Since this is the holiday season, I'm not going to pick an overall winner for this week's contest. Instead, all of the following Finalists should consider themselves winners, albeit without an actual prize. Thanks for all your creativity this year, everyone, and Happy Holidays!
Last week's winner alvacascus has another frenetic, fun entry with "HomeLate", full of action and holiday frenzy.
In the true holiday spirit, however, alvacascus also put together a handy-dandy guide to doing fur collars.
Martian Blue put together a clever visual pun with "Secret Santa".
Cliff's "Prixy Ornament" is a great concept very well-executed. The lighting in particular is rock-solid and I love the pine tree effect.
I thought dblade's Image-style treatment of Rudolph the Red was very well done. I have had fun today thinking up catch-phrases this guy would probably use, like "Guess who'd driving YOUR sleigh tonight, punk!"
FRM had a lot of good entries this time around, but I thought "The Naughty List Enforcer" hit the right notes the best.
Both of gendonesia's entries displayed a high level of conception and execution.
Gurong7's Kristen FOX features a great pose, excellent item choices, a good color palette, and a great overall concept.
I thought headlessgeneral's "Jack Frost" was one of the best traditional super-hero entries, with a simple yet very effective composition.
Another great fantasy-style entry is Kaylin88100's "Snow Queen".
I loved kyle's "Santa on Vacation" concept. I wish I was wherever he is.
Lime told a lovely story about this Egyptian goddess, and the illustration is perfect for it.
I know no one will believe me, but my favorite part of Moognation's "Christmas Cutie" is the clever gift wrapping in the background.
I thought Myro's "Dreidel" was very clever.
PapaKrok's "Exposure" is just a great scene. Love the lighting.
I loved seeing the new wings on Phatchick's "Snow Angel", and the character herself is really nice.
Zarae's "Shortest Day" not only pays homage to the just-passed Winter Solstice, but looks fantastic as well. I'd believe this was a photo.
This is just flat-out funny, I don't care who you are! Thanks, Skybandit, for "The Three Wise Guys".
Finally, I thought vadnik's "Rudolf II" had a wonderful style and sense of melancholy to it that really struck a nerve with me.
I hope you enjoyed this Holiday Edition challenge as much as I did! Regardless of your metaphysical beliefs (or lack thereof), I also hope you were able to spend this week (like every week) surrounded by love and support. The close of the year is always a great opportunity to take a pause and consider our lives and our goals, to take a moment in the cold and darkness to remember to be thankful for the light.
Happy Holidays, everyone!
