YAY MY FIRST CONTEST EVAR!!! I decided to do this as an epic birthday present to myself in a weird way, by having people draw for me but at the same time you guys will be getting presents in the end! XD

Contest info layout and rules tweaked by me, but borrowed from =boofrickityhoo and =RipfangDragon :3




UPDATE 8/30/09 - POPULAR VOTE WINNER POSTED! ^^ Also all of the Bix Love You Prints are now finished! Look below the winners to see the thumbnails! And please ALL contest entrants, winners included, send me their print choices and mailing address!!


Ok so you have NO IDEA how hard this was to decide. I got into arguments with myself and other people I asked opinions of on who should take what place, then I went and created more prize winning places to fit some of the entries that I thought deserved recognition. XD; In the end though remember this was not a contest about skill alone, but moreso about accurately depicting the characters in both a physical sense but also the mood/theme/idea of your picture. Everyone did a fantastic job, and there are no losers in my contest, EVERYONE wins a Bix Loves You Prize Print don't forget. And really, I'm so grateful and happy you all entered at all .... so without further ado, THE WINNERS!


First Place -
Amazing pencil shading and details aside, not to mention the interesting and beautiful coloring, Leo really managed to capture a rare serene and sweet scene of them together. <3 The way Dash is holding her and Zel's peaceful expression just hit the spot for me. I had a tough time deciding between this and the regular pencil version actually. x_x But the coloring I felt really added to the mood so color won.

Second Place -
I simple ADORE their facial expressions, it has that perfect amount of mischief, cockyness, and affection even. <3 And I love the way their fingers are interlaced with the red ribbon (of fate?) tying them together. Not to mention the outfits are too cool, and that background is really nifty and creative as well. Their hair is also one of my favorite parts, the way Zel's hair looks so flippy and cute.. and Dash's hair is love as well. <3

Third Place -
There's just something about this image that makes me feel like it just came out of a manga, like a chapter image or something. Their facial expressions are just wonderful, especially Dash's. He looks so satisfied/smug, maybe because he's imagining Zel naked lol. XD Or maybe he's actually just thinking fondly of her in general.. or of her boobs.. who knows, but either way I love it. <3 ~KitsxChan even went so far as to write a poem for Zel and Dash to go with her image, and even let me borrow it for one of my own!

Fourth Place -
SEXY TIEMZ IS SEXY. Obviously there's so much passion expressed here, and what's impressive is how Rippy didn't even have to draw their full bodies to express it. You only see this small amount of each character, and not even their eyes, but it's more than enough to feel the passion of the scene. The dark lighting is also really lovely.

Best Single Character Illustration -
There is so much I love about this.. how milky and soft Zel's skin looks, that haunting expression on her face, that sexy kimono with tha subtle pattern, the sword, her hair.. EVERYTHING. Zel looks super sexy and yet still somehow intimidating here.. ~JeyR really did an awesome job capturing her! <3

Best Comedic Illustration -
I had a tough time deciding between this and ~kitty-eared-girl's entry because they're both so funny and I can easily see both as an "omake theater" side comic of sorts. But yeah in the end I had to give it to Niya because their facial expressions are so full of win, not to mention I can't get over how cute Dash's feet are. XD;

Popular Vote-
Boo's piece is indeed beautiful and sexy~ <3 The only reason I did not place it was because when I had to start getting crazy and nitpicky to narrow down my favorites ( which, seriously you guys, was pretty much every entry.. you guys need to stop being so awesome!! I mean, keep being awesome! XD ), I had a couple of concerns about some imagery in it so I had to stick to the rules I made for the contest and she narrowly missed out on a place. ;_; But in the end I'm very happy she won popular vote because she worked so hard on it when she had a lot going on in her personal life, and I really do love it to death. <3 Their facial expressions are just so "oh, you have no idea what you're in for" heeheehee. Zel's outfit is badass, and I approve of Dash's lack of outfit, yes .. and lookit those sheets!! Anyhoo congrats Boo!!


CONGRATS TO EVERYONE!!! Refer to the prize section below to see what you win, and contact me whenever you have decided what you would like. For prints, I'll be updating my available prints in my prints journal as soon as I can as I have made a lot of my newer works into prints but haven't had a chance to update, so if you don't see the picture you want there feel free to ask me if it can be made into a print. DON'T FORGET EVERYONE WHO ENTERED, WINNERS INCLUDED, GET A BONUS BIX LOVES YOU PRIZE PRINT OF ZEL AND DASH!! CHOOSE YOUR PRINT!


BIX LOVES YOU PRIZE PRINTS

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PLEASE BE SURE TO READ EVERYTHING!


UPDATE 8/19/09 - So my very first contest is officially closed~!! Please check the submissions section below for the new entries, and there's a new prize too kindly donated by !! Thanks to EVERYONE who entered. Everyone's entries have really blown me away, you guys are going to make judging almost impossible~! x_x


ALSO, check out this very important blog to find out how to help a fellow deviant who is struggling with medical bills- she suffered a stroke after being in a car accident and now lives with a conditioned called "locked-in." You can read more about her story and how to help from this post made by here ~> [link] Thanks!!



SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! I decided, because I'm just too full of love and gratitude to you all, that EVERYONE who enters the contest will get a special thank you print from me of Zel and Dash at the end. <333


Theme: My epic couple, Zel and/or Dash! You can draw one of them or both of them together in a picture ( I would love to see some DxZ pix tho :3 ), in whatever kind of scene you wish to depict. Whether it's either of them in a fashionable outfit, a love scene, a fighting/arguing scene, a crazy murderous rampage ( on Zel's end )... Pretty much anything!

Deadline:
August 18, 2009 ( if extensions are needed just note me! )

Rules:
[1] Only Zel and Dash may be used, there will be contests for other characters in the future. :3
[2] Mature Content allowed. This includes nudity and violence, just don't do anything that can possibly get ya kicked off of devart. XD; ( however if you want to do something that scandalous outside of the contest i'll be happy to look at it outside of DA ) If you are doing a MC piece, I encourage making a preview image of some sort since the submissions will be linked in this journal. In the case of violence, Zel must NOT be depicted harming Dash, in a serious way at least. XD;
[3] A maximum of three entries is allowed.
[4] Final submissions must be in color or in detailed inks, any medium (i.e. watercolor, digital, colored pencil, etc). Sketches or lineart inks not finished by the deadline may be eligible for the Popular Vote only.
[5] Collaborations are allowed, but count as one entry for both participants, and if chosen the winner, will share the prize. Must be an equal collab effort, i.e. one to drawn and ink/ one to color.
[6] Pieces may not be posted any place other than your own personal DA gallery unless you provide me with a link to the webpage it will be displayed on.
[7] Entries must be created for the contest specifically. Usage of previously created images or if you owe me something (art trade, requests, prizes, etc.), it cannot be used as an entry. :9
[8] If you would like to donate prizes to the contest, you may still enter, and you will receive a print as a thank you from me at the end.
[9] Note me with the link to finished work!

Comment to enter!!

The Judging of the Contest:
- Will be based on creativity, over all aesthetic, and the accuracy of the artwork.
- Will take the accuracy of the characters into consideration.
- I will choose the winners.
- There will also be an overall Popular Vote at the end for a sort of community choice award, again you may NOT vote for yourself.

Prizes:
(More may be added later! If you would like to donate anything note me!)
First Place - One full size commission of up to two characters, two busts OR chibis, one full page (around 8x10in) and two 5x7in prints from my art prints.
Second Place - One full size commission of one character, one bust OR chibi, one full page (around 8x10in) OR two 5x7in prints from my art prints.
Third Place - One bust OR chibi commission, one full page (around 8x10in) OR two 5x7in prints from my art prints.
Fourth Place - One bust OR chibi commission, one 5x7in print from my art prints.
Best Single Character Illustration - One bust OR chibi commission, one 5x7in print from my art prints.
Best Comedic Scene - One bust OR chibi commission, one 5x7in print from my art prints.
Popular Vote/Community Choice - One bust OR chibi commission, one 5x7in print from my art prints.
The Bix Loves You Prize - Everyone who enters my contest will receive a special thank you print of Dash and Zel from me at the end!
Bust picture of one character from , recipient to be decided upon judging.

Entrants:


Submissions:










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Characters:

Name: Zel Mavet
Age: Early 20's
Zodiac: Gemini
Height/Body Type/Features: Stands about 5'10"-5'11", looks long with lean/athletic build but with a big chest( probably around a D cup ) Small lips, tends to lift a brow when she's confused or giving a wry look/grin.
Skin Tone: VERY pale. I usually leave the majority of her skin white and only shade in light skin colors for the illusion of super paleness.
Eyes: Very light sky blue/ice blue.
Hair: BLACK ( highlight color purple ), wavy and goes a little passed the shoulders with straight bangs that part in the middle and frame her face. Can be worn in a variety of ways, not always worn down.
Occupation: Assassin
Accessories/Tattoos: See [link] for details on earrings and assassin mask.
Fashion: You can put her in pretty much anything. ^^ I often draw her in more gothic looking attire, with corsets and the like. Also, she has a mask she can be drawn with.

Personality (in a nut shell): Taken when she was young to develop her powers and forced into a life of servitude as an assassin for the corrupt ruler of her world. She takes no pleasure in what she does, but she has no choice. She's sarcastic, brooding, but also can be witty and cocky even. Zel was given an experimental drug to enhance her powers and also make her easier to control, however while it did increase her latent abilities it also has made her mentally unstable. She begins to develop a split personality that is extremely violent and insane. ( that's why in some of the pix she looks crazy, haha )

Name: Dash ( last name to be decided ;;; )
Age: Mid 20's
Zodiac: Aries
Height/Body Type/Features: Stands about 6'1"-6'2". Lean and toned but not particularly muscular, however has broad shoulders ( and sexy arms :9 ). Also has a noted crooked grin.. VERY IMPORTANT. XD
Skin Tone: Not as pale as Zel, but still paler than average.
Eyes: Green.
Hair: Auburn/Reddish brown, usually messy looking and has sideburns. Sometimes even has stubble.
Occupation: Mercenary, usually works for Alsaans.
Accessories/Tattoos: See [link] for details on earrings. I wanted to design him a tattoo but I'm not sure what to do yet, so if you want to take a shot go ahead! ^^
Fashion: I'm still kinda deciding what kind of look he has/wears, but it shouldn't be quite as gothic as Zel ( unless you're going for a certain theme/look for them then it's fine ). More masculine and casual I guess, but he has a ego so he'll want to look good/cool I'd think. XD

Personality (in a nut shell): We're still working out the new background for Dash, but whatever happened in his past he's now working in the underworld. Information gathering, smuggling, whatever. He's finding himself employed more often by the powerful Alsaan organization, specifically Vynnyssa Alsaan. Their public image and power hides their true intent of quietly resisting the growing corruption of the government by smuggling and relocating political prisoners/targets among other things. Dash comes off as cocky and arrogant, not afraid to brag about his skills at anything, but there's definitely more to him than bravado. He's a passionate man, and despite seeming to only care about himself and getting paid, he has his standards and wouldn't mind having a hand in the crumbling of the empire. ( as long as there's money in it XD )


Zel and Dash (in a nut shell and with as little spoilers as I can make it ): Zel hires Dash initially for information on the Alsaans after receiving a message mentioning them. Dash takes some interest in this mysterious and enigmatic girl as more than a client, and hopes their paths will cross again... which of course they will later. ;D As their fates seem to entwine, they both are surprised to find their feelings growing stronger and stronger. They're often at ends with each other, arguing and accusations flung at each other since they both lead dangerous/secretive lives ( not to mention trying to fight off that pesky sexual tension XD ). Finally their relationship reaches a possible breaking point, and with no other option except to say goodbye Dash confesses his feelings for Zel, and with her back against a wall ( literally XD ), Zel hesitantly admits she feels the same knowing the danger that puts them in.
Their relationship is intense and passionate and loving, but also private. They're not the typically cute, giggling, care-free couple. They're not publicly affectionate, and any hint of that would either be simply flirty or too subtle for people to notice. Privately tho they're more playful and probably all over each other. XD; I'm not saying they're sex fiends or anything, but they don't have hide anything when they're alone together.

Refs:



† Bix †