So, I went ahead and decided that I wanted to do a contest. On my poll, a few people said that they needed to know the subject matter before deciding whether or not they were going to enter.

So here it is. Beware, you have to read first... (this is an exert from my ref sheet/information page of the species that I'm currently working on.)

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For the purpose of this description, I'm just going to call them cats...

Coat Patterns and Markings
The common cat has a grey coat, black dorsal stripe and black legs and tail. The shade of grey varies by individual, though it will never be white or completely black. The dorsal stripe begins at the nose and ends at the tip of the tail, which is entirely black. The ears are always black. The amount of black on the legs also depends on the individual. Some may only have it on their paws while in others, it encompasses their entire leg. Sometimes they will have a black patch on their chest. Elementals have their own coat designs depending on the element, but they are all based on this common coloring.

Elementals
There are certain groups of cats that have gained the coat patterns of their elemental ancestors, even though they have long lost the ability to use their powers. There are four elements which the cats can take on the characteristics of.

Fire
The cats look much like a common cat but they have red tips. The red areas on a fire cat’s body typically include the nose (sometimes the entire face), the ears, the paws or farther up the leg, a spot on the chest and the end of the tail. It is very rare that an individual has all or none of these, most have some sort of combination. The black dorsal stripe is always tinted red and occasionally the grey body will be too in spots, although this is rare. The color of the red varies from cat to cat. It can be from a pale red to a dark burgundy.

Water
Water cats have blue markings. They generally have a wavy or jagged pattern along their stomach and legs. Their legs start out black at their paws and all the way up their legs to join with the pattern on their stomach and chest so that the lower half of their body looks like one unbroken design. This is lines in blue. The amount of blue and were it starts in the design depends on the cat. It looks like the cat is standing in water up to its chest with waves crashing around it. The pattern can be calm and almost flat, or rough and jagged or more frequently, somewhere in between. The color can be any shade of blue.

Air
Air cats have black markings that create wavy, swirly or wrapping designs on the body. This is one of the more versatile coat patterns, as there are so many possibilities for designs. (makes up for not having any color) The designs generally originate from either the black part of the legs or the dorsal stripe and merge with it flawlessly. Their designs are made of lines, not shapes or splotches of black on the body, and are usually very graceful or flowing patterns. There cats always have a white spot on their body. Sometimes it is part of their design, but more commonly it is just a spot of white on the chin, feet, chest or ears, etc. (The designs can be basically anything as long as they’re not shapes like stars or moon, that sort of thing)
*think of Firefly*

Earth
??? I don’t know yet… I’ve never seen one, but I know they’re out there. (code for I can’t think of one…

Note on the elementals: The colored parts of their body are usually kept to a minimum and aren’t extremely vibrant. (I’m talking about borderline neon colors, not normal bright colors) That is why none of them have their entire coat in their color. This is because these cats are nocturnal animals and they need to be able to hide in the dark.

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Ok, so the contest is… you need to design the earth elementals. Also, suggest a name for the species, they will be judged separately and both will have prizes.

Some things to remember:
1. The design needs to fit in enough with the other ones so that it doesn’t look like it’s a completely different species.
2. It needs to be different enough to be a completely unique design so that it doesn’t end up looking like one of the others.
3. The design must allow for some variety between individuals. As in, it can’t be a set design for every single cat. If I really like a concept for a design like that, I may choose it and tweak it so it works.
4. Their color is green; I don’t think I mentioned that before. And it can be any shade of green, much like the other elementals.
5. All coat patterns are based off of the normal one.
6. For the species name, I really don’t want anything with the word ‘cat’ in it.
7. Entries will be judged based on the design itself, not necessarily the quality or the medium you do it in.
8. Entries must be in color. Background is optional. (though it may make it look nicer)
9. Winners are chosen based on the originality, versatility and concept. My personal preference plays a huge role also, since they are my cats.
10. Refer to Firefly's ref sheet for more information. [link]
11. Last one! You need to draw a full body picture of the cat.

Deadline
February 31, 2007

Prizes
Design
1st Place – A 3 month subscription and any kind of traditional artwork by me up to 16 by 20 inches. (see my commissions page for a idea of what I can do) If you really want a digital painting, I’ll do it. It just may take a couple months since I don’t have access to Photoshop at school.
Honorable Mention – A one month subscription and a graphite drawing or an icon by me.

Species name
1st Place - A one month subscription and a drawing or icon by me.

Note: I’m not giving out prizes for second and third for either of them simply because I can only use one design and one name. (And I can’t afford to offer a ton of prizes)

If you have questions, just ask. I don't know how thorough my information was, even if there was a lot of it.

Now.. if you actually read all this, you can read my journal for updates and to tell me that you're entering. [link]