Creative brief
When the ordinary becomes strange
THE BRIEF
Draw an everyday place after dark with one impossible twist: a laundromat for ghosts, a diner serving the moon, or a subway passenger carrying a tiny thunderstorm. Give us a story worth looking at twice.
YOUR ENTRY
• One original, human-made finished illustration per artist.
• Traditional ink or digital ink; black and white with an optional single accent color.
• No generative AI. Submit a private sketch and progress image combined into one image or PDF, or a process video showing both stages.
• Artwork: JPG, PNG or WebP, up to 25 MB. Private proof: up to 50 MB.
• You keep ownership of your artwork. Your approved image, title, description and artist name appear publicly in the contest/gallery and on-site recognition. Process proof is restricted to you and authorized staff. Separate permission will be requested before off-site promotional reuse.
• One account per artist. No duplicate accounts, vote exchanges, harassment or copied artwork.
OPTIONAL DRAWING PROMPTS
October 1–7: The Visitor — something unexpected arrives.
October 8–14: The Object — an ordinary possession has a secret.
October 15–21: The Place — somewhere familiar changes after sunset.
October 22–24: The Reveal — finish your strongest idea.
You do not need to complete every prompt. Submit only one final illustration.
SCHEDULE — EASTERN TIME
Submissions: October 1, 12:00 a.m. through October 24, 11:59 p.m.
Moderation: October 25–26.
Voting: October 27, 12:00 a.m. through October 30, 11:59 p.m.
Results planned: October 31, after organizer review.
VOTING & LOW TURNOUT
Only confirmed entrants with approved artwork may vote. Each has three equal, final votes, each for a different other artwork. No self-voting. Judge interpretation, storytelling and execution, not follower counts.
At least 10 approved entries are needed for a ranked competition; our target is 12–15. Below 10, this becomes a beta showcase and voting rehearsal with no competitive placements or placement XP. If fewer than four entries qualify, cast one vote per other artwork. With fewer than two, there is no voting.
Highest valid vote total wins. Ties share their place and corresponding XP. The organizer reviews eligibility and suspicious activity before publishing. Report issues through Beta feedback.
RECOGNITION
No fee, card, cash prize or physical prize. In a ranked competition: winner spotlight, top-three on-site showcase, and existing placement XP. Showcase participants receive on-site recognition without competitive awards.
Founding-member recognition: submit an approved October artwork and complete the private beta feedback form. No permanent discounts or other benefits are promised.
This is an independent Creative Combat event and is not affiliated with Inktober.