ILLUSTRATION CONTEST 2024

Q&A

About submitted works

Q Can I apply with an illustration I drew in the past?

A

As long as you have never published it, you can apply with an illustration that you drew in the past.

Q Can I apply with an illustration that I have submitted to other contests in the past?

A

You cannot apply with an illustration that has already been submitted to other contests.

Q I have applied for the Pokémon Card Game Illustration Contest before. Can I apply again this time?

A

You can apply even if you have participated in a Pokémon TCG illustration contest before. However, if you have worked on official illustrations for the Pokémon TCG in the past, you may not apply. Furthermore, works that have already been made public cannot be submitted.

Q Is it OK to draw another Pokémon in addition to the one specified in the theme?

A

In principle, you should only draw one Pokémon per illustration so it’s easy to tell which Pokémon is the subject of a particular card. However, as long as it is clear who the main subject is, you may draw additional Pokémon. *Please note that the illustration will be judged based on how the main Pokémon is portrayed.

Q Can I draw Shiny Pokémon?

A

Please do not draw Shiny Pokémon. Please draw the subject Pokémon according to the reference materials.

Q Can I draw Pokémon in their male or female versions?

A

Please draw them according to the reference materials provided for each Pokémon.

Q Can I draw a human trainer along with the Pokémon?

A

Do not draw Pokémon Trainers.

Q Can I rotate the specified image dimensions by 90 degrees?

A

Please draw the illustration in landscape orientation (wider than it is tall) for standard cards and in portrait orientation (taller than it is wide) for ex cards.

Q Can I submit a hand-drawn illustration?

A

Yes, you can. In that case, please convert the illustration into digital form with a scanner, etc., and crop it to the specified dimensions before submitting it through the submission form.

Q How large should hand-drawn illustrations be?

A

As long as the digital version you submit follows the specified image dimension, the hand-drawn version may be as large as you see fit. Remember to crop the file to the specified dimensions before submitting it through the submission form.

Q Can I submit an illustration drawn with pencils or colored pencils?

A

Yes, you can. There are no restrictions on the art materials used.

Q Can I make a Pokémon from clay, yarn, wool felt, etc., and submit a picture of my creation?

A

Yes, you can. Make sure the picture follows the specified image dimensions, and submit it through the submission form.

Q Can I sign my illustration?

A

Please do not sign your illustration.

Q Can I include a message or other text on the illustration?

A

Please do not include text of any kind in the illustration.

Q I would like to draw a signboard in the background to create a city scenery. Can I draw letters on it?

A

Please do not include any legible text in the illustration. If you need to include text, make sure it is in a form where its not recognized as normal text and it should be impossible to read.

Q There are some Pokémon card illustrations that use a lot of effects, but how many should I use in my illustration?

A

You may use as many or as few effects as you want, but make sure they do not cover the starring Pokémon or the background to the point that those elements are not visible.

Q I would like to check the image that I have submitted. How can I do this?

A

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to check a work after submission. We advise that you make a personal copy for this purpose before submitting.

Q I would like to correct the illustration that I have submitted. How can I do this?

A

Make another submission with the corrected illustration through the submission form. However, please note that resubmitted corrected works count toward the maximum submission limit of three pieces. Once you reach this limit, you may not correct your illustrations anymore.

Q Can I publish the submitted work on my website, blog, social media, etc.?

A

Please do not publish your submitted work before we announce the award recipients. After we announce the award recipients, if your illustration has not received any award, you may publish it as you please.

Q Can I include objects unique to the Pokémon world, such as Poké Balls, together with the Pokémon?

A

You are free to include objects from the Pokémon world. However, remember to make the Pokémon you chose the main subject of the illustration.

Q Can I draw the subject Pokémon in its Terastallized form?

A

Please do not draw Pokémon in their Terastallized form. Draw them according to the Pokémon material provided in the submission guidelines.

Q Is it OK to draw or use a photo that includes an existing historical building (a temple, a world heritage site, etc.) for the background?

A

Please do not use photos of existing historical buildings. However, as long as it would be a good fit for the Pokémon world, feel free to draw existing buildings in the background. The background is one of the criteria for evaluation.

Q Can I use a retouched 3D render or other similar methods?

A

Yes, you can.

Q Can I submit illustrations for both standard cards and ex cards?

A

As long as you stay within the limit of three illustrations, you can apply for both standard cards and ex cards. For example, you can submit two illustrations for standard cards and one illustration for an ex card.

Q Where can I download the template for ex card illustrations?

A

You can download the template in Art Submission Guideline, where you will also find instructions on how to use it.

About the applicants

Q I do not live in any of the countries specified in the contest guidelines. Can I still apply?

A

Unfortunately, we can only accept submissions from the following six countries: Japan, US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Additionally, applicants must be legal residents (including permanent residents) and must be of legal age in their country of residence.

Q Can my illustration include the work of multiple people—for example, having one in charge of line drawing and one in charge of coloring?

A

We cannot accept illustrations made by more than one person. The applicant must be the sole creator of the illustration.

About the applications

Q I am a Japanese person living abroad. Should I use the Japanese application form or the English one?

A

You can use whichever application form you prefer.

Q I am a minor. Can I apply?

A

Unfortunately, we cannot accept submissions from minors. We can only accept submissions from legal residents (including permanent residents) who are of adult age according to the law of their country of residence.

Q Is there a participation fee?

A

No, participation is free.

Q Is it possible to apply by sending my illustration by mail or courier?

A

We do not accept applications by mail or courier. Please convert the illustration into digital form with a scanner, etc., before submitting it through the entry form.

Q I do not want to disclose my real name. Is that an option?

A

While filling the entry form, you can enter a pen name in the “Illustrator name” field instead of your real name. If you do so, and if your work is selected, it will be credited to the pen name you chose.

Q I am not able to upload my illustration through the application form. What should I do?

A

Make sure to check the size of your illustration (1106 pixels wide x 696 pixels high for standard cards or 1413 pixels wide x 1924 pixels high for ex cards), the file size (less than 3 MB), and the file extension (JPEG, PNG, or RGB).

Q Where can I get the application requirements?

A

Please check the official website of this contest for the application requirements.

Q There is a maximum of three entries per person—must all three be of the same Pokémon?

A

They do not necessarily have to be illustrations of the same Pokémon. You can freely choose any of the Pokémon from the contest subject for each of your illustrations.

About the evaluation

Q Is there a popular vote?

A

No, there is no popular vote.

Q Will I get a comment from the judges?

A

We will publish the judges’ comments only for the illustrations that receive an award.

Award announcement and what happens after that

Q Can I become a Pokémon Card Illustrator if I win the grand prize in this contest?

A

Winning does not guarantee that you will become a Pokémon TCG Certified Illustrator. You will only become a Certified Illustrator if, after consultation, it is decided that you will be drawing Pokémon card illustrations for us.

Q Can I check if I have won a prize?

A

Please wait for the announcement on the official website of this contest. We do not answer individual queries regarding whether or not you have won a prize.

Q When will the results be announced?

A

We are planning to announce the results on the official website of the Pokémon Trading Card Game Illustration Contest 2024 in September 2024 (Date to be announced later).

Q When will I receive the prize?

A

After announcing the awards, we will contact the winners with details regarding the procedure to receive their prizes.

Inquiries

Q How can I contact you?

A

Pokémon Trading Card Game Illustration Contest 2024 Administrative Office

For questions in English, submit a request to Pokémon Support

  • In general, we will respond within five business days. If you do not receive a response within this time, please try contacting us again.
  • Please refrain from contacting the Pokémon TCG Illustrators and related companies regarding contest details (including judging criteria, etc.).
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