Kohaku/Haku Dragon Mask.

[merimask]

I finished the new Haku mask and it was a lot more complicated than I thought it'd be.  For some reason, it turned out to be a HUGE mask.  He's a river dragon with a long dog-like face and long flowy horns and he just needed to be grand and sweeping. 

I went into a lot of detail, carving every hair.  In the anime, Spirited Away, his face doesn't have scales, but when he flies and his fur ripples you can see them on his body.  I did scales on his snout because I thought I'd better do something to make him look more dragon-like...without the body for context he just looks like a dog with horns.
View from the side...
I put a rather imposing brow & cheekbones on the little guy.  Even though he's a GOOD dragon, he can be a little fierce.

I did the mask twice, with two different horn configurations.  It's funny how the change in the horns (which is all in the shaping...on the flattened pattern they're identical) sort of changes the tone of his expression.  The mask above has the softly curving horns that were like the ones in Miyazaki's film.  Here's the other mask...
...see how the slightly angular horns give him a fiercer look?   It's based on  purplerebecca's version of Haku.   I like it...it looks almost tribal.  They're even neater from above.

So yep, this design was a TON of fun to make.    purplerebecca, as per our agreement, there will be an art hostage exchange program involving some amazing Sesshoumaru art and this mask.  :-)  I LOVE adding new members to the Mutual Art Appreciation Society.

As an aside, I'd just like to add that I risked my life to take these pictures.  Only outdoor light would do, but OMG it's 25 below outside, today!  I was out there for maybe a minute and by the time I came in I couldn't feel my fingers.  F-f-f-ff-frrreaking COLD, people.

Comments

[empath-eia.livejournal.com]

OMFG SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Totally made my day. I need to go watch the movie again then squee over this some more. XDDD ♥

[merimask.livejournal.com]

LOL...thank you. :-) It's a fun mask.

I LOVE that movie. IMO it's Miyazaki's best.

[rumdiculous.livejournal.com]

OMG mask! I love the cheekbones, they give the mask a serious look. :D

Ya know what we need?? We need a Mutual Art Appreciation Community here on LJ! It would be a exchange for the members. Everyone artistic or what have you could join. Like a giant bartering community.

[shvetufae.livejournal.com]

What a great idea!

[golden-meliades.livejournal.com]

We kind of do that now, between the few of us. But that's a great idea :)

[rumdiculous.livejournal.com]

*bounces* Thanks! I'm excited! I think I am going to make this community. I just need to establish a things before I dive head first into it.

[golden-meliades.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I mean...would it be that the members presented the work they had and if anyone wanted to exchange, they offer what THEY have, and see if they are interested? And how is it handled if more than one person wants the same thing? Or would it be that say I...who cannot draw worth mouldy beans...wanted a sketch of Oberon, and would say so, and offer to use what skills I DO have in return to an artist who felt they wanted to/could do that sketch for me.

Of course, if everybody all knows each other, it could afford to be pretty informal, and exchanges could be handled between the people involved once they had decided to do an exchange.

We really are a community of artists, in the circles I'm connected to right now...the majority of my flist are artists of some kind. :) Writers, painters, a few sculptors, people like Meri who do some other types of media, jewellery-makers...looots of artists.

[shvetufae.livejournal.com]

You said it! I feel rich, knowing all of you and being able to count you among my friends. Plus I can always turn to you for inspiration and feedback, and that's a lovely fringe benefit. :)

[rumdiculous.livejournal.com]

Ack. That's a good point. And I was thinking we could also trade other smaller things two. Like candy, cookies, books, etc. Even music.

What exactly would be the best way? Perhaps we could practice different approaches. One person could post a general announcement about what they want and what they would be willing to trade. Or we could ask someone personally if they would be willing to trade. The community should feel very open and friendly. I don't want it feeling like a Ebay auction. lol

[golden-meliades.livejournal.com]

Yeah, friendly is better.

Well, I think it *might* be better if people just announced that they either have something they're willing to trade, if they are wanted...or, more likely, that they have something they WANT, and let them say what it is and ask if anyone could offer that in return for something they could do/give.

I think that might be better because if someone came up to me and wanted a hairstick, I'd find it awkward turning them down if it happened to be that I didn't want anything of theirs, whether at that moment or in general. Or even if I was just too *tired* that week (etc) to do any work on something extra. So it's probably better (imo, of course) if individuals announce their needs or resources as they feel comfortable :)

Trading books and music is a good idea. I have a whole bunch of books I bought and then didn't find to be quite what I wanted, but I never throw books out, and I don't like to give them to a second hand store, because they give just about nothing in return, a lot of the time, and you feel almost like you may as well have thrown the book out, for all the good it did *you*.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Probably a good way would be an open forum where the artist makes an entry accompanied by links to images, so we can show what we do. Then, in the same post, a list of what we're looking for in the way of barter. The entry title describes each artist's offering, and everyone with access to the forum has the opportunity to respond with links to their OWN entries & offers for an exchange of artwork.

There would have to be disclaimers announcing that there's no liability assumed by LJ or the forum mod...and that all transactions are private & at the artist's discretion. Transactions should be worked out privately via e-mail (though interest can be shown as a reply to the entry, so the artist can choose who to barter with.

It's a pretty cool idea but you want to word it carefully, so that each artist retains the right to barter with whom they choose & no one has hurt feelings. That's the big problem I foresee. What if 50 people want one item? Or what if the work they wish to trade just isn't quite the quality you're looking for?

That said, I think if everyone can play nicely, it's not a bad idea at all. And, you have my permission to name it The Mutual Art Appreciation Society, if you wish. :-)

[rumdiculous.livejournal.com]

I was thinking a closed community. I mean I hate to close a community before it's open, but we could invite people as we go along. That way we could regulate the members easier and have a more trusting environment. That way people can share personal info (email address, etc) without fear.

Just a thought.

That's a good point about liabilites. I'd be willing to co-mod with someone on this. Or be a full mod. I'm not doing anything better. But it's a community so theoretically we would only need someone to create the community and watch over it to make sure things are going easily.

[smillaraaq.livejournal.com]

I would SO gleefully jump on this bandwagon.

[rumdiculous.livejournal.com]

Very good! Plotting is in progress in my journal as we speak. Would you like to join in? I can add you so you can actually see what's going on. XD

[smillaraaq.livejournal.com]

Yes, please!

(And reciprocated, not that I post anything of great interest.)

[rumdiculous.livejournal.com]

Ha ha. I don't even post all the time. Just when I've taken some pictures or feel the need to whine.

If you go to my journal you'll see the current post below the top two post-dated events. That's where we're discussing the community. Feel free to add any ideas.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

That's why I gave it a serious look; I think of Haku as a very sweet but serious fellow. He has a strong sense of duty (I love that about him).

You know...that's a good idea! But it would certainly need a moderator or something, and it would have to come with disclaimers to keep everybody on their best behavior. Definitely worth thinking about, though.

[a-hollow-year.livejournal.com]

He looks awesome.

...Now I want to watch that movie again and I can't because I'm busy! CURSE YOUUUUUUUU

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :-)

Oh I know!! I had to watch it last night as I was doing all the details...except it caused some impromptu work-stoppage issues (I have no idea why, but that movie makes me incredibly emotional). *boohoo*

[shvetufae.livejournal.com]

Do I even need to comment? I always say the same thing: the mask is awesome. Again, the mask is awesome! :)

[merimask.livejournal.com]

LOL...thanks! No, you don't need to comment, but I LIKE it when you do. :-)

Seriously, doing this stuff is lonely work. I love getting feedback & comments after I've spent hours and hours on a project. It's great to make yourself happy with your own art, but I like it when other people get a kick out of it. It's like the difference between masturbation and great sex (nasty, I know...but you get the idea.). ;-)

[golden-meliades.livejournal.com]

I wish that movie had a sequel. Oh, I wish. It's my favourite animated movie ever. :)

He's very nice...very sleek, just like the 'real' Haku. I wonder why the spirit of the Kohaku chose a human child's form, rather than an adult, or something more fantastic, like a fairy or something elvish-looking.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Waah, I know, I want a sequel too! That's why I love Purplerebecca's fanart so much. It satisfies my need to see Chihiro and Haku meet again as adults.

I read an interview with Miyazaki once that made me SO sad, because he said his intention was that Chihiro lost all memory of her time in the spirit world once she passed back into the real world. Waah! She make Haku PROMISE that they'd meet again someday. I just hope he keeps his promise even if she forgets him. He seems like the kind who would.

I'm not sure why he looks like a child...perhaps we was a very young, small river. The saddest part is, he's actually the ghost of a river, since the river was drained for construction and is no more (Chihiro mentions that in the movie).

[smillaraaq.livejournal.com]

Maybe Yubaba is keeping him frozen in a childlike state her own nefarious reasons?

Or river-god-dragon lifespans and ageing may just be on a totally different sort of timeline...

*ponders*

This is, needless to say, an utterly gorgeous set of masks. And somehow I don't think I ever noticed before just what a puppyish nose he has in dragon-form. Now I want to grab him by the ears and kiss the top of his head like I do with my pittie girl.. :)

[merimask.livejournal.com]

I always figured he was a very "young" river, which is why he rescued Chihiro when she fell in. It fits his nature; he's soft-hearted and idealistic, like a young kid would be.

Thank you, I'm glad you like the mask. :-) He DOES have a sweet pink nose...it's very cute! Any self-respecting dog person has to love Haku by default, because he's just the coolest flying puppy ever. With horns.

As a note, if you have the Spirited Away DVD, there's a whole disk-full of cool extras including a fascinating behind the scenes look at Miyazaki and the animation team researching Kohaku's dog/dragon form. Seems the young animators had never owned dogs because they had all lived in the city all their lives, and Miyazaki had to take them on a field trip to see what a real dog looked like & how it acted & moved! lol! Miyazaki seemed appalled by this.

[moonphased.livejournal.com]

*LOL* Let me rephrase this. Many people who live in the city own dogs, but they're not dogs. They're accessories. Y'know, the kind that you can stick in your purse and you have to carry around in large crowds for fear of them being stepped on. I swear my guinea pig could beat up most of the dogs that we see being walked around our neighborhood!! *LOL*

HEheheHEhe.

Oh man. I didn't know that about Chihiro when she went back into the real world. I had the feeling that he meant for her to maybe remember it as a dream because when she looks back, it really seems like she's "remembering" something but caaaaan't quite place it anymore. ^_^

Spirited Away is probably my favorite movie of all time next to the original Indiana Jones and Star Wars movies. It's something I never get tired of watching.

And as such, I must say that the masks made me do a total kohakumaskgasm! :D :D :D *much Meri Luff!* :D

[merimask.livejournal.com]

"Many people who live in the city own dogs, but they're not dogs. They're accessories."

lol...that explains why Miyazaki sought out a golden retriever to show to the animators. That was probably the problem; he wanted them to have a BIG dog for a model (otherwise poor Kohaku might have looked like a teacup poodle! Eeek!)

I love that movie too. It pushes all of my buttons.

Yay, I'm glad you like the mask! :-D

[smillaraaq.livejournal.com]

...the things I miss, not owning that DVD yet.

(But a GOLDEN? I would have parsed Haku as more an Akita, or a malamute even -- friendly yet capable of an aloof dignity as well...mind you, I'm biased about those breeds. *chuckle*)

[ramblinsuze.livejournal.com]

That is unbelievably gorgeous. And it's very interesting what a small difference in the horns makes. Neat!

And we're in the ol' arctic freeze here, too. I thought I was gonna become a popsicle walking to and from my car. {{{{{{{brrrrrrrrrrr}}}}}}}

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :-) I'm bringing one to Icon this month and it'll be fun to see how many people recognize him.

Oh man...SO cold outside today. All I did was stay inside and work (appropriately) on my Frost Dragon.

[purplerebecca.livejournal.com]

Oh, WHHEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!eleventy11! Wow.

So lovely. ^____^
And so cool. Fabulousness going on.

Seeing the final versions, I really like the original configuration of the horns more. ^^; That is such a lovely sweep.

I need to do my half! Ahh!

Don't freeze!

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'm glad you like him. :-)

It was a lot of fun to work on, and it really IS a cool mask. I don't have anything in there for scale, but I can tell you that flattened out the whole pattern is almost twenty inches tall, from horns to whiskers. BIG mask. Easy to wear though (like I said to you, perfect for cosplay).

Uh oh...you'll have to let me know which one to send! I was planning to send you the one with your horn design, but if you want the other, that's cool too. 'Cept, the one with angular horns is #1 and the one with sweeping Miyazaki horns is #2, if that matters.

No rush on the Sess art. I trust you. :-)

[purplerebecca.livejournal.com]

<.< >.> ....I'd love the sweeping horns one (#2), if you don't mind. It's just so pretty!
And I love all the little details that I can see in the photos. The hair, etc. I can't wait to examine it in real life! XDD

[pzb.livejournal.com]

Sweet!! :D It really is amazing how something as simple as changing the curl of the horns completely changes the feel of the mask. Gods, though I love the texture of the fur :D

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I got carried away doing all that fur. It was fun!

Wait 'til you see my NEW dragon mask (just put up pics today)...it's HUGE and really over-the-top. :-)

Hope the house situation is going well.

[pzb.livejournal.com]

Appropriate comments and fangirling left on the new dragon. :D

Things are indeed going well with the house. Things have been so chaotic that I haven't even had two seconds to post this last week's endevours...must get on that. :D (Hell, as it was, I responded to this post so late because I hadn't touched my f-list in four days until yesterday.... Nothing like trying to get through 140 back entries XD)

[charismitaine.livejournal.com]

I was going to say that this is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen, but then I glanced at the rest of your journal and had to stop and stare, and then I looked at your website and realized that someone linked me to it years ago and that it's tucked away on the list of 'sites to visit occaisonally, drool over, and ask myself why I'm not insanely wealthy'.

Color me awestruck by your talent--all of the designs and execution are just amazing.

(also I wandered here from purplerebbeca's journal, who I LJ-stalk watching for Spirited Away art. Would you mind if I LJ-stalked you to admire all of the pretties?)

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :-) I'm glad you like my work. I have to put up my new website soon...that old one is so outdated. All my REALLY neat stuff is in here on my LJ.

lol...LJ-stalk away! Though if you comment from time to time, I'll almost certainly "friend" you and then the stalking will be mutual. ;-)

[charismitaine.livejournal.com]

Commencing with LJ-stalkage XD Thanks!