One Illustration Needed for Short Story
- Status: Closed
- Prize: £30
- Entries Received: 47
- Winner: marinaChe
Contest Brief
PARANORMAL COMEDY: THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED ORGANS
I am looking for an illustrator to produce a coloured drawing/painting of the two main characters of a paranormal comedy short story I am writing.
One character is a white woman in her mid-thirties, tall and skinny with unkempt peroxide-blond hair sitting high on her head (a kind of loose beehive, with wisps of hair escaping out to the sides). She is wearing a navy blazer (slightly too large for her), a baggy knitted jumper and a pair of blue jeans. She is a paranormal investigator and is carrying an over-the-top looking device (a little like an old-fashioned large remote controller for a toy car, with antenna and buttons and switches) and perhaps has a satchel or bag over her shoulder. She is wearing oversized hipster style nerd glasses, which slide down her small button nose.
The other character is a thirty-seven year old white man of medium height and carrying a little extra weight. He has brown hair and a full, trimmed beard. He is wearing a white shirt, the top button undone and the tie loosened and a pair of black suit trousers and black shoes.
***Winner will be given the option of having a link to their website included in the published story/stories on Amazon***
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BASED ON ILLUSTRATORS' QUERIES:
Some other ideas: Perhaps the two could be standing back-to-back with some sort of portal to the beyond in the background.
A full illustration is ideally what I am after -- one that includes both figures described in the brief standing back-to-back or beside one another with some sort of portal or vortex behind them. The story includes monsters and ghosts, etc so the portal could have creepy things coming out of it if you think it looks better: tentacles, eyeballs, glowing red eyes. Just a thought!
I need a portrait oriented jpeg image of at least 625 x 1000 pixels.
UPDATE (Mon 7th Oct):
I continue to be blown away by the quality of the entries. Here are some of the criteria I am taking into account when comparing the entries so far:
(i) The age of the characters -- do they look in their mid-thirties?
(ii) The woman's hair -- is it a little comical and piled high on her head, as well as being untidy?
(iii) The device the woman is holding -- is it large and clunky with antenna and possibly glowy bits? Is it obvious it's a piece of equipment and not a mobile phone?
(iv) Character stances -- do they look dynamic or is there a sort of comical interaction between the two?
(v) The portal -- does it catch the eye? Does it allow the characters to stand out and not disappear into the background? Does it represent the world the the paranormal?
(vi) Thumbnail -- does the illustration stand out when viewed as a thumbnail. I want it to be eye catching to someone browsing the Amazon store.
(vii) Clothes -- are they depicted as described in the brief?
To read the story: http://www.martincosgrove.tumblr.com/pinkerton
When I think of the female character's hair, I imagine something similar to this image, only frizzier: http://hisvorpal.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/b52.jpg
Recommended Skills
Employer Feedback
“Marina is a wonderfully talented and original artist whose unique creative vision brought my characters to life. It was a pleasure working with her.”
ihvhadni, United Kingdom.
Public Clarification Board
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TsN5
- 12 years ago
Oh come on... This was the first time that I thought I could win... geez,these contests really p.... me off :D
CG to marinache.. Altough I like momatoes entry more :)- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
Congratulations to marinaChe, whose work I chose as the contest winner. It fits exactly with the tone of my story and is a beautifully original design. #55
Again, I would like to thank all of you for your interest in this project. I have been overwhelmed by the response and by the quality of the entries. I feel bad only being able to choose one winner, because I could have easily chosen others to use as my cover design and been proud to have such great artwork representing my writing.
In case you guys are interested, my four runners-up (in order of contest number) were: #32 #39 #53 and #54
Those were the pieces I felt were most suited to my needs, so it's not that the other entries were not also fantastic pieces of art. I'm so lucky that so many talented people came across my post.
Thank you all again and thanks for being so kind and respectful on the forum.
Keep on creating and best of luck with future projects!- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
Right -- just to be clear: I'm going to extend the deadline to tomorrow morning (8 hours from now). I need to get the story up on Amazon and Smashwords as soon as possible so that people searching for Halloween-related stories can find it. Good luck to those still working on their submissions.
- 12 years ago
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momatoes
- 12 years ago
I'll submit something within the hour :)
- 12 years ago
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momatoes
- 12 years ago
For better or for worse, here it is! #61 Thank you so much for waiting. Even if it doesn't make it, I still had a great time making it. This has been an excellent contest and I'm excited to see which illustration you choose in the end. :D
- 12 years ago
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TsN5
- 12 years ago
Ok. Im gonna try to make another piece :) I think Im not able to draw anything as Im without inspiration :D
But I think I fit the lines here.
Im not sure only about age.. But, my mom is older than your char and she is looking good :D
And my father as well, but, he is asian :D Asians dont get old :D- 12 years ago
View 3 more messages-
DragonFlamely
- 12 years ago
Well. I'm the first from my family to not let go of the drawing. I'm glad that i haven't
- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
Good for you! Follow that dream :)
- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
I'm going to wait half an hour or so to see if momatoes submits the finished entry. If not, I will need to go to bed and will announce winner early in the morning before I go to work. I think it's only fair to give a chance for all entries to be completed. Please don't submit any more partially completed entries now though :)
- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
Please don't apologise. Will the extra time be useful for you? I don't know what time zone you are in and if you'll be asleep like me haha. It's no problem for me to wait until morning (UK time). I like how your work is coming along -- looks great :)
- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
Good to know, Vixxxen. Thank you :)
- 12 years ago
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TsN5
- 12 years ago
#59 ! Done! This was really big fun for me :)
Changed style and color palette . But overall feeling is quite similar and almost same- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
Hey everyone. I'm going to pick a winner for this contest this evening (UK time) -- so in about twelve hours. If you have no completed a piece and need a little more time, please let me know soon. Thanks!
- 12 years ago
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momatoes
- 12 years ago
Thank you so much for being understanding. I've just submitted #58 -- do comment if it catches your fancy! It's still a bit incomplete because I haven't finished the background, so I apologize for the delay.
- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
I've left a comment under the image. Thanks again.
- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
My facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/martincosgrovewriter and tumblr blog is: www.martincosgrove.com for anyone who wants to keep up-to-date with the release of the short stories, on the cover of which the winning entry will be used. My plan is to publish one issue per month via Amazon and Smashwords. If you keep in touch, I may decide to pay for use of one of your other submissions for future issues.
- 12 years ago
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StueartRose
- 12 years ago
could you give me some feedback on #47
- 12 years ago
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TsN5
- 12 years ago
Oh... one star down... lol.. Then I forgot that I posted more entries :D
I will withdraw that 2 older entries as Im not satisfied with them and hope you will not be confused with big amount of entries :)- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
Yeah, your most recent entry is still a strong contender :)
- 12 years ago
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Vixxxen
- 12 years ago
I am going to give it another shot! I have been working on it. will have an entry in later.
I hope it will be more of what your looking for.
Thank you- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
Good luck! :D
- 12 years ago
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dianagraur
- 12 years ago
hey, could you please send some feedback on no. 46? Thank a bunch!
- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
I've left a comment under the image. Thank you :)
- 12 years ago
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jaufox
- 12 years ago
minus 1 star? seriously?
- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
Hi jaufox. I'm in the process of narrowing down my choices for a winner and am using the star rankings to help me to order my thoughts. I'm sure you understand that this is not personal and is a defining characteristic of a contest. I hope you are not offended as your artwork is very good, it's just (out of the options available) not the most suitable for my needs.
- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
When I think of Pinkerton's hair, I imagine something like this (only with messy, frizzy strands sticking out) http://hisvorpal.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/b52.jpg
- 12 years ago
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Vixxxen
- 12 years ago
could you please give me some private feedback on #36 #37 So I know what changes to make.
Thank you for your time- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
Thank you for taking the time to enter the contest and best of luck with your art :)
- 12 years ago
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Vixxxen
- 12 years ago
No Problem Thank you for the feedback. :)
- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
UPDATE: I continue to be blown away by the quality of the entries. Here are some of the criteria I am taking into account when comparing the entries so far: (i) The age of the characters -- do they look in their mid-thirties? (ii) The woman's hair -- is it a little comical and piled high on her head, as well as being untidy? (iii) The device the woman is holding -- is it large and clunky with antenna and possibly glowy bits? Is it obvious it's a piece of equipment and not a mobile phone? (iv) Character stances -- do they look dynamic or is there a sort of comical interaction between the two? (v) The portal -- does it catch the eye? Does it allow the characters to stand out and not disappear into the background? Does it represent the world the the paranormal? (vi) Thumbnail -- does the illustration stand out when viewed as a thumbnail. I want it to be eye catching to someone browsing the Amazon store. (vii) Clothes -- are they depicted as described in the brief?
- 12 years ago
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TsN5
- 12 years ago
My entry is missing? Its just me or you dont see my entry too?
- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
The issue appears to be resolved now. Is it showing for you?
- 12 years ago
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TsN5
- 12 years ago
Yes its ok now :)
- 12 years ago
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RenzoFerrer
- 12 years ago
I think I can make your request, please check my gallery and tell me what do you think!
www.rnzzz.tumblr.com- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
Hmm.... I was sure I replied to you when you posted, but it appears not. I love your artwork and hope you will enter the contest. :)
- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
If any artists who have posted an entry would like me to include a link to their website on my blog and facebook page, please let me know. The winning artist will also be given the option of having their name and/or link included in the published story also.
- 12 years ago
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allentmatthews
- 12 years ago
That's really awesome of you! I don't have a finished site up for myself yet but I do have a small webcomic that I make. It's at http://www.conradsinventions.com if you want to link to it.
- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
Cool site! I've added it to my blog post queue :) Thanks for sharing.
- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
Today I finished writing the first issue of the short story series that the winning image will illustrate. My aim is to publish one a month on Amazon. If any of you would like to read an advance copy of the story (there may be some small tweaks before the final draft is published), you can download it from this link: http://martincosgrove.tumblr.com/pinkerton
- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
Tomorrow I'm going to delete older versions/sketches of entries to make it easier to see compare the completed versions.
- 12 years ago
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ZoCDT
- 12 years ago
Please check #34
- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
That's great! Even better than your previous entry. Thank you :)
- 12 years ago
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ZoCDT
- 12 years ago
Please check #33 . Thank you!
- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
Brilliant! Love the vibrant colours -- thank you :D
- 12 years ago
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ZoCDT
- 12 years ago
Thank you very much! I'm glad you like the colors! :D I will bring some changes and reflections.
- 12 years ago
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TsN5
- 12 years ago
#28 Finished :)
Hope you like it. I tried to catch a woman personality more confident than that guy :)- 12 years ago
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TsN5
- 12 years ago
yes I do.
www.tsn.cghub.com
or tsn551.deviantart.com
Thank you- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
I've posted a link to your deviantart page on my tumblr blog. I'm going to write a post including all the websites given for my facebook page once the contest is over. My blog is: www.martincosgrove.com
- 12 years ago
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samrat66
- 12 years ago
Hi, I have a huge respect for all the artists who have participated in this contest. All of you are so creative!!! BIG THANKS to all of you.
- 12 years ago
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Contest Holder - 12 years ago
Agreed! Everyone is very creative; yourself included.
- 12 years ago
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