Sketch Swap is an ongoing randomly generated Art Trade. Anyone can join!
A Little History
Once upon a time, there was a fun little thread called the Gaia Sketch Swap. It grew into a monster hangout, artists from all skill levels joining in the fun and making friends. There were special events, sister threads, and a thread heir in a more recent thread called 'little branches'. Both of those threads are now dead, long abandoned by their makers and left to languish in obscurity. This thread is the heir to both of those, a remake of the original Sketch Swap with a few... changes. Much of the following is based directly on the original's format, in the hopes that the winning formula that kept it going strong for so long will work here as well.
How does this work?
When the Swap is due (regardless of how many artists have signed up), a randomizer (Here) will be used to mix up the names.
Everyone will draw one piece of art for a random person, and have their request drawn by another.
Everyone gives, everyone receives. If an artist doesn't draw for their recipient, they do not receive their piece of art.
What is expected, art-wise?
Because the minimum expectation is a sketch. No more, no less. However, let's try to keep things fair.
If you happen to get a supremely talented artist for your pick, try to put in more effort!
Add some color to your sketch, line it, make it a fullbody, all of the above... Whatever you feel is appropriate.
What can I request?
Anything!
However, we ask you post your request as links and not as long descriptions! A link to a Req thread, journal, or profile is preferable if you want to give additional information.
A link is also better than saying "on my profile" or "draw my avi." This makes it much simpler for Artswitch and the artist drawing you!
Requesting a specific style (such as chibi or regular) or couples is bad form. Please state those sorts of requests as preferences and be aware you may not get it!
How many times can I participate?
Every time! So long as you have finished your piece for your previous Swap, you can join the next one, no problem.
We try to make sure you get a new person every time but if we mess up and you're assigned someone you've drawn before, you may PM Artswitch.
What do I do if I never receive my art?
After one month, Artswitch will send out reminder PMs to people who haven't turned in their art.
After two months, the artist will get another reminder PM from Artswitch. At this point, the artist is considered late on their art.
If after a third month there is no response, Artswitch will add you to the Forgotten Requests.
This also applies when your artist cannot or will not draw your request.
Feel free to contact the artist yourself, but please be respectful! Everyone gets busy.
What if I'm that artist?
If your recipient has received art from the Forgotten Requests, you either draw for them or, preferably, draw someone else who was forgotten.
This is not a permanent fix. If you make a habit of putting off your side of the Swap, you will be blacklisted and refused from any future Swaps.
Leniency is in effect for real life issues, so long as a PM is sent to Artswitch explaining your circumstances.
Where is the finished art posted?
On the Photobucket and Tumblr accounts! We do not PM you your art or post it in the thread, so you will need to check those accounts to get your art.
This means that in order to join the swap, you must be okay with us posting your art on these sites. Don't worry, you are credited as the artist.
I posted my application, and now I'd like to change my request/samples/ect!
We will do our best to make these sorts of changes, but we encourage you only post a finalized application. Every change means more work for the mods!
Don't worry if your samples aren't accurate to what you plan to draw. We expect swap pieces to be fairly experimental.
I've changed my name!
Please do not change your name while you have an active swap going. It makes it very difficult to keep track of you and to get a hold of you.
If you must change your name, finish your swap first. Repeatedly changing your name while you have an active swap will get you blacklisted.
Along the same lines, please don't switch between mules while posting or contacting Artswitch, and let us know if you previously joined the swap under a different name (and what name you used). As much as possible, use one name for Sketch Swaps.
Our records are getting really messy!
I have more questions!
Feel free to post them in the thread! Or if you're feeling a little more private, then PM Artswitch. :3
