The moment we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived! After two busy weeks of collating, reviewing and uploading some 300+ entries to our Flickr page, we’re thrilled to (finally!) announce the winners of our 2012 Beermat Character design competition!

Last week our judging panel took to the task of picking their favourite designs from our Flickr gallery – and we’re delighted to announce the winners today! Each of the chosen lucky winners will receive a prize from the judges themselves, in addition to securing their place on our forthcoming Beermat Character Exhibition. A further 42 designs were handpicked by the Inkygoodness team, shortlisting just 50 artists & illustrators overall to join us for the exhibition. Showcasing a diverse collection of creative ideas and styles, the winning artworks have been chosen for their unique approach to the Beermat Character brief.

So, without further ado – meet our lucky winners…!

Pippa Stewart (UK), chosen by Wrap Magazine

“We picked Pippa Stewart’s characters – they are just such good fun! They have a great clean and graphic look to them – we love her strong colours and just how fun the expressions on the characters faces are.” Polly & Chris, Wrap Magazine

Pippa is the lucky winner of this gorgeous Wrap bundle – we can’t wait to see what’s inside!

Mr the Beef (UK) chosen by ThunderChunky

Matthew McGregor (UK) chosen by Pictoplasma

Matthew receives a copy of their brand new book; The Pictoplasma Character Compendium, featuring more than 900 artworks by leading illustrators & character designers!

Joanne Hawker (UK) chosen by Momiji

“I love the way Joanne has embraced the format and structure of a traditional beer mat but whilst also mixing it up with an unconventional use of colour. I love her gentle yet mysterious characters. They are the kind of creatures I’d like to have a brandy with. They look wise.” Claire Rowlands, Momiji

Claire is organising a very special Momiji goodie bag for Joanne which will be on it’s way to her very soon!

Ronnie Deelen (PL) chosen by IdN World

The team at IdN said of Ronnie’s Beermats; “These beermats will be a nightmare for productions, but great to have!”

Ronnie is the lucky recipient of $30/£25 to spend in the IdN World Pro Shop.

Ed J.Brown (UK) chosen by Alex Mathers

Ed J.Brown receives a limited edition print, and will have his illustration work featured on Ape on the Moon.

“Rosie is one of the few artists to produce an image true to a beermat… Here is a character you could imagine sitting in a sleazy bar or pub and drawing from life – he’s down on his luck, a little boozed up, feeling jaded and about to tell you his life story… He may be purple, but he is believable. And I like that the beermat shows through the image – this could have been painted in situ.” Lawrence Zeegen

Rosie will receive a copy of The Fundamentals of Illustration and the Secrets of Digital Illustration by Lawrence Zeegen.

Kamil Czapiga (PL) chosen by Digital Arts editor Neil Bennett

Our 2012 Beermat Character Exhibition artist line-up:

Casiegraphics / Chris Cowdrill / Claire Jones / Daisy Woolf-Whitehouse / Dave Bain / Diane van der Voort / DOODULL / Ed J.Brown / El Tobe / Emma Jane Green / Emma Levey / Gil Guerra / Holly Clifton-Brown / Huw Barrett / JAYPEE / Joanne Hawker / Johnnie Weiliang Hoek / Jordan Andrew Carter / Jorfe / Josh Neal / Julien Decaudin / Laura Kiteley / Laura Redburn / Laurie Stansfield / Loch Ness / Lorrie Whittington / Luke Brookes  / Marina Todorova  / Matthew McGregor / Max Postma / Michael Martins / Mesh137 / Mr the Beef / Nate Bear / Natie Marie / Paul Goodall / Paul Roberts / Peter Judson / Pia Drent / Pippa Stewart / Rinske Zijsling / Ronnie Deelen / Rosey Cheekes / Rosie Carmichael  / Slumberbean /  Steven Roberts / The Felt Room / Tom Holmes  / Vicky Newman

Featuring over 100 Beermat Characters, our Inkygoodness group exhibition will see our 50 ‘winning’ designs exhibited alongside Beermat Character artworks by our invited artists, whom include:

Akinori Oishi (JPN) / Beastman (AU) / David Shillinglaw (UK) / Eugene Plotnikov (AU) / Felt Mistress (UK) / Hattie Stewart (UK) / Jim Bradshaw (USA) / Jonathan Edwards (UK) / Manuel Reggaldo (GU) / Mayumi Haryoto (IND) / Motel Seven (SA) / Muju World (UK) / Muxxi (GU) /Mr Penfold (UK) / Peskimo (UK) / Rilla Alexander (GE) / Ryan Bubnis (USA) / Ryan Quincy (USA)] / Sac Magique (FI/UK) / Sandra Dieckmann (UK) / Scott Balmer (UK) / Simon Wild (UK) / Sneaky Raccoon (UK) / Sweaty Eskimo (UK) / Thereza Rowe (UK) / TADO (UK)

We are now on the hunt for a suitable platform to launch an exhibition of the resulting artworks from the project – and whilst we can’t say too much yet, full details will be released in the new year as soon as they are confirmed.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the competition – we’ve really enjoyed looking at all your entries!

Tags: Alex Mathers, Ape on the Moon, beer mat, Beermat, Beermat Characters, coaster, Digital Arts, Exhibition, IdN World, Lawrence Zeegen, Momiji, Pictoplasma, Thunderchunky

Posted by Lisa Hassell