The winners of the Original Character Challenge: Arcane Idol are in and will be awarded Wacom products and other prizes! See which Arcane Idols were the best Overall, showed excellent Creativity, or impressed our Featured Artist. Congratulations to all the winners! #ArcaneIdolOCC
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- 13+ International
Winners Take the Stage
Enchanting entertainers of all shapes and sizes captured the attention of the DeviantArt community for our Arcane Idol Original Character Challenge. The amount of imagination and talent you all showed was incredible, but these nine are leaving with the awards. Congratulations to our winners! And a huge thank you to everybody who participated in our second Original Character Challenge.
Overall Skill
Judge's Comments
This great character design could be a compelling villain using deception and manipulation for the entertainment of the masses. With a dynamic composition, overall great use of colors, and intricate details, this singe image tells a whole story. All hail the Magnificent Elzar!
Creative Execution
Judges' Comments
Using unusual and highly creative choices, the artist tied together the three elements of the challenge to create an extremely original character. The impressive storytelling and highly sophisticated aesthetic brings together a vibrant and appealing illustration of an original character.
Artist's Choice
Judge's Comments
The overall design is very strong; it's instantly clear that this is an arcane idol. Beautiful composition and great use of the talisman, logo, and equipment throughout the illustration. I also appreciate how well the design brings all elements of the contest together so elegantly.
Overall Skill
Judge's Comments
I was intrigued the moment I saw this character and wanted to know more. The twist on a classic Ouija board makes this refreshing and interesting character original while still utilizing a source we can all recognize. It's great execution on an amazing idea!
Creative Execution
Judges' Comments
A half-man, half-piece gladiator forced to perform for the gods in the ominous setting of a mythical labyrinth showcased the kind of world building that results in a compelling piece of visual art, paired with a rich narrative.
Artist's Choice
Judge's Comments
This one is a lot of fun, with a creative take on the prompt. There is a strong silhouette to the character, solid composition, and the image is inviting due to the lighting and warmth. As a side note, the backstory is great!
Overall Skill
Judge's Comments
The composition is dynamic and full of movement, which can be difficult to achieve. The duality of the colors perfectly matches the concept of the sun and moon, day and night, light and dark. The effect is simply stunning.
Creative Execution
Judges' Comments
With only one image, viewers are able to follow the complete story of this unappreciated minstrel discovering a talisman and transforming into a compelling force of the stage as an Arcane Idol. This creative format made for an immersive experience that we love to see.
Artist's Choice
Judge's Comments
There is great unity with the concept of the character, logo, talisman, and equipment. The sense of character is beautiful, and the silhouettes of both the equipment and the character stand out. I love the color palette as well – wonderful execution all around.
Overall Semi-Finalists
We challenged you to create an original Arcane Idol character, and you entertaining artists delivered. So many awesome magical superstars filled our gallery, and 25 works of art were chosen as Semi-Finalists for the Overall Excellence category hand-picked by DeviantArt staff.
If you weren't selected as a Semi-Finalist, you still have a chance to win a Wacom Cintiq 22 with Pro Pen 2 and other great prizes! The winners for Creative Execution and Artist's Choice will be chosen from the total pool of entries.
Stay tuned as Community Volunteer Thiefoworld selects the Overall Excellence winners from the 25 Semi-Finalists, announced alongside the winners for Creative Execution and Artist's Choice by DaveRapoza!

Featured Artist
About The Artist
As a self-taught illustrator, DaveRapoza has found success as a freelance illustrator and comic book artist. In addition to creating concept art for Paramount Pictures, he also writes, designs, and creates independent comic books.
9 Winners Across 3 Categories Will Win Wacom Products!
Working from the prompt, draw your original Arcane Idol character. Winners will be chosen in three different categories.

First Place (x3)
- Wacom Cintiq 22 with Pro Pen 2
- 1-Year Core Membership
- 8,000 DeviantArt Points


Second Place (x3)
- Wacom One Creative Pen Display
- 1-Year Core Membership
- 6,000 DeviantArt Points

Third Place (x3)
- Wacom Intuos Medium BT
- 6-Months Core Membership
- 4,000 DeviantArt Points
Semi-Finalists (x22)
1-Year Core Membership
Judging
Winners will be chosen in three categories.
Category 1:Overall Skill
25 Semi-Finalists selected by DeviantArt staff based on the below criteria. 1st, 2nd, 3rd place selected from the Semi-Finalists by DeviantArt Community Volunteer
Thiefoworld based on the same criteria.
- Execution
- Relevance to Concept and Prompt
- Strong Characterization
- Shape Language
- Composition
- Palette Choice
Category 2: Creative Execution
1st, 2nd, 3rd place selected by DeviantArt staff from all eligible entries (excluding Semi-Finalists):
- Relevance to Concept and Prompt
- Outside-the-box Thinking
- Creative Execution
- Uniqueness
CATEGORY 3: Artist's Choice
1st, 2nd, 3rd place selected by DaveRapoza from of all eligible entries (excluding Semi-Finalists):
- Relevance to Concept and Prompt
- Execution
- Strong Characterization
- Shape Language
- Composition
- Palette Choice
Semi-Finalists will be announced on or about March 31, 2020. Entrants can only win in one category. Winners and Semi-Finalists from the Overall Skill category are not eligible for the Creative Execution and Artist's Choice categories.
Rules
Contest Begins
February 12, 2020 at 12:00:00 PM PT
Deadline
March 11, 2020 at 11:59:59 PM PT
Age Requirement
At least 13 years old as of February 12, 2020.

Your Thoughts
Answer in the comments below:
1. Do you have a backstory when you create an original character?
2. How do you think you would handle a meteoric rise to fame?
3. What are your favorite tools to use in the creative process?
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- Official Rules
- FAQ
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- 13+ International
































