mystery monster

Monster Spam

2007-01-14T11:33:00.000Z

Hi all - Thanks for all the kind comments on the concept of Mystery Monster! Unfortunately those compliments haven't translated into entries as quickly as I'd hoped, and that's given time for the spam machines to move in :(

You can still participate in MM - I may take a bit longer to spot your mails inbetween the rest of the rubbish, but I'll get it in the end! I'm currently working on keeping the pesky spam mails down to a minimum.

Thanks to those who have recently signed up, do keep up the good work & do have a go at the new topic: SCALY!

Some monster Blogs!

2006-08-17T13:51:00.000+01:00

Need some more inspiration ? Check out these monster links:

http://monsterosity.blogspot.com/
http://reillystroope.com/gallery/

New Topic - 'Excitable'

2006-07-19T13:08:00.000+01:00

Need some inspiration for your sketches !? Check this great video by The Automatic

'What's that coming over the hill is it a monster ?' - No don't worry, it's just the latest entry for MysteryMonster.

The new topic is up - 'Excitable' & so to participate in this challenge get drawing your characters heads now & send them in!

tags:illustration

Say hello to Derek - the first Mystery Monster!

2006-06-29T21:54:00.000+01:00

Here it is - the first ever mystery monster created by you lot out there! Well done for such a fantastic job & Thanks to everyone who contributed:

Me! - mysterymonster.co.uk
David O'Connell - subtlesuperhero.com
C-Works - cworks.blogspot.com
CJ - closetjunkie.co.uk

This time around we only got one character out of it (there was only one head!), but hopefully as we get going & get a few more heads submitted we should have a few more characters - look out for the next topic shortly!

This mystery monster will be christened Derek. Part monster, part machine he works as a research assistant in a lab. He's quite happy after just receiving some 'shiny & new' jogging trainers (nice touch on the branding there!). Other hobbies include amateur radio and rambling.

tags:illustration

First Entries! - "Shiny & New!"

2006-06-01T23:10:00.000+01:00

The first ever entry for Mystery Monster is in!

Start creating your characters heads for the topic now, or choose to carry on one of the illustrations below!

To download & continue an illustration:
1. click on the image
2. Right click & choose 'Save As...'

Link to Mystery Monster

2006-06-01T21:49:00.000+01:00

As Mystery Monster is just starting up, we'd really appreciate a link back!

Image link:
Please right click on the image & save it. Then please upload it to somewhere on your own webspace:

Then copy & paste this code to your webpage, replacing url with the location where you saved the image.

<a href="http://www.mysterymonster.co.uk" target="_blank">
<img src="url/mmlink_84x15.gif" alt="Mystery Monster" title="Mystery Monster" /></a>

Text link:
Copy & paste this code to your webpage, replacing url with the location where you saved the image.

<a href="http://www.mysterymonster.co.uk" target="_blank">
Mystery Monster!</a>

Lets get started!

2006-05-27T20:18:00.000+01:00

It's time to start Mystery Monster! - read about MM & see the FAQ.

If you'd like to take part then you can start your characters head straight away! You will be the first few, so please be patient while others get going.

If you'd like to receive updates when a new topic is announced, Sign Up here & remember to spread the Mystery Monster word!

FAQ

2006-05-27T17:54:00.001+01:00

What is Mystery Monster!?
How does Mystery Monster work then?
How big does my section need to be?
How long do I have to complete my section in?
How long do I need to spend on my section?
Do I have to do my illustration digitally?
Where do I send my finished section?
Will you keep my email private?
What if I don't have time to draw a section this time?

Other Questions? Email Mystery Monster headquarters at 'nick at mysterymonster.co.uk'

What is Mystery Monster!?

MM is a group illustration challenge that is easy to take part in & hopes to stimulate & inspire imaginations of people from all over the web.

It is loosely based on the childhood game where someone draws the head of a character, folds the paper over & another person draws the body (without peeping!) and passes it on again until a full character has been drawn. The paper is then opened up to reveal an odd-ball looking creature from the depths of the groups imagination!

MM works in the same way, except people email back the sections they have drawn, & once all the parts come together the final monstrous character will be posted here for the world to see!

How does Mystery Monster work then?

1) When a new topic is announced, the MM challenge starts with everyone drawing a characters head - the very top section. Use the current topic to help give you inspiration for your character.

2) When you have finished drawing your section, email your drawing back to the Mystery Monster headquarters, or post it to your blog (let me know when/where you post it though!). Your section will be posted on the Mystery Monster site, but 'covered up', except for a small section that will peek out, ready for another illustrator to carry on the character.

3) When you are ready, you can choose any of the partially drawn characters that have already been posted on the site (try not to choose your own drawing!) and complete the next section down. Once again, email your section back when you are finished.

4) This process repeats until a full character is created. At this point the final monsters will be revealed! Your sections will be linked back to your website (if you sent us a link).

How big does my section need to be?
You are free to draw whatever you like for a section of your character. However, to keep things nice & easy if you keep each section within 280px wide by 120px high it will make things simpler to put together! A template is provided below that may make it easier for you and others to complete a character.

Example character template:

This template can be downloaded in the following formats:
Photoshop Template (.psd)
GIF Template (.gif)
JPEG (.jpg)

How long do I have to complete my section?
Currently there's no time limit on finishing your section, finished monsters will just be posted as soon as they're done. However the sooner your section is posted, the more likely it is to be continued by another member, and become part of a complete character!

How long do I need to spend on my section?
That is up to you, spend as much or as little time as you want on your section. MM is just a fun challenge to inspire the imagination & to let people from all over the web create something together.

Do I have to do my illustration digitally?
Nope! Your section can be done on paper, or any media you prefer, so long as it roughly fits in with the template for your section when scaled up or down to size. Printing the template out may help you. (Each section of the template is 280x120px which is roughly 6cm by 2.5cm). Just scan your finished illustration in & send it back as usual.

Where do I send my finished section?
You can simply reply to the email you got from MM, remembering to attach your illustration! The email address is nick at mysterymonster.co.uk

Will you keep my email private?
Yes, if you sign up to receive topic updates your email is never passed to any others participating in MM or any other third parties for that matter!

What if I don't have time to draw a section this time?
Don't worry if you haven't time to do a section, just choose to do and send in any ones you can.

About Mystery Monster

2006-03-15T13:45:00.000Z

MM is a monthly group illustration challenge that is easy to take part in & hopes to stimulate & inspire imaginations of people from all over the web.

It is loosely based on the childhood game where someone draws the head of a character, folds the paper over & another person draws the body (without peeping!) and passes it on again until a full character has been drawn. The paper is then opened up to reveal an odd-ball looking creature from the depths of the groups imagination!

MM works in the same way, except people email back the sections they have drawn, & once all the parts come together the final monstrous character will be posted here for the world to see!

I'm still working on the exact details of the site & the process, but if you want to register your interest then you can Sign Up already if you like!

Welcome to Mystery Monster!

2006-03-06T11:32:00.000Z

Hi & thanks for stumbling across this blog!

Interested in sketching, cartooning & illustration ? Then you're in the right place - only you're a little early cos I haven't finished preparing the details of Mystery Monster yet!

If you want to take part in a group sketching activity for fun, or to promote yourself or your blog then check back soon! In the meantime do explore some of my links.