The Landscape Contest Extraordinaire

Invertation

Invertation

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2006

Shiverpeaks Search And Rescue [Lost]

W/

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you a contest, the likes of which have not been seen for quite some time. This contest covers many facets of the realm of art, be it focus or style, and is quite open to to the varieties of talents Guru has to offer.

I should like to begin by saying that this contest is intended to give everyone a chance to display their talents. For that sake, I encourage everyone to partake, regardless of experience or competence—There's far less to lose than what you may gain for simply trying.


The Premise
This contest intends to display the ability among many artists that is not commonly seen—the landscape; the environment often abandoned for the glory of the character design. It's time to turn the tables on such thinking, and instead glorify the environment that is oft overlooked.

The theme of this contest will focus around the environment and it's details. This could vary from a vast range of mountains The concepts may be deeply tied to reality, or far as far fetched as your imagination allows. Characters are allowed in a piece, but they should enhance the environment, not the other way around.

It should be noted that while it is nice to see some Guild Wars oriented themes and concepts, you are by no means restricted to that aspect. Feel free to experiment with whatever fits your fancy, or use the subprize categories as starting points.


The Rules
- You may submit as may pieces as you like, HOWEVER, only two submissions may place. In the event both pieces place, the lesser scoring of the two may not receive any higher than Tier 4.

- The piece must be made unique for this contest. Any submissions found to have been made prematurely or for another purpose will be disqualified.

- The work should be your own. Collaborations will not be accepted, and theft is right out.

- Submissions should demonstrate a reasonable degree of effort. To this regard, any submission that looks like it took no more than 5 minutes in MS Paint will be disqualified.

- Submissions must be completed and submitted before March 15, 23:59 GMT. Any submissions after this point in time will not be accepted under any circumstance.


Making a Submission
When submitting a piece, submit your Guru User, the title of your piece, and a link of the completed piece. This will aid in judging and awarding prizes. The format should look similar to the following:

User: Invertation
Title: Amiss in the Jungle
Piece: <url to image here>
Catagories: <list of subprizes submission competes for>

Important things to note:
- All submissions will be entered into the main prize list. If a submission is attempting at a subprize, it must be listed when submitting to qualify.
- While there is no mandate on submitting a progress gallery, the people love to see a piece unfold. All submitted progress galleries will be listed below.
- You may submit as many pieces as you like, but may only place twice. (see rules for details)


Prizes
The prizes for this contest are being offered in a slightly different format than usual, treating a total of 13 participants.
*Note: Prizes may be offered in cash or ecto.

Main
The main category operates on a Tier system, each winner on the same Tier receiving the same level of reward. It can be imagined like a Pyramid in function, expanding as it reaches lower Tiers.

Tier 1 - 1st place (1 winner) - 500k

Tier 2 – 2nd, 3rd place (2 winners) - 250k

Tier 3 – 4th, 5th, 6th place (3 winners) - 100k

Tier 4 – 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th place (7 winners) - 50k

Subprizes
Welcome to the range of other prizes you could earn in addition to the main category.
*Note: Only one winner will be awarded to each of these.

- Canthan New Year – 50k - Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit.

- Traditional Media – 100k -

- Speedpaint – 50k -

- Sci-Fi – 50k -

- Steampunk – 50k -

- Great Outdoors – 50k -

- Jungle – 50k -

- Desert Oasis – 50k -

- Ring of Fire – 50k -


Progress Galleries
Quote:
Death By An Arrow - Charr Homelands Completed Submissions
Quote:
Death By An Arrow
Grothmar Wardowns
Traditional Media

Frozen Ele
Foothills of the Shiverpeaks
Great Outdoors

Frozen Ele
Flowing Waters of the Crystal Desert
Great Outdoors, Desert Oasis

Frozen Ele
Krytan Coast
Great Outdoors, Jungle

Gabby
The Way Nature Intended...?
Speedpaint, Great Outdoors

Zidane888
kralkatorrik

Zidane888
Ascalon

Zidane888
Resting Jungle Dragon

Zidane888
Far Far Away

Tommy
Cave expedition
Jungle

Bleed
Shiverpeak Ridge
Traditional Media, Great Outdoors

Bleed
New Year
Canthan New Year, Traditional Media

Frozen Chips
Wasteland Wanderers
Desert Oasis, Traditional Media

Perynne
Meanwhile in the Shiverpeaks...
Speedpaint, great outdoors

Thistle Xandra
Nature and Industry
speedpaint, scifi

Widowmaker
Night Lights.
Speed paint, Sci-Fi.

Widowmaker
A Tale of Two Cities.
Speed paint, Great Outdoors.

Widowmaker
Enceladus
Speed paint, Sci-Fi

Nemesis-of-the-Gods
The Jade Sea
Traditional Media

Miscellaneous
Judging will be done by an anonymous pool of judges based on a given criteria, where the overall score given for a piece will be averaged.

Any major updates will be posted. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

frostkisses

frostkisses

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2007

Wisconsin

Cerberus Guardians of the [GATE]

E/

I give you credit for coming up with a new idea!
Since we've had a few more people dabbling in backgrounds, I'm excited to see how this will pan out.

Tommy's

Tommy's

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Dec 2006

[Bone]

Mo/

It most certainly will be me, as a starter Looks great Blank, will definatly enter, perhabs even more then once

Perynne

Perynne

Site Contributor

Join Date: Oct 2006

Finland

Runners of the Rose [RR]

R/

Ooooh, this is sounding superawesome. I will most certainly enter! I'm also liking the prize pyramid system, there's a little something for everyone.

If you need any help moderating the thread and putting up Progress Galleries, I volunteer.

reaperguy

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jan 2011

United Jedi (UJ)

A/

Just a quick question
Can you submit photographs or is this restricted to 'self-made' art?

God Amongst Many Mortals

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Feb 2011

WHAT

Rt/A

Good Job! People like you that keep GW interessting! :P

Charlie Dayman

Charlie Dayman

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2009

Trifecta Luminati [TRI]

W/

Neat idea. Gonna' have to pass on this contest as well. Looking forward to the entries though - never really seen a landscape focused contest on these boards.

Eastern Magik

Eastern Magik

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2008

I like the idea, and will probably enter if i find the time between my commissions. I like adding a lot of details on the picture and without characters there to steal most of the attention, i would like to see how that would turn out. XD

It would be nice also to advertise this contest on DA-GWGuru so that more people could enter :3

Invertation

Invertation

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2006

Shiverpeaks Search And Rescue [Lost]

W/

@reaper - I had actually been thinking about this contest being restricted chiefly to 'self made' art, but if there's a good portion of people interested or supporting the idea, I'll devote a few assets to it.

@Magik - Could do. I'll look into doing so later this evening.

Invertation

Invertation

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2006

Shiverpeaks Search And Rescue [Lost]

W/

Sounds good then.

Ravenhawk

Ravenhawk

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Apr 2009

Eon

Me/N

Definitely interested though I've never done a digital landscape painting...But there's a first time in everything.

Oddly enough when I was young all I did was draw rice fields and mountains and waterfalls before I even tried drawing humans..

InfestedHydralisk

InfestedHydralisk

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jan 2007

The Netherlands

None

R/

I think I'm going to add this to my list-to-do-things.

Death By An Arrow

Death By An Arrow

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jul 2009

The Kurzick Mob [Mob]

R/

yay This will be a must for me ^^
I've heard from people that I'm good at landscape type things. whether or not its true... we'll see
dunno which medium to do... sort of hard to do in pencil but we'll see.

Thistle Xandra

Thistle Xandra

Site Contributor

Join Date: Aug 2010

This is such a brilliant and wonderful idea

Lady Kaguya

Lady Kaguya

Academy Page

Join Date: May 2007

D/

I am glad I saw this when I did...I was going to enter a drawing I just recently did of the Tarnished Coast, but I guess it is fair to do a drawing purely for this.

and I agree. more love needs to be given to the landscapes, they are so breathtaking and inspiring.

very excited to get started on this.

Invertation

Invertation

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2006

Shiverpeaks Search And Rescue [Lost]

W/

Good to see all this interest.

Don't forget! I am listing progress galleries in the main post, so link those somewhere along the thread if you'd like those to be listed.

Death By An Arrow

Death By An Arrow

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jul 2009

The Kurzick Mob [Mob]

R/

Alright, lets get this party started.

I dont really see a form, but I thought I'd adapt the already given one

User: Death By An Arrow
Concept: My favourite snapshot of the charr homelands -eber-
Progress Gallery: Here

Medium: Digital Painting

I did a really quick thumbnail sketch this morning;

Its the box and the coloured thing
not the sylvari guardian :x

Invertation

Invertation

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2006

Shiverpeaks Search And Rescue [Lost]

W/

Ahh, that's a pretty good location to work with.

I'll get you updated and in the list then.

Death By An Arrow

Death By An Arrow

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jul 2009

The Kurzick Mob [Mob]

R/

I could post the screenshot im working from but...
not yet; need moar mystery :3

Nemesis-of-the-Gods

Nemesis-of-the-Gods

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Nov 2010

The Mists

Guild Leader of: More than Seven Deadly Sins [Sins]

Rt/

This sounds like a lot of fun and a heck of a great contest! Count me in, if I ever get the time soon! XD
I've already got some ideas for my entry ^^

Death By An Arrow

Death By An Arrow

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jul 2009

The Kurzick Mob [Mob]

R/

-pokes-
i cantwork on my piece until the weekend, so i thought id leave a present.

Epic gallery is epic

if you use one of these, it would be polite to source the website ;p

Nemesis-of-the-Gods

Nemesis-of-the-Gods

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Nov 2010

The Mists

Guild Leader of: More than Seven Deadly Sins [Sins]

Rt/

Ooh that website is amazing! Thanks so much Death. The screen-shots on there are really inspiring, and that totally saves me time because now I don't have to go running around the continents and take my own screen shots XD
Sweetness

I Hope that I can actually start and make a piece for the contest though, I kind of want to do the Jade Sea in watercolors, but I'm not sure yet.

Invertation

Invertation

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2006

Shiverpeaks Search And Rescue [Lost]

W/

Best of luck to you if you do.
I'm under the impression, as observation of contest trends over time would have it be, that many participants will be much later on. Nothing spells efficiency like a deadline that draws ever closer.

Death By An Arrow

Death By An Arrow

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jul 2009

The Kurzick Mob [Mob]

R/

O: sounds quite interesting.
I dunno if I could do the jade sea.. It's far too vast, in the sence of other than things living on it, theres not whole lot else to take up space besides cliff face and more jade.
I like having things in the frame to sort of distract from the vast endlessness; giving something to look at.

If you can find a way to get it to work, though, it should work. Ships or creatures could work for things; unless you've already got ideas.

I'm going to an art supply store (yaey Curry's ) tomorrow so I might pick up some watercolour paper with my new sketchbook. Maybe I'll do a water colour as well as my digital piece. I feel like the charr homelands might be easier to do in watercolour because watercolours have nice soft colours, and the homelands have a nice, soft autumny feel (even though its a raging warzone Dx).

Perhabs something more sharp and defined would be better for digital for me...

Invertation

Invertation

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2006

Shiverpeaks Search And Rescue [Lost]

W/

After a fine donation from Alacrity, the prize list has been modified to the following effect:

-Tier 2 now offers 250k, as opposed to 200.
-Traditional Media (subtheme) now offers 100k, as opposed to 50.

Smilin' Assassin

Smilin' Assassin

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2007

Cantha

Pixies O Wickid Nawtyness [pixy]

A/Me

this contest has Alacrity's seal of approval~!!

am really looking forwards to what you all come up with :}

Death By An Arrow

Death By An Arrow

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jul 2009

The Kurzick Mob [Mob]

R/

Thanks alacrity^^

i suppose when i get art supplies today ill get some watercolour paper O;

Death By An Arrow

Death By An Arrow

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jul 2009

The Kurzick Mob [Mob]

R/

Alright, so I started my piece today. Sorta, it's the sketch.
I also included what my refrence is, so you can see it better. It's drawn in 2H because I drew it on watercolour paper [guess what medium i'm doing now? :P] so it wont be as visible when i paint atop it.


Edit: You may notice I didn't draw in the leaves around the trees. I've been told I make my trees too shapely when I paint the leaves inside a pre-drawn guideline, so I'm just going to eye ball it with my brush instead of my pencil.

Death By An Arrow

Death By An Arrow

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jul 2009

The Kurzick Mob [Mob]

R/

gah... double post. But i guess it's necessary. Wheres all that action D:


Started painting today. I'm only putting in base colours an such here;nothing detailed yet [unless you count the tree, which Ill still work with].
I cant seem to find the right mix for a strong ice blue for the water, as well as a good rock colour. it will deffinatly need to get darker without looking black. The cream colour for the sky shouldnt be too tough, so I'll save it for later.

Perynne

Perynne

Site Contributor

Join Date: Oct 2006

Finland

Runners of the Rose [RR]

R/

That's looking really good so far. Watercolour is a fun medium to work with, especially if you got good paper that doesn't go all crinkly under lots of water.

Can't wait to see more from you! I think I'll start on mine sometime this week (hopefully), so I should be posting progress screens soon too.

Tommy's

Tommy's

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Dec 2006

[Bone]

Mo/

Thats looking great Mr.Redpandavatar, I really like watercoloring.

Here is my first scetch:


Its 2 humans exploring a big cave with an asuran gate inside it. I'm thinking about adding more asuran architecture in it.

Death By An Arrow

Death By An Arrow

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jul 2009

The Kurzick Mob [Mob]

R/

Been sick for a few days, sort of hit the peak last night so I took the day off school. Just more time to work on my painting ^^


So I focused more on the water and the rocks; didn't touch any of the grass. I like the rocks right now, however they need more texture. The rocks near the waterfalls need a darker hue, and I think that will help brighten the waterfall all togethor.

Then I need to work out the bottom right corner; i need it to have an edge instead of this sort of meldy colour mess it is right now.
Depending on how things go I'll then work on shading in the grass.

I apologize for my camera; not only is it blurry but those aren't exactly the colours I'm using. The colours are honestly a lot more rich, but the photo makes them look saturated. (the grass in particular looks like a sickly vomit when in fact it's more the colour of these leaves)

I may have a friend with a nice SLR camera (fancy lens camera), so hopefully I can arrange a way to borrow it/have her photograph it when it's finished.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
@Pery GOGOGOGOGO we need more landscapes
What do you have in mind?

@Tommy I'll have you know that red pandas are the "original" panda, as they were discovered before the more popularly know Giant Panda.

Your layout looks so epic; are the people the blacker squiggles on the left? I fear it might be unbalanced, however. If you look on the right you've got:
The Gate
The Staircase
The close up fungal plants

yet on the left you've got
A large opening.
perhaps moving the plants to the left side could help?

Smilin' Assassin

Smilin' Assassin

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2007

Cantha

Pixies O Wickid Nawtyness [pixy]

A/Me

I recognise that landmark~!
coming along very nicely :}

I think almost all trad stuff looks washed out when scanned; you'd have to adjust saturation after so it matches the original ..
@Invertation, that'd be okay, yes~?

Death By An Arrow

Death By An Arrow

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jul 2009

The Kurzick Mob [Mob]

R/

I was actually in grothmar today and pulled up to this; i took that screenshot so long ago I forgot what exactly it all looked like. O.O

And my friend said she was totally fine with me borrowing her camera for a day. So hopefully I'll have an image that actually resembles what the piece looks like ^^

Invertation

Invertation

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2006

Shiverpeaks Search And Rescue [Lost]

W/

If at all possible, see if you can't scan it. I'm sure it would do wonders for the quality.

And, as far as touch ups, I'd much recommend it, so long as it's within reason (completely subjective). It'd be a shame to let an under or over exposed image ruin the effort you've invested.

Perynne

Perynne

Site Contributor

Join Date: Oct 2006

Finland

Runners of the Rose [RR]

R/

I was thinking of painting Gwen's garden, or some other place in the Norn Lands. I really love the snow and mountain effects there and I've always wanted to paint something similar.

Ravenhawk

Ravenhawk

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Apr 2009

Eon

Me/N

I really like how you painted the rocks so far DBA. Just sad that we can't really see the true colors. I think scanning will help tremendously if the SLR option still doesn't give this beauty justice

Invertation

Invertation

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2006

Shiverpeaks Search And Rescue [Lost]

W/

Less than a month to go and a third of the way through. I hope everyone is making some progress.