All those pictures are very cool, Vanya! it's too bad you can't use the art gallery. It makes things so much easier.

They're amazing, Vanya!

Nessie, that last one is sooo creative! Excellent work.

Atlantic... Caribbean... great idea!

Not all water is blue!

My brother Travis has been waiting for a pond water one.

I'm glad I could satisfy him!

I like that one... I can almost imagine frogs hopping out of the green water.


Mine has green on it, as you will see when I post it.

*didn't think of frogs*

Yes, yes. I'm waiting on that key word "when."

Atlantic is epic!

eru

Aww, thanks, Eru!

Wow, guys! These are all brilliant!

I'm just in time! Here's my humble rendition of Water.

It's lovely, Milly!

It is very nice. I'm glad you made it!

Here's my submission.

Ahah! You posted them all! I like this one, it's so creative!

Thank you, Lady Elanor.

Not the best...

So creative, Jonathan!!

Aldara, love what you did with the words for water!

Oops! Forgot to mention, today is the last day, guys. All entries must be submitted by midnight tonight. Phase one of the Judging will commence tomorrow.

You posted Water, Jonathan! My hours of arguing were not wasted! I love the unique colors! And the spots.

Thank you, Airianna and Philadelphia.

Squee!! Jonathan, that's awesome! I love the bubbles!!

Thank you, BushMaid.

Here's one more... I think this one is Sally's, that's why it's not marked... there were a bunch of hers in the stack I think.

Just to make sure I'm not forgetting anyone, Katie, only you and Elisha are HW members, right?

Lovely, Elizabeth! Striking color choices.

Yes, that's correct.

Love the colors in the mane, Elizabeth! Yay for marker users!

*gulp* I'm really running in late!! Almost the dead line!!

(this one was done with oil pastels)

That is beautiful, Lady A!

Thanks Elanor! Glad you liked it

Okay, thanks, Katie. Just had to make sure.

Stay tuned, guys. The artists who make it through Phase One of Judging will be announced this evening in each of the element's threads.

I look forward to seeing the winners of phase one!

First off, I want to say that you all made this not only a lot of fun for me, personally, but you made this sooooo hard on your poor judges! Every picture was good and special.

So, what do I mean when I say "who made it past Phase One?", anyways? Well, you know that silly Airi. She likes her systems. I create a system for just about every project I do, and every aspect of that project. So, Clestria, Azlyn, and myself are being subjected to a horrible five phase judging system! You should pity us.

*grins * Anyways, what this means is that there will be 4 judging eliminations. After each elimination, a phase is complete. I will be announcing the contestants who have made it past each elimination for the next 3 days. Then the judges will finish up the next two phases of judging, resulting in the blog post on Thursday which announces the winners. So tune in for the next three days, guys.

These are the people and pictures that made it past the first elimination (in random order).


Phase One Winners:

Water Pony, BushMaid

Shore, Philadelphia

Pond, by Philadelphia

Beach, by Lady Ness

Coral Reef, wRen

Riptide, by wRen

CCF10152011_0003.jpg, by Lady Elizabeth

Atlantic, by Lady Ness

Scan0042, Elisha/Bethany



Feel free to chatter and give congratulations.

* laughs * Congratulations, guys! Your pictures are bellissimo!

I can't believe I made it!

I'm not. *hugs fellow marker user*

I am, however, shocked that both Pond and Shore made it through.

Pond was epic! Course, so was Shore.

*didn't think Pond was nearly the quality of Shore but isn't going to argue*

Thanks! I like to use markers or colored pencils.

All right, Phase Two is complete.

Every picture was special, so choosing between everyone’s pieces is hard. In Phase Two judging becomes a little different than Phase One. As judges (Celestria, Azlyn, and myself), we have a list of criteria we are looking for when judging between the pieces. The best coloring jobs (neatness-wise) will not necessarily be chosen. We are looking for pieces that are chosen to continue into each stage are being chosen for their creativity (high importance), their ability to think outside the box, their presentation, and how well the essence they were going for is depicted.

So, here are the finalists who have made it past Phase Two and into Phase Three.

Shore, by Philadelphia

Riptide, by wRen

Atlantic, by Lady Ness

Beach, by Lady Ness

Pond, by Philadelphia

It wasn't creative enough?

It was creative, dear. Very much so. One of the things our judges are using to push another picture into the next Phase is portrayal of the element. Some pictures captured the element more clearly than others.

Like I said, there are so many entries, and so many wonderful pieces, we have to look beyond the beauty and creativity of the piece. Some of my favorite pictures did not make it into Phase Three because their essence was not as strong as the ones chosen.

Oh! All the pieces were so beautiful, I'd be in absolute despair to be judging them! All of you ladies did an amazing job! Congrats to every one, and a special congrats to the winners of phase two!

*thinks Alina-with-the-awesome-avatar is so sweet to congratulate everyone*

*reads list and ponders fainting with the rest of them*

*Rolls eyes fondly *

*thinks Philli needs some of her own cupcakes*