| Seiki Nova |
11-27-2009 03:10 AM |
Okay, I think you guys are really going to kill me for this, and I'm so sorry, but I'm so exhausted from the past week combined with the amount of food that I ate today that I don't know if I'll be able to stay up long enough to do the comments right. I didn't even have time to rate the entries myself, but I know that you're all curious for your ratings so I'm going to post all the judges PMs here for you guys to see what you got. I'm emitting the scores to make it fair because I've never posted a judges score before and I think that would be unfair of me now. I will however put up my comments tomorrow night sometime after work (thank you for the weekend haha!) and combine the total scores for you all to see and so that we can determine our immunity winner for the next challenge!
I'm so sorry that you guys have to wait even longer to see who won this round. I'm such a stick in the mud right now, I know! <//3
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ferra
Anthony Darkyn: Again, I feel like you didn't take the actual challenge into consideration. I can definitely see your intent, which is good, but the challenge asked for your best "mermaid" and I don't see much mermaid in this. That aside, I feel like the outfit itself is rather plain. The light blue hair doesn't mesh well and I really wanted to see something on your feet/lower legs since it looks unfinished without it. It doesn't need to be shoes, but that would be the easiest way to fill the gap. Overall it's an okay outfit, but I think you could have done more with this.
Cami: When you first used those pants I was confused, until I saw the shape as a tail and it all clicked. I think your mermaid is very creative and I like that the colors and items are atypical from what you might expect, while still expressing the theme. You might have benefited by adding some extra details here and there, especially to break up the black, but overall I think you did a great job.
Cora Lorington: To be honest, I really have to stretch my imagination to see this as an avatar expressing a "dual personality". Your description is poetic, but I really see most of the "evil/black" side rather than the white, with a lot of gray contrary to what the description says. If you made the division more clear, I think it might have been more true to the theme. That being said, I think it looks rather nice and is well-executed. It doesn't really wow me, but it's interesting to look at.
Devilfern: I see more fantasy rather than contemporary "modern mermaid", but I do appreciate the angle you were going for. I like the idea of the green clover hairpin as a seaweed headpiece and the layering with the skirts looks pretty neat (particularly the aurora skirt) but I feel like the rest of the avatar is very plain in comparison. Also, I worry about a mermaid that swims in water that's that bright green. XD Looking at the avatar as whole, I feel like you feel victim to trying to match colors without thinking about the complete picture. In addition, you might want to avoid using so many items from the same set.
~~xXEl3KtRaXx~~: Well I can grasp the innocent vs. evil duality pretty well, so I think you succeeded in making an avatar that shows two sides. However, your description gives quite a bit more information than necessary. XD (The relevant parts seem to be the very first sentence and last paragraph.) As for the avatar itself, it's alright. My main issue would be that you included so many items from the same set, that it doesn't look very creative aside from the bloody bear. I think you could have done more to emphasize the child-like/innocent qualities. I dislike the use of the belt as well - it seems completely random compared to the rest of the avatar. The color balance seems a bit off too considering the heavy use of red on bottom. I do feel like you stayed true to your theme though.
fuyumi_saito: I wish you would have followed the challenge more closely. ): I'm not particularly fond of your second avatar; it's very plain, gold/red/black/white is very overdone, and the outfit itself just doesn't seem like something a girl would wear unless she actually was a part of the carnival - I could have done without the cotton candy/carnival entirely. As for the fox avatar, I strongly dislike multiple layering of cravats/scarves/bandannas since it's not something anyone would ever wear. The overall look is fine for an emo fox demon prince, although the slippers feel very out of place. I think it would have been more interesting to see a female transformation that still bared some resemblance to the original fox. I like that you're creative, but this story felt more like an excuse to justify two completely unrelated avatars.
*Hime*: I have to say, I really like this. XD It's simple, but very elegant. It doesn't quite scream "mermaid" but I don't have to stretch my imagination very far. I really like your use of colors with light and dark. The candy hairpin would be out of place normally, but since it's dark it blends in enough that it looked like part of the flower until I looked closely. Good job!
Iroase Delschatten: You're my top pick for this round, both because I really enjoy the outfit and because your entry looks the most like a mermaid (err... merman). I love all of the little details you added, which contrasts nicely with the simple elegance of the sash. The colors seem very fitting and you managed to make him look pretty masculine, which can be difficult sometimes when it comes to merfolk. Great job!
Pietro: Well I'm disappointed.
Slowtrain: You have a lot going on in this avatar, but it looks very interesting and flows pretty well. I realize you had trouble finding something to fit that other arm, but I don't mind the lopsidedness that much. I do wish you put something white-ish around your neck or chest area though to make the bone belt stand out less. The bone necklace might have helped your theme. Overall, I liked this outfit.
Stormy1: Had you not put in a description, I would have thought this was an entry for the "dual personality" theme (warrior princess of some sort). The colors really don't seem mermaidish to me in the least. I can follow your concept of a guard, but the whole look just doesn't seem finished or right for the mermaid challenge. Also, red/white/black is a rather overdone color combination unless you manage to put a very original spin on things. I do think you put some thought into this, but the color and item choice didn't translate the idea very well.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Keyori
Anthony Darkyn - I can definitely get mermaid out of this. It's nice that it's not an overly Disney nice-ified version but more like a water succubus from the arctic. I guess that's pretty much a siren xD I would have liked to see something not quite so monochromatic though, and it is quite simple (I count 8 or so items?). Color balance is good, but the actual weight of the clothing looks odd and a little too bottom heavy. I also don't think this would be suitable as a regular avatar.
Cami - I love this take on a mermaid warrior. You already knew that I wasn't a fan of so much black though. Good use of accessories and layering, but you still need some green around the feet. This would be an alright avi for regular use though.
Cora Lorington - This is fantastic. I think you had the right idea by coming up with your description first and then building an avi around it. I think this is also a great step up from you last submission, which was relatively simple compared to this one. You've shown some great improvement and take criticism to heart. Color balance is perfect, it's not completely monochrome, and you managed to use 4 of the rambling rose poses without making it look cluttered or gaudy, and use of layering and accessories is wonderful. I don't think I could come up with any suggestions for improvement, even without your description. You've earned my number one spot this week.
Devilfern - Another simple submission from you. I'd really like to see you do something new and daring. It seems like you defaulted to some more obvious items and played it safe for this round. Maybe this is strategy on your part, but I've got my eye on you Even with your description, I still don't think "mermaid" automatically when I look at your avi. I can definitely see why you used the items you did, but they're not as cohesive as they could be. She also looks like she's wearing too much on her top half; you could probably stand to lose the jacket and gloves in favor of some similarly colored jewelry. The clover hairpin is a cute touch though.
~~xXEl3KtRaXx~~ - You've made some improvements between last round and this one. You played the theme well. I'd lose the bow, but otherwise it looks alright. It's not particularly striking though, and I feel like you can still do better. You had the chance to do something to wow the judges since you had a description to work in your favor, and you haven't gotten quite there yet.
fuyumi_saito - I'm a bit disappointed in this submission and I feel it's a step down from your last one. I think you might not have understood the challenge, but even seeing both avis and your description, I still get a funny taste in my mouth about your submission. Neither avi is outstanding and both could stand a fair amount of feedback. Maybe I would feel differently if the two actually went together--perhaps using some similar items on both or keeping the same color theme between the two would have helped. You're going to really need to step it up and accept some criticism if you want to go much farther in this competition.
*Hime* - This is a very elegant mermaid, but this is another one where "mermaid" isn't necessarily the first thing that comes to my mind. This round was very close and this avi just didn't do much to "wow" compared to other entries. It's definitely challenging to work with full-length dresses, and I won't fault you for trying to do something different. This is a good avi, just not quite where I think you could be
Iroase Delschatten - This is another great submission. I liked that you were daring enough to use a lot of different colors, but the only reason this avi didn't take away my #1 spot is the socks. Mermaids don't wear socks and sandals! D: I can get mermaid out of this almost instantly. Ornately decorated while not being very clothed. I could see this as a regularly used avi as well. Despite all of the different colors you used, it still looks balanced. I'm definitely impressed with this submission.
Pietro - It's upsetting that you dropped out after stating on your application that you wanted to get so much farther. I hope your last submission was not a contributing factor for your decision to drop out.
slowtrain - My second favorite mermaid! It's very "King Triton." Color balance is good but just a bit off for the reasons I gave earlier. I'm growing fond of the bone belt though, and this is a fairly well-rounded avi.
Stormy1 - I get that you tried to do something atypical by using red instead of blue or green, but I just don't think "mermaid" when I see this submission. I also don't think a warrior would look quite so happy. You also need to do some work with layering. This submission is okay, but it's not great.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rylynne
Anthony - I like that you chose to do a siren instead of a mermaid to make it more unique. However, I think you could have done better in translating that idea to your avatar. I like the use of the gown, but the dress and the hair seem out of place for me. :x I think you could have chosen better items to illustrate your theme more~
Cami - My favorite part from this outfit would have to be the eyes. And the skin, particularly the eyebags-effect and the pouty lips. It screams evil mermaid from Harry Potter 4 to me. xD I think the necklace is kinda weird though, and so's the staff, but those are sort of minor. Also, I find your unique "tail" creative.
Cora - The poem is nice, and so's your idea. BUT, this is an avatar contest first and foremost, and I'm afraid I don't really like the avatar itself. :x The Dove wings and anklewings seem slapped on for added effect, but don't look cohesive with the entire avatar. All the roses sort of bother me too, as like with the dove stuff it doesn't blend in as much. Wish you could have edited more though, and that you could be more creative in your color placement next round, if ever~
Devilfern - I love your color scheme! The contrast of the greens and blues really remind me of the ocean. And with me being from a tropical country and seeing all kinds of ocean colors and shizz, I can relate. XP But anyhows, while I like the colors, some of your item choices seem bizarre to me for a mermaid. Like the gloves, which for me aren't needed. I do like the "seaweed" bit you added, although the haircut you chose sort of distracts from it, because to me it isn't a very "mermaid-y" haircut. xD
Elektra - In general, I like your concept. I love how you played with the theme of a child's innocence, as it's not something I thought of at all when I first looked at the challenge. Not sure I like some of your item choices, as I think you could have edited it a little more, but in general I'm intrigued by this entry.
fuyumi - Wow. This wasn't something I expected at all. =O In fairness to you though, it's a very unique concept, even if it's sort of not what the challenge asked for. ^^; I like the human avatar more than the fox one, although in all honesty both don't strike me very much. The cotton candy bit seems so... random to me, sorry. XP Don't really see how it connects. But at the very least, you took an interesting spin to this challenge.
Hime - I like the overall look of the avatar. I am also quite fond of the way you used the headdress part of the new CI. Some items I don't really like though, like the gold necklace
(because to me it draws too much attention to the center rather than the whole avatar) and the beads (particularly the purple one which bothers me for some reason XP). Overall though it's a pretty enough mermaid-inspired avatar. Or should I say siren-inspired instead? xD
Iro - Can I just say that I absolutely adore how only you thought of using the Dance's Sky Sash for "waves"? xD I like the overall look of the avatar, as I definitely see a merman in there. XP Your neck layering in particular intrigues me. Not sure I like the skirt though, as the part sticking out seems weird for me, and I wish the haircolor was different (although I know how hard that can be).
slow - My favorite part from this avatar has got to be the gold skirt and gold pointy shoes to mimic a mermaid's tale. XP The overall look is nice as well~ I particularly like the neck layering. Don't like some things though like the hairstyle you chose and the hairpin, but that's just minor details. Overall, I think it does represent a very strong mermaid queen.
Stormy - I like the skirt you used, especially how you described the white part to be the foam and all. But aside from that, some of your other item choices don't fit for me when I think of mermaid, even if it's a warrior one. The gloves, for example, seem a little odd, as is the ninja headband, which I think you could have substituted for something else that's more creative. I still think it's a decent avatar though, nonetheless.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sizzla
Anthony Darkyn:
Though I loved your concept for this avatar, I think you could have done a lot more with the theme. I wish you would have gotten away from the blue-only color scheme, as I think adding another color would have been a nice touch. I would have liked to see the siren in more tattered clothes as well -- the holiday dress is just a bit too fancy for a siren in my opinion. So while the avatar does match the theme, I think you could have gone further with it.
Cami:
While I don't think this comes off as a merperson immediately, your avatar reminds me of a merperson who would guard the king's underwater castle. While I think this avatar is nicely put together, I'm not a fan of the eyes or the circlet. For some reason, that's where my eyes automatically go to when I look at this avatar, and I just can't get past these two features. Anyway, it's a nicely made avatar, but doesn't scream "mermaid" to me right off the bat, which is what it's supposed to do. I also think you're far too clothed to be a merperson... Some skin would have been nice to see.
Cora:
The duality of this avatar is definitely there, so props to you for making it very obvious. I think the color balance is nice, and the theme definitely shines through. I don't particularly like the use of the blindfold, but I see why you used it. I also think the bird is a bit unnecessary, but it does lend to the creepiness of the avatar.
Devilfern:
I LOVE the bottom of your avatar. I think you did a good job with the layering to give it a tailed look. My only wish is that you would have rearranged the head to add some of that lighter blue/periwinkle color up top. On the other hand, I feel that she's too dressed to be a mermaid. The gloves and jacket are just too much.
~~xXel3ktRaXx~~:
I really like this avatar for the duality option. I think it's great. I can definitely see innocence vs. evil in this avatar right off the bat. I appreciate the facial expression as well, and I'm glad you thought of small details to bring out the theme in this avatar. The teddy bear and blood pool are especially nice additions in my opinion. Your color matching is good, and overall, I can't think of much you should change or improve on this one. Nice job.
fuyumi_saito:
Sorry, but I really don't see the duality here. First, you were supposed to make just one avatar to show the duality in one person, not two. Since you didn't really fulfill the requirements of this challenge, I can't really give you more than five points. While I like the fox avatar for the most part, it doesn't seem very prince-ey, which is what you were trying to go for. And the second avatar shows none of the prince's fox heritage, which I had hoped would come across.
*Hime*:
I think this avatar is really lovely! I like the colors you've picked out and I think that all-in-all, it's a nicely made avatar. I think the bottom could have been worked on a bit more to give it a more tail-like appearance, and I'm not sure what to think about the use of the light spell, as it seems out of place. I do like that you've used the harp -- it reminds me of the singing sisters in the Little Mermaid. I think I would have liked to see more gold on the head (perhaps the CP 09 crown) and at the feet, though I can't really think of what would work down there. Overall though, a nice avatar. And while it doesn't come off as a mermaid instantly, I can see that the details bring it together, creating a nice mermaid look.
Iroase Delschatten:
While I love the details on this avatar, it doesn't scream 'merman' to me right off the bat. I like the use of the dancer's sash, but I just wish you would have gone further to cover your feet. The use of that skirt/pants combo works, but at the same time, by adding the red at the feet, they really pop out. And feet =/= mermaid. Still, I see the thought that went into this avatar, and I can appreciate the intricacy of your follow-through.
Pietro:
Didn't send in an entry
Slowtrain:
This is my favorite avatar out of the bunch this time around! I think this avatar is simply gorgeous. I am immediately reminded of a mermaid when I look at it, and you've really done a great job with the details. The feet are barely there, and I think the 'tail' of your avatar is nicely layered and actually looks somewhat tail-like. I kinda wish there weren't so many colors involved, but even so, the rest of this avatar came together wonderfully. I'm glad she's showing a bit of bare skin (as a mermaid would) and the crown is the perfect final touch. Love it.
Stormy1:
I think the skirt really works here for her tail, and she's dressed just enough to look like an authentic mermaid. I'm glad you didn't overwork this outfit, as I think it's really nice. I would have liked to see some different choices with your head items -- a red pin of some sort would have been a nice addition. But I do think that the theme shines through in this avatar, and overall, you've done a good job with this one.
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