Entries for VX Art Tournament 2021 have opened to all African digital artists.

Who holds the Golden Pen in 2021? The VX Art Tournament is back and entries for the 2021 edition are open to all digital artists. Are you an artist who loves a little competition to test your ink against other artists?

Following the success of the maiden VX Art Tournament last year, Vortex Corp and Comic Con Africa have partnered again for the second edition of the tournament to celebrate even more African digital artists.

This year’s theme is Resilience: The Strength to Create is a Gift Worth Defending. This theme reflects on our post-pandemic world and how we’re collectively dealing with the aftermath of COVID-19, how the world has united to heal and survive. This year’s theme is a sequel to last year’s theme of humanity, which focused on the introspection the world was forced to take during the lockdown.

Let’s Talk Prizes ?

What’s in it for you other than the thrill of creating and a little competition? ?

Like last year, the prizes are pretty sweet.

1st Place

• Economy flights, Accommodation & Artist Booth at Comic Con Africa 2022
• Contracts
• Cash Prize
• Tablets
• Clip Studio Software

2nd Place

• 1 Pro ArtStation account + $50 ArtStation gift card
• $600 Comic Book Contract
• Cash Prize
• Tablets
• Software

3rd Place

• Cash Prize
• Tablet
• Software

How to Join the VX Art Tournament 2021

Participating is easy peasy. Just follow these 4 general steps and you’re good to go. Or just go here to submit.

1. Read the rules of engagement
2. Fill this Google form accurately and completely
3. Upload your artwork to this Google Drive folder
4. Post your art on Instagram following the rules below:
   • Use all the following hashtags #CCAonline #VXARTTOURNAMENT
   • Tag @comicconafrica_official and @vexpoafrica (FOLLOW THEM) to make your entry eligible
     Make post on Instagram using caption format below.
     • Submission for VX Art Tournament
       Title of Art: ________________________
       Full Name of Artist: _______________
       Nationality: ________________________
       Current Location: _________________
5. Ensure that your post is a carousel/slide, showing creation process (either process video or single images of roughs, lines & flats).

Rules of Engagement

• Entries to be made from September 1 – 22, 2021
• This competition is for digital artists only (this includes 3D and CG) artists
• No plagiarism or copying allowed
• Art submission should be created exclusively for VX Art Tournament
• Submissions eligible from artists of African nationality ONLY
• Submissions to be made in 5400px x 6750px
• Only one art submission can be entered per artist (submit your best work around the Resilience theme)
• For artists that reach quarter-final please note that new artwork will be required due by September 10th to advance in the competition
• DEADLINE: Submission for qualifier is Wednesday, September 22nd 2021

Meet the Judges

The top 100 submissions will be evaluated by a team of 6 judges with myriad experiences in the art industry namely: Shawna Mills (Marvel, Lucas Fims, Disney XD), Lemi Ghariokwu (Veteran artist – Fela Kuti Music Artworks), Andy Chung (Netflix, Cartoon Network), Jamie Broadnax (Black Girl Nerds), Rodrigo Lorenzo (BOOM!), and Bill Masuku (Razor -Man, Captain South Africa).

Judging Criteria

Entries will be judged based on these criteria:

• Concept & Imagination
• Story
• Composition & Perspective
• Line Art
• Inking
• Colors*
• Lighting & Shade

What Next?

Get your creative gears grinding to make some beautiful art. Looking for inspiration? Check out last year’s top 10 submissions here.

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The VX Art Tournament is sponsored by Comic-Con Africa, ArtStation, Clip Studio Paint with Squid Mag and Black Girl Nerds as media partners.