After the quietly entertaining Strip Search Grand Prix racing, the elimination challenged zoomed forward as the artists went back to the  merchandise booths they’d set up the day prior. There they find out that they’ll be sketching for tips. Put out the organ grinder and monkey, folks!

Kris Straub author/artist of Broodhollow and Chainsawsuit.com is a seasoned veteran of sketching for the fan and he, ah, hands out some tips of his own. Then the rules are set down by Graham: Folks are going to fill up the room, and those wearing Strip Search pins will be judging and will hand over fake $5 tips for the artists’ sketch, maybe handing out more of the fake cash if the experience is deserving. This is completely objective judging, right? The artist with the most fake cash wins. It’s simple!

Tavis wins, and Robert Khoo gets a +15 to his next troll roll.

Tavis wins, and Robert Khoo gets a +15 to his next troll roll.

Except it’s the Penny Arcade team and they’re proficient at theft and trolling. Which, amid all the complaints that I’m sure are everywhere on the youtubes and PA comments, is pretty much par for the course for any convention booth owner. The legitimate issue I have is not with Tavis winning – because let’s face it, you get $5 for each sketch regardless, the experiential tip is just bonus, so pounding out quick clean drawings is a must – is that Tavis wasn’t informed as to how well the other folks did and any deserving critique. That frustrating part aside, Tavis’ choices for elimination were pretty well thought out: Abby for her consistent lack of confidence, and Erika for her “free sketches!” sign when the challenge was to sketch for money.

Bring on the elimination, baby!

Screw that.

Bring on the tangents!

My current top three still remain unchanged!
 Katie, Tavis, and Maki

New episodes hit the web Tuesdays and Fridays on Penny Arcade and youtube.

Current Standings:

Abby Howard, 20, Montreal, Quebec.
She’s the youngest and has the least experience. But she draws dinosaurs! However, will any of those things even matter?

Alex Hobbs, 22, Tempe, AZ.
This swear-word dropping free-spirit is highly likeable, but will his work be up to par? Set to graduate post-Strip Search, it’ll be interesting to see where this will take him. 
(Eliminated 1st Challenge)

Amy Falcone, 24, Noank, CT
Gamer to the innards, Amy is serious and competitive to a fault. Will that fault be her undoing? Whatever the result, quitting her job to do Strip Search shows her passion.
(Challenge #1 Winner)
(Social Game #3 / Drawing Blind Winner – Intuos5 Tablet)
(Eliminated 5th Challenge)

Erika Moen, 29, Portland, OR
Proven work in social and sexual commentary brings her to the contest with a following that marks her as one to have eyes on.
(Social Game #3 / Drawing Blind Winner – Intuos5 Tablet)
(Challenge #4 Winner)

Katie Rice,31, Burbank, CA
A soft-spoken artist with a following of her own.  Some of those fans are also fellow contestants. Will she use the star power to stun?
(Kept: Elimination #1)
(Kept: Elimination #2)
(Social Game #4 / Street Art Winner – Artist Alley booth at NYCC ’13)
(Social Game #5 / Sculpt-Off Winner – Redraw Ticket)

Lexxy – Alexandra Douglas, 27, Carmel, IN
Also seen in Penny Arcade: The Series, she’s dealt with Gabe and Tycho’s reality egos. If that helps or harms remains to be seen.
(Social Game #2 / Seattle Trivia Winner – Wacom Cintiq HD Tablet)
Eliminated 3rd Challenge (but BARELY)
(Returned to compete after the double elimination #4)
(Social Game #6 / SS Grand Prix Winner – Penny Arcade “First Party” Wardrobe)

Mac – Mackenzie Schubert, 26, Portland, OR
Quiet, doe-eyes Mac has a very defined artistic style all his own. It’ll be interesting to watch how his gentle soul deals with the mood swings a competitive show can bring.Eliminated 4th Challenge
(Social Game #4 / Street Art Winner – Artist Alley booth at NYCC ’13)

Maki Naro, 31, Brooklyn, NY
While I sincerely hope this guy watches Psych, his cool logic and talent may very well be what brings him to the final set of competitors.
(Social Game #1 / Fax Machine Winner – Redraw Ticket)
(Social Game #4 / Street Art Winner – Artist Alley booth at NYCC ’13)
(Kept: Elimination #5)

Monica Ray, 22, Northbrook, IL
While seemingly quiet at the beginning, Monica’s super-power of Always Doing Something And Befriending All seems a gift. Remains to be seen if that gift implodes or explodes.
(Challenge #5 Winner)

Nick Trujillo, 30, Walnut Creek, CA
Something of a philosopher and jack of all trades, Nick’s ability to be alright with people and make good art is something to watch. But will his relative newness to the industry be a detriment?
(Challenge #2 Winner)
(Challenge #3 Winner)
(Eliminated 4th Challenge)

Tavis Maiden, 31, Mesa, AZ
Bringing the attitude only a parent can, Tavis wants this more than any five-year-old screaming for the last piece of cake. He may get it, too.
(Kept: Elimination #3)
(Challenge #6 Winner – Black Ink Pro Kit and Airbrush Kit from Copic)

Ty Halley, 25, Portsmouth, OH
Clipped, dry witted Ty has no brain-to-mouth–filter. And, he’s using his time on Strip Search as material for his own daily life strip. That will be interesting. (Eliminated 2nd Challenge)

All  bios and links to the personal websites of each artist can be found here.

 

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