How it works:
How to enter:
Since this model has just been released there is no need to post a picture of your model before you start working on it. All you have to do is post the final picture of it here. If you don't see your name listed under contests a few days after posting, drop me a PM just to keep me in line. Of course it would be nice to let us know here that you are interested in entering and that you bought the model. Just so I get the idea about who is planning to enter. Surprise entries are just fine too. And in cases maybe better.
Judging:
Since we have no polls, that is not an option. Instead, I will be picking judges. Well, taking volunteers. I will create a form to fill out. Much like iron chef. The form will include points totals in categories and more importantly a comments section for each one. I say more important, because from what I have gathered, people don't particularly like entering contests because they get very little feedback and only the top few entries get many votes. The forms will be sent to me after being completed.(you can also post them here or PM them to the contestant if you wish) Then the scores for each section will be added up and I will divide them by the number of judges giving each entry an average score. I will then post each entry and it's score on the first page. The comments will be collected for each section and I will PM them to the contestant. The contestant wont ever know what judge gave them what comment unless the form was sent to them or posted here by the judge. So be honest. Comments and criticism required.
How to become a judge:
We can have any number of judges. No limits! Just let me know any time before the contest ends that you are interested in being a judge, if you are up to the task that is. Via PM or posting here preferred. There are some requirements if you think you are up to the task.
1. Be honest. Be fair.
2. Judge one, judge all. If you fill out the form for one entry, you have to fill it out for each entry. All judged equally. (they wont know who sent the negative comments)
3. Take your time. Don't blow threw the ones you don't like. Try and help.
4. Be honest with yourself. The first question you will have to answer is about your own skill so the contestant knows what to expect. "rate your own abilities 1-5"
If you think you are up for the task, you can be a judge and a contestant. Just simply don't fill out a form for your own model.
If we have less than three judges at the contest's end, I will judge as well. I don't think I'm all too good at painting so I will try and sit that out as well.
Duration:
This contest has three end conditions.
1. in three months from the start if we have at least 5 entries it will go to voting. (Jan 1st)
2. if at the end of the three months we do not have 5 entries, it will continue until we get our fifth entry. Then it will end one week after the fifth submission giving stranglers one week to catch up. (Jan 1st)
3. if after 6 months we do not have 5 entries it will end. If we do not have at least 2 entries at that time, I will submit my own as our second. T'hinker'er of course being the first. (May 1st)
Judging from: first thoughts/rough draft. Ideas on this would be great.
Judge, rate your own skill 1-5.
I'm somewhere between 2 and 2.5. Just below average I'd say.
First impression of the model.(1-5 words)
"Stunning!" "pretty generic" "run or the mill" "Best I've seen"
Overall look: out of 10 points.
Comments:
Go deeper on the first impression. describe how it looks overall. Mold lines really noticeable. Things like that. It's on the top, but I'd fill this one out last. Going threw the rest of the form will help with this one. This section is almost a summery if you want it to be.
Painting: out of 10 points.
Comments
How is the paint job? This one is easy. I like to keep this category open. Very inclusive. Almost anything can be said here.
Hilights/Shadows/Blending: out of 5 points.
Comments
"it could use a wash." "Could use a hi light." "Transition and blending could be better." I included this separate from painting because it deserves it's own category. Variations of those three comments are said more than anything I've seen.
Colors: out of 5 points.
Comments
This one I included as kind of an blank slate for color people. For example I have seen people say things like "I dislike when scales are a lighter shade than the skin tone" or "I like your use of contrasting colors. It really pops" Anything about color.
Details: out of 5 points.
Comments
Pretty open again. It can be free hand work. Crazy eye syndrome(also could be in overall look). Anything you like or dislike. Or both! No limit on the number of comments per section. Like judges, the more the better. Everyone here loves feedback.
Conversion/original look: out of 5 points.
Comments
This is for later contests more than this one. I imagine it'll stick more with original look on this one. But who knows! Maybe someone has a good idea. Also mold lines could be included here.
Base: out of 10 points.
Comments
Out of 10! Big right? I know. I host the contest and I find basing really important! I'd say about 33% of the model is it's base. So 10 points out of 50 is as low as I could go in this category.
Added bonus:
For previous contest winners. Been playing with the idea of giving them a free 1-2 points to add to their favorite. Just for a little extra pull for having won.