Tips, Tricks and Tutorials: the Contest Winners!

First of all, this contest was a PITA to judge There were so many amazing entries, and in such a wide variety of topics that it was close to impossible to figure out who deserved which prize. So well done, everyone who joined!

This "very wide variety of topics" also led to some restructuring in the prizing: instead of having a first place, a runner-up and one prize for the most creative topic, it's now switched to standard 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, and with some added runner-ups. So slightly different, but hopefully fairer, and of course with some more prizes too

With the boring stuff over, it's time for what everyone's interested in:

1st place: @Stonk6a with "Draw Metal (With some ducks)"

What can I say? It's got ducks.

It's also got no less than four pages filled with tips (not including the cover). Shading metal, coloring metal, making metal textures - with a bonus section on rust - and... even more bonus stuff, this is a very worthy winner, and a must-read for everyone thinking of drawing metal anytime soon.

You win:

• 2000 points from @Community

• 300 points from @dvdkrstf

• A critique on a work of your choice from @BeckyKidus

• A diamond badge from @AlexanderPaupoff

• A hype badge from @BeckyKidus

• A feature from BeckyKidus (will come around the 15th)

2nd place: @SnowyZoe97 with "How to Write an Art Haiku"

Poetry can be a mysterious thing, at least for those of us who have only dealt with it in the classroom. This tutorial, however, explains it all in easy-to-follow and easy-to-understand steps. If you're interested in writing or learning about haikus, then give this one a read.

You win:

• 1500 points from @communityrelations

• 200 points from @dvdkrstf

• A critique on a work of your choice from @BeckyKidus

• A hype badge from @BeckyKidus

• A feature from BeckyKidus (will come around the 15th)

3rd place: @Rutituty with "How to make handmade holographic stickers"

The battle for third place was brutal, to the point I had to call in an extra judge as a tie-breaker (hello @GrimAlpaca!), but this one eventually won out.

Ever wondered how holographic stickers are made? Or taken it one step further and wondered how you could make your own? Well, wonder no more: Rutituty explains it all in a clear and concise manner. And, even better, in video format. The judges are impressed.

You get:

• 1000 points from @Community

• 100 points from @dvdkrstf

• A critique on a work of your choice from @BeckyKidus

• A hype badge from @BeckyKidus

• A feature from BeckyKidus

Runner-ups and shoutouts, in no specific order:

First, Earthworm Jim (helped by @SeramArthur) is here to tell you how to make an ultra-realistic reflection in only three steps. No ducks this time, but it does feature a cow. Go give it a look

Second, @LucilleErebusArts is here to explain how to draw a bubble wrap pattern. Popping them is satisfying, and I'm sure drawing them is too - so give it a read.

@SongoftheBlackWolf made no less than three tutorials for this contest. Obviously, I had to give a shoutout, especially since they're all good tutorials. Honorable mention for the one on brush creation too, featured further down.

Finally - ever wondered how to actually use a tutorial? Fear not, @Babarbie has your back. Follow the arrows (as many as possible!), find the keywords, follow the instructions, and dazzle everyone with your amazing result. Maybe. Likely, if you use the right words. The point is, read this one too.

Congrats! You all win a hype badge, to be given by @moonbeam13, @DrThomasStockmann, or @KovoWolf

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Coloring Tutorial

This tutorial shows how I started drawing & coloring with Sketchbook, though can be easily adapted to other drawing/painting programs. Though time consuming, this is still my go-to technique for detailed, realistic looks. It uses many layers, but only 3 brushes. As with many artists, I will create a grid on my reference photo. There can be as many squares as you want, but more squares makes it easier to draw the same image on your tablet or computer. In this case, I chose an image of 2 ½ limes on a white background. I chose to do only 1 ½ limes on a wood and wall background. Start by drawing a duplicate grid on your first layer. I chose a square canvas and used a 5 x 5 grid because the reference image was square. [DEVIATION] Then add a layer below the grid and using the grid to help with accuracy of your drawing, draw a basic outline of the object(s) you are wishing to draw. This layer will later be deleted, so color doesn't matter. [DEVIATION] I am using the Technical

Last but not least, the other entries

As said in the beginning, this was an extremely difficult contest to judge, and had it been up to me everyone would have gotten a prize. However, contests are contests - but I can say I have enjoyed reading every one of these, and I've learned a couple new things as well So please give them all a read too, as they all deserve it

In no specific order:

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Tips, Tricks, and Tutorials through Photography

Effort brings Rewards, which brings Success. (E.

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Brush Creation Tutorial - Sketchbook

This tutorial is to explain how to create your

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How to Draw Your OC in Multiple Styles

Have you ever looked at your original character

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How to Design a Sandal-Clad Male Character

Hi everyone! I’m Rosa, and if you’ve followed my

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Wing Tutorial

Hi, all! Here's another tutorial. This time I am

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How To Make A Tactile, 3-dimensional Piece.

Step 1. Make the technical drawing compass 3

...And that should be it! Congrats to the winners, a big thank you to everyone who participated, and I will see you next time