CherryGraphics:
This is a classic Cherry picture. The open perspective gives it that welcoming storybook style that invites us into their world and once again you've created characters who feel that they exist away from the picture.
There's a good variety of different textures in this pic, from the smooth, solid wood, the ridged, bumpy acorn, the twisting vines and leaves and the soft fluffy squirrels (with extra fluffy tails!)
My favourite part of the painting is right in the centre where the warm sun blooms through the window and light falls off across the face of the sleeping squirrel. It's a really well controlled piece of painting and expresses everything that the picture needs. Also it draws your eye to the expression on the face which gives the character so much personality despite the dormant pose. It's amazing how you can get such life into a sleeping face. Well Done!
Atto:
I always like these tilted compositions, partly because I never have the imagination to think of doing them!
I remember Micro doing one in the Sorcerer's Apprentice challenge back in the day and I liked that one too! Here the angle of the horizon works brilliantly with the zigzagging pose of the the burning vampire. There are some excellent dynamic shapes down there that help move your gaze around while also showing the twisted agony.
The low viewpoint also emphasizes the relationship between the characters by showing the woman's dominance as she looms over the vampire and over us, looking down with a kind of imperious aloofness. She's certainly not someone to mess with!
I think a few more visible bricks in the wall would improve the density of detail in the light areas but the fall off into the shaded area is nice and suggestive, and I like those wooden planks leaning in the shadows.
I think you did a good job fixing the issues that you were faced with and produced an image that's coherent technically as well as thematically with that flash of the fangs and the cross shaped window.
Microscopi:
You just have way too many ideas. You should just keep one for yourself and sell the rest to all the poor saps who have no imagination.
And as I'm one of those poor saps, this month I'd be buying that one of the starlight monkeys. I still think that was the best one and I was a bit sad that you did another late switcheroo for your final. But I know you like those epic style pics of the hero closing in on his goal. I like the way the light of dawn is implied by the shadow under the beast that angles down with a colour that complements the golden glow. And the way the helmet worn by the hero mirrors the fluffy ears of his ride is great fun!
The landscape has a nice balance to it and all those trees around the lake remind me of those old Bob Ross paintings. And the reflections look lovely too. But I still think you should have stayed with the monkeys!
Quetzal:
Terrific idea. The best idea of the bunch I think and one of those things that just sparks your imagination and set your mind running. Who built this amazing castle-ship? Who is inside and where are they sailing to? What adventures are they going to have? I really want to know! Really!
You've got the idea, you back it up with a top-quality drawing and then the deadline comes and messes everything up! I hate it when that happens.
With such a detailed drawing there are so many ways to finish it off (perhaps too many!) You could let the line do the work and colour it with a subtle "ink and wash" watercolour style, perhaps with a sepia tone for an illustration look. At the other extreme you can go for a full detailed, high value, colour render like a dramatic piece of concept art. Perhaps with the time falling away you ended up falling between those two options but that's no bad thing. And nothing can take anything away from the brilliance of the concept.
Voting time is it? Hmmm. Never stops being tough but….
I think I'm just gonna go for Cherry. Just. The picture captures the entire essence of the title best and does so without the need for any explanation (unlike mine with all its tedious text!) and the expession on the face of the sleeping squirrel appeals to me in a completely charming way. I know just how he feels and I can relate to that lazy contentedness. Have my vote while I go back to sleep.