UPDATE, JUN 24: Added another base! Don't forget about this project--I'm still all over it!

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Alright, guys and dolls, welcome to a little thing I'd like to call... Project Originality!

I know you're already wondering: what's the objective of Project Originality? What's the point?

The objective is very simple: Create an original base, and show it off!

What I want to see is the number of original, hand-made, bases outweigh the high number of traced bases. This won't be an easy task, of course. If you've been in the Bases gallery here on dA recently you'll notice that traced bases out number original bases somewhere around ten to one! But I think if we all pitch in and push the issue, we can topple that figure easily.

Now, there are a few guidelines to this project.

1. Any base you make for Project Originality must not be traced, eyeballed, or a reproduction in any way of existing artwork, screenshots, stock photography, or anything else you don't own or haven't created yourself. Permission isn't an issue--even with permission, if you didn't create the original piece you can't submit that base to Project Originality. Reference is fine, as long as you're referencing multiple sources and your finished product doesn't resemble your references enough that I can connect the two.

2. The bases you submit to Project Originality must be new bases. The numbers won't go up if you're submitting old bases.

3. In addition to that, you can submit as many bases as you want.

4. Have fun, of course!

Now, you might be thinking "well golly gee, I don't think I'm skilled enough to enter this", well worry not! This isn’t a competition, there are no prizes to win except for self-satisfaction. We’re simply looking to help our community by offering good, safe, resources for others. I’m not saying you shouldn’t TRY, because quality IS an essential factor to this, and to any project or competition. But what I AM saying is that you shouldn’t feel like you aren’t worthy enough, because believe me, just giving your best effort and going all the way is plenty worthy enough in my book.

But if you still feel like you’re afraid to join us, I’ve compiled a handful of some helpful resources that might jump start you a bit.


Posemaniacs
Polykarbon
PSG Art Tutorial

On top of that, if you don't mind joining a forum, try joining Glam! to get some serious critiquing to help your base become the best.

You should be as creative as you can be--experiment, try new things, even things you think might not work. Just don't be afraid to challenge yourself, because, after all, how would we have ever learned what we know now if we didn't push our limits and often fail? Like learning to ride a bike or even to walk, it takes practice, determination, and often the hand of someone experienced to guide you if you're too afraid to ride on your own.

From here on out, the bases will be categorized four ways: Portrait, for bases that are either from the head to the shoulders, head to chest, to waist, or to the thighs; Small, for bases roughly under 100 pixels in height; Medium, for bases roughly between 100 and 250 pixels; and then Large for anything over 250 pixels.

When you're finished a base, feel free to drop me a note or simply reply to this journal with a link to your base. And, if it's not too much trouble, link back here in your Artist's Comments on your base so other people can come find this project!

I will, hopefully, update weekly (ie, every Wednesday) with new information.

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If you see any typos or things I should change, let me know. I'd like to submit this as news, but I want it to look totally awesome before I do that. I'll submit it as news after the first week is over. So there's some bases to show off. =]

So start making bases, K.