October is just around the corner, everyone! Depending on where you live, you may find yourself either raking up brightly-colored foliage on a brisk morning or taking in the delicate aroma of new spring flowers, but there’s one exciting thing that all Zelda artists across the world can start looking forward to: the return of Linktober! The event kicks off on October 1st, and once again, Zelda Universe is collaborating with the folks at Linktober to host a raffle!
For any newcomers out there, Linktober is a month-long art event where Zelda fans try to produce one new art piece (a drawing, a diorama, you name it) for each of the 31 days of October. As an alternative to Inktober, the original goal was to create daily sketches using only ink pens and paper, but now artists are free to use both traditional and digital methods to their hearts’ content. Participants follow daily prompts provided by the Linktober Rangers, and this year, there are three different calendars you can choose from! If you’re looking for a well-balanced experience that covers a wide range of Zelda topics, check out the Main Calendar. If the spooky, spine-tingling specters of Halloween are beckoning to you, you might be interested in the ghoulish Shadow Calendar. Or, if you’re seeking a unique challenge that allows you to hone your world-building skills, give the Quest Calendar a try and see where your imagination takes you!
Now, what is Zelda Universe’s role in all of this? Well, as some of you may know, we have a group on DeviantArt where artists can share pieces that they would like to have featured in our Yuga’s Art Gallery column. The group is accessible all year round to those who wish to promote their work, but throughout the month of October, anyone who submits Linktober art to our gallery will also be entered for a chance to win a prize basket filled with awesome Zelda merchandise!
Each submission to the Linktober gallery will count as one name entry into the contest, with up to three entries allowed. But we encourage you to submit as much artwork as possible, because at the end of the month, we will be dedicating a special Yuga’s Art Gallery column to the lovely artists who tackled the Linktober challenge! And even if your art isn’t featured in that particular article, it could still show up in a future article, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and share your wild, whimsical vision with the world!
One important thing to be aware of: both Linktober and Zelda Universe have a firm policy regarding the use of AI art, so if you submit such works to the gallery, you will be immediately disqualified from the contest. Art is a demanding craft that requires patience, dedication, and passion, and no piece of computer-generated imagery will ever compare to an original portrait that comes from the heart. So please, let’s all stay true to the spirit of Linktober and do our part to keep AI out of the art world.
Once again, Linktober begins on October 1st, so you’d better start sharpening your pencils and organizing your virtual brushes in preparation for the big day! Be sure to read over the guidelines in our DeviantArt group before submitting your work, and don’t forget to check back in at the end of the month to see everyone’s fantastic creations! Stay positive, let your creative juices flow, and remember to have fun!
