Saturday, July 14, 2007

new drawing, yay!
Yay! I posted a new picture. Again, I used photoshop. I've been coloring by traditional means too, but mostly doing color studies.
If you get a chance, look at the picture. It's really three drawings in one - images of Aya from Ceres.
It isn't a popular series on this site, so I don't think it will get many views, but if you do look, PLEASE offer constructive criticism! I feel like my skintones are off and I'm not sure if the choice to use a lot of blues was overpowering...
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Thursday, July 12, 2007

more anime (part 10) and manga!
I've been watching:
- Negima
- Magic Users Club
- Blood:The Last Vampire (I just realized it is the prequel to Blood+. I watched the movie back when it was first release, but I want to see it again!)

I've bought new manga...
- Ouran High School Host Club vol. 2
- Fruits Basket vol. 4-7
- Ayashi no Ceres vol. 1-7
**Viz is having a sale at Borders - buy 3 manga get one free!**

I've been working on...
- a Full Moon o Sagashite request I've had forever (I can NOT get the pose right... but I will never give up!)
- another contest entry for Snow Phoenix (Aya from Ceres as she grows up)
- an entry for spacecowboytv's Bleach coloring contest (check out his Orihime line art!)
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Thursday, June 28, 2007

more anime pt 9
I finished watching Tsukihime Lunar Legend. At first, I thought I wasn't going to get into it. I had the first disk for about a week and a half before I finished all 4 episodes. That is unusual for an anime addict like myself, who typically watches a disk and half of anime a day. (I had a weird work schedule where I had a three hour break in the middle of the day, but couldn't leave. I actually just left the job though, for exactly that reason.) By the middle of the second disk, though, I was hooked.
The anime follows the adventure of a highschool student who is gifted with eyes that can see lines of destruction. He contains his power with a special pair of glasses. One night, however, he loses control of his power and murders a woman in a park, only to find she is not really dead, but a vampire. A non-blood sucking, 800 year old assassin vampire...
There is little character development in terms of personal development, but there are plot twists and mysteries which provide insight into each characters behavior. The ending was abrupt - typical for a short anime series, but worth the slow beginning. And while the plot twists weren't exactly original, there were enough surprises to bring the series to an exciting climax. Worth the watch - particularly if you like vampire anime. Just don't expect TLL to be another Hellsing or Vampire Hunter, and you won't be disappointed.
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Tuesday, June 26, 2007

a little rant
So Cheekisquirrel (I hope I spelled that right!) posted a drawing requesting that oc's be placed in the original anime category. It turned into a bit of a scandal.
I don't really have an opinion on that topic, but the post did get me thinking about things I'd like to see more of or less of on theO.
And I don't mean to offend anyone! Let me say that right away because I don't want anyone to feel like I'm insulting other artists or trying to censure people! I think everyone should draw and post whatever they want, so long as they aren't breaking any rules. And I also understand that art is personal and is a means of expression. I am not criticizing. I only want to express my personal likes and dislikes as far as fanart goes.

without further ado...

I would like to see more...
-comments with constructive criticism!
-original fan mangas in addition to spin-offs
-artists who draw from a variety of animes instead of just one (I know we all have favorites, but check out other anime some time!)
-drawings shaded with pencil (like graphite, not colored)
-new artists being featured - maybe the featured art should be split into otakuites, senior otakus, and otaku legends? that might be a great way for people to see art from newbies...

I would like to see less...
-'sexy' drawings of naruto characters. oh you fangirls! I know you love those guys, but they aren't real! I'm just teasing - please its not meant to offend!
-drawings that border on soft core porn such as half naked characters with their hands all over each other - intimate poses are fine, just keep it tasteful! and no, nudity doesn't bother me, but true intimacy is not a physical thing. (haha now I sound old!)
-pictures glorifying death, self mutilation (ex. cutting), suicide, etc. specifically those in which are meant to be literal not symbolic. suicide and self mutilation are serious and upsetting. Its okay for art to explore these topics, but I've seen a lot of overly emo drawings lately.
-non-anime/manga style drawings. these drawings are awesome, but this isn't the site for them!

All of this being said, keep drawing whatever makes you happy!! Please don't take my personal opinions as insults. I was just making some generalizations which means they don't apply to every drawing. If this post offends anyone, I apologize. Let me know and will take it down. Above all else, keep drawing!
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Thursday, June 21, 2007

drawings and more anime (pt. 8)
I posted a new drawing. The line art was drawn by priestesspower444, and it was so cute, I had to try coloring it. I was lazy and used photoshop because I just moved and I haven't unpacked my prismacolors yet.

I also watched Rayearth, which is an OVA based on Magic Knight Rayearth. It didn't really compare to the series. Besides lacking an interesting plot, the OVA had essentially no character development. The animation was average, but repetitive action scenes (and it was only a 3 episode OVA!) were both annoying and unnecessary... and I like Sailor Moon (a show which while popular recieved criticism for repetitive action scenes)!! I may be a bit harsh as this was only an OVA, but I've seen other OVA which were fantastic. All in all, it was a disappointment.

I've started watching another short series, Tsukihime Lunar Legend. I haven't watched enough yet to tell if I like it, but the first few episodes were enough to keep me watching. I'm sure I'll babble about it more later, but if anyone has seen it, tell me what you thought about it!
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Tuesday, June 12, 2007

more anime part 7
Last week, I watched the Korean animated film My Beautiful Girl Mari, which is a beautiful journey into the imagination. How cheesy did that sound? lol The main character escapes the real life troubles of his adolescence by fantasizing about a pretty girl in a mysterious world. Eventually, he uses his imaginary world to help the real world.

I also watched another Miyazaki film - Whisper of the Heart. It was charming in Miyazaki's classic way, with cute characters, minor environmentalism undertones, and a Japanese version of John Denver's country roads. If you're a fan of his works, it is a must see. Otherwise, stick to his more popular titles like Spirited Away.

Oh, I've also posted a couple new pics. I really like the Magic Knight Rayearth drawing I did, but since it isn't Naruto (no offense to Naruto fans!) it didn't get many views. lol Oh well!
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Saturday, June 2, 2007

more anime part 6
Last night, I watched Origin. Thematically, it was nothing new. (I think I've been watching too many man vs. the environment anime movies! lol) The animation was sharp and bright and lively; the use of color was clever. The characters were likable, but not quite loveable. Soemthing was missing. And though I liked the movie, after watching all the Miyazaki films, it's hard to appreciate this one. Still, it was worth the watch.
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Thursday, May 31, 2007

more anime... part 5
Last night, my sister and I watched Voices from A Distant Star. It was awesome! To think that somewhere, someone like us (an otaku who likes making fan art), created this beautifully and emotional short film on his home computer! It was simple, but none the less, made me think.

I also watched Millenium Actress. It too was beautiful and emotional. To be honest, I almost cried! The animation was great, the scene transitions were inventive and kept a quick pace to the movie. If you like more serious anime, (like Perfect Blue or Tokyo Godfathers), you would like this.

And just so everyone out there doesn't think I always give rave reviews... I only write about the ones I love! For example, recently, I rented Maze. It sucked. It was a contrived excretion of fan service. Don't bother unless you love anime breasts and panty shots and cheap animation.
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Tuesday, May 29, 2007

new drawing
New picture up of Kikyo. I did it really quickly on photoshop. It's the color version of my pencil sketch of Kikyo from January.

Check it out if you have a chance, and let me know what you think. I'm still getting comfortable with photoshop.


****update - my drawing was featured today! I'm really happy about it because I'm still learning photoshop. Thanks for the votes and keep drawing everyone!
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Wednesday, May 23, 2007

I just realized it has been almost a month since I last posted a drawing! I promise that by Friday night, I will post the drawing of Jun Jun!
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