I can't believe that I didn't create a journal entry for this three days ago. I guess it just slipped my mind. XP

Anyhow, having to judge was a big challenge. I didn't get tons of entries like I was hoping to, but people are really busy - including myself - so I understand completely. In spite of this, it was hard to pick a winner because all of the entries were fantastic! As a result, - and I hate to seem silly - everyone won. It was seriously that hard to pick! I just couldn't! (On the count of three everyone, say: "Eve is a wussy judge!" One... Two... Three!! XD ) I'm going to list all three winners along with their entries as well as some remarks about why I selected their pieces.

The first winner is with:

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I love how ~quintessence424 incorporated features of both Will and Matt into her drawing of Kaley. Her complexion and hair color are clearly Will's, but her smile reminded me of Matt's smile - calm and content, subtly happy. That smile as well as Kaley's relaxed expression (her closed eyes) also show that quintessence paid careful attention to Kaley's personality - because that clearly isn't the expression of a child who just got done sneaking cookies from the kitchen pantry (-coughcough-Travis-coughcough-) and running around the house on a wild rampage. (Let the wild rumpus begin! ) Will's hoodie and the Pookie-looking teddy bear were also very nice touches - and the hoodie again, shows quintessence's careful attention to detail. She clearly remembered my tidbit about Kaley wearing her parent's sweaters from my journal, or she went back and read it.

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Again, quintessence did an excellent job of including physical attributes of both parents. Travis has Matt's messy black hair - some people would've just made it black and might not have gone for messy like Matt's is - and Will's eyes. His "Whatever it is I didn't do it!" expression (as ~shorecowgirl put it) is PRICELESS. It totally fits his personality. And it might just be me, but I can picture Will getting the exact same look on her face in her good ole teenage years if Susan said her name in a firm tone of voice. She'd have the same panic in her big brown eyes and everything. So, quintessence nailed the genetics twice over! And I bet you all of the money in the most likely still dwindling U.S. economy that Travis pulled some sort of prank in the events prior to this drawing, and that's why he looks the way he does. XP

The second winner is: with:

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Now, Sarah beat herself up up the wazoo and criticized herself relentlessly over this drawing. Perhaps I'm too soft of a critic (I doubt it), but I think it looks great. First of all, Sarah nailed Lewis's style with the collared shirt and the sweater. It screams "stereotypical bookish boy", which suits his personality so well, and is very reminiscent of Taranee's studious/bookworm ways. She did excellently with careful attention to detail in this respect. The same goes with his glasses. Onto his facial structure. Sarah berated herself for Lewis's skin tone. Honestly, I think her attempt at a darker skin tone looks really good for someone who hasn't had a lot of experience with it. That feature as well as his hair has me convinced that if someone were to make an animated series including these nextgen kids (Like that will ever happen! XD) this is exactly what TaraneexNigel spawn would look like!

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Blake's "I am not amused" expression reminds me of Cornelia so much that it isn't even funny. She'd get the same look on her face if Travis threw a humongous glob of mud at her when she's wearing one of her most treasured shirts. (Hale genetics = Win - in reference to the aforementioned expression.) Others might not view Blake's expression in that way, but that's how I saw it. Sarah mentioned that she drew Blake straightening out his beanie hat because he's a "goody-two-shoes", and she's right. That's demonstrated very well. And I think Cornelia and Caleb - Cornelia more so than Caleb, who honestly, would not give a crap - would dress their son in that style of clothing, which reminds me of the clothes at American Eagle. Expensive big brand name/designer stuff is the way she'd go with her kids. This is a nice, solid depiction.

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Again, I love the messiness of his hair and how it resembles Matt's - the cowlicks! XD Travis's clothes are also very appropriate for his personality. They're comfortable, as they should be, because a wild, rambunctious boy like him isn't going to be running around in ubertight emo pants or Tripps ([link]). The pose/action Sarah chose for him is PERFECT. If it's snowing, Travis would be outside trying to start a snowball fight with Kaley or one of the neighbor kids. I'll say, "careful attention to detail" again and run the risk of sounding repetitive.

The third winner is with:

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First of all, I LOVE the colors in this. They're vibrant, lovely, and they just POP - not relevant to the character design, but still... Second, Paige's clothing style reminds me a lot of Taranee's style in the animated series - Taranee was a well dressed bookworm. Her eyes and her shy, somewhat hesitant smile are extremely reminiscent of Taranee, too. Careful attention to detail, people. Again, if there were to be an animated series with my OCs, TxN's daughter would look exactly like this. Madi also did a fantastic job with skin tone, and Paige's pose - which is quite laid back and casual - makes me think of her easy going daddy.

Whew! That's it. Everyone did an excellent job, and I loved, loved, LOVED all of the entries! All three winners are going to have their entries featured in my upcoming fanfiction pieces. The winners also going to be featured in my next journal in which I pimp quite a few people on my watchlist for their FANTASTIC art skills!

'Til the next time...

Eve Francesca out!