YAY! Judging is complete! XD

Thank god. ><

Judging this contest was just so ridiculously difficult. >< I really really REALLY had a horrible time trying to decide a winner, so I had to once again enlist the help of my boyfriend ~kethean to help me out with the judging. He knows both mangas (NLMO and GP) really well (being by boyfriend and all XD) and didn't really know who did what picture, so his input was fair IMO. :3

As stated before, judging was based on accuracy (how well you portray the characters), originality (is your entry unique from everyone else's?), story/interaction (does your picture narrate something, and does the characters in the picture work well together?), aesthetics (how visually pleasing the picture is comparatively to your style AKA your skill will be taken into account), and effort (did you try? XD).

Because of the fact that I'm a big sap and I want to give prizes to everybody, I have added a third place prize (runner-up becomes second place) and two honorable mentions.

That being said, onto the results!!

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Honorable Mentions

~JennyShort with [link]

Prize: A bust-up, colored picture of ONE character (copic-colored)

Raye's Comments:I think this picture definitely nailed the Halloween theme right on the head. The two witches looming over a bubbly cauldron is just a classic. Rosie is portrayed really well (you can just smell her mischievousness), but at the same time she doesn't overshadow Jenny's character. They both really work well together in this picture.

Nick's Comments: I love the style of this piece and I love the setting. Rosie is perfect as a witch. The color scheme is nice and the shading is well done. It's cool how the light is reflected off the cauldron.

**

~celeyo with [link]

Prize: A bust-up, colored picture of ONE character (copic-colored)

Raye's Comments: This picture was so artistically awesome. Even though Celeyo didn't do a full CG like she wanted to, I think toned look and muted colors are a lot more fitting. Rosie is absolutely adorable in her outfit (I kinda want to draw her in the outfit myself XD). And I think the little scenario taking place with Rosie blackmailing Falc into tagging along as her butler is just amazingly awesome.

Nick's Comments: This piece portrays Rosie very well and I really like the backstory for this one (it makes me happy). The concept is well done. The only thing is that I wish there was time for the full CG (as the artist stated in the description). Overall a great piece.

**

Third Place

~xTRINOx with [link]

Prize: A full-figure, colored picture of ONE character (copic-colored)

Raye's Comments: This picture gets major points for effort. There is a full-blown background and ton of characters (even super obscure ones, like Mr. Rat and the basketball). The situation going on is hilarious, and I can't stop giggling at Talori and Melanies expressions. This picture is just a bunch of fun and mayhem.

Nick's Comments: I love this piece. I feel like i'm standing at the door and almost as if i should be fearing for my life. The characters fit so well in their respective "roles". Also, I love that the two comics are placed side by side for this one. It makes this all that much better.

**

Second Place

~Sumomo-Hanako with [link]

Prize: A colored piece of no more than one character with BG (digital, cell-shaded)

Raye's Comments: Right off the bat, this picture gets bonus points for being creative. No other picture had the artist character be an animal, so kudos to you Sumomo-Hanako! I think my first reaction to this picture was "D'AWWWWW!" Seriously, this picture is adorable. If you haven't looked at it, check it out. The backstory is lovely, and having Talori as a black cat and the dog as a witch was just perfect.

Nick's Comments: I love the backstory for this piece. Even though there is no setting, the background of this fits well for a portrait and for the theme. The puppy is so cute and the fact that talori is dressed up as a black cat makes it all that much better. Personally, i'd love to see this as a short comic strip (Raye: Sumomo, you don't have to do that XD).

**

First Place

~Pottercreep with [link]

Prize: A colored piece of whatever you’d like with BG (digital, soft-shaded) + you’ll be featured in my journal

Raye's Comments: This picture really deserves first place. Pottercreep really put a lot of effort into this piece, and you can see that in the composition and detail. Plus, the narration is so well done. Without reading any description about the picture, you know it's a Halloween piece where a little kid gets the daylight scared out of him (poor Ebisu!) while trick-or-treating. XD The characterization is spot on. I feel all together, this picture really brings forth that autumn/Halloween feel in a cute and humorous picture.

Nick's Comments: I was really impressed with the setting and the action going on. I also love how they put Raye's character, who in the manga has ears and is a guineapig child, into costume of a guineapig. That's amazing. And the artistic skill is definitely apparent and fits the theme so well.

**

**

So there you have it! It really does get harder and harder to judge each year. >< Even with the added prizes, I still wanted to do more prizes for more pictures that I thought deserved something more (I guess that's the reason for the participation prizes but still XD).

Speaking of which, as stated before, everyone who participated in the contest who didn't win gets a headshot picture (copic-colored) of a character of their choice!

Thank you everyone for entering the contest! I'm so glad that so many of you did enter (I actually got four more entries than I did last year)! And I also thank everyone who advertised this contest! You guys are awesome! *o*

Here a list of everyone's names. Please tell me asap what picture you'd like for either your prize or headshot-doodle.

1. Pottercreep: Prize - undecided

2. Sumomo-Hanako: Prize - Aminta

3. xTRINOx: Prize - Toumeya

4. Celeyo: Prize - Panda

5. JennyShort: Prize - Disney girl

6. Keicea: Headshot - Daeva

7. KiryAngle: Headshot - undecided

8. Semiblonde: Headshot - Joe Jonas

9. VampiricKitten: Headshot - Karla

10. TheDarkDeath: Headshot -FMA character

11. Xiori: Headshot - Royalty

12. ArcaneLucidity: Headshot - undecided

13. p5ych0turtl3: Headshot - Roxana

14. Bodici22: Headshot - Katie

15. Loki-lou: Headshot - Zarzamora

16. Chen-san: Headshot - Alani

17. Broken-chan: Headshot - undecided

18. Selfia: Headshot - Unnamed character

Commission Status: OPEN

Kiriban: 70,000

Toto Giftie Sketch by =mesapoo

GP Cuties by ~SakuraChan776

Rosie Collab by =yuna-chicky-yummy

Happy B-day Firefly by ~StaraLaura

HAPPY NEW YEARS PEOPLES!

Blegh, I meant to do this yesterday. >< But I want to say some nice things about some awesome people who really have helped me out and supported me this year. :3 So here we go! (WARNING: This is so god awfully sappy Please bear with me)

*keicea - Even though we just met this year, I'd like to think that we've kinda become fast friends. XD We definitely have some similar interests (*cough*Okami*cough*) and it's starting to somewhat become habit to share video game news with you (and if you didn't live in Canada I'd totally invite you to come play Okami with me XD). You've really given me some great support and confidence in my art, and I hope that we'll be able to talk more in the coming year.

~celeyo - omg, you've become such an amazing artist! *o* You're style is unique and more amazing than ever. And if possible, I've become more in love with your webcomic "Snap!" XD I'm really going to try to do that birthday present for you and finally draw a good picture of Gabe and Falc. You're an awesome friend and a constant inspiration.

~xTRINOx - Honestly, I can't think of too many people more supportive than you. >< You've been to most of my livestreams and commented on virtually everything I've submitted. You're just... adkarusoeru, AMAZING! XD I have no words. You're too awesome. You really motivate me to keep going and continue my art. Thank you for being so great! >w<

*autumncoloredmelodie - Otomu!! *o* I'm so happy you've still stuck with me. You really provide a lot of useful critiques for my works, and I can honestly say that you've helped me develop my art. And you've also developed into quite the amazing artist yourself. You're style has become so much more unique and I know you're just gonna keep getting better. You're an absolute sweetheart, and we totally need to talk more when we're both not so busy. XD

=mesapoo - Mel! You're really been spouting out so much art this year. XD Every time I check my inbox I see upwards to five pieces at a time sitting there for me to look at (one time, the only thing in my inbox was just your art XD). I'm really excited for you that you're doing what you want to do with your art, and I hope you continue to enjoy yourself. You're definitely my oldest friend here on dA, and I know you've been super busy with all the things you're doing and we haven't talked as much, but I hope we'll continue being friends in the coming year.

=Xiori - Your style and work has really come a long way. I love everything you've done from you anime works, to your realism stuff, your paintings, you fashion designs, and beyond. Plus, I'm still very eagerly awaiting your "Broken" comic and I hope that's going well. You're an awesome friend and supporter and I hope you have an awesome year this year.

=vampirickitten - You're such a sweetheart! X3 You always leave the nicest and supportive comments and it always helps me feel more confident about my work. I really love what works you've done this year, and I hope you continue doing art. I can't imagine you not being here on dA and I hope you never leave! XD

~Pottercreep - We're like friends in so many places (here on dA, facebook, old penpal buddies). You've really been busy this year, and you have no idea how appreciate I am when you make the time to leave a comment. Keep developing your art (although it's so fantastic already) and I hope you're still able to stop by dA now and again. >w<

~SakuraChan776 - I have to say, you certainly the life of the party when it comes to livestreams. >w< You have a wonderful sense of humor, and your artwork is absolutely adorable! I'm still incredibly jealous of how smooth your shading looks in your pictures. *o* I hope you continue doing amazing work!

*oceanchan - You're so amazing! *o* Your art has just gotten so... phenomenal! >w< You've become so popular and fantastic with your copic works and it's always a treat when you leave a comment on one of my works (especially since you're so busy!). I have no doubt that you're going to become an amazing mangaka someday.

And to ~StaraLaura, *p5ych0turtl3, ~touchofdestiny, *francis-john, =chen-san, ~TheDarkDeath, *semiblonde, ~alexisneo, ~Azureluck, =sushiekat, ~Sumomo-Hanako, ~Selfia, ~Firefly-manga, ~aishaax3 - Some of you are new watchers/friends, some of you are a little bit older, but what's the same is that you're all amazing people who have been a constant support! You guys are awesome, and I want to get to know you guys better in the coming year.

I LOVE YOU ALL GUYS! Happy New Years!

Commission Status: OPEN

Kiriban: 70,000

Toto Giftie Sketch by =mesapoo

GP Cuties by ~SakuraChan776

Rosie Collab by =yuna-chicky-yummy

Happy B-day Firefly by ~StaraLaura

Blegh, still judging. >< I'm having a REALLY tough time just choosing two winners. I'm gonna have to get my boyfriend's help with this. (he doesn't even know that yet).

In other news....

HOLY SHIOREORUAOJdoiaufos!!! I saw the new Sherlock Holmes movie yesterday! >< OH MY GOD! It was soooo sooo good! *o* I'm so in love with Watson. *obsesses/fangirls*

I know there have been a bit of negative reviews about the direction and such, but I thought it was absolutely fantastic. D: I have no idea what the issue is with that. >< The pacing was nice, and the acting and visuals were really awesome. And I really liked the story, and the interaction between Holmes and Watson (which was just too funny). I REALLY JUST WANNA GO BACK AND SEE IT AGAIN. @A@

This movie has totally rekindled my love for the Sherlock Holmes series (I used to watch an old black and white version when I was a kid). I might just have to doodle Watson. >< *daydreams*

Commission Status: OPEN

Kiriban: 70,000

Toto Giftie Sketch by =mesapoo

GP Cuties by ~SakuraChan776

Rosie Collab by =yuna-chicky-yummy

Happy B-day Firefly by ~StaraLaura

Judging is still in progress. >< Thank you guys for being so patient so far!

In other news....

I MADE MY FIRST BUTTON TODAY! I got a button-maker-machine-thing for Christmas, and I was finally able to test it out today! Check out what I made! (My boyfriend took the picture)

I can't wait until I can really sit down and make some awesome buttons. >w<

Commission Status: OPEN

Kiriban: 70,000

Toto Giftie Sketch by =mesapoo

GP Cuties by ~SakuraChan776

Rosie Collab by =yuna-chicky-yummy

Happy B-day Firefly by ~StaraLaura

I hope you guys have had a wonderful Christmas! :3

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO SUBMIT YOUR CONTEST ENTRY! So you guys had better get on that! XD If for some reason you know that you're gonna miss the deadline, but can still make it in a "fashionably late" manner, and have waited this long to tell me... TELL ME NOW! If you don't tell me, I'm not going to know that you're working on an entry and I'll continue on with business without you. So... just let me know okay?

Here are some LIVESTREAM NEWS: As you all should know, today (Dec 26) at 9 PM EST, I'm holding a livestream where you guys can come and request a quick sketch of one character. Just so you know and don't freak out >< I'm going to my mom's side Christmas celebration today (I went to the one on my dad's side yesterday), and I'm not 100% sure when I'm going to be back from that. HOPEFULLY, I'll be back before 9 PM. But if I'm not, DON'T FREAK OUT. I will be back and I will still be doing this, so just... stick around or something. XD I'll be back, promise, and I'll let you know when the livestream is open. Please come everyone! ><

I'm still working on that holiday gift picture that's for some of my best watchers/friends here on dA. That probably won't be up until tomorrow night, because I'm missing a few colors that I REALLY need to complete the picture and I won't be able to get some more copics until tmrw. So even though it'll be late, keep an eye out for that!

I LOVE YOU GUYS! ><

*****

Here's a wonderful present that a wonderful person made for me! >w<

*****

Be sure to check out my contest!: [link] (Deadline: Dec 26, 2009)

Commission Status: OPEN

Kiriban: 70,000

Lolita Cuties by =vampirickitten

Toto Giftie Sketch by =mesapoo

GP Cuties by ~SakuraChan776

Rosie Collab by =yuna-chicky-yummy