Challenge: Caricature

Welcome to the Summer semester all!

Feel free to take artistic license with this challenge...

CARICATURE!

Don't forget you can always submit drawings from past themes as well! :)

KB

Challenge: Final Showdown

Are you prepared for the...

FINAL SHOWDOWN!

Don't forget you can always submit drawings from past themes as well! :)

Also, Spike's Sketch Squad can now be viewed painlessly fro your mobile device! Check it, yo.

KB

Challenge: Banana

Mmmm... Our new theme is...

Banana!

This drawing challenge is due Whenevah.

Doodle hard! Don't forget you can always submit drawings from past themes as well! :)

KB

Challenge: Imaginary

First of all, thanks to those who have drawn and stuck around. A BIG thank you to Lisa Price for helping with posting the Retro challenge while I was too busy being overwhelmed by Class 2. But hey, this is a new semester with a new schedule and new drawing challenges! Yay!

Draw the dream! Our new theme is...

Imaginary!

This drawing challenge is due Sunday, April 10th.

Doodle hard! Don't forget you can always submit drawings from past themes as well! :)

KB

Challenge:Retro

Theme for this next challenge is:

RETRO!

Do you have a favorite classic game? Are you still a fan of the Walkman? This time around, we're celebrating any and all things retro so getting sketching and have fun!

Drawings are due in 2 weeks on February 27th! And as always, everyone is welcome to do past challenges as well.

Note: Katie's been pretty busy with her new job so I offered to jump in and help her out. If you guys have any theme ideas you'd love to seen in a future poll, let one of us know.

-Lisa

Challenge: Resolution

Welcome back Sketch Squad and Happy New Year!

To start off, we're going to have some minor changes here at Spike's Sketch Squad to help boost the time for folks to draw. Some are cosmetic around the site. But the big one...Challenges will now be bi-weekly and also artists are encouraged to revisit past challenges if they so desire.

We'd also like to encourage everyone to comment, comment, comment! Treat this blog as a part of your "Post 5" and let's work together to build a stronger, constructive community.

Now that the deadlines have extended for challenges, let's talk about the quality of our submissions. Please work hard to submit a drawing you are proud to post and get feedback on. I understand quick sketches, but let's boost to rendered drawings or colored pieces. Let's push ourselves to draw at the level we want to be at, not just to have something to turn-in.

This term's challenge will begin with the theme of...

Resolution!

Drawing your resolution can be a part of making it happen. Visualize, then realize! This challenge is due Sunday, January 16th.

Here are some links to help you on your way:

• Setting and Achieving Goals the SMART Way
• Why you Don't Set Creative Goals
• 15 Productivity Tips for Comic Creators
• Mind Management

KB

Week 10 Challenge: Curiosity

This week's theme is...

Curiosity!

Drawings are due Saturday, November 27th!

We will have no voting for next week's challenge, instead we're going to shake it up a bit with a American Golden Age Redesign challenge. Reimagine the cartoon characters of your choice from the Golden Age (1930's - 40's) in your own style! According to Wikipedia, a few of these include:

• WB/MGM: Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Wile E. Coyote & Road Runner, Tom & Jerry
• Disney: Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy
• Fleisher: Popeye, Betty Boop, Superman
• Sullivan: Felix the Cat

Good luck!

KB

Week 9 Challenge: Evolution

Out of the primordial soup has crawled this week's challenge...

Evolution!

Drawings are due Saturday, November 20th!

Voting for next week's challenge is also open!

KB

Week 8 Materials Challenge: Food

This week's theme is your choice, but the material is...

Food!

Dinner is due Saturday, November 13th!

This week's challenge is a special materials challenge! The subject is free-for-all but your "drawing" must be made out of food!

Voting for next week's challenge is up!

Announcements:

If you have any announcements you'd like to share with recruits, please email me ahead of time!

• Remember to challenge yourself and push your drawings! Doodle everyday!

KB

Week 7 Challenge: Prehistoric

Welp, we had a tie this week between "Prehistoric" and "It Came From The Deeps." I recruited Miss Mollie to help us with the tiebreaker.

And the winner is...

Prehistoric!

Drawings are due Saturday, November 6th!

Voting for next week's challenge is also open and it is a special materials challenge! The subject is free-for-all but your "drawing" must be made in the material-of-the-week!

Announcements:

If you have any announcements you'd like to share with recruits, please email me ahead of time!

• Recruits who haven't submitted drawings have been cleaned up. Folks who joined as of Oct 1st were not removed. If you were removed but would like to try again, please email me with your information.
• Have you visited the 11 Second Club lately for more animation practice? The November contest will start tomorrow! Check out the AM Mentor critiques for the monthly contest winners too!

KB

Week 6 Challenge: Halloween

Bubble bubble toil and trouble, Halloween is here and much candy you must gobble! This week's theme is...

Halloween!

Drawings are due Saturday, October 30th!

Voting for next week's challenge is also open!

Announcements:

If you have any announcements you'd like to share with recruits, please email me ahead of time!

• If you have not submitted a drawing yet YOU MUST DO SO THIS WEEK. If not you will be removed from the Recruits list. It's been over a month, if you haven't submitted yet, it is apparent you aren't going to make the time to participate. :(
• Remember to give feedback! Help us grow!

KB

Week 5 Challenge: Monster

Sorry no Spike doodle this week, he's too busy smashing Tokyo or something to make an appearance (that and I'm a bit busy traveling and getting ready for my first triathlon!). A much more forgiving challenge this round... This week's theme is...

Monster!

Drawings are due Saturday, October 23rd!

Voting for next week's challenge is also open!

Announcements:

If you have any announcements you'd like to share with recruits, please email me ahead of time!

• None this week!

KB

Week 4 Challenge: Worst Case Scenario

Welp, poop has hit the fan! This week's theme is...

Worst Case Scenario!

Drawings are due Saturday, October 16th!

Voting for next week's challenge is also open!

Announcements:

If you have any announcements you'd like to share with recruits, please email me ahead of time!

• Have you visited the 11 Second Club lately for more animation practice? Check out the AM Mentor critiques for the monthly contest winners too!

KB

Week 3 Challenge: Cute Overload

THA PPLS HAS SPOKEEN! U CAN HAS! This week's theme is...

Cute Overload!

Drawings are due Saturday, October 9th, so go find something adorable and snuggle the crap out of it (for reference, of course).

Voting for next week's challenge is also open!

Announcements:

If you have any announcements you'd like to share with recruits, please email me ahead of time!

• Hope your first week of classes went well! Don't forget to peek at the 2D Training videos for more drawin' fun and learnin'!
• Need more doodlin' in your week? Check the Sketchbook forum for additional drawing challenges!

KB

Week 2 Challenge: Villain

Unhand her Dan Backslide! I hope your Worst Hero is prepared, because this week's theme is...

Villain!

Muahahah! Drawings are due Saturday, October 2nd, so get those evil plans a'plotting and pick out your damsels for distressin'! If anyone has issues with posting to the blog, please email me or comment below.

Voting for next week's challenge is also open!

Announcements:

If you have any announcements you'd like to share with recruits, please email me ahead of time!

• Recruit Rhoda has started a Spike Fan Club on Facebook! Show some love and join if you are a fan of your favorite squashin' and stretchin' dino...thing...guy?
• The 27th is fast approaching! Spike's Sketch Squad would like to wish everyone the best of luck as classes start! Thank you again for your participation and enthusiasm for this project. Can't wait to see you all there! :)

KB

Week 1 Challenge: Worst Hero Ever

Fear not citizen (or maybe you should), for this week's drawing challenge is...

Worst Hero Ever!

Drawings are due Saturday, September 25th, so use that superhuman sketching strength and get started! If anyone has issues with posting to the blog, please email me or comment below.

Voting for next week's challenge is also open!

KB