Starting Fresh. New Years Exchange 2017

I know its early but the early bird gets the worm.  Beginning recruting for the New Years Exchange of 2017 everything has been cleared out of the group.

FAQ:  

What is this place?:  This is a group dedicated to a yearly exchange similar to Secret Santa events, however the deadline will always be on New Years Day rather than on Christmas.  

Cool so what does that mean?:  It means if you join you will be submitting your name along with other artists participating.  Those names will be randomly drawn for assignments.  Everyone draws for someone, and everyone gets a present.  Pretty neat huh?  The surprise is 90% of the fun, the other 10% is the anticipation.  

Can anyone join?: Unfortunately no this is a skill based exchange.  Skill level will be upper intermediate to advanced.  Artists who have been invited are automatically accepted, all other hopeful applicants please fill out the form at the end of this FAQ.

Great I got in!  What's now?:  As soon as you are accepted please consider what you would like drawn and be prepared to make a request journal.  More information will be provided for this after applications are closed.

Journal's finished now what?:  Assignments will go out once EVERYONE has their journal is up.  A deadline will be set for the journals to be posted.  If you can't meat the deadline you will unfortunately be removed from the exchange.  A reasonable amount of time will be provided to post  your journal.

I have my assignment:  Good now you can start drawing at any time an artwork from your assignment's wish list.  You MUST be finished by new years.

Alright its finished can I post it?:  No.  The gifts are intended to be distributed around the same time.  while this is a new years exchange it is mostly to erase the stress of cram time and exams right before Christmas.  However if you are finished posting will be O.K.ed from December 25th until January 1st.  Again more information will be posted on this as the date grows closer.  DO NOT POST before this date.

In terms of the finished product what is required of me?:  All exchange arts have to show a decent amount of effort.  This will be considered based on your gallery as a whole.  As we can't manage the skill of the best work in our gallery every time best is relative.  BEST EVER is not the criteria, but the best you can do THAT DAY, or that week etc is expected.  It is required you put in the same effort you would put into a gift for a close friend.  Its preferable that head shots are avoided as well.  

Anything else?:  There will be a black list in this group.  Any participant that does not finish their present and doesn't have a very very good reason will be permanently banned from this exchange.  Consider this when joining.  Its a terrible feeling when the final day of an exchange arrives and one realizes they aren't getting a present.  Lets avoid this if possible.  Also all insults, rude comments, art of a crude nature, insults to the person you are drawing for will not be tolerated.  Yes I have had these issues in the past.  So long as you are good mannered and finish your exchange piece you have nothing to worry about.

If you can not finish your present for any reason, please give sufficient time to let me know so a volunteer can be provided.  This is only acceptable in extreme cases.  There is more than enough time to finish so procrastination is almost always the culprit.

If you have any further questions or feel like anything needs to be added to this faq please note the group.

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APPLICATION FORM

Hi I'd like to join this exchange because  _______.  

Here are samples of my art.  (please insert images in thumbnail format 3 - 4 images of similar quality to what you would be drawing)

Would you be willing to volunteer to draw extra art for anyone who doesn't get their gift?  (this does not mean you get extra art its simply a kindness you are offering)  Yes/No?

Please send applications in group notes.  Thank you.