Background Blitz: Safe Space (Voting Started)

Misj' · Fri 30/05/2025 20:52:53

Safe Space

Draw anything that is both safe and (a) space in some way, shape, or form.

(or thought to be)

Deadline: June 30th (Dutch Time)

As usual the entries will be judged on:
- Concept: Is it a creative interpretation of the theme that also tells us something about the world in which it takes place.
- Playability: Does it have clear walkable areas, things to interact with, etc?
- Artistic Execution: How well was the chosen style executed? - What's the feeling of the place? - Does the image convey the wanted atmosphere?

To your pencils!

Additional rules for the use of Generative A.I.
1. The input for the GenAI must be something you created. It can be a sketch, a photograph, a collage of images, &c. Whatever it is, it must originate from you hand and mind.
2. The output of the image created by GenAI (based on your input in point 1) must be significantly altered by you.
3. You must share all three steps (or more if you use multiple GenAI passes): your input, the output of the AI and your altered version (of course I woudl advise to put them in a spoiler-block as to not influence the initial experience of the final piece).
4. You do not have to share additional prompts used.

In short, your decisions and your 'fingerprints' must be all over both the origin and the final version of your piece.

Spoiler

Why have special/additional rules for A.I.?

I have clear opinions on and reservations about the use of Generative A.I. in general and even more so in creative processes (images, music, story, programming (and yes, that is creative too in the same vain as the other examples)). But I also think my opinions should not block anyone from joining this competition in good faith. So it was either: (a) exclude A.I. image generation all together or (b) have a compromise that is at least some sort of framework in the context of this Background Blitz. I choose the latter.

I hope you understand and accept my decision. And if not, please keep your discussions on the subject matter to the following thread: Your thoughts on A.I. art creation or PM me personally if you really want to (but please don't, because that would mean I might have to interact with people).

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ildu · Sun 01/06/2025 07:47:53

Great! This time I'll definitely enter... already ideating

.

If genAI is to be allowed, those are fair rules. Significant altering and proofs is good, and may even yield creative results. For us traditionalists, I wouldn't mind showing process/proofs as well. I illustrate in Procreate, so a timelapse video is always available. What might be the best way to host and embed a video here (would like to avoid Youtube, and can host my own)?

Misj' · Mon 02/06/2025 19:23:20

Quote from: ildu on Sun 01/06/2025 07:47:53I illustrate in Procreate, so a timelapse video is always available. What might be the best way to host and embed a video here (would like to avoid Youtube, and can host my own)?

I thinks it's always great when people show (part of) their process. From sketches, to steps, to time-lapses. So yes, I would certainly appreciate that. As for how to make it available. Well, if you can host it yourself you could add a simple link to the video people can follow. Or a link to a simple HTML page (semi-blog-post) with an HTML-video-element in it.

Looking forward to your interpretation of the theme.

Creamy · Sun 15/06/2025 16:55:03

Quote from: Misj' on Mon 02/06/2025 19:23:20I thinks it's always great when people show (part of) their process. From sketches, to steps, to time-lapses. So yes, I would certainly appreciate that. As for how to make it available. Well, if you can host it yourself you could add a simple link to the video people can follow. Or a link to a simple HTML page (semi-blog-post) with an HTML-video-element in it.

Looking forward to your interpretation of the theme.

Currently, I have a black and white sketch:

Spoiler

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It's a continuation of my Mediterranean series, although I'll have to change some elements in the last picture to ensure continuity:

Spoiler

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About my process: I drew the different elements on several sheets of paper that I scanned and combined in Clip Studio Paint.

Spoiler

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Misj' · Wed 18/06/2025 20:20:55

Nice sketch Creamy, I like your interpretation of the theme.

cat · Wed 18/06/2025 22:23:13

Interesting process, @Creamy , thanks for sharing!

Misj' · Wed 25/06/2025 19:24:40

We're entering the final days of the competition. So let me know if anyone needs an extension to finish their piece.

Creamy · Sun 29/06/2025 21:14:58

Done:

My idea was to create what appears to be a safe space for the children.
Probably a good refuge from the summer heat too. We're in the middle of a heatwave here in southern Europe.

Misj' · Wed 09/07/2025 20:06:24

Quote from: ildu on Sun 01/06/2025 07:47:53Great! This time I'll definitely enter... already ideating .

Ildu (and anyone else who still wants to enter), I will keep the Blitz open until somewhere this weekend.
Otherwise I'll have to call it.

ildu · Thu 10/07/2025 20:43:57

Yup, I've gotten sidetracked once again

. My original idea is probably not doable in the remaining time.

If you can keep the competition open until Monday morning, I could whip up something new over the weekend. It may not be in its final form, but at least would give a good indication. Perhaps the imaginary game that it's from has a sketchy art style

.

Misj' · Fri 11/07/2025 21:22:14

Granted.

TheFrighter · Sat 12/07/2025 09:06:13

Quote from: Creamy on Sun 29/06/2025 21:14:58Done:

My idea was to create what appears to be a safe space for the children.
Probably a good refuge from the summer heat too. We're in the middle of a heatwave here in southern Europe.

Is the Sardinia flag on the wall?

_

Creamy · Sat 12/07/2025 11:15:11

Quote from: TheFrighter on Sat 12/07/2025 09:06:13
Quote from: Creamy on Sun 29/06/2025 21:14:58Done:

My idea was to create what appears to be a safe space for the children.
Probably a good refuge from the summer heat too. We're in the middle of a heatwave here in southern Europe.

Is the Sardinia flag on the wall?

_

No, it's the local flag of Liguria - a region in the North of Italy. I can see the similarity between the Sardinia flag and the sail of the ship though. The Liguria flag uses 4 stars instead of 4 heads. Of course you can't really tell at this distance.

ildu · Mon 14/07/2025 00:15:20

Well, due to limited time, this is what I came up with

.

A magician's stage show can be a daring and death-defying environment, what with sawing assistants in half, escaping water tanks and having daggers flung at you. A trap door with an underlying bed of cardboard boxes, pillows and plushies offers hard-working magicians a brief refrain from the action. It's a safe space in an otherwise hostile milieu! Jump in and fall safely into premium comfort...

Originally I was going to do another idea, but switched to this easier one yesterday. It's very much a work-in-progress still - I drew it within one day. I just had to upload, because I ran out of time. I would love to finish this and post the final piece here in this thread.

Misj' · Wed 16/07/2025 20:23:24

It's time to vote.

Quote from: Creamy on Sun 29/06/2025 21:14:58

Quote from: ildu on Mon 14/07/2025 00:15:20

Two fun interpretations of the theme.
So it's time to vote.

Usual voting criteria:
- Concept: Is it a creative interpretation of the theme that also tells us something about the world in which it takes place.
- Playability: Does it have clear walkable areas, things to interact with, etc?
- Artistic Execution: How well was the chosen style executed? - What's the feeling of the place? - Does the image convey the wanted atmosphere?

Voting ends the 23th (or later...basically it ends when I call it; which will be after the 23th).