Sandra & Woo is having a contest for fanart ending today(we had about a month to do it & I just started this picture on Friday), and I would be kicking myself for not entering. I've never heard of a webcomic having a fanart contest with cash prizes, or even having the budget to do so, but the prize for the best fanart is $100. Novil never said if that's US dollars, but most likely it is. I could definitely use $100, heh. I could also use the traffic that such a fan art would bring me, regardless of cash prize.
I did consider using a 3D background, but I only use it if the picture calls for it. If this were indoors, I'd totally build a room in 3D.

UPDATE: I only got an honorable mention, but at least it was the first fanart shown & I got a link underneath it. Unfortunately, my stats only show 2 visits via that site. *sigh* Oh well, the point of fan art is to show your appreciation for the comic, and that was certainly accomplished.