Hello everyone. As most of you can tell, this month we don't have a contest listed for the Bi-Monthly Altered Art Contest. This isn't to say that I don't want the contest to exist. On the contrary, I would REALLY like to keep it going, but it seems as though we don't seem to have much interest in the contest.
This is something that I think I have reasoned why.
Most of the people who do alters on cards, do so for two reasons. One, they like to alter cards for their decks and collections or their friends decks and collections. Two, they like to alter cards to post on auction sites or use as trade to gain cards they want.
Both reasons are completely understandable. However, the contest dips into time that one who alters could be working on something for friends, personal use, or an auction. In addition, the contest can be restricting when there's a contest idea or theme at hand.
So my suggestion is this.
The contest will become MONTHLY and the restrictions on output will be much smaller. Example?
An Ice Age block sorcery altered how you would like. All of the entries would be judged upon who makes the best alter.
That's just an example. It's less restricting and could even encourage someone who uses their alters for auction sites and such to work on piece they could submit to the contest and still use in an auction.
My chief concern with this is that I'll encounter people using previously completed alters in the current contest. This would NOT be allowed and I would have to rely heavily on the honesty of the contestants to not do that. This is something I think I could easily invest lots of faith in.
So that's my suggestion, but as I'm the moderator here with Annorax, I am completely open to any ideas you all may have and I would REALLY like to get some input back on this.
Do you like my idea?
If no, why?
Should it stay bi-monthly?
Chime in and let me know my friends. I want to make the Artwork forums as enjoyable as possible and getting quality feedback from you nice ladies and gentlemen really goes a long way in being able to do that.
Hello everyone. As most of you can tell, this month we don't have a contest listed for the Bi-Monthly Altered Art Contest. This isn't to say that I don't want the contest to exist. On the contrary, I would REALLY like to keep it going, but it seems as though we don't seem to have much interest in the contest.
This is something that I think I have reasoned why.
Most of the people who do alters on cards, do so for two reasons. One, they like to alter cards for their decks and collections or their friends decks and collections. Two, they like to alter cards to post on auction sites or use as trade to gain cards they want.
Both reasons are completely understandable. However, the contest dips into time that one who alters could be working on something for friends, personal use, or an auction. In addition, the contest can be restricting when there's a contest idea or theme at hand.
So my suggestion is this.
The contest will become MONTHLY and the restrictions on output will be much smaller. Example?
An Ice Age block sorcery altered how you would like. All of the entries would be judged upon who makes the best alter.
That's just an example. It's less restricting and could even encourage someone who uses their alters for auction sites and such to work on piece they could submit to the contest and still use in an auction.
My chief concern with this is that I'll encounter people using previously completed alters in the current contest. This would NOT be allowed and I would have to rely heavily on the honesty of the contestants to not do that. This is something I think I could easily invest lots of faith in.
So that's my suggestion, but as I'm the moderator here with Annorax, I am completely open to any ideas you all may have and I would REALLY like to get some input back on this.
Do you like my idea?
If no, why?
Should it stay bi-monthly?
Chime in and let me know my friends. I want to make the Artwork forums as enjoyable as possible and getting quality feedback from you nice ladies and gentlemen really goes a long way in being able to do that.
Thanks again!:)
This is a great idea, and I would love to see it in work, I would definetely be happy with this propostion.
Well I know the reason I don't enter the altered art contest is the high entry cost. What I mean is, to enter the contest you have to potential wreck a card. I'm not very good at doing alterations, so many innocent cards will be hurt in making an entry! By it's nature, I think that repels some people from entering.
The only thing I could figure is maybe make the contests bi-monthly, but ultimately broad. What I mean is, don't even give a catergory like in other contests. People can submit WHATEVER they want, and at the end of the 2 month's there will be voting to see what people like the best. I think this way we can draw a lot of entries, as we've seen from the giant altered art thread, since people really want to make what looks cool anyway. Just a thought.
I appreciate the feedback from you both and I hope we can gain more responses here. I don't think card choice is that big of a deal. It's not like I would ever choose something insane like a beta rare or power card. At the same time, the biggest lure to some alterers is the desire to create something that can do well in auction. Seldom will this be a crap common that the more inexperienced would be more willing to alter.
If we did just have the contest where we allow any alter to be submitted, then I think that would open the gates to more people willing to just choose a work they already have completed for an auction or friend or themselves.
If we provide less restrictions on alters but have some minor restrictions, then my belief is that this will still make it more of a contest and not just a "show us your best render monthly contest".
Maybe we can get more feedback and see what others think too. I could very well be wrong.
EDIT: Another idea might be to try and give the digital altered art contest a try and see if it fairs better than the non-digital variant did.
im yet to do a card alteration but have you also considered the material cost of alterations as well (not just time)?
To keep buying jank cards to fix (or the actual ones for that matter) as well as the tools to "modify" a card (eraser, pens, etc) -- may be a factor.
To continuously do alterations must rack up $$$ after some time (and i dont mean to say this costs hundreds -- but you catch my drift) this may be a factor.
This is why the digital altering works so well -- the only thing you need is a program and you're set
Suggestion:
- I agree to make it monthly -- as time itself plays a factor
- Have you considered broadening the questions to do something like "alter a creature" or "alter a blue card" (this can make it bi-monthly if you feel lack of interest isnt as deep as what i bring up)
*just my 2 cents. However, i'll leave you with this:
PBG, you run fantastic contests across the board in terms of any art medium -- perhaps the "lack of interest" deals with the dreaded "finals week"s for college people and general "its almost summertime" atmosphere. This could also be a contributing factor in a lower turnout
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
That which nourishes me, destroys me
10th at SCG: Syracuse (2014), GP:NJ Last-Chance Grinder Winner (2014):: Former Legacy Mod
I mean, hell, we're all on a forum for something that most people would describe as a "children's card game"...do what makes you happy. You are never too old to enjoy yourself.
What if you posted a sticky of a "How-To" in the Contest Area? That way people who are on the edge of deciding whether or not to enter could maybe read the how-to and feel more confident or not.
I want to do an alteration but i can't paint for **** in rl. I could draw, but that's half the battle.
I do agree with your open concept idea though PBG, rather than a theme, a simple restriction could very well be more than enough.
Don't forget the charity thing Catherine has going on, that might have drawn away the frequent alterers atm.
Limited to something more like "blue creature" as opposed to "ice age sorccery" lowers the barrier on someone like me who doesn't own ice age, and sets the merits from best alter to best alter in category. i imagine it is harder to judge between a blue and red sorcery than two blue creatures, as creatures are more bound to one another, and therefore more judgeable.
Well, I feel bad about not getting an entry together for the sci-fi one, I had a couple really neat ideas, but execution was beyond my skills.
I like the idea of broadening the restrictions on the contest, but every so often you could do a special one like a Hallowe'en alter in October for example.
In regards to certain card availability - like AKICK's scenario with an Ice Age sorcery - someone could do a bit of research and see what Ice Age sorceries have been reprinted in a core set or recent expansion that might be more readily obtained.
I think time is not really a factor. Possibly run varying-length contests. Example. Run one in Sept., then a special one for Hallowe'en in Oct. (to use my previous example), then maybe a 2-month one over the holiday seasons in Nov-Dec. Mix it up a bit, see what happens.
Materials, well, I use what I have on hand for my own artistic ventures. I haven't gone out and bought anything to use for alters that I don't already have. Yes it restricts what I can and cannot do, but most of the time, just doing the alters is enogh entertainment. I get the feeling this is largely for fun anyway, so expensive materials aren't necessary. Someone could erase part of a card and just sketch something in with pencil/pen/marker and it would be less than $10 in materials, and just using what's on hand opens more creative thinking of how to execute a design.
You could also switch it up between physical alterations and digital ones, or have the contest with a division for physical and one for digital. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of going digital, but that's because I'm not a Photoshop wizard. But digital DOES open up ability for high-end alters when you don't want to deface the Moxen or another piece of Power9.
That's all that comes to mind. Hope this helps you ^^
@ FKiH: I feel your pain, I'm hardly the best artist in the world myself.
I really like this contest, and hope it continues, PBG.
Why would it be desired to give worse artists a reward? After winning a contest, why would the better ones submit again, what's the incentive? If it was just one person winning everything, I might be able to see your point, but it isn't.
I think your looking at it as "the glass is half empty and filled with poison" kind of view. I don't think the idea was to suggest giving it to people who are bad, but give the opportunity for new, GOOD people to win the contest. I'm not sure if I see one person winning too many contests currently as a problem, but maybe allowing 2 winners a month might give people more incentive to try it? Just a thought.
Also, maybe we should consider a revision of the the possibility of working digital altered cards as either a seperate contest or part of the one we already have. I think a digital altered card contest could really work. How many custom frames have been flying around the Salvation lately that people have made? A ton! I think it would be a great contest to tap into that talent.
First off, I'll limit the cards being altered to current T2 blocks. Second, I'll select three options each month and the participants may select which of the three to go with.
Example:
Black Rare
Green Uncommon
Red Common
All cards must be pulled from the currently legal T2 format at the time the contest is announced.
That's one idea.
Another idea was messaged by someone who wishes to remain anonymous, is to have a proxy contest. This would be the creation of a proxy upon any other card that has the same casting cost as the card offered for the contest.
Example: Demonic Tutor - Any participant may alter any card with a casting cost of :1mana::symb:.
My last idea would be to create TWO contests that alternated each month.
Example:
Month 1 - Altered Art Contest with significantly less restrictions, as mentioned above in the very first example given.
Month 2 - Digital Altered Art Contest.
So I've thrown some options out there. PLEASE keep chiming in here folks and let me know what you think. I REALLY appreciate the feedback that I've received thus far and I wish we could get more feedback too.
There are some thoughts on the contest that I've been trying to figure out. I understand why I didn't get an entry in until the last minute, but I know why I HAD to get something in. It is a great contest and I really wish it would take off.
First things first,
1) I really think the lack of a digital component hurt the competition. Even in the monthly artwork contest, we are encouraged to use a digital medium. I know that this is a card alteration contest and I accept that. I will try my hand at whatever challenge is issued, but some people are defeated before they even pick up the paint. We can fix this by allowing digital art, or alternating between the two. Perhaps every three months allow it.. I don't know, I have always been a supporter of the fourth contest idea.
2) The Bi-monthly timeframe seemed like a good idea, but perhaps it gave the allusion that there would be enough time to get something in later. The entries were low in the first two attempts, but a MONTHLY contest would give more inspiration and allow the months with a low turn out to be forgiven. It happens sometimes, even in the photoshop and artwork side of the forums.
3) If the contest remains on real cards, then it is not your fault that the turn out was low. If people really wanted to participate, they'd buy supplies ahead of time and pick up some bulk cards from a store or ask someone for a handful. I would suggest mentioning the theme ahead of time, but that could lead to unfair advantages. MAybe, you can be sneeaky and just say things like, Stock up on goblins or be sure to grab a blue spell for next month. Polls, or more ideas from the participants could work.. honestly though, I feel like you are doing a good job and people really cannot complain, because we voted on this already.
4) Perhaps a reward or incentive can be given while the contest is young to get more entries. If I remember correctly, the other artwork contest did something similiar back in the day. I could be wrong - I wasn't here. Advertising, perhaps a sticky or a plea to artists via a campaign (banners, links, signatures, we can get this thing going) The trophy is enough for me, however
5) If it doesn't pick up, we can't say we didn't try and perhaps it's for the best.
(On a side note, I understand fully how hard it is to alter these tiny ****ing cards. :D)
I initially liked the idea of the contest being bi-monthly, but as the last round illustrated, it just gave me a greater opportunity to drag my feet and ultimately not finish in time. That said I think giving it a monthly timeframe may be just what is needed.
I would still prefer that there be a bit of a tighter guideline on what the alter is to acheive, similar to the other contests, but I can understand broadening it to pull in greater interest.
All in all I really hope this contest comes back. I really enjoyed participating in the first round and was really sad to have missed this second round.
What if you posted a sticky of a "How-To" in the Contest Area? That way people who are on the edge of deciding whether or not to enter could maybe read the how-to and feel more confident or not.
I just wanted to stress FKIH's point that a card altering How To (Prep work at the least) is a good idea in general. Techniques have changed a lot since the first cards popped up on here. I think having a "card alter how-to" readily available could help to lower the contest's entry barrier for other artists that aren't currently altering cards.
I'm gonna post here because I really like this contest (even not having participated in any month) and none of the great alterers have posted here (Like Chandler, Yawg, Adro or the others). Not that I think I'm such a good alterer, but I'm one of those who do comissions.
Yes. Comissions do consume a lot of an alterers time, but you'll eventually get tired of doing stuff for other people and not keeping anything for yourself ( For exemple, I have made over 30 cards this year and I have kept only about 8 for myself :/).
Maybe the contest could be advertised sometimes in the official card altering thread so it could be more visible to alterers.
I really liked the past months ideas for contests and I wouldn't like them to be more inclusive, since it looks like anything goes. We just need good ideas. Just let's not use expensive cards as a pre-req for participating. I'll try to note down some ideas for contests...
Monthly constests would give people more opportunities for participating. I remember I wasn't around for the first contest because I had no idea of what to do and I really wanted there was another contest in the next month that could give me some original idea for an alter. Unfortunately I wasn't around for the second contest either, but it wasn't for a lack of ideas, it was because i was very busy.
Tutorials are very nice and linking them would probably get 2 or 3 new applicants per contest but if you really want people participating you need prizes... not something big, maybe just symbolic.
I've been thinking... recently Hannes posted that MtG:Salvation needs money (or might be needing somewhere in the future). What if there was an auction at the end of every year with all of the contest-winner altered cards? Half of the money would go to MTGS and the other half to the artist. That way the artists would be getting more prestige (and money) out of it and would be providing help to the community that embraces them.
Hmmm, an Auction? That would be hard to moderate wouldn't it? It'd be like the Bazaar area, but with money. I'm not against alterers trying to sell their work, but i think doing that on MTG sally, specifically in this section of it might breed some bad happenings.
Besides, if MTGS thinks it needs money, go the Wiki way, donations. Don't know what MTGS would do with the money though, prizes is a good idea though. $ as prize or a purchase? Imagine, "First place gets a foil chrome mox!!! Second place gets a DCI Calciderm!! Third place gets Textless Cruel Edict!!"
Well I know the reason I don't enter the altered art contest is the high entry cost. What I mean is, to enter the contest you have to potential wreck a card. I'm not very good at doing alterations, so many innocent cards will be hurt in making an entry! By it's nature, I think that repels some people from entering.
I don't agree. Altering a Terror could be seen just as easily to do as someone willing to alter a fetchland. Nobody is going to look at either cards differently, only the skill involved.
I'd like the contest to remain un-digital, although I'm sure the digital guys would have it the other way. I just don't see how people altering an actual card with paint can ever be the same as photoshopping. Making a full-art this, or an alternate art that is MUCH easier with a computer.
On that note, I like the idea of still maintaining a theme. The sci-fi theme was actually perfect as far as I was concerned- you can't tell me a Darth Vader Psychatog wouldn't sell on an auction site! However, I am simply strapped for tme in general, so altered cards are on the back burner. I'm not even sure I'll be able to paint up some cards for the charity event. (though I think I actually might have some time next week to do a few <_<)
All in all, I'd like to see the contest remain. Themes give the entries one dimension to judge (which makes it better imho), and I think that a "How-To" would also help a LOT. At least in the tutorial section.
This is something that I think I have reasoned why.
Most of the people who do alters on cards, do so for two reasons. One, they like to alter cards for their decks and collections or their friends decks and collections. Two, they like to alter cards to post on auction sites or use as trade to gain cards they want.
Both reasons are completely understandable. However, the contest dips into time that one who alters could be working on something for friends, personal use, or an auction. In addition, the contest can be restricting when there's a contest idea or theme at hand.
So my suggestion is this.
The contest will become MONTHLY and the restrictions on output will be much smaller. Example?
An Ice Age block sorcery altered how you would like. All of the entries would be judged upon who makes the best alter.
That's just an example. It's less restricting and could even encourage someone who uses their alters for auction sites and such to work on piece they could submit to the contest and still use in an auction.
My chief concern with this is that I'll encounter people using previously completed alters in the current contest. This would NOT be allowed and I would have to rely heavily on the honesty of the contestants to not do that. This is something I think I could easily invest lots of faith in.
So that's my suggestion, but as I'm the moderator here with Annorax, I am completely open to any ideas you all may have and I would REALLY like to get some input back on this.
Do you like my idea?
If no, why?
Should it stay bi-monthly?
Chime in and let me know my friends. I want to make the Artwork forums as enjoyable as possible and getting quality feedback from you nice ladies and gentlemen really goes a long way in being able to do that.
Thanks again!:)
My Help Desk My MySpace My Playmat Artwork My Blog My Yuwie Page
DCI Ranking Constructed High - 2237 Current - 1967
MTGSalvation 1st Annual Charity Altered Art Event!
*signature courtesy of Unkle-J talents!
This is a great idea, and I would love to see it in work, I would definetely be happy with this propostion.
The only thing I could figure is maybe make the contests bi-monthly, but ultimately broad. What I mean is, don't even give a catergory like in other contests. People can submit WHATEVER they want, and at the end of the 2 month's there will be voting to see what people like the best. I think this way we can draw a lot of entries, as we've seen from the giant altered art thread, since people really want to make what looks cool anyway. Just a thought.
If we did just have the contest where we allow any alter to be submitted, then I think that would open the gates to more people willing to just choose a work they already have completed for an auction or friend or themselves.
If we provide less restrictions on alters but have some minor restrictions, then my belief is that this will still make it more of a contest and not just a "show us your best render monthly contest".
Maybe we can get more feedback and see what others think too. I could very well be wrong.
EDIT: Another idea might be to try and give the digital altered art contest a try and see if it fairs better than the non-digital variant did.
My Help Desk My MySpace My Playmat Artwork My Blog My Yuwie Page
DCI Ranking Constructed High - 2237 Current - 1967
MTGSalvation 1st Annual Charity Altered Art Event!
*signature courtesy of Unkle-J talents!
im yet to do a card alteration but have you also considered the material cost of alterations as well (not just time)?
To keep buying jank cards to fix (or the actual ones for that matter) as well as the tools to "modify" a card (eraser, pens, etc) -- may be a factor.
To continuously do alterations must rack up $$$ after some time (and i dont mean to say this costs hundreds -- but you catch my drift) this may be a factor.
This is why the digital altering works so well -- the only thing you need is a program and you're set
Suggestion:
- I agree to make it monthly -- as time itself plays a factor
- Have you considered broadening the questions to do something like "alter a creature" or "alter a blue card" (this can make it bi-monthly if you feel lack of interest isnt as deep as what i bring up)
*just my 2 cents. However, i'll leave you with this:
PBG, you run fantastic contests across the board in terms of any art medium -- perhaps the "lack of interest" deals with the dreaded "finals week"s for college people and general "its almost summertime" atmosphere. This could also be a contributing factor in a lower turnout
10th at SCG: Syracuse (2014), GP:NJ Last-Chance Grinder Winner (2014):: Former Legacy Mod
I want to do an alteration but i can't paint for **** in rl. I could draw, but that's half the battle.
I do agree with your open concept idea though PBG, rather than a theme, a simple restriction could very well be more than enough.
Don't forget the charity thing Catherine has going on, that might have drawn away the frequent alterers atm.
~Center of the Gaming Universe~
Microsuck
Limited to something more like "blue creature" as opposed to "ice age sorccery" lowers the barrier on someone like me who doesn't own ice age, and sets the merits from best alter to best alter in category. i imagine it is harder to judge between a blue and red sorcery than two blue creatures, as creatures are more bound to one another, and therefore more judgeable.
-J
I like the idea of broadening the restrictions on the contest, but every so often you could do a special one like a Hallowe'en alter in October for example.
In regards to certain card availability - like AKICK's scenario with an Ice Age sorcery - someone could do a bit of research and see what Ice Age sorceries have been reprinted in a core set or recent expansion that might be more readily obtained.
I think time is not really a factor. Possibly run varying-length contests. Example. Run one in Sept., then a special one for Hallowe'en in Oct. (to use my previous example), then maybe a 2-month one over the holiday seasons in Nov-Dec. Mix it up a bit, see what happens.
Materials, well, I use what I have on hand for my own artistic ventures. I haven't gone out and bought anything to use for alters that I don't already have. Yes it restricts what I can and cannot do, but most of the time, just doing the alters is enogh entertainment. I get the feeling this is largely for fun anyway, so expensive materials aren't necessary. Someone could erase part of a card and just sketch something in with pencil/pen/marker and it would be less than $10 in materials, and just using what's on hand opens more creative thinking of how to execute a design.
You could also switch it up between physical alterations and digital ones, or have the contest with a division for physical and one for digital. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of going digital, but that's because I'm not a Photoshop wizard. But digital DOES open up ability for high-end alters when you don't want to deface the Moxen or another piece of Power9.
That's all that comes to mind. Hope this helps you ^^
@ FKiH: I feel your pain, I'm hardly the best artist in the world myself.
I really like this contest, and hope it continues, PBG.
digital alters
altered
and so one gives allartists a chance to showcase and win.
I think your looking at it as "the glass is half empty and filled with poison" kind of view. I don't think the idea was to suggest giving it to people who are bad, but give the opportunity for new, GOOD people to win the contest. I'm not sure if I see one person winning too many contests currently as a problem, but maybe allowing 2 winners a month might give people more incentive to try it? Just a thought.
Also, maybe we should consider a revision of the the possibility of working digital altered cards as either a seperate contest or part of the one we already have. I think a digital altered card contest could really work. How many custom frames have been flying around the Salvation lately that people have made? A ton! I think it would be a great contest to tap into that talent.
First off, I'll limit the cards being altered to current T2 blocks. Second, I'll select three options each month and the participants may select which of the three to go with.
Example:
Black Rare
Green Uncommon
Red Common
All cards must be pulled from the currently legal T2 format at the time the contest is announced.
That's one idea.
Another idea was messaged by someone who wishes to remain anonymous, is to have a proxy contest. This would be the creation of a proxy upon any other card that has the same casting cost as the card offered for the contest.
Example:
Demonic Tutor - Any participant may alter any card with a casting cost of :1mana::symb:.
My last idea would be to create TWO contests that alternated each month.
Example:
Month 1 - Altered Art Contest with significantly less restrictions, as mentioned above in the very first example given.
Month 2 - Digital Altered Art Contest.
So I've thrown some options out there. PLEASE keep chiming in here folks and let me know what you think. I REALLY appreciate the feedback that I've received thus far and I wish we could get more feedback too.
I hope to see some more replies soon.
My Help Desk My MySpace My Playmat Artwork My Blog My Yuwie Page
DCI Ranking Constructed High - 2237 Current - 1967
MTGSalvation 1st Annual Charity Altered Art Event!
*signature courtesy of Unkle-J talents!
First things first,
1) I really think the lack of a digital component hurt the competition. Even in the monthly artwork contest, we are encouraged to use a digital medium. I know that this is a card alteration contest and I accept that. I will try my hand at whatever challenge is issued, but some people are defeated before they even pick up the paint. We can fix this by allowing digital art, or alternating between the two. Perhaps every three months allow it.. I don't know, I have always been a supporter of the fourth contest idea.
2) The Bi-monthly timeframe seemed like a good idea, but perhaps it gave the allusion that there would be enough time to get something in later. The entries were low in the first two attempts, but a MONTHLY contest would give more inspiration and allow the months with a low turn out to be forgiven. It happens sometimes, even in the photoshop and artwork side of the forums.
3) If the contest remains on real cards, then it is not your fault that the turn out was low. If people really wanted to participate, they'd buy supplies ahead of time and pick up some bulk cards from a store or ask someone for a handful. I would suggest mentioning the theme ahead of time, but that could lead to unfair advantages. MAybe, you can be sneeaky and just say things like, Stock up on goblins or be sure to grab a blue spell for next month. Polls, or more ideas from the participants could work.. honestly though, I feel like you are doing a good job and people really cannot complain, because we voted on this already.
4) Perhaps a reward or incentive can be given while the contest is young to get more entries. If I remember correctly, the other artwork contest did something similiar back in the day. I could be wrong - I wasn't here. Advertising, perhaps a sticky or a plea to artists via a campaign (banners, links, signatures, we can get this thing going) The trophy is enough for me, however
5) If it doesn't pick up, we can't say we didn't try and perhaps it's for the best.
(On a side note, I understand fully how hard it is to alter these tiny ****ing cards. :D)
Although I like the idea of giving people more choices, for some reason I get the feeling that this would confuse people.
I like this idea! Seems like a good compromise.
I would still prefer that there be a bit of a tighter guideline on what the alter is to acheive, similar to the other contests, but I can understand broadening it to pull in greater interest.
All in all I really hope this contest comes back. I really enjoyed participating in the first round and was really sad to have missed this second round.
I just wanted to stress FKIH's point that a card altering How To (Prep work at the least) is a good idea in general. Techniques have changed a lot since the first cards popped up on here. I think having a "card alter how-to" readily available could help to lower the contest's entry barrier for other artists that aren't currently altering cards.
It is a great contest just needs some time.
Yes. Comissions do consume a lot of an alterers time, but you'll eventually get tired of doing stuff for other people and not keeping anything for yourself ( For exemple, I have made over 30 cards this year and I have kept only about 8 for myself :/).
Maybe the contest could be advertised sometimes in the official card altering thread so it could be more visible to alterers.
I really liked the past months ideas for contests and I wouldn't like them to be more inclusive, since it looks like anything goes. We just need good ideas. Just let's not use expensive cards as a pre-req for participating. I'll try to note down some ideas for contests...
Monthly constests would give people more opportunities for participating. I remember I wasn't around for the first contest because I had no idea of what to do and I really wanted there was another contest in the next month that could give me some original idea for an alter. Unfortunately I wasn't around for the second contest either, but it wasn't for a lack of ideas, it was because i was very busy.
Tutorials are very nice and linking them would probably get 2 or 3 new applicants per contest but if you really want people participating you need prizes... not something big, maybe just symbolic.
I've been thinking... recently Hannes posted that MtG:Salvation needs money (or might be needing somewhere in the future). What if there was an auction at the end of every year with all of the contest-winner altered cards? Half of the money would go to MTGS and the other half to the artist. That way the artists would be getting more prestige (and money) out of it and would be providing help to the community that embraces them.
RRR Like a Bosh!
WUB Sharuum Solar Flare
UBR Thraximundar Zombie Beatdown
Besides, if MTGS thinks it needs money, go the Wiki way, donations. Don't know what MTGS would do with the money though, prizes is a good idea though. $ as prize or a purchase? Imagine, "First place gets a foil chrome mox!!! Second place gets a DCI Calciderm!! Third place gets Textless Cruel Edict!!"
Like that?
~Center of the Gaming Universe~
Microsuck
I also don't have any idea on how would those prices, but your idea seems quite nice (even though a bit expensive)
RRR Like a Bosh!
WUB Sharuum Solar Flare
UBR Thraximundar Zombie Beatdown
I don't agree. Altering a Terror could be seen just as easily to do as someone willing to alter a fetchland. Nobody is going to look at either cards differently, only the skill involved.
I'd like the contest to remain un-digital, although I'm sure the digital guys would have it the other way. I just don't see how people altering an actual card with paint can ever be the same as photoshopping. Making a full-art this, or an alternate art that is MUCH easier with a computer.
On that note, I like the idea of still maintaining a theme. The sci-fi theme was actually perfect as far as I was concerned- you can't tell me a Darth Vader Psychatog wouldn't sell on an auction site! However, I am simply strapped for tme in general, so altered cards are on the back burner. I'm not even sure I'll be able to paint up some cards for the charity event. (though I think I actually might have some time next week to do a few <_<)
All in all, I'd like to see the contest remain. Themes give the entries one dimension to judge (which makes it better imho), and I think that a "How-To" would also help a LOT. At least in the tutorial section.
Art Page
Alters for sale