10.20.2009
Art: Thank you for 100k hits!
Thank you for 100,000 hits on deviantART and a great twenty-first birthday! He's drinking because now I can, too.... but he's a lightweight, like me. But he can make it through four... I can't make it through one. Awkward hands are awkward. When it comes to sketches I kind of stop caring after I finish the face...
10.19.2009
Art: Steampunk Concepts
I have kept this project under wraps for about a month and a half now, but it's the main reason I haven't been posting so much. This is my entry for GameXpo's Steampunk Art Contest - a conference which is occurring this weekend. For me, it's a more formal foray into game artwork.
The setting draws from and visually defines the previous alternate universe Steampunk headworld of Rivek. I truly enjoy translating my characters into different worlds because it's a mental challenge of maintaining their personalities in the different environment. Like, how would their occupations change? Their clothing? Their histories?
"The Bow and the Rose" is the love story of a vigilante and a duke's daughter. In this universe, steam power (much like nuclear power) was invented during war. As a result, there are two classes: the people who use steam power and the people who make it. With Steampunk being itself an idealism of Victorian ideals, this story involves what kind of history-inspired idealism would be present in a Steampunk world. It also requires some (a lot) of suspension of disbelief ...
Ari Kovalev is a direct analogy to Rivek. Rivek's initials are A. A. R. I. and the history behind the Alisian religion mirrors that of Judiasm. He is a middle-management coal-shoveler, a peacetime position inherited form his father. He idolized his father and picked up all his mechanical knowledge through oral tradition and experimentation. Thus, he only has colloquial literacy. However, while the two of them were serving in the military, an accident happened. Ari lost his arm, and his father lost his life. The coat he wears is his father's, but modified to suit his form.
Ari has a Robin Hood belief that there shouldn't be such a large division between classes. After all, a low-life like him could build a working mechanical arm. He holds onto this notion frm his grandfather - that times were much simpler and happier prior to the war which produced steam technology. Hence, his prefferred weapon is a bow. It's primitive in design, but it hints at the meritocracy Ari would prefer. Unlike uncontrollable steam power, a bow can only be lethal in the right hands.
A close-up of the portrait. The wires are actually stitched to his neck... and he's always covered in dirt.
Solaris Williamsburg is from the other side of the tracks, a rich girl who grew up knowing all the wonderous luxuries provided by steam power. Her counterpart, Willowren is a princess whose spoiled existence is finally interrupted when she makes contact with people of different background than hers. Her uncle is a rich and powerful duke who prefers to treat her like a caged bird. However, when people are affluent, they tend to invest money in culture and the arts. Thus, Solaris knows all about history, and she is smitten with fairy tales of dashing men rescuing the downtrodden. So, any instance she can, she leaves her quarters and drops roses in places Ari will find them. She is not in love with him - persay - just the ideals he stands for.
I put quite a bit of thought into the arm. It's meant to be a replacement, not something superpowered. Therefore, it's modeled after human anatomy. There is bone underneath, providing it with mechanical force. However, during the accident, most of Ari's flesh had been damaged so badly it had to be removed. The brass arm requires regular maintenance and cleaning to avoid infection. The point where it joins into Ari's shoulder is his main physical weakpoint, and it has actually disfigured the anatomy there.
Ari is left-handed, so he continues to do most things with his biological hand - especially those which require fine accuracy.
During their courtship, Ari gives Solaris a mechanical bird he built. It's a music box made of brass. It's a swallow, his symbol. She returns in kind with roses.
I've been taking a Game Design and Development course. I like it, but I am learning that game mechanics is not my strength. I can easily implement things and come up with good art/settings - but like it bores me to tears trying to come up with the optimal equipment for my lovingly back-storied, Dungeons and Dragons character. (By the by, his name is Robin Ian Batman, and he is a sixteen-year-old druid boy with a bear... who turns into a bear... and has a bag of tricks which can make more bears...) But hey, if anyone needs a look or setting for there game, I'm so there.
The setting draws from and visually defines the previous alternate universe Steampunk headworld of Rivek. I truly enjoy translating my characters into different worlds because it's a mental challenge of maintaining their personalities in the different environment. Like, how would their occupations change? Their clothing? Their histories?
"The Bow and the Rose" is the love story of a vigilante and a duke's daughter. In this universe, steam power (much like nuclear power) was invented during war. As a result, there are two classes: the people who use steam power and the people who make it. With Steampunk being itself an idealism of Victorian ideals, this story involves what kind of history-inspired idealism would be present in a Steampunk world. It also requires some (a lot) of suspension of disbelief ...
Ari Kovalev is a direct analogy to Rivek. Rivek's initials are A. A. R. I. and the history behind the Alisian religion mirrors that of Judiasm. He is a middle-management coal-shoveler, a peacetime position inherited form his father. He idolized his father and picked up all his mechanical knowledge through oral tradition and experimentation. Thus, he only has colloquial literacy. However, while the two of them were serving in the military, an accident happened. Ari lost his arm, and his father lost his life. The coat he wears is his father's, but modified to suit his form.
Ari has a Robin Hood belief that there shouldn't be such a large division between classes. After all, a low-life like him could build a working mechanical arm. He holds onto this notion frm his grandfather - that times were much simpler and happier prior to the war which produced steam technology. Hence, his prefferred weapon is a bow. It's primitive in design, but it hints at the meritocracy Ari would prefer. Unlike uncontrollable steam power, a bow can only be lethal in the right hands.
A close-up of the portrait. The wires are actually stitched to his neck... and he's always covered in dirt.
Solaris Williamsburg is from the other side of the tracks, a rich girl who grew up knowing all the wonderous luxuries provided by steam power. Her counterpart, Willowren is a princess whose spoiled existence is finally interrupted when she makes contact with people of different background than hers. Her uncle is a rich and powerful duke who prefers to treat her like a caged bird. However, when people are affluent, they tend to invest money in culture and the arts. Thus, Solaris knows all about history, and she is smitten with fairy tales of dashing men rescuing the downtrodden. So, any instance she can, she leaves her quarters and drops roses in places Ari will find them. She is not in love with him - persay - just the ideals he stands for.
I put quite a bit of thought into the arm. It's meant to be a replacement, not something superpowered. Therefore, it's modeled after human anatomy. There is bone underneath, providing it with mechanical force. However, during the accident, most of Ari's flesh had been damaged so badly it had to be removed. The brass arm requires regular maintenance and cleaning to avoid infection. The point where it joins into Ari's shoulder is his main physical weakpoint, and it has actually disfigured the anatomy there.
Ari is left-handed, so he continues to do most things with his biological hand - especially those which require fine accuracy.
During their courtship, Ari gives Solaris a mechanical bird he built. It's a music box made of brass. It's a swallow, his symbol. She returns in kind with roses.
I've been taking a Game Design and Development course. I like it, but I am learning that game mechanics is not my strength. I can easily implement things and come up with good art/settings - but like it bores me to tears trying to come up with the optimal equipment for my lovingly back-storied, Dungeons and Dragons character. (By the by, his name is Robin Ian Batman, and he is a sixteen-year-old druid boy with a bear... who turns into a bear... and has a bag of tricks which can make more bears...) But hey, if anyone needs a look or setting for there game, I'm so there.
9.30.2009
Art: Clothing Designs
Not-so-secretly, the countries I design are actually based on the seven deadly sins. The Alisians' greatest flaw is pride, a nationalistic sense and strong xenophobia which causes them to obsess over honro and traditional rituals. The Vestanzans are lustful, a country of high population and great focus on physical appearance. The Akhari are gluttonous, funding luxuries while depriving people of basic needs.
A drawing of Rivek, in Alisian clothing which needs to be re-designed. I still like the sleeves, though - I think I'll keep them as part of the culture designs. I am very happy with his face.
Cina is a Vestanzan exchange student, also Rivek's first girlfriend. She's a slut, haha. Vestanzan elements include the high-collared coat, thigh boots, and flame-shaped edges.
The Akhari wear lots of light, long, flowing cloth. Their patterns are simple, made mostly of straight lines. They use braided gloden belts. Most notable, though, is the dusters.
Belsamael is the Akhari prince whose country needs him to bear a child because the fire-wielding magic of the (highly inbred) family line must continue. Unfortunately, he's gay, haha.
Rivek, in Akhari clothes. Because I can. I wanted more examples of Akhari clothing but wanted to customize it for a different, already-established character.
A drawing of Rivek, in Alisian clothing which needs to be re-designed. I still like the sleeves, though - I think I'll keep them as part of the culture designs. I am very happy with his face.
Cina is a Vestanzan exchange student, also Rivek's first girlfriend. She's a slut, haha. Vestanzan elements include the high-collared coat, thigh boots, and flame-shaped edges.
The Akhari wear lots of light, long, flowing cloth. Their patterns are simple, made mostly of straight lines. They use braided gloden belts. Most notable, though, is the dusters.
Belsamael is the Akhari prince whose country needs him to bear a child because the fire-wielding magic of the (highly inbred) family line must continue. Unfortunately, he's gay, haha.
Rivek, in Akhari clothes. Because I can. I wanted more examples of Akhari clothing but wanted to customize it for a different, already-established character.
9.28.2009
Art: Prince Project and Mondigan Designs
It's been awhile. I've been drawing on and off, just got back from New York Anime Fest - where I actually learned a lot more about comic conventions. I might give one a shot. My table partner, Alitha, mentioned that audiences might really appreciate the pencil renders more.
During NYAF, someone asked me if I had a version of this in color. I said no, whereupon she lost interest in purchasing it. It's not that I don't like color - it's that, for that style - color actually takes away from the regality of the pieces. They are meant to look like emblems, carved in stone (which is why I'll never do one for a poppy, bubble-gum, neon rainbow, series). I've gotten comments before with, "Oh wow! You're really good. I just didn't see if when I walked by since it wasn't in color!"
Another issue about comic cons, though... The thing is while - with effort - I can draw super buff super heroes, I just prefer lean (read: scrawny) guys. So part of me is thinking I can't survive in the testosterone laden, fan-boy world. But maybe it's a good thing if I can reach out to those few female comic book nerds or at least offer something a little different than hard inks and harder abs.
Anywho, re-designing Rivek since I want to do a 3D model of him for a pseudo capstone. The bad part being the art department no longer has ZBrush. (Why? Why? Why?! *sob*)
On the same lengths, I'm trying to develop a video game - specifically MMO - visual style for the storyline. So, different nations have different fashions. This is Brennan - lots of straight cuts and square shapes, with shoulder guards, tunics, and high boots. It's a country of leather and religion where maintaining order - and thus, power - is top prioirty. Bohren- a full Brennan noble - is on the left, but I hated his arm, so I re-drew the same clothing style on Rivek - a half-Brennan - on the right, and now I hate his neck. Whatever, the point of this was clothes, not anatomy.
I also start a wiki to keep character data on, so I need some pictures to break up the massive amounts of text. This is my old roleplay character, Aidan. However, here, his eyes make him look like a butch lesbian woman, so I'll need to re-draw this. Oddly enough, My roommate said she might make out with him.
Another wiki headshot. Bohren. I think the facial aspects are accurate but a bit too youthful. I have to re-draw this one, too. Bad scan is bad.
Also, here are some sketches from the Prince Project. It still needs a lot of work. School has put the research phase on hold
I also quite want to do a sequential art project based on Mozart's Requiem. Basically, it'd be a pencil-rendered comic book (so, maybe a little more like a fine art book like Prince). But right now, I lack a story. I don't know what though! Should I connect it to my old work? Ah, I have no idea.
During NYAF, someone asked me if I had a version of this in color. I said no, whereupon she lost interest in purchasing it. It's not that I don't like color - it's that, for that style - color actually takes away from the regality of the pieces. They are meant to look like emblems, carved in stone (which is why I'll never do one for a poppy, bubble-gum, neon rainbow, series). I've gotten comments before with, "Oh wow! You're really good. I just didn't see if when I walked by since it wasn't in color!"
Another issue about comic cons, though... The thing is while - with effort - I can draw super buff super heroes, I just prefer lean (read: scrawny) guys. So part of me is thinking I can't survive in the testosterone laden, fan-boy world. But maybe it's a good thing if I can reach out to those few female comic book nerds or at least offer something a little different than hard inks and harder abs.
Anywho, re-designing Rivek since I want to do a 3D model of him for a pseudo capstone. The bad part being the art department no longer has ZBrush. (Why? Why? Why?! *sob*)
On the same lengths, I'm trying to develop a video game - specifically MMO - visual style for the storyline. So, different nations have different fashions. This is Brennan - lots of straight cuts and square shapes, with shoulder guards, tunics, and high boots. It's a country of leather and religion where maintaining order - and thus, power - is top prioirty. Bohren- a full Brennan noble - is on the left, but I hated his arm, so I re-drew the same clothing style on Rivek - a half-Brennan - on the right, and now I hate his neck. Whatever, the point of this was clothes, not anatomy.
I also start a wiki to keep character data on, so I need some pictures to break up the massive amounts of text. This is my old roleplay character, Aidan. However, here, his eyes make him look like a butch lesbian woman, so I'll need to re-draw this. Oddly enough, My roommate said she might make out with him.
Another wiki headshot. Bohren. I think the facial aspects are accurate but a bit too youthful. I have to re-draw this one, too. Bad scan is bad.
Also, here are some sketches from the Prince Project. It still needs a lot of work. School has put the research phase on hold
I also quite want to do a sequential art project based on Mozart's Requiem. Basically, it'd be a pencil-rendered comic book (so, maybe a little more like a fine art book like Prince). But right now, I lack a story. I don't know what though! Should I connect it to my old work? Ah, I have no idea.
8.23.2009
Art: Jason for Adele
I'm alive, I swear. I've just wasted August developing an alternative ego with a semi-embarrassing, anime-inspired style that still looks too wonky to even post here. Anyhow, I finally completed something worthwhile. My scanned blew out a lot of value detail and transition, though. It's an art trade with Adele. You can see her half here - I absolutely adore her style!
7.22.2009
Sketches: Kia
Overdue contest prize for JillLenaD. Redrawn because I was unable to find the first one I did (go house fires), and I think I did a better job, anyhow. I like her body a lot. I am not used to drawing skinny, athletic females. Meet Kia:
Writing: Eventual Goals (Prince Project, Otakon Trail)
The end of Otakon marks the end of summer for me. Meaning school should resume in a week or two. I am very wrong. Try "it will resume in a month." Thus, I am motivation-ally lost. I suppose, in a way, it's time to a) complete all the junk I owe people and b) get down to something more personal. So, let it be known, here are my ideas: a fine art book and a Flash game. So very different.
---
Everyone loves messing with Fairy Tales, but in my opinion dark and modern and adult fairy tales are so trendy, they're overdone or at least, much better done (read "Fable", anyone?). So, a joke that got larger ended up being Genderbending Fairy Tales. However, not in the sense that the character only visually switches, but their societal roles switch as well. The intellectual challenge is to create an acceptable story which still possesses the same moral and plot development whilst shifting the sexist power balances inherent in these stories. I have lovingly, and a little mockingly, titled it the "Prince Project."
I have selected only stories with traditionally female protagonists because I wanted to make them male. I think one of the more commonplace themes of modern fairy tale rewriting is female empowerment. Jane Yolen et al. have done a bang up job of it, so I don't need to do it again.
Thus, I have also eliminated stories such as Hansel and Gretel and Goldilocks which, if I re-told with a gender swap, would pretty much be the same. The defining attribute of those characters is their age. Their sex makes no real difference in how the story plays out because the characters are pre-pubescent.
I feel the most interesting challenge is the "female-rescued-by-male" model, so heavily embedded in this sexist genre. Thus, the natural choice would be things involving princesses - the ideal model of femininity and beauty. Fortunately, these are also some of the most well-known fairy tales in the Western hemisphere (partially in thanks to Disney). I feel, the more iconic and known the story, the easier it will be for people to relate the swapped version to the original, even if the connection is only hinted at via illustration. I am going to use, though, the original Grimm and Andersen versions if I can find them (yay, internet).
As you can see, I haven't ironed it all out, but here's what I have so far. If I get more, I'll update this journal. It is as much a personal reference for me as anything.
Beauty and the Beast - While it is still appropriate that their hero's elder siblings still ask for riches, I feel a rose is probably too feminine a gesture. I think it will be interesting to play with ideals of ugly (beastly) women. It is seemingly, in society, harder to get a man to love an ugly woman the other way around.
Cinderella - I think one of the interesting points would be here, the hero's mother re-marries to another man. Because it becomes the hero marrying "in," it gives license to his step-brothers to be crueler since this is a male-dominated society and thus they are the more "rightful" heirs. As for what item the princess uses to find her beloved stranger-from-the-ball, I am at a loss. Mens' shoes don't fall off so easily.
Snow White - I wanted to keep the theme of step-parent jealousy. Long ago, a king wished for a son to inherit his kingdom. Finally, he had one born with hair dark as ebony, skin pale as snow, and lips (eyes?) red as blood. Upon the king's death, the queen must re-marry his brother to preserve royal lineage (I know I can do something with this). This uncle is jealous of the prince's strength, intelligence, etc - basically qualities that would be approved of for a male. The woodsman character also - because it must be female - must now use other ways of subduing the Prince to put him in a life threatening situation. I can only think of seduction. As for female equivalents of dwarfs, I'll probably use nymphs.
The Little Mermaid - Inherently supernatural, I think I will keep the protagonist as a merman. However, I am in the air as to what he loses when he becomes human. I will adhere to the Andersen ending of the heroine's body turning into seafoam.
Little Red Riding Hood - (Red Cloak) Two of the possible interpretations of this story are rebirth and sexual awakening. Instead of being a girl, Red Cloak is an under-aged military private in his first few months on the front. He has to deliver medication to a senior officer when persuaded by an older woman to... and uhm, then I ran out of ideas.
Sleeping Beauty (Briar Rose) - I am not completely sure what to do with this one, but I know a prince would not be working a spinning wheel. To keep with tradition, any naming conventions should be based on the sun, moon, dawn, and stars. The prince protagonist, though, must be cursed at birth through his parents' desire for a child.
Unfortunately, I'd like to have seven. Since that is a magic number in fairy tales. I just can't think of a last one. I am tempted to use Alice in Wonderland, but it is far longer than most fairy tales and does not have the same taste of folklore. I personally like Bluebeard, but no one's ever heard of it.
---
---
I know, once I begin the projects, I will keep working on them until other things get in the way. The problem being that initial first step. Someone remind me, when I get back to school to speak with Scott. Either of these, if uncompleted, could become an independent study. However, I'd like to do a visual re-design of Rivek or a series of sculptures as independent studies as well.
I also just need to write down character profiles and world information in general - the Magnum Opus goal is five books: 3 illustrated novels, 1 companion artbook, and 1 alternate-universe artbook (for when I feel like drawing Rivek as a cowboy). One thing is for sure, though. I am taking Painting I in the Fall. I am intimidated.
PS - Michelle, goddamn, your posts are more eloquent and thought provoking and personal than mine. I'm jealous.
---
Everyone loves messing with Fairy Tales, but in my opinion dark and modern and adult fairy tales are so trendy, they're overdone or at least, much better done (read "Fable", anyone?). So, a joke that got larger ended up being Genderbending Fairy Tales. However, not in the sense that the character only visually switches, but their societal roles switch as well. The intellectual challenge is to create an acceptable story which still possesses the same moral and plot development whilst shifting the sexist power balances inherent in these stories. I have lovingly, and a little mockingly, titled it the "Prince Project."
I have selected only stories with traditionally female protagonists because I wanted to make them male. I think one of the more commonplace themes of modern fairy tale rewriting is female empowerment. Jane Yolen et al. have done a bang up job of it, so I don't need to do it again.
Thus, I have also eliminated stories such as Hansel and Gretel and Goldilocks which, if I re-told with a gender swap, would pretty much be the same. The defining attribute of those characters is their age. Their sex makes no real difference in how the story plays out because the characters are pre-pubescent.
I feel the most interesting challenge is the "female-rescued-by-male" model, so heavily embedded in this sexist genre. Thus, the natural choice would be things involving princesses - the ideal model of femininity and beauty. Fortunately, these are also some of the most well-known fairy tales in the Western hemisphere (partially in thanks to Disney). I feel, the more iconic and known the story, the easier it will be for people to relate the swapped version to the original, even if the connection is only hinted at via illustration. I am going to use, though, the original Grimm and Andersen versions if I can find them (yay, internet).
As you can see, I haven't ironed it all out, but here's what I have so far. If I get more, I'll update this journal. It is as much a personal reference for me as anything.
Beauty and the Beast - While it is still appropriate that their hero's elder siblings still ask for riches, I feel a rose is probably too feminine a gesture. I think it will be interesting to play with ideals of ugly (beastly) women. It is seemingly, in society, harder to get a man to love an ugly woman the other way around.
Cinderella - I think one of the interesting points would be here, the hero's mother re-marries to another man. Because it becomes the hero marrying "in," it gives license to his step-brothers to be crueler since this is a male-dominated society and thus they are the more "rightful" heirs. As for what item the princess uses to find her beloved stranger-from-the-ball, I am at a loss. Mens' shoes don't fall off so easily.
Snow White - I wanted to keep the theme of step-parent jealousy. Long ago, a king wished for a son to inherit his kingdom. Finally, he had one born with hair dark as ebony, skin pale as snow, and lips (eyes?) red as blood. Upon the king's death, the queen must re-marry his brother to preserve royal lineage (I know I can do something with this). This uncle is jealous of the prince's strength, intelligence, etc - basically qualities that would be approved of for a male. The woodsman character also - because it must be female - must now use other ways of subduing the Prince to put him in a life threatening situation. I can only think of seduction. As for female equivalents of dwarfs, I'll probably use nymphs.
The Little Mermaid - Inherently supernatural, I think I will keep the protagonist as a merman. However, I am in the air as to what he loses when he becomes human. I will adhere to the Andersen ending of the heroine's body turning into seafoam.
Little Red Riding Hood - (Red Cloak) Two of the possible interpretations of this story are rebirth and sexual awakening. Instead of being a girl, Red Cloak is an under-aged military private in his first few months on the front. He has to deliver medication to a senior officer when persuaded by an older woman to... and uhm, then I ran out of ideas.
Sleeping Beauty (Briar Rose) - I am not completely sure what to do with this one, but I know a prince would not be working a spinning wheel. To keep with tradition, any naming conventions should be based on the sun, moon, dawn, and stars. The prince protagonist, though, must be cursed at birth through his parents' desire for a child.
Unfortunately, I'd like to have seven. Since that is a magic number in fairy tales. I just can't think of a last one. I am tempted to use Alice in Wonderland, but it is far longer than most fairy tales and does not have the same taste of folklore. I personally like Bluebeard, but no one's ever heard of it.
---
---
I know, once I begin the projects, I will keep working on them until other things get in the way. The problem being that initial first step. Someone remind me, when I get back to school to speak with Scott. Either of these, if uncompleted, could become an independent study. However, I'd like to do a visual re-design of Rivek or a series of sculptures as independent studies as well.
I also just need to write down character profiles and world information in general - the Magnum Opus goal is five books: 3 illustrated novels, 1 companion artbook, and 1 alternate-universe artbook (for when I feel like drawing Rivek as a cowboy). One thing is for sure, though. I am taking Painting I in the Fall. I am intimidated.
PS - Michelle, goddamn, your posts are more eloquent and thought provoking and personal than mine. I'm jealous.
7.20.2009
Sketches: Happy Birthday, Ana!
Happy birthday, Ana! Haha, I'm so old school. Sorry it's kind of bad. I drew it on the plane when I was pretty tapped out of art juice.
7.14.2009
Art: Draco Malfoy Portrait
I got really bored of doing so many shading pictures, and with the new Harry Potter Film coming out (Half Blood Prince, nonetheless, where he's actually somewhat less cardboard-like!), I decided to paint Draco Malfoy. Final decision was influenced by hearing Melinda gush over Tom Felton at Anime Expo. She helped me out so many times, but I didn't want to jsut draw Sasunaru for her.
It was good practice for me to work entirely in color and eye structure, even if it meant re-starting several times. Also, the PS file ended up being 380 MB! Egads! I'm worried over how he'll appeal as a print, but my style lends itself better to Harry Potter than to anime. So, we shall see. Then again, Draco's just a guy in a suit with white-blond hair. I can bet a lot of people will buy it thinking he's someone else.
I friggin' love HP. Midnight showing, here we gooo~!
It was good practice for me to work entirely in color and eye structure, even if it meant re-starting several times. Also, the PS file ended up being 380 MB! Egads! I'm worried over how he'll appeal as a print, but my style lends itself better to Harry Potter than to anime. So, we shall see. Then again, Draco's just a guy in a suit with white-blond hair. I can bet a lot of people will buy it thinking he's someone else.
I friggin' love HP. Midnight showing, here we gooo~!
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