The Battle for Dominance

It has been a great time for art these past few months for the Komiks Manila guys.

Global recession was in full swing by March this year, forcing our office to cut down our working days to four days instead of five every week –a decision which proved to be hazardous not only to my paycheck, but also to my belly. All those hours spent sitting in front of the computer, pigging out on everything from chips, pizza and pancit from my neighbor’s birthday party, surely took its toll in my tummy.

Anyway, what I lacked from physical exercise in the past month, I am glad to say I made up for by practicing my digital art. I managed to make the dead hours productive. Every minute I spent scribbling on my pen tablet, practicing this modern medium, would resonate to a lifetime’s worth of indelible knowledge. Read: PRACTICE!

And to spice it all up, the past couple of months were also times for major online art contests on various sites, so every piece I made were all of a sudden double purposed. First; to update my portfolio just in case all hell breaks loose in regards to this whole “recession” cinema jigs, and secondly; every piece is an entry for the contests, with a potential to actually win me something! Isn’t that sweet?

Here are the contests that I and my friends entered and, ahem! –won (on some).

Darkstalkers Tribute Book

I posted about this several months ago, and I am happy to report that a lot of IAS and Komiks Manila guys made it to the book. Some weren’t picked but they are coming back next year to give it another shot. Congratulations to these guys who are returning winners:  Timothy Terrenal, Marvin Del Mundo, and Mark Taduran! And also to new ones, Godfrey Escota and Jerald Dorado! Unfortunately, the contest guidelines don’t allow the winners to post their winning entries online, so I can’t give you any of the images just yet. Once the book is out, you’d be able to see them all here.

Don’t Panic’s Street Fighter 4 Design Competition

It’s a shame that this site chooses to pick online votes instead of quality in choosing the winners in their contests. Had it been the other way around, ogodo and emasor should be champions, hands down.

 Women dig Randy Santiago’s new bod. (Guile concept by God Escota)

Wacom Mobile Suit Design Contest

This contest kept the IAS studio buzzing on the night of the deadline. Glad to say everyone got to finish and submit on time. We’re still keeping our fingers crossed, as this contest is yet to be judged. The Wacom Intuos 4 prize is really gorgeous. Probably would look good on my table. Yee-haw!

Mobile Suit concepts by: (CW) Jerald Dorado, Gio Tengco, Drew Santos and Jonathan Ledesma.

Natives of the Lifeless Forrest (CG Hub)

The battle is really tough in this contest. To most people, just seeing the works of CG Hub’s hard-hitters is enough for them to lose heart and shy away. But come on! We already know that competition nowadays is very tough. Consider yourself blessed that they are showing you how high the bar is currently set, so you’d know just how much more effort you need to exert to reach it.

These people are winners already to give their all in this contest; sorry I can’t provide the iphones and the software. Heheh…

The Promil kid learns how much the critters love to dance to the tune of How Gee. (Benjo Camay)

Rebirth of Mother by Timothy Terrenal and Night Feeders by Sandy Gonzaga.

And lastly…

Dominance War IV: The Rise of Demons

Freyal Emperor by Joongmin Park 

The latest installment of the Dominance War Series. Now, if you think “Lifeless Forrest” is tough, then what more DWIV? Imagine all the hot shots in major online art communities in the world battle it out for err… Dominance!

Not only that the prizes are so yummy, the prestige you get in winning this contest, you won’t get from anywhere else.

Check out how it’s coming along and melt in your seats. This is where the world’s elite pick its best. 

Contest details here. Deadline for entries: May 11, 2009. 

Now, get started with your entry if you plan to join. This competition should be easy enough for Filipino artists to top. “Sisiw!” as Alex might say.