IP 4 round 4 WINNERS announced!!

[supervike]

The Elite Eight is now down to the Final Four!!!

Unbelievably great round, I can't say enough how astonished I am at the level of competition from round to round. Somehow, it just keeps getting better.

But right to it.

The scores are in, the Winners are in RED. Losers, please send your victor a booty prize as per the rules.

Wren 51 vs Demonherald 55

Stubbdog DNF vs Brushmistress 51.5

Skya 53 vs. Beelzebrush 51.5

Morf 53 vs r2j1 49.5

Congrats to the winners, Well done folks!


I just want to say Kudos to the losers....valiant efforts on your part!

Stubbdog tripped up a little, but I've no doubt his entry would have been very competitive. As a newcomer, not much was known about his skills...but believe me, people will pay attention in the next Season!

Wren, our reigning Iron Painter, relinquishes her crown and falls in defeat. But, the IRON it took to cover that fantastically awesome mini with epoxy is amazing. You continually paint fantastic stuff, and are not afraid to take chances.

Speaking of taking chances, R2J1 let it all hang out with a very bold (and pink) entry. Such a clever twist to the theme and to the minis' name (candy!!) R2J1 may have gotten the luck of the draw with a few DNF contestants, but there is no doubt that he belonged in the Elite Eight. I'm sure we will see more from him.

Beelzebrush maintains his ever upbeat attitude despite me continually spelling (and pronouncing) his name incorrectly and accusations of photoshop use (which I would still take as a compliment). He is always one of my favorite competitors with his clever themes and fantastic brush work.


BUT....this contest is about the winners. So onward and upward!!!

I'll have a 'scoring' breakdown, post the judges comments, and really talk up the winners in subsequent posts!

THE Semi-FINALS ARE HERE!! Who is going to be completely IRON?????

[Ritual]

Congrats to the winners! This round really was a very close call... not much distance in scoring between any of the contestants.

[Morf]

So cool! I can go to the Xmas party with a smile on my face! Congrats to all!
The average of 52,1 says all about this round!

[Hinton]

Congratulations to the winners! Very excellent entries from everyone this round (and I'll try to get some comments up for them today).

[YoungWolf7]

Congrats to all. 2 men, 2 women remain. Will we see same sex matchups or gender wars in the semi-finals? Stay tuned true believers!

[Beelzebrush]

bugger! :(

well done skya! PM me your address and i'll send you a mini.

It'll be interesting to see where I slipped up.... I'm guessing it's not the theme this time lol

[Morf]

Congrats to all. 2 men, 2 women remain. Will we see same sex matchups or gender wars in the semi-finals? Stay tuned true believers!

I'd rather stay this way! DH in semi-finals... that would be funny but let's keep the battle of sexes raging :)

[supervike]

Congrats to all. 2 men, 2 women remain. Will we see same sex matchups or gender wars in the semi-finals? Stay tuned true believers!


I can tell you for sure, as I just drew the matchups and the theme!

But, I think I'll wait.....mwwhaaa haa haa (tee hee)


Here are the judges scores and comments, just cut and pasted from my message box...


Ritual

Here are the votes from the Swedish jury.... :)

Morf:
theme: 3.5
technique: 4
overall: 9
comment: Theme wise, in my eyes, the "sidekick element" is not that obvious here. Without reading your comment I wouldn't have seen it at all. But, I give you credit for obviously having put a lot of thought into it. Technique wise this is top-notch and I really like the atmosphere of the piece. Great work!

Brushmistress:
theme: 3.5
technique: 4.5
overall: 8.5
comment: Interesting, and original, idea for the theme. Great brush work on this. The mouse looks extremely life-like. Something that would have given you higher theme score would have been using the minis in a setting that better emphasises the sidekick. As it is now, it is pretty much just a faerie and his helper, although beautifully painted of course.

demonherald:
theme: 5
technique: 4
overall: 9
comment: Hahahaha!!! Battle of the sidekicks. And Eddie Murphy lost!! I'm tempted to give out extra points for that... You nailed theme, in my eyes. This is ALL about the sidekicks. Some things could have a little bit better done technically, but you still hold a very high level here.

Beelzebrush:
theme: 4.5
technique: 4.5
overall: 9
comment: Another really strong overall entry here. You have a strong theme ingredient here where the sidekick really becomes the focus, both through the scene you've created and through the way you have painted it. Painting wise, this holds very high quality. Good blendings, good contrast, good ambience - simply great!

r2-j1:
theme: 4
technique: 3.5
overall: 7.5
comment: Candy golem? Why not... hehe! Cool idea and a great way to use a big mini for the sidekick and a small mini for the master to give emphasis on the sidekick. Technically this is solid, but there is room for improvement. Especially on the golem itself, which due to its size easily becomes a bit too much of the same.

Skya:
theme: 4
technique: 5
overall: 9.5
comment: Good idea here! I really like the way you have painted the reaper mini (have forgotten its name) looking very confused (which is not exactly the way the mini looks IIRC) so that the sidekick seems to be the one that knows what's going on. My only slight gripe here (which made this not getting full theme score) is that the main focus of the piece is not the sidekick, but the "master"... Technique wise, this is top of the game. Beautifully done!

Wren:
theme: 4.5
technique: 4
overall: 8
comment: Another excellent idea! I'm a little sorry to see that extremely nicely painted Rasputina covered in epoxy so that you can't see the paintjob as well. But, on the other hand it helps putting the visual focus on the sidekick even though it is very small. I think, with a bit more time on your hands, you could have made the ice a bit more icy. The single icicle is what really makes it readable and if you had put a few more of those on and maybe made some sparkles in places it would be more obvious. But, still, very well done.

Eric J

Here they are! All around impressive, and hard to judge based on such slim differences in quality.

Wren:
Technical: 4
Theme: 4.5
Overall: 8.5
Notes: This one is definitely a ton of fun, and great idea! Letting down your technical a little bit is the painting on the sidekick who’s hair looks quite flat, I would have liked to see a bit more highlights there. Your interpretation on the theme is great though, and the final look to the piece, while not perfect works very well. Good job showing your iron!

Skya:
Technical: 4.5
Theme: 4
Overall: 8.5
Notes: First thing I notice is the REALLY nice, smooth painting and your great choice of colors to create a great scene. In terms of the theme, I think you make a nice scene which clearly features a sidekick, so nice work there. Overall it’s a very eyecatching piece and one which is twice as impressive given the time scale. Great work.

R2-J1:
Technical: 3.5
Theme: 4.5
Overall: 8.5
Notes: Great idea!! This is the piece that made me laugh out of the group and it shows in your theme score. The painting itself looks a little rough in some places, although I suppose when you’re doing THAT much pink, it might drive you a little crazy. Overall a great look to this one, and again, great idea.

Beelzebrush:
Technical: 4
Theme: 4
Overall: 8
Notes: Nice brushwork and miniature selection. There are a few places which could use smoothing and the shading looks a bit dark in places, but generally really good brushwork. You got the theme with scene creation and mini selection, and you got a boost from the banana peal also giving a little story to the piece. Overall very good job, although perhaps a touch less eye-catching than some of the others.

Demonherald:
Technical: 4.5
Theme: 4.5
Overall: 9
Notes: Ok, so this is another one which made me laugh, and again, while your brushwork might look a little rushed at time, you make up for it and more with your skill at scene creation. Another complete and captivating scene. You were the only one with the idea of showing 2 sidekicks rather than master and sidekick, and I think that was a nice approach! Overall twisted and disturbing, but completely great!

Brushmistress:
Technical: 4.5
Theme: 4
Overall: 8.5
Notes: Another piece where the first thing that catches my attention is the incredibly strong brushwork which reflects in your technical score. Thematically you’ve definitely paired 2 minis which show off a story and highlight the role of the sidekick, although not such a complete scene as some of the others. Overall it looks great, and definitely an eye-catching piece.

Morf:
Technical: 4.5
Theme: 4.5
Overall: 9
Notes: I think that the combination of painting and scene creation makes this the closes to a 5 technical for me, although it falls just short with a couple of blends which could have been a bit smoother and a couple lines which could have been cleaner. I know it’s mean to fault you on that given the time frame, but I don’t often give out 5’s. Thematically I think you’ve done great as well, chosen a good combination of miniatures, then put them in a scene which brings them to life and nicely showcases their relationship. Overall really nice work, very very impressive, particularly given the time frame.
__________________



Frustrated Father

Judging and Commenting believe it or not ...
Wren:
Technical: 4
Theme: 5
Overall: 8.5
On a side note, I can't believe you covered that completely beautiful paint job of Rasputina. That was a really original color and look for her and I cried when I saw that you covered her in epoxy but at the same time I said 'damn, she wanted to win!'. Good fer you!


Skya:
Technical: 4
Theme: 5
Overall: 8.5
Cute and a great story or moment in history that this one has and I got a good laugh out of the use of the familiar for the sidekick. Does the critter have two different colored eyes by chance?


R2-J1:
Technical: 4
Theme: 5
Overall: 9
Hey, I got a hell of a laugh out of this one and had the whole family in here looking at this one so I have to admit that this is my personal favorite of this round for the simple fact that you managed to tickle my fancy as well as turn the big guy into the lumbering sidekick. Tough rough here and there on the golem, excellent work on Candy, and the base is what really made it all come together for me.

I want, I want, I want. :P


Beelzebrush:
Technical: 4
Theme: 5
Overall: 8.5
Great use of miniatures on this one and the story and humor that is shown here as well as the obvious stature differences between the two just in the use of color alone makes this a fun piece. I like the red nose on the hapless apprentice.


Demonherald:
Technical: 4.5
Theme: 5
Overall: 9.5
Another one that had me laughing and going 'honey, you have got to come see this' to my wife. Excellent use of a kinder toy and making use of two sidekicks and managing to kill off that annoying donkey was just too much fun.

You really should e-mail a copy of this or the ebay link to Pixar/Disney when you put this sucker up for sale on ebay (I assume so anyhow). I got a feeling someone will see that, laugh their arses off and the bidding will be one for that bugger.



Brushmistress:
Technical: 4.5
Theme: 5
Overall: 8.5
Admittedly, my least favorite of the entries as I'm just not a fan of that type of miniature and 'cute' is generally lost on me, but that having been said, this is an excellent piece with great colors, a different take on the sidekick gag and more importantly, that mouse is absolutely fantastic and I'm really impressed with the painting on this! An excellent job, not my shtick , but well done and worth the points.



Morf:
Technical: 4.5
Theme: 5
Overall: 9
Love the story and the action that is going on in this one as it really tells a story from the moment you look at it and you can hear the bullets screaming past with the heroes last encouragement to her companion ... etc. A nice piece and really enjoyable for me.


Everyone did a great, great job. I couldn't give any less on the theme as I think they all nailed it in one fashion or another and this is another round where I'm going to be very sorry to see anyone get removed from the competition.

[stubbdog]

Congrats to the winners. Again, disapointed that I could not finish out. But, had a good time pushing myself during my stay. I will definitely have a go next time the IP rolls around.

[Wren]

Congrats to the Final Four! I won't say I'm not a little disappointed not to be in the group, but I can't say I was expecting to get there given the trail of broken painters left in dh's wake! And at the least I've acquired an image as a madwoman, that's got to be worth something. :-> Now I can go back to video games and commissions distraction-free, confident that one of the remaining two amazing women painters will get the iron job done.

FF - I'll try to order another copy of Rasputina soon and paint her up again without covering her in goo. :-> I thought Stubb's idea of a warm witch is interesting, or maybe sort of a duel, but what would really make that work is if get a slight resculpt to do a summer version. ;->

dh - I have relinquished by avatar in acknowledgement of my defeat. Good luck to you in the next round! I'll contact you via PM about your winnings.

[demonherald]

wow I'm actually a little surprised by that...cheers Wren I for one hld you in high esteem as having true iron guts and a little madness in ya your entry was both fantastic and brave...so 2 on 2 it sure is getting interesting......
well doneall no losers this round all awesome I mean just look at the scoes..great stuff...Glad you can get back to the video games and work Wren hae a good un...

[EricJ]

good job everyone! and congrats to the winners.

Oh, and I should probably mention it more, but certain IP entries can live again... HERE (http://wyrd-games.net/showthread.php?t=3324)

[Duende]

Congrats to all the Wieners.... er, I mean, Winners! Glad to see The Iron Skya moving on along with The Mistress of the Brush (and I'm sorry I haven't gotten my loser mini sent to you yet!).

Personally my favorite entry this round was Wren's. It was just so hilarious (not to mention that Raspy and pet are my fav Wyrd minis).

And these Rounds have really been getting tougher! The avergae scores for each Round is 43.88 for Rd1, 45.88 for Rd2, 47.89 for Rd3 and a whole jump of over 4 pts for an average of 52.07 in Rd4! Great work contestants!

(and sorry to see the crumpled aluminuim ball avatar go, Wren!)

:D

[Hinton]

(and sorry to see the crumpled aluminuim ball avatar go, Wren!)


Is that what that was? I often wondered, but didn't ask. Just figured a person's avatar was something personal to them; something that they find funny, a reflection of themselves or they're making some kind of statement.

[Wren]

And all this time you could just have asked Duende, as it was her idea. :-> She made a joke during a previous IP about whether were the contestants iron or crumped aluminum foil. So I took a picture of a ball of foil and paintshopped in a crown and eyes and stuff. I'll kind of miss it too! Maybe I'll be able to reclaim it in a future IP.

[Skya]

Cute and a great story or moment in history that this one has and I got a good laugh out of the use of the familiar for the sidekick. Does the critter have two different colored eyes by chance?No he doesn't... should he? *quirks an eyebrow*

*Goes back to double check her pictures....*

Huh, looks like I caught a reflection off his right eye making one pupil look smaller then the other. Is that what you're looking at?

[PaintMinion]

Congrats DH and Skya (and all the winners of course)! Please oh please do not match up next round. Don't tear my loyalties so...I don;t think my low iron health could take the strain. If you two make it to the finals against each other, what will I do?!

[r2-j1]

Well it's about time some one bounced me outa this contest :ciao:

Grats to my contestant Morf and the rest of the winners.

[demonherald]

So was a decision mae regarding theme announcement....??? now or after xmas......either way is good as long as I know tocheck before heading off for the hols....

[DrEvilmonki]

Thats some mighty fine painting. Shame we have to wait so long to see more - but fair enough really.

[Morf]

Gods, I must start sending candies to the forum's crowd since being a man out of nowhere (haha, at least in the painter's community) and non-pro I have no fan base here ;)
Any suggestions?

[demonherald]

Just keep doing what ya doing Morf I'm a fan loved that last piece ......

[Skya]

Well, Morph, I'd say this kind of showing is a damned good way to earn yourself one. :)

[Beelzebrush]

@ Morf

I like your stuff too. Do you have an online gallery? I looked on cmon and didn't see you there.

You are definitely hiding your light under a massive bushell :D

[demonherald]

He has an extra 2 letters on CMON beelzebrush
http://www.coolminiornot.com/artist/Morfeo
some lovely stuff in that there gallery and one I regularly check in on.

[Beelzebrush]

AAH! excellent! I'm amazed I've never come across this before. Top stuff!

Cheers DH!

[demonherald]

see Morf ask and you shall receive your very own Fan club..I'll order the t shirts anyone know where to get badges.....

[Morf]

Ha, begging for support works then! Thanks guys I need it today!
Yes, I lost the '-eo' in transition since everybody calls me Morf. And since my nick is not a trademark nor any painter signature, I started using the 4 letter word :)

And that is the end of the story of how I hijacked Page 3 for a little undeserved "Nobody loves me" whining! :)

[Beelzebrush]

...can't fault you :D

[Dragonforge]

Hi All! Congrats to the winners. Sorry I haven't been around much but since I got bumped by DH I had to go back to concentrating on getting some work done before Christmas.

DH..You sick Bastard.. Poor Donkey! hehe Congrats to beating Wren.. Now lets see who you can crush next in your path of destruction.

Ok they are yanking my chain to get me to go back to work...

Jeff

[supervike]

My apologies....


I usually put up a scoring breakdown, but yesterday became a bit crazy at work (which I really do do, despite allusions to the contrary).

Not sure if you folks like them or not, but here they are:


BEST in THEME:

Demonherald with 14.5
Wren with 14
Beelzebrush and R2J1 each with 13.5

(very surprising, as only Demonherald advances....but we have also seen where lack of theme gets you nowhere...)

Best in TECHNIQUE:

Brushmistress 13.5
Skya 13.5
Morf and Demonherald 13

(not so surpising, the top four in TECHNIQUE find themselves advancing.

Best in OVERALL:

Demonherald 27.5
Morf 27
Skya 26.5

TOP SCORERS:

Demonherald 55
Skya and Morf 53

Largest margin of victory

4 points, Demonherald over Wren

Smallest Margin of Victory:

1.5 points, Skya over Beezlebrush

[stubbdog]

great contest for sure... margin of victories stiffening up each round..

[Hinton]

I like the scoring breakdowns; they're kind of fun to look over.

[PaintMinion]

So the final scores would be considered their "iron levels?"

[supervike]

Yes, the final scores show their 'iron-ocity'....

[supervike]

Get yer last licks in...this thread will be closed soon.