Re: Awkward Turtle
For me there are too many issues with this shirt to vote for it. I did read a lot of the arguing that was done in this thread over this shirt and I like draxxx had put it best.
That said, I'll give my little too cents as a person who is rapidly becoming a former ramby fan.
Largely, I am disappointed lately with the designs he has put out. Not so much just because they are cutesy and cute does get old after a while to me, but because they seem lazily conceived and lately, lazily rendered as well. I don't mind the cute stuff when it happens. I've made a number of purchases from this site that were gifts for people and voted for designs because they were cute.
However, when I buy something that is cutesy for my little sisters, I want it to be quality as well.
When artists like Bassanimation, Walmazan, or Dianasprinkle have drawn something that is cute (not that they always do, but when they do) I can tell that they put effort into the actual drawing itself. They don't always enter something the same day, within hours of the derby opening. Most times I assume that is because they want to polish their work up from rough draft quality. They have a distinctive style, and it shows when they submit. I'm guessing that most of us here (at least those who have been here even a short while) can spot which artist has done what. Like it or not, Ramyb has a certain button-eyed style that we all recognize when we see the thumbnail.
Yet, since the "turtle tree" (can't recall the name off the bat) it seems like he's been allowing simple mistakes to go through and not give a darn. I know, I know. There is the perspective/realism stuff that people talk about and the fact that he uses the same layout and shirt placement. This is just my opinion, but sometimes that doesn't matter to the average voter.
What does matter (again, obviously just my opinion), and should matter is when the submissions go from polished (at least from just a quick glance) to glaring errors. This turtle is the worst offender of the recent crop of Ramyb shirts and here is why I think so (again, my opinion is what it is. I in no way claim that this particular facet is gospel truth or puts me on some so-called "higher level" of thinking than the average voter.)
-I don't think that this design is stolen, however I do think that it is just lazy in conception. Isn't there a general tip for new designers out there not to do the first thing that comes to mind? that is what this smacks of. "Tilted turtle" seems an easy idea to me, just like during the star derby I expected to see, and did see, many cute little stars holding guns. Not to say that those designs were bad, just that it might have been an easier thing to run with. (I voted for some of them, but was dubious as to their chances)
-The drawing looks like a sketch painted in photo shop. The eyeballs are cockeyed, I hate the fact that the turtle has, like many of the drawings lately, only one brow. The mouth looks like it is missing a connecting line as well. The legs of the turtle look just plain bad, like I, or any one else, could do them on a whim. Finally, that splotch near the eye, which is obviously an error. I wouldn't buy it if I were told that it is a tear because it is obviously a lousy paint job.
I guess that the laziness that is represented here is what really gets me. I know that there are loyal fan bases, which is normally fine by me--but even his fan base shouldn't be defending this one. It is badly done top to bottom.
Sorry Ramyb, but I did use to like some of your stuff. I can understand ignoring the hateful garbage that some snakey people spew out. But when you ignore real, valid criticism as well...you've lost me as a voter and defender.
