(this is a rough draft so feel free to pm me any crits or comments - there's already some revisions and clarifications I would like to make so this will be revised Thur or Fri) 

Challenge History and Guidelines

Finally I’ve sat down and decided to write a few guidelines for the challenges. Hopefully this will help to answer any questions that anyone may have about the challenges, how they run, when they run and a few FAQ’s that may accompany the challenges. I will address both the weekly and monthly challenges.

These challenges were first created by the forum members for the forum members. We weren’t looking for prize support or help. We were just glad to have a place that we could contribute and help each other out in our artistic pursuits. These challenges then became the MYFX challenges. Challenges for us and by us. The forum members.

With our continued dedication to the challenges the IFX has not only encouraged our efforts but they have also complimented us by including the winners of our challenges in the ImagineFX magazine.

So that’s a very short history about the challenges. Below you will find a few short guidelines to the challenges, and after that I will start a FAQ to address any questions people may come up with at the end of this post.

Who, What, Where, When, Why of the Challenges

Who – The challenges are for the forum members. Any member of the forums or website may contribute to the challenge. This also includes the IFX Staff should they wish to contribute to the challenges.

What – Contributions to challenges may have been created in any digital medium or software package you choose. This is left up to you. The challenges topic is also left open to your own interpretation.

Where – Two posts are created for each challenge. The member who chooses the challenge topic is to post a “Final Works” post in the challenges forum. They are also to make a post in the WIP forum. All members who wish to contribute are to post their WIP in reply to the appropriate WIP post. All members who would like to enter the challenge are to post their final work (completed or uncompleted) in reply to the appropriate Final Works thread.

WIP for challenges can be found in this forum.
Final Works for challenges can be found in this forum.

When – Weekly challenges occur every week. These challenges end every Thursday night at midnight GMT time. Monthly challenges occur every month and end on the last day of the month at midnight GMT time.

Shortly after midnight the entry’s in the Final Works forum will be tallied and posted in reply to the Final Works post.. Forum members then vote for their favourite piece of artwork by replying to the thread and stating who they vote for. Voting ends 24 hours after the challenge ends (not 24 hours after voting begins). This would be the following night at midnight GMT time. Votes will be tallied and posted in reply to the appropriate Final Works post.

Weekly challenge topics are picked by the winner of the previous weeks challenge. Monthly challenge topics are chosen by a randomly chosen contributor to the current months challenge. This person is chosen randomly before the end of the month by the moderator and is someone who has contributed to the WIP or the Final Works forums of the current months challenge. Weekly challenges must be chosen within 24 hours of the end of the current weeks voting period. Monthly challenges must be chosen before the 1st of every month.

If the person who is to choose the next forum topic does not choose the topic within the allotted time period they forfeit their chance to choose the topic. The moderator will then choose a topic for the next challenge. This is to make sure that challenges continue with as little down time as possible and to give those who wish to contribute to the challenges as much time as possible.  

Why – These challenges were created for two reasons. 1. Fun. 2. To Practice and Improve. Please remember these two things as they are the most important part of the challenges. Help each other, give critiques and accept critiques. The challenges are for us to help each become better artists.

As an added bonus you will also notice that the IFX Staff has been kind enough to publish challenge winners within the magazine. This of course is at the discretion of the IFX Staff and we greatly appreciate their support.

So there you go guys. Those are the basics for the challenges. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to send me an IM. Hopefully I’ve made this pretty clear but if not let me know and I’ll try to reclarify whatever it is.

FAQ
Should anyone have any questions or concerns, feel free to send me a msg or inquiry and I'll try to help out as best I can.

Can I contribute to the challenge?
ANY member of the forum community can enter a challenge. If your not a member of the forums just sign up. It's FREE! You can even contribute to the WIP section of the challenge even if you don't want to post your final artwork as an entry and you can post a final artwork even if you don't want to contribute to the WIP section.

Can I vote?
EVERY member of the forum community is allowed to vote. You do not have to be a part of the challenge or have to contribute to any part of the challenge to vote. Just being a forum member gives you the right to vote.

What happens in the event of a Tie?
- If the final tally of any challenge results in a tie, the person who acquired the tying number of votes first is the winner of the challenge.

Can you use old artwork or does it have to be new?
- The challenges themselves are based on being able to create an image from start to finish within the given amount of time. This means that a previously completed image cannot be submitted as a challenge entry. However, if you have an old image that you would like to revise or recreate then that is fine. In the end you must have a 'new' image that is 100% done by you. Remember, the reason for the challenges is to help you improve, practice and get feedback from your peers.

Can someone provide 'Paint-Overs' or other digitally helpful critiques?
- This is really a moral choice on the part of those helping and receiving help. Remember the final artwork must be 100% yours. Remember, the vote is in your hands. If you disagree with the way someones been helped it is up to you whether you choose to vote for that person in the end.