I am announcing a new contest which I hope to have up within a few days that was just given the go ahead by admin and I do hope that you guys will enjoy it.The theme is a Darker Shade of Christmas,but this isn't a reference to horror as the idea is to strip the holiday of the imagery created by decades of commercialization and bring it back to something more in line with traditional fantasy.No cute little elves in green costumes here as the more generic elven may only wear a simple loin cloth(an example only lol)and also include females (never understood why people only realised there should be female elves only recently).Faerys,trolls and other traditional fantasy characters will be the primary focus,but there can be things a bit darker like werewolves or demons,the trick is that there will be absolutely "no violence",moderate mayhem maybe but any image with violence that is left in the contest will be eliminated from winning.

The standard TOS will apply to this contest and it will be a closed vote so as to prevent a certain type of troll from being an issue.Instead,I will be selecting a panel of ten judges who will rank ten of their favorite images from the contest in sequence of their choice...the top 4 winners will recieve larger prize packages and there will be 6 runner up positions that will each recieve a great prize and the best news is that everyone who enters will recieve a consolation prize just for entering that will be supplied by my great friend iLona.

Here is a partial list of the sponsors I have been able to contact so far who have contributed prizes so far.

Romanceworks
iLona
Richabri
Danie and Marforno

I have contacted several other possible sponsor since proposing this contest about two weeks ago,but I could not contact them to confirm their participation because I only recieved confirmation yesterday...so things may seem a bit rushed,but hope to have things up by Tuesday or Thursday at latest.

The idea here is to take the fantasy that many of you are already familiar with and invest the spirit of Christmas into it...there is no requirement that these images may only contain fantasy characters,you can have normal everyday settings as well with a fantasy character element added somewhere within the image.An example of this would be a couple sitting in their home before a comfy fire while behind them faerys are stringing popcorn around their tree or a troll is peering in their window eyeing their presents.

All images should be original works for this contest and only one entry per member allowed...I'm still trying to round up other sponsers that I've already contacted and hope to make this one memorable for you guys as you've been great friends and I hope to bring this all together to show everyone how much I enjoy being here among you.Stay tuned...will try to update as often as I can and to the people who approved and sponsor this contest I offer my humble gratitude;)

Wanted to get this out to you guys here because of the late date of getting the contest going and wanted to make you aware of it...thank you

This sounds great. ! Count me in :)

For the 4 top winner I'd like to offer Tess for V3 plus my snowflake brushes (Neige) and for the runners up my snowflake brushes. Would that be ok? Attached is my banner if you want the banners to appear on the contest page...

This sounds like a lot of fun and I've just got hold of some unusual charaters who might just fit in here. Thanks 8) Catlin

Way to go Armorbeast...I believe this sort of thing will start a whole new trend in contests within the graphic community. The judging of the contest by closed voting panel is a very good idea. This will give the new people as good a chance of winning as anybody. No chance of 'soliciting' votes to turn it into a 'popularity contest'. I like the idea and will do what I can to spread the word around.

This sounds great, I'll look forward to it (both making an image and seeing what others come up with!) I also like the closed vote situation. Much more difficult to sway by spamming :)

it does sound pretty kewl! Worth taking the time out to work on. thanks --Essie

Oh What fun. :O) when is the the size rules, dates, etc going to be posted.

As a followup to my other comment: I am glad to see so many responding already. As with anything of this nature the more participants it gets, the more likely that it can become a regular thing around the CGG loop.

I live for contests! Even though I've not won one lol, it's a lot of fun to work towards an eye catching rendering! Looking foward to this one as well.--Essie

This sounds great... When will we know all the Details & Rules...???

LOL...You know I'm in.

Hey guys thanks...bear with me til Friday or Saturday morning to get this going as we're trying to get the banners and such from the sponsors so that the page and contest goes smoothly and due to the late start will be extending the contest to the 27th of December with judging beginning on the 28th-29th.Why after Christmas?Well,I think by the 22nd people are just going to be revving up for Christmas and waiting two days will give you time to settle down...and get that last Christmas gift you weren't expecting:) Details? How about an update on sponsors?Blazzerwiccan is on board,A~joined in and my friend Lucie made her feelings known above (thanks m'lady). We want this to be special...something for merchants who might not otherwise even think to sponsor contests or who just want to say their thanks to their friends on rosity without all the pains of managing a contest at this time of year;)I also wish to thank you guys for being friends during my mothers battle with cancer-really means so much to be able to focus on something that can give so much joy and beauty to the world! Even if I only get the support of the merchants who've already signed on,they have contributed many great items that will be listed when the contest page goes up (so,you'll have to wait just a bit longer for the surprise). I truly believe ten judges ranking their top ten each will provide every entrant a far more promising chance of winning from beginner to seasoned pro when the votes are tallied;) One entry per person and must be original work for this contest...don't sign the image or mark it so as to inform anyone of its creator (helps keep all entrys annonymous and lets talent win)...trying to influence the decision of any judge will result in disqualification...members may not post the images anywhere until Christmas Eve (hey,gotta at least allow you guys to show your stuff and post under a Christmas date in your gallerys)and I insist you have fun;) My great friend iLona has donated Birds of Prey to every person who enters...so you cannot lose!!!Everyone is a winner and thats the way it should be...so to everyone I say thanks and hope the contest will grow a bit more by the time its posted either Friday or Saturday morning.Sorry for the delay,just trying to get this right and make it worthy of your attention on behalf of my great sponsors...I can never thank them enough,I am most humbled by their support and friendship;) Will either launch the contest tomorrow or update you on what time it will be up Saturday morning...but no later than this I promise as I've held your creative juices back too long already;)Thanks so much for being there for me guys...means more than you can ever realise;)

when is it going to post?--Essie

Will get it up tomorrow morning...have to put the finishing touches on it and let Spike check it out before it goes live;)Hope you enter Panda,I think it'll be worthy of your attention and thank you for your interest!!!

I've been thinking about this since you first mentioned it. Can't wait to find out the details and I'm really looking forward to getting involved with this. 8) Catlin

Is there any further on this contest looking forward to it

Up and going with prize packs that would make Santa howl lol...check it out on the front page.My first contest on rosity and was so surprised that so many top talents joined in with their support.

Danie and Marforno,Romanceworks,Richabri,Islandgirdesigns,A~,Lucie,Blazzerwiccan,iLona,Speed77 and RNKarenER!!!Check the prize packs as the top 4 winners get get several items each and there are 6 runners up who get magnificent prizes as well.

Click the links to see what you'll be getting if you win and if you need something for a gift or just a little something extra for yourself..keep these people in mind as they do excellent work!And again,just by entering you get iLona's Birds of Prey (at Poser Pro's where she's know as Enigma Designs)...so enter and remember,Candace Claus is watching and you better be nice as she does naughty things to bad little girls and boys!!!!

looks like a fantastic contest Armorbeast, and I like the idea of a closed panel judging as well, no popularity contests and gives everyone a chance! blessings Spiritfoxy-^..^-~~

looks like a fantastic contest Armorbeast, and I like the idea of a closed panel judging as well, no popularity contests and gives everyone a chance! blessings Spiritfoxy-^..^-~~