Friday, February 13, 2009

New Rules and February Specifics

It's that time again for the VSD. We have a few "changes" to make, so please read the following carefully.

Using the reference image:
  • This group centers around a reference image each month. While we are definitely open to different interpretations, it should be clear that you began with the reference image.
  • For instance, if the reference image is a red flower, you may not post a painting of any red flower you come across, it should be clear that you began with the specific red flower in the image.
Posting the reference image:
  • It is best to just link to the reference image in your own post.
  • However, if you choose to include the actual reference image, please be sure to credit the artist who took the photo.

Adding to the Flickr Group:
  • VSD continues to grow, which is a lovely problem to have. However, it does mean we are outgrowing some of our procedures. We created the Flickr group last month, which was successful and has added to our popularity. Jeanette also graciously spent the time to create a list of 59 blog posts. While that is admirable, there are precious few who actually click on every link.
  • If the number of participants continues to rise, we may have to abandon the list of links. We haven't decided to do that yet, but it is a possibility. Therefore, we'd like to institute a new way to see all of the images for a given month.
  • We are asking that you add a tag to your photo when you upload to Flickr, then when you are on the group page in Flickr you can just search on that tag and see all of the thumbnails for a given month. As well, you can leave the link to your blog post in the comments for your photo - that way people can follow it back easily.

February Specifics:

  • The reference image will be posted on Friday, February 20th.
  • Post your image by Saturday, February 28th.
  • Upload your photo to Flickr with the tag VSD_FEB2009 and add it to the VSD group.
  • Send an email to virtualsketchdate@gmail.com with your name as you want it displayed and the link to your post with the VSD entry.
  • The link list will go up late Saturday the 28th or early Sunday March 1st.

We are still planning to do a link list of all the posts, however, we do reserve the right to not do it if the participation numbers are too high. Our subscriber numbers are nearing 300, so we do have to think about practicalities. The Flickr group (with tags) should make it easy to see a thumbnail of all the entries. If we don't do the link list, we'll post a link to the Flickr group page on Saturday or Sunday.

Hope that is clear for everyone. Thank you all for making this group a success.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

January VSD links

I think this month has seen the largest number of participants in the Virtual Sketch Challenge. Thank you to everyone for taking time out of your busy schedules to join in. Now comes the fun part - viewing all the wonderful art that people have created from this month's image!

Please click on a link to go to that person's blog and image. If you haven't already done so, you may add your image to the Virtual Sketch Date group at Flickr and view many of this month's pieces there. You'll need a Flickr account to post your image and you can sign up for free.
  1. Jeanette Jobson
  2. Nancy Eaton
  3. Elias Garcia
  4. Christine Pierce
  5. Rose Welty
  6. Jenna White
  7. Alissa
  8. Jeanette Jobson (2nd image)
  9. Karen Blados
  10. Brenda Yarborough
  11. Marie-Dom
  12. Rhonda Bartoe-Tucker
  13. Ann Thompson Nemcosky
  14. Donna
  15. Belinda Lindhardt
  16. Mary Jane Muir
  17. Lisa Bachman
  18. Sherry Thurner
  19. R Proffitt
  20. Liz Steele
  21. Jeanette Jobson (3rd image)
  22. Mary Ann Cleary
  23. Irene Hopkins
  24. Steve Chipman
  25. OlgaWagner
  26. Valerie Jones
  27. Anita Murphy
  28. Leslie D’Allesandro Hawes
  29. TeresaW
  30. Lin Frye
  31. Andy Veasey
  32. Peggy Montano
  33. Debbie Later
  34. Michelle Burnett
  35. Carolyn Pappas
  36. Karel Tuinart
  37. Aimee
  38. Nic
  39. N. Gonzalez
  40. Cathy Bockel
  41. Dianna Wooley
  42. Laura Starrett
  43. Eileen Postlethwaite
  44. Nithya Swaminathan
  45. Bob Easton
  46. Stacy Rowan
  47. Lesley Spanos
  48. Carol Feldman
  49. Jennifer Rose Phillip
  50. Gail Bartel
  51. Kim Saxe
  52. Sylviane Le Cann
  53. Sydney Harper
  54. Kim Saxe (2nd image)
  55. Laura Ferlita
  56. Ramana Reddy
  57. Ana Tirolese
  58. Jonathan Blade Manning
  59. Jeanne Grant
  60. Sally Tharp
  61. Patrice O'Farrell Hinz
  62. Fito

Friday, January 16, 2009

Virtual Sketch Date January 2009 reference

Clementine (click the image to view it full size)

This will be the first Virtual Sketch Date of 2009! Its so exciting to start off a new year. I hope you enjoy the reference image supplied by Jeanette Jobson.

What You Need to Know
  • Post your image to your blog on or before Saturday, January 24th.

  • Email your name and the link to your blog post to virtualsketchdate@gmail.com with "VSD post link" in the subject.

  • Come back and visit this blog on Sunday, January 25th for the post of links.
UPDATE! The Virtual Sketch Date will now have a presence on Flickr. We will still post the link to your blog image here but invite you to add your image to our VSD group on Flickr.

Details for adding your image to the group can be seen here.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Save the date! January VSD!

Hi everyone!

If you are interested in participating in the January Virtual Sketch Date, mark your calendar and save these dates.

The reference will be posted Friday, January 16th.

Blog links should be emailed to the address provided by Saturday, January 24th.

The summary of links will be posted on Sunday, January 25th.

The reference this month will stimulate and challenge you!

Friday, December 5, 2008

December 2008 Virtual Sketch Date - Reference

Farm - Lehigh Valley PA

I hope you are ready to "sketch" again, because it's time for December's virtual sketch date. The reference for this month is shown above. A larger version is posted here.

The new process worked well last month, so we will be using it again.

What You Need to Know
  • Post your image to your blog on or before Saturday, December 13th.

  • Email your name and the link to your blog post to virtualsketchdate@gmail.com with "VSD post link" in the subject.

  • Come back and visit this blog on Sunday, December 14th for the post of links.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Dates for December 2008

In December the Virtual Sketch Date is going to be held earlier than normal so as not to conflict with the holidays at the end of the month.

The dates are:
Reference post - Friday December 5th (this Friday!)
Entries due - by Saturday, December 13th
Results post - Sunday, December 14th

Hope to see you there!