#ATCitupWithFriends is an ILLUSTRATION, Fantasy & Science Fiction focused group.
ATC Monthly Trade Events hosted by Pabkins.
We are a super supportive, interactive and friendly community. The reason I created this community was first to create a welcoming space for artists to become friends through the sharing of their art and the challenge of improving their original art skills. It is a place for you not only to grow but some place where we help each other do that and support each other along the way with encouraging feedback. While we do have the monthly challenge/trade themes that is NOT what the entire group is about. Though the art swap/trade is definitely what makes this community fun and many coming back over the years – This is not a place to do quick sloppy work to get “free art” in return! You’ll learn below about the monthly trade/challenge and how that works but I hope you’ve also come to be part of our community and see how we’ve all become some of the best friends we now have in art and life. Yes, I’m a very cheesy emotional person! =)
I hope you can survive the eye bleed of a long read you’re in for below! Don’t worry it is all good information! LOL I know the length of it alone scares away folks, BUT I promise you won’t find a more awesome art & trade group out there. Having good expectations up front makes it so we all know what to expect.
If you are VERY new to Artist Trading Cards and trading, message me and I can send you free ATC trade starter kit in the good old snail mail to help you get started!
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There are also art hangout video or voice sessions on our Discord server – if you’re not shy just pop in anytime and ask if anyone is around to hang out!
ATCs / ACEOS are artist trading card size original art 2.5 x 3.5 inches (or 3.5 x 2.5 inches)
TO APPLY for SIGN UP: Please READ this ENTIRE Guideline page
– Then fill out the signup form at the bottom of the page with your info and what month you hope to join. Only fill out the force once because when you are a member you can DM, email or add yourself to the monthly signup roster anytime!
While anyone is welcome to apply we are not always open for new membership, if I invited you personally then of course you’ll be immediately gobbled right up into the community.
I’m here if you have any questions or concerns!
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Basics of HOW THIS ALL WORKS! – the nitty gritty
MONTHLY THEMES: READ the blog post for that month’s THEME REQUIREMENTS! Each month the theme changes and there are usually special requirements, for example requires at least one character, multiple characters/poses, items, etc.
Themes are usually released at the beginning of each year! So you have A LOT of time!
These monthly themes are intended as a CHALLENGE as well as a way to trade fabulous original art and bond our little art community. Please rise to the challenge and treat your fellow artists with respect by putting in your best efforts. This is not a minimal effort group where you just send in cards you pooped out in an hour to get cards in return, omg did I say poop…haha yes I did. Because it’s not really fair to those other friends that spend a lot of time and effort on theirs. So if you aren’t loving the theme just skip it that month and do one of the other themes instead. The reason we are a successful fun group is because we are having fun making for each other and pushing ourselves artistically to improve our art skills as well as make friends doing so. If you are doing this more for stress relief fun of course I don’t expect you to treat this as a mini masterpiece work but please understand that I swap based on effort, composition, execution etc. So just *wink wink* keep that in mind when creating and getting the trade envelope back ok. xoxo
How we Swap:
– Once I receive all cards I’ll swap them for 3 different cards by 3 different artists. So you’ll get back the number of cards you send by different artists not 3 back by the same artist. As often as I can manage a few people each month might get a bonus 4th card back as I make extras each month and put them in the swapping pile to help with balancing effort/composition etc. of the swapping as well as sometimes I use our group stash cards to do that. I also sometimes doodle mail art cards on the outside of envelopes when I have time/energy.
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HOW TO MAKE YOUR CARDS!?
Please Please continue reading – come on I believe in you!
MAIL BY DATE:
1st day of the following month. Example: January’s theme should be made/completed and mailed on the 1st day of February. Yes of course if its a mailing holiday then just get it in the mail shortly after that date.
– SENDING EARLY IS FINE! Sending late? Please don’t unless you’ve contacted me and I’ve said it’s ok. You only receive cards if you send cards. Wink wink, nudge nudge.
– CREATE THREE ORIGINAL 2.5 x 3.5 inch cards – no larger, no smaller, SIZE IS IMPORTANT
I CANNOT STRESS size importance ENOUGH!! If it does not fit in a trading card sleeve it is the incorrect size! Yes you can decoratively round or punch the corners if you want. Sometimes we even strategically burn, distress or cut the edges (depending on theme hah!)
– Must be hand drawn or hand painted for the monthly theme! Current and returning members know that if all you can manage to make is one card a month that is ok and we’d rather you participate then miss out. So do what you can. Making 3 just makes things better for swapping and balancing everyone’s return envelopes.
– ORIGINALS only! Must be your hand drawn, hand painted/colored artwork. No prints, No tracing, copying, No AI or referencing other people’s art. This is not digital art, NO FAN ART, Do not redraw the same cards every month. Try to make your cards unique and break outside your comfort zone. Need help? Use a blank body form illustration pose, pose book or photography or ask in the discord for help and resources!
– CLEARLY WRITE ON THE BACK OF EACH CARD:
Your NAME (Real or otherwise Social media name if you want), #ATCitupwithfriends, Theme / Date. Other things you’re welcome to include: title, your location in the world, hello note or little story, but at minimum it MUST have your name, year and the hashtag.
– INDIVIDUALLY sleeve each card – a clean one people, not an old used dirty one! They are often called penny sleeves and are PREFERRED (see this link), – just protect it when you mail it as envelopes sometimes get wet in transit! If you don’t have sleeves I will sleeve them when they arrive but still put them in protection of some kind. I will send a small handful of sleeves to you in your next envelope, after that please acquire sleeves for the next time you participate.
– Optional 4th card: – “Host Gift Card” for Pabkins! It’s just a 4th card in the same theme if you have time. Host cards are a common thing in the ATC Swap groups its just a nice way to thank the host. I would much rather you spend your effort on making 3 amazing cards then rush or pressure yourself. Everyone knows I’m a CRAZY art card collecting addict. I make them, buy them, trade them lol – so if you want to put a big smile on my ATC loving face and send and extra Yippeee! But don’t worry, in all seriousness, YOU DON’T HAVE TO AND THERE IS NO PRESSURE TO DO SO! This never effects how I swap cards at all!
– You CAN drop out of any month’s theme at anytime! You do not have to participate every month. You can add yourself to the roster for each month anytime, and drop out anytime. Just please give me the courtesy of letting me know so I don’t worry that your envelope is lost and so I don’t have to nudge you. Please share a photo of your completed cards on the discord server (we have a channel for sharing what you make, and one for sharing what you receive. For those who don’t use discord (on no why not its awesome!) You’re welcome to use the #ATCitupwithfriends hashtag on instagram instead and @atcitup.withfriends so I can see them. Sharing and interacting is a big part of what motivates us and makes us an awesome community so please interact whenever you can or however you are comfortable.
CARD CREATION QUIDELINES: The Very Helpful information section you skimming readers definitely shouldn’t skip!
- Hand drawn or painted/colored cards only! Whatever medium you prefer is fine. Black and white (grayscale/monochromatic is ok in moderation but this is mostly a full color group. NO LINE ART ONLY cards (unless that is in line with the theme or you go all in with lots of hatching, stippling, dotwork etc.) The entire surface of the card should have been touched by your art materials – empty flat solid backgrounds are HIGHLY discouraged, remember we are challenging ourselves. You’ll see what I mean once you jump on our discord server!
- Please avoid making 3 practically identical cards, with “different window dressing” that does not show creativity or effort! We aren’t a portraits art group so the same stylized face shot and composition cards every month aren’t what we do. Please break outside the box and try something new. New compositions, new poses, etc. We are an illustration group targeted at helping you improve all areas of your illustrative skills with characters, scenes, creative compositions etc. If you question the quality or content of your own card and know in your heart that you wouldn’t be happy to receive it please consider that before sending it in! We have a supportive discord community that is always around for feedback and encouragement! Do not be intimidated we are all very friendly!
- Originality and “thinking outside the box” is strongly encouraged! We all love artistic creativity, because that is one of the goals of this group, challenging yourself to grow illustrative skills – When signing up for a theme – you are saying you will create in that theme! Your interpretive subthemes are welcome and encouraged but the main challenge theme of that month should still be obviously included.
- No collage, No stamps, no jewels, NO GLITTER! (omg I have glitter bomb nightmares…I could tell you horror stories of the year when tons of the members bombed my mailbox..), no stickers on the front of the cards. Nothing that pops up from the surface as it can damage other cards. lol But what does that mean!? No glued together bits and bobs because this is NOT a crafting, scrapbooking, mixed paper media art group. We focus on illustration. Please no fold out cards. A good rule of thumb is – if it was glued on rather then drawn/painted on then please no. The ONLY exception is hand drawn/handcut cut papercut accents that are by you not stencil etc. Just ask if you have questions!
- Please don’t do “Puzzle” cards. Each card should be able to stand on it’s own since each card goes to someone different. So don’t just draw one big art then chop it up making a puzzle. Yes you can draw it all together and chop it up if each of the cards still has its own composition and doesn’t look like a serial killer hacked your characters to pieces LOL.
- Fan Art is not accepted in the monthly swap theme UNLESS it is part of that month’s theme requirement. Our focus is on original art and to challenge your own creativity. (Fan art, studies and such does get included in some of our specific month’s themes and is it also ok to request those things in personal trades or our MMH game, auctions, etc when you and the other person agree upon it.)
- No Religious, Political or obscene sexually explicit content in your cards. Tasteful Nudity is acceptable, obscene/grotesque nudity or implied sexual acts is not. If in doubt just ask. This rule is here to keep us as a safe, supportive community where folks can come to not worry about conflicting beliefs and opinions. We are here for the enjoyment of creative art growth through fantasy/sci-fi illustration.
- Do not use super thin paper! Your cards should NOT be flimsy, if they are thin you should mount them to another piece of paper. Please use a quality paper.
- Please no shedding/smearing cards! So no glitter, no embossing glitter (use a glitter pen/ink or a mica/metallic pain instead if you want that shimmer! Here are some options like Coliro paint or a Zig kuretake pen. If you use materials that commonly “shed” material like chalk, graphite etc, you should be spray sealing your cards. If touched the materials used should not rub off onto someone’s hands.
- You can cut your own cards from your own paper or you can use precut store bought cards, whatever you prefer. A paper slicer is your friend!
- Remember, don’t leave empty white backgrounds. This also means if you used toned/color papers please give the entire card attention. Solid one color filled in backgrounds are strongly discouraged as this shows lack of effort. Come on folks please put in effort and try for a background or “atmosphere” on your card, remember rise to the challenge. We all want to improve our skills, send fantastic art and have fun getting fantastic art in return!
- It is up to my discretion to return cards unswapped! I have almost never have to do this thankfully! If you read this far I’m sure you might guess at reasons why a card might get sent back to you.
OMG you’ve made it this far? You deserve an award! Maybe take a break, have a cup of coffee – Just a little farther I promise.
– SHARE with your friends and fellow artists you know! – it helps our little Artist community and trade events grow. So post your WIP cards! Post your finished cards! you can even post the cards you receive in return! If you know an artist you think might be interested point them to this ABOUT FAQ and warn them not to be afraid of the scary length of it. It’s all really simple process I swear!!
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MAILING, POSTAGE, PACKAGING!
All Helpful info I promise!
Mailing info that you might not think is obvious but I’ve had these questions before….
- ADVICE ON MAILING/PACKAGING –
- Do not use black or dark envelopes, the mail sorting machines hate them and they usually end up lost, sent back undeliverable or I get charged a hand sorting fee. Don’t use square envelopes, those will cost you more to ship because its considered non machinable – so they charge more because of the shape.
- Best choice to mail in: Brown kraft 5×7 inch envelopes are the best! They are sturdy! Use washi tape, place them face down to secure your cards to either side, don’t overlap and that way the envelope has a nice natural flex and will go thru the mail machines smoothly.
- DON’T use scotch or clear tape it tends to rip cards and sticks like crazy to the sleeves!
- Example photo of nice way to pack your envelope is at the bottom.
- LOST MAIL, LOST CARDS – If I do not receive your cards I cannot swap out cards from the group themed swap, HOWEVER… I try to make sure no one goes with an empty mailbox though if your cards get lost! – but I cannot do this alone as the group is too large. I have for the past 10 years always been able to send members a replacement envelope if their cards went missing in the mail! During busy months or holiday season it can happen that 1-3 envelops a month go missing because of that donation cards for lost or stolen envelopes are appreciated!
- A LINK TO USPS Postage rates for First Class mail –
- Enjoy this USPS youtube video on how your mail gets sorted and sent
- Please please PUT THE PROPER POSTAGE ON YOUR ENVELOPES or the carrier will either send it back or charge me to pick it up from the Post office.
- 1 ounce envelopes (greeting card size no larger then 5×7) = you put 1 forever stamp
- Envelopes that are rigid, square in shape, more then 3/4 inch thick, or larger then 5×7 is considered “non machinable” = costs a 2 ounce stamp, or 2 forever stamps, or 1 forever stamp and one “additional ounce” stamp. If in doubt just slap 2 stamps on it please! Here is the link on stamp costs
- Bubble mailer envelopes up to 4 ounces = You really don’t need to mail them as packages! But some people prefer to do so. Please see this link for the most up to date package rates (folks often mail me packages with stamps slapped on, don’t do that because they get marked “postage due” and the postmaster makes me pay the rest to collect it from the Post Office). If you are going to mail it as a package take it to the counter, get it a proper label. Again, a normal greeting card size envelope is totally acceptable and cheaper for you!
- If you send a “manila” business envelope or something roughly 6×9 they will likely charge me a package postage rate to pick it up. So again, you need the proper postage, don’t just slap stamps on, take it to the counter. Please only send 5×7 envelopes, its honestly easier for everyone that way.
- If in doubt shoot me a message. I am always happy to help answer questions. You’d be surprised how many folks have never mailed a greeting card before LOL.
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HOW PABKINS WILL SHIP YOUR RETURN ENVELOPES!
(oh goodness you thought you were done…ok not quite but almost, almost!)
SEND YOUR POSTAGE AND RETURN ADDRESS LABELS PLEASE!!!!
– INCLUDE a LARGE and NEATLY CLEARLY WRITTEN RETURN ADDRESS paper or sticky label with your cards!!!! I suggest writing in all capital letters, VERY NEATLY!! (sticky label preferred – come on make it easy on me! Don’t send a tiny address label – how is the postal sorting machines going to read that!? Please don’t send pre address stamped envelopes I provide sturdy envelopes!)
– U.S. ARTISTS: include a loose forever postage stamp, or however many it cost you to mail your envelope! So if your cards are heavy then 2 postage stamps.
– INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS: – Please send $2 to $3 via paypal when you mail your cards please be sure to put your USERNAME and Theme in the notes section. If you plan to play each month you can paypal once for the whole year.
– What Pabkins’ SUPPLIES: a vinyl Sticker of the Month to everyone that participates that month (if we have enough members that join that month we usually do a featured artist sticker made from one of their card’s artwork), the return envelopes, sleeves (when you forget) and postage overages (I often have to add an extra stamp to envelopes that go over an ounce), Random prints, stickers, I art bomb some envelopes with a hand drawn ATC and sometimes extra ATCoriginals in envelopes I make or from our group card stash. I also send folks sleeves and blank address labels when they don’t have them and whatever else goodies I can, and whatever other artists send in as goodie donations that are flat.
- SWAPPING TURNAROUND TIME: Normally I am trying to swap by the end of the following month. However some countries it takes 1-2 months to arrive (India, Malaysia, Philippines, China etc). So if someone from a country with a long postal delivery time participates I WILL wait until theirs arrives. I update the whole group that month it might be longer mail time because of postal delivery delay. But if you are participating every month you should still be getting an envelope almost every month! I wait for ALL envelopes to arrive so please be patient if you choose to participate in this group. You will ALWAYS get an envelope pack from this group if I receive one from you! Discord announcements channel is the best place to see all current news as to what theme has been recently swapped and mailed back!
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OMG REALLY? MORE GREAT THINGS TO KNOW?: (at this point maybe you’ve had 2 cups of coffee, you’ve already made it through all the important no brainer stuff…the rest is just extra bits you might find helpful.
- Our Discord server is private and Pabkins sends the invites after the person has read this FAQ and filled out the sign up form. New members will receive the invite link in their confirmation email! You REALLY SHOULD JOIN THE DISCORD – DO NOT SHARE THIS DISCORD LINK it is for members only! It is the best place for getting the most up to date news, getting to know everyone, do extra mini challenges or mini swaps, playing a bonus “Make me Happy” trade game, there is sometimes participation prize packs, and lots of good resource channels.
- ATCitupwithfriends has an Art Book series! When you join you can sign the agreement form to be included in the art books (currently there are no plans to continue the series past volume 3), but you can buy the previous volumes if you want for $15 while supplies last.
- The welcome email will contain a link for our email newsletter signup form.
- Do not sell the cards you receive from other artists in this group trade! That is completely inappropriate as you traded for them and did not buy them. You can totally sell prints of your own artwork of the cards you made as you of course have the right to all your own artwork. If you are ever truly unhappy with the cards you receive you are welcome to send them back if you don’t want them, I hope this never happens because this group isn’t as much about what you receive in return as it is about improving and creating the best art we can. So of course we all want to receive something back that is awesome – just keep in mind I make this group open to a full range of skill level/experience. I try VERY VERY hard to make everyone happy and our return envelopes are like little art bombs in your mailbox. If there are issues please just reach out to me. Ultimately we are about being a supportive art group for us to grow and improve our skills, that also includes being kind to our fellow artists of differing styles and skill levels.
- My DM and email box is always open for questions and concerns. DMs, especially discord DMs are always best when you need to reach me quickly. I love suggestions and feedback. If you have worries and concerns or your envelope hasn’t arrived please DM me!
Donations to help this art community are gladly welcome and accepted!
There are so many little ways you could help this group thrive and continue to do all the awesome things it does! Here are ways to donate:
- Group’s Amazon Supply Wishlist: – #ATCitupwithfriends Amazon
- Paypal donate: Uncheck the goods and services checkbox: – http://paypal.me/tabspabs
- Send 1 year’s worth of postage if you don’t want to bother with a stamp each month or Worldwide folks if you don’t want to paypal each month, just do it once, I prefer that actually less fees. So either send a sheet of stamps or paypal once that year, totally your choice.
- We have a few original card auctions sometimes once a year – if you are ever able please send an honest effort original card or more to help our fundraising efforts! We do this maybe once a year or every other year when we are ramping up for projects like our books, the group stickers of the month (everyone that plays that month gets), ATC trade starter kits for new members (if they want one), helps pay international postage for our overseas artists as well as group supplies, etc.
- Or slip extra stamps or whatever $ you’d like into the envelope when you send your cards in.
- Prints, Stickers, extra original ATCs, or any flat items smaller then 5×7 are gladly accepted as I stuff the envelopes with the things that folks send in for the group goodies stash. So hopefully monthly envelopes become like a little art bomb in your mailbox! DO NOT send business cards I will not forward those on as they take up weight/space, just be sure your instagram ID is on the back of any fun things you send so fellow artists know who to tag if they receive them.
Running the group really adds up and I know not everyone can afford to help. There is no pressure at all! But I’m sure once you get to know the folks in the group you’ll see why it has continued to grow and thrive! I have this info here so its easy for folks to find it if they are able or want to help out.
I know all that info was a lot to take in and you might be shaking your head by now going, oh heck to the no LOL – but trust me this runs like a well oiled machine and it might just be your newest art addiction…if you made it far I know you have the gumption haha.
You made it to the end!! I’ll be sure to put an extra sticker in your first envelope LOL
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– REQUIRED: CLICK THIS LINK to Fill out the Signup APPLICATION FORM!
You only fill it out once ever. After you fill it out you will receive an email back within a few days if there is space and you’ve been accepted to participate that month.)
