Spectrum 18, Deadline January 28, 2011

[bcarman]

Check out the jurors for Spectrum 18 (http://spectrumfantasticart.com/). Quite the list. There is also a preview of the Spectrum 17 (http://spectrumfantasticart.com/full_content.php?article_id=1242&full=yes&pbr=1) book.


Bill'sStudio (http://billcarman.blogspot.com)

[bcarman]

Now open for submissions. And if you're not on their mailing list get on it and receive one of the ultra-cool call for entires posters done by none other than the amazing Bill Carman. Well the sort of cool Bill Carman. The good but could be better Bill Carman? OK the strange Bill Carman who's work no one can make heads nor tails of. Anyway contact them, get a poster and enter Spectrum 18.

Bill'sStudio (http://billcarman.blogspot.com)

[Star Eater]

I've been meaning to check out Spectrum for a long time. I've never seen any info on it locally. (In SA.) I think your thread is the overdue kickstart I've needed to finally check it out.

[Ian Barker]

I don't stand a chance of getting in but I think I'm going to make an entry this year. Need to start getting in the habit of putting my work out there.

[Raoul Duke]

hey Bill, do you know what the deadline is? Congratulations btw.

[Dusty]

This will be the first year I enter.
I'm pretty excited to finally feel enough confidence in one of my pieces to do so. We'll see how it goes!

Raoul: Jan. 28th, 2011.

[bcarman]

Thanks Raoul, I was pretty honored. Spread the word. I juried this last year and there wasn't nearly enough concept and comic stuff. Considering the work I've seen here it was disappointing. And as good as Daniel Dociou's work is, he's won the gold for 3 or 4 maybe more years in a row, someone else needs to step up. Anyone ready to knock him off his perch? Entering is the only way to know if work is up to par. A few years ago I didn't even know if my strange kind of work would even raise an eyebrow but I tried and have a pretty good track record going. Too much good stuff at CA to not make a considerable dent in Spectrum.

[Baron Impossible]

I've always said next year, oh, next year then and never got round to it. If I may say - and it's a view a few people I know share - the hard copy submission is a factor here. If it were digital I'd do it but hard-copy effectively triples the fee for a single artwork and soaks up a load of time. Not that I'd knock anybody of their perch but it would be cool to get something in.

[cmalidore]

I think I'll be trying this year. I don't have a huge chance of getting in, but 1) I need to stop putting off reasons to try and move forward and 2) at least that entry fee goes toward supporting a book I've gotten years of inspiration out of.

[bcarman]

As far as I know they are the only big time illustration annual that still uses hard copy. I can't speak for Arnie and Cathy but I believe there are a couple of reasons. One is the physicality. They spoke of opening the entries and it feeling like Christmas. Seeing the overwhelming number of printed pieces laid out in a large warehouse sized room is almost emotional (I think I'm going to cry). I have to say that I loved picking up the pieces and examining them. Another reason might be that seeing them in the same form as they would be reproduced in the book has its advantages (Little tip here make your prints good and professional and large). The translation from screen to print can be dicey as we all know. I know there was a certain camaraderie in the collective groan that was heard when we walked into the room to jury. We saw a, seemingly, endless number of tables covered in prints only to find out that that room was to be reset twice. I'm sure the Fenners have their reasons and if there is enough interest maybe I can get them to comment here. Suffice it to say that it is still the least, or one of the least expensive annuals to enter, charges no publication fees and gives a free book if you are accepted. Try to find that out there. I apologize if I'm coming off as a bit of a salesman for Spectrum but I've grown very fond of the book and its publishers. I know they would like to see it continue to grow and become more and more inclusive.

[Raoul Duke]

And as good as Daniel Dociou's work is, he's won the gold for 3 or 4 maybe more years in a row, someone else needs to step up. Anyone ready to knock him off his perch?

I'd like to see somebody outclass docui too, but knowing how amazing that guy is, he'll just do it himself.

Does it still cost $70 to enter btw? if so is there a way around that? The only thing worse than rejection is paying to be rejected.

[Ian Barker]

I'd like to see somebody outclass docui too, but knowing how amazing that guy is, he'll just do it himself.

Does it still cost $70 to enter btw? if so is there a way around that? The only thing worse than rejection is paying to be rejected.

$20 for a single, or $40 for a series of related works (up to 5 images).

[Baron Impossible]

bcarman - Thanks for the reply. It's not a criticism from me, obviously the process works well and because of that there's no reason to change it. Just in my situation it's a turn-off simply for the reason of the submission process, and maybe that applies to others overseas too. There are a few high quality publications now with digital submissions that don't charge, and send free books, Ballistic being maybe the best known - e.g. for Expose they send a free $80 hard-back to all contributors (although this year they also sent me a free $170 leather-bound limited edition, don't know if that was a mistake or not but it's pretty slick so they're not having it back ;)) - so whilst Spectrum is a big name it does have competition in these areas. So yeah, not a gripe as such, just giving my personal circumstance and hoping that in the future there might be a digital option too.

[bcarman]

Everyone has their own experiences and we just go with what works for us. And I know that the people at Spectrum don't want to get in a "our way is better" discussion because they just don't feel that way. Just offering my own experience here. I will just mention that every single entry gets seen and juried by every juror which is really rare for such large competitions. Paying an entry fee and making a print also force artists to consider the hard decision of entering only their very best work rather than sending everything in and hoping. My work isn't digital so I don't enter Expose and some others but it would seem right that they accept digital submissions. I also know it's impossible for every juror to see every work that is submitted to their competitions. What I really liked about the process of jurying was talking to the other jurors and handling the work while we chose medal winners. But I am a touch guy. I would never make a blanket statement of one is better than the other; each has its own place and way of doing things. I definitely understand the international shipping thing, I ship paintings and prints, so I'm not sure about how that might go in the future. I guess the best thing is to go with what works for us personally and professionally. For me it's the challenge of entering the best annuals and seeing if I can get in and knowing that all of my work will be scrutinized by the best. Plus I'll take the publicity any time.

[Dusty]

Paying an entry fee and making a print also force artists to consider the hard decision of entering only their very best work rather than sending everything in and hoping.

I think this is a very valid point. I think the amount of submissions of sub-par work would really be overwhelming for the judges if there wasn't this "check yourself" factor here. Baron, I've seen your work and it's fantastic...so I think you should definitely consider it.

20 bucks for the entry fee and maybe 10-20 bucks for a good giclee print of your work, that's not too bad, I don't think.

[bcarman]

I do too. Think your work has a great chance.

[Raoul Duke]

I am now itching to give this a shot.
What should I list under client and art director when there is none?

[bcarman]

Don't list anything. Have a look at previous Spectrums to get an idea.

[Bill]

... maybe 10-20 bucks for a good giclee print of your work, that's not too bad, I don't think.

So something from a quality home printer would be considered substandard?

[bcarman]

So something from a quality home printer would be considered substandard?


No. That's what I do. Just print on good paper and make sure the image is as large as the resolution and rules will allow. Too many entries have the look of a good home printer printed poorly. Good paper is worth the investment.

[Dusty]

So something from a quality home printer would be considered substandard?

Not at all, but I don't have a printer at home and I have a great guy that I go to for my giclee's so that's what I am doing.

[Ian Barker]

Is there a place we can see past Spectrum winners? I'm not seeing a gallery on the Spectrum site, just a list of artists.

[bcarman]

As far as I know don't post the work online. Get the book, it's worth it. They post the medal winners early on but then take them down I think.

[Ian Barker]

Gotcha. I'll definitely put the books on my wish list. ;)

[DSillustration]

I think this is a very valid point. I think the amount of submissions of sub-par work would really be overwhelming for the judges if there wasn't this "check yourself" factor here. Baron, I've seen your work and it's fantastic...so I think you should definitely consider it.

20 bucks for the entry fee and maybe 10-20 bucks for a good giclee print of your work, that's not too bad, I don't think.

You can get a nice 11x17 print at Kinko's for $3.
I use them all the time.
Ask them to use the Xerox Docucolor aka 'The Fiery'.

As for the $20 entry fee;
Given that you receive a free copy of the book (about $35) if you get in, it's quite possible that you are saving money by entering.

[Dusty]

You can get a nice 11x17 print at Kinko's for $3.
I use them all the time.
Ask them to use the Xerox Docucolor aka 'The Fiery'.

As for the $20 entry fee;
Given that you receive a free copy of the book (about $35) if you get in, it's quite possible that you are saving money by entering.

Really? I've never been impressed with the color translation at Kinko's/Staples. 3 bucks for 11x17 is great, definitely. But a few bucks more gets me the colors that I intended without everything hue shifting to magenta (at least in my experience...maybe I just have shitty Kinkos around me).

Granted, I haven't attempted to use them in a couple of years since I started using giclees, maybe they have upgraded since then.

[DSillustration]

Really? I've never been impressed with the color translation at Kinko's/Staples. 3 bucks for 11x17 is great, definitely. But a few bucks more gets me the colors that I intended without everything hue shifting to magenta (at least in my experience...maybe I just have shitty Kinkos around me).

Granted, I haven't attempted to use them in a couple of years since I started using giclees, maybe they have upgraded since then.

It's all about the employees and how well they manage and calibrate their machines.
The machine itself is more than capable of making beautiful prints...
The employees... that's a different story.

I happen to have built a good relationship with my local Kinko's,
so they know what settings they need to use for stuff if it is going to come out right.
They also know that I'm a jerk and won't pay for crappy prints if they mess it up.

[Raoul Duke]

If anybody wants to join me in the crit center. I opened a thread for spectrum submissions. I'm inviting anybody planning on submitting to spectrum to post there (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=200122). I'd definitely appreciate crits from anybody with spectrum experience.

[bhanu]

I am so in. Obviously, getting in would in itself be a great task, but what the hell. Now off to find a good printer :)

[Raoul Duke]

bhanu- If you're uncertain, you should join my thread.
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=200122
strength in numbers.

[Serpian]

Dan, in order for them to get the colours right, do they get to see the original, or do you just show up with a digital file and say (in a booming voice) "GET IT RIGHT"? ;)

[Ian Barker]

If anybody wants to join me in the crit center. I opened a thread for spectrum submissions. I'm inviting anybody planning on submitting to spectrum to post there (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=200122). I'd definitely appreciate crits from anybody with spectrum experience.

Awesome, I was thinking about doing something like this as well. Subscribed! :D

[DSillustration]

Dan, in order for them to get the colours right, do they get to see the original, or do you just show up with a digital file and say (in a booming voice) "GET IT RIGHT"? ;)

Nope, no original.
I put a color balance bar on the image sometimes as a test.
Other times, I have a master color proof that I let them compare it to.
I always make sure the proof is done from the same file.

[Ian Barker]

When are winning entries usually announced by? If by some chance I happened to get in I'd love to be able to have that at my senior show in April (not the book at that point obviously, just the bragging rights i guess)

[bcarman]

As I recall the medal winners are announced right away and the full list of artists is published sometime in the middle or late March.

[bcarman]

Deadline for Spectrum 18 is looming. I would really love to see a splash from CA.

Spectrum 18 Entry Info (http://www.spectrumfantasticart.com/entry_info.php)

[Dusty]

So just because I want to make sure I got it right, You tape Form B on the back of the print itself, but also include Form A loosely, correct?
I realize it's fairly self explanatory, but I'd hate to not include all the information they want because I misread something.

[bcarman]

Correct. Make as many copies of B that you need but only one of A. Good luck.

Bill'sStudio (http://billcarman.blogspot.com)

[bhanu]

I would be asking a few nervous questions in a day or two(about the submissions), about to be done with the entry painting.
heheheh...(nervous laugh)

[Dusty]

Cool, mailed off my submission today.
*crosses fingers*

[bhanu]

Sending it off, today or in a few days, super nervous and excited as well.

[bcarman]

Good luck guys. Deadline approaching fast.

[bcarman]

The deadline is upon us. Spectrum will take things mailed by tomorrow.

Spectrum (http://spectrumfantasticart.com/)