References are not tracing. References arenʻt copying something piece by piece. I will not heavily expose things and let it get out of hand like last time, but I ask that you all remember this^^ 

If you arenʻt sure how to draw a facial expression, hands, pose, itʻs okay to look up references or take a picture of someone or yourself doing that pose/hand position/expression XD I do that all the time! BUT, if you are taking someone elseʻs hard work and originality and copying word for word, then that is wrong.

I understand that some colored and did the line art completely different, maybe even moved the foot position a little XD I used to do that too when I believed that otherʻs would like me better, ʻwow you drew that??? amazing!!!ʻ but, thatʻs not the way you should gain that validation...  

Youʻre still taking someone elseʻs idea and modifying it in a way that youʻre not crediting someone who worked really hard on that :( Practice and making mistakes, signing up for fun contests and seeing other peopleʻs art, trying your best to follow a fun theme, that is how you grow and gain experience in your art and in life! I make mistakes so often XD we all do! But they help make us who we are^^ 

Itʻs okay to be inspired by otherʻs and learn from others!!! When I started to ʻdevelopʻ an art style it was through watching Ever After High XD I had a whole youtube channel and everything that was of me speed drawing the characters, but that helped me grow to who I am, a brick in the foundation of growth^^

You can absolutely use bases and stuff if itʻs in your own time or to study/practice, especially if you're crediting or had asked the artist to use it, but when youʻre in an art contest that strictly says "donʻt trace or use bases" then please donʻt!!

And, may I remind you, this is an art contest ran by some rando on the internet XD The point is that we all show our arts and have fun following a prompt!!! I know that itʻs nice to win, and it can feel really validating, but, please do not let this contest or other contests define your talent, giftings, and worth^^ As you are amazingly talented in your own way. 

Now having said that! The next contest will be posted on November 29th! If you have prompt ideas let me know^^ as Iʻd like to do something Christmassy, but I would love to hear your ideas on a prompt!

Thanks for everyone who report these incidences to me, it means so much to me^^ And thank you to everyone who joined and are doing their best always!!!