the Group Image and that isn't Surreal and Twilight. This includes Eclipse/Mizukori, Kimau*/Mizukori, Kaiyu/Kasa, ect. Their profiles generally explain how they can be connected into one image (they hate one another, travel with one another, are friends, ect), so it shouldn't be too hard to figure out. <3 I also (in the Character Profiles post) included a list of characters that each person can be drawn with reasonably, so use that for reference, too.

* Kimau is not mine; he belongs to my friend, Dark Fire Angel. Kimau is the guy that Mizukori travels all over with, but he's also Kaiyu's big brother (Kaiyu doesn't approve of what Mizu/Kimau spend their time doing, if that helps with your picture), so he should be a good addition-- although he's only permitted in this new category, so if you want to draw JUST Kimau, you have to contact Dark Fire Angel for a job. ;3 ((Kim's references are posted below Mizukori & Kaiyu's profiles in the next post.))

<center>| C A T E G O R I E S |</center>

Best Overall Artwork
This category is for the best artwork of the entire contest. This art can come from any of the categories.

Best Miz, Yam, Eclipse, Kai, Kasa, Karasu
The best Mizukori image, the best Yamato image, the best Eclipse image, and so on will each be chosen and each will recieve a prize, as will the second-best for each character. These images are to only have the one character in them... for example, if the best drawn Mizukori happens to be part of a group image, it cannot win here.

Best Original Design
The Sarubasu design that I like the most will be chosen for this winner. This picture can be anything from a rough sketch to a finished product, so long as the design is clear, accurate and original.

Best Couple Picture
Surreal and Twilight are always seen together, as they are the ying and yang of the "materials of which dreams are made". Thus, there is no single Twilight or single Surreal category-- they must be drawn together, and placed here.

Best Multiple Character Picture
This category is for any image containing more than one character that does not qualify as a group picture (see below) or as a Surreal/Twilight picture (see above). For example, images of Mizukori/Eclipse or of Mizukori/Kimau/Kaiyu belong here.

Best Group Picture
This is a group shot of all the characters I roleplay, including myself (Karasu). This image is to include Mizukori, Yamato, Eclipse, Kaiyu, Kasa, Surreal and, again, Karasu (their creator). Twilight, though created by me, is not to be included as my friend roleplays him.

Best Profile-Inspired Picture
Anyone can draw Mizukori looking happy, or Kaiyu sitting peacefully in the grass... but to impress me even more, you have to dig into the character's profiles and draw an image that relates more specifically to them, their likes, their dislikes, whatever. This is a prize that can be won for any image that shows the artist went a little bit further.

Most Amusing Picture
I believe this is self explanatory. :3

Honorable Mention
If there is any random, additional reason that I decide I like your picture, you'll get a little bonus prize; likewise if I like your image a lot, but you don't exactly place high. :3

The "Kumi" Prize
Kumi is Japanese for "team work", and thus it's my way of thanking EVERYONE for contributing to this contest and making it a success. I have a jackpot of gold that, when the contest is over, will be split equally between each entry.

<center>| C H A R A C T E R S |</center>

These are my presently-used original characters. ^o^. They were originally created just so I'd have a set of characters to draw from (since up until then, I just sorta made up people whenever I wanted to draw), but now they're used in a large, private continious roleplay that takes place at my forum, Surreal Twilight. Thus, you'll notice that they all sort of... fit together, one profile referring to the other.


...MIZUKORI

Species: Semi-Anthro (half) Bat Demon
General Personality: Chipper, Optimistic
Weapon: Sword
Full Profile: Click!
References:
Click! (accurate)
Click! (accurate)
Click! (accurate - OPTIONAL wings [though they're a bit too small] and tail shown)
Can Be Drawn With:
Eclipse, Kasa, Kaiyu - [see below]
Kimau - [ref1, ref2, ref3] (( Kimau is her best friend; they travel together, beat up bandits and steal their riches/food, make fools of themselves at karaoke bars, ect. xp ))


...YAMATO

Species: Human
Weapon: Staff
General Personality: Cynical, Laid Back
Full Profile: Click!
References:
Click! (accurate - robes continue to floor; wears black boots underneith)
Click! (accurate - " wink
Can Be Drawn With:
N/A


...ECLIPSE

Species: Semi-Anthro (full) Bat Demon
General Personality: Evil, Angsty
Weapon: Crossbow
Full Profile: Click!
References:
Click! (accurate)
Click! (accurate - uncolored)
Click (accurate - OPTIONAL wings shown [though they're colored a bit light])
Click! (color ref - OPTIONAL wings shown)
Can Be Drawn With:
Mizukori - [see above]


...KAIYU

Species: Semi-Anthro Cat (Angelic Descendant)
General Personality: Peaceful
Weapon: Bow/Arrows
Full Profile: Click!
References:
Click! (accurate - white dress continues to floor; light pink apron continues halfway past knees; wears brown boots underneith)
Can Be Drawn With:
Mizukori, Kasa - [see above/below]
Kimau - [ref1, ref2, ref3] (( Kimau is her big brother. Instead of being a saint like she (and eveyone in their clan) is, he runs off, makes a fool of himself, acts entirely carefree, bullies bandits/steals from them, ect. Thus, whenever he returns home (usually with Mizukori) for a visit, they both get a big ol' lecture from Kaiyu. ))


...KASA

Species: Fairy/Elf
General Personality: Calm, Content
Weapon: N/A
Full Profile: Click!
References:
Click! (accurate - dress continues to floor; no shoes worn)
Can Be Drawn With:
Mizukori, Kaiyu - [see above]



...KARASU

Species: 1/3 Human, 1/3 Wolf, 1/3 Raven
General Personality: Artistic, Geeky, Mizu's Alter-Ego
Weapon: N/A
Full Profile: Click!
References:
Click! (skirt should reach floor; otherwise accurate)
Click! (accurate [the girl] - though skirt should go to floor and feathers should be on the opposite side)
Can Be Drawn With:
Any and all. x3 (Hey, they're all my creations! e.e)



...SURREAL ...& TWILIGHT

Species:
[SURREAL] Semi-Anthro Fox (+ Angel Wings)
[TWILIGHT] Semi-Anthro Dragon
General Personality:
[SURREAL] Hyper, Clever
[TWILIGHT] Grumpy, A Pushover
Full Profiles: Click!
Additional Info:
Created on a whim to take up the role of mascots at my forum, Surry and Twi became roleplayed characters when my friend DA and I randomly... well, roleplayed them. Now they're beloved, so a catagory is dedicated to art with them. Surreal is extremely clever, boarderline sarcasticly innocent, and cheerful. Twilight attempts desperatly to be an evil demonic villian, but this is made impossible by his inability to hold his own against Surry's guilt trips... and his love for her home-baked muffins. Any art involving these two fits into this catagory; the more amusing and/or cute the pose, the better. Romantic-based art is fine.
References:
Click! ([TWILIGHT] accurate ; [SURREAL] accurate)
Click! ([SURREAL] accurate)


...SARUBASU

Species: Semi-Anthro Bat Demon
Weapon: Various
General Personality: Dark, Merciless, Ruthless, Bloodthirsty
Full Profile: ...I'm not lazy. No, really. <_<.;;
Reference Desc:
Sarubasu is the main villian of our roleplay (the one the above characters are all involved in, save the mascots, who merely relate to the forum itself), yet he has no character design! Rather than kill my brain trying to come up with a design that I'd no doubt be horrible at making (older males aren't my thing), I've decided to make this part of my art contest. Sarubasu is the father of Mizukori and Eclipse (among others), and he's pretty much the most sadistic, insane, evil, manipulating b*****d ever born. :p There's just no heart in this guy. XD He's the head of the worst demon clan on the island (our RP takes place on a single, isolated island e.e) and... yah. Besides, "make him look similar to Eclipse and Mizukori, only much older (around 50), worn/torn, and utterly sociopathic," I give full and total reign on his design. :3;; The winner will probably get credit for his final design, since I'll probably use that design, although I also may mix and match from several of the entries and make some weird hybrid design. (Credit, no doubt, will still be given where needed.)

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