The Yak Shack Forum

Topps has posted info about LOTR Evolution on their website!!!

There is going to be a retail set with costume/memorabilia cards and a hobby set with sketch cards (a list of 47  :rofl: artists is listed).

Both will have level A and B foil inserts just like it was the case with Star Wars evolution and both will have stained glass cards.

That's a lot of insert sets. NICE!!!  ;D

But how in the world am I going to complete a master set with one sketch from each artist.  ??? Impossible!!!  >:()

With 47 sketch card artists it sounds like they are going to try to make a crap load of this product, which should be easy if only sketches are in the hobby version.  So 47 artists lets say they did 250 sketches each=11,750 sketches (8 box cases ((assuming)) that would be almost 1,500 cases of LOTR Ev hobby.  That is alot of product.  maybe I am way off, just a fun guess.  250 sketches per artist probably isn't a ton :-\

oh no!
this is bad, this is really bad....I should have known...
Randy Martinez.....oh joy, now we have really crappy cartoon like lord of the rings sketches to look forward to.

Cynthia Cummins is one of the artists doing sketchcards for this set.  She said in another topic here that she did 350 sketchcards for LOTR Evolution.  I saw her work and it is first rate but I know nothing about any of the other artists listed to do the work.  Anyone have some tips on who to look for that they think will produce some nice artwork in this set?

Actually, many of the low tier (Randy Martinez, etc) artists do 500 sketches.  However, many of the upper tier artists do 100 or less typically with previous sets having sketches with only a couple of dozen by an artist.  The sell sheet for this one has some sample sketches.  Half of them will appeal to all LotR fans, the other half are more charactures and might not be very popular with most fans.

They also say they are shooting for 1 sketch per box, however if pre-orders don't hold up to expectations Topps has been known to reduced the odds.  This happened for both LotR Trilogy Chrome and Batman Animated.

The stained glass cards are printed on clear acetate stock, so the background colors are transparent.  Rittenhouse has done several chase sets of these as have other manufacturers.  They make white backed pages that make them look much nicer in a binder.  If anybody needs some of those when the time comes, just let me know.  I stock them.

Ed

Thanks for the info Ed.  The white backed pages sound like they will work like a charm and now I know where to get some - thanks again!   :)

Any word on what clothing/memorabilia cards will be for this set?

great info! thanks for sharing them! was wondering though about how many diferent costume cards there would be... also any news on pricing per box or per case?

thanks.

well a shot in the dark 300 a case 35-45 a box :P

I will have the hobby version for $42.00 a box or $308 a case for pre-paid pre-orders.

I'm working on getting the retail version as well, but no promises just yet. 8)  As normal, no additional information on how many costume cards we might expect from the retail product. ::)

Ed

Interesting look with the cards - Evolution A = 1:4 packs, Evolution B = 1:12 packs

(http://www.topps.com/ent/brands/LOTR-Evolution/web-images/7.gif)
(http://www.topps.com/ent/brands/LOTR-Evolution/web-images/8.gif)
(http://www.topps.com/ent/brands/LOTR-Evolution/web-images/9.gif)
(http://www.topps.com/ent/brands/LOTR-Evolution/web-images/10.gif)
(http://www.topps.com/ent/brands/LOTR-Evolution/web-images/11.gif)

I like the look of the memorabilia ones! [Odds: TBC]
(http://www.topps.com/ent/brands/LOTR-Evolution/web-images/mem-card.gif)

...but am still not sure about the stained glass ones ??? [Odds: 1:6]
(http://www.topps.com/ent/brands/LOTR-Evolution/web-images/Stained-Glass.gif)

And of course we have drooled over this lovely Cynthia Cummins example sketch :) [Sketch card odds: TBC]
(http://www.topps.com/ent/brands/LOTR-Evolution/web-images/Sketch-Card.gif)

Here are some more images from the sell sheet:

Some Sketches
(http://www.scificards.com/images/lotrevolsketch1.jpg)
(http://www.scificards.com/images/lotrevolsketch2.jpg)

And some of the acetate Stained Glass cards:
(http://www.scificards.com/images/lotrevolstained.jpg)

I'll probably re-size them later, but I wanted everyone to see the actual size image first...

I'll let you all give feedback on them...

Ed

Tempting tempting tempting...  An 8 box case?  (LOTR:TTT Update was a 4 box case)

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

And WOW!  Those extra sketch images are freaking sweet!  WOW! WOW! WOW!

Just found out I'll be able to get retail on this one as well!

Retail is 12 boxes per case, 24 packs per box, 6 cards per pack.
Hobby is 8 boxes per case, 24 packs per box, 6 cards per pack.

I will have the Retail Version for $39.50 a box or $432 a case.
I will have the hobby version for $42.00 a box or $308 a case.
A Half case of each (4H,6R) will be $370.00 for pre-paid pre-orders.

Ed

I'm not convinced about the Stained Glass cards. But I wants them sketches  :P :P :P :P :P

Rob  >:D

The sketch cards are going to be interesting and from what I can see by Ed's post there is going to be a big spread in quality of work.  The Frodo card looks bad to me and the Gandalf and Aragorn ones look cartoonish.  I would not be happy if I received those kinds of cards in my boxes.  The other three look just great - CC's Gimli is outstanding and the Arwen and Aragorn are as well.  As far as the clothing card shown - we already have elven cloak cards from other sets.  I need a lot more info before I shell out money on this one.  I know I will be watching ebay for sketch cards.  I am unsure of the stained glass cards as well at this point.

i will agree with Ed (savage) on this one... some sketch cards are too cartoony- dont care too much about them. the others are beautifully done. stained glass cards are ok but if the main characters photo is sl out of focus (see legolas), then it ruins it. would love better photos. i like the uncommon and rare cards.

Ed SciFi- when do you need to know about prepaid preorders? plan to get some...when will we get news on the costume cards?

ed

That's one of the big problems with sketch cards, art is subjective and what one person loves another hates.


Do we have enough Ed's running around here? :D

My distributor has an order date of January 9 for this one, with a release date of March 1st.  Sooner is better, but barring quick sellout (doubtful) I need to know by the 8th of January.

Unfortunately, we may find out about the costume cards when the first one of us opens a box and reads the packs.  That's pretty much the way both RotK and RotKU were.

Ed

Interesting on the "cartoonish" sketch cards, I was thinking the same thing.  Something you would expect out of a product like SW Clone Wars, but not something I would be happy if I pulled from a box.  I agree on the Gimli, I think we all do that it is a fantastic sketch card.  I always have thought CC sketches were very well done.  I liked her Heritage ones alot.  I will likely try to collect all the costume cards as I have almost all of them from the previous sets, but don't think I can place an order for anything if I have no idea (in a retail product) if they will fall one per box or one per case ???

How do they expect you to place an order with no ratios?  Looks like it will be  :ebay: for the costume cards and a few sketches.  After Topps Heritage sketches (of which some I pulled I was happy with the rest not so much) I think I will let someone else do the opening....well maybe I will get a couple of boxes.

Hello everyone,
Topps has given permission to begin posting sketch cards. Here's a sample:
(http://www.cynthiacummensart.com/images/Topps_LOTR/LOTR_samples.jpg)

And to see many more, visit my site: http://www.cynthiacummensart.com/ToppsLOTR/LOTR1.htm

Enjoy!
Cynthia

Thanks Cynthia and thanks to Topps.  They are gorgeous  ;D

wow Cynthia!
Those are all amazing! Especially the one of Gandalf...maybe it is just the scen...but it looks like he has a twinkle in his eyes!
Are you doing any in color also?

Hi Cynthia,

I LOVE both the Gimli sketches I have seen you have done and also the Gollum one too - do you think you could keep tabs on them and ensure they go in my boxes?

Your help is much appreciated

Roz

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Oh these are fabulous! ;D

Hello Cynthia:

Outstanding artwork!  Do you have a favorite LOTR's character you like to draw? 

I LOVE the Gollum one!  My sister would go nuts.  Well, another b-day iea for her....

Roz, it's the luck of the 'draw' (pun intended). Favorite characters?  This may sound obvious, but I like drawing Frodo because of the expression in his face/eyes.  I like drawing Sam for the same reason. Hobbits are fun to draw in general:) Gollum, of course, is enjoyable as well. Talk about a range of expression!

Cynthia

hey all you sketch cards lovers out there..... if you wanna see soe more sketches go check out this website....

http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/

being complied in a similar fashion to the collector how tried to compile as many Star Wars sketches as possible!!!

eyes *sigh* Viggo as Aragorn could look into my eyes for hours.... I wouldn't mind ;)

I'm looking forward to this product, but Randy Martinez Sketches are so awful(IMO), that it makes me hesitant to buy a box. The man can do really nice work, as I've seen some of his sketches on ebay that are fantastic. I hope he doesn't do more "stick figures" like he did with Star Wars. :'(

Now, I haven't seen any of them for this set, so I will remain hopeful. The sketches I have seen posted(like Cynthia's) are so out of this world fantastic, that I know I'll be spending some money chasing them.   :ebay:

The CC cards are superb. Worth  paying money for.  The other five sketches are juvenile. Just my opinion.

I think the card quality is very variable - but it's only the equivalent of getting a FIGWIT ;)

Anyway, there are some other great sketches done by the other artists, for instance (thanks for the site RupT) I like this  Sohn

(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/sohn/Sohn_Gandalf9.jpg)

I have to say I'm seriously disturbed that Randy Martinez has been hired again

(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/martinez/Martinez_Burger-King.jpg)

(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/martinez/Martinez_Elrond-Smith.jpg)

OMFG - that is shocking :o :o :o

The Elrond would be funny if it was in a comic, but if I pulled that in a box, I would be seriously p***ed off! ::)

Lets hope Martinez's sketches are few and far between* :o=

*yeah right ::)

I'm not sure how or why Topps is allowing the Burger King king on a LOTR sketch card. And, I hate those ads to boot, so blech on that.

Though, I must say, the Hodges, Cummens and Kayanan all have me drooling :)

...and it also limits worldwide appeal because we don't have that Burger King thing in the UK.

The sad truth is that I think those are some of the best sketches we'll see by Martinez in that set :(

What's that weird sound I hear? Oh it's Tolkien spinning in his grave.

yah, I thought about that afterwards that I should have explained the reference. Burger King is a (as I'm sure you've guessed) a fast food restaurant similar to McDonald's, but instead of a clown hawking their burgers, they have a King. In their latest round of advertising, the King as depicted by Martinez goes place to place just staring stupidly at people as they eat.

And I still don't get the connection *other* than Burger King is a licensee of LOTR merchandise - Burger Kings here had all the toys in the kids meal and other assorted paraphenalia...

Unfortunately we do have the "restaurants" but not the King adverts (perhaps we should be grateful for small mercies??).

That's true, I suppose Tolkien first started haunting the halls of Magdalen when people were drinking fizzy drinks out of cups with Aragorn's face on back in 2001  :rofl:

I think the Elrond as Agent Smith is hilarious, but NOT for an official card set.  As a commissioned work, it'd be great!

If Topps approves the Burger King, I'll be very upset...

And you didn't even mention the dog sample sketch... That's just wrong........ (but not as wrong as the Burger King)

I didn't get the dog sketch until it was explained to me. I don't care how Mr. Martinez defends it, *Topps* should have said, politely and with respect - This is a CHARACTER based set, please stick to the LOTR Characters as depicted in the film.

It's one thing in a Family Guy set where the show itself mocks Pop Culture to include Pop Culture references, but LOTR should have stayed true to the set composition.

Honestly, if I were to get any of those Martinez sketches I'd send them back to Topps requesting a proper sketch instead of crap. :o >:()

Probably wouldn't get anything out of it, but they might get the idea if more people tell them.

Ed

Well considering they only have listed the # of sketches for 6 of the artists so far and it totals almost 2,800 sketches and someone said there are 47 artist doing sketches.  I will use some round #'s but lets say avg of 500 sketches each.  That would total 23,500 sketches in 8 box cases lets assume 1 sketch per box= 2,937 cases of Evolution. 

That sounds pretty Topps like.  Don't think these will disappear anytime soon.  And that isn't even accounting for the retail cases.

500 each might be a bit strong.  Some, like Martinez, may do 1000 but for the Star Wars series there have been artists that do less than 100 as well.  I wouldn't be surprised to see 2000 hobby cases of this one though. 

The retail being completely different might be interesting as well.  I know my pre-orders so far are about equal numbers for retail VS hobby.  Some of the 'costume' cards might be incredibly hard to find.

Ed

Do we know what the costume cards are yet?

As for sketches, I'd agree with Ed - there are already several artists who say their doing far less than 500 sketches (and love the fact that everyone's doing XX6 - must be the infamous 6 Topps lets them keep :) I so wish they'd find a way to mark the non-pack inserted sketches differently from the pack-inserted sketches. I know I'm a freak, but I value my pack-inserted sketches differently (not better or worse per se, but differently) than I do my convention gotten ones...

Not a clue as of yet.  And, if things like King Kong and other Topps sets are used as an example, we might not know until the first box is cracked and somebody posts the details on the wrapper. >:()

Ed

Wow what a wide variety of work - some outstanding, some good, some bad, and some really bad.    :P

Ed as a Dealer do you have any input with Topps at all?  If you do not who do they listen to?  

I don't buy direct from Topps (they require sports card purchases as well, and I'm not going there...) so I don't have any kind of contact with Topps at all.

As for who they listen to, apparently nobody or they'd do some things differently.  I know my distributors have trouble getting any information from them beyond what is on the sell sheets they send out.

Ed

Topps? Listen to people???? That's the funniest thing I've heard all year  >:D :o >:D Hate to say it, but I like the Agent Elrond card. I won't be angry if I pull it!!!

Rob :-*

The Burger King man is CREEPY!!!

The commercials are creepier...  *shudder*

My husband and I thought we were the only ones who found the Burger King creepy. ::)  It's nice to know we aren't alone.

I have yet to purchase any LOTR boxes, but I'm starting to get interested in this set. :)

I just checked out the site that RupT posted.  Have you all seen the sketches by Rafael Kayanan?! :o  Those are amazing! 
I don't normally like cartoon LOTR, but the Grant Gould sketches are just wonderful.  I absolutely love his stuff.

Those Kayanan ones rock...... totally blown away by the details and colour in them!!!

Marleyeds is doing a great job

for those that might be interested, here is a link to a similar Star Wars sketch site....

http://www.starwarssketchcards.com/

I was looking over some of the Sith sketches and noticed that some of the scans are cards that were returned to the artist and not included in packs.  A few of them (can't remember who the artist was) were full color sketches and REALLY good.  I wonder why Topps sent them back?  Is there certain criteria for the pack inserted cards?

Here's another link to a card talk thread started a few weeks back in regards to LOTR Evolution.

It makes interesting reading as many artists have put in their 2p's worth and s of yesterday, Randy martinez also posted and talks about his sketches.

Check it out if you're interested :)

http://nonsportupdate.infopop.cc/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/955604453/m/3271040311/p/1

those of you interested in only hearing what Randy has to say, skip straight to page 12

Kelly, I think there are 6 sent back as a momento rather than them being rejected per se

Kelly, it mmight also be the case that these cards were coloured after they were sent back?!?!?!

That's also a good point! :)

Ohhhhhh......I get it.  Thanks guys! ;)

From what I know, Topps allows each artist to submit for approval 6 additional sketches which are then sent back to the artist for the artist to do with what they please (as long as they don't alter the approved image). Generally coloring a card doesn't alter the approved image. The artists, to my knowledge, identify in advance which 6 sketches they want back.

There's my half cent :)

Hi folks, regarding the 6 cards, we can request which ones we want back, or, they may also be ones that didn't get the stamp of approval. They are typically used for commissions. Thanks to everyone who has taken some time to browse my card gallery. I uploaded some new ones yesterday. Any other questions, please just feel free to ask and I'll do my best to answer.

-Cynthia

Well, it seems that the Burger King sketch and other posted by Mr. Martinez were prank sketches - not at all what he submitted to Topps. So, I suppose we'll have to withold judgement on his work until we actually see it.

I, for one, am relieved :)

I read the posts at the "other" site.  I'm not collecting LOTR anyway, so I could care less, but I wonder how the LOTR die hards feel about getting Punk'd?  :-\

I am. And, although I realize it's foolish, when a person posts something, I assume it to be true. From now on, every other artist that posts images will be more deeply scrutinized "Are these what they really submitted? - which is a pity.

As Joanna mentioned, I'm relieved, but I'm also angry that he pulled a joke like that.  I know nothing about photoshop nor about the typical quality of his work and I assumed that what he posted was what was submitted.  I am VERY thankful that Topps stepped in after receiving comments and he's admitted that the whole thing was a joke.  How is it funny to lie about something?

I think we have a maturity issue here with Randy.   ::)

Thing is, he might have put-off those LOTR fans who were considering buying these cards from actually doing so - not the reaction Topps would've been wanting is it? :-\

I'm sure once the boxes/cases have been opened and they're up on :ebay: then we'll see a free-for-all on prices similar to those on the Star Wars sets. ::)
LOTR collectors will still buy the boxes/cases to try and pull the rarer sketches, but I also think dealers will be wary of getting their fingers burnt because of the sheer number and variety of sketching-styles apparent with the artists Topps have chosen to illustrate the set and the fact that the less popular artists won't command the same prices, which in turn will mean those selling them won't recoup their outlay. :-[
I would be worried about losing a LOT of money on this set if I was a dealer thinking of selling it.

I'm undecided as to whether to buy anything from this set or not ... they've pretty much thrashed it to death in my opinion and unless there's something radically different which ALL of us stand a decent chance at getting in this set, then I probablly won't bother. Sad really ...

Couldn't agree with you more. this may now actually reinforce that i may invest in a box or two!!!

Here are a few more cards that were approved:)

(http://www.cynthiacummensart.com/images/Topps_LOTR/LOTR_samples3.jpg)

WOW!  :o

Stunning artwork once again Cynthia! :D

More wonderful sketches Cynthia - thanks for sharing!! ;D ;D ;D

Just was checking some prices on the net and saw this at the end of the description on the Potomac website:

Hand-drawn Artist Sketch Cards will be inserted at an estimated rate of 1 per box (this rate could change without notice).

Kind of scary that they actually said that.  Especially with Topps track record - Can you say SW ROTS Widevision auto ratio change >:()

I can't imagine with all those sketches that at least one per box.  In fact those idiots should make it at least 1.5 per case just to make it up to us for all the other LOTR & SW crap they have pulled. >:()SO BITTER

Honestly I don't believe that Topps has ever stated that these will be 1 per box.  Their website says 1:TBD for both sketches and costume cards, which is exactly what they said about the SW RotS Widevision autos.  They have learned to cover their butts pretty good with fancy words and not enough information.

On the flip side, they were telling us 1 per box on the Chrome autos and Batman Animated sketches as well.  They showed up 2 per box, so it goes both ways.

Ed

yea dont pre order anything ans they rations change in our favor :)

topps said they are trying to get one perbox. so dont order any until after the release!!

I haven't seen too many sketches that I really like. If the odds are 3 a box then I might think about it though. I think I'll just stick to the costumes.

Unfortunately, I don't think that strategy will work this time.

I talked with 3 different distributors, and all of them said this one was selling quite well.  Seems word of the www.lotrsketchcards.com has hit some of the mainstream e-news outlets.

Pre-Orders for this one have been very good so far with my customers.  I'm thinking that getting an order in early might be the best bet for this one!

Ed

I think this is going to be a nice set but im still undecided as to whether I get a couple of boxes or just buy a sketch or two I really want. I really like the more natural looking ones, not the cartoonish ones so I dont know what to do....maybe I might wait and see  ???

Even with a strong preorder on the product it is still a pretty safe bet that you will be able to find plenty of the product, likely at a price the same or close to the presell price for a while afterword IMO.  At least I can't remember the last Topps product that was hard to find.  Even LOTR FOTR took a while for those prices to skyrocket on the boxes, right? 

Batman Begins at one point was thought to be drying up fast after the initial frenzy on the product, but you can still find boxes and cases at prices not much more than preorder.

Actually, sketch cards do strange things to a product.  Try to find a box of Star Wars Revenge of the Sith (not the widevision, but the first one) at pre-order pricing...

I don't think this one will be that hard to find right off the bat, but I don't think there will be as much dumping of sealed product.  More likely you'll see lots of mediocre sketches flooding the market as people break boxes looking for the best of the best.

Ed

I could certainly see getting 2-4 nice sketches per case that you would want to keep, but the flip side some are going to likely be crappy in the case.  I am not anti sketch cards by any means I opened a few case of SW Heritage and got some great sketches.  The big question is how to make these manufacturers up their standards for sketch cards they put in boxes. 

For example the cartoon art sketches.  I think all collectors would be happy with a realistic sketch like the ones CC does, but don't think that even close to half of collectors want a "cartoonish" sketch card in their box. 

I know I would not be happy if I pulled a cartoonish sketch and I think Becks that even fewer Collectors than you mentioned would be happy with one.  Just remember not to get drawn up into this sketch card frenzy as you can always have a sketch of whatever LOTR's character you want done the way you want by commission work.  I cannot wait to see how much people are going to spend for this product and what they actually are going to get for their money.  I think many will be disappointed with what they pull.  It is going to be interesting to see what the best sketches are going to sell for on ebay.  Anyone want to make any predictions?

Well guys, Mark and I love the Gandalf and Aragorn Sketches we saw ;D so if everyone else follows your taste then Mark and I should havea  very cool collection of very cheap sketches WOO HOO

Somehow I don't think we'll be that lucky :(

Here are some more sketches drawn and posted by Tom Hodges on the Topps board:

http://forums.etopps.com/toppsforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=80267

http://www.tomhodges.com

(http://www.tomhodges.com/art_posting/TH-LOTR12.jpg)
(http://www.tomhodges.com/art_posting/TH-LOTR11.jpg)
(http://www.tomhodges.com/art_posting/TH-LOTR09.jpg)
(http://www.tomhodges.com/art_posting/TH-LOTR06s.jpg)

Now those sketches I like  ;D  I think the fact these cards are on beige card and the artists are using chalk (?) as well as pencil looks very cool  8)

Those really do look cool.  He probably used a white Prismacolor pencil.

Hello again everyone! Thought it was time to post a few more. Enjoy!

Cynthia
(http://www.cynthiacummensart.com/images/Topps_LOTR/LOTR_samples4.jpg)

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOoo a late-Christmas-early-New-Year present Cynthia - THANKS for the sneak preview!! ;) ;D

Here are some posted by Cat Staggs on the Topps Boards. More have also been posted by Tom Hodges, and they are even more cartoon-ish.

www.airbrushcat.com (http://www.airbrushcat.com)

(http://www.airbrushcat.com/newart2/sample2.jpg)

(http://www.airbrushcat.com/newart2/sample3.jpg)

I like all the ones by CC so far as well as these. I'd say CC's and Cat's took some time to draw.

Those are beautiful and I agree, they must have taken some time to draw to get the expressions/details just right. ;)
I would need to see more examples from the other artists before committing myself to boxes/cases of these cards though - I'm uneasy about the 'cartoon' sketches and the likelihood of getting a whole heap of them if I buy boxes to open myself! :-\

Those are so amazing!  I just checked over all the artists on that LOTR sketch site and I'm still a fan of Tom Hodges and Grant Gould even though they do cartoons.  I think it's because the cartoon sketches they do don't have a Disney or "saturday morning TV" look.  My favorite from Cynthia's is the Sam sketch second from the right, and under the row of Pippen.  So Cynthia, if you read this-WOO-HOO girl!  I love the that hobbit!
http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/  (http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/)

Cynthia and Cat, i Looooooooooooove your Gandalf's, they're awesome!!!!

Probably a silly question, but is each sketch card an original drawing or are they prints?
If they are original, do they have a glossy finish to protect the pen/pencil like the auto cards?
Thanks!

Here are some by Allison Sohn on the  Topps boards,

no website was given.

(http://img347.imageshack.us/img347/7459/gandalfsamples2py.jpg)

(http://img347.imageshack.us/img347/6564/horizontal6vx.jpg)



I think these are nice. I like the ones that are sideways, nice change.

I wants the Sohn Legolas sketch on the right side!!! :o :o :o :o

They're all original, but I don't know about the pencil.  I suppose if the artist's were using graphite pencils it would smudge if you rubbed it.  If they're using the prismacolors it would'nt smudge.  But in a nice display holder it wouldn't matter anyway.  :)  The auto cards aren't covered with anything that I'm aware of.  They just have a glossy finish and the auto is written on top.  I don't have any sketch cards, but I'm assuming that the cards themselves aren't as glossy as auto cards, or they would be hard to draw on.  Anyone want to let me know for sure?

Kelly, I believe that with Topps (and likely other companies as well) they get the actors to sign the cards and then send the cards back to them. Topps then coats the cards with the glossy protective layer to help prevent smudging.

I don't believe that the cards are coated after the drawings.  I've heard stories of some particularly bad one in the Star Wars set being erased so you can have a comissioned sketch on an official card.

Inkworks avoids this by numbering each sketch card and posting all of the cards on their website.  Topps does not.

Some care is required when handling sketch cards, but no more so than autographs or costume cards.

Ed

No kidding?  I don't think my Artbox or Inkworks cards have anything on top, do they?

would anyone like me to keep posting some sketch's from the Topp's board? I don't want to take up a lot of "room" here.

If not it begins here: http://forums.etopps.com/toppsforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=80217

Be warned though, it seems that some artist get very offended when you call their sketch's "cartoony".

or keep up on http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/

Hmmm...thanks for the heads up, but what word would they prefer we used?

Simplistic perhaps ... ::) :rofl:

 no idea ???

I've gotten a little bit of crap for "simple" too.  ::)

To expain it in short - It seems to me that one artist got put off by some people not liking the "cartoon style" ones and then the other artists just jumped on the wagon.

Kelly, glad you like the Sam cards. I enjoy drawing him the most of all the hobbits!

I don't think anyone was upset about being labeled 'cartoony'.  I think the misunderstanding was due to some questions that were put forth about why we were chosen for this set, as opposed to those directly involved with the movies. Why they weren't involved is a question Topps can answer. However, for those who don't yet know this, I can tell you that New Line Cinema did approve each one of us for this project. And on a personal note,  I can say that each of us is honored to have been invited to work on this set, as is evident by the work being produced.

Happy 2006 everyone!
Cynthia 

Happy 2006!  Well, I finally caved and decided to get a box of Evolution instead of Alias 4.  ::)  Here's hoping I get something good out if it.  :o=  BTW, I know not everyone likes the cartoon sketches, me included for 3/4 of the ones I've seen, but have you ever tried drawing a cartoon?  It ain't easy!  I wouldn't say those artists are less talented, I just hope if I get a cartoon sketch it's a detailed one.  Some of the Star Wars sketches were just too "bare bones" looking for my taste.

I finally had time to look at the site, and I have to say that alot of the work there was very impressive! I particlarly liked Rafael Kayanan's colour sketches and Russ Walks and Cat Staggs' work. Brilliant!

Maybe I will have to collect a Legolas from each artist... and maybe a few Aragorns... and Eowyns... Gandalfs - argh, I am stuffed! ;D

Happy New Year to every one and all you fabulous LOTR Evo sketch artists!!!

Not Long to go now until yourdeadline, so keep up the already fantastic work  8)

Happy New Year to all the LOTR Evolution artists as well! I've never had any experience with sketch cards before, but from what I have seen, I have been very impressed! When all the stress of LOTR Evolution dies down, I'm hoping to ask Cynthia to do a commissioned card for me as I love the work she has shown us here :)

(http://www.cynthiacummensart.com/images/Topps_LOTR/LOTR_samples5.jpg)

Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend!

Okay, these are toooo cool toooooo :)))

By the way peps, have y'all seen the Kayannan Multi Card Sketches?? No?? What are you doing? Go check them out!! NOW!!! :)

PS: CC, if you're reading this, i'll be shooting an email your way very very soon :)

Looking forward to meeting you next month!

those are very nice!!

As i am you too :)

email Sent!!

Well, this IS a Rumour but I guess I'll post this anyway. It showed up on the Topps board earlier today. I have no way to confirm it's authenticity, but here goes...

72 card base set
  63 cards being characters
  9 cards being creatures
20 Evolution A inserts
12 Evolution B inserts
10 Stained Glass cards
9 Memorabilia Cards
  Arwen's nightgown  :D
  Eowyn's Helm's Deep Overfrock  ;D
  Frodo's Travel Cloak  ::)
  Galadriel's Grey Havens Cloak  ::)
  Galdalf the White's Cloak  ::)
  Gandalf the White's Shirt  :)
  Gimli's Tunic    :o= 
  Merry's Travel Cloak  ::)
  Pippin's Travel Cloak   ::)

First, what's up with all the cloaks??? ::)

Second, it looks like we'll finally get a Gimli memorabilia card.

I'm sure these will be "material used to make" the costumes, but still rather cool.  Makes that retail product look a little bit better.  I sure wish Topps would make an official announcement with insertion ratios. :o=

Ed

Hello Ed:

Thanks for the info.  Yea it is depressing that we see Frodo's, Pippin's, and Merry's Travel Cloaks as they were in earlier sets as was Gandalf's White Shirt.  That is at least 4 cards I will not have to purchase!   :)   I agree that Gimli's Tunic will be the card to get if the info is true!   :)  I have a Clothing Card for Eowyn at Helm's Deep again from an earlier set.  I will have to see if it is from the same material or not.  Ed you have too happy a smiley face for Arwen's nightgown!   ;)

I am not happy at all with 19 Stained Glass Cards - they do not look good and there are too many of them.  I would have liked to see Topps use those slots for more of the Evolution A & B inserts. 

Well that lets me out of the retail set... too many repeats and apart from Gimli and to an extent Arwen and Galadriel, its another case of same old, same old :P

I'm glad that I am not the only one that is not a fan of the stained glass cards :-\

Good news on the Stained Glass cards, it was my typo...

There are only 10:
Aragorn
Bilbo
Boromir
Frodo
Gandalf
Gimli
Logolas
Merry
Pippin
Sam

Just thought it was odd there were no females in the stained glass format... ???

Ed

hi guys,

i posted taht on the topps board. it came from a sell sheet for the lotr evolution.

here's the link for the board.


http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=334&fileid=1783283&groupid=222407&folderid=181254&curRec=17&folderview=thumbs&ck=


disappoointing costume cards apart from gimli. i expected a gandalf the grey card not 2 more white ones. perhaps we get arwen's ed night gown. what other costume of eowyn is there? and more travel cloaks of the hobbits? how about vests or shirts? sigh...good thing is as a completists, these will come really cheap.

ed

I am glad to see two Gandalf's but a Gandalf the Gray would have been nice. I like about half of the costumes and the others seem close to what was already done. I am glad that there are costumes at all.

The stained glass I think I'll have to pull one before I decide if I like them or not.

I think there are almost too many Level A & B inserts, It seems to me that it would take 2 or 3 boxes to finish a set.

Hi Everyone-
I'm not sure if I mentioned this here yet or not, but I wanted to let you all know that I will be at Collectormania in Manchester, England next month (Feb. 11-12). Anyone out there going? If so, stop by and say hi!


Cynthia

Anyone hear anything more about Evolutions concerning if the release date is on track or if there is going to be a delay?

I saw a mention of early March on ebay.

Last I heard, it was early March.  For anyone interested, I'm auctioning some original art I did for Star Wars.com.  You can get the link to the auction through my web site:
http://www.cynthiacummensart.com

i just stumbled across this forum thought I would share this...

OK...  for those who are interested.. Here is my sketch card  character breakdown....

Aragorn.... 20 + 1 full color
Arganoth...2 full color card scene
Arwyn....... 20 + 2 full color
Bilbo......... 19
Boramir.....20 + 1 full color
Cave Troll..1 full color
Denethor...7
Elrond.......20
Eomer......20
Eowyn......20 + 1 full color
Eye of Sauron...1 full color
Faramir....20
Frodo.......20 + 4 full color
Galadriel....20 + 1 full color
Gandolf....20 + 3 full color
Gimli.......20 + 2 full color
Gollum/Smeagol...20 + 1 full color
Grima.....5 + 2 full color scene
Haldir......10
King of the Dead..1 full color
Legolas... 20 + 1 full color
Mumakil..2 full color scene
Merry......20 + 1 full color
Mouth of Sauron...6
Orc/Uruk-Hai...37 + 3 full color
Pipin.......20 + 1 full color
Ring Wraiths/Nazgul..6 + 2 full color
Samwise..20 + 1 full color
Sarumon..20 + 1 full color
Sauron.....11 + 1 full color
Theoden...20
Treebeard.. 1 full color closeup
Witch King ..3 + 1 full color

Peter Jackson cameos...3 full color
The One Ring...1 full color

whew.. I think I got them all


and thanks for the compliments on my work I ,  like Cynthia, really enjoyed this set!

yowch that sounds painful! But welcome Cat :D ;D The more the merrier ;D and that's both an interesting and helpful breakdown - you've left some REALLY desireable sketches as rare (Cave Troll, Argonath, Treebeard) but also done a good few of popular characters (leggy and Aragorn at 20 a piece (plus a few painfully rare and painstaking for you to draw full colour ones)) but overall I can't wait to see these up close - scanners are great things but by the time you re-size things for the web they do lose 'something' just as a print of an artwork has 'lost' something compared to the original too.



And as long as you marked 2 of these with a big X on the outside of the box and "For Roz in Cambridge" then that's fine :rofl:

I've been astounded by your work and I'm bankrupting myself in attempts to find it (erm... anyone need a Evolution base set ;D?) and you can be sure that if I find one a very large scan will be appearing on these pages ;D

Thanks for joining us

Roz

Hi and welcome to the Forum

I have to say I loved the Star wars Sketches from Heritage that most people did But the cards i have seen of the Lord of the rings Sketches I think they are 100 times better and i must have some.

I am sure as with Star wars that there will be a few artists who have just produced numbers rather than quailty but I was just blown away by the sketches by Cynthia and Cat. Every card you ladies have done are just fantastic and i would like to say thank you for the effort that you have put in where others could not be bothered.

 :o= :o= :o= I will be proud to own cards by either of you  :o= :o= :o=

That's true.. did it sound like I was taking Cynthia for granted?? LOL I certainly never meant to :rofl:

Apologies - and if you are ever in Cambridge, I'll make you a 'proper' cup of tea to make it up to you ;)

Good Sketches Need Good Sketches My precious they wants to take them from me!

hopefully one of Gimli my namesake ;)

Yeah I'm a particular fan of Cynthia's Gimli's - I think they are awesome... you can't have them all Chris!

No I must have one Gimli and then I can replace my picture

I need to I don't own my Stich card anymore and I miss it I loved that card (But needed the money)

now if i could only win the lottery and I could buy up all the good sketches

I meant to mention that dealers aren't expecting LOTR Retail in for another week or so - whereas Hobby should be in this week... so if you have ordered a case... you'll have to take solace in your Hobby for the next week
;)

Wow,
I searched for Cats name on Yahoo to see what he Star Wars work looked like, and I found a site that that had the three color Orc/Urak-hi sketch cards she did and wow. I do not like sketch cards, I have never collected them. But I am buying a case now with the hopes of pulling anyone of her cards.

These?
(http://www.comicartfans.com/Images/Category_5872/subcat_12746/orcolor.jpg)

You can see a lot more over here (http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/) I just sent him a new batch so there should be more up this week. He also has all of the 21 Saurman cards displayed. If you can find one of those babies..you are golden. they are SUPER rare cards.. Lee was the only actor to want approval of likeness. Most artists did not even attempt to do any and those who did had to go through a tough process. Many only got a few and some didn't get any approved. I was a lucky one. There were about 100 submitted in total but maybe half of them or just a little more than half passed the test.

Thanks for the compliments folks. It is much appreciated. I wish you all good pulls next week.

I just looked throught the whole list of artists again and discovered Russ Walks and John Mccrea. :o  There are so many great looking sketches, but also so many cartoon ones.  :P  Just not my thing for the most part.  If I get any of Cynthia's or yours Cat, or any of the other artists that do the more realistic sketches I will be more than thrilled!  But with just one box to my name I won't be holding my breath. 
I found my most favorite of all time Eowyn sketch....it's by Allison Sohn.  It's Eowyn looking over her shoulder and smiling.

Russ Walks is a complete genius. Jules is a big fan of his too ;)

John Mccrea is often at shows in the UK which is pretty cool, he was even at the Comic Expo Mark exhibited at last year (although I was more blown away by meeting Graham Bleathman at the time... and finding out what a great guy he is and how totally un-appreciated he is and whilst he was talking to me he did the most awesome full A4 (letter sized) thunderbirds sketch for me and just handed it to me - I nearly collapsed on the floor :P

I just saw the Thoeden and the Theoden/Eowyn that Cat did, if anyone gets any Theoden by her please PM me (if you plan on trading/selling of course) Theoden is my favorite character in the films.

Best thing about these sketches is there's something for everyone from the photo realistic to the cartoony...  Every artist has something I like :D

I just took a quick look at these two's sketches!! I absolutely love Russ Walks's!!!
I don't own any sketches yet, (actually I just ordered my very first one from Warren  ;D )(I'll post it when I get it), but I am starting to really like these! Do most artists accept commission? (Like Russ?  ::)) Or do they mainly do things for card sets?

Darren from Cards inc posted on NSU that they have received their shipment and he opened a box and got 2 sketches

You beat me to it!  So, we're all speculating if ALL boxes have 2 sketches or if boxes have 1 sketch and some have none due to collation problems...  That would be SO neat if they're 2 per box (and I'd have a heart attack when opening my case)...

I would guess that the odds are probably around 1:20 so you would get 1 maybe 2 per box I can't imagine it being 1:12 packs but we can live in hope

we need someone here to get a box and read the odds

Roz, if that was an invite to me I will certainly take you up on that proper cup of tea! I did enjoy a proper Sunday brunch in Islington and it was lovely! Looking forward to returning to your amazing country.

Hope everyone gets whatever card you're hoping for:)
Cynthia

 It was a fantastic project to have been involved with and your'e welcome:)

I did say i would not buy any more cards for myself but when i break my cases I think I may have to keep a few for myself you may have converted me back to a collector which is never good for business ;) But I do love the sketches i have seen so far

And post the sketch level odds from a pack

Well when you think about it, Topps said this would be the smallest run of LOTR cards ever.
BUT, if the sketch cards were 1:12 that would mean that based on the 15,000 sketch card estimate that there would only be around 1000 cases....which would definetly be the lowest run for Topps but it almost seems to low. I agree that we will see somewhere around 1:20 which would mean that 2 boxes per case (approx.) would have two sketch cards.

Although 1:12 would be spectacular lol and it would have me buying a couple extra boxes

Yes CC the 'tea' offer was for you - but now you mention it I'll up the offering to Brunch and tea... Brunch is one of mine and Mark's (webmaster) specialities, it's definitely a 2 person job otherwise the eggs aren't right.

You got down to Islington in London? Or do you mean New Islington in Manchester?  My best friend lives in London's original Islington ;D (not a card collector, but lovely all the same), it's really one of those places that's undergoing regeneration still - did you survive the tube ok? (I was in London today - so the tube is all to close to my memory LOL)

This is really interesting news about the 2 sketch box... but don't let's get too excited yet folks, we have seen instances of a second insert in boxes that does not reflect the normal odds... but you never know eh?

Who's JKun?

Good news....1:14  Most boxes will have TWO cards...some will only have one

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh no one's going to shoot the messenger of this awesome news ;) ;D

Roz, brunch and tea it is then:) I was in Islington in London.  Fortunately, I have a friend who lives there who was able to show me around. Yes, rode the Tube EVERYWHERE - it's amazing how easy it is to get around that way.
CC  :)

Hi Everyone, just to say I will be getting 2 cases and will be posting my case breakdown and sketches once I have them. If it is 1:14 I really cant wait the sketches look bloomin ace especially from CC and Cat. Thanks for making this set so ace.  ;D

Thanks for letting us know the odds Cat!

Let's hope my 2 boxes will have those (hopefully) promised 2 sketches. Any combination of sketches by Cynthia, yourself and Rafael Kayanan will be perfect ;)

Official Odds are posted on the Topps (http://www.topps.com/ent/brands/LOTR-Evolution/LOTR-Evolution-Sketch.html) site.. including artist odds

So much for avoiding this set  ::) given the odds, I might have to get two boxes  ;D

Care to split a case, Kate? ;)

I do hope that those odds hold - Topps have not really had problems with dud boxes (PoAU ::)) so fingers crossed that they keep up their good work :)

Sketch Card Odds are 1:14 packs!

Mine showed up late this afternoon and I've spent since then shipping orders out!

Now it's time to open some.

Ed

would love to, but i think id better hold out for GOFu  ::)

1:14 is pretty good  ;D

Darn it - to Ebay I go now! ::)

So much for my 'Ebay ban' :P

youre getting a couple of boxes arent you? that means two to four sketch cards... hopefully that includes a nice Leggy, for both of us  ;D

Well after swearing off Topps....opps I did it again.  I liked some of the sketches so much I took the plunge and bought some Evolution.  Then when I saw the sketch ratio I added some more :-\  Oh well hopefully I will pull some I like I have pretty good luck with anything that is not HP :rofl:

I can't believe we haven't seen any sketches hit  :ebay: yet.  Please post some links if anyone sees them start surfacing.

well they aer not supposed to go on sale until the 1st..so tomorrow should be interesting

I haven't seen any sketches, but a couple of costume cards showed up on  :ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/LOTR-Evolution-Pippins-Travel-Cloak-Memorabilia-card_W0QQitemZ6258058768

http://cgi.ebay.com/LOTR-Evolution-Galadriels-Grey-Havens-Cloak-Memo-card_W0QQitemZ6258059524

I thought they were released Wednesday? :-\

Well they have certainly hit dealers already so you would think some would already be on :ebay:

Heritage hit a couple days earlier than the official release date.

And the interesting thing on the costume cards is I thought they were only in retail....1.  listing says from a hobby box (could be a mistake though you would think if you opened a box you would know if it was retail or hobby...store pack searcher >:()  2. Retail wasn't supposed to be out for another week or so. :-\  At least that is what I was told.

(http://www.scificards.com/images/zane1.jpg)

and

(http://www.scificards.com/images/zane2.jpg)

Sorry about the size, but I needed the details to show up.

Now back to opening stuff up...

Ed

well there is one home...I liked that gimli..I like drawing him. ;D

Some nice pulls, some on the fence, top right second one down..... what the *&$^#%#@ is that.  I might have to submit some of my sketches, that one is brutal who was the artist on that one.   He/she must have been really stoned :rofl:  Does anyone really like that sketch, I hope it isn't just me.

Thats what was pulled out of one sealed case.  13 sketches total.

Some of them are not so great, but overall it was a good case.  Even the Martinez is better than most of his Star Wars sketches I've had.

Ed

I congratulate you on your stunning drawing skills ;D Its a great card 8)

Are you going to open retail too Scifi?

Yeah, my retail shipped to me today so I should have it Wednesday.  Not opening as much as I thought I would as the orders kept coming in and eating into my allotment.

This has been a crazy day trying to get all these orders packed and shipped, and it starts again when the retail arrives.

Ed

I really think with this set having 2 sketches per box that it will be a hot lineup. Mostly because at $40 a box (U.S. price...sorry to all my friends over the pond that have to pay more) it only has room to go up. And the great thing about this set is that a master (1 of each artist) is really hard to put together, and even then won't satisfy most collectors, so unlike many of the other sets where once you have a master set your search is over, collectors can always have fun buying and opening these boxes as they will always hold something they don't have (or at the minimum a slight variation of a sketch they have.  I give this set my stamp of approval. :)  And will be really excited when I pull a Staggs and Cummens in my first box, and yes you friends in other countries will here me scream!!!!

I couldn't agree more for the most part....it will be fun to open that is for sure, but the market will be flooded for a little while, so there may be some good deals at the start!

A few sketch cards have started showing up, eg http://cgi.ebay.com/Lord-of-the-Rings-LOTR-Evolution-BRIAN-ROOD-Orc-SKETCH_W0QQitemZ6258095189QQcategoryZ60246QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Yeah there's over 60 sketches up already but I'm not buying yet - I will have to wait and see what comes in my boxes, and so far only sketches from 'higher up the alphabet categories' have appeared.

CC and Neko - where are all yours? I think to be fair even if dealers pull them they won't put them on straight away, they probably have good customers they will offer them to first, and of course some dealers are collectors too.

Wow some of those sketches look great on ebay, I wont mind if I find a couple of martinez cards but if I find 2 in one box I will scream. I dont know why other than money someone would draw such dross if they were a serious artist. At the end of the day any collector is going to focus on quality not quantity. I think it is a shame because I have seen alot of martinez work and it is amazing and he dosent do himself justice in this kind of set.
Also have you seen the CC sketches on  :ebay: there  :o

I think the chances of a Martinez turning up 2x in a box are slim... not none but slim. After all, he only did 1000 this time, rather than the 3000 or so in the past.

And I have to say I do much prefer his LOTR efforts to his SW efforts (from what I've seen so far) - the artists are paid VERY little (about a quid) per sketch, so people approach sketching from the set for different reasons

Some go out of their way to make genuine bona fide pieces of art rather than sketches, because they love the films and because they aren't prepared to see poor quality artwork have their name on it - and some other's just give them their 'quids worth' of art.

That's up to them I suppose. It can be a bit dissappointing for collectors I know, but that's the way the jelly wobbles.

I am very disappointed with the quality of work I have seen on the Evolutions Sketch Cards except for a very few of the Artists - CC & Cat to name a few.  I have just spent over an hour reviewing all of the Sketch Cards available on ebay and most of them are in my opinion junk.  I know we will all have our own opinions but overall I am very disheartened.  I easily spent over 3 hours reviewing all of the Evolution Artists work on www.lotrsketchcards.com to see what the various styles will be and again found only a very few whose work I liked.  I definitely do not like the cartoonish types.  I think unless you are extremely lucky - like say winning the lottery type odds
- most of you are going to be disappointed with your pulls.  The sheer number of cards are against you pulling a really quality card.  For those of you who have spent time on the Evolutions Artwork web site you would have seen a number of Artists combine several cards to make a scene.  Now the entire scene looks outstanding - 2 to 3 cards make up the scene - but imagine the luck in pulling one of these cards only to find you have a half or less than the full scene.  It will be almost impossible to find the others to complete the piece unless again by lottery odds you happen to see it on ebay.  I again think the best way to go is to find an Artist whose work you like and engage in a commission to get what you want rather than spend huge amounts of money buying cases of this stuff.

Great sketch pulls Ed - mostly ;D

Can you tell us about the chase inserts - how many are in each set etc?

As has been posted on some other boards, Randy's doing about 20 sketches in an hour.  If you've seen his other stuff (the ones he's able to take his time with) you can see that he does some great work.  I like the various styles even if they don't all appeal to me - it's a wide variety for all collectors.  Topps picked a very talented bunch, but no, not all the sketches they produced are works of art destined to hang in art galleries.  We've been spoiled by other sets & artists - a lot of sketch cards in this set are quick sketches, not detailed artwork.

I've just been speaking with someone who has the cards in hand, a HUUUUGE LOTR fan and they say that (frankly) it's the nicest LOTR base set they have seen, and that the chase cards are awesome too ;D

So even before we start to look at the sketches we are happy ;)

There's already 2 CC's a Neko (Staggs) and a Kaynan (Cave Troll up) - it's all coming out of the woodwork guys ;D

See the latest interesting ebay auctions here (http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-1738318-5463217?loc=http%3A//search.ebay.com/LOTR-lord-of-the-rings-evolution-sketch_W0QQcatrefZC6QQcoactionZcompareQQcoentrypageZsearchQQcopagenumZ1QQfromZR10QQfsooZ2QQfsopZ3QQfstypeZ1QQftrtZ1QQftrvZ1QQsacatZQ2d1QQsaprchiZQQsaprcloZQQsatitleZQ28LOTRQ2cQ20lordQ20ofQ20theQ20ringsQ29Q20evolutionQ20sketchQQsbrsrtZd)

not only that, but CC's is selling for over $100!!!
It is the highest price so far on Ebay
Congrats!

You ain't seen nothing yet... wait until the big money sketch collectors come out to bid...

I do think there are a few artist that will pull the best money and a lot of very low bids on some

I think judging by some of the (frankly) outstanding artwork we've seen that there will be some astonishing bids for these cards which may price a few of us out of collecting... so I'm glad I have got some cases to open ;D

Of course Chris there'll be some low bids - but it's all about Karma isn't it :rofl:

well I might have to open some boxes

maybe just 1 or 2

I am in love with this one!! :o And I'm not even collecting LOTR!!!  ::) :-X

http://cgi.ebay.com/LOTR-EVOLUTION-SKETCH-CARD-BY-STAGGS-STUNNING-SKETCH_W0QQitemZ6258275417QQcategoryZ60798QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING CAT!!!!!

I agree with you 100% - it is an awsome piece of artwork.  If you look at Cat's post earlier on when she gave her breakdown of what cards she created you will see that this Aragorn card is the one color piece she did for him.  It is a lottery card pure and simple.  It is just too bad a dealer got it and not one of you who purchased a box or boxes.  The price is probably only going to go up as there is only one bidder now who I happen to know.  Just stop and think for a moment; whatever the final price may be for whoever buys it they could have had just as good or even better card commissioned through Cat for $60.00.  This goes for any of the Artists whose work you find interests you.  Think before you let loose with a load of cash you could put to better use.   

Thanks for the advice!! :rofl: :rofl:
Strange how our heads get so foggy!! ::) :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Perhaps, but it's statistically the most likely outcome - those who open the most cases will get the lions share of the best sketches.

*Geographers usually point out the obvious for a living*

And people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw sketches

Agreed Roz but that does not make it ok in my mind.  I would rather have seen someone get such a card in their box than the big buck boys/girls and then have only the people who have so much cash on hand they don't know what to do with it be able to bid on these cards.  That's all I am saying.

 :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Cases huh Roz? What happened to a 'box or two'? ;) :rofl:

I agree with you there Ed! I think I will only go for a couple of boxes and then get a commissioned piece if I want a particular character> Makes more money sense definitely :)

NOT that I will complain if I pull the colour Leggy sketch! ;)

There are 20 Evolution A cards.  2 pictures of the character and a copperish foil background
There are 12 Evolution B cards.  Again, 2 pictures with a blue foil this time.
There are 10 Stained Glass cards.  These look VERY nice in the artbox white pages.

Overall, they are not too hard to put a set together.  The Evolution B cards are only 2 per box, so it takes a few boxes before you have what you need.  Traders will have good luck with these as there should be some inserts to trade rather than just 1 set of foils.

Ed

That was my thought when I first looked at the 2-3 card combined sketches.  BUT- after checking them out a second time I really think that each card holds it's own in composition.  Plus, being color helps.  ;)  I do think you're right about it being a lottery pull with the quality of sketches, though.  I only bought one box to gamble with.
Beckham, I agreee with you about that weird looking sketch of.....ummm, who is it?

So far, this is the only one that I would be EXTREMELY upset over.  >:()
http://cgi.ebay.com/Lord-of-the-Rings-Evolution-HODGES-Uruk-Hai-SKETCH_W0QQitemZ6258112858QQcategoryZ60246QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This sketch might give the one above a run for its money. ::)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lord-of-the-Rings-EVOLUTION-J-Hodgkins-Gandolf-Sketch_W0QQitemZ6258090358QQcategoryZ60246QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Here I come  :ebay: $$$$$

Just kidding..anxiously awaiting my ONE box  ;D

That looks like Sherlock Holmes!!!  :rofl: :rofl:

I think the majority of the work is good, and many of these artist have created masterpieces. I truly appreciate the very hard and detailed work that they have put into these. I have discovered some new artists, and believe me I will be getting sketch commiissions from them, because I've seen how amazing they are from THIS set.

 That said, I've seen some godawful scribbles too. I realize that the artists weren't paid a fortune to do these, but I will never pay Randy Martinez to sketch anything for me because he doesn't seem to respect  the collectors enough to at least produce something halfway decent for this and the Star Wars sets. I've seen some of his non-official stuff and it's very good.

Sorry if I sound grouchy(I am right now)...

Odds for LOTR retail (from the pack)


Frodo´s Travel Cloak 1: 72
Pippin´s Travel Cloak 1:106
Merry´s Travel Cloak 1:184
Galadriel´s Grey Havens Cloak 1:184
Gandalf´s Shirt 1:232
Arwen´s Nightgown 1:232
Gandalf´s Cloak 1:347

No mention of Gimli/Eowyn on the packet :o

Ok - Got my case in last night, broke it down - 13 sketches inside.

The really large scans are on photobucket - here's the link :
http://photobucket.com/albums/e207/jkohlbus/LOTR%20Evolution/?action=view&current=lotre2.jpg

there are 2 pages :)  Wasn't terribly thrilled - guess I expected better, but you pay your money, you take your chances :)

The frodo and the cave troll are very nice!

Oh you have some nice ones there...the two from Paul "Gutz" Gutierrez are very nice..the one from Tom is AWESOME. It was one of my favorites of his...the Teranishi of Grima is very nice the Mandrake Fordo is real nice too...I think you did fine...I wouldn't be crying.

Ah, but when you want a photo realistic sketch (and preferably a main character) it's disappointing.  I'm saying that to gear myself up for my case which arrives tomorrow.  While I'm sure I'll like the majority of what I pull the odds of getting what I REALLY WANT out of the case are very low.

your odds are better than mine.. i only have two boxes..you have a CASE.

although i just read that one of the other artists went out an bought a box...he pulled a Cummen Orc and  Ramos Aragorn...soooo..the chances are good.

Why does this not surprise me.  We had no Official list from Topps, just one that was rumoured to be the checklist.  So it releases differently than than the unofficial list.  Thanks Topps >:()

Ed

It's very annoying - ANOTHER rare Arwen and no Gimli - VERY DISSAPPOINTING.

Cat/Neko - it's really great to hear that the artists are enthused enough to buy product (rather than wait for their boxes from Topps ;D) - and I'm glad he did so well ;D

MAN!
After seeing a couple different case breakdowns I decided to buy a case for myself and of course, there are none on Ebay now. Just last night a guy here in FL had some on and I waited until I saw more of what was in the cases.....anyone know where I can pick one up at a reasonable price?

LOL - the half-amusing thing is that dealers weren't supposed to put cases up for sale until today... and it looks like a LOT of dealers are sold out before the sale date :rofl:

The scramble since the announcement on Monday that it was a sketch every 14 packs has been mad... tens of cases sold on Monday - Tom has a few individual boxes up on ebay HERE (http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=unknown&sbrftog=1&rd=0&frpp=50&from=R10&satitle=%28LOTR%2C+lord+of+the+rings%29+evolution&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&bs=Search&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search&fgtp=&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&seller=1&sass=tomunique)


There are some auctions for boxes HERE (http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-1738318-5463217?loc=http%3A//search.ebay.com/search/search.dll%3Fsofocus%3Dunknown%26sbrftog%3D1%26catref%3DC12%26from%3DR10%26satitle%3D%2528LOTR%252C+lord+of+the+rings%2529+evolution+%2528box%252C+case%2529%26sacat%3D868%2526catref%253DC6%26bs%3DSearch%26fsop%3D1%2526fsoo%253D1%26coaction%3Dcompare%26copagenum%3D1%26coentrypage%3Dsearch%26fgtp%3D%26sargn%3D-1%2526saslc%253D2%26ftrt%3D1%26ftrv%3D1%26saprclo%3D%26saprchi%3D) but there's no cases on ebay ATM... anyone got any leads?

Have a look at Evolution set A (20 cards)

(http://i24.ebayimg.com/01/i/06/6a/09/df_1.JPG)

and Evolution set B (12 cards)

(http://i5.ebayimg.com/04/i/06/69/7e/dd_1.JPG)

I wish I knew how. Unfortunately I don't. I'l lremove them. Sorry again

NO!! Put them back!!  :o=

I want to look!!  ;D

VERY NICE!!!  8)
My favorite is the horizontal one!!  ;D

I'd be afraid to buy just one or two boxes.  It looks like you need a case to have any chance at getting some of the better sketches.  I really love the one Joanna has of Frodo reaching for the ring. :)

That's a Renae de Liz sketch - and it's my favorite too. Bet you can get my LEAST favorite :)

Me too!! That's the one I was trying to say!!  :P

It wouldn't happen to be the first one on the first page, would it? ;)  It makes me angry when I see that, especially considering the work he is capable of doing.  I know there was a big to-do about the sketches that turned out to be a joke, but the artwork was much better than what we've seen of his other sketches for card sets.

2 boxes bought on  :ebay: No doubt, I shall be buying more  :o :o Gonna buy the memo cards loose  0:)

Rob

Here's some eye candy for Jo

Walks (http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-1738318-5463217?loc=http%3A//cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D6258574315)

So how many of the costume cards are there?
Also, are they going to be in just the Hobby packs, or both hobby & retail?  ???

Costume cards are retail only

PS. Rats! I only saw those 2 boxes Tom had just now otherwise I would have snapped them up before you could say 'colour Legolas sketch' ::) I do hope Tom has a few more to list :o=

yeah he's sold a few boxes today so I'm sure he'll have some more up before you can say Legolas sketch :rofl:

I got my one box today and I'm very dissapointed.  Not in the sketch, I actually really like the sketch.  But I only got one in my box.  Just my luck don't you know. >:()  But It could have been worse.  I could have gotten a "5 second" cartoon sketch.  Mine is by Dalla Vecchia (sp?) and is a very nice drawing of an orc.  Or at least I think it's an orc.  I get all the monster guys mixed up sometimes.  I wish it had some marker shading or a bit of white, but overall I still think it's a good sketch.  :)
(http://members.sparedollar.com/gojags/lotrsketch.jpg)

OOOOOOOOOOOoooooh yes that long thin face is definitely one of the Orcses precioussssssssss

The list Roz posted from the wrapper information only lists 7 memorabilia cards.

They are only in the Retail boxes, hobby boxes have only sketches.

Ed

Ok...don't want to go up against almighty roz on this....but I think it is actually a goblin...the nose is what makes me think it...and the long ears...possibly wrong though I googled some photos from the film to refresh my memory and truthfully I cannot tell

By the way, anyone see this new little gem?
http://cgi.ebay.com/TOPPS-LOTR-EVOLUTION-LEGOLAS-COLOR-KAYANAN-SKETCH_W0QQitemZ6258833929QQcategoryZ60246QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
drooooooooool

Wow! :o :o :o  That's not a "sketch."  It's a miniature work of art!

Look at any one of his cards on the lotr sketch site, every SINGLE card is just amazing. If I pulled just one of his cards I would be the happiest person alive, because they ALL are incredable

WOW!!  Those fine art cards really spoil us all, don't they?  We have to keep reminding ourselves that those are the exception to the rule.  But it sure would be something to get one.
Now for a question:
I've been on the Topps site but I can't find a checklist for the stained glass cards.  Does anyone know how many there are and who they are?  They look really good in my white backed 9 pocket pages (thanks Ed)!  Also, am I right to assume that the level A and B cards were made for the complete 72 card set?

OMFG... stoppit! Must have colour Legolas sketch!!!

*glazed eyes*

Im like you Jo, that sketch is a dream...

what about this one http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6258647572&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1... $311 with 4 and a bit days to go  :o and its also a mini work of art

And also this one

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6258832918&fromMakeTrack=true

I think these are the best ones I have seen, they are all real works of art.

Oh no! How can these good Kayanan's be on ebay when they were all supposed to be in my boxes :rofl:

Well - there's still hope - that genius guy did more than a handful so we're ok ;D

I wish someone at Topps had the foresight to eliminate over 70% of the Artists they hired to do this set.  I wish Topps concentrated on the realistic Artists whose great work you see garnering top dollar for their work - why - because it is wonderful, appealing, and on target.  I would rather have seen Topps pay the realistic Artists more money to do many more cards so we could all have enjoyed them and had a realistic shot at getting one instead of just the select few.  Some of the sketch cards out there are just pitiful.   >:()

Thanks Ed!
Now time to track down some retail boxes!  8)

Perhaps Ed, but the beauty of a piece of art is always in the beholder- for instance you might not like RAMonelli's toony LOTR art but I love it.

When Mark did LOTR character's 'Pirates' style everyone loved it and asked for him to do more... I must assume that everyone was being polite because if he'd auditioned and taken part in this set you'd all be slating his work. But I believe that art is an interpretation with the artists pencil (or other medium) of what's important to the artist about that face or character, and it's certainly an objective thing.

To me (and I know to you Ed) LOTR pre-dates the movies. I think in many cases RAMonelli has been inspired by the books rather than the guys who played the parts in Peter Jackson's version, and I like that. I've bought only one sketch so far as I'm waiting to see what the boxes produce, it's RA Monelli's Einstein Bilbo (Bilbo with Einstein's hair ;D) and I can't wait to see it in the flesh.

I'm fascinated in interesting depictions of the characters, I love LOTR art in all it's guises (and although I worship any art done by John Howe - doing photo-realistic faces of LOTR characters isn't (from the small amount of his work that I've seen, and I may very well be wrong) his speciality. By your standards if John Howe had been on that list of artists, he would have been eliminated. To me, that's just crazy. His imagination and creation of stunning fantastical places, and weaponry is out of this world.

I think it would have been cool if some people had done "shards of Narsil" sketches or weaponry as well as characters, but maybe they had instructions from Topps prohibiting that.

Don't worry Roz, there's no need to protect me, I'm not in the slightest bit sensitive. People like what they like, but in my book if you don't like cartoon inspired interpretations of LOTR characters then it's probably better to choose sketches you like on eBay rather than buy boxes or cases, it would probably turn out cheaper in the end (but then again I don't know much about trading cards :)).

I don't have a problem with cartoon-type sketches.  What I don't like is when an artist puts a few scribbles on a card and thinks that's good enough, or when you can't tell what's depicted in the sketch.  Not every card has to be a mini piece of art.  It seems to me that those artists who do not put in a certain amount of effort are doing themselves a disservice, not to mention that seeing some of the less desirable cards makes me prefer to spend $40 on eBay to buy a decent sketch rather than spend that money on a box.  That hurts the card manufacturer, too.

Of course, the thing to keep in mind is that Topps and the studio approved all of the sketches that were inserted in packs.

By the way, I happen to like Mark's artwork! :)

My case...
Here's what I pulled.

Box 1 Gollum/Mike D (Duron?) & Arwen/Shum (numbered 324)
Box 2 Hobbit/Hodges? & Aragorn (B R something???, could be Rood?)
Box 3 Gilmli/Martinez
Box 4 Theoden/Booth & Witch King/Fabbri
Box 5 Treebeard/Benjamin? & Witch King/Frampton
Box 6 - Shelob?/Dalla Vecchia
Box 7 (be still my heart) - Elrond/R Wh? & Legolas/Kayanan
Box 8 - Sam/Parsons & Gandalf?/Woodside?

Needless to say, I'm VERY VERY pleased with getting a Kayanan, especially one I admired off the lotrsketchcards.com site. I'd actually JUST thought as I was breaking open the last pack "where's my Kayanan?" when there he was  ;D

Which Kayanan is it?  I've looked at the cards but couldn't figure out which one is yours.

It's an action shot...

(photo moved to the other thread per request)

OK!!  Just decided!! Need to get some Kayanan commission sketches!!  :o

DANG! Not like with only 1 case I had a chance of pulling a Kayanan...but one of the four that I fell in love with on the sketch site hit ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lord-of-the-Rings-Evolution-Kayanan-Color-Sketch-Card_W0QQitemZ6258861073QQcategoryZ60246QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I am still rooting for one of the other three to make an appearance in my case, or Cat's color one ring....is just amazing, if there is ONE card in the entire 15,000 sketch run I would want, it would be Cat's color one ring card.

I think the Elrond sketch is by Robert Teranishi (sp?) ;)

Excellent pulls from your case too - well done! ;D

you lucky lucky thing... congrats on your kayannan!!!

You're the second person to think that, so I guess it is!  And I'm pleased with the breakdown - nice variety of characters & artists.  Now to decide what to keep, trade, or sell.  Keeping the Kayanan unless someone has an Aragorn Kayanan to trade :D

I'm pretty sure that's who the artist is - he did a heap of stuff for the Star Wars Heritage set too and his sig was just as unreadable then! ::) :P

Roz you know that I would not have eliminated John Howe - gee his artwork is outstanding and nothing like the type I am critical of.  You also know that I like Mark's work so it is a moot point about that as well.  Just because Topps and the Studio gave the green light to the sketches does not mean that they are all the best thing since sliced toast.  You all are certainly free to like what you want to but my tastes are for the realistic and better drawn artwork.  I just expected a more serious treatment in artwork for the Lord of the Rings and not a free for all of every art type under the sun.  We can all have our opinions right?  Just remember when you all open your boxes and you are not happy with what you pulled for the money you spent. 

Wow, that Legolas card is gorgeous! Very jealous  :P

OK, I'm half  >:() and half  :).  I did get two sketch cards in my box. One of them I'm very fond of, one of them I'm considering ripping it up and sending it back to Topps. I have no idea what it is. Perhaps someone could shed some light on the first card.  I've left the photo large so everyone can see this card in its neverending glory...

(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f273/catcardlady/nonsports%20cards/LOTR/RSCN1566.jpg)


This one, I'm fond of.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f273/catcardlady/nonsports%20cards/LOTR/RSCN1568.jpg)

My guess would just be a really crappy orc with a helmet on
That would definetly make me angry. Send it to the artist and tell him it sucks

I reckon it might be a side on view of three hooded Ringwraiths at Weathertop. The sword shaped thing may be the sword that Frodo is stabbed with. Or maybe I have an overactive imagination :P

Now this is the ultimate card for me (and Jo probably)
(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/staggs/Staggs_Legolas3.jpg)

OH YEAH!!! :o 8)

!!!!!

!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know the above made no sense, but it was all I could do after seeing that! :o ;)

haha this is rediculous....would definately be sending it back to topps with a harsh letter....

I agree with Jo...3 hooded ringwraiths...

I think...  ???

AND Kate....that Legolas is sooo nice...how good would it be to pull that one  :o

Dear people of the world (it sounded good)
I've made a separate Evolution pictures/breakdowns thread. As soon as I get my internet at home running I will merge all other pics that have already been posted into that thread. Right now the computer I am using will heave a CPU attack if I attempt to do anything like that. But if people could put their lovely sketches for us to see there instead of here, it would be much appreciated :) Confine drooling to a specific thread and all that ;)

It would be a dream come true, but I think in two boxes the chances are very very tiny...

love the reaction Jo, that was about mine too

I am waiting for my precious as well ;D

Oh my gosh, Eve!!  That's similar to the one that I saw on ebay and I posted about how crappy it looked!  (see below)  The really sad thing is that there seem to be more than a few of these.  This is the 3rd one I've seen.  >:()  I think it's an orc with a helmet but you have it sideways.
Here's another:
http://cgi.ebay.com/LOTR-Lord-of-Rings-Evolution-Uruk-Hai-Sketch-Gutierrez_W0QQitemZ6258537156QQcategoryZ60246QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
and another:
http://cgi.ebay.com/TOPPS-LOTR-EVOLUTION-URUK-HAI-PAUL-GUTIERREZ-SKETCH_W0QQitemZ6258852156QQcategoryZ60246QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I know I am asking alot but do our YS artists have an opinion of that sketch?  I wouldn't expect you to trash a fellow artist, but shouldn't there be a little more pride in a sketch than that?   I think we all love the majority of both of your sketches and it is pretty obvious you went above and beyond the call of duty for what they compensate you for your fantastic sketches.  Maybe it is just the level of pride you take in your sketches, but why would someone actually put there name on that.     

I really can't even pretend to see what that resembles.  It looks like a Silon (sp?) from the original Battlestar Galactica.  I personally would send it back to the artist and ask them to give it a little better effort.

I would gladly take the orc sketch form Paul.. I really like Paul's work a LOT and he and Tom both nailed that orc as far as likeness goes .. they also both did 1000 cards...now I don't know how many of you have ever done 1000 drawing in 4 weeks.. i barley got my 500 done, in fact I was late.  This whole artist skimped out deal is really not fair and been said to many times.. basically the art does not appeal to you, fine leave it at that and trade the card or sell it for something you really like. And Yes I went OVER and WAY beyond what a lot of others do...not because of pride..but because I don't know when to stop. You should see the stuff i am doing for my sketchbook..not much in there is really a sketch...most tell me they are finshed pieces.  Because speaking from first hand experience.. this is a TON of work for little money and everyone on this set busted their hump to get it done. I think over all... this set is superb!

Fair point Cat, I guess with any set you are gambling - you may get a top notch sketch or a bad one - both very subjective of course. What I consider good, someone else may consider bad and vice versa. If I do get a skecth from an artist who's style I don't like, well I am going to whinge a bit, but I mean no offense to the artist themselves. All of you guys are talented, but with very different styles, and some people will be unlucky to get cards that they are not huge fans of. Out of 15 000 sketches, I am sure I will find tonnes of stuff I like and *dislike* (i.e. not my style) out there

I reckon the first sketch still looks like 3 ringwraiths more than an orc helmet. I guess with Paul's sketch you could say you get 2 for the price of one - Ringwraiths and orc! ;)

I don't think I'd have a problem with theses sketches if they weren't so "blah"! It just a helmet?! Add some color or something! I would love one of these if it was a close up on an Orc that was in the army line from Helms Deep. That would look awesome with some color, even if it was all black.

Cat thanks for your take on my questions.  When we first started seeing the sketches from the set I was very critical of some of the "cartoonish" sketches, but then someone pointed out that everyone has different tastes in sketch cards (many preferring that type of sketch) and it enlightened my point of view.  As I said I think we all realize you guys really don't get the kind of money you deserve for the sketches.  And if I was being asked to do 1,000 phone calls to my account base at work in 4 weeks I do think I would have some "lackluster" calls in the bunch and have to sacrifice some quality for quantity to meet the deadline.

I think the great thing about this set is that you are going to get more than 1 sketch (for the most part) per box and if you get one you don't like you might get one you really wanted. 

I think I can be a little demanding as a collector sometimes, and I am sure that for all of us $40 or so for a box means different things to each one.  For some of us $40 is a lot of money and we sacrifice other things in life for our collecting and others it is just preferred over going out to dinner (I would guess the artists realize that, but just a counterpoint from a collectors perspective).

I know that was a loaded question and I appreciate your response.  I would honestly prefer to pay $50-$60 for a box of cards get one sketch that is very detailed and that you artists get paid a better rate per piece.  That is just me though.   ((By the way I bought more than my fair share of Evolution that is on the way))

Lastly a lot of us have become more familiar with each artists work in general and I don't think any of us would dispute that you all are extremely talented, even if some of the sketches don't always represent that to each of us.

Thanks for being candid and I hope you know that my questions weren't meant to be offensive at all, just my asking some things out loud looking for an artists point of view.  We all have different preferences heck I always liked Dali's art, but I am sure some think it is crap. :-\ ;)

slightly off topic..but ALL 506 cards are now available to view on my website in the sketch card gallery.

Great thanks Cat, I'm off to have a look in a mo.

I think that "3 ringwraith" sketch could be the Uruk Soldier's helmet. they sort of jut out like that!

Sure I wouldn't run around the room screaming if I pulled that, it's not like the artist spent a long time on it - but some people seem to equate "cartoonish" with "no-effort" and that's not true. That Uruk Hai is not what I'd say was cartoonish. There are great cartoons, and there are lesser cartoons. Unless I'm very much mistaken Raphael Kayanan has done some cartoon work (although he now seems to be becoming a concept artist on films lar dee dar ;), and a lot of the other artists are comic artists, or have done comic art too. Of course "graphic novels" and "comics" mean different things to everyone and are often 'photo real' these days... LOL it's so confusing.

I think this is a set where you have to buy a lot to be satisfied with your pulls, and to get a wide variety of art. But how many people here have bought a box of PoAU and got a Lupin jacket? That Uruk Hai is the same thing ::)

The best thing to do if you aren't a LOTR cartoon fan is to sell the cards that you pull and buy other 'photo real' ones. That's what I'd do anyway.

HP, sorry to burst you bubble matey... but i've contacted Kayannan, and he doesn't do commissions!!! Bummer really!!

Thats a Paul Guiterrez, An Uruk Hai Helmet

How wonderful..... imagine getting two of these beauties.  :-X

I absolutely agree that cartoons are not easy to draw.  Everyone should sit down and try to draw one.  Do it!  Right now!  :rofl:  So if you don't like them, then sure, you take a chance when you buy a box. 
However, maybe asking an artist to do 1000 sketches in 4 weeks is just too much.  If Guiterrez only had to do 500, then he would have had time to put in a little more detail.  Or perhaps he would have been able to choose more difficult subject matter.  I don't know much about Guiterrez work, but I can see by the way he draws his lines in Eve's sketch that the potential for really nice cards is there. 
I just don't think it's fair for Topps to want some artists to "churn them out" at the expense of the collector.

That same card...colored. If you want send him an email see if he is coloring his...could be a sweet deal.

(http://i15.ebayimg.com/04/i/06/68/33/91_1_b.JPG)

Update:
Well, I just checked out Guiterrez on the LOTR sketch site and he does amazing stuff!  Like I said, maybe 1000 sketches are just too many to keep the quality throughout.  The colored sketch looks tons better BTW.  8)

Per your request my photos have been moved to the new thread...

WOW  Can you believe how much some of these sketches are selling for that great Cat Staggs Aragorn sketch just sold on ebay for £455 ($795.93)

what a great card but wow what a price

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LOTR-EVOLUTION-SKETCH-CARD-BY-STAGGS-STUNNING-SKETCH_W0QQitemZ6258275417QQcategoryZ60798QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

oh yes and is it me or has Martinez started signing his sketches in pen I think he has caught on that his sketches are for rubbing out and is trying to stop it has this artist no shame, All it would take is good sketches and no one would do it

although they were handy for fun and commisions like my yak wars sketch thanks randy!!!!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v424/chrischidgey/stickley.jpg)

by our very own mak the yak

Congratulations Cat on the selling price of your beautiful Aragorn piece!   :)    I wish you had received the money instead of a Dealer though.   :P 

I totally agree!  >:() That's a GORGEOUS sketch and YOU, Cat, deserve the money!! I don't quite get that!!  ???

well thanks folks..i agree..it would have been nice.... you guys just save your pennies and bid on my personal auctions next week and we can solve that problem ;)

so the question I have to ask which sketch card is the worst this time for me to Rub out for Mark to do me a sketch on ;)

i think if i could have another custom Yak sketch I would have to have a

Sauron the Yak

First of my personal auctions is up and ready for bidding...good luck to those who go for it! Hopefully you won't have to bid as much as this guy> :ebay:

Artist Auction (http://cgi.ebay.com/Lord-of-the-Rings-Evolution-Sketch-Card-by-Cat-Staggs_W0QQitemZ6259471033QQcategoryZ60246QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

good luck

Hi Cat:

I did not see what auction you were speaking about in your last message as there was no link.

Get this folks - I had an initial bid out for 2 days on an Evolutions black & white sketch card of Aragorn by Norton.  The auction ends this morning and I was in a bidding war for the piece with an Evolutions Artists by the name of Grant Gould!  I lost.  Now we have to outbid other Evolutions Artists on sketch cards - go figure!   ???

Hi, savage727 -- so that was YOU I was bidding against!    ;)  This is Grant -- sorry, man -- I'm a LOTR fanboy & collector just like the rest of you.  And a huge Norton fan.  I had to do it.    ;D

I hope there's no hard feelings!

And by the way, I love this forum -- I've been watching for awhile now -- it's really interesting to hear all of your opinions on the art and such.  I know there's always talk of the more serious art vs. cartoony stuff, and that's cool -- I personally just love that there's so much variety.  There are so many other card companies out there that *only* let the artists do photorealistic stuff, and to me that's boring, because it's like looking at a photograph.  So, yeah, I love the variety of styles Topps brings us!  And I feel lucky to have been part of the set.

Okay, I'll be quiet now -- back to surfin' the net for me.   :ebay:

Hello Grant:

No hard feelings.   I am just dejected as I ordered 3 Hobby Boxes and 1 Retail and when I opened the Hobby ones I only pulled 1 sketch card from them instead of the 2 or 3 people have been finding.  The 3 I pulled were not to my liking at all so when I found one I liked - the Norton Aragorn I thought what the heck go for it. 

It is great you are a LOTR's fan.  How many sketch cards did you draw for the Evolutions set and do you have a favorite character?  It probably is Aragorn like me!!   ;)

Ah, sorry to hear about your pulls -- I can understand being disappointed, especially with only getting one card..

As for your question, my favorite characters are Aragorn and the Witch-King (which, not surprisingly, are the two characters I drew the most sketch cards of.. heh).  I did a total of 200 cards for the set, and then the 6 that Topps sent back to me.  I actually have one of my 6 up on ebay right now as a choose-your-own-character auction, so I'm excited to see who wins and what character they want.
 ;D

Also, I know a lot of the artists on this set personally (Cat, Cynthia, Rafael, Tom, Paul, the list goes on) and I love all their styles, so it's exciting for me to try and collect some of their cards.  Over all, a very cool set for me.

If you wanna see some of the cards that I did, I added a LOTR sketch card gallery to my site: http://GrantGould.com
 :)

Welcome to the Yak Shack, Grant!  I checked out your web page and was surprised to see Jayne Cobb from Firefly on the personal sketch card page.  Love it!  8)  I have been thinking about getting a few commissioned sketches from about 3 or 4 different artists.  Would you suggest waiting until the buzz from LOTR is over?  I was wondering if all you artists will be swamped with requests.

Hi, Kelly!  I can always make time for a personal card commission   ;D  No problem

Well I must say that I am sorry to hear about your bad luck Ed, trust me I don't have the best luck when it comes to HP sets.  I just wanted to say I opened a couple boxes from my local shop to "get by" until my other boxes get here.  I must say in relation to the base cards this is by far..far...far..far the best set I have seen from the LOTR series yet.  The cards are on a really nice stock and the A, B, and Stained glass cards actually are more exciting then I thought they would be.  Overall I must admit I am more impressed with the cards than I thought I would be (and said)  OPEN MOUTH INSERT FOOT sorry Topps you actually did ok by me. 

See pic page for the sketches I got, even ones that I wouldn't have thought I would like seem to look much better in person.  No Cat's or CC's yet though ;)  And welcome Grant nice to see a couple more of the "Fellowship of Artists" popping up on the board.  As you probably read we can be blunt and difficult at times but it is nice to hear the artists opinions and thoughts on the set.

Thanks Dave.  I remember what you posted about your HP pulls.  We can both share our misery together - now if only we had a few pints to help the bitterness go down!!   ;)  I agree with your assessment on the Evolution cards themselves and was happily surprised.

Dave:

I just took a look at your link and I would have been so happy to pull what you did.  I like the Aragorn card especially but they all are acceptable.  What a joke mine are compared to those!   >:()

nice one Cat :) Did you ask for all your Peter Jackson cameo sketches back?

^yes

boy where did everybody go...are you all opening up your packs or boxes or cases?

I think that's it exactly Cat!   :)  I know Mark and Roz got their Evolutions cases in and have been sorting very many cards so we should hear from her probably tomorrow on what she and Mark were able to pull.  Have you been receiving many inquiries for commission work yourself since Evolutions was released and people saw the quality of your work - besides me of course?   :)

Ooh - yes - we're buried under the scanner ATM ... as a tantalising taster look at the Frodo here :

(http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f240/evosketches/CummensFrodo.jpg)

;D

Back soon - I've pre-sold a few base sets so I must sort those too

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM lovely Frodo sketch Roz - definitely a keeper if ever I saw one! ;) ;D ;D ;D

He looks so forlorn that I can't imagine him even bothering to breathe... do you know what I mean... as though he'd think that life itself was so pointless that it's not worth breathing.

I posted my first round of sketches, but I won't get my other boxes likely Tuesday, so nothing from me until then.   Though I am anxious to see everyone elses.

I will hopefully be getting my case on Monday (fingers crossed) but Tuesday at the latest....preying for a Cat, CC, or Kayanan

I am hopeful for fast postage too but I think i maybe waiting a while before i get any at all

 :(

Nothing for me until end of this week, I think :(

I ordered mine Tuesday last week, so hopefully something in the next day or two...

Found these picture from an auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Lord-of-the-Rings-Evolution-Retail-Master-set-w-cos_W0QQitemZ6259846042QQcategoryZ60246QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Heres the pictures, that are easier to see.
FRODO'S TRAVEL CLOAK 1:72
(http://img343.imageshack.us/img343/3824/frodo3jr.jpg)

PIPPIN'S TRAVEL CLOAK 1:106
(http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/8739/pippin3wf.jpg)

MERRY'S TRAVEL CLOAK 1:165
(http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/4115/merry7of.jpg)

GALADRIEL'S GREY HAVENS CLOAK 1:184
(http://img343.imageshack.us/img343/1264/galadriel2af.jpg)

GANDAL'S CLOAK 1:347
(http://img343.imageshack.us/img343/764/gandalfcloak9wg.jpg)

GANDALF'S SHIRT 1:232
(http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/9233/gandalfshirt8mu.jpg)

ARWEN'S NIGHTGOWN 1:232
(http://img343.imageshack.us/img343/8880/arwen9mu.jpg)

I. am. KICKING myself...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6258765012

No matter, when ES puts it up for sale, I can buy it for the $400 it will go for then ;)

Does anyone know if Russ Walks does commissions? I had a look on his site, but I couldn't find anything.

My list of commission wants is growing ::) ;D

And a big g'day to Grant! Nice to 'meet' some more of the Evolution artists :) I am a Legolas fan mainly, but I adore your Aragorn sketches   especially the colour one with him holding the palantir. And I love te pencil ones too. And your colour Galadriel. They are awesome! ;D

For those who have no idea of what I am going on about:
(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/gould/Gould_Aragorn3.jpg)
(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/gould/Gould_Aragorn1.jpg)
(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/gould/Gould_Aragorn4.jpg)
(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/gould/Gould_Galadriel1.jpg)
And I think you've captured Eowyn perfectly here:
(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/gould/Gould_Eowyn2.jpg)

*will now shut up :-X

Grant sure does excellent work both in black & white and color!   :)  I think Jo is going to be speaking with Grant about some work soon.   :)

I wanted to put this out for all of you - Artists and collectors - What do you all think of Topps placing their LOTR's Evolutions Logo where they did on the sketch cards?  I honestly have viewed every sketch card offered to date on ebay and believe you me it can be tiring using dial up connection speeds.  I have seen way too often that the logo obscures important portions of the characters face or a good part of a scene.  Some Artists have done a wonderful job working around this obstacle while others did not.  Was this a problem for you Artists?  Personally I wish that logo was not on the front of the card at all leaving a nice blank canvas for the Artists to create their work.  As Aragorn says "What Say You?"!   :)

That logo was indeed a bit of a challenge to work around. Whoever designed it should have considered how portraits would fit around it, given this was a character set.

CC

You are all making me so jeolious I am still waitingfor my cards and I want them now

Now
NOw
NOW

not that I am addicted to cards but now that i am back I want them Yesterday 6 months without buying any cards almost killed me

but the last 7 days has been worse than that I want my Lord of the rings Fix now ;)

Thanks for posting those pictures Jo.  I think they illustrate perfectly that the 'cartoony' sketches can also be works of art.  I think they are absolutely gorgeous and show how much time, effort and skill the artist has put into each picture.

yeah they are great sketches but i wish you would all stop tormenting me i must be the only person on the forumnot to have these who want them......


If i could have a wish list I would want a
Cummens, Gould, Staggs and Kayanan

so 4 great sketches I would love to pull I have 36 boxes coming so I stand a chance of 1 or 2 from my wish list

of course i am supposed to be running a business (but my collector side has Taken over) I will be keeping quite a few that I pull

I had this one on my watch list out of curiosity.  Look what it sold for!  :o :o
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6258648625&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

This was my favorite Gollum!  Too bad it went too high for me to bid, but I'm sure the winner will be thrilled when they get it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6258462888&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

 :o :o OH MY!!! That's a lot!! Same buyer on both, too!!  :o

That first card is probably the nicest I have seen so far, but then again I say that everytime I see a new one  ;D

I have to agree!! AMAZING!!
I don't know how someone can sell such a beauty after pulling it, even when it did go for that much!! It's a one of a kind!!  :-\
I am getting so tempted to buy!!  >:() >:()

The same Buyer who purchased the two sketch cards in Kelly's post is the same one who bought CC's beautiful Aragorn piece for $795.93 a few days ago.  I have run up against him in bidding wars for Decipher's Lord of the Rings CCG over the last few years when we go head to head over various Foil cards from the sets.  Old daveyjaro seems to have deep pockets indeed as he is also bidding on many color and black & white sketch cards from several Artists to include CC, Cat, Grant, and Kayanan.  Looks like he is picking off many good pieces one at a time.   :P

Thank you CC for your input into the placement by Topps of the Evolutions Logo design.  I had a feeling this sentiment might be expressed.  At least we will not have to deal with that problem on commission work.   :)

The other kayannan (The Argarnoth Gates) sold for $1725.....  :o

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6258647572&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

:o WOW!!  :o

I still think that is unfair to the artists!!  >:()

actually...I think he is fine with that one...He sold it ;)

Brilliant :D Well deserved for a stunning piece, and I am glad that an artist is getting the money for these sketches for once :)

OOOHHH!!  ::) I didn't realize!!  :-[

Well, GOOD!!  8)

Just made my first sketch card purchase  ;D

(http://i13.ebayimg.com/01/i/06/6b/34/67_1.JPG)

Funny...I actually had that one watched and was going to bid on it but I found a Ringwraith card I have to have....so I saved my bidding for it instead

That's a real nice sketch of Arwen Kate. 8)  Are you going to get an Aragorn to keep her company? ;)

I reckon she's going to find a fellow elf *cough Leggy* to keep her company ;)

Nice sketch Kate! :D

Hopefully an Aragorn and a Leggy; but I think Ill wait to see what is (or isnt) in my boxes before I make any more purchases  ;D

I like that card.  Doesn't seem like a bad price for it either.

ferdinand_the_yak -- Thanks for the kind words!   :)  I'm glad people are liking my artwork.  (and hey, I noticed someone put that color Aragorn/palantir one up on ebay)

savage727 -- Yeah, the logo was placed in a very poor location..  Don't get me wrong, I love Topps, they have great card designers and the stock is always quality..  But the LOTR logo placement was very annoying.  It should've been on the bottom, or off to one of the sides..  But I guess in the end it isn't too big of a deal.  Most of the artists found ways to work around it.   ;D

For our artists just curious which sketches you did for the set that you are most proud of.  It goes without saying post the scan if you have one of the card.  Maybe top 5 or 10.

I have another question for our artists - if we see a particular sketch we like, is it OK to ask the artist to do a replica? For example, I would love an exact copy of the Galadriel I mentioned earlier as its exactly what I am looking for, but it may be stuck inside a box for years before it turns up. I'm unlikely to pull it or buy it from Ebay. Would it be acceptable for me to ask the artist (Grant in this case) to draw an exact replica? I'm not sure of the protocol for sketch cards ;)

Personally, I'm cool with that.  I prefer not to try and duplicate one of my drawings exactly, but if someone were to ask me to copy one of my other poses and maybe even improve upon it, I certainly give it my best shot.   If anything, I'm better now at drawing the LOTR characters, so the "replica" would probably look even cooler than the original.  If you're interested in having me do any cards for ya, send me an email -- I'll help ya out for sure.  :)

Hmmm... well, how about I break it up into color and b&w.  These are probably my 3 favorite color ones that I did:

(http://grantgould.com/art/lotre_sketchcards/gould_123006.jpg)  (http://grantgould.com/art/lotre_sketchcards/gould_123020.jpg)  (http://grantgould.com/art/lotre_sketchcards/gould_123016.jpg)

And these are probably my 3 favorite b&w ones that I did:

(http://grantgould.com/art/lotre_sketchcards/gould_111805.jpg)  (http://grantgould.com/art/lotre_sketchcards/gould_111803.jpg)  (http://grantgould.com/art/lotre_sketchcards/gould_120507.jpg)
I'm not sure why I like that Aragorn one so much.. It's one of the more simple Aragorns I drew, but I love how it turned out.  And that last guy is my favorite orc..  the one with the white eye who spots Sam & Frodo in the company of orcs.  I'm secretly hoping to find that one on ebay sometime and buy it back.  hehe

It's hard to pick favorites though..  I was pretty pleased with a lot of my cards.  I really wished I had more time to work on them, because I would've loved to have made them all color, or at least a large percentage of them..  But over all, I'm pretty happy with 'em.  And I hope the fans like 'em too.   :)

That so interesting I loved your Eomer sketch, I think that completely captured my perception of Eomer and your Lurtz color face close up has to be tops along with Kayanans.  I really liked how you both captured the hand print on his face.  Your Oliphant was in my top 3 too, appartantly that one has made its way out of a box. I guess we will have to keep an eye out on  :ebay: for that one or will it stay in the finders collection?

That's great! I didn't mean exact copy as in stroke for stroke and colour by colour, but I just like the portrait style that you've take with that card and the colours are very striking as well and go perfectly together. I will see what I pull out of my boxes and decide then :)

I've found a new want.... this one is for you too Ed - hopefully he did two

A Dillon Aragorn
(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/dillon/Dillon_Aragorn21.jpg)

I'm probably going to embarrass myself here, but I have a question.  On some auctions, sellers are listing the level and number of the sketch.  I know that there are six levels, A through F, but how are they coming up with the numbers, like C14?  There aren't 14 artists within the C category.

No, I think the majority of these 'codes' are the seller's own identification codes.

Hi Jo:

Thanks for the post of Dillon's color Aragorn sketch card.  I purchased a Black & White sketch card by Ray Dillon of Aragorn a few days ago.  This is the first one of his works that I have seen in color.  Do you have a link to this one Jo?  I have seen Grant's color work of Aragorn holding the Palanatir out there on ebay.  Man I just cannot believe some of the people offering the really great looking sketch cards for sale - if it was me they would never leave my sight!   :)

Hi Ed, that sketch was from the www.lotrsketchcards.com site. I had a look at the Topps site and was reading some people's posts about the 'Big 3/4/5' which kind of irked me a bit. I mean, who's to say that any other artist who's work may not fetch mega $$$ can't be as good as the 'Big 3'? I had a look at the other artists that sketched for the set and I was scrolling through some of the 'lesser known' artists when I came across that beauty in Dillon's section. Man, that made me stop and drool for a bit ;) I like how he alternates between realistic and cartoon depeictions of characters :)

Hey Cat,
if you do not mind me asking, was your color One Ring sketch one of the ones you requested back from Topps?

I just want to know if it is, if you will be listing it on Ebay like the Jackson cameos...

Thanks!

wow ..go away for a day and there are tons of questions..sorry let me try to answer some of them

OK..My faves would take up four pages But if i had to narrow it down it would include some of these...
(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/staggs/Staggs_Saruman3.jpg)(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/staggs/Staggs_Sauron1.jpg)(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/staggs/Staggs_Rohirrim1.jpg)
(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/staggs/Staggs_MOS1.jpg)(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/staggs/Staggs_Legolas1.jpg)(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/staggs/Staggs_Gollum3.jpg)
(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/staggs/Staggs_Gandalf2.jpg)(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/staggs/Staggs_Gandalf3.jpg)(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/staggs/Staggs_Frodo3.jpg)
(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/staggs/Staggs_Eomer1.jpg)(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/staggs/Staggs_Aragorn2.jpg)(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/staggs/Staggs_OneRing1.jpg)

It would probably be easier for me to pick out my least favorites as i could go on and on and on.. ;)

I don
t mind doing a similar card but I am not big on repeating an image or exact, even though some of the projects i am working on now are calling for that. To me it takes away from it eventually. They lose some of the energy. Like Grant said.. email away.


It was on my list BUT..It did not work out that way..so it is out there *sniff* I actually wanted it back to keep.. it was by far my favorite card I did for this set. I have actually sent out a request to anyone who finds it..please send it home..I will make you a pretty picture  :o=

As for that Big 3 thing that is floating around...while it is flattering it is not something I choose to take part of. I have too much respect for my fellow artists and the hard work everyone did for this set, to exclude them form any credit. I understand they may only be talking from a money stand point for ebay auctions, but it is not for me.

I agree with Cat about that 'big 3' thing. It's not very respectful to the other artists who worked so hard on these cards.

Not at all, and I am actually having trouble who I'd personally 'classify' as the big three... I write a list of my favs and it's FAR more than three ;)

Before I first started looking at the sample sketches I knew only of 3 artists that did photo-realistic sketches, so those were the ONLY three I wanted.  After looking at samples I found more I liked, even those not specificaly photo-realistic.  Then I got my case, started looking at cards on ebay, and now I'm doomed...

I have to have one from everyone.....

Well, my boxes have arrived, and the packaging has a 17cm tear (more like puncture) in it! Dont know whether thats due to USPS or Aus post, but its not very impressive. Luckily the boxes look undamaged. Ill be opening shortly...

:o :o :o :o oooooooooooooooooo I do hope the boxes are all okay Kate! :o=  :-[
Good luck with your pulls and do let us know what you get please!  ;) ;D

Hi there every one I have been blown away with this set and will agree that I really cant agree on a big three statement, I opened 3 cases and found 2 CCcards and 1 of Cats cards which was great but I found some awesome sketches from other artists such as sohn, deliz and wilkinson. I have managed to get hold of another 3 cases mainly because I wanted to keep more sketches for myself even though I have listed on  :ebay: many of my finds. Excellent set best in ages.

The boxes were fine, and all the spare packs were still in the box, so very lucky. Got three sketch cards, descriptions posted in the break down thread, scans to follow.

Yeah and that Ramos is a bit of a dark horse... no one ever mentions him but actually the sketch I pulled of him (Wraith) is one of my very favourites!!

Which Sohn did you get?  Have you posted it?  I'm still waiting for the Eowyn I like to pop up on  :ebay:

Which one is it?

Which Eowyn is it that you like Kelly? I think she only did 7 or so didn't she?

It's the one of Eowyn smiling and looking over her shoulder.  You can see it on the LOTR sketch site.  Let me know if you see it on ebay.  I'm sure I won't have a snowballs chance of getting it, but it would be fun to watch the auction.  :)

Kelly, the sketch is here.  It sold as a BIN on March 3.

http://cgi.ebay.com/LotR-Evolution-Sketch-Sohn-Eowyn_W0QQitemZ6259446738QQcategoryZ60798QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

That was it.  :'(  I'm glad it went for a lot, but I was really hoping to see some bidding.  It's a terrific looking sketch.

Hi, guys!  I hope it's okay that I'm mentioning this here -- I won't post a direct link to the auction.

I'm selling an Aragorn card right now.  It was done on one of the cards I got back from Topps for personal use.  Here's a pic:

(http://grantgould.com/art/blogshots/gould_aragorn_am_auction.jpg)

And I can't remember if I mentioned this, but I'll be at the Midwest Trading Card Show (http://nonsportcardexpo.com/) this weekend, so maybe I'll see some of you there   ;D

Hi Grant

I am sure Roz and Mark will have no objection to you posting link(s) to your Ebay auctions   :)  I am not surprised you took back that Aragorn though - it is gorgeous  ;D

Thanks!   :)   I drew this Aragorn on one of the 6 cards that Topps sent back to me for personal use.  Some of them I'm planning to sell as "choose your own characters" and I may just draw another one on my own, like this one.  I'm still not sure..  I was tempted to keep this one for myself, because I'm a huge Aragorn fan and I was pretty happy with the card..  But alas, I need money to help finance my convention trips this year.  Anyway, here's the link then: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6261302866

Great piece of work Grant.   :)  I especially liked the way you worked the Topps Evolution Logo into Aragorn's head instead of having it stand out like a neon sign!   :P 

Woooooah :S

Awesome card - what a price!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lord-of-the-Rings-Evolution-Sketch-card-Cat-Staggs_W0QQitemZ6261365235QQcategoryZ60798QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

*cries*

I saw that earlier today... it was one of my faves before the set hit - now I KNOW I will never even get a sniff of it :'(

I feel your pain.  I had hoped against hope for these, but I know that even if these surface, I can't compete against the big guns. :-\

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v451/kbmum/Sketches/Kayanan_Aragorn-Arwen1.jpg)  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v451/kbmum/Sketches/Kayanan_25riders.jpg)

OK...pimping myself ala Grant Gould ;)

My Auction (http://cgi.ebay.com/Lord-of-the-Rings-Evolution-Sketch-Card-by-Cat-Staggs_W0QQitemZ6259471033QQcategoryZ60246QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) Ends this afternoon...stalled out where it is for about two days now...(never doing a 7 day auction again)


this  Auction (http://cgi.ebay.com/Lord-of-the-Rings-Evolution-Sketch-card-Cat-Staggs_W0QQitemZ6261365235QQcategoryZ60798QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) ended overnight sometime with a BIN for an EXTREME amount of money...

I am hoping mine will go in a similar fashion(http://www.theyakshack.co.UK/forum/Smileys/classic/praying.Giff)

Cat,

The Links aren't working for me... not sure if its the same case with everyone else.. you might need to re-check the url?!?!

It's working ok for me Rup... perhaps she's updated them ;)

Good luck Cat.

They weren't working for me before, but they are now.

Hi Cat:

Good luck with your auction - you hooked moneybags daveyjaro and Zack into a bidding war!!   :D   Take em' for all you can!!   :)

ROFL...fingers and toes crossed...  :o=  Five hours to go!!!


On a side note...sorry if it is off topic but i don;t know where else to post this on here, but  this is your last week to Prue-order a copy of my First Sketchbook.
All Prue-orders will receive a free sketch in your book. Orders can be placed in my webstore (http://www.airbrushcat.com/store.html)

They are set to debut at Wizard Wold LA March 17-19 2005

Sorry for the small thread hijack.. if i need to move it I will.


Back to work now...have a great one everybody

Yeah Cat - how's about a special topic for this? I'm sure everyone will jump at the chance of this offer - I certainly will - probably to include it in with that colouring I'm talking about... oh dear... will my addiction never end? Hmm probably not!

just let me know what to do.. if i need to move it I will...where do i go?

OK...lets try this one...

Argonath (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6261723402)

and it ends on a very GOOD day!!!

Cat,

why are these beautiful sketches returned ???

(If I missed anything please point me in the right directions :) )

They're returned not because they're defective, but because Topps gave back to each artist a certain number of sketches to do with as they please.

Fine. Big meanie buyer :P I will just have to get this Kayanan version then :P


(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/kayanan/Kayanan_WitchKing4.jpg)

Hello Cat:

Your 2 card color Argonath is simply stunning.  You might want to reconsider ending this auction early and relisting it with a Reserve as it is certainly worth more than the $500 being bid on it now.  Heck you had almost that for your Peter Jackson card and that was a single card compared to this 2 card set.  I know the bidders did not meet your Reserve on your last auction but I think this one is different.  Any way you go I wish you the very best luck.   :)

i can't keep second guessing myself with the reserves at some point it is in the collectors hands.. i just hope all the sentiment towards the money going to the artist follows suit...

Ed's probably right with the reserve price Cat - you don't want to sell yourself short with these cards!! :o
They're lovely and I do hope you get a good end-price for them! 8) ;D

I'm not sure why the Peter Jackson sketch didn't meet the reserve you set on it though I suspect collectors would view it as a novelty sketch card (albeit a stunning full colour one!) rather than a character that contributed to the plot of the film ... if that makes any sense?
I know the films wouldn't have been made if it weren't for Jackson's manic devotion to doing them, but his on-screen parts were only ever cameos as he intended them to be in the best Hitchcock tradition which could explain the bidder's reticence when bidding on your auction?

At the end of the day, we collector's are a fickle bunch and it's down to you to say 'right, I'm only letting this card go for a minimum of ...' and hold out till you get it if you're able. ;)

Alright, if Ms. Cummens reads this, I need her help. I have one of your cards listed up for auction right now, and I have had a few people e-mail me and ask me who the sketch is of...no I am 50/50 between Pippen and Merry but I do not want to stear them wrong so if you could let me know it would be appreciated.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6260753406&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1

I think you'll find it's a sketch of Frodo, Bryan .... but I could be wrong of course! ::)
Over to you Cynthia ....  ;)

Looks like Frodo to me...

I have to agree with the crowd - looks like Mr. Frodo to me as well...

Cat, I'm perfectly happy for your book plug to be here, it's just that with all the Evo chatter it's dissappearing fast... It's hard to know where it should go best... but if you are offering to put a LOTR related sketch in it then why not put it in it's own topic in this forum (the prancing pony) it's not card-only :D

ok..will do and actually there are some LOTR sketches in there ;)

Ooh all the better - thanks Cat :D

Hi all! Cat suggested I post here... My name is Allison Sohn and I'm one of the artists from the LOTR sketch card set. I currently have one of the 6 cards that was returned to me on Ebay; please feel free to take a moment and check it out!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lord-of-the-Rings-Evolution-Sketch-Card-by-ALLISON-SOHN_W0QQitemZ6262123693QQcategoryZ60246QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Allison, glad to have you on the Yak Shack!  Your cards have caused quite a buzz.  Quite a few of them have been discussed on the threads.  8)  Welcome!

My personnal favorite:
http://cgi.ebay.com/LotR-Evolution-Sketch-Sohn-Eowyn_W0QQitemZ6259446738QQcategoryZ60798QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Glad to see you on the board I know alot of us like you LOTR sketches.  And more than a few of us have been outbid on them too  :'(

 :o

Wow... I'm flattered! I had no idea!

Welcome to The Forum Allison!!   :)  Beautiful artwork by anyone's standard!  Are you a Lord of the Rings fan and if so do you have a favorite character you like to create?


I want to here and now take a minute to personally thank Cynthia Cummins, Cat Staggs, Grant Gould, and you Allison Sohn for creating some of the most beautiful and inspiring Lord of the Rings artwork I have seen.   :)

I'm a HUGE LOTR fan; I read the books ( a second edition box set dated 1965 that I still own) over and over as a child and a teenager. I think some of my favorite characters are Eowyn, Galadriel,  and Samwise.  I also feel that Peter Jackosn did as good a job as i coudl have ever wished for, bringing my favorite books to the big screen.....

A very warm welcome to the Forum Allison!! ;D ;D ;D
We've all been enjoying and admiring the cards you've done for this set and thanks to Cat for suggesting to you that join us here! ;) ;D ;D

Ed - I count it as a HUGE privilege to have these outstanding artists among us, as it gives us chance to pass along our comments first-hand and for them to know how we as fans of the LOTR books and films appreciate what they've done! ;D

WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME!!! ;D
It's great to have you join us here on the forum!!
You have absolutely beautiful sketches!! 8)

wow... WOW. I cannot thank you all enough for the warm welcome! Here is a link to some more of my art. When I am not being a Star Wars nerd playing with my FX lightsaber, or a Tolkien fan reading my books and watching the films, swinging my light up FX Sting at the cats, I am a comic book nerd (now I know you are all creating a visual of me, and it's not very flattering...). This website is a free service that hosts comic art collections for both  collectors and creators. Mine is a little of both; the stuff I have collected from other artists, as well as pin-up work of my own. I hope you all enjoy!

http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryDetail.asp?GCat=672

Wow Allison, its fantastic to have you here!!! :D :D :D

I adore your work - I was outbid on your first auction with the sideways format card featuring Legolas and his bow :'( It was my absolute favourite ones of all the cards you did and I was extremely disappointed to miss out :-[

Lovely to have you here with some of our other favourite artists :)

It's perfectly ok to ask for whatever you like:)

I did one of Royd Tolkien as a Ranger that I just loved. My other favorite was Gandalf with the smoke ship. Other favorites....Gollum behind bars and my Balrog!

Wow - I love the idea of Gandy and the smoke ship!

I think these must be the ones you are talking about

(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/cummens/Cummens_GondorianRanger1.jpg)(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/cummens/Cummens_Gandalf4.jpg)

Gandy looks a bit like Aeolus there  :rofl:

Roz, here they are  (ooops...didn't see that you had already found them!):

(http://www.cynthiacummensart.com/CCcards24.jpg)

OH MY GOSH!!!
 :o That is way too cool!! 8)

No no, I much prefer your scans ;)

Stunning.. did you ask for Aeolus Gandalf back or did he go into packs?

This is another of my favourites of yours Cynthia

(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/cummens/Cummens_WitchKing1.jpg)

Gandalf went back into packs. I still my 6 cards which I'll be posting on ebay soon.

Thank you!  I'm really glad so many of our cards have been met with warm response..  This was really an amazing set to work on.  :D

You are most welcome Grant.   :)   It is so cool to just see sketch cards like the two just posted by Roz & CC!   :)   I have noticed it is starting to slow down for new sketch cards on ebay.  We are seeing the cards that did not sell being relisted and in most cases reduced.  With 15,000 sketch cards out there we have seen only the tip of the ice berg!  Who has all the rest?   ;)

Could it be that **gasp** people are keeping their sketches?  The horror of it all...

Cindy:

Stop it - you just made me laugh so hard I fell off my chair and you know what is wrong with my leg - do you want me to hurt my one good one left?   :rofl:

"The Horror"! 

Hey, I'm on a roll.  Don't make me stop now! :D  You have to be careful with your legs, Ed.  It would be a travesty if you couldn't walk to the mailbox to get your sketches. ;)

Cindy:

The Marine Corps taught me how to crawl really well - nothing would stop me from reaching my esteemed mail box in any weather conditon I might add especially where sketch cards are concerned!!   :)

 ::) :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

My Favorite Eomer just popped up...

Eomer (http://cgi.ebay.com/LORD-OF-THE-RINGS-EVOLUTION-CAT-STAGGS-SKETCH-CARD_W0QQitemZ6262861212QQcategoryZ60245QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

whoever wins this..think about COLOR!!! :D

Hi Cat,

Do you have a set price that you ask for to color one of your sketches or does it vary by the individual card? I have to say, I'm torn though whether to have a sketch of yours have color added because your pencils are so beautiful on their own. Simply fantastic work! I'm still astounded that you did 506 sketch cards and they are all so detailed.

Best Wishes,
Paul

Hi again,

Cat, I just realized that this may not be the proper forum to discuss pricing for coloring a sketch card of yours, so you can reach me at:

thepaul@lostmonster.com

Best Wishes,
Paul

Congrats Cat on the sale of your 2 sketch card Argonath!   It was won by one of our Shackers - Reidelmundo (Ray)!!!   :)

Congrats on a gorgeous set at a steal!

What a horrible thought!

Keep wrapped up warm Ed!

And hobble not crawl to the mail box (I have a hole in my front door with a flap where my mail comes directly onto my welcome mat ;D but each to their own. I don't suppose I could have such an epic and triumphant adventure in the attempt to pick up my post as you can  :-\)

Unless, of course, your lounge room was laid out like Wallace and Gromit's, complete with train tracks and a murderous, priceless jewel-thieving Penguin a la 'The Wrong Trousers' :rofl:

Although in your case, it might be cards rather than jewels :rofl:

Little off subject, but here in my city, if you have a mailbox to where the mail person has to take steps (even one step up) to get to it, they will not deliver your mail!!! They demand to have a freestanding mailbox in your yard to be installed at your expense!! >:()

I live in a very rural area of New Hampshire in the mountains and we have roadside mail delivery so my mailbox is mounted on a post in concrete so when the town snowplows the road they will not knock my mailbox out.  You have to think of these things when you live out in the sticks!   :)

 :rofl: :rofl:
I totally understand this!! I live out of town and the mailboxes always get knocked down by the snowplows!! >:() >:()

So what do they do when you have parcels? Come to your door or just leave it by your mail box?

(Jo I love the thought of a train through my living room complete with murderous penguin... but where would I put it all ;)?)

When I have parcels or mail that will not fit in the mailbox, the Postman comes to my door with them.   UPS and FedEx come to the door with parcels.  They all do a great job.   :)

My mailbox, too! :D  The plows are so bad in my town that some people stack several cinderblocks with the openings facing up, then mount the post of the mailbox through the cinderblocks. ::)  Very attractive.  Of course, it just kills me when I see one mounted like that, but the front of the actual mailbox has been smashed beyond recognition by the plow.

Roz, depending on the mail carrier, parcels are either left at the front door, or left either next to the mailbox or in a bag hanging off the flag.  We had one carrier who was really lazy.  He had a package for me (filled with cards I'd bought from Anna :) ), and rather than drive down our long driveway and bring it to the door for my signature, he stayed at the top of the street honking his horn. ::)  I didn't hear it (maybe because I have two screaming kids who turn up the volume on the TV and computer speakers to 10) and he took off!  I had to call the post office and complain so he would deliver it correctly the next day.  You should know, I get really ticked off when something comes between me and my cards. ;)

Not that this has anything to do with Evolution...

well my new pet hate is that Parcel force have started invoicing me for import Duty before they attempt delivery

I received a letter today and had to phone up and pay for it before they will deliver

That means a parcel they had on Wednesday will get to me a day later than it used to "Friday"

and if you want it delivered on a saturday you have to pay £12 extra

Mind you the duty is only £20.97 and then i have to already pay £8 for their fees

so if i wanted it on saturday i would be paying Parcel force £20 above the duty  >:() >:()

Snowplows?  That's nothing!  To get to my mailbox today I had to walk down the driveway in flip flops and shorts.  There was a slight breeze and the sun was so bright and warm that I had to wear my sunglasses. To top it all off a butterfly almost ran right into me!  :rofl: :rofl: (sorry, had to do it!)

Alright Kelly - that did it - I reached my breaking point - I can't take it any longer!!!!  Just to show you I too went out in my shorts, t-shirt, and sandals to my mailbox today except it was 20 degrees with about 30mph winds.  I am in training to increase my pain threshold.   :D  And no there were no damn butterflies either!!   :)

 :rofl: :rofl:

We hearty New Englanders dress like Kelly when it's 55 degrees outside. ;)  We're versatile! :D

well one good thing about the post is that eventually it brings me some great cards.

Tommorrow i will have more cards I just hope it is LOTR Evolution :)

but then again it could be Family Guy

and I am expecting some Stargate 8 too

so it's good all good  ;D

Gee Gimli that stinks with Parcel Force!  I know Mark & Roz had their own go around with them on a few packages I sent to them as presents!   >:()   I do hope you get some great cards to make up for this unpleasantness.   :)

Chris will have to pull another Kayanan to make up for it ;)

Hi everyone,
Just wanted to let you all know I've listed the first of my 6 aftermarker cards on that auction site! It's hand-painted using acrylics, ink and colored pencil. The after market cards are the only ones I did with full color.

http://cgi.ebay.com/LOTR-Evolution-Sketch-Card-by-CUMMENS_W0QQitemZ6263788344QQcategoryZ60246QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem (http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-1738318-5463217?loc=http%3A//cgi.ebay.com/LOTR-Evolution-Sketch-Card-by-CUMMENS_W0QQitemZ6263788344QQcategoryZ60246QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Cynthia
(http://www.cynthiacummensart.com/LOTRAM_WitchKing.jpg)

Bid placed :)

 :o :o :o
WOW CYNTHIA!! 8)
AMAZING!!!

So aren't you doing any colouring in for commissions then Cynthia?

Yes, I am. If you pulled a card, and would like it colored, I can do that. I'm also selling these 6 aftermarkets too. Not all at once though! :)

Question for Cynthia: Are you marking the cards you color after-the-fact in any way?

I'm only asking because I can see a dealer pulling a nice card, getting it colored, then trying to sell it for oodles of money as a 'pack-pulled colored' - colored sketches pulling in considerably more money that b&w ones ...

If someone  commissions me to color a card, and then turns around and sells it as a pack-pulled card, I would request the seller to edit the listing. I've seen it happen to one or two other artists, but very rarely. With the LOTR sketch card site, it's easy to cross-reference cards on Ebay. It might not be a bad idea to make a note on that site that none of my pack-pulled cards are full color (though a handful were shaded using a light blue colored pencil and white, but that's as close to 'color' as you'll see). My aftermarkets are the only full color sketch cards I've done or will do.

I have thought about marking the aftermarket cards with "AM".   Probably a very good suggestion:)
CC

I pulled a Frodo with the blue colored bencil, looks absolutely amazing!!!!

Hi, guys -- Here are a couple of my aftermarket colorings (I've got the Eomer one on eBay right now, and the mumakil was done for somebody).  The image on my aftermarket cards usually goes to the edge of the card, and for the most part all of the "pack pulled" ones by me stay within that little border.  So that's generally how you can tell with mine.   ;)

(http://grantgould.com/art/blogshots/gould_eomer_auction.jpg)   (http://grantgould.com/art/lotre_sketchcards/aftermarkets/gould_lotr_am_mumakil.jpg)

*sigh* I just love the detail on Eomer's armor... and yes, I've bid on it :D

Thanks!  I'm glad ya like it   ;D

Just opened 4 boxes of the 8 box case I got this morning, unfortunately the first box had no sketches at all (second dud I have opened) and overall only had 5 sketches in the 4 boxes.  Although one was a Gollum by Cynthia that looks awesome.  It may be my Gollum keeper.  Well we will see what comes out of the other 4 tonight.  Back to work.

Oh man, that sucks   >:(
That's the first I've heard of anyone opening boxes with no sketches.  I would be pretty ticked..

Got two more boxes in today - three sketches - one Fabbri, very simple soldier, one Jeff Chandler (very nice comic Gandalf - just not my personal taste) and one glorious Orc licking the blood from his sword by Norton - very cool :) I like that one.

All three were new artists for me, so I guess that's good too.

Great pulls!  I love all three of those guys   ;D

Pulled this color Cummens today from a pack.  :o

(http://www.geocities.com/knmldave/cummens.jpg)

I'm gonna have to put it on  :ebay: so I can buy more. I've bought 5 1/2 boxes so far and want more! 2 boxes have had only one sketch though. 

Nice pull!  That's one of the rare Cummens that has some blue in it.  I would keep it if it were me.  What if you bought 2 more boxes with the sale of this card and only pulled a couple of Martinez or Shums sketches?  :-\

That's an unusual Gollum you got yourself there - I agree with Kelly re: keeping it! ;) ;D

~*~

This auction caught my eye as I was trawling through the listings on the hunt for a Merry costume card yesterday evening.  ;)
It finished in the wee hours (for me anyway) ...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2F%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26satitle%3D6261975054%26fvi%3D1&item=6261975054

Anyone recognise the artist ... cos it's a rubbish signature and I have no idea who drew it! ::)
I've looked through the lotrsketch site too but couldn't find anything else like it ... do Cynthia, Cat or Grant recognise the style or know who's work it is perhaps?
I thought it was a really nice sketch of Merry and one I'd not come across before which is why I wanted to know. ;)

Any ideas on the mystery artist please? :D

Its Brian Rood.

Ahhhhh right!! Thanks very much for solving the mystery for me knmdave ... I wouldn't have guessed it was Brian Rood in a month of Sundays! ;) ;D

Ahh Jules, that crazy ye olde identification thing "the signature".

Roll on "chip and pin" sketch cards :rofl:

 :o :o .... the mind boggles ....  :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Mind you, that sig was a particularly bad one compared to most he's done!  ::) :P

Any thoughts on this card?
(http://i8.ebayimg.com/02/i/06/8f/55/e7_1.JPG)

Keep or sell? Im undecided...

Do you like it?  If not, you should sell it.  Aragorn sketches do really well on eBay.

Lots of people I've come across seem to be exclusively collecting Aragorn sketches :)

I would keep the card if you are interested in Aragorn, if you are not then I would sell it.  I have one by the same artist I won on ebay but it is a close up face shot. 

And yes I am one of those people exclusively collecting Aragorn sketches.   :)

Personally, I like it - I'd keep it. Course, I'm also trying to accumulate as many nice McCrea sketches as I can - they seem to be reasonably priced (ie, in my budget) and of nice quality.  While I'm not forcing myself to stick to one artist or one character, I do keep getting drawn back to the McCreas :)

It's a nice McCrea - I know I'd like to have it in my collection...

That's a good McCrea sketch Kate - I'd keep it! ;) ;D
If you do decide to sell it I'm sure there will be a few of us on here who will be squabbling to get it! ::) :D

Ok Ill keep it. I won the auction yesterday, but when I showed my mum she announced that she didnt like it, which made me doubt it a bit. She thinks it doesnt look like Aragorn; I was trying to explain that its art, not a photo. Ill wait and see what its like in person, but I think its a keeper.

It looks interesting... I think it looks like someone I used to work with, but with more hair ;)

I say keep it :)

I think it looks good.  Keep it.  ;)

ok, im convinced  ;D

I just had an idea.  What if you picked 4 of your favorite artists and had them do a commission of the same pose of your favorite character?  You could frame them as sort of a study in styles.  I think it would be kind of neat.

I have a question for our artists. 

IF you were supposed to do 500 sketches (for example) for the set did they just send you 500 cards?  Did they give you any extra ones to allow for mistakes?  I pulled a card or two that looked like there was a small mistake and wasn't corrected or obvious that an attempt was made to cover it up.  I am assuming they only sent you the alloted sketch cards they wanted you to do.  Is that correct.  I am sure they wouldn't want the "mistake" cards to end up on ebay as an official sketch.

Please fill us in when you get a chance.

I personally did not receive any extra cards for mistakes -- They only sent me 206 total.  200 for pack insertion, and then the 6 cards to send back to me for personal use.

That's a bit mean.  They could have given you some extras and if you did make a mistake you could have torn it in half and returned if with the perfect cards so they could keep a close tab on all cards.

I thought you were going to give a snobby answer like "true artists don't make mistakes" :rofl:

well I wasn't going to say anything  because I did not want to hurt Grants feeling ;D

I have a print of a Renoir with interesting "mistakes" on... but then again I suppose he's not a true artist :rofl:

To our Artist friends:

Have any of you received any feedback from Topps about your work since Evolutions was released?  Topps has to be pleased with the success of this set!   :)

Topps is also very pleased:)

From what I've heard from Topps and those that talk to Topps, they're REALLY happy with the over all quality and success of the Evolutions set and sketch cards   ;D

They should be very happy, the sketches are great, the base and chase cards were well designed. 

My concern is based on Topps history with sets if they do another LOTR set or the next one in this general design I worry that they will overproduce it.  If I understand this correctly Topps sets tend to be produced based on how many preorders they have.  I think we were lucky to get 13+ sketches a case on average because of so few preorders. 

Look at what happened with all the recent Star Wars sets Heritage, ROTS, and ROTS widevision.  I bought 4 boxes of Widevision as I was told it should be 1 auto per box as that has always been the way it was for previous widevision.  Well four boxes no auto's at all.  I stay away from all Topps products after being somewhat burned with ROTK, Heritage, ROTS, and WROTS. 

If the product comes out and insert levels are good I will order from there.  Look at LOTR Trilogy Chrome that is a fantastic set packed with inserts (approx 3 a box), but people didn't want anything to do with it after ROTK and ROTK Update were pretty bad.

The hobby boxes sold out in a week.. so i got the impression that they are VERY happy ;D

Well I am happy to hear that Topps is pleased but I think the success of the Evolutions set is due to the quality work by Artists like you four who we have been talking to - CC, Cat, Grant, and Allison.  All four of your works are sought out by ebayers due to the wonderful artwork you presented.  There are other Artists to be commended as well but you 4 have put out consistent quality work that is very appealing to so many of us!   :)  Thank you for your efforts.   :)

Savage, I think you said it best for the whole bunch of us.  The artists who put all the effort in deserve heaps of credit and I hope it pays back on the commission sketch card side of things.  We all know that you don't get paid what you deserve for putting all the time in, but you do it for the pride of your work and collectors (of course you might have other reasons too).  You should know it does not go unappreciated by us.  I was one of the strongest critics of this set and am glad I am typing and not speaking because my foot has been in my mouth since I saw these cards.  I even like alot of the one I didn't think I would at all seeing initial sketches on LOTRsketch site.  I am even going to keep my Legolas Norton which I never thought I would like to keep a Norton sketch.  Justice isn't done for these sketches unless you see them in person.

It means a lot to hear how much our work is appreciated. While I wish I could've painted every card like this latest aftermarket, my schedule just wouldn't allow. This will be available shortly on Ebay. I'll post a link.  I hope it finds a good home:)

Thanks for all the kind words everyone!

(http://www.cynthiacummensart.com/images/Topps_LOTR/LOTR_AM_Cummens2.jpg)

CC

Wow!  :o  I'll be looking for your link.

Just wondering, do you enjoy doing work this small or do you prefer to do larger pieces?  Which do you think is harder to do?

I would have thought working on a small scale would be harder, but I suppose it all depends on what people are used to working with - large canvasses or comic strips ...

Just my ten penn'orth! ;)

I found working tiny difficult..... I went to school for art (amoung other things), and one of the first things they taught us all was to break the habit of working little...*sigh*  :-\

Yes, the did the same at the place I went to ... something about 'broadening your horizons' was what I was told! ::)
For all that you found it awkward, you still produced some of the nicest sketches in the set Allison which is a credit to your artistic skills (and patience)! ;) ;D :-*

OK..folks I have rolled the dice and listed the last of my six

(http://www.airbrushcat.com/ebayimages/sarumon.jpg)

Sarumon (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6268040555&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1)

That is absolutely amazing :o :-*  I am not surprised Christopher approved this card, I expect he would have quite liked to have kept it for himself  ;)

Awwwwwwww WOW!! .... that's a beauty!! ;D ;D ;D
Fingers firmly crossed you get some mega $$$ for it! ;D ;D

This lil ditty has about a day left:

(http://www.tomhodges.com/art_posting/OrcCard.jpg)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6267912582&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1

Cat - Congratulations with your Saruman auction ... a b-i-n of $999 - SOLD!!! :o :o :o
Wooo Hoooo!! WTG girl!  ;D ;D ;D

How awesome is this Kayanan???

(http://i24.ebayimg.com/02/i/06/ba/73/49_1_b.JPG)

http://cgi.ebay.com/LOTR-EVOLUTION-SKETCH-CARD-BY-KAYANAN_W0QQitemZ6268264451QQcategoryZ60798QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I would also like to add my congrats to you Cat on the sale of your beautiful Saruman sketch card.  I am especially glad to see an Artist get this kind of money instead of a Dealer/Seller.     :)

( CC, I hope you can stand some more kind words.. ;) )

My sweetheart picked out a box of Evolution for me at the Philly show this weekend(I usually strike out when I pick my own boxes). Anyway, the last sketch I pulled was a masterpiece of Galadriel(The character I most wanted!) drawn by Cynthia Cummens. The detail is astonishing. I hope to post a photo in the next couple of days. Still in the clouds after getting this card!!!

Thanks Eve, I'm glad it made its way to you!
CC

Just when you think you've seen all the super cards there are in this set, another one emerges!!! ::) :rofl:
I've said it before and I'll say it again - thanks VERY much to Cyntha, Cat, Tom, Grant and any other artist lurkers for the outstanding work you've done for this set and in turn for us - the collectors!  :-* ;D ;D

Here's a card I inked and colored and added some background to...

(http://www.tomhodges.com/art_posting/UraiKi.jpg)

Nice work Tom!!   :)

Well, I've taken a chance and sent this back to Topps.  I told them that art is subjective, and I don't expect a masterpiece, but I really felt that this card was lacking. Yes, I realize it's a 'sketch', but I should at least be able to identify the picture. 

Eve:

You have joined the very exclusive Uruk Helmet Club along with just about everyone else here on The Shack and an untold number of other lucky individuals worldwide!!   :)  The Artist is Paul Gutierrez and he did 1006 sketch cards - maybe he made 1000 of these babies and has 6 others returned to him from Topps for his own use!   ;)

I just cannot wait to hear the response back from Topps for returning this sketch card Eve!!   :P

My first Evo sketch cards (OK, I am a bit slow :P)

(http://i4.ebayimg.com/04/i/06/c4/9f/2a_12.JPG)

That's a nice set!  Even the Shum has more detail than his typical sketches. :)

Here's my latest aftermarket. It's now listed on Ebay :)

CC

(http://www.cynthiacummensart.com/CC_AM_OneRing.jpg)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6271422162

OK..here is my first AM coloring job...I pulled this card myself...lol


(http://i21.ebayimg.com/02/i/06/d4/a8/79_1.JPG)

auction (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6271898119)

Happy bidding...  ;)

Cat, that's breathtaking....

I've just tried clicking on the link you posted Cat and got an 'invalid item'! :-[

You've done a super job on it too - I LOVE it!! :-* ;D

it doesn't start until this evening at 7pm PDT

LOL sorry!! *looks embarrassed* .... keep forgetting the time difference between us! ::) ;)

off and running


(http://i21.ebayimg.com/02/i/06/d4/a8/79_1.JPG)

auction (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6271898119)

Well Cat I bid it up to what is probably my limit, but I figured I could drive it up :P

Its definetly a great looking card!!!  As are all of Cats.  I am torn as to which one that I would want to have colored, I think they would all look great with a splash of color.

That's a beautiful card, Cat.  Your work always has such emotion in it.  :)

I just checked Cynthia's color one ring auction and at the moment it's at a bargain price.  It won't stay that way.  All you ebay snipers, start watching it.  :ebay:

Here's some of my recent pulls.
(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j209/tom-bombadil/zapata_arwen.jpg)
(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j209/tom-bombadil/hodges_aragorn.jpg)
(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j209/tom-bombadil/parsons_balrog.jpg)
(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j209/tom-bombadil/dillon_aragorn.jpg)
(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j209/tom-bombadil/mandrake_aragorn.jpg)
(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j209/tom-bombadil/molinelli_orc.jpg)
(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j209/tom-bombadil/deliz_proudfoot.jpg)
(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j209/tom-bombadil/busch_troll.jpg)
(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j209/tom-bombadil/lilly_witchking.jpg)
(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j209/tom-bombadil/staggs_eomer2.jpg)
Unfortunately, I can't keep all of my LOTR sketches so these are up that site. I'll post my collection soon.

Nice cards, Tom.  I like the Ray Dillon-Aragorn the best.  Very interesting.   :)
Here is my completed Gollum collection.  9 cards, just enough for a pocket page.  They aren't the most expensive or sought after of the set, but I think with them all together like this, it makes for a pretty interesting Gollum study.  8)
(http://members.sparedollar.com/gojags/gollumstudy.jpg)

Very nice Kelly.  It just goes to show that you do not have to be a big spender to enjoy these sketch cards!   :)

Hey Kelly...GREAT GOLLUM group...you've got the idea...get what you can afford and follow your bliss!  :o ::) ;D

 ;D ;D
BTW, I like your Picasso quote.

 I really don't know what I expected, but there's no way around it that this sketch(and others like it STINK!!!) I wrote to Topps that I didn't think this was up to their usual standards and I'd like a replacement(I know). Keep in mind, I didn't expect a Kayanan, but I told them when one pays $50.00 for a box of cards that one at least expects to receive a card that can be identified.  Topps responded(and I'm paraphrasing here):

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN OUR PRODUCTS. WE ARE SORRY, BUT WE DO NOT SELL OR TRADE SPECIFIC CARDS OR SUBETS TO COLLECTORS

Topps went on to suggest that I CONSULT MY LOCAL CLASSIFIED ADS OR TELEPHONE DIRECTORY for dealers.
They even went so far as to inform me that I might be able to find OFFICIAL FACTORY SETS AT JC PENNEY OR SEARS.!!!!

All I can say about that is it really makes you appreciate INKWORKS and RITTENHOUSE, whom I know actually READ what you write to them.

It was a shot in the dark, I know. I don't like to be critical of art or sketch cards, because I can't even put two lines together, but everyone I showed this card to was in awe, and not in a good way.

Anyway, my next question is, what on earth do I do with this card? I'm open to suggestions.

ask Paul for a color job... they card is exactly what we are expected to do.. he did 1006 cards...it looks exactly like what is is depicting. And before you say i already spent $50 on it...actually no you didn't because you got a box FULL of cards including stain glass inserts as well as a full base set I would imagine...So you may want to talk to the artist and see about getting that sketch turned into something more to your liking.

Seriously, head over to Paul's site (http://gotgutz.com/) and contact him about getting an aftermarket card.  I can almost guarantee he'll do it for cheap and he'll draw an amazing aftermarket for you.  Trust me, the guy's bigtime talented -- don't let one card make or break your opinion of his stuff.
:)

This isn't going to be popular with the artists here, but...

If a box of base and chase cards was worth anywhere close to $50, there would be no need to add sketch or memorabilia cards to entice collectors to buy the box.  It's the sketches that sell this set.  I can understand the artist's point of view that being paid only $1.50 per sketch can result in minimal sketches.  The collector's point of view is that there has to be some value to the inserts in the box.  I'm not saying that the sketch should be worth $50 or $1,000 on eBay, just that it should show more than one or two minutes of effort.

The artist in question here is a good artist.  I was lucky to pull one of his really nice Gollum sketches.  It's just too bad he didn't put a little more effort into the one that Eve and others received.  After spending $50 for a box, why should a collector have to spend more money to make the sketch worth keeping (as opposed to mailing it back to Topps)?

I see what you're saying..  I'm not suggesting you should have to get an aftermarket to make "it worth your money," so to speak.  I was just throwing an option out there.  :)

It really is all in the eye of the beholder.  If Alan Lee were to do sketch cards and scribble down those exact same lines that Paul did, you'd be framing it on your wall (even if you weren't sure what it was a picture of).  I've seen big name talented artists at comic conventions do quick sketches for people, and they're like 2 or 3 fast lines, and people love 'em.  I'm just pointing out that it isn't always about the number of lines in a sketch.

But this is a debate that could go on and on, and we all love each other, so there's no point in diving too deep.  Bottom line is: one collector's trash is another collector's treasure.
 0:)

Only if it was a two or three line sketch from the Amazing Grant Gould ;) 

Haaahahh   ;D   :P

Hey, speaking of aftermarkets, since I don't get around to posting a lot these days, if you guys are ever interested in seeing my latest stuff, check out my art blog (http://grantgoboom.blogspot.com).  I've got a big ol' pile of aftermarkets I'll be working on over the next couple months, and I'll actually be posting the first couple probably sometime tomorrow, so just a heads-up for anyone who's interested.

That said, I need to sleeeeepp   :'(
(Those are my there's never enough hours in the day tears.)

Perhaps... but there's a difference here, Alan Lee is a perfectionist and wouldn't do a sketch along those lines... it's not his bag ;) If you ask him for a sketch when he's rushing for a train he'll just ask his assistant if there's a later one to catch and sit down and do you a nice sketch ;)

I agree Gutz is definitely a talented artist and I'm looking forward to seeing some more aftermarket stuff, but this isn't his best card :P

Cool site Grant!!   8)    You can see Dave's commission King of the Dead and my 2 commission Aragorn sketch cards when you go to Grant's link!   :)   Hey I forgot to mention that when you scroll down you see that Grant is a LOST fan and drew a couple of Sawyer sketch cards!!   :)   Imagine a LOST card set with sketch cards!!   8)   How cool is the Aragorn & Lurtz and Eowyn & Witch King sketches!   8)

I love the Eowyn/WK and Aragorn/Lurtz ones! :o :o :o

What size paper/card did you use for those Grant?

Wow, you drew Sawyer with his shirt off.  You go Grant!  :rofl:  Just kidding, I really like your LOST sketches.  Sawyer's hot.  Thanks for drawing him with no shirt insted of Hurley.  ;)

Harsh!! I'm a big Hurley fan - so watch it!

I would like to request more sketches of 'no-shirt' Sawyer as well. Variations of 'open shirt' Sawyer and 'chopping wood' Sawyer would be great as well - thanks Grant ;D :rofl:

Erm... digital ;) seems photoshopped to me :P

Geez Grant!!  Look what you started with your shirtless Sawyer!!!   :-X   And the ladies want more!!!   ;)

It doesn't change my opinion of his talent or work, I just think that there wasn't much effort in this card. I actually pulled another one of his cards, which I am fond of and intend to keep.  I'm certainly not knocking his talent, because I am not qualified to do so, my complaint is actually more against TOPPS.  Yes, when you only pay $1.50/per card, you will, unfortunately, get cards like that.  Some artists, like you, Cat, Cynthia, Rafael, RAM and others REALLY went all out and put your heart and soul into these, for which I feel I can speak for the rest of the collecting community in saying we are wholeheartedly grateful. I really don't mean to insult any of the artists, not my intention. Maybe TOPPS shouldn't ask an artist to do 1006 sketch cards in 2 months or whatever time was allotted. I don't know how long everyone had to work on their cards, but if the artist is asked to do bucketloads obviously some will be less detailed than others. These LOTR sketch cards have made "superstars" of some artists in the trading card community.  I'd be willing to bet a lot of artists are very busy doing even MORE commissions now that trading card collectors have had a chance to see some of the brilliant work produced for this set. I know I have a couple of commissions in waiting with some of the artists I mentioned previously. So, by having an artist do so many cards in which they're clearly not able to put forth their best effort due to time constraints, I'm guessing it could negatively affect sketch card commissions in the future for that artist. But getting back to my complaint against TOPPS, I think what irritated me most was their form-letter response and their "suggestion" that I go to JC Penney to buy their factory card sets ::).  That's the best they can do?  Frankly, with the devaluation of the base set, as was said before it is the big-ticket items which sell the product, and paying $50.00 for a box and getting THAT in it is not good business for TOPPS. Seriously, would anyone be happy pulling this card?

Thanks, guys!  Glad you like my art blog (http://grantgoboom.blogspot.com), and..uh..  topless Sawyer.  LOL

The Eowyn/WK and Aragorn/Lurtz ones were drawn on 11x17 (roughly) then I scan 'em in and color them in Photoshop.  Really the sketch cards are the only thing I color by hand (with Prismacolor markers) - anything bigger than that I prefer to color in Photoshop, otherwise it would take way too long and I'd go through way too many markers.
:)

I agree with Eve - It's up to Topps to say "This isn't acceptable" I know RA's done just that - told artists that the quality of work submitted was not up to standards (yes, we have standards, not sure what they are, but we have 'em!)

And that form letter is HYSTERICAL! I want a copy of the real one so I can start sending my collectors to PENNY'S and SEARS *lol* like when on earth was the last time Sear's carried trading cards? 1970something?

I once had a form letter from Upper Deck that quite politely told me they didn't replace damaged base cards one for one (ie, you send in #17, you get #17) that they send out random replacements? Well, duh, if my 17 is damaged, I NEED a 17, not an 83 or whatever they feel like sending out.

Having said that, I do have my own "form" letters that go out - when binders are out of stock, or other common instances, so I understand the need for them, but even I try to tailor the letters to suit the specific complaint.
 
But, I really am going to start suggesting Penny's and Sears *lol*

the thing is that card.. DID meet standards...and believe me they have standards.. there are A LOT of cards for this set that did not make it...that is all i am going to say about it.

back to the Sears , JC Penny stuff...I don;t know about you guys, but when I was a kid.. that Sears Christmas Catalog coming in late October early November ... was the BOMB..We would burn through that thing and make these HUGE lists of toys..LOL...ah...good times.. good times...

I think I would hate to see what didn't make it (besides cards disapproved by actors)

And yes, the Sears catalog was da bomb - WHEN WE WERE KIDS :) It's not nearly as cool these days. And certainly I've not seen Non-Sport trading cards in it since I've been collecting ...

That letter just seems so out of date? Referring someone to their local classified ads? Maybe it's time for an update :) Or maybe someone pulled up an old file, but I still think it's funny. And, I needed to laugh today :)

Objectifying men again eh?  We have feelings :'(.  Grant please do a Sawyer 'turtle neck, long baggy pants, and moon boots' variation for the ladies.

 :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:  Poor Dave.  He's been having a rough time of it lately. ;)

The Sears catalog is about one-eigtht the size it used to be.  Toys R Us is now the better of the two. ::)

Well I am glad they didn't tell me to go to Sears as It would take me at least an 8 hour flight ;)

and going to buy one card it would be a bit expensive to go and find out they don't do trading cards :D

I could say something about objectifying and ladies' feelings too .... ;)
I think Grant needs to do as many variations as he can just to satisfy everyone's wishes - how about having Sawyer as a cross-dresser?! :o

 :P >:D :rofl:

Yep ... Dave is feeling unloved and neglected Cindy ... any suggestions as to what we could do to alleviate this? 0:)

Toys R Us are pants too ... well in the UK they are ...

I think the only thing that will make Dave feel better is some really awesome GOFU pulls! ;)

So so true....

Those are some fabulous sketches, Grant!

... and how his luck has been just lately I reckon that's exactly what he'll do! ;) ;D

Oh my gosh!  This is da bomb!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Lord-of-the-Rings-Evolution-TOM-HODGES-One-Ring-SKETCH_W0QQitemZ6271766762QQcategoryZ60246QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Wow what a great looking One Ring sketch card Tom!   :)    It's mine all mine, my precious!!  Sorry folks - my Gollum side slips out every so often!!   :P

Those catalogs were the best back in the day! My lists from the catalogs were made up almost entirely of Star Wars figures/playsets/vehicles. The Hoth playsets/vehicles were my favorites. Now I want my Wampa back!

:rofl: :rofl:
I remember having a ripped pieces of paper (for a bookmark) at almost every page!!!  :rofl:
I especially LOVED the Tonka Trucks!!  8) They were so cool back then!!! (They were metal instead of plastic  :D)

Eve thanks for the nod I really did try my heart out on every card!  Paul is a fantastic artist and unfortunately I did not draw the cards of his that I liked.  Oh well! 

Keep going back to the great www.lotrsketchcards.com site...there, take your time, sit back, sip a coffee or tea, or guzzle down a Sapporo or Guinness pint...and slowly...go through all of each artist's pages...I know each of us as 'collectors' of these cards always want the 'high end' pull or great ebay acquisition at an affordable price... :o=

...but...there are some beautiful simple line drawings there...and, some outrageously detailed full color masterpieces...and frankly, I love both species...

When you buy Lotto here in New York, or go to a casino, or buy a $100 3 card tin of baseball cards with the hope of pulling a Babe Ruth Yankee Pinstripe jersey...or if you buy a box or case of EVOLUTION Hobby boxes...you take a chance!  And the chance you take is that...with 19,200+ sketch cards out there, you're going to pull one of the 1,006 sketch card artists...there are 9 of them...that's 9,045 sketches of the 19,200+ Evolution total...and with TWO SKETCH CARDS per box (1:14)...you've got a pretty good chance of getting one of those 1,006 card artists in every box!
Some of those cards by these 1,006'ers are rather detailed and colorful, some have a smattering of ink wash, some a white highlight and some are fast, simple and sketchy...and that's the chance you take! 

If every box had a Jeff Chandler, or a Rich Molinelli, or a Cat Staggs, or a Allison Sohn, or Cynthia Cummens, Jake Myler, Michael Duron, or even a Rafael Kayanan...then, with 2 sketch cards in a box, those Hobby boxes would be up on Ebay right now for $500 A BOX or MORE!!!   

My baseball reference earlier relates this way...Topps also put out great Topps Tribute cards in 2001 and on...and still puts out new products each year similarly...as do other card companies...one autograph or game used jersey or bat card in every pack...$40-$50 a pack...in some tins, 3 cards, 1 'high end' card at $150 a tin...and you WANTED to pull the Mickey Mantle, the Joe DiMaggio, the Babe Ruth...but chances were...you pulled a Lenny Dykstra (who?), or a Bucky Dent...interesting ballplayers...but cards NOT WORTH $40-$50-$150...you took a chance...!

That rush of excitement when you peel back that wrapper...and you have the POSSIBILITY of pulling that GREAT, AWESOME and PERFECT card of your LONGING DESIRE...that's what your paying for!
You're in a casino, and you've plunked down $100 on a couple of numbers straight up at the Roulette Table...chances are, they're going to swoop up your chips and you're walking away WITH NOTHING!
With these Evolution Sketch cards, even though you may DISLIKE, or HATE or be really PISSED OFF you didn't pull the $$$$$$ sketch card, simple or detailed...you have an original drawing by an artist  or two.  You took a chance! 

After market coloring is just 'out there' for YOU TO DECIDE whether you want to 'hold 'em'...or up the ante.  You took a chance...if your card fell short of your expectations...then here's an opportunity for you to add a little color, or go pig-wild crazy and get a full color makeover...OR NOT...what is art worth to you?   You can't critique an artist for taking on a 1,000 card commission and not making them all little masterpieces...those simple line drawings...look simple...but they're really quite elegant and interesting even if it seems there are 50 or a hundred of the same image out there...they all have a quirky little difference and character that makes them unique!

I've opened about 20 boxes...and have pulled my share of 'disappointments'...for me it's pulling one of the 1,000'ers and their image is the same character...say, 2 Shums of Arwen...or 2 Woodside's of a open mouthed Orc...I took a chance...>:()

If you don't want to take a chance, if you don't want the POSSIBILITY of the THRILL of opening a pack and peeling back those cards, DELIRIUM or DISAPPOINTMENT...then DON'T TAKE A CHANCE...go right to Ebay and buy exactly what you're looking for!  Pay what you're willing to spend or pay what someone is asking for on a Buy It Now auction... :ebay:


But please...don't blame the artists...they're the people that made this EVOLUTION SKETCH CARD MANIA soooooooooooooooooooo....mad dog frantic hyper on-edge crazy delirious chatter-box endless discussion look-what-i-got gotta-get-more wow look see i-want-that gimme more that-lucky-sh_t-pulls-all-the-best-cards and i-never-get-THE BIG ONE gotta-bid-on-that just-one-more-i-swear....................GREAT! ;D :o ::) :'( :o=

Have much coffee this morning, did you?  ;)

Man OCD.. we should have you on the payroll...LOL

WELL SAID!

I respectfully disagree.  NO ONE said they'd only be happy if they pulled a sketch from one of a handful of artists.  NO ONE said that the sketch had to be worth the price of a box.  The complaint is that after spending $40 to $70 for a box, it isn't fair to the collector to pull a one-minute sketch.  The blame for that lies with both Topps and the handful of artists who drew those sketches.

OCDLOTR, That was well said. Some of us (who, ME?  ;D) may be a little spoiled.

I was lucky to pull 5 Johnny Depp autograph cards  0:) 0:) and 3 Birthday Paper Prop cards  0:) from the Charlie and the Chocolate factory set. Needless to say I didn't, nor did anyone I know personally, pull one of the 18  Golden Ticket Props. I did buy two of them on ebay.
On the other hand I didn't pull a single Rupert Grint (Ron) autograph from 200 boxes of Goblet of Fire. I mentioned here it to illustrate how tuff the card was to find and to my distributor when I asked him to sell me one. He took it on himself to contact Artbox and they sent me a complimentary Rupert and a Gary Oldman autograph. It was darn nice of them. I never expected it nor did I ask for it. I guess that is what makes the difference.
As you say with sketches they are a completely different kind of card. And since the odds are easy to find and mostly well known; collectors might consider that when they buy. I have not bought a single unopened box of LOTR EVO cards. I did buy one lot of 15 sketches on ebay. They look better in hand than they do on the screen, that's for sure.

And I for one would be happy to have a one minute sketch by Picasso on a napkin.

Its all in the eye of the beholder, and mostly in the name, if Kayanan would have thrown a few sketches in that were of 1 minute quick sketch drawing, I would argue that they would still bring over $50.  Or if Alan Lee would have wipped out 1000 similar quality drawings, people would have been lined up to get them, even if they didin't look any differently than some of the mentioned "one-minute sketches".  Don't get me wrong I get a lot more excited when I pull back the cards slowly and catche Kayanan's sig on the side, or Cat's sig on the bottom, or Cummens, or Walks, etc.  To be honest, when I first started collecting this set there were only a handful of artists that I really liked, and now I am up to really liking about 47 :)  And I would rather pay the price we are paying for boxes right now, and spend the money and have a few of the sketches that were quickly done sent off and give my money straight to the artist to spend more time on them.

On a side note, I think it would be cool if topps paid each artist more for a few redemption card sketches (say 10 per artist that they pay a premium for, say $25 instead of $1.5) and the individuals can send these redemption cards straight to the artist to get a custom sketch card done ,now that would be cool.  Imagine pulling a redemption card for Kayanan, Cummens, Staggs, or any of the rest of the 47 amazing artists for this set.  Anyways, just my thoughts.

I respectfully disagree too...You state  "NO ONE said that the sketch had to be worth the price of a box."...
In your very next line you write..."The complaint is that after spending $40 to $70 for a box, it isn't fair to the collector to pull a one-minute sketch."...
So, in fact...you are saying EXACTLY THAT...1...you don't expect a card to be worth $40-$70...and then...2...You don't want a one minute sketch!...

...well, what is it you WANT...a 2 minute sketch, a 5 minute sketch...does someone else want a 10 minute sketch, or someone else any card with RED, or Frodo...or...whatever!...Art is such a personal thing for the artist...and obviously, also such a personal thing for those who want to collect it...

...just before this thread...LikORish-Spider wrote..."And I for one would be happy to have a one minute sketch by Picasso on a napkin."  This is brilliant!   Why?  Because most people HATE Picasso, they think his work is child-like, cartoonish...too many different styles...a womanizer...you name it...but because of his $$$ FAME, everyone wants anything by Picasso, myself included (except for the lithos out now from the 'estate' of Picasso stamped for authenticity)...

Look, there are cards I have been disappointed with...not on Ebay but from Hobby box pulls...cards that are worth under $5 on Ebay...maybe less...or nothing...BUT...ART IS WORTH NOTHING!!!...AND...EVERYTHING!!!  To my mother Damien Hirst and his Shark Contemplating Existence/Death, or his Spin Paintings, or his Pills or his photo-realistic pieces..to a 77 year old Italian grandmother that refuses to believe Michelangelo may have been bisexual, Hirst's work, or Schnabel's , even Warhol's and most contemporary art is pure bullsh_t...AND... I would say that probably 80% or more of the world's population too busy with trying to survive...think the same way!

Richard Serra (contemporary sculptor) doesn't believe architecture is art...why?...if you have to plan where a bathroom goes, or stairs, then the 'creation' becomes FUNCTIONAL...to him, ART SERVES NO FUNCTION OTHER THAN IT'S EXPERIENCE!!!   I would guess most architects would disagree...I disagree...get it...we all have different ideas of what GOOD...or GREAT...or for that matter what BAD ART is!

The Gurierrez sketch that started this whole thing...I LOVE IT...simple, minimal and comes in various different levels of existence...simple line, pencil shades and ink wash or marker heavy definition...get 'em all and have the entire collection!   Think positive!

So, do you want to trade?

To add my two penneth.  When sketches from this set first appeared there was a lot of misunderstandings about what people were unhappy with.  It was felt that some people were complaining about the sketches because they were 'cartoonish' but in fact what collectors were unhappy about was the effort that went into some of the sketches, not the style.

I had a very specific idea in my mind as to what style of sketch I liked which has now been broadened by this set - I actually like some of the Orc helmets.  The ones I don't like are the sketch cards that are so obviously just three or four lines that are completely unidentifiable.  A lot has been made over how much the artists were paid per sketch but surely they knew this before they took the commission?  They could have told Topps that was not enough to produce a decent sketch and turned down the job.  Likewise the time scales have been mentioned.  If an artist thought they could not produce 1000 sketches in the time limit why didn't they agree to do, say, 500.  

I am a paper pusher by profession.  My job is not creative, well paid or essential to the running of the world.  But no matter how disheartened I am by this job I am satisfied in the knowledge that I am doing the best I can.  Which brings me on to one post I read on another forum by one of the LOTR artists.  The general gist was that he had screwed himself on another set by doing colour sketches and that on the LOTR set he was looking very much to the after market.  Now that is fine if it were just for colouring but he actually stated, on an open forum that at least some of his cards were drawn very lightly so they could be erasable.  Now what if I pulled one of those cards and couldn't afford to pay for it to be re-drawn?  Is that just my bad luck?  No I don't think it is.

My point here is that whilst there are lots of styles of sketch, some realistic, some cartoonish, some pencil, some colour, I, as the buyer, should be able to expect that they are the best an artist can produce given the various constraints.  I don't want to read that that my four line sketch was done like that so the artist can make money after the event.  I have already paid for the card by buying the box and if I choose to ask the artist to do after market work on it, it is to improve the card, not bring it up to an acceptable standard.  And yes I know what is acceptable in art is a loaded question.  My answer is a card the artist is happy to put their name to, not one they are looking to erase as soon as possible.

This is the first time I have made a long comment about the sketches and I do want to say that the majority of artist (not just the ones posting on the Shack) produced cards they can be proud of.  As I said the different types and styles are amazing.  I just don't like to think I am having the mick taken out of me, which I do with some of these cards.

:rofl: :rofl:

I stand by my statements.  The sketch doesn't have to be worth what I paid for the box, but I damned well don't want to pull crap, either.  Most of the sketches for this set show that the artist put some effort into his or her work.  It just isn't fair to a collector to pull one that required little thought and even less effort.

Sharon, you make some excellent points.  I was also upset by those same comments on another forum.  I had been looking at buying a card by one of the artists in question just so I could have him do some work on the sketch.  After reading his comments, I decided that I would never him give my money, because that would only encourage him to treat future sets in the same manner.  Maybe one little commission won't make any difference to him, but I'm careful where I spend my trading card dollars and I'd rather give that money to another artist who cares a bit more that people are happy to pull her or his sketch from a box.

my comment on this matter is that Art is subjective

and people have the right to analyse Art within their own opinion

I have studied art history and I have to say Picasso was a genious, in my opinion, but others think his work is rubbish each stand point is valid

i understand that the Artists involed will defend their art (as they should)

But one persons Art is another persons rubbish, the percieved value of a sketch is what you beleive it is worth and if you beleive it worthless or priceless that is and will always be down to the individual

Let's keep some perspective on this, shall we?  If I had $500 to plunk down on my favorite sketch card I certainly would.  But the reason these cards are selling for so much is because they are part of a limited collectors set, not because they should be hanging in the Louvre.  Why else would someone pay hundreds of dollars for a sketch on an official card that they could get on a plain commission card for about $50-60?

Maybe you didn't read what I wrote...I have that card already, bought it on Ebay for $6 and another with a much darker background for $22...both great prices for interesting takes on this whole wide array of LOTR imagery...sorry you don't feel the same way.  The people that pulled those cards didn't want to keep them either and put them up for auction.  That's what you should do if you don't want to keep the card.  If I didn't have the card you were so upset about, I'd trade for a card of similar value...to me.  Sorry you're bitter about your experience. 
You bought a Hobby box and you pulled a card worth $5...that's that...like picking the wrong horse in the Derby. buying a losing Lottery ticket...what you fail to see is the element of chance. You took a chance, and in your eyes...lost.  In my eyes, you pulled a card worth $5-7...with another box maybe you pull a $500 Staggs, or a $2,000 Kayanan, or a box with NO SKETCH CARDS AT ALL! (Which you'll probably quote as being as good as the Gutierrez card you pulled with the laughing emoticon...wow...LOL).
Why don't you email the artist directly with your 'concerns'...they all have websites and email addresses.
I'm only stating the obvious...these are trading cards...the inserts YOU MAY GET are of varying VALUE...you take a chance at pulling an insert worth LESS, FAR LESS, MORE, and FAR MORE...than the AVERAGE insert...a chance.  
Why have the RETAIL boxes LOWERED in price since the start of  all this.  
Simple, because there are thousands of Frodo's, and Merry's and Pippin's out there worth the same $5-7.  But in Retail there's only 7 variations of 'high end' inserts to be had.

With the Hobby boxes...not only are there 47 varieties, but each variety has between 80 and 500 variations...some very rare, some rare, some common, some multiples of common...the Gutierrez is a multiple of a common...

If your card means nothing to you... sell it, trade it, give it away, mail it back to Topps, color it yourself...it's your property...

And if you choose NOT to give your $$$ to an artist that would expect AFTER MARKET $ and made sketches on cards light enough to erase and then redo...then that's your choice also...may even be your moral obligation...perhaps this ongoing dialogue or your written concerns to Topps may even change their policy or quality control or add a 'blank card' insert  for an artists card like a previous post (GREAT IDEA!) or result in not using that artist for future sketch cards...

All the variation, the dialogue, the commraderie, the bitter angst, the disappointment, the posts and the WOW of every great pull or Ebay buy...even, and especially, the sarcasm... ;)...the artists that respond on this forum, the serious and casual collecter...all of it is...fascinating entertainment...real life chatter...let's turn it up a notch!

ocdlotr you seem totally obsessed with how much a card is worth.  I am a collector and the cards will remain in my collection.  I buy cards to enjoy them, not as an investment.  Whether it is a Staggs or a Booth, the picture is more important than the name.

"ocdlotr you seem totally obsessed with how much a card is worth.  I am a collector and the cards will remain in my collection."

Actually, my sentiments exactly...if you've read anything I've ever written on these boards before under different Topics, you must know that my only interest in these cards is the drawings themselves...as artworks by a variety of artists that have interpreted both Tolkein AND Jackson's interpretation of Tolkein in their own idiosyncratic and stylistically different ways!
I really don't care what a card's actual value is...I'm a collector also and WOULD NEVER SELL ANY LOTR SKETCH CARD I OWN OR MAY HAVE 'AFTER MARKET' COLORED...
my only interest is in the sketches, washes, detailed drawings and miniature paintings that have been, and are, what makes this set so GREAT.

My mention of $ is in response to those who are equating 'simple sketch' bad pulls to the prices of Hobby boxes...and my take is...you take a chance...pure and simple...whether it's a card you LOVE or a card you DISLIKE...money has NOTHING to do with it!

I'm saying, if that simple sketch was done by Klee or Lee or Peter Jackson or Kayanan or Charles Manson...if you like it...GREAT!...if you don't...YOU TOOK A CHANCE...don't critisize the artist!  It's a drawing THEY WERE SATISFIED WITH DOING, it was a drawing TOPPS THOUGHT GOOD ENOUGH TO INCLUDE in this Evolution set, it just happens to be a drawing YOU DO NOT necessarily LOVE or LIKE or may NEVER LOOK AT AGAIN.

Money has NOTHING to do with it, and I relegate ZERO importance to the $$$ value of Sketch card out there...I bid on what I love and would like to include in my collection...period.

Ah, now you've hit on the problem.  It's very, very sad if an artist is satisfied with a few lines on a card, when his or her reputation with the card collecting community is on the line.  Maybe the all-mighty Topps doesn't mind, but other card manufacturers have or are looking into sketches for their sets, and some of those artists might find that they're not being asked to do work for them. 

It's also really infuriating that Topps thought those cards were good enough to be included in the set.  Considering the number of bad sketches that end up on eBay, some of them included in multiple card lots because they won't sell for much if anything on their own, this isn't the opinion of just one or two people.  If I were an artist, I'd be embarrassed to submit some of those sketches.  I certainly wouldn't submit the equivalent in my line of work.

If that's the case, then why won't you trade with Eve? ???

OCD, I can tell you as someone who also collects sports cards that a $150 premium product by a nonsport company would cause a major uproar.  Look at the SW Evolution that Topps is doing people are going nuts because they are putting 1/1 cut signatures in the product.  I don't care because that is common in sports card release, but most nonsport collectors do.  Nonsports and sports card collectors are very different, if you have been collecting nonsports for some time you already know that.  If you are fairly new to nonsports cards you will learn that. 

Nonsports card collectors EXPECT value in there boxes something Inkworks, Rittenhouse, and Breygent (etc) who are focused on nonsports sets understand.  Topps doesn't they are really a sports card manufacturer.  That is exactly why Inkworks (for example on almost all of their sets) have 2 premium inserts as well as a couple of level of chase cards.  If you buy a box of Lost for example worst case scenario you are likely going to get 3-4 puzzle cards, 2 cards of the 6 card chase, 1 boxtopper, and one auto and costume card (which are likely to have a value of $15-$25).  That is what these people are referring to and expect.  Not 1 box as a "lotto ticket", they don't want lotto tickets, not for $35, $50, $75, and sure as heck not $150.

If you have a lot of experience with nonsports card I apologize, I can understand where you are coming from, but that is not the way most nonsports card collectors think.  You should adjust your mind frame if you are going to post with people who have a different collectors mentality.

I will leave you with one final example.  Look into the Doom Movie card set by Artbox.  It was supposed to have costumes, props and autos.  It came out and only had autos one per box.  NO ONE would touch that set even though The Rock auto card was going for $150. 

If that was a sports card set people would because they like to go for the lotto pull.  Plain and simple that is the difference between sports and nonsports collectors. 

Final statement is IMO Roz and Mark established this forum for collectors to connect and share there excitements and dissapointments in trading cards.  They don't police the site like other sites.  We are happy to have artists as well as collectors.  If someone wants to criticize an artist(s) who did this set that is their choice.  Who are you to tell them they can't you certainly don't have to agree with them and can post your opinion, but come on. 

These artists are all adults and for pete's sake I would guess being artists they have had both people who loved there work and people who didn't.  I think they can handle it and they certainly are more than welcome to give there POV.  You may love every sketch, but most people don't....................................................and whatever your POV that is OK.

Sorry, took a dinner break...now let's get back to the action.
First...
If that's the case, then why won't you trade with Eve? ???
Do you read? I've stated now for the 3rd time...I already own that particular card.

I think the whole difference here is that sketches are involved...not autos, not costume cards or pieces of sets, artwork...artist's interpretations of the Trilogy...plain and simple.
You like them, great. You don't, don't buy them.

There is no need to be rude.

OCD, I understand that you like the Evo set very much (I have read your posts here and on other forums). While you may like certain sketches very much, other people might not do so. This forum is a place for people to vent their frustration/celebrate their happiness at pulling the 'big one'. While we don't condone blatantly shredding an artist's work or ability, we do allow people the right to say 'I don't like X's style' or 'I am disappointed with this sketch I pulled'. This is a forum that allows freedom of speech but also maintains a level of respect while doing so. If you don't like what people say about certain cards/artists, then fair enough. But to come out and insist that you are right and those collectors are wrong is really not necessary.

Feel free to post your opinion, but please don't shout down others or attack other people who don't share your personal views.

For the second time today I find myself with the need to say: Amen.  0:)

I fail to see the personal attacks in OCD posts...I find his posts very intelligent and insightful. I do not understand where you guys are getting this feeling from. I have been reading these posts just like the rest of you. I also have seen more personal attacks in the posts about folks not liking the artists work and saying that the artists don't care or take the time to do something  they are "proud" of. Those are much more offensive then anything OCD has posted on any forum.

I really think this is getting way out of hand and it doesn't not need to be. Really whoever had the card that started this..it seems so long ago now..you know your options...lets just move along before something bad happens here.

Cat, I do not think posting something like 'Do you read?' is particularly polite. My last post was the result of the communication I have had with a few members who have posted in this thread and who have felt slighted. I do not post things like this lightly. What is seen as insightful by some may not be interpreted as such by others - all I was saying was that people are free to speak their opinions as long as it's done with respect. I respect OCD's opinion, as I am sure others do, but it should be a two way street. I am not targeting anyone in particular, I would just like to try and make this forum a civilised place where people feel comfortable in airing their opinions without the fear of being shouted down.

I agree with Cat, the horse is dead.....way dead, so I think we can stop beating it.  When push comes to shove all these cards are in the eye of the beholder.  I took a couple of the Kayanan's over to my friends house before I shipped them off (one of them that I had sold on ebay for $1099) and he wouldn't have offered me $5.00 for them if I had tried to sell them to him.  People must like the product, as a case sold for $730 yesterday.  To be quite honest, I have been reading back through the posts, and I get lost as to what is actually being argued here, as it seems everyone is on a different page.  I understand it does stink when you open a box and don't pull enough inserts to pay for the box, but that is the way every single release of cards is, because if every box contained exactly enough to pay for the box (no more no less) then that is no fun to me.  There is no question that some artists put more effort into this set, but that doesn't mean we can compare everyone else to those artists, that isn't fair.  But it seems like there is always something to complain about....actor rushed through his/her signature.....costume piece actually "material used in the making of".....artist decides not to dedicate his entire life for 3 months to drawing minature pieces of artwork, but want to give the LOTR fans something.  Besides if we didn't have cards like that I wouldn't be able to make my 3 nephews day by giving them each an official Lord of the Rings artist sketch from the movie...priceless.  Anyways, sorry, I swear I saw the horse flinch.  :)

There seems to be one thing most people agree on. For the sake of peace, any future posts that attempt to raise any issues that the mods regard as 'flogging the dead horse' will be automatically deleted. So now we can all just be friends and dance in meadows with all the pretty animals and our sketch cards.

Peace out y'all 0:)

As long as I get to dance with a unicorn, I am cool with that!! :)

When the Wizard of Oz cards come out, with new sketches, it'll be a horse of a different color.

OCD I think the confusion over the Uruk card was that you had just argued that each of the 1006 sketches was different with it's nuances etc, and therefore some Shackers thought you might like another Uruk, even though you clearly stated that you already had two similar sketches, one very similar.


I don't think it will be to be honest, the pay is higher, Tom's standards are higher... HOWEVER, and this is the thing I am not personally so keen on, the sketches are repeats, repeats, repeats. I know this was necessary for Warner Bros, but it does detract slightly from the excitement of pack opening, in my personal opinion, and this is where LOTR Evo go it so right. However, since the general standard of sketches will be higher it's very easy to forgive... I personally can't wait to get hold of some Martineck pieces, he's been my favourite sketcard artist for a very long time, and judging by the prices of his recent ST TOS 2 case incentive cards (often selling for more than the price of one case of cards :rofl:) I am not alone ;)

Frankly people would pay for an Alan Lee or John Howe autograph alone, never lo a sketch card ;) but if they did sketch cards they wouldn't do 3 or 4 line spectaculars :P that's for sure, because they never do.

IT's my card, and I do know my options. So, that said, how about a little joke to lighten things up? This is one of the funniest things I've read in a while, it's VERY off-topic. Enjoy!

 If I Ever Became An Evil Overlord...
>
> 1. My Legions of Terror will have helmets with clear plexi-glass visors,
> not face-concealing ones.
>
> 2. My ventilation ducts will be too small to crawl through.
>
> 3. My noble half-brother whose throne I usurped will be killed, not kept
> anonymously imprisoned in a forgotten cell of my dungeon.
>
> 4. Shooting is not too good for my enemies.
>
> 5. The artifact which is the source of my power will not be kept on the
> Mountain of Despair beyond the River of Fire guarded by the Dragons of
> Eternity. It will be in my safe-deposit box. The same applies to the
> object which is my one weakness.
>
> 6. I will not gloat over my enemies' predicament before killing them.
>
> 7. When I've captured my adversary and he says, "Look, before you kill me,
> will you at least tell me what this is all about?" I'll say, "No." and
> shoot him. No, on second thought I'll shoot him then say "No."
>
> 8. After I kidnap the beautiful princess, we will be married immediately
> in a quiet civil ceremony, not a lavish spectacle in three weeks' time
> during which the final phase of my plan will be carried out.
>
> 9. I will not include a self-destruct mechanism unless absolutely
> necessary. If it is necessary, it will not be a large red button labeled
> "Danger: Do Not Push". The big red button marked "Do Not Push" will
> instead trigger a spray of bullets on anyone stupid enough to disregard
> it. Similarly, the ON/OFF switch will not clearly be labeled as such.
>
> 10. I will not interrogate my enemies in the inner sanctum -- a small
> hotel well outside my borders will work just as well.
>
> 11. I will be secure in my superiority. Therefore, I will feel no need to
> prove it by leaving clues in the form of riddles or leaving my weaker
> enemies alive to show they pose no threat.
>
> 12. One of my advisors will be an average five-year-old child. Any flaws
> in my plan that he is able to spot will be corrected before
> implementation.
>
> 13. All slain enemies will be cremated, or at least have several rounds of
> ammunition emptied into them, not left for dead at the bottom of the
> cliff. The announcement of their deaths, as well as any accompanying
> celebration, will be deferred until after the aforementioned disposal.
>
> 14. The hero is not entitled to a last kiss, a last cigarette, or any
> other
> form of last request.
>
> 15. I will never employ any device with a digital countdown. If I find
> that such a device is absolutely unavoidable, I will set it to activate
> when the counter reaches 117 and the hero is just putting his plan into
> operation.
>
> 16. I will never utter the sentence "But before I kill you, there's just
> one thing I want to know."
>
> 17. When I employ people as advisors, I will occasionally listen to their
> advice.
>
> 18. I will not have a son. Although his laughably under-planned attempt to
> usurp power would easily fail, it would provide a fatal distraction at a
> crucial point in time.
>
> 19. I will not have a daughter. She would be as beautiful as she was evil,
> but one look at the hero's rugged countenance and she'd betray her own
> father.
>
> 20. Despite its proven stress-relieving effect, I will not indulge in
> maniacal laughter. When so occupied, it's too easy to miss unexpected
> developments that a more attentive individual could adjust to accordingly.
>
> 21. I will hire a talented fashion designer to create original uniforms
> for my Legions of Terror, as opposed to some cheap knock-offs that make
> them look like Nazi storm troopers, Roman foot soldiers, or savage Mongol
> hordes. All were eventually defeated and I want my troops to have a more
> positive mind-set.
>
> 22. No matter how tempted I am with the prospect of unlimited power, I
> will not consume any energy field bigger than my head.
>
> 23. I will keep a special cache of low-tech weapons and train my troops in
> their use. That way -- even if the heroes manage to neutralize my power
> generator and/or render the standard-issue energy weapons useless -- my
> troops will not be overrun by a handful of savages armed with spears and
> rocks.
>
> 24. I will maintain a realistic assessment of my strengths and weaknesses.
> Even though this takes some of the fun out of the job, at least I will
> never utter the line "No, this cannot be! I AM  INVINCIBLE!!!" (After
> that, death is usually instantaneous.)
>
> 25. No matter how well it would perform, I will never construct any sort
> of machinery which is completely indestructible except for one small and
> virtually inaccessible vulnerable spot.
>
> 26. No matter how attractive certain members of the rebellion are, there
> is probably someone just as attractive who is not desperate to kill me.
> Therefore, I will think twice before ordering a prisoner sent to my
> bedchamber.
>
> 27. I will never build only one of anything important. All important
> systems will have redundant control panels and power supplies. For the
> same reason I will always carry at least two fully loaded weapons at all
> times.
>
> 28. My pet monster will be kept in a secure cage from which it cannot
> escape and into which I could not accidentally stumble.
>
> 29. I will dress in bright and cheery colors, and so throw my enemies into
> confusion.
>
> 30. All bumbling conjurers, clumsy squires, no-talent bards, and cowardly
> thieves in the land will be preemptively put to death. My foes will surely
> give up and abandon their quest if they have no source of comic relief.
>
> 31. All naive, busty tavern wenches in my realm will be replaced with
> surly, world-weary waitresses who will provide no unexpected reinforcement
> and/or romantic subplot for the hero or his sidekick.
>
> 32. I will not fly into a rage and kill a messenger who brings me bad news
> just to illustrate how evil I really am. Good messengers are hard to come
> by.
>
> 33. I won't require high-ranking female members of my organization to wear
> a stainless-steel bustier. Morale is better with a more casual dress-code.
> Similarly, outfits made entirely from black leather will be reserved for
> formal occasions.
>
> 34. I will not turn into a snake. It never helps.
>
> 35. I will not grow a goatee. In the old days they made you look diabolic.
> Now they just make you look like a disaffected member of Generation X.
>
> 36. I will not imprison members of the same party in the same cell block,
> let alone the same cell. If they are important prisoners, I will keep the
> only key to the cell door on my person instead of handing out copies to
> every bottom-rung guard in the prison.
>
> 37. If my trusted lieutenant tells me my Legions of Terror are losing a
> battle, I will believe him. After all, he's my trusted lieutenant.
>
> 38. If an enemy I have just killed has a younger sibling or offspring
> anywhere, I will find them and have them killed immediately, instead of
> waiting for them to grow up harboring feelings of vengeance towards me in
> my old age.
>
> 39. If I absolutely must ride into battle, I will certainly not ride at
> the
> forefront of my Legions of Terror, nor will I seek out my opposite number
> among his army.
>
> 40. I will be neither chivalrous nor sporting. If I have an unstoppable
> super-weapon, I will use it as early and as often as possible instead of
> keeping it in reserve.
>
> 41. Once my power is secure, I will destroy all those pesky time-travel
> devices.
>
> 42. When I capture the hero, I will make sure I also get his dog, monkey,
> ferret, or whatever sickeningly cute little animal capable of untying
> ropes and filching keys happens to follow him around.
>
> 43. I will maintain a healthy amount of skepticism when I capture the
> beautiful rebel and she claims she is attracted to my power and good looks
> and will gladly betray her companions if I just let her in on my plans.
>
> 44. I will only employ bounty hunters who work for money. Those who work
> for the pleasure of the hunt tend to do dumb things like even the odds to
> give the other guy a sporting chance.
>
> 45. I will make sure I have a clear understanding of who is responsible
> for what in my organization. For example, if my general screws up I will
> not draw my weapon, point it at him, say "And here is the price for
> failure," then suddenly turn and kill some random underling.
>
> 46. If an advisor says to me "My liege, he is but one man. What can one
> man possibly do?", I will reply "This." and kill the advisor.
>
> 47. If I learn that a callow youth has begun a quest to destroy me, I will
> slay him while he is still a callow youth instead of waiting for him to
> mature.
>
> 48. I will treat any beast which I control through magic or technology
> with respect and kindness. Thus if the control is ever broken, it will not
> immediately come after me for revenge.
>
> 49. If I learn the whereabouts of the one artifact which can destroy me, I
> will not send all my troops out to seize it. Instead I will send them out
> to seize something else and quietly put a Want-Ad in the local paper.
>

HERE'S PART II

> 50. My main computers will have their own special operating system that
> will be completely incompatible with standard IBM and Macintosh
> PowerBooks.
>
> 51. If one of my dungeon guards begins expressing concern over the
> conditions in the beautiful princess' cell, I will immediately transfer
> him to a less people-oriented position.
>
> 52. I will hire a team of board-certified architects and surveyors to
> examine my castle and inform me of any secret passages and abandoned
> tunnels that I might not know about.
>
> 53. If the beautiful princess that I capture says "I'll never marry you!
> Never, do you hear me, NEVER!!!", I will say "Oh well" and kill her.
>
> 54. I will not strike a bargain with a demonic being then attempt to
> double-cross it simply because I feel like being contrary.
>
> 55. The deformed mutants and odd-ball psychotics will have their place in
> my Legions of Terror. However before I send them out on important covert
> missions that require tact and subtlety, I will first see if there is
> anyone else equally qualified who would attract less attention.
>
> 56. My Legions of Terror will be trained in basic marksmanship. Any who
> cannot learn to hit a man-sized target at 10 meters will be used for
> target practice.
>
> 57. Before employing any captured artifacts or machinery, I will carefully
> read the owner's manual.
>
> 58. If it becomes necessary to escape, I will never stop to pose
> dramatically and toss off a one-liner.
>
> 59. I will never build a sentient computer smarter than I am.
>
> 60. My five-year-old child advisor will also be asked to decipher any code
> I am thinking of using. If he breaks the code in under 30 seconds, it will
> not be used. Note: this also applies to passwords.
>
> 61. If my advisors ask "Why are you risking everything on such a mad
> scheme?", I will not proceed until I have a response that satisfies them.
>
> 62. I will design fortress hallways with no alcoves or protruding
> structural supports which intruders could use for cover in a firefight.
>
> 63. Bulk trash will be disposed of in incinerators, not compactors. And
> they will be kept hot, with none of that nonsense about flames going
> through accessible tunnels at predictable intervals.
>
> 64. I will see a competent psychiatrist and get cured of all extremely
> unusual phobias and bizarre compulsive habits which could prove to be a
> disadvantage.
>
> 65. If I must have computer systems with publicly available terminals, the
> maps they display of my complex will have a room clearly marked as the
> Main Control Room. That room will be the Execution Chamber. The actual
> main control room will be marked as Sewage Overflow Containment.
>
> 66. My security keypad will actually be a fingerprint scanner. Anyone who
> watches someone press a sequence of buttons or dusts the pad for
> fingerprints then subsequently tries to enter by repeating that sequence
> will trigger the alarm system.
>
> 67. No matter how many shorts we have in the system, my guards will be
> instructed to treat every surveillance camera malfunction as a full-scale
> emergency.
>
> 68. I will spare someone who saved my life sometime in the past. This is
> only reasonable as it encourages others to do so. However, the offer is
> good one time only. If they want me to spare them again, they'd better
> save my life again.
>
> 69. All midwives will be banned from the realm. All babies will be
> delivered at state-approved hospitals. Orphans will be placed in
> foster-homes, not abandoned in the woods to be raised by creatures of the
> wild.
>
> 70. When my guards split up to search for intruders, they will always
> travel in groups of at least two. They will be trained so that if one of
> them disappears mysteriously while on patrol, the other will immediately
> initiate an alert and call for backup, instead of quizzically peering
> around a corner.
>
> 71. If I decide to test a lieutenant's loyalty and see if he/she should be
> made a trusted lieutenant, I will have a crack squad of marksmen standing
> by in case the answer is no.
>
> 72. If all the heroes are standing together around a strange device and
> begin to taunt me, I will pull out a conventional weapon instead of using
> my unstoppable superweapon on them.
>
> 73. I will not agree to let the heroes go free if they win a rigged
> contest, even though my advisors assure me it is impossible for them to
> win.
>
> 74. When I create a multimedia presentation of my plan designed so that my
> five-year-old advisor can easily understand the details, I will not label
> the disk "Project Overlord" and leave it lying on top of my desk.
>
> 75. I will instruct my Legions of Terror to attack the hero en masse,
> instead of standing around waiting while members break off and attack one
> or two at a time.
>
> 76. If the hero runs up to my roof, I will not run up after him and
> struggle with him in an attempt to push him over the edge. I will also not
> engage him at the edge of a cliff. (In the middle of a rope-bridge over a
> river of molten lava is not even worth considering.)
>
> 77. If I have a fit of temporary insanity and decide to give the hero the
> chance to reject a job as my trusted lieutenant, I will retain enough
> sanity to wait until my current trusted lieutenant is out of earshot
> before making the offer.
>
> 78. I will not tell my Legions of Terror "And he must be taken alive!" The
> command will be "And try to take him alive if it is reasonably practical."
>
> 79. If my doomsday device happens to come with a reverse switch, as soon
> as it has been employed it will be melted down and made into
> limited-edition commemorative coins.
>
>

FINALLY PART III

 80. If my weakest troops fail to eliminate a hero, I will send out my best
> troops instead of wasting time with progressively stronger ones as he gets
> closer and closer to my fortress.
>
> 81. If I am fighting with the hero atop a moving platform, have disarmed
> him, and am about to finish him off and he glances behind me and drops
> flat, I too will drop flat instead of quizzically turning around to find
> out what he saw.
>
> 82. I will not shoot at any of my enemies if they are standing in front of
> the crucial support beam to a heavy, dangerous, unbalanced structure.
>
> 83. If I'm eating dinner with the hero, put poison in his goblet, then
> have to leave the table for any reason, I will order new drinks for both
> of us instead of trying to decide whether or not to switch with him.
>
> 84. I will not have captives of one sex guarded by members of the opposite
> sex.
>
> 85. I will not use any plan in which the final step is horribly
> complicated, e.g. "Align the 12 Stones of Power on the sacred altar then
> activate the medallion at the moment of total eclipse." Instead it will be
> more along the lines of "Push the button."
>
> 86. I will make sure that my doomsday device is up to code and properly
> grounded.
>
> 87. My vats of hazardous chemicals will be covered when not in use. Also,
> I will not construct walkways above them.
>
> 88. If a group of henchmen fail miserably at a task, I will not berate
> them for incompetence then send the same group out to try the task again.
>
> 89. After I captures the hero's superweapon, I will not immediately
> disband my legions and relax my guard because I believe whoever holds the
> weapon is unstoppable. After all, the hero held the weapon and I took it
> from him.
>
> 90. I will not design my Main Control Room so that every workstation is
> facing away from the door.
>
> 91. I will not ignore the messenger that stumbles in exhausted and
> obviously agitated until my personal grooming or current entertainment is
> finished. It might actually be important.
>
> 92. If I ever talk to the hero on the phone, I will not taunt him. Instead
> I will say this his dogged perseverance has given me new insight on the
> futility of my evil ways and that if he leaves me alone for a few months
> of quiet contemplation I will likely return to the path of righteousness.
> (Heroes are incredibly gullible in this regard.)
>
> 93. If I decide to hold a double execution of the hero and an underling
> who failed or betrayed me, I will see to it that the hero is scheduled to
> go first.
>
> 94. When arresting prisoners, my guards will not allow them to stop and
> grab a useless trinket of purely sentimental value.
>
> 95. My dungeon will have its own qualified medical staff complete with
> bodyguards. That way if a prisoner becomes sick and his cellmate tells the
> guard it's an emergency, the guard will fetch a trauma team instead of
> opening up the cell for a look.
>
> 96. My door mechanisms will be designed so that blasting the control panel
> on the outside seals the door and blasting the control panel on the inside
> opens the door, not vice versa.
>
> 97. My dungeon cells will not be furnished with objects that contain
> reflective surfaces or anything that can be unraveled.
>
> 98. If an attractive young couple enters my realm, I will carefully
> monitor their activities. If I find they are happy and affectionate, I
> will ignore them. However if circumstance have forced them together
> against their will and they spend all their time bickering and criticizing
> each other except during the intermittent occasions when they are saving
> each others' lives at which point there are hints of sexual tension, I
> will immediately order their execution.
>
> 99. Any data file of crucial importance will be padded to 1.45Mb in size.
>
> 100. Finally, to keep my subjects permanently locked in a mindless trance,
> I will provide each of them with free unlimited Internet access.
>
> This Evil Overlord List is Copyright 1996-1997 by Peter Anspach. If you
> enjoy it, feel free to pass it along or post it anywhere, provided that
> (1) it is not altered in any way, and (2) this copyright notice is
> attached.
>

Check out this Legolas sketch that Jeff Chandler posted on one of the other chat rooms.  Great color job!!!  Someone is very lucky. 

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/ztaylork/legolaschandler1.jpg)

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/ztaylork/legolaschandler2.jpg)

I hadn't found the "before" sketch, just the "after".  That is much better seeing both at once..

I found the "before" in an ebay auction that ended for $40, not a bad price ;)

I must of munched some bad grass in the meadow during the day Sunday...
it tasted really good early in the day, but something turned gnarley and made me a tad over-enthusiastic.   
While strolling through the meadow over the past 2 days, in search of the happy dancing herd,  I did notice that dead horse.  Whew!  Although simple and elegant, it was dead!

Just a quick note...my posts on Sunday were my slant on things...I didn't think I was shouting anyone down or insisting my opinion was the right one...i always pushed 'positivity' on all levels...

I do realize I was a tad curt to Anna and offer her (you) my sincerest apology...my 'reading' comment could have been phrased in a more civilized and yakamonious fashion...you must know in retrospect, i truly never meant to be rude...
To everyone else in that thread...darthmactor...neko...kbmum...LikORish-Spider...ztaylork...eve harrington...sharon...kelly...gimli...anna...beckham1...ferdinand_the_yak...and roz...please know i respect all your opinions as fellow card collectors, lotr fans and shackers...and nothing that was written was intended to offend any of you...I really thought we were having a rather cool discourse and the chatter was just enthusiastically  zesty...!

On a lighter note...a really GREAT ebay auction going off tonight....did one of you do this?...it's pretty funny and creative!...check out...

http://cgi.ebay.com/The-Famous-Uruk-Hai-HAT-SKETCH-BY-Gutierrez-LOTR_W0QQitemZ6273084304QQcategoryZ60246QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

...and Eve...I can't trade with you because I just can't give any of these Sketch cards up...I'm ocdlotr!!!...but...if you'd like to sell it...i'd be proud to buy it from you.
 
 

Here are a few other sketch cards that Chandler has so kindly colored up for me.  I can't find my "before shot" of the Aragorn, but it looks great!!  I love the "one ring" that is sketched behind frodo, with elvish and all!!!

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/ztaylork/AragornAaragorn2_AM.jpg)

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/ztaylork/chandler-frodo.jpg)

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/ztaylork/ChandlerFrodo_AM.jpg)

When an artist colours a pencil sketch do you think they erase the pencil first?  I only ask because the quality of the colouring is so good - you can't see any pencil lines/preliminary colouring underneath.  I love the Legolas by the way, especially the background, it really makes the card  ;D.

Good luck with this Becks.... it's a stunning sketch ;D

http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-1738318-5463217?loc=http%3A//cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D6275952399

That one is gorgeous. :)

Is this one Aragorn or Boromir?

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v451/kbmum/Sketches/lotrmartinezaragorn1.jpg)

I say Boromir.  I guess mainly because of the hair.

Yeah, but I thought Martinez's Boromirs were more like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/LOTR-Lord-of-Rings-Evolution-BOROMIR-Sketch-Martinez_W0QQitemZ6272764659QQcategoryZ60246QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I'd say Boromir... 'tis a fine line :P

Oh phooey.  I was so sure it was Aragorn. ::)

I see what you mean when I look at them side to side.  The one on auction has more of a goatee goin' on.  I guess the one on your post could go either way.  I have a Gollum that could be an orc.  :-\

I'll guess it's Aragorn...I'm trying to collect 2 of each of Randy Martinez's Fellowship characters and have one colored and keep one as a  'simple yet eleagant' original sketch  ;D...the Borimer has that distinct goatee and his hair seems neat...I've yet to own or even see an Aragorn, so I'm guessing this is it!...hair a bit messed, and goatee a bit less distinct...but I'm walking a razor's edge here...I wish...1...I knew for sure...and 2...I owned it!

I would say that is Aragorn Cindy.  I have seen several of Randy's Boromir sketch cards and he does not look like them.   :)

Thanks, everyone.  Since it's pretty much a toss-up, I'll choose to think it's Aragorn. :)

Why don't you ask Randy directly to take away all the doubt?

I sent him an email weeks ago with the scan attached, but he didn't reply.

Hmm, I would say its Aragorn.

I recently came into some Evolution sketches. I posted them on my photobucket link at the bottom.
Follow the tree to the LOTR Evolution Sketches.
Nothing at all exciting by the fanatics definitions.

 :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

I thought it had a Boromir look about him Cindy but then again when I first saw the film I kept getting the two characters confused  ::).
It could very well be Aragon in his Strider days.

John I tried the link and it says you don't have any Evolution pictures  :-\  What am I doing wrong?

It worked for me.  When you pull up the sketch page and see nothing, click on the word "sketches" and they pop up. 
I love picking my favorites from a bunch.  ;D  This time I think I like McCray's Gollum (of course) with the piercing eyes, and Fabbri's Gimli.  8)

Really like the Pronovost Gandalf, the Gutierrez Legolas & Gandalf, the Fabbri Gimli, and the Hodges Orc the best from your collection :)

The Gimli, Gandalf and one Della Vecchia soldier are not mine anymore. I got an offer I couldn't refuse. Especially for the Gimli,  ;) ;). (inside joke.)

How is this for the ultimate Gimli sketch collection?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6276789457 (http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-1738318-5463217?loc=http%3A//cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D6276789457)

All I can say is :o :o :o

It's cool 'n all, but variety is the spice of a collection right? Jo, would you seek out 47 different artists' Leggys or would you like a few of each character?

Of course the latter Roz, but you never know... all those hardcore Gimmers fanatics out there ;)

I think earlier on I said I thought the Martinez card was an Aragorn...messy hair and a bit dishevled...
I AM WRONG!!!...because I have seen my FIRST REAL MARTINEZ ARAGORN...check out top row...middle card...?

http://cgi.ebay.com/LORD-OF-THE-RINGS-EVOLUTION-SKETCH-LOT-9-DIFFERENT_W0QQitemZ6266153723QQcategoryZ219QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

You know what...I'm still not sure...maybe one's Strider...??? :-\

I think it is Curt Cobaine.  Either way its a beaut.

I still think it's Boromir. Something about the chin... Boromir has a wider jaw

Looks kind of like Sawyer on LOST to me  >:D

I thought Boromir when I saw it before I read the guesses.  So that's my vote *lol*

I sent Randy another email, so we'll see if he replies. :)

Which character is in the Hodgkins sketch (the one on the exact center)?

I am pretty sure that it's Merry, but who is in the bottom right sketch?

...see, this is why , if you get it in your mind your gonna do a 1000 sketchs as an artist for a card set...you should whack yourself in the face with a fish till you regain your senses...btw, its boromir for sure.

I know this will sound weird but I am pretty sure it is Eomer  :-\  You know where he has the helmet with all the fake hair on it.

"Which character is in the Hodgkins sketch (the one on the exact center)?"

No...top row...center...that's the Martinez ARAGORN...
http://cgi.ebay.com/LORD-OF-THE-RINGS-EVOLUTION-SKETCH-LOT-9-DIFFERENT_W0QQitemZ6266153723QQcategoryZ219QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


...which means...the card in question is BORIMIR...99.99999999999999999% POSITIVE!

Ooer Cindy, it doesn't look like you are allowed to ask your own questions or have a personal opinion.

I am going to have to say Boromir.
All of Martinez's other Boromirs have a goatee while his aragorns have the full beard scruff going on....this one looks like it has a goatee

Well, yes, the top center sketch is Aragorn, but I wanted to know which character is in the card below that. :)

lol, maybe its gollum /sigh...thats sketch is so rock and roll, why cant every box have one just like it. nothing better then spending 80 bucks on a box, and pulling mystery sketch theater 3000.

I am going to go with Jo and say Merry.  If it is not Merry the only other blonde hobbit was Sam but I think it does and a Dominic look about it  ;D

Hey Zach:

Are you bankrupt or something - looks like you are selling everything off but the kitchen sink?  If you need some financial help we could start a "Help save Zach" fund here!   :P

You must have missed the BIN on the kitchen sink, I really hate to see it go :(  Actually I've been buying a lot of sketches the last month so that could get a bunch together and decide which ones were my favorites to keep, and I planned on selling the rest, and I have a lot that I pulled from boxes as well.  But I also have my 66 mustang on there, to help with the down payment on a house, I will be sad to see that go.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4637193646&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT

Zach - not your wheels too!!   :'(   

Don't worry, I have a good pair of running shoes. :) (and luckily my wife and I will still both have a set of wheels :)

Jeez! Just misunderstood who Cindy was talking about in the thread...the center is obviously either Jay Leno as Sam, or an aging plump Roger Daltry as an aging plump Rosie.

That's it!  It's Roger Daltrey! :rofl:

OK...New coloring job....

Grishnakh

(http://www.airbrushcat.com/newart2/GrishnakhAMweb.jpg)

Oooo, he looks disgusting!  And I mean that in a good way.  ;)

WOW Cat Staggs...powerfully creepy...I can smell his rotting flesh...mmmm!
Beautiful work! Thanks... :)

All my medical tests are over!  So I thought I would drop by and say hey with a new coloring job! 

(http://www.mankindram.com/Images/Sketch%20Cards/LOTR_Mumak_AMC.jpg)

OOh love it ! And love the Mumak there in the background too - great job

Here are a few coloring jobs..

(http://www.airbrushcat.com/newart2/AM2.jpg)

(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/staggs/Staggs_Pippin16.jpg)(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/staggs/Staggs_Eomer18.jpg)

Excellent work by both Rich and Cat!!  Thank you both for posting them.   :)

Beautiful work... :o...thanks for posting them Cat and Rich...MORE!!! :o=

More More More....

(http://www.airbrushcat.com/newart2/AMset1.jpg)

(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/staggs/Staggs_Aragorn16.jpg)(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/staggs/Staggs_Gimli19.jpg)
(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/staggs/Staggs_Sam1.jpg)(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/staggs/Staggs_Gollum10.jpg)

The Gimli sketch is fantastic!  I love the Aragorn, too. Well, they're all great, actually. ;)

Wow, those are pretty dog gone amazing!  Are they color jobs you did for someone or will you be putting them on ebay?

they were commissioned

Wow Cat!  What can I say but Wow!   :)  You can probably guess I loved the Aragorn!!   :)

more....more....m...o..r..e.....

(http://www.airbrushcat.com/newart2/AMset3.jpg)



(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/staggs/Staggs_Eowyn21.jpg)(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/staggs/Staggs_Arwen7.jpg)(http://www.lotrsketchcards.com/images/staggs/Staggs_Gimli8.jpg)

Cat you are going to town.  Are you catching up?  You must have been busy with WOZ and Xmen sketches recently.  Looks like you are cranking out the Evo sketches!  They look great BTW.

Yes Cat, you have been like a freaking machine the last few days!!!  All the cards have looked AMAZING!!!!  I really like the Arwen!!

Don't remember if I ever posted these here or not

(http://www.mankindram.com/Images/Sketch%20Cards/LOTR_Balrog.jpg)
(http://www.mankindram.com/Images/Sketch%20Cards/LOTR_Saruman%27s-Orc.jpg)

Nice work Rich!!   8)

With all of the hype in the last couple of days, I haven't been able to post my new sketches!! I'm planning to get them both colored!  :)

A HUGE THANK YOU  for the Chandler, Roz! And don't worry! He'll be very well taken care of!!  0:)

(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b25/motocrossmom/scan28.jpg)

Heeeeey I love the Budd, I hadn't heard about that one ;D

The eyes of that Treebeard by Chandler are rather piercing in the flesh don't you think? :P It's like he can read you - which after so many years on this earth (or in fact - Middle Earth) maybe he can ;)