LOTR Evolution

[Guest]

[neko]

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!

[ferdinand_the_yak]

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!

[EmmasOneandOnly]

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.

[beckham1]

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.

[neko]

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

[Roz]

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.

[RupT]

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

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

[RupT]

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...

Thats a Paul Guiterrez, An Uruk Hai Helmet

[LikORish-Spider]

How wonderful..... imagine getting two of these beauties. 

[grecopa]

I absolutely agree that cartoons are not easy to draw.  Everyone should sit down and try to draw one.  Do it!  Right now!    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.

[neko]

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

[grecopa]

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. 

[tialessa]

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.

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

[gimli]

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!!!!



by our very own mak the yak

[savage727]

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

[HPfamily]

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

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

[neko]

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

[gimli]

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

[neko]

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>

Artist Auction

good luck

[savage727]

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!