Well, this is the end I guess. I got a bit farther than my most recent update, but then life happened and I lost a couple of days. No time left to finish.
I keep toying with the idea of coming up with something simple that I could put together really quick. But after a few hours of experimentation last night I got nothing, and with only 11 hours to the deadline it doesn't seem likely that I'll come up with something anytime soon. So I'm out of energy and out of ideas, but it's been fun nonetheless.
Just in case anyone is actually interested, I do intend to finish this project. It'll most likely be one of those "hour a day" until it's finished, but I'm just too fond of my original idea to abandon it completely. For any who may be interested you can find future updates here: https://forums.cubebrush.co/t/novics-unfinished-artwar-entry/3284
There are so many great entries here, so many talented artists, I can't wait to see who wins. And who knows, maybe we can do it all again next year.
No regrets. Best of luck to everyone.