// Independent Render Art Contests
GraveSongs
About Gravesongs
Independent Render Art Contests
Gravesongs is intended to be a small corner of the internet dedicated to slightly more odd render contests.You won't find Winter Wonderlands or Spring Dream competitions here as the name probably hinted. Instead, we're looking for the strange, spooky, and sometimes macabre.Any 3D program can be used to render contest submissions. Whether that's setting something up in Daz Studio to then render in Unreal or creating your full scene in Blender, start to finish - use the tools most comfortable to you that can produce the results you want.
The contests hosted on this site are judged purely on the final art image produced. Composition, lighting styles, portrayal of the contest theme, and... for lack of a better term, Vibes will all be taken into account during the final evaluation.
While the technical skills required to produce an impressive image have their own merits, that is not the purpose of the site.
As such, there is no limit to the amount of postwork allowed in entries, barring use of generative AI, as long as it remains obvious that it is a 3D Render.
In all, the main goal is to have fun, make something you enjoy, and show off your work alongside others. The prizes may be small, but a new piece of art for your gallery and bragging rights go a long way.
✧ Recent Contest & Challenge Winners ✧
Coming Soon
Next Grave Song
Challenge Ending
01/09/2026
Changelog Notices:
[01/09] The Epitaphs Challenge & Grave Songs II are open for submissions.[22/08] Adjustments have been made to how judging is handled. The decision was made to change the process from simple, ranked voting to a more comprehensive score sheet with tallied end scores.[21/08] Grimm Corp contest is now open for submissions.[21/08] After feedback, The Epitaphs Challenge has been lowered from 6 prompts to 4.[18/08] Registration for notifications for Grave Songs Event: Epitaph Challenge are now open.
Welcome to Gravesongs3D
The Contests
How Judging Works
The focus of contests found on this site is not on technical skill, but rather the final art image produced.Judging will be conducted by a mixed group of both 3D and 2D (traditional and digital) artists, unless otherwise stated, and winners selected by highest tallied score. While judges will remain anonymous, they will rotate per contest to keep things as fair as possible.When applicable, "judging criteria" will be shown on the specific contest's Guidelines. Some contests may focus on composition or color scheme, specifically, alongside the Theme; others may be simply focused on theme interpretation as a whole.
If a contest is listed as "Non-Specific" judging criteria it means a general, wider range of points were considered during the process.
Judges will be given score sheets featuring these criteria and the totals will be tallied to select the winner(s).A look into the judges' decision process in the form of personal comments will be featured alongside the winning entries on the winners' page(s).If a judge is found to have been giving preferential treatment to friends or family that have participated in a contest, the judge will be removed and barred from future judging panels.In some cases, an 'Honorable Mention' award my be presented to an entry. These awards do not have prizes apart from a small feature on the site's main page.
✧ Prizes
All prizes on Gravesongs3D are donated by contest hosts or sponsors. If you would like to sponsor a contest or host your own, contact staff.Please note that most prizes consist of assets made specifically for use in Daz Studio.Prizes will be delivered via email to winners by Gravesongs3D or applied to store accounts by sponsors after the results are announced. In cases of custom prize assets, the host/sponsor is fully responsible for contacting the winner to discuss details of creation and delivering the final prize. Contact information will not be provided to the sponsor without Gravesongs3D obtaining permission from the winning entrant first.
If a winner does not receive contact from a host/sponsor in concerns to a custom prize after an extended period of time, an alternative prize may be substituted. Instances of this will be handled on a case-by-case basis and may result in the concerned host being barred from future sponsorship/hosting.Financial prizes are not a feature of the site.
No money is requested or given during any aspect of interaction with Gravesongs3D. If you encounter a link or are contacted by someone claiming otherwise, please report it to the site staff via email or other contact paths.For detailed information, please see the Site Overview which contains a more thorough explanation of Prizes and Judging Transparency.
General Rules
➤ Contests are open to persons 18 years or older.➤ Entries to the contest must be the original work of the contestant placing the submission and made specifically for the contest; multiple entries may be posted by a single contestant.➤ Submitted work may not infringe on any copyrighted/trademarked third-party rights (this includes fan content and likenesses of real people without express permission from the individual featured). If you are unsure if an asset would be grounds for disqualification due to this, please contact the site staff.➤ AI Content or use of generative AI in postwork is not allowed and entries using it will be disqualified.➤ Entries promoting hatred, discrimination, harassment, or violence against individuals or protected and/or minority groups are prohibited.
Entries must not portray figures under the age of 18/minors or characters that may reasonably be interpreted as minors in a sexual or dubious context.
Violation of these rules will result in a permanent ban from entry into any contest hosted by Gravesongs3D.➤ Any 3D program and any assets obtained from a legal source can be used to create the final render piece for the contest. Artistic nudity is permitted and postwork is allowed.➤ Renders may be in any aspect ratio format at any resolution.
Gravesonngs3D reserves the right to alter, expand, or remove rules at staff's discretion without prior notice.
Grave Songs
Rather than contests, Grave Songs are challenges. Their purpose is to provide inspiration for things you may not normally consider rendering and have fun playing around with something potentially outside of your comfort zone.Grave Songs do not have prizes. Instead, ‘winners’ of the challenges will have their image featured as the site banner for the duration of the following challenge period. Judging is conducted in the same way as contests though the 'winner's page in this case may not be as extensive.There is no separate rule set for challenges and all General Rules still apply.
Enter a Contest or Grave Song
Entrants grant Gravesongs3D non-exclusive permission to display the works under Contest, Challenge, and Winner’s Galleries. The images may also be featured in other sections on site(s).
Gravesongs3D will not alter any image submitted to it for use in promotional material or repost the images outside of Gravesong sites (contest hub and winner’s circle) without express permission from the author.
Entrants retain full rights to all images. Images will be removed from galleries and site features upon request.After submission, a moderator will add your image to the appropriate gallery with your name/username included. You may include one to two lines of description text to be displayed with it as well as a link to your personal gallery or site.
Entrants cannot submit directly to the site.Please allow time for your submission to be added to the gallery. If you do not see your image added within 48 hours of submission, please re-submit the image via the form or one of the alternatives listed below.If an entry has been rejected, you will be contacted by staff with a notice of rejection and the reason for the decision.
Entrants are free to upload their works to other galleries and personal sites during and after contests.
As entry submission requires a working link to the image, it is acceptable for entrants to submit their works to a gallery prior to official entry submission. In such cases, it is strongly recommended that entrants do not wait an extended period of time between gallery posting and submission of their entry and make it clear in any accompanying text that the image is intended as a submission for the contest.While not an initial requirement, Gravesongs3D reserves the right to request additional views, wireframes, or clay renders of entries should a dispute arise as to the the use of AI, ownership of an entry, or other issues that these may help disprove or settle.Gravesongs3D reserves the right to securely store entrants' contact information for up to one year off-site for record and security purposes. By submitting an entry, you agree to allow this.Entrants will not be contacted via included email by Gravesongs Staff for any reason outside of the context or time-frame of the contest(s) they have entered.For detailed information, please see the Site Overview which contains a more thorough explanation of Rules, General ToS, and Submission ToS.
Submission Form
Include a link to the image, directly, or to a gallery posting that allows the image to be saved.If no alias or username is provided, Gravesongs will use the username attached to the account or name shown on the submission email.
Alternative Submission & Contact Options
To submit an entry via deviantArt (direct message or via group), please include:
➤ Your name/username
➤ The title of the contest
➤ Your submission image (linked directly or to a gallery page)
➤ One to two lines of description text (optional)
➤ A link to your gallery/site (optional)
➤ Confirmation that Gravesongs3D is granted permission to publicly display the work and relative information on-site as well as privately store information (when applicable) for up to one year for security records.
Simply saying "I agree to the ToS" is enough.See the details found in the linked discord server for how to submit that way.If you have any questions or concerns regarding an entry, please contact us using one of the following:
Notifications
Want to know as soon as a new contest is started or when a set of winners are announced? Subscribe to the mailing list to be kept up-to-date on what's going on at Gravesongs3D.
Active Contests
Closed Contests
Active Grave Songs
Closed Challenges
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Strange Angels
Closes: 16th September [2026] 23:00 EST
Judging Period: 17th - 20th Sept
Winners Announcement: 21st Sept
Guidelines
Genre(s): Cosmic horror. Sci-fi. Supernatural. Fantasy [modern or otherwise].Judging Criteria: Composition, lighting, and theme interpretation.
Contest Host: [G]lichSponsor: 3DShards - Sade3D
Prizes:
: ̀➛1st Place:
A copy of ‘Strange Angels Makeup System’ (unreleased), any 1 item from Lich’s 3D asset catalog, and 1 item from Sade3D's* store.: ̀➛2nd Place:
Any item 20$ usd or under from Lich’s 3D asset catalog and any 1 item from 3DShards' Gift Pool*.: ̀➛3rd Place:
Any 2 items from 3DShards' Gift Pool.*Requires an active 3DShards account.
Something shifts at the corners of your vision.
Something off; something wrong.You were always told angels were ethereal – Beings of light and peace who watched over the poor, unsuspecting souls in their care.
Who knew there actually was a very good reason for the greeting of, “be not afraid”?
You’re still not sure it’s a reasonable command.
The contest is looking for works featuring beings that fall into the category of guardians and messengers with a twist...or perhaps are just biblically accurate...With optional themes of:
Salvation (or is it?)
Light (do we have different definitions?)
Peace (at what cost?)Benevolent, malevolent, or hovering on the thin, grey line of morality, exactly what type of Strange Angel is entirely up to you.
Entry Gallery
DAZ-da-way
animsakari
Grimm Corp
Closes: 30th October [2026] 23:00 EST
Judging Period: 1st - 3rd Nov
Winners Announcement: 4th Nov
Guidelines
Genre(s): Sci-fi. Cyberpunk.
Sub Genre(s): Cosmic horror. Supernatural/Fantasy.Judging Criteria: Composition, lighting, and theme interpretation.
Contest Host: Daz-Da-WaySponsor: [G]lich - Lexana
Prizes:
: ̀➛1st Place:
Any 1 item from Lich’s 3D asset catalog & one pose set 10$ usd or under from Lexana.*: ̀➛2nd Place:
Any item 12$ usd or under from Lich’s 3D asset catalog.: ̀➛3rd Place:
Any item 7$ usd or under from Lich’s 3D asset catalog.*Requires an active 3DShards account.
When Fairytales go High Tech
Chose your favorite fairytale and transport them into the far future. Are they mech pilots, an augmented hacker, or are they just trying to navigate their stories in a world where aliens and androids are just as common as disgruntled fae?When submitting an entry, please include the title of the fairytale you selected.Please avoid using copyrighted portrayals or associated features.
Entry Gallery
Username - Example of text. Please only include 1 to 2 lines of text with your submission. This is fully optional.
Grave Songs I
Closes: 1st September [2026] 23:00 EST
Judging Period: 2nd - 3rd Sept
Winners Announcement: 4th Sept
Genre: No Restrictions
We all carry fragments of ghosts with us.
How do they manifest?Is it an illusion on the other side of the kitchen table or a dream that’s gone hazy around the edges after waking?Are they accurate or warped?Was that day really sunshine and smiles like the blurry photos hidden in your phone shows or was it too hot and exhausting trying to navigate in a strange place with only pocket change?Did he really smile like that or did your subconscious add that little crooked turn to the corner of his lips to make it sting less?A missing pet, a loved one who has passed, or a former friend who's number has been disconnected; whether good, bad, or somewhere in between, Grave Songs I's theme is Memories.
Entry Gallery
Christine Black
zennicai
Zicon
Grave Songs II
Closes: 1st October [2026] 01:00 EST
Judging Period: 2nd - 3rd Oct
Winners Announcement: 4th Oct
Genre: No Restrictions
Danse Macabre
Sic dat. sic retrahit. iterum trahet. atque retraxit Omnia. sol girans quod dedit. ipse trahit.Emperor, your sword won't help you out
Sceptre and crown are worthless here
I've taken you by the hand
For you must come to my dance
❝ The Danse Macabre, also called the Dance of Death, is an artistic genre of allegory from the Late Middle Ages on the universality of death.The Danse Macabre consists of the dead, or a personification of death, summoning representatives from all walks of life to dance along to the grave. ❞How will you dance with death?
Entry Gallery
Username - Example of text. Please only include 1 to 2 lines of text with your submission. This is fully optional.
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Thank you!
We'll be in touch with you soon.If you've submitted an offer of sponsorship, please allow time for a review of the provided information. This should take no longer than 24 hours.If you've submitted a hosting request and were accepted, staff will set up a preliminary page for the contest before contacting you for confirmation. While this should not take an excessive amount of time, please be aware that confirmation emails may be delayed up to 48 hours.In cases of rejection for both Sponsorship and Hosting, you will be notified of the rejection and given the reason for it.
If you do not recieve contact from Gravesongs3D for either type of submission after 72 hours, please resubmit the email or contact us through an alternative path.
Want to sponsor a contest Or looking to host your own?
Prizes for contest are 100% donated from creators across the web.If you'd like to sponsor a current or future contest with a prize, use the form below to let us know or contact us via one of the links listed under 'Alternative Contact Options' in the entries section.Please note that Gravesongs3D does not accept or distribute cash prizes. All prizes should be in the form of digital assets, premade or custom, that can be delivered upon selection of a winner. In special cases, a vendor or storefront specific gift voucher can be presented.
Use of these are evaluated case-by-case, but must not be valued over 200$ usd.For more detailed information on sponsorships, please click here.If you'd like to submit a contest for hosting, you can use the same form for contacting staff.
For more detailed information on hosting, please click here.If needed for any reason, entrants can also use the form below to contact Gravesong Staff.[18/8/26] There was a small issue with the form. If you sent in a sponsorship offer or contest request before this date, please resubmit it.
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WINNER
1st Place
Judges' Tally
| 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
Contestant Name:
Title of Image (if applicable):
Contestant's Site Link
Why the judges picked this one and maybe a few quotes about specific features that were liked.❝ quote spot ❞
Grave Songs Event
Epitaphs Challenge
1st September - 31st September
↓ Go To Prompts ↓
1 month; 4 prompts
Genre: No Restrictions
Each week through the month of September, one new prompt will be added each Tuesday.
[1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd]
The prompts will sometimes be fully fleshed out themes; other times, single words or phrases left open to interpretation.
The goal is to create a finalized art piece inspired by or following the prompt in your own style.Miss a week? Catch up!
The deadline for submissions will be the end of the month - not per week.Everyone wins: The prize is for completion of the challenge.
This means everyone who completes all four renders will be awarded the same prize: a small prop for use in Daz Studio custom made for the challenge.This is not a competition - It's purely for fun, practice, and playing with the themes presented.
Notification Sign-up
Get notified when each weekly prompt is added.
You will not be contacted once the challenge has concluded.Sign-up in not required to participate.
Completion Reward: Spirit Jar
A glass jar with two lid options (cork and cap) filled with the remnants of something once cherished…by someone, probably.
It makes an excellent nightlight.Features two movement morphs, 6 material options, and a selection of ‘helpers’ to hide/show certain features.Made for Daz Studio 4.24 (no known compatibility issues with Daz Studio 6)
All final entries must be submitted by 23:59 -400 UTC 31/09/26 to receive the challenge reward.
Challenge rewards will be delivered via email. Please ensure you have used a valid email for entry submissions to receive your prize. If you do not receive a link to download after 48 hours of the challenge completion announcement, please contact site staff.
01 [1/9/26]
The Strings of FateAre they ethernet cables? Red silk or flax? Powerlines? A mech pilot's hookups? Weave your tangled web and tell us or, better yet, show us.
01 [8/9/26]
Prompt 02
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01 [15/9/26]
Prompt 03
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01 [22/9/26]
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Prompt o1 Gallery
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