So...

First contest of 2022 and uh- it should've been the easiest one to judge, right? I only got two entries. That should make things easy, right?

WRONG!

NOPE!

It did not.

This was by FAR the hardest contest I have ever judged, and it has left me sitting up at 10 in the evening typing this out because otherwise, I will not sleep knowing what conclusion I had to come too. I genuinely want to give both these pieces first place! Hell, I want both people to know they did AMAZING with their pieces! I love both the pieces equally! Hell, one of them has really inspired an upcoming drawing for the next art dump as well as made me want to explore the set of characters they drew inspiration from. 

However, I had to place someone in second, as it wouldn't be fair for either people if I just slapped on a label of 'haha you both won!' because I was struggling.

So uh-

Please do not take this as a sign I hate your art or something, because I genuinely do! I had to think about this as a person who had no context of the art but knew of the original character used in order to judge this properly.

So with that in order, I think it's safe to, unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on who you are?) assume that my dear second place winner is...

PumpkingxAngel

No Filter

Filtered and Finalized Piece

Okay, being 100% honest, this is probably by far one of my favorite entries of yours Lex. I think it falls just behind the cute (yet sad) comic you did a while back with Shadow and Mitch! Genuinely love this drawing! I loved that you used a background character, especially one so... well unknown and unused! You've definitely unlocked a new obsession for me with this piece! I love the expressions and I love how well you tied this drawing to your drabble, which you won first place on! It was amazingly written, as always! I think that despite not much being known on him in any of my current books (besides my art books), you nailed down his personality!

If you guys need the context, I highly recommend looking at Lex' Drabble Book with the chapter titled, "I'm Never Cute". The mini synopsis for this chapter is Shade's alternate version feels tired of their mundane life until something weird happens. Enjoy!! (I'm sorry I am not the best at summarizing-)

However, as I had to state before, I had to think of both entries as someone who has zero context of this drawing and just knew the contest theme and character. The drawing itself is amazing, yes, but I feel like someone who was just looking at this with no idea of the context in the way me or you understand it would just feel like it was your own character being haunted by my character. Or something gay was going on. I don't know. I just feel like it doesn't give off the impression of 'change' to someone who was just viewing this for the first time.

Of course, that isn't to say you didn't fucking nail this theme especially in the writing department. You like- nailed it so hard I think it has brain damage now. Like holy shit Lex-

ANYWAYS-

You did amazing! Def a 9/10! I didn't do a traditional rating because I had so few entries and had to think of these entries in a different light. Also, bonus points for making me want to draw my Elders again, so kudos! DM me for both your writing (first place) and drawing (second place) prizes! And no, you cannot deny the writing prize, I know you will try Lex but you will NAUT!!

Ahem.

Next is first place. I feel this is pretty obvious, yes? I mean- only two people join, so you know who you are! I would hope-

Anywho, the first place winner is DastiveArt!

Well, what can I say? First, it was a big surprise anyone would chose this uh-

Special man. 

But secondly- actually stick with his original character concept of him actually being an attractive guy? Like- as attractive as he can be, at the very least. Especially as a younger guy-

ANYWAYS that's getting me off topic.

Yeah, so, this piece is surprising! Definitely not something I would expect from you Dastive! You normally do scene pieces, so this was interesting! I love what you did to him and it definitely fits into him being considered a 'defect' by his parents. Especially his da- ANYWAYS-

I could see a viewer understanding the concept behind this easily and I think this does scream quite loudly that this is- well- Stanley Scott. Even without the name, I feel it's pretty easy to tell what the theme was and who the character is. I think that is a pretty amazing thing to do! I think the only issue I have is wishing he had some more scars? Especially on his arm, I feel that could look real cool. With him having fur cannonly, I can't do scars like that unless I chose to discolor the fur where scar tissue is, and that's kind of a thing for those with enough magic to see that happen and Stanley isn't- you know- magically inclined enough for that. Plus he heals like a normal animal being would normally-??

That's enough world buildy junk that doesn't matter because its just a minor nit pick.

And honestly, the piece is too awesome for that and makes me excited to see more of the species! I've already given you permission to keep experimenting with him and his family, so feel free to keep that in mind!

You also nailed the theme right in the head and possibly caused brain damage, but it's okay because I'll take the theme to the hospital after this-

Anyways, same think I told Lex applies to you here! What do you want for your first place prize?