Art stuffs!

[merimask]

Oh wow...I am SO BORED!!   And I have a bunch of fun ideas but my leather shipment has yet to arrive.  So!  I've been doodling.  Hurray for pen, ink, asnd prismacolor pencils.  They are my little saviors.

First up:  this is the conceptual drawing for my next big dragon plaque.  Asian dragon theme again.  I left out the stag antlers, but otherwise it's going to look just like this.  Summer is represented (in kimono art) by waves...so I'm calling this one "Natsu no nami".

Ignore the superfluous line up there on the top left...I'm an idiot and I was so excited about drawing the dragon figure that I went and did it before I drew the circle...which of course screwed up my circle.  Still, this is the basic idea.  All those waves will be separate pieces, stacked higher towards the front (bottom) and receding in back, so, 3-D.  The dragon will be black again (I just like it that way!) and the eye will be a pearl.  I'll find a big glass pearl-looking thing for the dragon to grasp.  It's going to be all in jewel tones except for a beige suede background, only visible in a few spots.  Not unlike Hokusai's color scheme for "The Great Wave".

Next!  As promised!  Fanart!

Naraku and Kanna, Sesshoumaru and Rin.  Light and dark.  Yin and Yang.  The term for the classic black & white symbol the Chinese use to represent this is called "Taijiutu", which is what I'm calling this sketch.

It's so funny...Sess looks so emo!  Must be the influence of Takahashi's storyline.  If Rin dies I'm going to need therapy...that kid is so damn cute.

And that's all I've got for now!  That leather better get here soon or I'm going to start drawing all over the walls.  *grumblegrumble*

Comments

[rumdiculous.livejournal.com]

That dragon is so cute and pretty! The waves are gorgeous looking and very soothing. Why are waves the symbol for summer?

And OMG Kanna!! *loves* And Rin is so cute. XD Sess does look a little worried at the upcoming events. And Naraku... ^____^

You've shoved all of my fav characters into one pic. All I'm missing is Kohaku.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Kimono are so...full of symbolism. It's a fascinating art form, kimono painting. Mandarin ducks = marital fidelity (is why so many wedding kimono feature ducks), streams and ponds and water lillies = the "floating world" (sex! Which is why very desirable geisha would wear these designs...it was provocative).
The seasons are as follows: Cherry blossoms (sakura) = Spring, Waves (nami) = Summer, Red Japanese maple leaves (kaede)= Autumn, and Pine boughs with snow (matsu) = Winter. All highly stylized. I ought to scan some pics I have of these designs...you wouldn't believe how beautiful they can be.

Yay! I'm glad you likey the fanart (you know how fragile I am when it comes to the fanart). Naraku is leering just for you, kiddo, 'cause I know how you like the bad ones. ;-)

[rumdiculous.livejournal.com]

Ha ha! I did not know that about the streams and ponds. That is something to store away for future use. I did know the kimono patterns were important, but I'm a little fuzzy on the meanings and such. The Japanese are so subtle when it comes to art, but it always has a big impact.

I love your fanart! :D

Naraku is leering just for you, kiddo, 'cause I know how you like the bad ones. ;-)

You know my weakness. :3

Ooh, speaking of liking the bad ones: You'll love Alucard if you watch Hellsing. He's one of those ambiguous characters that could be evil as hell or a hero-depending on how he's feeling at the moment. XD

[paynesgrey.livejournal.com]

Those are just PHENOMENAL! I love dragons. I collect them and stuff, and that blue dragon is so pretty especially!
I love your Inu drawing too. It's a great concept!
*is jealous*
XD

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I like dragons too. I think these Asian dragon sculptures are going to be my prettiest series ever. I'm feeling compelled to do all the seasons and then take it from there.

Yay! Glad you like the fanart. I'm always out of my true element when I do it, so I'm happy you like it 'cause you know fanart and I value your opinion.

[paynesgrey.livejournal.com]

*blushes* Awww...thank you.

[pzb.livejournal.com]

Wow you've been busy! :D Loving the dragon....can't wait to see it in leather.

And yes...the yenyang. XD I've learned there's very little original in the fanart world anymore. XD Hell, I didn't even come up with it on my own, as the description shows....yeah, mine was a much older piece - http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/3920206/?qo=129&q=by%3Apzb+sort%3Atime+-in%3Ascraps

This is what happens when you obsess for years. :D

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Aww! I love your composition! And they're so cute! Also I don't feel too bad now 'cause yes, it seems everyone has had that idea before. :-) I think mine is different enough 'cause I used the hair colors for the fields (I'd hate to feel like I copied you...you get enough of that crap on DA). :-)

[pzb.livejournal.com]

LOL, from you, I wouldn't have minded. Especially knowing that you did it before having seen mine. What irritates me is when someone starts watching me and lo and behold within a week, they have their very own realistic anime drawing with no word as to where the got the inspiration.... Of course there's always the possibilty that they came up with it on their own or saw someone else trying it, but it's just always so coincidental in the timing, I can't help but wonder.... XD

Hell, it's not like I'm the first to do what I do either. I think I'm just one of the more visable. XD

[a-hollow-year.livejournal.com]

Dragon = AWESOME, but Taijiutu is tickling my ficcing reflex. Would you mind if I used it as inspiration?

[merimask.livejournal.com]

OMG yes of course!!! Are you kidding? I'd be so honored! Your husband is going to hunt me down for being a bad influence, though. ;-) Let me know what you come up with, you know I love your work.

[a-hollow-year.livejournal.com]

I can't guarantee anything, like, soon. The muse is being uberbitchy, but I think I'll give it a shot. :)

[ramblinsuze.livejournal.com]

Oh, that dragon is GORGEOUS. I love the wave pattern and can't wait to see it in leather.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :-) I was going for a certain look. The Cherry Blossom dragon looked like a kimono pattern in 3-D with a dragon on it...I wanted this one to look like a traditional Japanese wave mon (family seal) with a dragon on it. This theme is such a hoot!

[moko-moko.livejournal.com]

eeee, dragons! The fringes are awesome!

and the IY pic now *deep breath* I LOVE IT. The entire concept, your inking and coloring, ALL fanTABulous! Am saving this like nobody's business whilst squeeing in your ear X3

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Eee! Thank you! You're like the guru of awesome fanart so I'm really honored that you like it.

You know, if you did it in your style it would totally rock. :-)

[moko-moko.livejournal.com]

Of course I love it, it's freaking fabulous!

And omg, you should totally propose an art meme: Sess + Rin in a yingyang form...if you got a bunch of artists to try that it just may be QUITE sexy 0_0