2014 Lea Art Secret Santa - Merry Christmas!

[Azerane]

Hi everyone! Because I'm in the process of moving, and I'm bound to forget about this if I don't do it now, I'm getting a head start on this years art Secret Santa.

HOW IT WORKS:
1. Post below before September 30th with which character you would like drawn for you (along with good reference images). You can post multiple characters for the artist to choose from.
2. PM me your e-mail address, they will be submitted to the Secret Santa website which then randomly selects who will draw for who.
3. Draw a picture for the person that was selected for you.
4. Post it online in this thread between Dec 20-26th

RULES:
1. Join by September 30th to take part
2. You must draw at least one full-body character with a background element (tree or prop etc) or full background for your Secret Santa
3. Failure to submit a drawing by deadline (Dec 26th) may result in a ban for next year's SS.
4. If you know you are not going to make the deadline, let me know as soon as possible so that another artist can be arranged to complete the picture.
5. Have fun!


Last year's art: http://leahalalela.net/showthread.ph...Entries-Closed


PARTICIPATING MEMBERS:
KanuTGL -
-Kanu: http://kanutgl.deviantart.com/art/Ka...2014-426566939
-Sumai: http://kanutgl.deviantart.com/art/Re...umai-116788599
-Girl (preferred choice): http://kanutgl.deviantart.com/art/Ju...Girl-471902040 http://kanutgl.deviantart.com/art/Panda-Girl-437268061 http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/f/20...gl-d7feawe.png
-Karasu: http://kanutgl.deviantart.com/art/Ka...heet-486432357

King Simba -
-Katai: http://kingsimba.deviantart.com/art/...2012-337006257
-Namabi: http://kingsimba.deviantart.com/art/...2012-334248177
-Jaini: http://kingsimba.deviantart.com/art/...aini-402503609
-Funsani: http://kingsimba.deviantart.com/art/...sani-403043292

Leorgathar -
-Coatl: http://leorgathar.deviantart.com/art...253A1409124346
-Cuauhtzin: http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/i/20...ar-d4fuhem.jpg
-Phyllon: http://leorgathar.deviantart.com/art/Phyllon-478848855

Azerane -
-Razzle: http://azerane.deviantart.com/art/Ra...heet-295799032
-Bandit (my rabbit, with or without Razzle): http://fanart.lionking.org/Artists/A...ster2013Sm.jpg http://azerane.deviantart.com/art/Bu...ndit-434777145 and I can supply photos
-Kintaru (draw with Razzle, not on his own): http://azerane.deviantart.com/art/Ki...heet-358630799
-Jake: http://fanart.lionking.org/Artists/A...akeStandSm.jpg http://fanart.lionking.org/Artists/A...ePleasures.jpg http://fanart.lionking.org/Artists/A...erColoured.jpg

Kossu -
-Nirani (can be drawn as couple with Kyseart): http://phoenixmystery.deviantart.com...F47685103&qo=3
-Kyseart (can be drawn as couple with Nirani): http://phoenixmystery.deviantart.com...F47685103&qo=2
-Kossu: http://phoenixmystery.deviantart.com...F43222950&qo=1
-Rihado: http://phoenixmystery.deviantart.com...F43222950&qo=3

lionobsession -
-Chimalsi (not to be drawn with Aa Moja or Rangi): http://lionobsession.deviantart.com/...-Ref-470350723
-Aa Moja: http://lionobsession.deviantart.com/...Moja-478226075
-Rangi: http://lionobsession.deviantart.com/art/Rangi-478436928

Sharifu
-Sharifu: http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bird...59044.png.html
-Sadiki (must draw with Sharifu, not on his own): http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bird...59044.png.html

[KanuTGL]

Oh! Oh!

Here be some references:

Kanu: http://kanutgl.deviantart.com/art/Ka...2014-426566939
Sumai: http://kanutgl.deviantart.com/art/Re...umai-116788599
Girl: http://kanutgl.deviantart.com/art/Ju...Girl-471902040 http://kanutgl.deviantart.com/art/Panda-Girl-437268061 http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/f/20...gl-d7feawe.png

Hint: I'd be super happy if you drew Girl... ^^ But it's not a requirement. If you'd prefer to draw a feline, by all means, do!

And you already have my e-mail, Azzy

[King Simba]

Oooh, me!

You can draw any of these characters:

Katai: http://kingsimba.deviantart.com/art/...2012-337006257
Namabi: http://kingsimba.deviantart.com/art/...2012-334248177
Jaini: http://kingsimba.deviantart.com/art/...aini-402503609
Funsani: http://kingsimba.deviantart.com/art/...sani-403043292

I've decided to give a bit of a choice this year, rather than just stick to one character.

[Leorgathar]

I'm definitely in! But it seems I'll have to do some new reference images for my characters, since I recently redesigned Coatl, and I don't really have colour references I'll have them done soon. For the time being, this is what I have:

Coatl: http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/f/20...9f-d7v0byd.jpg
Cuauhtzin: http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/i/20...ar-d4fuhem.jpg

I have a couple more characters I'd like to include, but I haven't drawn them yet, so those references are coming too

[Sharifu]

Why do we have to have at least two characters? Honestly I only have one. There is Sadiki, but he's not really my character. I don't mind if he is in included in the picture, but if someone only wants to draw one character for me, I would rather it be Sharifu. I would like to join if this is ok.

[Azerane]

That should be fine Sharifu, I don't think anybody will have a problem with it, to be honest I was more thinking if someone had a crazy detailed character, or chose only a monkey character or something, which pretty much none of us would have had any experience trying to draw. I could change it to at least one big cat character?

Edit: Although I realise that still doesn't work, because CGW's character is a hyena and I'm not sure she has another either. Well, scrap that rule then I was just trying to make sure people had enough options if a person only gave one character but the person drawing was uncomfortable with it

[Sharifu]

Well now I see what you were trying to do there...

I am ok with trying to draw an animal other then a big cat, in fact I feel I have more fun drawing something other then big cats because that's mostly what I have been drawing for the past 10 years, and honestly it's so nice to draw something different sometimes.

[Azerane]

I'm in too

-Razzle: http://azerane.deviantart.com/art/Ra...heet-295799032
-Bandit (my rabbit, with or without Razzle): http://fanart.lionking.org/Artists/A...ster2013Sm.jpg http://azerane.deviantart.com/art/Bu...ndit-434777145 and I can supply photos
-Jake: http://fanart.lionking.org/Artists/A...akeStandSm.jpg http://fanart.lionking.org/Artists/A...ePleasures.jpg http://fanart.lionking.org/Artists/A...erColoured.jpg

[Dare]

Drat, the full body and/or background element is a deal-breaker for me.
As much as I'd love to participate, I think my chronic art block would make it too difficult to meet the requirements and thus would result in too much stress...and these things are supposed to be fun, no?

I miss the days of sketch trades.
Eh well, maybe next time.

[KanuTGL]

My guess is that the new rules are there to make it a little more fair for everyone. (They're getting quite similar to Timitu's Lilymud Secret Santa now, actually :P) With full body drawings + backgrounds being a requirement, you'll know what you get, so to speak. I've been disappointed in the past when I've poured my heart and soul into a full colour piece for a Secret Santa only to receive an unshaded headshot drawing in return, so I reckon that rule is there to prevent that kind of thing from happening, which I think is a good thing

[Dare]

My guess is that the new rules are there to make it a little more fair for everyone. (They're getting quite similar to Timitu's Lilymud Secret Santa now, actually :P) With full body drawings + backgrounds being a requirement, you'll know what you get, so to speak. I've been disappointed in the past when I've poured my heart and soul into a full colour piece for a Secret Santa only to receive an unshaded headshot drawing in return, so I reckon that rule is there to prevent that kind of thing from happening, which I think is a good thing

I understand completely where you're coming from...
...and while I understand how it could be perceived as being a lesser quality/effort work, I also feel it's a little unfair to assume that just because someone did not draw a full-bodied and/or shaded piece, that somehow means that they did not put just as much heart and soul into it. Unfortunately, unless you're looking over that artist's shoulder and/or can somehow hack into their creative process, there's no way to know or measure that kind of thing...so the best you can go on is visual results.

Of course, there have been times when I've spent days working on a piece for someone, and then all I get is a stick figure in return, so I get where you're coming from.
No, seriously...someone once submitted a stick figure to a Secret Santa.
At the time, it annoyed me. Now, it makes me laugh.

Actually, now that I re-read the Secret Santa rules, in theory a stick figure could be submitted and still meet the requirements.
It really is all about perception, I suppose.


But, I have babbled long enough, nor do I wish to cause a fuss or lead this thread off-topic.
I'll just wait for another Secret Santa that is better suited for my overly capricious Muses.


*exit, stage left *

[KanuTGL]

I understand completely where you're coming from...
...and while I understand how it could be perceived as being a lesser quality/effort work, I also feel it's a little unfair to assume that just because someone did not draw a full-bodied and/or shaded piece, that somehow means that they did not put just as much heart and soul into it.

Of course. I realise I cut my post a little short, haha. Of course I don't think that how much of the character you see in a drawing automatically measures the amount of effort put in. Absolutely not.

Buut, back on the subject, I think guidelines on how to draw for the art exchange you're taking part in are good, because you know what's expected of you and you know what you'll get in return. I find that quite reassuring, personally :3

Also, a question for Azzy, are we allowed to add more characters to our "wishlists" after we've signed up? I have one that I want to add, but he doesn't have a reference image yet xD

[Sharifu]

I understand where Dare is coming from though. Although it doesn't say in the rules the characters have to be shaded, or the backgrounds have to be super detailed. I guess at least with one background prop like Azerane stated? I'm not trying to get away with doing something so super simple. It's just I don't think I can make a really good looking background. But I'll try.

[Azerane]

I didn't mean to exclude people or become a rule tyrant I was only trying to lay a basis for essentially a fair trade, as I've seen it before too on the lilymud one I think, people that simply submit a sketch or something while everyone else has a full colour piece. I didn't want anyone missing out.

And it doesn't have to be detailed, just make it so there's something there, whether it be a snowman, or a christmas tree, or cool shaded colours etc. I'm not asking for a landscape, just a background element.

I don't know what to do anymore...

Kanu, by all means add more characters, as long as there's a reference up before we draw names.

[Sharifu]

I think it's ok Azerane, I don't think the rules are too unreasonable... I think I need to make some new reference drawings for Sharifu and Sadiki. All of mine are just so old...

[Dare]

I didn't mean to exclude people or become a rule tyrant I was only trying to lay a basis for essentially a fair trade, as I've seen it before too on the lilymud one I think, people that simply submit a sketch or something while everyone else has a full colour piece. I didn't want anyone missing out.

And it doesn't have to be detailed, just make it so there's something there, whether it be a snowman, or a christmas tree, or cool shaded colours etc. I'm not asking for a landscape, just a background element.

I don't know what to do anymore...

Oh no no no! I'm terribly sorry... I didn't mean to imply that you were being a rule tyrant or anything, and I do believe that striving for fair trades is a noble and honest goal.


The only reason full bodies and/or background elements are a deal-breaker for me is is because I cannot guarantee that I'll be able to draw them or finish the piece as it was meant to be finished.
When headshots are an option, I can at least guarantee that I'd be able to produce something.
I don't know how to explain it, but more often than not I'll get 80% done with a piece and then I'll suddenly become so demoralized and/or unmotivated that the only way I can "finish" it is by whittling it down to one part of the overall picture... usually, this point would be the the head, (HAHA DECAPITATION!).

It's not that I don't want to produce a full-body piece or am not willing to put forth the effort. It's that I, for whatever reason, generally can't. 'Tis why I no longer take requests or do official trades and/or commissions - those generally come with a lot of rules and expectations (whereas Secret Santas usually don't, and thus are more welcoming to me). In the end, it absolutely kills me to promise something to someone, and then be unable to deliver.

But enough whining. My apologies.

Honestly though, it's your Secret Santa so you are free to dictate whichever rules you wish. Trying to make everyone happy is an impossibility - don't worry about curmudgeons like me.
I'm sorry I said anything. Next time, I'll keep my trap shut.

[Azerane]

Thank you for explaining more Dare I don't think you should keep your trap shut though, it's important to voice your opinion

Maybe I could organise a New Year sketch SS as well or something. I know we didn't have a middle of year or Easter one this year like we have had previously. Seems if I don't organise them nobody does

Any more takers?

[KanuTGL]

I actually completely forgot about the Easter SS, or I would probably have asked if anyone was interested There was a lot on my mind around that time, heh. But more sketch Secret Santas sounds like an excellent idea and I would definitely join them

[Sharifu]

Dare, does the Sketch-a-Character-Thread interest you? Just thought of mentioning it.

I do want to join this Secret Santa but I feel I need to make some new reference drawings for Sharifu and Sadiki. I think I will do that tomorrow.

[Kossu]

I've never done a secret santa before,but I would love to join.

Here are the character sheets of Kyseart and Nirani.If it's okay,I would like to add 1-2 more characters in the list,also for the sake of offering more choices to the other participants.I will be working on their character sheets shortly and I plan to have them complete before the 30th of September.Otherwise,it'll be just Nirani and Kyseart.

Kyseart : http://phoenixmystery.deviantart.com...F47685103&qo=2
Nirani : http://phoenixmystery.deviantart.com...F47685103&qo=3