Contest info and prizes: [link]
Prize donor features: [link]


First off, let me say I was not expecting such a huge turnout for this contest…. I was thinking… maybe 10 entries… max. I had to move the end date up to stop you guys from entering more! What a lovely problem to have. Thank you all so very much for entering!! And judging this was really HARD!! I had to pull my best friend to help (she is not on DA and is the only other person that knows anything of Taj) in some areas. A special thanks to all the people donating their art for this. I was certainly not feeling comfortable only offering a 1st and 2nd place when I am getting 30+ entries.

For those who placed I will note individually for them to select their prizes.
For honorable mentions please note me with refs for the original character you want me to draw for you.

I judged 1st through 6th based on what I thought he should look like. Honorable mentions deviated slightly from this… Remember, I am NOT judging based on add-ons or backgrounds, for placed entries or honorable mentions… Though they all add so much…

All winners and honorable mentions will get a feature in my journal at a later date, I’d like this journal to hang around for a little while.

Anyway… drum roll please….



1st through 3rd were decided based on what I think Taj would look like in his pure energy form. This is how I see him the most… and quite possibly what he looks like throughout the series I want to write. Something in constant movement… always looking like he is about to burst or disappear completely… but somehow… still intact. Vague, I know… But here they are:



FIRST PLACE



I think she created quite possibly the best representation of a creature made of energy. The constant swirl of color is incredible… and I can’t say it any better than she did:

“He is pure energy
Fire, and light

We all know the smell of a static charge, just before the spark.
Its the tell-tale warning before the jolt.

He can harness the power, and conjure the magic, then dissolve away, flowing through the atmosphere

like the shimmering beauty of the Arora in the eternal night.

Hurry!...you may see him before he takes flight....”

She did this with only a mouse… my hand cramps in sympathy…
I am still in awe over this thing…



SECOND PLACE



Okay, so what could contain all that energy?? He needs something solid over him… like a biological “cage”… a membrane…
ODEARGODTRIBALSYESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!

And so organic looking! I *love* the representation of his wings along the back… I can see the tribal “wings” separating from his body and flowing outward to flight… this may actually change how I do them… hmmmmmmmmm…

I love the simplicity colors and the white feet a ton! And I’m a sucker for glowing eyes!!



THIRD PLACE



I had to pull my best bud to help me with third place, and ultimately let her pick it based on the parameters I gave her, as I continued with the energy theme…

This one is so dark and mysterious like the description says… with just a hint of markings. The colors seem to shimmer and ripple over him with shadows and highlights, suggesting his mood. He seems to be composed of a dark, magical liquid. And yes, I am partial to green eyes . I have green eyes and I think they are so overlooked…

And seriously… I didn’t judge based on all the magical swirls going on around him, but doesn’t it just look so cool?!



4rd through 6th place I chose based on what he should look like in his physical state… back in his old world… which based on the entries I am seriously considering having him physically cross over at some point so he can be seen in a solid state. Something “animal”… after perusing many descriptions I found I liked the idea of camouflage. Also, though he is a proud creature, it doesn’t go to his head. His presence is subtle but still creates reverence. I selected based on that, though I’m still not too sure what I want him to look like, but these are my top 3 picks.



FOURTH PLACE



Lithe and cat like is the first thing I see when view this… reminds me of pumas. At the same time there is an obvious equine influence in the markings, especially about his face and feet. The “tattoo” style also mimics (though not intentionally) the tribals for his wing covers. He looks regal here. It’s just so… wow! I love this!



FIFTH PLACE



SERIOUS props to this traditional artist! My fingers ache in sympathy… The colors are earthen but still fiery, as though they give you a fleeting glance of his true potential. His feathering looks like he is tipped with fire and the horn is just great! The tile mosaic feel was an incredibly original idea. I was hoping for a scaled entry or two, but this one was just so cool. Gives him an unimaginable strength of presence, almost looking like he is a living statue. The tiling was so well executed… patience *is* a virtue. I’d hate to have to map this out. Full view it, download it! It COMMANDS you!



SIXTH PLACE



Okay, this one screams originality. I love this idea so much!!! She went full fledged camouflage with this one, her inspiration being a tattoo show, bugs, and Jack Sparrow. . Go read it! It will all make sense!! He could blend so well into his surroundings like this. And I LOVE the eye idea… Those blood red talons are superb! The last thing and possibly only thing someone would see of him!!



I seriously wanted to give a TON more honorable mentions, but I went with six… hey, originally I was going to just do 3-4 so be happy!!! As the number of entries grew I resigned myself to the fact that I had to give out more… For the most part I did not judge based on what I wanted him to look like, though there are some I pulled into this category because they followed my two themes above.

In no particular order (except the first one…>.>:




OHMYGAWDTHISISSOBEAUTIFUL!!!! Must-resist-urge-to-glomp-Taj. Okay, if I was being selfish… this would get first place. I LOVE red… like a lot… its almost an illness… The black and red curl together like lines of smoke… You HAVE to download this and view in full detail. There are scales hidden in there!! And subtle striping along the tail. That eye… wow… I need some air after writing this description…

Okay… I’m back




ANIMATION!!
You have to download this one!! Such a slick idea. Follows the first theme very well, with movement. I love the marble/lightning look and how it fades to stars in his tail. He glooooows…




It came down to this one and one other for a slot in the honorable mentions… I couldn’t decide so I had my best friend do a tie breaker for me and she picked this one, saying a simplistic style needed representation. This one is so beautiful and powerful, you must download to see the subtle changes of colors as you move from his head to tail. A translucent creature here. I can see him looking like a thick fog encapsulated by a fragile glass here… so pretty…




This one makes me so jealous!! How on earth did she get all those markings to work?!?! I could NEVER recreate that. You MUST read the description. I love how the tail markings represent the four elements. That large whorl on his side makes me think of wings and honestly, the one thing that grabbed me most about this piece was his underbelly/chest color. Glowing a red/orange… like an open, burning wound. Just wow… And I didn’t judge on it, but the idea of his mane and tail mimicking the last creature he possessed is a wicked-awesome idea!!




Copper. That was the first thing that came to mind the moment I saw this. You know when you expose high polished copper to heat and it changes into a myriad of colors… yeah, like that. Then I read the description, and I was pleasantly surprised that metal was a theme here! Yay! You must read the description for the symbolism of this piece. Absolutely stunning. The fiery colors contrast well to the shine from his horn, and those black claws are so wicked.




Last and CERTAINLY not least is this traditional beauty. Has such a reptilian feel to it and fits the second theme above. I have a confession though, I have fallen in love with these markings because they mimic those of a velocaraptor character I created when I was about 11. The stripes move along with the curves of his body so well, and the mottled splotches are a great break from the norm. I love his socks and how the toes are so dark. Such a great contrast!!



I feel wretched that I couldn’t place everyone (doesn’t help that my 1st contest got so many entries ) so I want to give everyone else props for their hard work and beautiful creations. Some also entered more than once. Here are all the other entries in no particular order:




Bluuuuuuuueee! Such a wonderful steel blue! Gives him a calm look, despite him snarling at you. There are very subtle light blue lines that run the length of his body, also down his legs. They splay out at his hands and feet and curl on his cheek. Very nice! I love the blue feathering and his empty blue eyes.



So pretty! I love the color combination and it is chock full of symbolism. The curling black along his back and sides mimic his wings and are a wonderful touch! The detail along his tail and great. And that background! I have to learn how to do that!!



What a great color combination! I love what was done with the mane and tail and how the purple/pink seems to drip down his back. Such a striking piece!



Such a mystical piece. Bursting with magic! I love the rippling, crinkled texture. So metallic and strong. I love how he glows all over, and how you can’t make out details… ghostly.



So slick and sexy!! I love the lean commanding appearance he has here. The three purple orbs on his neck are a great touch. Purple feathering and a glowing purple eye! Can a girl ask for more?? O, yes. Silver! Talons and horns, they look like they could slice anything.



I love these marking! Somehow reminds me of a giraffe… but comes off really reptilian. The colors are great! Yellow and green didn’t get repeated anywhere else in the contest. And that mane and tail! How was that done??



Such a different take on him! And he glooooows! A steely appearance here, but he also seems to fade in and out. I love how the background was done, like there is a dark horizon.

Riiiiiiiiipples. So liquid! And blue! I really like the movement in this one. I don’t know what else to say! It speaks for itself!



Her second entry! And more tribals! Yay! I love how she did the orb and the little firework coming off the tail is great. Seriously looks like he is about to rip someone’s face off!



Such sharp markings!! Gives him a really intense look. The black and white are so simple but so perfect. I especially like that white blaze!

The second entry! Once again, serious props on the sharp markings. Mimics fire and I love the tail. Looks almost blade like. My favorite here is the eye… almost like a mask.



Great colors! I love the teal and the gold belly. However, what stands out most to me is the mane. It looks superb! And blends perfectly with the rest of him.

A solarized version of the above picture! Isn’t it wicked?! Really makes the colors pop!



Loving the marking! Look at that leopard print!! The teal streak really pops and that snow white belly is great. Such superb color combinations!



RED!!!! Have I mentioned that I love red??!?!?! So fiery! The shading is stunning on this one with the shadows! And the flaming beard and feather Those talons look as though they could go straight through someone’s gut in a single strike.



So ghostly! Such an eerie blue, combined with the background gives him such a creepy intimidating look. Subtle shading and that yellow eye is a great touch.



Oooo! Taj is ripped!! The muscle structure is astounding!! The fiery feet are great… like he could walk straight through lava… Okay, the mane and tail-are-so-awesome!! Just look at it!! He could seriously rip someone a new one… o.O



Flynn cat’s second entry! Looks so much like a painting! Those colors are great and I love the burst of light behind him. *rawr!* He’s gonna eat your baby!! j/k



Her second entry. My best friend loves this one and so do I! So many colors that are so well blended together. I wish I could do that! Looks like stained glass… *huggles Taj*

The inverse of her above entry! Gives it such an eerie look! I can’t get over those wings and all that haaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiir! *huggles Taj again*

Please let me know if I missed anybody and thank you all so very much for entering!!!!

Officially, that was seven pages to type out in MS Word… hmmm….

Anyway, I’ll get a hold of everyone to divvy out prizes and I will be opening another contest shortly.

Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou