just before we begin: a few words

Hello everyone! Thank you for waiting for me.

Details about winners and prize claims are at the BOTTOM of the journal!

I've tried to express my thankful sentiments about the reception of this contest several times but again to every person who drew an entry, I am so thankful. Every entry will be treasured. Thank you so much! I know my words are paltry because i'm an illiterate bun but it means the world to me. Thank you so much for your support, for your participation.
I will reveal the spot prizes, the grand prize winners - and feature some of the beautiful entries received! Please scroll down to see them (the spreadsheet list of entries is still accessible)

about the judging

I used a scoring system -- but out of the top (15) the judging was done by me, with a bit of input here and there from others. I looked at the person's composition, skill, accuracy/attention to character, completeness and a few other aspects.
The decisions were very, very hard to make. It was really overwhelming with so many beautiful entries! I tried to give it as much thought and fair consideration as possible, but it was still so difficult.

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First, the spot prizes ! Categories/prizes were drawn randomly.
I hadn't planned to give 3 but I also received so many more entries than anticipated. T  T) even with my soul, I cannot pay for all of this time and effort aaaa cripes

spot prize: VAELNIR

congratulations, kohmanya !!

 

Thank you for drawing Juno and Vaelnir! This piece really caught my eye in terms of Vaelnir's submissions -- it also includes Juno, with whom he has (mysterious) friction with. I would love to know what the exchange is about! I love the composition, shapely figures and simple but effective lighting! Their faces in profile left me with a strong impression. I think this piece is really attractive and well presented. A striking, bold image!

spot prize: AISHA

congratulations, Skunkyfly !!

Thank you for drawing Aisha! Much to my surprise, Aisha actually received a lot of submissions... I had to consider the different approaches when choosing a prize-winner - however even though this is a thigh-up image, I could see that a hefty amount of time had been poured into the rendering of the details. The composition is attractive and fabric is also rendered neatly! There is a really charming and uplifting mood to the way Aisha is drawn, I think it's a wonderful piece.

spot prize: ANIMATED GIF

congratulations, BunMuffin !!

Thank you for drawing and animating Vaelnir! There were a few lovely and creative gifs I received in the entries -- however this is the first time anyone has tried to do a full animation of my character! I can see that consideration was also put into the background setting, and that it was thoughtfully put together. Your effort is really commendable and I have great fun watching it. A character coming to life like this is really so exciting!

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grand prize winners

These are the pieces that have won a grand prize. There were only a few areas that separated entries right at the end of the judging and the results have been really close. Thank you so much!

You are all amazing! Thanks for making my judging life real hard(only half jk

THIRD PLACE WINNER

congratulations, Sehyen !!

Thank you for drawing Toki and Asashi!! As this is a piece based around them, the brightly lit and warmly coloured image caught my eye -- but it was the thoughtful aspects of their whole story that I thought was captured well. The riding hood and wolf in the middle, the feature of their bodyguard/princess time, their regular school setting are all included. I can tell that the different stories were researched and considered. (As well as the clock, which has significance to their story as well!)

The thoughtfulness of the composition and the inclusion of their various incarnations won my heart well. It even includes sunflowers! Thank you for all your hard work and effort.

SECOND PLACE WINNER

congratulations, 46san !!

Thank you for drawing Frey and Alraune!! Now I received many entries that featured Frey and Alraune together spending their time peacefully, and some that showed their relation a little more deeply -- and this was one of them. The tears on Frey's face show a sight that's really seldom seen. Especially toward the beginning of their lives, there was always an uncertain time where he would never knew if Alraune would return, if he was safe, or if their time together was at last at an end. The lighting you've used casts a gentle light over both figures, and as always they are surrounded by subtle greenery.

The piece is kind on the eyes, warm and genuine in feeling, and casts them back into an emotional time! Thank you for your humble and thoughtful portrayal of them.

FIRST PLACE WINNER

congratulations, Shiranova !!!

Thank you so much for drawing Silhe and Laos! At the start this piece was not my first pick for first due to the long composition and neutral lighting but as I spent time judging everyone's entries in detail, I felt it was well deserving. I received a number of entries featuring both Silhe and Laos together in the mountains and although they were all beautiful, I felt that this picture of them was the most accurate in capturing their spirit! Some of the other submissions were really gorgeous, but might have missed the mark in their characterization. Silhe's manner in caring for Laos is in a slightly detached, stoic manner. He tries not to baby her, but she is always high in spirits. I felt I was really looking an accurate representation of the two of them together (Laos even made a little snow Silhe. A charming touch!)

What won me over was the care put into individual details. Usually, I don't get too pressed by details but the image was sent in very large dimensions -- upon looking at the larger version, every single aspect had been meticulously rendered and cleaned. Every tassle is rendered well. I know it must have been difficult, Silhe and Laos both have quite detailed/demanding designs. Thank you for all the effort you put into drawing them.

Thank you so much and congratulations again!

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though i keep saying the same thing over again

Thank you so much for being with me through the duration of this contest. The process isn't over yet, as I must hand out prizes to the winners! All of the prizes are from me alone so I hope you will forgive if I'm a little slow in getting them out but for the time being, it is done and dusted. It has been a really new and memorable experience for me... I will try not to take too long to deliver but it is a busy time.

I am so grateful for what I've received these past few months. Thank you for all the time, effort, and skill you've put into these entries. Again, I feel like I can't pay for all these entries even with my soul... but either way please take a look at some beautiful entries!!

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sops over broken thumbs -- some beautiful entries were submitted privately through stash and so aren't here yet, but I hope you will enjoy looking through some of the entries, they are wonderfully gorgeous!!

NOTE TO ALL PRIZE WINNERS:

When claiming your prize, please send me a note with details of which prize you would like to receive, and your paypal address if you received prize money! I will send a confirmation before asking about details about what you would like designed or drawn.

As a note, MYO slots won from the contest cannot be traded but they may be gifted.
If I don't receive a note about your prize claim within the next 48-72 hours, I will send notes out to make contact!

Thank you so much for reading!