A full raster piece taking after the look of vector (The layered look) OR
Raster layers along with vector layers (For example, a solid raster base with vector gradients) OR
A vector piece (excluding gradient mesh) with raster elements (Textures, patterns, dropshadows, outerglows)

No airbrushing or painting to blend.
No blurring, smudging, sharpening, burning or dodging (Most filters would not be accepted, as well as the cutout filter).
Glows used to cheat blending, as opposed to using several layers or gradients, are not allowed.
Brushes allowed for a) Decoration, b) Hair (Stroke path.) Brushes should not be the main part of the piece. If the piece more brushes than hand-rendered shapes, it would no longer be considered vexel.
Photos overlayed over your finished product are not allowed.
Soft, feathered or photo brushes are not allowed.
Brushes used for texturing are allowed, provided they lightly texture and not take over.
Solid layers or gradient layers must be visible (Even if barely)
Textures, patterns, outerglows and dropshadows are allowed, as long as they are not overbearing. Use your discretion wisely.
Photograph backgrounds are not allowed. (This would be mixed media, as you are mixing both the medium of vexel with the medium of photography)
No gradient mesh, as it doesn't have the layered look achieved in vexel art, layers need to be visible (no matter how finely blended)
Each layer must be manually and individually rendered, so that excludes the use of LiveTrace.