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

[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.