Many prompts on Succubuns require art to possess a background in order to be approved. Succubuns breaks down backgrounds into two tiers for prompt requirements and carat rewards: simple backgrounds and complex backgrounds.
Background Restrictions
In order to count as a background for the purpose of earning carats, a background must create a scene around the featured characters. As such, splashes of color or pattern backdrops do not count as a background.
Below are some examples of pattern backdrops that do not count as backgrounds:
Succubuns also requires that all backgrounds be hand drawn. While you're welcome to reference photographs for your background art, you may not use photos as a background (including using a photo that has been filtered or blurred), and you may not directly trace photos for your background.
This also applies to 3D models made to be used as art assets—you can use them as a reference or for rough paint-overs, but cannot use them as lineart. You can read more about the use of premade assets on the Asset Restrictions page.
Some art pieces may have a single background element to them, but not a complete scene. If a "backdrop" is made up of a single element or prop, and does not create a full scene that the character is placed within, it does not count as a background.
Color
Like the other elements of Succubuns art, backgrounds need to be fully colored. They cannot be uncolored lineart or colored in monochrome; each element must be appropriately colored, with leniency allowed for mood lighting.
Uniquely Drawn
All backgrounds need to be hand drawn and unique to that art piece.
This means that they must be able to stand on their own without the use of premade assets. Please reference the Asset Restrictions page for more specific rules about using premade assets such as asset brushes in art submissions.
Additionally, backgrounds may not be reused across multiple submissions. Anything drawn for Succubuns can only be submitted for rewards once.
Duplicating a small element of art inside the piece it is made for is allowed, but any art elements that are reused within the same piece will not count towards complexity. A meadow scene that has many hand drawn flowers is much more likely to be accepted than one that copy-pastes the same 1-2 flowers. You also cannot copy-paste the same flower illustration between two different pieces.
Simple Backgrounds
Simple backgrounds are the most common type of background required by Succubuns prompts, and are intended to be fairly simple and quick to draw compared to complex backgrounds. However, they do still have minimum requirements that must be met in order to count.
Multiple Elements
Simple backgrounds are not required to have as many elements as a complex background, but they cannot consist of just a prop or two.
In order to be counted as a background, simple backgrounds must possess multiple elements. For example, while a large throne can imply a setting, it isn't enough to create a scene on its own. Include other elements of the background, such as windows, a defined floor and walls, or other details that give a clear sense of setting.
Coverage
A simple background does not have to create a full-bleed scene; it's enough to depict a small section of the ground and backdrop, so long as they convey a setting. Simple backgrounds that are not full-bleed (reaching the edges of the canvas) must be large enough to contain at least 2/3rds of the character depicted.
Complex Backgrounds
Complex backgrounds ask the artist to place their characters in a full, three-dimensional scene, and are generally only required for prompts that have a special focus on their setting.
Depth and Coverage
Unlike a simple background, a complex background must create a full-bleed scene.
This means that the background needs to stretch to all of the edges of the canvas, and the characters within the piece must visibly occupy a three-dimensional space with depth.
Some reused elements are acceptable in a complex background, but only if it has enough other details to pass without them. A complex background that contains copy-and-pasted candles is fine as long as the candles are a small part of the piece, but if the candles are the only details, they should each be individually drawn.
Generally, a complex background should follow the same requirements as a simple background, but "more." More details, a larger area depicted, and clearer sense of depth and setting all contribute towards complexity. Some backgrounds that are full bleed may lack the depth and detail necessary to qualify as a complex background, but the Succubuns team will do our best to grade it comparative to your previous submissions. We love to see the extra work and thought that goes into bringing Burrowgatory to life in a complex background!
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