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- Oct 12, 2005
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- 1,495
Third time is the charm, right? Welcome to the third ATC swap I'll be hosting at the MLPTP. Remember to read all the guidelines before signing up -- I've made some changes to try to cut down on the swap lag!
What are ATCs?
ATC stands for Artist Trading Card. ATCs are small pieces of original artwork. The only limitation on ATCs is the size: 2.5x3.5 inches or 64x89mm and generally a flat surface (although you can add beads, fold out panels, or pop up elements for 3D effects.)
Can I see some examples?
Art in Your Pocket: Art in your Pocket: ATCs
An excellent primer with visual examples of cards -- not pony specific.
Lev_21n01's ATCs: http://www.mlptp.net/forums/mlp-artwork/37269-all-pretty-art-pic-heavy-5-12-08-new-piccies.html
Lev has participated in every ATC swap so far -- if you need to see examples of pony art, this is the place to go!
What materials can I use to create ATCs?
Anything! Oh, okay, here are some tips.
~ Cardstock or cardboard backing is good. Recycling actual trading cards as backing also works.
~ If you can make art with it, you can use it on an ATC. You can use digital techniques (although the swaps do require physical cards, so you'll need to be able to print out your work).
~ Don't forget to sign your cards (MLPTP handles are fine!) and label which swap it is for.
~ Card protectors or lamination are not needed unless your cards are fragile.
How does a swap work?
~ A thread opens in the artwork forum with the theme, number of cards to prepare, and shipping deadline date.
~ Those who want to participate in the swap post in the thread which levels they are interested in and for a swap feedback check. If you are approved, you'll be added to the swapper list and I'll PM you some info.
~ Participants get working!
~ Change from previous swaps: Designating cards for other swappers is going to be discouraged; you'll see why in a moment...
~ Highly recommended: Make digital backups of your finished cards in case they are lost in the mail.
~ Swap cards and return postage are mailed to the organizer for redistribution.
~ Major change from previous swaps: If your cards do not arrive by the deadline and you did not make digital backups, I am assuming you are not participating. We won't be waiting for you this swap!
~ All cards that arrive on time will be redistributed and mailed out to the other participants.
~ Late packages will be returned to the participant. Sorry! I'm sure you'll be able to do some private swaps with them, though.
~ The organizer leaves feedback for the participants and makes sure everyone receives their cards.
I'm outside the US; can I participate?
Given that the shipping deadlines are going to be strictly adhered to, I would NOT recommend overseas mailing unless you can send your cards a few weeks before the shipping deadline and have reliable postal service.
I sent my cards but they must have gotten lost in the mail. What happens now?
This is where the digital backups come in handy. If you have your backups and can send them to me to print out, you can still participate in the swap. Don't worry, I'll let you know if your cards aren't here at the cutoff point so this won't be a surprise.
Oh, return shipping will be a problem. What can I do?
I am more than happy to accept an extra ATC card in place of return postage. If you go for this option, remember to make one extra card for each level you join.
Did I miss something?
Feel free to ask in the thread or PM me some questions. I don't mind clarifying, especially with the changes to the swap procedures this time.
One last note...:
I may need to travel away from home for a week for this semester of school. If this impacts a swap level mailing date, I'll let you know as soon as I know. This is also why the Valentine swap will be after the actual holiday -- I'll be having midterms that week!
The ponies love exchanging cards on Valentines Day, and Heartthrob has introduced the ponies to her collection of Victorian Valentine cards. For this swap you may either use line art or create art from scratch. Your cards should take hints from vintage Victorian-era Valentine cards. For ideas, check out http://www.indiana.edu/~liblilly/valentines/valentine.html or Saint Valentine's little tokens of Love or using Google image search -- there are many beautiful and whimsical designs to use as inspiration.
Specs: No participant limit. Make nine cards. Recommended shipping date is February 13. Cards MUST be received (in my hand, not in transit!) by February 20. Cards will, absolutely, be mailed February 22. No previous ATC swap experience is needed for this level, but normal MLPTP swap feedback requirements apply.
February is National Cherry Month! The ponies are taking the opportunity to celebrate with a lot of sweet (and tart!) cherry treats. Cards for this swap should feature pony line art (Hasbro or other free-use line art here on the board) with cherries. You may modify or add the cherries to the line art -- and remember to credit other artists' free use line art.
Specs: No participant limit. Make five cards. Recommended shipping date is February 20. Cards MUST be received (in my hand, not in transit!) by February 27. Cards will, absolutely, be mailed March 1. No previous swap experience is needed for this level.
Spring means it's time for flowers, and flowers mean it's time for the ponies to party! For this swap you must create art from scratch (no line art!). Your cards should feature ponies enjoying the flowers and take hints from Japanese festivals for the ume (plum) sakura (cherry) and momo (peach) blossoms. A quick Google image search should provide plenty of inspiration.
Specs: No participant limit. Make nine cards. Recommended shipping date is March 6. Cards MUST be received (in my hand, not in transit!) by March 13. Cards will, absolutely, be mailed March 15. No previous ATC swap experience is needed for this level, but normal MLPTP swap feedback requirements apply.
:rose3:
What are ATCs?
ATC stands for Artist Trading Card. ATCs are small pieces of original artwork. The only limitation on ATCs is the size: 2.5x3.5 inches or 64x89mm and generally a flat surface (although you can add beads, fold out panels, or pop up elements for 3D effects.)
Can I see some examples?
Art in Your Pocket: Art in your Pocket: ATCs
An excellent primer with visual examples of cards -- not pony specific.
Lev_21n01's ATCs: http://www.mlptp.net/forums/mlp-artwork/37269-all-pretty-art-pic-heavy-5-12-08-new-piccies.html
Lev has participated in every ATC swap so far -- if you need to see examples of pony art, this is the place to go!
What materials can I use to create ATCs?
Anything! Oh, okay, here are some tips.
~ Cardstock or cardboard backing is good. Recycling actual trading cards as backing also works.
~ If you can make art with it, you can use it on an ATC. You can use digital techniques (although the swaps do require physical cards, so you'll need to be able to print out your work).
~ Don't forget to sign your cards (MLPTP handles are fine!) and label which swap it is for.
~ Card protectors or lamination are not needed unless your cards are fragile.
How does a swap work?
~ A thread opens in the artwork forum with the theme, number of cards to prepare, and shipping deadline date.
~ Those who want to participate in the swap post in the thread which levels they are interested in and for a swap feedback check. If you are approved, you'll be added to the swapper list and I'll PM you some info.
~ Participants get working!
~ Change from previous swaps: Designating cards for other swappers is going to be discouraged; you'll see why in a moment...
~ Highly recommended: Make digital backups of your finished cards in case they are lost in the mail.
~ Swap cards and return postage are mailed to the organizer for redistribution.
~ Major change from previous swaps: If your cards do not arrive by the deadline and you did not make digital backups, I am assuming you are not participating. We won't be waiting for you this swap!
~ All cards that arrive on time will be redistributed and mailed out to the other participants.
~ Late packages will be returned to the participant. Sorry! I'm sure you'll be able to do some private swaps with them, though.
~ The organizer leaves feedback for the participants and makes sure everyone receives their cards.
I'm outside the US; can I participate?
Given that the shipping deadlines are going to be strictly adhered to, I would NOT recommend overseas mailing unless you can send your cards a few weeks before the shipping deadline and have reliable postal service.
I sent my cards but they must have gotten lost in the mail. What happens now?
This is where the digital backups come in handy. If you have your backups and can send them to me to print out, you can still participate in the swap. Don't worry, I'll let you know if your cards aren't here at the cutoff point so this won't be a surprise.
Oh, return shipping will be a problem. What can I do?
I am more than happy to accept an extra ATC card in place of return postage. If you go for this option, remember to make one extra card for each level you join.
Did I miss something?
Feel free to ask in the thread or PM me some questions. I don't mind clarifying, especially with the changes to the swap procedures this time.
One last note...:
I may need to travel away from home for a week for this semester of school. If this impacts a swap level mailing date, I'll let you know as soon as I know. This is also why the Valentine swap will be after the actual holiday -- I'll be having midterms that week!
The Swap Levels
:rose3:
Open swap: Victorian Valentines:rose3:
The ponies love exchanging cards on Valentines Day, and Heartthrob has introduced the ponies to her collection of Victorian Valentine cards. For this swap you may either use line art or create art from scratch. Your cards should take hints from vintage Victorian-era Valentine cards. For ideas, check out http://www.indiana.edu/~liblilly/valentines/valentine.html or Saint Valentine's little tokens of Love or using Google image search -- there are many beautiful and whimsical designs to use as inspiration.
Specs: No participant limit. Make nine cards. Recommended shipping date is February 13. Cards MUST be received (in my hand, not in transit!) by February 20. Cards will, absolutely, be mailed February 22. No previous ATC swap experience is needed for this level, but normal MLPTP swap feedback requirements apply.
:rose3:
Line art swap: National Cherry Month
February is National Cherry Month! The ponies are taking the opportunity to celebrate with a lot of sweet (and tart!) cherry treats. Cards for this swap should feature pony line art (Hasbro or other free-use line art here on the board) with cherries. You may modify or add the cherries to the line art -- and remember to credit other artists' free use line art.
Specs: No participant limit. Make five cards. Recommended shipping date is February 20. Cards MUST be received (in my hand, not in transit!) by February 27. Cards will, absolutely, be mailed March 1. No previous swap experience is needed for this level.
:rose3:
Open swap: Flowering Tree Festivals
Spring means it's time for flowers, and flowers mean it's time for the ponies to party! For this swap you must create art from scratch (no line art!). Your cards should feature ponies enjoying the flowers and take hints from Japanese festivals for the ume (plum) sakura (cherry) and momo (peach) blossoms. A quick Google image search should provide plenty of inspiration.
Specs: No participant limit. Make nine cards. Recommended shipping date is March 6. Cards MUST be received (in my hand, not in transit!) by March 13. Cards will, absolutely, be mailed March 15. No previous ATC swap experience is needed for this level, but normal MLPTP swap feedback requirements apply.
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