uh oh .. worked on this pretty long but I think I messed up. I found a pic on google that really touched me, but now that I reread the instuctions for the contest I see that we weren't supposed to copy references exactly. I hate to delete it, so I'm going to submit it anyway cuz I worked hard on it. And I do understand if it can't be included in the judging.
This is a good portrait painting, it's a pretty realistic representation of the photo. Bette appears to be well aware she didn't follow the rules and this piece does not qualify for the contest. That doesn't take away from the fact that she did a great job.
However, I feel I need to address the people who think this entry should win despite the fact it doesn't qualify. The rules/conditions are quite clear, you're not supposed to merely paint a photo, which is exactly what Bette did. This is not something to be debated as it was very cut and dry. Let's say for this contest I asked everyone to paint something using the color red, and only the color red, yet someone submits a blue painting, should the blue entry win? No, of course not because it completely disregards the main condition of the contest. I understand some rules can be interpretive and bent but this is not one of those rules, this rule is pretty black and white.
As much as I love Bette as a fellow artist and have an awesome respect for her ability, I have to hand it to you Klox for not bending the rules simply because it may seem 'popular' to do so. Otherwise, why bother to have rules? But, I still contend that this draw is beyond contest worthy anyway and should just go straight to the showcase, do not pass go do not collect $200. lol.
Clox, I apologize for putting you in an awkward situation and I totally understand that it can't be included in the judging. I don't want you to think I just ignored the rules, I was reading them when my computer abruptly shut down ( as it sometimes does) and finally after getting back online I just immediately started googling war photos because I read we could use refs .. I just didn't get to the part about no exact copies. It never dawned on me that I hadn't finished with the rules, and I only went back there to see how long the contest would be running. That's when I realized my mistake. I just couldn't bring myself to delete it, so I submitted it with an explaination.. In hindsight I should have asked a moderator to move it .. so I will ask that now.
I want to thank every one of you who commented. You sure made me feel good about this drawing. :)
And bless your heart Miss DJ for suggesting showcase .. if I never get anything showcased I still appreciate the fact that you think this was good enough to go there :)
drawn in 1 hour 56 min
drawn in 46 min
drawn in 1 hour 5 min
drawn in 53 min
However, I feel I need to address the people who think this entry should win despite the fact it doesn't qualify. The rules/conditions are quite clear, you're not supposed to merely paint a photo, which is exactly what Bette did. This is not something to be debated as it was very cut and dry. Let's say for this contest I asked everyone to paint something using the color red, and only the color red, yet someone submits a blue painting, should the blue entry win? No, of course not because it completely disregards the main condition of the contest. I understand some rules can be interpretive and bent but this is not one of those rules, this rule is pretty black and white.
I want to thank every one of you who commented. You sure made me feel good about this drawing. :)
And bless your heart Miss DJ for suggesting showcase .. if I never get anything showcased I still appreciate the fact that you think this was good enough to go there :)