RPGIlloShow

Please Read this before submitting!

Thank you for joining us at the RPG Illustrator's Showcase!  Interested in posting to the group?  Here's some basic rules you'll need to follow.

Q: What is RPGIlloShow?

RPGIlloShow, a.k.a., the RPG Illustrator's Showcase, is a collection of art and illustration from and related to traditional tabletop roleplaying games, also called "TTRPGs," or "pen and paper games."  These are games like Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, Shadowrun, or the Star Wars RPG.  They are generally played with a group around a table using character sheets, dice, and sometimes maps and miniatures, although virtual tabletops like Roll20, Fantasy Grounds, and Tabletop Simulator have become popular in recent years.

Q: What kind of art can I submit to this group?
As stated, this group is for art from and related to TTRPGs.  We accept any work in any medium, digital or physical, as long as it is related to a roleplaying game.   We don't accept artwork related to any other form of game, including RPG video games, board games, or card games, even if RPG-related.  We also don't accept art from any other form of media, such as novels, movies, or comic books, even if RPG-related.  The art MUST be tied directly to a traditional RPG.

Q: Why so strict with the subject matter?
Because there are a LOT of generic "fantasy art" groups on deviantART.  In order to differentiate ourselves from the rest, we have to have a more narrow focus.

Q: I have a "generic" fantasy piece that could be related to an RPG.  Can I post that?
Sorry, no.  Fantasy RPGs like D&D contain traditional fantasy elements like elves and dragons and magic, sure, but that doesn't mean every piece of art that features an elf or dragon or magic is related to D&D.  Unless the art specifically depicts obvious RPG elements or is otherwise labeled as RPG-related, I can't accept it.

Q: How do you know if a piece is RPG-related?
Some elements are visually distinct enough to be obvious.  Monsters like beholders  or mind-flayers are unique to D&D and automatically approved (unless obviously from another piece of media).  Other pieces must be tagged as RPG-related or otherwise described as such in its notes.  If I'm not sure, I will ask.  All posts must be approved by me (Talon Dunning, group admin).  If I question its suitability, you have 2 weeks to respond.  Submissions that expire will not be allowed in the group.

Q: I see art from Star Wars and other non-RPG-related media in this group!  Why was it allowed?

Because there's a Star Wars RPG (several, actually) and the SW art that was allowed is specifically related to it.  Other properties (ALIEN, Blade Runner, Transformers, My Little Pony, etc) have RPGs as well and we allow art from those games in the group as long as it was done specifically for the game and not for any other related media.

Q: What else do I need to know before submitting?

There are a few other basic rules:

• We don't not accept art that is hidden behind a follower or subscriber paywall.  If I can't see it, I can't approve it.  Also, work previously approved that later becomes restricted will be removed from the group.

• Art must be an illustration.  We don't accept things like maps, blueprints, photos of painted minis, logos, or technical diagrams, even if RPG-related.  We will accept character sheets or other word-heavy submissions only if an illustration is also involved.  Please don't post ads for your commission service, either.  Just illustrations, please.

• Please post to the correct gallery.  Galleries are divided between "Personal RPG art" and "Published RPG Art."  Personal art is any art done for fun (fan-art) or on private commission.  Published art is any art commissioned by an RPG publisher (WOtC, Paizo, Ulisses Spiele, Modiphius, Green Ronin, etc) for use in an RPG product.  Work is still considered "published" even if it has never seen print.  Published art is divided by game genre, but Personal art is not.

• Please follow all deviantART rules regarding accepted content.  Mature art is allowed, but it must be posted to the Mature gallery and marked as such. Mature iImages featuring forbidden material (underage characters, sex toys, erections, penetration, explicit sexual contact, sexual fluids, or bodily waste) are not allowed (and may be reported).  Violence and gore is allowed as long as it's not excessive.  Work depicting racism, sexism, or domestic or sexual violence will not be accepted.

Q: What is your A.I. policy?

I don't personally like A.I. art very much, but given that 90% of the art on deviantART is A.I. now, if I didn't accept it, there would likely be no group, so it's fine.  My concern is mostly whether or not the art is related to a TTRPG rather than how the art was created.

Thank you for reading the FAQ!  Further questions may be sent to Talon.

Last update: July 2024