Fairy Challenge Picks Of The Week!

It's time for our Picks Of The Week for the "Fairy" Challenge! 

Again, like other recent challenges, this challenge ended with many beautiful entries. We'll take a look at the ones that the Judges picked soon. 

Don't forget about our current challenge, "Playing Cards". Entries have already been trickling in. Look at these:



These three happen to be Tarot cards, but they definitely represent what the Judges and I are looking for.  We're also designing King, Queen, and Jack playing cards. If you want to do two, one has to be a Tarot, and the other a regular Playing card.

Don't forget what I've mentioned to the group more then once over the years. We have so many new members that I want to say it again: Try very hard to use model stock that is fresh and has not been overly used. Certain stock become cliche, like the stock in the first Tarot. The model is from mjranum-stock. I know without looking it up, that's how over used it is.

Suggestion: Use the "Browser" when you're using the SEARCH to get further into the past years of stock to find that rare but exceptional stock that has been left behind and forgotten. If you're going to use a faestock, for example, change her to the point that she no longer looks exactly like her self (the third card...didn't need to look that one up either).
 

All challenge picks are invited to submit any deviation from their gallery to feature with the chosen "Picks".

Please include the words "Member's Choice at ManipulateThis so that we can identify it as a deviation meant for the group. bulletblack:

At ManipulateThis, one of the ways we learn is from one another. You should all pay attention to the comments that the Judge Moderators  and I make about the selected Picks. In addition, if you noticed the same members winning more than once, pay attention to what they're doing. Learning also involves emulating what you see.

All of participants should be proud of yourself for taking on the challenge!  However, if you were not a pick this week, and you want to know why, or you'd like a full critique, please send a note to the group and the judges or I will be happy to respond.

"Thoughtful Moments" by cazcastalla
"This piece is an excellent example of concept and blending. The several landscape images are seamlessly put together to create a different but believable scene. It's really a lovely work whose title fits perfectly. Well done!"



"Spring Fire" by mih88
"What grabs my attention in this piece is the unusual combination of a "sweet" fairy image combined with fire. The color palette works and noting the original colors of the stock model-one can see the work that went into blending her to fit the rest of the color scheme. This is a neat concept, artist, BRAVA! "



"Sunflower Fairy" by RPsyV
"I'm attracted to this work because of the odd but fun inclusion of the camel and it's birdie garden. Unusual juxtaposition is not always easy to pull off, but here-done well. The background/sky are nicely blended. Finally, the artist has followed the rule of making the fairy the main focus and balancing scale as well. Nice job!"

"Springdust" by Elsapret
"This beautiful scene is enhanced by the dust particles floating out of the flower. They make this manipulation look magical, which was the aim when entering this challenge. Mission accomplished. It was also smart to make light come out from that flower as it is quite eye-catching. As for realism, Elsapret did a good job with lightings and if I had to be nitpicky, I'd say only the fairy's legs look a little too dark."



"Serene Fairy" by faryewing
"A butterfly, a hummingbird and a profusion of colorful flowers : faryewing gathered in her work all the essence of spring. Because of the pink flowers that are partly blurry at the back, it would have been more realistic if the yellow flowers were blurry too...but the attempt of depth brought by the use of different fields of flower stocks was a success. The texture and circle of light in the sky are also a nice touch."



"Bringer of Spring" by Nolamom3507
"At first, when looking at Nolamom3507's manipulation, I was wondering where would all these flowers come from...then as I reminded the title, it all became clear : the fairy is making them grow ! Smart title and smart way to illustrate it. I also love the use of complementary colors that make the fairy stand out a little better in the middle of those gigantic flowers. Maybe a less busy background like a blue sky would help to emphasize it even more ?"

"Bedazzled" by amethystmoonsong
"This deviation has a good composition, a lovely color palette, and lots of details.  The artist has created a real sense of depth even with such a close-up subject."



"Sunset Dance" by EveBlackwood
"This deviation is really well put together.  The landscape is blended seamlessly and the tree and stump provide an excellent framing."



"Playful Friends" by chevronguy
"This deviation uses sharply contrasting colors to heighten the drama.  The artist has also contrasted the softness of the fairy with the crispness of the bird as well as the soft landscape with an abruptly flat sky."