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June, 2025

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Art Contest?

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OscarTheGrouch
Posts: 839 - Karma: 17
Hello fellow NSer's.

Yesterday, while sketching, I had an idea to start an Art Contest like the Photo Contests that have been successful in the past. This contest be very similar to how the Photo Contests are run.

Each round would have a different topic chosen by the winner of the previous round. These topics could be whatever the chooser wants. They could be anything from water to some random emotion.

Competitors would not be restricted to one form of art, however, it will be recommended to explore different mediums of art. I don't think photography should be allowed since there is already a photo contest.

ashley.$ and myself would most likely run the contests. If anyone else would like to help just let either one of us know. We would just like some feedback on what you guys think and if you will participate.

Thanks.

15 years ago
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SKIWAGEN
Posts: 497 - Karma: 313
sounds rad. any ideas for the first subject?
15 years ago
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OscarTheGrouch
Posts: 839 - Karma: 17
No ideas yet. I will be open to some suggestions for the first topic if we get enough positive feedback.
15 years ago
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Atypical
Posts: 1339 - Karma: 45
I'm totally down.

I'm not familiar with how the photo contest is run, but I think if we're gonna be drawin' mostly we should use themes/open subjects rather than material subjects.

For example.. two point perspective instead of buildings, etc

I'm down for anything tho
15 years ago
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OscarTheGrouch
Posts: 839 - Karma: 17
We will keep that in mind when choosing topics.
15 years ago
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snwbrdmilf
Posts: 22441 - Karma: 2,814
The Photo Contest works like this, as would the Art Contest (and the newly organized Video Contest, hype!)

We start off with our weekly subject, which was chosen by the previous week’s winner. Entrants then have a two week period where they get to go out and shoot their photo and submit it to the thread. After the two week period is over, I compile all of the submissions into a voting thread. Each submission is given a number, 1-whatever (generally 40+). It is publicly open to whatever members want to vote whether they participated or not, for 3 days, picking two of their favorites. After this round ends, I then count votes and get together a Top 5 voting round. Another 3 days of public voting, but on their one favorite. The winner is announced in the next week’s thread (along with the top 5 for recognition), with their winning photo and new subject topic (also taking home some NS stickers woot woot). Rinse and repeat.

Obviously it will have the same format, but tweaked (rules) since it is a different style contest.
15 years ago
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.Max.
Posts: 2930 - Karma: 701
I'm in! This sounds like a great idea and it will be a good opportunity to get some people recognized who have talent.
15 years ago
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1337
Posts: 31080 - Karma: 29,700
hell yeah, everyone better get stoked for it, this is going to be really sick.
15 years ago
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.Duncan.
Posts: 1375 - Karma: 459
i like this idea
15 years ago
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purplejumpsuit
Posts: 2208 - Karma: 157
I really like this idea. Now if only I had some art skills...
15 years ago
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OscarTheGrouch
Posts: 839 - Karma: 17
Doesn't hurt to try!
15 years ago
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cultrara
Posts: 5147 - Karma: 46,849

searchbar! https://newschoolers.com/web/forums/readthread/thread_id/541674/ 

haha but yes i think its a great idea,

15 years ago
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.Max.
Posts: 2930 - Karma: 701
haha I do not remember commenting there...
15 years ago
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OscarTheGrouch
Posts: 839 - Karma: 17
My bad. I talked to ashley.$ about it before making the thread so I forgot to searchbar. If you would like to help since you somewhat came up with the idea, you are more than welcome to.
15 years ago
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cultrara
Posts: 5147 - Karma: 46,849
thanks, if you guys need help id love to but however it gets done is fine with me
15 years ago
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OscarTheGrouch
Posts: 839 - Karma: 17
awesome. we'll keep in touch if we get this going.
15 years ago
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snwbrdmilf
Posts: 22441 - Karma: 2,814
But the thing here is, this contest is only open to so many eyes, which means only open to so many artistic talents. I think what we need here is a very broad sense of what you want to create artistically, to a very specific topic. This way, the artist gets to explore their nature and produce something that means something to them, which in turn means something to us. Granted, this can only be shown by photograph, we should still try to pull it together.
15 years ago
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OscarTheGrouch
Posts: 839 - Karma: 17
We want the participants to be able to use whatever medium. That way we can see the various artistic talents in the newschoolers community. If we have a very specific topic, such as Water, then the participants could use whatever medium they would like as long as it is clearly visible that the piece is about water. It doesn't matter if they use the topic abstractly or literally.
15 years ago
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,392
specify that there's no photo though, otherwise it's a photo contest. It should be limited to "Traditional Medium", so any manner of paint or drawing supplies are ok, mixed media, collage, but no "look what I made in photoshop" bullshit.
15 years ago
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OscarTheGrouch
Posts: 839 - Karma: 17
Yes. There will be no photography as a form of art allowed. When it comes to whether or not we will allow photoshopped art, I'm not sure yet. If this contest happens, there will be a list of rules in each thread. The Photoshop ordeal will be answered there.
15 years ago
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cultrara
Posts: 5147 - Karma: 46,849
i think there should be no digital mediums used unless specified for the topic
15 years ago
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,392
Yea, keep it specific to traditional media.
15 years ago
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snwbrdmilf
Posts: 22441 - Karma: 2,814
Yep, I agree.
15 years ago
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OscarTheGrouch
Posts: 839 - Karma: 17
See, the thing is, I've seen some amazing art produced digitally and I'm sure there are a few people here who can produce some amazing stuff. However, if the general consensus is to leave out digitally produced art then I will go with it.
15 years ago
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EaC
Posts: 107 - Karma: 11
This is a super good idea. Fun to participate in, and I'm sure we will see some really good entries.
15 years ago
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gnarles.
Posts: 2587 - Karma: 130
once the winner is annouced insted of picking just a topic he should also pick the form of art they have portray the topic in for example the topic maybe flowers but you have to paint them
15 years ago
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,392
Some people use computers to paint and draw, which is ill, but in the end a lot of the cool digital art comes from knowing how to use a program well.

If some weeks were digital specific, that might be ill, but seriously it needs to never be in the same category, compared to each other.
15 years ago
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Black-Bandanna
Posts: 6680 - Karma: 1,603
Count me in! This sounds rad. I definitely agree with no digital media though. If you need help coordinating it let me know.

Any ideas for topics? How about start it out positive and do portrayals of Joy?
15 years ago
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OscarTheGrouch
Posts: 839 - Karma: 17
So digital art is out unless it is a topic. As for the first topic I like the Joy idea or maybe we can have the artists use art to portray their favortie childhood memory then provide an explanation.
15 years ago
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snwbrdmilf
Posts: 22441 - Karma: 2,814
To Jesse and Trevor (and anyone else), I don't really know art that well, so I think both of your opinions and help with organizations/rules/any issues would be greatly appreciated.
15 years ago
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,392
Here's some ideas:

Choosing a specific media might be limiting who enters, but may also force people that want to enter to step out of their bubble

size limitations may be good. Forcing people to work big (but not too big) would make some people have to work more quickly and loosely, or having a smaller piece may have people pay more attention to detail

I don't think many people sculpt, but that's always a possibility. If so, it needs to be stipulated that several views and good pictures are important.

Art must be done within the time the contest runs

3 weeks.

no copying photographs. using photos for collage or drawing from a photo for an element of a composition is ok, but gridding out someone else's photo (or even your own) completely defeats the purpose of traditional media. It's a sort of modernist philosophy that basically says "If i wanted to see a photo I would look at a photo". I don't see as much issue as taking inspiration from a photo as long as it's obviously been made personal by the artist.

If you're a Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock or Banksy wannabe, GTFO. Basically, don't do someone else. do you.
15 years ago
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cultrara
Posts: 5147 - Karma: 46,849
^right on but i think 2 weeks is better
15 years ago
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OscarTheGrouch
Posts: 839 - Karma: 17
That all sounds good to me.
15 years ago
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,392
2 weeks is not a lot of time, but a time limit from 1-whatever weeks could be part of it.
15 years ago
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snwbrdmilf
Posts: 22441 - Karma: 2,814
First off I have a question about the subject and art style fitting together. I understand there will be a specific subject (landscape, emotion, ...?) and as far as what the artist is allowed to create with that is open to interpretation. Or, are we having a specific subject and a specific means of how we want the art composed (drawing, sculpting...). If we have the former I think rules can be pretty set, but if we have the latter we'll have interchanging rules. Either or is fine, but I think we should establish a basis. Or, we could have both too I guess.

Rules:

3 week composition and submission time limit. I think 2 is too short. Although this I suppose can change with each week as well, depending on subject.

No copying photographs

Using photos for a collage or drawing from a photo for an element of a composition is ok. The idea would be to draw inspiration from the photo, and make it personal by you, if you so choose.

And at the bottom of each opening round I'll add Trevor's little BE YOU tid bit. =)


I can (or Grouchy) can create the first thread whenever we're ready. So we need to decide on a subject. I think the first round should display who you are as an artist, with maybe a brief write up. It would be a great way to get this thing off the ground with interest.
15 years ago
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SweatyBallShack
Posts: 2857 - Karma: 58
Maybe the first one could be kinda a broad topic? Like maybe just requiring a sertain material like watercolors, oil pastels, acrylic paints etc...
15 years ago
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gnarles.
Posts: 2587 - Karma: 130
ya like lets say the topic is cars and the matireal u must use in your piece is watercolors but for your finish product only 50% of it is watercolor and the rest is what ever the artist chooses. then the artist could get very creative
15 years ago
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,392
Lots of people hate watercolors. Including me.

I think saying "2d" or "3d" would be good.
or saying "painting" or "drawing" or "collage" but remember that Painting doesn't mean "using paint". Painting and drawing are processes, not mediums. Some people draw with paint.

People do all sorts of different things with different media, so limiting it to something as specific as oil or watercolor or pencil could be too much. Plus oil is expensive as shit if you want to participate and don't already have all the stuff you need.

Here's my bid for number one:

"Using 2d media, show us who you are as an artist, based on subject matter and/or specific media.

Describe your decisions:
Subject
Composition
Media
Size of you piece
processes specific to you
any other relevant info."

Something simple like that.

I can easily post an example to show how it might work if anyone wants.
15 years ago
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SweatyBallShack
Posts: 2857 - Karma: 58

I can already tell that mine is going to be an embarasment to this website. haha.

15 years ago
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OscarTheGrouch
Posts: 839 - Karma: 17
Ha, don't worry about it. As for the first subject, I think the idea of having the contestants show who they are as an artist is a great idea. That way we will see their true talent at the beginning. Now we just need to come up with a complete list of rules.
15 years ago
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Black-Bandanna
Posts: 6680 - Karma: 1,603
Hell yeah, I love that idea, Ashley. That way we can see what everyone's about. The write up is a nice idea too. Let's get this thing rolling.
15 years ago
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fsscott
Posts: 4684 - Karma: 114
I'd be down for an art contest, should be fun.

I read something about no computers, what if I fill in with a computer?

I'll make due without it if needed, but just wondering what the final word on that was...
15 years ago
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cultrara
Posts: 5147 - Karma: 46,849
no use of digital media or modification
15 years ago
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little_boo
Posts: 1303 - Karma: 231
yes please!
this sounds like an amazing idea
15 years ago
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,392
suggested rules


Rules:

1. Rules specific to piece:

-you have THREE WEEKS to produce your piece
-2D media (or 3D)
-Painting processes (or drawing, or collaged found elements only, or your choice etc.)
-post your own art (no stealing! You will be banned from the contest)
-No copying photographs. Using photos for a collage or drawing from a photo for an element of a composition is ok. The idea would be to draw inspiration from the photo, and make it personal by you, if you so choose.
-Size limitation (if applicable)
-Art must be done over the course the project is running



2. Rules specific to entry / contest:

-you may post 1 PIECE ONLY
-you may post up to 5 PHOTOS of your piece (so you can reveal media and texture with close up photos)
-no hating on art, constructive criticism only
-we will have a voting thread to determine the top 5, then we will vote again to find the winner
-click on embedded photos before judging, NS sucks the life out of them (please try avoiding quoting yourself with “click for quality", it’s a well known fact at this point and I just want to avoid clutter)
-winner chooses the next topic
-you cannot win 2 times in a row, you can win twice, just not in a row
-PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go out and shoot! Do your best to not pull any files because it goes with the topic. We’re looking to have this be an active art contest.


If you're a Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock or Banksy wannabe, GTFO. Basically, don't do someone else. do you.
15 years ago
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OscarTheGrouch
Posts: 839 - Karma: 17
All these rules sound good to me. As for your last rule, I agree to a certain point. I think it's fine if they draw inspiration from a famous artist but in the end their submitted piece must be an original. I will talk to Ashley about getting the first round going.
15 years ago
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