<![CDATA[Crimson Daggers — Art forum - THE CRIMSON CRUCIBLE]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/ Sat, 25 Jul 2026 22:02:32 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[CC 7 : A Tale of Two Contrasts]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-8010.html Mon, 07 Nov 2016 21:49:17 +0000 Amit Dutta]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-8010.html
Full brief is up on the blog
https://crimsoncrucible.wordpress.com/2016/11/03/cc-07/

Can't wait to see your entries!]]>
Full brief is up on the blog
https://crimsoncrucible.wordpress.com/2016/11/03/cc-07/

Can't wait to see your entries!]]> <![CDATA[CC 6 : Halloween (Creepy Companions)]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7947.html Sat, 08 Oct 2016 03:42:04 +0000 Amit Dutta]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7947.html Full brief is here:
https://crimsoncrucible.wordpress.com/2016/10/06/cc-06/

Good luck guys!]]> Full brief is here:
https://crimsoncrucible.wordpress.com/2016/10/06/cc-06/

Good luck guys!]]> <![CDATA[Informal CC September Challenge]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7861.html Wed, 31 Aug 2016 07:19:40 +0000 Amit Dutta]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7861.html September 22 2016.

This isn't a formal CC round, so no judges and no brief.  You come up with the idea and the format and just go hell for leather on it. Please make it an illustration, so no concept designs or just a character on a white page. If you want to do a comic, go for it!

You can post your wips in here as well, no worries.

This is the perfect opportunity to keep up the momentum in the gap between proper CCs and to keep building your skills and finishing illustrations.
You will get some guaranteed critiques on your pieces, so get cracking!]]> September 22 2016.

This isn't a formal CC round, so no judges and no brief.  You come up with the idea and the format and just go hell for leather on it. Please make it an illustration, so no concept designs or just a character on a white page. If you want to do a comic, go for it!

You can post your wips in here as well, no worries.

This is the perfect opportunity to keep up the momentum in the gap between proper CCs and to keep building your skills and finishing illustrations.
You will get some guaranteed critiques on your pieces, so get cracking!]]> <![CDATA[File Size Attachments]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7740.html Tue, 12 Jul 2016 11:36:40 +0000 DK]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7740.html
I've increased the filesize limit, but before uploading TITANIC attachments to crimsondaggers forum, run your PNG/JPEG images through TinyPNG.com or a decent Photoshop compressor. The difference is great. A complex 5MB JPEG/PNG file can be compressed to 800KB with no noticeable quality loss.]]>
I've increased the filesize limit, but before uploading TITANIC attachments to crimsondaggers forum, run your PNG/JPEG images through TinyPNG.com or a decent Photoshop compressor. The difference is great. A complex 5MB JPEG/PNG file can be compressed to 800KB with no noticeable quality loss.]]> <![CDATA[CC 05 Finals]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7710.html Wed, 06 Jul 2016 11:51:55 +0000 Piotr Jasielski]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7710.html https://crimsoncrucible.wordpress.com/20...hitecture/

Good luck!]]> https://crimsoncrucible.wordpress.com/20...hitecture/

Good luck!]]> <![CDATA[CC 04 Finals]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7626.html Wed, 08 Jun 2016 12:07:10 +0000 Amit Dutta]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7626.html
Please keep your uploaded images no larger than 1500px wide, and if you can please upload your images as attachments to the forum. This helps keep page load times down, and the images always up.

Also, try to make a compilation of your studies and sketches in one or two files. You can hide it under a spoiler for better scrolling.
If you have written a script, please include it with your wips. Scripts are an essential part of the comic making process.

The brief for challenge can be found here: https://crimsoncrucible.wordpress.com/20...e-4-title/

Good luck and have fun!]]>
Please keep your uploaded images no larger than 1500px wide, and if you can please upload your images as attachments to the forum. This helps keep page load times down, and the images always up.

Also, try to make a compilation of your studies and sketches in one or two files. You can hide it under a spoiler for better scrolling.
If you have written a script, please include it with your wips. Scripts are an essential part of the comic making process.

The brief for challenge can be found here: https://crimsoncrucible.wordpress.com/20...e-4-title/

Good luck and have fun!]]> <![CDATA[CC 03 Finals]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7530.html Fri, 06 May 2016 21:28:54 +0000 Piotr Jasielski]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7530.html Please keep your uploaded images no larger than 1000-1200px wide, and if you can please upload your images as attachments to the forum. This helps keep page load times down, and the images always up.

Also try to make a compilation of your studies and sketches in one or two files. You can also hide it under a spoiler for better scrolling.


The brief for challenge can be found here: https://crimsoncrucible.wordpress.com/20...sure-hunt/

Good luck and have fun!]]> Please keep your uploaded images no larger than 1000-1200px wide, and if you can please upload your images as attachments to the forum. This helps keep page load times down, and the images always up.

Also try to make a compilation of your studies and sketches in one or two files. You can also hide it under a spoiler for better scrolling.


The brief for challenge can be found here: https://crimsoncrucible.wordpress.com/20...sure-hunt/

Good luck and have fun!]]> <![CDATA[CC 2 : Blood Ministrations Finals]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7442.html Sun, 03 Apr 2016 03:38:09 +0000 Piotr Jasielski]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7442.html Please keep your uploaded images no larger than 1000-1200px wide, and if you can please upload your images as attachments to the forum. This helps keep page load times down, and the images always up.

Also try to make a compilation of your studies and sketches in one or two files. You can also hide it under a spoiler for better scrolling.


The brief for challenge can be found here: https://crimsoncrucible.wordpress.com/20...strations/

Good luck and have fun!]]> Please keep your uploaded images no larger than 1000-1200px wide, and if you can please upload your images as attachments to the forum. This helps keep page load times down, and the images always up.

Also try to make a compilation of your studies and sketches in one or two files. You can also hide it under a spoiler for better scrolling.


The brief for challenge can be found here: https://crimsoncrucible.wordpress.com/20...strations/

Good luck and have fun!]]> <![CDATA[CC 02 Announcement Thread]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7437.html Fri, 01 Apr 2016 12:02:56 +0000 Piotr Jasielski]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7437.html
At the last second we also got an e-mail from Simon Cowell (no idea who that is), who said he is planning an art talent show and would like to gain some experience as an art judge. We are kind hearted so we let him on board.


So with no futher ado I present you the theme for the next challenge:

50 shades of Grey redesign

It's a topic suggested by Craig and we have to admit we fell in love with it in a first sight. We give you 3 options for this theme:
  • Hentai style
  • Grey as Donald Trump and the female as Hillary Clinton
  • Telletubies... or do whatever you like
The winner gets a bonus prize of getting his work printed on a cover of the Time magazine. Final image size has to be 2 feet by 3 feet, knitted - wool, no cotton. On a side note this is also our last challenge because Amit was sentenced to 10 years in prison for excessive meal preparation (shit sandwitch) and I don't know how to use internets.

Bye. You all suck and have no future.
]]>
At the last second we also got an e-mail from Simon Cowell (no idea who that is), who said he is planning an art talent show and would like to gain some experience as an art judge. We are kind hearted so we let him on board.


So with no futher ado I present you the theme for the next challenge:

50 shades of Grey redesign

It's a topic suggested by Craig and we have to admit we fell in love with it in a first sight. We give you 3 options for this theme:
  • Hentai style
  • Grey as Donald Trump and the female as Hillary Clinton
  • Telletubies... or do whatever you like
The winner gets a bonus prize of getting his work printed on a cover of the Time magazine. Final image size has to be 2 feet by 3 feet, knitted - wool, no cotton. On a side note this is also our last challenge because Amit was sentenced to 10 years in prison for excessive meal preparation (shit sandwitch) and I don't know how to use internets.

Bye. You all suck and have no future.
]]> <![CDATA[Crimson Crucible ANNOUNCEMENTS Thread]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7427.html Mon, 28 Mar 2016 17:47:14 +0000 Piotr Jasielski]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7427.html
You can also check our twitter https://twitter.com/cruciblecrimson
and blog https://crimsoncrucible.wordpress.com/

All streams are live on my Twitch channel: twitch.tv/piotr_jasielski

You can view them on demand there or on Amit's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwnDa_I...JH8VZEl5LA]]>
You can also check our twitter https://twitter.com/cruciblecrimson
and blog https://crimsoncrucible.wordpress.com/

All streams are live on my Twitch channel: twitch.tv/piotr_jasielski

You can view them on demand there or on Amit's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwnDa_I...JH8VZEl5LA]]> <![CDATA[CC Q&A and discussion thread]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7347.html Sun, 13 Mar 2016 20:00:17 +0000 Piotr Jasielski]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7347.html
If there are a lot of questions we might do a shaort Q&A stream session on twitch.]]>
If there are a lot of questions we might do a shaort Q&A stream session on twitch.]]> <![CDATA[CC 1 : GoT Game? Finals]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7333.html Thu, 10 Mar 2016 13:56:56 +0000 Amit Dutta]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7333.html Greetings Initiates!

For our very first challenge we have the idea of renewal at the forefront our minds. Just as we are re-imagining the Bloodsport challenge in our own way, we want you to come up with an illustration that redesigns a character or environment from the Game of Thrones world!
Guest Judge: ALEX NEGREA!

We are so stoked to get Alex on board for our first judging session. He won the very first Bloodsport and more than one as well, so it’s great to have him offer up his time very generously and give back to the community.
http://alexnegrea.deviantart.com/
[img=598x0]https://crimsoncrucible.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/a_song_of_ice_and_fire___mother_of_dragons__fanart_by_alexnegrea-d6lk8sj.jpg?w=598&h=797[/img]
Brief: Create an illustration depicting a character from one of the main Houses of Westeros in his or her home environment.

Illustration guidelines:
Your illustration can be focused mainly on the character. Emphasis is on the character design and illustration. No plain-background concept work please. We’d like to see some indication of an environment, even better if it relates to the character in an interesting way.
Or   
You can focus more on the environment design, but character/s mustbe included. They needn’t be heavily detailed and they shouldn’t be the primary focus of the piece but we want to see some thought has gone into them.

Design guidelines:
For your design you can choose from these 3 options:
  • Create your design for a brand new House of Westeros,“House Negrea”. This is a house known for their hard working ethos and connection to nature. The sigil of the house is a beetle. The house motto is “Spring is coming”.  Keep your designs within the existing genre and era of GoT. Convince us House Negrea is real!
  • Create a redesign based on an existing House and its characters in the GoT world, but inspired by any culture or combination of cultures, that is not medieval Europe.  
  • Create a redesign based on an existing House and its characters in the world, but change up the genre and/or era as much as you like. Far-future, steampunk, present day. You can go wild on this one. Be inventive!
Reference:   Houses of Westeros
http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Houses_of_Westeros
http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/House_Words
Reference: Examples of Redesign
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/1wERK
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/9eW8Q

Notes
ALL Styles and techniques are welcomed, including traditional work. We are focused on the final product and your work ethic, not your tools.
Good research and a lot of testing of ideas is important. Don’t skimp on the groundwork.
We will be looking for great design work and a great work ethic, first and foremost. Of course we will take into account execution and polish, but an inspired idea, fairly executed can often trump a technically brilliant but very generic idea. The idea is important!

Forum Stuff, keeping in the loop
Create your own personal WIP thread and include “CC 1: GoT Game?” in the thread title somewhere. Post it here: CC 1 WIPs
Finals and study compilations only should be posted in this thread. Please provide a link back to your wip thread when you post, and a link to a folio if you like.

Deadline: 
Saturday 26 March 2016  21:00 (9pm) [UTC +0]
Finals thread will be locked down at 9:01pm.  Cut it fine at your peril. :P
The critique stream time will be announced in the forums and on twitter @cruciblecrimson 

Alright people enough of this. GET TO WORK. You’ve only got two weeks this time!

May the fire of the Crucible guide you.
Piotr and Amit – Crucible Operators]]> Greetings Initiates!

For our very first challenge we have the idea of renewal at the forefront our minds. Just as we are re-imagining the Bloodsport challenge in our own way, we want you to come up with an illustration that redesigns a character or environment from the Game of Thrones world!
Guest Judge: ALEX NEGREA!

We are so stoked to get Alex on board for our first judging session. He won the very first Bloodsport and more than one as well, so it’s great to have him offer up his time very generously and give back to the community.
http://alexnegrea.deviantart.com/
[img=598x0]https://crimsoncrucible.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/a_song_of_ice_and_fire___mother_of_dragons__fanart_by_alexnegrea-d6lk8sj.jpg?w=598&h=797[/img]
Brief: Create an illustration depicting a character from one of the main Houses of Westeros in his or her home environment.

Illustration guidelines:
Your illustration can be focused mainly on the character. Emphasis is on the character design and illustration. No plain-background concept work please. We’d like to see some indication of an environment, even better if it relates to the character in an interesting way.
Or   
You can focus more on the environment design, but character/s mustbe included. They needn’t be heavily detailed and they shouldn’t be the primary focus of the piece but we want to see some thought has gone into them.

Design guidelines:
For your design you can choose from these 3 options:
  • Create your design for a brand new House of Westeros,“House Negrea”. This is a house known for their hard working ethos and connection to nature. The sigil of the house is a beetle. The house motto is “Spring is coming”.  Keep your designs within the existing genre and era of GoT. Convince us House Negrea is real!
  • Create a redesign based on an existing House and its characters in the GoT world, but inspired by any culture or combination of cultures, that is not medieval Europe.  
  • Create a redesign based on an existing House and its characters in the world, but change up the genre and/or era as much as you like. Far-future, steampunk, present day. You can go wild on this one. Be inventive!
Reference:   Houses of Westeros
http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Houses_of_Westeros
http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/House_Words
Reference: Examples of Redesign
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/1wERK
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/9eW8Q

Notes
ALL Styles and techniques are welcomed, including traditional work. We are focused on the final product and your work ethic, not your tools.
Good research and a lot of testing of ideas is important. Don’t skimp on the groundwork.
We will be looking for great design work and a great work ethic, first and foremost. Of course we will take into account execution and polish, but an inspired idea, fairly executed can often trump a technically brilliant but very generic idea. The idea is important!

Forum Stuff, keeping in the loop
Create your own personal WIP thread and include “CC 1: GoT Game?” in the thread title somewhere. Post it here: CC 1 WIPs
Finals and study compilations only should be posted in this thread. Please provide a link back to your wip thread when you post, and a link to a folio if you like.

Deadline: 
Saturday 26 March 2016  21:00 (9pm) [UTC +0]
Finals thread will be locked down at 9:01pm.  Cut it fine at your peril. :P
The critique stream time will be announced in the forums and on twitter @cruciblecrimson 

Alright people enough of this. GET TO WORK. You’ve only got two weeks this time!

May the fire of the Crucible guide you.
Piotr and Amit – Crucible Operators]]> <![CDATA[Introducing The Crimson Crucible !!]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7250.html Sun, 06 Mar 2016 14:50:54 +0000 Amit Dutta]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7250.html
.jpeg   CC_Banner_1280.jpeg (Size: 323.62 KB / Downloads: 2652)

"The strongest steel is forged in the hottest fire"


The Crimson Crucible is a new regular competition we will be running, where daggers (and others!) can develop their skills under the transformative fire of an intense challenge. 

Crucible challenges will be focused on developing one folio-ready piece a month while working on a brief, under a strict deadline, similar to what might be asked of you as a professional in the entertainment industry. You will generally have 3 weeks to do your work, and a week to implement feedback and crits before the next challenge begins.

Your reward will be the warm inner glow that comes from forging new skills, smashing past your old limits and reaching towards new heights.  If you persevere you also end up with a folio piece each month.

If that wasn't enough, we are very excited to announce a special treat for you guys.  We have lined up some professional guest judges (and hope to keep them coming) to join us in a live critique stream at the end of each challenge!  If you participate, do the work, and submit a final you have a good shot at getting some personal critique from an Übermensch Artist!

Crucible Blog
There is now a blog dedicated to the challenges which we will be updating and featuring winners on as well: https://crimsoncrucible.wordpress.com/

First Challenge
The first challenge will be posted around Saturday March 12th, and will have a deadline of two weeks, as a test and to iron out any issues. We want to begin monthly challenges in April.  Browse the rules thread to get an idea of how we see it working.  Please feel free to give us your thoughts and feedback before we begin. 

We would like to acknowledge Dave and Dan's awesome work on Bloodsports from which we have drawn much of the format and inspiration from.   We have been in touch with them, and they have given us their blessings to stoke some new fire into the community!

Crucible Operators - Piotr and Amit


The only question remaining for you now is,

Will you survive the heat of THE CRIMSON CRUCIBLE???
]]>
.jpeg   CC_Banner_1280.jpeg (Size: 323.62 KB / Downloads: 2652)

"The strongest steel is forged in the hottest fire"


The Crimson Crucible is a new regular competition we will be running, where daggers (and others!) can develop their skills under the transformative fire of an intense challenge. 

Crucible challenges will be focused on developing one folio-ready piece a month while working on a brief, under a strict deadline, similar to what might be asked of you as a professional in the entertainment industry. You will generally have 3 weeks to do your work, and a week to implement feedback and crits before the next challenge begins.

Your reward will be the warm inner glow that comes from forging new skills, smashing past your old limits and reaching towards new heights.  If you persevere you also end up with a folio piece each month.

If that wasn't enough, we are very excited to announce a special treat for you guys.  We have lined up some professional guest judges (and hope to keep them coming) to join us in a live critique stream at the end of each challenge!  If you participate, do the work, and submit a final you have a good shot at getting some personal critique from an Übermensch Artist!

Crucible Blog
There is now a blog dedicated to the challenges which we will be updating and featuring winners on as well: https://crimsoncrucible.wordpress.com/

First Challenge
The first challenge will be posted around Saturday March 12th, and will have a deadline of two weeks, as a test and to iron out any issues. We want to begin monthly challenges in April.  Browse the rules thread to get an idea of how we see it working.  Please feel free to give us your thoughts and feedback before we begin. 

We would like to acknowledge Dave and Dan's awesome work on Bloodsports from which we have drawn much of the format and inspiration from.   We have been in touch with them, and they have given us their blessings to stoke some new fire into the community!

Crucible Operators - Piotr and Amit


The only question remaining for you now is,

Will you survive the heat of THE CRIMSON CRUCIBLE???
]]> <![CDATA[Rules and subforum etiquette]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7248.html Sat, 05 Mar 2016 18:22:10 +0000 Piotr Jasielski]]> //crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-7248.html Subforum construction:
  • Rules thread (sticked and locked)
  • General discussion thread - for any challange related comments/suggestions (sticked)
  • Finals thread (new one for each challenge) -  contestants should only post their finished work and compilation of studies here. We will use this for the judging process. No discussion allowed. Comments will be moved by mods to the discussion thread. After the deadline, the thread will be locked and shortly moved to the Challenge Archives subforum. (sticked)
  • Personal WIP threads - everyone should post a thread with their work in progress and progression to make it easier to get feedback from the community. We encourage you to do this as it will help you develop a better piece.
The Crimson Crucible Rules:

Each challenge will have its own separate set of specific rules, however there are few rules and that will apply each time:
  • Providing relevant studies is absolutely essential to be eligible to take part in the contest. As The Crimson Crucible deadline for each challenge is 1 week longer compared to Bloodsports, we encourage you to spend this time wisely on studies or comp sketches, anything that will improve your craft and help you create better work.
  • Keep your uploaded images no larger than 1000-1200px wide, and if you can please upload your images as attachments to the forum. This helps keep page load times down, and the images always up.
  • Be nice. Hide your ego in a box for a time being. Remember that constructive critique, even if very harsh, can be very helpful if it is taken the right way. Be appreciative of any feedback, even if you believe it comes from a person with lower abilities. 
  • Feel free to use any techniques whether it's traditional, digital, 3D photobashing etc. 
  • Pay it Forward. Be helpful. Don't just post your stuff and run away. Giving some feedback to others doesn't really take that much time. Sometimes one or two words of constructive advice and encouragement can make a huge difference and mean a lot to others.  Read this post for a discussion on critique. http://crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-6522.html
]]> Subforum construction:
  • Rules thread (sticked and locked)
  • General discussion thread - for any challange related comments/suggestions (sticked)
  • Finals thread (new one for each challenge) -  contestants should only post their finished work and compilation of studies here. We will use this for the judging process. No discussion allowed. Comments will be moved by mods to the discussion thread. After the deadline, the thread will be locked and shortly moved to the Challenge Archives subforum. (sticked)
  • Personal WIP threads - everyone should post a thread with their work in progress and progression to make it easier to get feedback from the community. We encourage you to do this as it will help you develop a better piece.
The Crimson Crucible Rules:

Each challenge will have its own separate set of specific rules, however there are few rules and that will apply each time:
  • Providing relevant studies is absolutely essential to be eligible to take part in the contest. As The Crimson Crucible deadline for each challenge is 1 week longer compared to Bloodsports, we encourage you to spend this time wisely on studies or comp sketches, anything that will improve your craft and help you create better work.
  • Keep your uploaded images no larger than 1000-1200px wide, and if you can please upload your images as attachments to the forum. This helps keep page load times down, and the images always up.
  • Be nice. Hide your ego in a box for a time being. Remember that constructive critique, even if very harsh, can be very helpful if it is taken the right way. Be appreciative of any feedback, even if you believe it comes from a person with lower abilities. 
  • Feel free to use any techniques whether it's traditional, digital, 3D photobashing etc. 
  • Pay it Forward. Be helpful. Don't just post your stuff and run away. Giving some feedback to others doesn't really take that much time. Sometimes one or two words of constructive advice and encouragement can make a huge difference and mean a lot to others.  Read this post for a discussion on critique. http://crimsondaggers.com/forum/thread-6522.html
]]>