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  [profile] 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.    [profile] 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.

From: [identity profile] 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 ♥

From: [identity profile] 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.

From: [identity profile] 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

From: [identity profile] shvetufae.livejournal.com


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

From: [identity profile] 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.

From: [identity profile] 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}}}}}}}

From: [identity profile] 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!

From: [identity profile] 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

From: [identity profile] 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 [livejournal.com profile] 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?)
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