Creatures of the Deep Art Contest

Join the “Creatures of the Deep” Art Contest and get a chance at winning the Magic Drawing Pad

Design a 3D creature or character born from the depths of imagination. What if your next creative companion didn’t come from a shop... but from the deep?

For this challenge, design a full-body 3D creature or character that feels like it was summoned from the abyss to walk beside you... an artist’s companion, forged by pressure, time, and imagination. Here are some ideas:

• A mysterious sea-born guardian that protects your ideas
• A mischievous bioluminescent sidekick that follows you from the studio to the café
• A powerful tech-infused spirit that awakens when you create

Your creature should feel intimately tied to you, like it belongs on your screen, desk, in your mind ...

Submissions must be original work only (no fan art, AI or plagiarism), created digitally in 3D and you should share your work in high-resolution JPEG or PNG files. Participants must follow the rules, provide a name for their character and details about their backstory and how they came to be.

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How To Participate:

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1. Join our Discord Community (Optional*)

• Become a member of the Pablander  Discord Community so you can share your WIPs and get feedback

2. Engage on Instagram

• Follow @Pablander.academy and @xppenusa
• Like and comment on the contest video (Insert Link)

3. Share your Creative process

• Upload the following 3 images in the designated Discord channel or on Instagram with the #CreaturesOfTheDeep
  • One Work-in-Progress (image)
  • One Clay Render
  • The Final Render

4. Submit your final artwork (you have two options, choose one):

Option 1: Submit via Instagram

1. Share your WIP image(s) publicly using the hashtag #CreaturesOfTheDeep
   • These can be early sketches, sculpts, thumbnails, etc.
   • Post must be public and remain online through the judging period
2. When you're ready, post your final submission with:

• 🖼️ The finished artwork (static image, JPEG or PNG format recommended)
• ✍️ A character name and short backstory in the caption
• 📣 Tag @Pablander.academy and @xppenusa
• 📌 Use both hashtags:
  • #CreaturesOfTheDeep (to track your WIPs)
  • #CreaturesOfTheDeepFINAL (to mark your final entry)

Your final image must be posted before the deadline and remain visible until winners are announced.

Option 2: Submit via Discord

1. Join the Discord Community
2. In the designated art challenge channel, upload the following:

• 🖼️ work-in-progress images 🚧 | art-challenge-wips (early sketch, sculpt stage, etc.)
• 🖼️ One final image ⏰ | art-submissions channel (JPEG or PNG, at least 1920px wide)
• ✍️ Include your creature’s name and a short backstory

Your WIPs and final image should be posted before your final render. This helps us track active participation and creative progress.

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XPPen Contest Participation Checklist

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Use this checklist to make sure you’ve completed every step required to participate in the contest. Each step is essential for your submission to be eligible.

• Instagram Submission Checklist
  
• Discord Submission Checklist

Deadline: 31st of August!

• Submissions close at midnight (AEST) on the final day. No late entries will be accepted, so give yourself time to plan and polish!
• Note: XPPen who's sponsoring the prizes for the winners, is unable to ship prizes to the following countries Ensure you are eligible before participating.
  
  • Prizes can’t be shipped to: United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, Argentina, India, Turkey, Brazil, and Africa. For South America and some other countries, customs charges may occur, and it is not covered.

Challenge Timeline

• Opens: 16th of July 2025
• Deadline: 31st of August 2025
• Winners Announced: 15th of September 2025

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Need ideas and Pro Tips?

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Here are some elements to inspire you (just ideas to spark your concept but not requirements):

Element: Origin - Deep ocean, abyssal rift, alien trench, flooded ruins

Element: Design role - Companion, protectore, muse, tech-tethered spirit

Element: Silhouette - Tentacles, fins, coral armor, glowing antennae

Element: Surface details - Wet skin, scales, shell fragments, translucent membranes!

Element: Theme Fusion - Ancient + Advanced, natural + synthetic, aquatic + arcane

Element: Presentation - Dynamic posing, atmospheric lighting, cinematic framing shot

• What would this creature do for you as an artist?
• Does it carry your tools? Spark ideas? Channel your focus? Or haunt your creative block?
• Make your posts visually appealing and well-lit
• Engage with other participants to get feedback, community interaction counts!
• Don't forget to double-check the deadline and post requirements

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Need help or just want to share progress?

Head to 💬︱art-challenge-chat and our Discord community and post your WIPs!

This is where the community hangs out, swaps feedback, and pushes each other to finish strong.

Mods and mentors will be active during the challenge to answer questions and highlight progress.

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Judging Process

Judges have been selected by the Pablander Academy’s Team.

We have selected judges based on their 3D art expertise, design insight, and active roles in the creative community. They have proven track records and will assess submissions fairly and constructively.

Submissions will be evaluated based on the following:

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1. Creativity and Originality

We want to see something fresh. How unique is your take on the theme? Does your creature stand out as something that feels personal and imaginative?

2. Visual Impact

This includes composition, clarity, mood, and overall presentation. Whether you’re working in 2D or 3D, your entry should capture attention and tell a visual story.

3. Technique and Execution

We’ll look at how well your piece is crafted for your chosen medium. That could be sculpting, painting, texturing, rendering, linework, or composition, whatever best shows off your skills.

4. Concept and Story

What’s the idea behind your creature? Does it feel like it belongs at your side as an artist? Tell us how and why this companion was “summoned” and what makes it special.

5. Connection to the Theme

The creature should feel like it came from the deep, mysterious, powerful, or even strange, and clearly reflect the idea of being an artist's companion from the abyss.

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Have Fun! Let your imagination sink into the deep and summon the companion that’s always been waiting for you.