- Joined
- Oct 12, 2005
- Messages
- 1,495
The ATC Swaps are back, just in time for Halloween! But before you sign up, here are some Frequently Asked Questions about ATC swaps.
:black_cat::black_cat::black_cat:
What are ATCs?
ATC stands for Artist Trading Card. The only limitation on ATCs is the size: 2.5x3.5 inches or 64x89mm and generally a flat surface (although you can add beads, fold out panels, or pop up elements for 3D effects.)
Can I see some examples?
Art in Your Pocket: Art in your Pocket: ATCs
An excellent primer with visual examples of cards -- not pony specific.
Lev_21n01's ATCs: http://www.mlptp.net/forums/mlp-artwork/37269-all-pretty-art-pic-heavy-5-12-08-new-piccies.html
Lev has participated in every ATC swap so far -- if you need to see examples of pony art, this is the place to go!
What materials can I use to create ATCs?
If you can make art with it, you can use it on an ATC. Paint, colored pencils, markers, or even collages, photographs, stamps, and extra doodads are all great! You can also use digital techniques (although the swaps do require swappers to send physical cards, so you'll need to be able to print out your work).
Do I need to use card protectors or laminate?
No, you don't have to, unless your cards are too fragile to withstand a trip through the mail.
Do I need to designate who the cards go to?
You can if you want. If you don't designate recipients, cards will be shuffled and distributed face-down so there's no favoritism.
Sounds fun! How do I join?
Pick one (or two, or if you're crazy, all three!) swap levels. Make a post in this thread stating which levels you'd like to join. For the Classic 80s Costumes level, remember to add a few of your favorite cartoons and video games to the list. And that's it! Once signups close I'll PM you further instructions.
Now for the good stuff -- this year's swap levels!
Note: If you use free-use line art created by members instead of Hasbro line art, please credit the original artist on your card.
Requirements: This level is open to all skill levels, but is recommended for participants not yet confident in showing off their pony-drawing skills or those looking to sample ATC swaps for the first time. There are five slots for participants in this level.
Signups will be open until 8/30 OR five participants join. Mail-in date for this level is Sept. 30!
Requirements: This is the large swap with unlimited signup slots, open to all skill levels. This level is recommended to members with previous swap experience, but first timers are welcome to join. Thank BabyBlueDucky for the inspiration for this level while you're at it!
Note:
1. Participants for this level, when you sign up please list some of your favorite 80s cartoons and games to give the other swappers ideas.
2. If you plan to use line art, you must modify it in some fashion to dress up the ponies. If you use free-use member created line art instead of Hasbro art, please credit the artist on your card.
3. No cheating and dressing a G3 pony as a G1 or vice versa!
4. If we are deluged with signups for this level, we can break out into sub-groups. I don't want anyone having to do twenty cards in their first swap unless they want to!
Signups will be open until 8/30. Mail in date is Oct. 9!
Requirements: This level is for veteran ATC swappers -- your last ATC swap must have been completed in good standing. You are also required to fabricate your ponies from scratch -- no pre-fab line art allowed in this level! Signups are limited to five slots.
Signups will be open until 8/30 OR five participants join. Mail-in date for this level is Sept. 23!
:black_cat::black_cat::black_cat:
ATC stands for Artist Trading Card. The only limitation on ATCs is the size: 2.5x3.5 inches or 64x89mm and generally a flat surface (although you can add beads, fold out panels, or pop up elements for 3D effects.)
Can I see some examples?
Art in Your Pocket: Art in your Pocket: ATCs
An excellent primer with visual examples of cards -- not pony specific.
Lev_21n01's ATCs: http://www.mlptp.net/forums/mlp-artwork/37269-all-pretty-art-pic-heavy-5-12-08-new-piccies.html
Lev has participated in every ATC swap so far -- if you need to see examples of pony art, this is the place to go!
What materials can I use to create ATCs?
If you can make art with it, you can use it on an ATC. Paint, colored pencils, markers, or even collages, photographs, stamps, and extra doodads are all great! You can also use digital techniques (although the swaps do require swappers to send physical cards, so you'll need to be able to print out your work).
Do I need to use card protectors or laminate?
No, you don't have to, unless your cards are too fragile to withstand a trip through the mail.
Do I need to designate who the cards go to?
You can if you want. If you don't designate recipients, cards will be shuffled and distributed face-down so there's no favoritism.
Sounds fun! How do I join?
Pick one (or two, or if you're crazy, all three!) swap levels. Make a post in this thread stating which levels you'd like to join. For the Classic 80s Costumes level, remember to add a few of your favorite cartoons and video games to the list. And that's it! Once signups close I'll PM you further instructions.
:black_cat::black_cat::black_cat:
Now for the good stuff -- this year's swap levels!
Bobbing for Line Art
For this swap, your task is to use line art or coloring book images (from the MLPTP line art gallery or from other coloring book or MLP box art sources). To follow our Halloween theme, each of your ATC cards should include the colors Purple, Black, and Orange. Remember -- you may trace/reposition/add elements/cut out/digitally alter/etc. the line art of the ponies, but for this swap level, you may NOT draw your ponies from scratch!
Note: If you use free-use line art created by members instead of Hasbro line art, please credit the original artist on your card.
Requirements: This level is open to all skill levels, but is recommended for participants not yet confident in showing off their pony-drawing skills or those looking to sample ATC swaps for the first time. There are five slots for participants in this level.
Signups will be open until 8/30 OR five participants join. Mail-in date for this level is Sept. 30!
:spiders_5t:
Classic 80s Costumes
Everyone loves dressing up at Halloween, and ponies are no exception! Someone's been playing cartoons from the 80s at Paradise Estate to get the ponies in the mood for the big night, and all the ponies are clamoring for retro costumes this year. Your mission for this swap is to create ATC cards of ponies in costume as 80s cartoon and/or video game characters. If you need ideas on the kinds of programs and games they have on Ponyland TV, check out 80's Cartoons Central — All your favorite 80s cartoons! and List of Nintendo Entertainment System games - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia . Classic 80s Costumes
Requirements: This is the large swap with unlimited signup slots, open to all skill levels. This level is recommended to members with previous swap experience, but first timers are welcome to join. Thank BabyBlueDucky for the inspiration for this level while you're at it!
Note:
1. Participants for this level, when you sign up please list some of your favorite 80s cartoons and games to give the other swappers ideas.
2. If you plan to use line art, you must modify it in some fashion to dress up the ponies. If you use free-use member created line art instead of Hasbro art, please credit the artist on your card.
3. No cheating and dressing a G3 pony as a G1 or vice versa!
4. If we are deluged with signups for this level, we can break out into sub-groups. I don't want anyone having to do twenty cards in their first swap unless they want to!
Signups will be open until 8/30. Mail in date is Oct. 9!
:spiders_5t:
Pony Pumpkin Party
The ponies have found a pumpkin patch and are excited to try out all those great things you can do with pumpkins around Halloween -- make pies, cut out Jack-o-lanterns, fling pumpkin guts at each other -- everything is exciting! Your mission for this swap is to draw the ponies having fun with pumpkins -- what they're doing is your choice, but the pumpkin has to be there somewhere!Pony Pumpkin Party
Requirements: This level is for veteran ATC swappers -- your last ATC swap must have been completed in good standing. You are also required to fabricate your ponies from scratch -- no pre-fab line art allowed in this level! Signups are limited to five slots.
Signups will be open until 8/30 OR five participants join. Mail-in date for this level is Sept. 23!
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