Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Update

Hi everyone - so the blog is going to be a little quiet until the deadline. I'm busy designing the book layout, compiling the artwork and working on my own pieces. If you've already finished your work, no need to wait til the deadline to send it in; you can do that anytime. Remember your bio photo too, please!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Artwork Submission Details

If you are a contributing artist, please read this post first and then the FAQ. If you still have questions feel free to email me directly at rneterer@gmail.com or comment on the FAQ post.


APPLICATION DETAILS:
The theme for the book probably goes without saying, it is lolita fashion I am looking for new, not previously posted artwork, please do not recycle old work for this project!

I WILL accept: traditional drawings, paintings, digital illustrations, etc (any completed 2D artwork)
I will NOT accept: 3D renders, photos, fiber art, unfinished sketches, sculptures, etc.

The book will be split up into chapters, each chapter being a different main lolita substyle. Therefore your drawings will need to fall into one of these categories:

gothic
sweet
classic
punk
boystyle

These categories will be fairly wide ranging, for example if you have an guro-lolita character she/he would be grouped under punk. The purpose of this is so we don't have many different categories with only 1 drawing in each.

If you are drawing a specific brand print, please note the name of it and the brand name when you email me. I want to be sure to give credit where credit is due for those designs.

Send your final work to: rneterer@gmail.com with "LOLITA: the artwork" as the subject. In the email include your name, email & website again. Your art needs to be a 300dpi JPG in CMYK. Title them in the style they fall under. Here's an example:

Name: Rachael H-N.
Email: rneterer@gmail.com
Website: rainyisle.com
1. Gothic 2. Sweet

Also attach a photo you would like to represent yourself, this will be used for the visual table of contents crediting you and your work. This can really be anything, if you are not comfortable using a photo of yourself, send a small drawing, a photo of your pet, etc. Keep in mind it's going to be quite small, about 150x200 px.

IMPORTANT: Please only send me ONE email containing all this. For organization's sake (and my sanity!) it will make it much easier to just get one email from each artist.

TECHNICAL SPECS:
"LOLITA: the artwork" will be printed through Lulu.com and will be hardcover casewrap in US letter size, 8.5x11in. Go here to download the page template, it's the 2nd to last option in their table of different sizes. Artwork needs to be submitted as a 300dpi .JPG and if you're drawing a background, make sure it is full bleed. This means it needs to go to the very edge of the paper. Please use the file called "FRONT" not "BACK" to layout your artwork.

The maximum # of pieces you can submit is 5. When you have completed your art, please email it to: rneterer@gmail.com with "LOLITA: the artwork" in the subject line.

FINANCIAL DETAILS:
As the project coordinator and for personal reasons, I have decided NOT to start a KickStarter campaign for this project. I do realize this may upset some people and I apologize in advance but I have chosen to make the book completely non-profit. Here's what this means to you as a contributing artist:

Unfortunately you will not be compensated for your work and you will also have to purchase a physical copy of the book if you'd like one. Lulu does not provide free copies to writers or contributers, I myself will have to purchase a proof copy and a final copy when the time comes. Books will be sold through Lulu's website AT COST (this means no markup) to keep them as affordable as possible.

The positive thing is, with no money involved, you are under no legal or contractual obligation to provide artwork even if you sign up as an artist. If something comes up and you cannot finish your piece, that's ok since this is completely on a volunteer basis. This book will be a great addition to any artist's portfolio; contributors WILL receive a free, high-resolution PDF version and a professionally printed mini-print from me with a hand written thank you note on it.


DEADLINE:
The deadline for submitting your artwork is 2/23/2012.

Thanks everybody and happy arting!

Monday, January 23, 2012

CTA Closed

Good morning everyone!

The call to artists is CLOSED, I am no longer accepting new artists; Kara will be the last accepted applicant.

Friday, January 20, 2012

CTA CLOSING EARLY!!

Due to the overwhelming response I've gotten in favor of the book I've decided to close the call to artists early. We have MORE than enough contributors for the book, and I don't want to end up taking on too many pages/artists and not being able to finish compiling everything.

The call to artists will now close 1/23/2012.

I realize it's very sudden, so if there's anyone thinking of applying who hasn't, be sure to do it this weekend! Again, call to artists now closes NEXT MONDAY, 1/23 instead of in February.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

We are a GO!

I just wanted to say I am FLOORED by the response this project has gotten, in one day 17 people signed up and when I logged in this morning 32 are signed up! This means the book is a definite go! Soon I'll make another post with the artwork deadline.

Thank you everyone for your enthusiasm!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

FAQ

Comment with any questions you have on this post, I will be adding them to the FAQ as the project moves along.
_______________________________________________________
1. Do the artists have to be members on EGL?
I am not requiring the artists be members of EGL. I just assumed most of them would be since this was my inspiration for the book.

2. How will the book be paid for?
Lulu is a print on demand service, which means you only pay for the copies you order. For more information regarding finances, see the call to artists post.


3. Will my artwork be judged and reviewed?
There is no juried process for this book, I would like to include everybody who applies. That being said, I do reserve the right to exclude artwork that is unfinished, such as pencil doodles on lined paper.


4. What medium are you accepting?
2D only - this is intended as an illustration project. Paintings, drawings, screenprints, etc are all ok. Please ask if you're not sure about your piece before starting.


5. Is only artwork featuring a human person dressed in lolita acceptable?
Although that was my original intent, your piece does not have to have a human in it. It should, though, have some sort of character in it. Landscapes can be beautiful, but the point of this book is to demonstrate the fashion, which needs to be worn by some sort of character. If your piece does not have a human in it, (a skeleton dressed in gothic, perhaps?) please make sure it falls CLEARLY into one of the categories mentioned on the cta post.


6. Do I have to use a certain program to develop my artwork?
No, you can use whatever program or 2D media you choose. The final image that you send to me must be a 300 dpi JPG, though.


7. If my piece has no background does it need a border?
No, please do not add a border to your artwork if it is character only, like this example.


8. How will my work be labeled/credited?
The back of the book will have a visual table of contents listing the page #'s and the corresponding artist's name, email, website and if desired, photo. I prefer not to put any text over the top of work for I feel it detracts from the piece as a whole.


9. Should I label my own artwork?
No, do not put any text over the top of your work that is not part of the piece itself. You will send this information in an email to me along with your work.


10. Should I send the template along with my artwork?
No, just send me the flat JPG of your final piece(s).


11. Which template should I be using?
2nd from bottom, 8.5x11 US Letter template





12. Trim? Live area? What does all this mean?
If you've never used a print layout template before, it can appear a little confusing at first. "Live area" is the absolute minimum space your artwork needs to cover. "Trim area" is where the pages will be physically cut by the printer. Due to slight variances in printing machines, the trim area will vary small amounts, so that's why there is some padding along the edges of the template. (called the "safety margin")


"Document size" is the full book size, before it is cut by the printer, so after it is trimmed the book should be exactly 8.5x11. When I say make your artwork "full bleed" if it has a background, that means it should go to the very edge of the template, so your piece will actually measure 8.625x11.25. But keep in mind that "trim area" will be cut away in the final printing so be sure not to place anything critical on the edges.


13.Can we use prints or dress styles that brands have come out with in our work? (eg, Alice and the Pirate's "Black Cat, Witch, Apple Tree" pattern)
There is no problem with you redrawing a pattern on your own, but if I see artwork with copied and pasted brand prints in it, it will not be printed in the book. (what I mean is, don't go to Google, take an image like this, and then paste it into your art) There will be a disclaimer in the book so credit will be given to all brand designs used.


14. Is there a maximum # of pieces I can submit?
Yes-the maximum # of pieces per artist is 5.


15. Can I draw a comic for the book?
While I realize it's still 2D art, the focus of this book is pinup illustrations so please stick to that theme.


16. Can I submit a 2 page spread?
Absolutely! Again, make sure it can fall under one of the themes. (sweet, classic, etc)


17. Is fanart allowed?
Yes-as long as it's obviously lolita fanart is no problem.


18. Can we draw a group piece with mixed styles?
Yes


19. Are monochrome (or semi-monochrome) pictures allowed?
Yes!

Call to Artists is Open

Artists' call is now open!

TO APPLY POST YOUR:
Name: (or nickname-this will be printed in the book)
Email:
Website: (or blog/tumblr/etc)
# of pieces you intend to submit & which category they fall into: (this can be changed later on, I am just trying to get an initial idea of how many pieces we'll have in each category)

PLEASE ONLY COMMENT ON THIS BLOG POST WITH THE ABOVE APPLICATION FORM. This post is meant exclusively for keeping track of contributing artists. If you have questions/other comments post them on the FAQ or email them directly to me: rneterer@gmail.com with "LOLITA: the artwork" in the subject line.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Welcome to "LOLITA: the artwork!"

Hello & welcome to the home of "LOLITA: the artwork."

What it is: "LOLITA: the artwork" is intended to be a full color art book showcasing EGL's worldwide artistic talent.

Why: I've seen multiple incredibly talented illustrators on EGL and have been wanting to make this book a reality for several months now. It is meant to give EGL artists a chance to showcase their art in a professionally printed medium and at the same time have a solid piece to add to their portfolio.

Where: The book will be printed using Lulu and when completed will be available for sale through their website.

When: Please look for the call to artists post within the next couple of days, all the submissions details will be available then.

Who: A little bit about me, your publisher/project coordinator! I live in Oregon and make my living as an illustrator/designer for a children's education company, but animation and worldwide fashion are what I love. I've headed up a horror-themed art book before, titled "Midnight Phantasmagory," so I  have previous experience in compiling and designing books like this. I've been a member of EGL for years, and Juliette et Justine is by far my favorite brand. If you'd like to know more about me, my personal art blog is here: RainyIsle

If you have any questions please feel free to post them below, and spread the word!