Snerdy Time!

Sorry for the late update (yet again D: ) There were some "technical issues" with my camera. For now it's out of commission, and so I had to find time to wrestle with my Mum's scanner. Tonight, though, I was able to go and celebrate my Grandma's birthday with her, so while that also caused a delay, you'll have to deal! Haha!

The Lion-O drawing is nearly finished at this point. I still have yet to do the background, but I've been looking up pictures of stormy skies to use as references. I think you'll all like the ideas I have for it. It's still a little sketchy at this point, so I'm only going to show you the picture I took prior to that stuff being added. Other than the background, there is just the lightning and lighting (confusing, right?) issues. I still don't know the best way to do that, because I kind of want the bolts to look semi-transparent. I'll be looking up some techniques on that, but depending on my success I may scrap the idea.

On another note, though, one of my friends from the WU has asked me to help with some designs. Specifically character redesigns to go with his own Marvel continuity. I'm snerding (our own term "super nerding") it up with all of my ideas, but at the same idea I'm terrified about whether I can make a decent redesign or not! That and it'll be my first time stepping into superhero genre in my work. Still, I'm bouncing around with excitement and I can't wait to get started on it. I still have that Panthro piece to work on for the dA (deviantART) person that I've been talking to. But after that I'll be in the position to devote my time to the redesigns. (I have it on good authority that the first redesign will be Spider-Man.) <--- :D

Here is the newest picture of the Lion-O drawing. Enjoy!

Tired of ThunderCats?

I'm not!

*Trumpet fanfare* Thank you, thank you! I love you all! And...now, the moment you've all been waiting for! *drumroll* This Monday's Art Update!! *crowd cheers*

Okay, okay. I'm done being silly. Still, thank you so much for reading this blog! I appreciate any and all feedback (unless it's mean, in which case, poo on you!) Currently I'm working on ThunderCats fanart. I've decided to pull out all (okay, most) of the stops on this next piece. It's taking awhile to color. I've been picking away at it whenever I've had time this past week, but it's still going rather slowly. I'm trying to really take my time and try to make it look the best that I can. I'm going to post a couple step by step pictures for you guys to see, just so you know where I am at this point. So, enjoy!

At this point I was struggling to get the Lion-O on the left's face to look right. Whether I accomplished that or not is debatable, but I just ran with it. (Trust me, at some points it looked much, much worse.)







Here I had managed to get everything drawn the way I wanted (...alright, close to how I wanted) so I inked in the drawing and started to add color.

This is where I am at right now.  Later on when I start adding in the glow from the lightning, the color will change slightly on the arms. I'm planning on making the lightning a purple-blue color, so I'll add shades of that to anywhere the light hits them.


And there you go! Hope you didn't get too bored!
Lain

First Contact

Impressions. Ever have that awkward first meeting with someone and you royally screw it up? Sometimes it's hard to be true to our personalities, especially when we're trying to impress someone. I, personally, have been told on occasion that I make a horrible first impression. This, sadly, is very true. I come off as a socially-awkward, quiet girl that, while maybe cracking a joke or two, mostly just looks like she'd rather be anywhere else. And I really do avoid "first contact" as I put it, because I can't help but make it feel awkward for everyone involved. But, as my close friends will tell you, get past all that initial quietness and really get to know me, then comes the endless chatter. I have a chronic need to hear myself talk, and have others hear it too.

Once you get me talking, though, you start discovering things you hadn't expected. Would you imagine, just by looking at me, that I'm an avid PC gamer? Probably not. Nor would you guess that I have a special place in my heart for Star Wars and Star Trek. Or even that I could talk about old and new cartoons for hours. I'm not exactly "what you see is what you get," but I'll never lie about what really interests me. This is just how I am, but how many people do we misjudge just by a first impression?

I know for a fact that I've misjudged people because I didn't mesh well with them on our first encounter. But in some cases I've gone on to become friends, even best friends, with those people. However, more often than not, I let that first impression drive me away from truly discovering the uniqueness of that particular person. And we all have a story, or a personality quirk that makes us interesting. It's those that discover it, that really have the chance to become great friends. So I continue to challenge myself to dig around and try to find the redeemable qualities in everyone. They certainly have to struggle to find mine!

So, I talked to a few of the people who read my blog and asked if they would be interested in me adding a comic to each regular blog. (Basically, anything that is not an art update.) They said they'd love to see it, so I've decided that's exactly what I'm going to do. Typically the comic will just be a single panel that has to do with what I'm talking about. Also, the artwork is probably going to be poopy because I'm not going to spend a huge amount of time on it. *Hopefully* when I get a graphics tablet I'll be able to do this on the computer instead of by hand and it'll look MUCH better. But for now, enjoy a bit of my silly comic humor!

That Time Already?

Wazzat? It's Monday? Where have I been?

Another Monday has come and that means a new-improved (not really) art update!

I'm still working on ThunderCats fanart. I'm keeping up with the show that's currently airing and it's curling my toes with excitement! I haven't seen a decent cartoon from Cartoon Network in ages. (There are a few exceptions, but most of those were on Adult Swim and weren't even from America. Japanese imports, baby!) That aside, because the show is getting me so pumped, I've been more than willing to try my hand at drawing their characters. While trying to stay true to the character design, I'm also letting my style of drawing rear it's (ugly?) head and make itself known. Besides, it's rather boring fanart if it looks exactly like the artist's original design.

The Lion-Os have their claws sunk into me at this point. I've already shown you the 80s version of him, and I've drawn the '11 Lion-O now as well. I'm currently sketching out the two Lion-Os having a friendly match with each other, but since I've decided to take it a step further and give it a decent background, this next one will take a bit longer to draw. I'll keep you updated on the progress of that.

On a slight side note, I'm really excited to say that I've gotten some decent feedback from an artist on devianART. He's really excited about my ThunderCats fanart and has even placed a request for a piece. (Not an official commission, but at least he's interested.) He and I have talked about my doing other 80s fanart, and overall the whole thing has been a huge encouragement. It's nice to know someone is getting something out of your artwork (Besides yourself, I suppose!) For now, though, I'll let you see the reboot Lion-O looking all prettified for you! And, as always, here's a link for a larger size: Lion-O

ThunderCats! HOOOOOOO!

I wonder if that is enough "OOOO's?" :3

I decided to do an early art update because I'm really excited about this new thing I'm working on! And you've probably guessed what it is...Yes, ThunderCats fanart. For the rest of the summer I'm planning on doing a ton of fanart. Mostly because I don't have to think about concepts as much, among other things. (In other words, I'm being lazy) But I enjoy drawing the fanart and it still helps me improve my skills so it's not all bad. But back to the point! Most of the fanart will be of ThunderCats, because, let's be honest, I'm obsessed with the reboot of it and I'm falling in love all over again with the 80's version. I'm planning on doing the whole main cast...I might even include Snarf if I'm feeling generous. At this point I've drawn and colored the 80's Lion-O and I've drawn and inked in the lineart of the reboot Lion-O. For now you get to see the 80's Lion-O looking smexy in his blue spandex underwear (which was a pain in the booty to color!)

 

 *strokes the pretty kitty*    >.>

Be looking forward to more updates soon!!!!

Lain

Lifetime Goal, or Pipe Dream?

Maybe a little of both...

Uncertainty. Not knowing when or how something is going to pan out can be terrifying. There's nothing more comforting than knowing exactly what to expect from a situation. With no uncertain factors, comes no uncertain future. But life is constantly changing. What was certain today, may not be tomorrow. We just have to learn to bide our time and go with the flow, fighting back when we can, and just letting go when we can't.

I'm one of those people that wants to know what to expect from life. I want to make a Lifetime Goal, no matter how vague and stick to it like the plague...but even I'm aware that while I dream big, I may not have the chance to see those dreams come to fruition. I want to continue going to IWU for four years and graduate with my degree. I want to search around for a job in my field and then move to a big city, preferably Chicago; I want to join a growing firm and work my way to the top doing what I love, designing new and pleasing products for my clientele. Do I see anything else in my future? Not really. This has been my goal for awhile, and as of now I don't want things to change. I realize though, that I may not have a chance to follow this dream. IWU's tuition is so expensive, and unless I pick up my game, continuing to go there for another year is going to be next to impossible. While I love the atmosphere and the people, I just can't see coughing up that much money over and over again. And, technically, it's not even my money, but the government's. Money that they'll be wanting back in three years. That thought terrifies me and makes me wonder how realistic my dream really is.

I've been thinking a lot about my life and where I plan on going from here, and while I'm still uncertain, I know that, for now, I'm where I'm supposed to be. I'm terrified at the prospect of things not going according to my "master plan." But I know that, no matter what, God's plan for me is the best. And while that may not always match up with what I want, in the long run I'll appreciate his guidance.

For those of you who are feeling as uncertain as I do, I leave you with this. Hang onto your dream for as long as you can. If you've had the imagination to dream it, it's worth working for. But also know when to give that dream up. For all either of us know, something else even better is coming along. And if we're supposed to give up that dream...I think that in our hearts we'll know that it's time. So keep looking inward and upward! God will tell your heart that it's time!

I'm Seeing Stripes In My Sleep...

Art Update! HO!

This past week has been a little hectic as I cram as many hours into my work schedule while preparing to go back to college for my second year. I've filled out loans and applied for jobs. I've set up dates with my roommate for moving in and tried to meet up with my friends from home one last time before the summer has ended. Scrambling around to buy books, pack things, and tie up any loose ends, it's a wonder that I've managed to get any artwork done, but I have! (Lookie at me, oh so proud!)

My commission for Jasmin has been moving right along. Coming up with a concept was a little slow at first, but after the initial week, some ideas took off and I ended up with the basic background for it. Pretty quickly I decided I didn't quite like how that looked, so I made some adjustments to it. Once satisfied, I went on to adding the zebras.


I wanted the zebras to look recognizably real, but still have a cartoonish quality to them to give that feeling of childlike-ness. Luckily when I was sketching them out onto the canvas, I didn't have any trouble erasing the unwanted lines. I had been a little worried that I'd mess up the base, but everything turned out alright.

Now we're getting somewhere, right? All that's left at this point is to paint the zebras and add Brelexis's name! It was pretty late that night, and even though I wanted to finish the whole thing, I gave up after finally completing the zebras. I'm still not sure I have them the way I want, but I'll add any finishing touches after I've painted on her name. But for now!! Here ya go!

There's still a ways to go, but I'm confident I'll have it done well before I'm headed off to college. Be looking for the final piece!! And, if you're interested in seeing the last update in a larger view, follow this link: ZEBRAS!!! FTW!

Thanks for keeping up with me! Be looking for art updates next week!

Lain

It's Monday, right? ...Right?

Coming to you, live (not really) from Lain's bedroom: it's Monday's Art Update! (except it's not Monday.) Darn.

Anyway. I'm really embarrassed at my lack of stuff to put up here. I have done a little on the art front, but not nearly as much as a planned for last week. Due to some unexpected problems involving friends I spent most of the week wallowing in self-pity. Hm. Obviously I don't learn my lesson well. However, the problems have been resolved and I'm hoping my desire to paint comes back with it. I did make a sketch a few days ago and even inked it in and colored it.

It isn't finished yet, but if things go as planned, it will be. As to how my commission is coming along, it's still in the pre-painting stage, but now that I have my room cleaned thoroughly I should have the space to work. There still needs to be some sketching done to figure placement of the objects. Clearly I haven't been working hard at all. >.> I think I have my motivation back after some good, quality time with friends though. So, soldier on self! We'll tackle these new projects with lots of...vigor and..stuff. Yay!

And on another note, my Deviantart account is getting some attention. I haven't gained anymore watchers, but I have had quite a few works favorited, so I'm looking forward to a bit more exposure. I'll keep working on getting my stuff out there! Just for the heck of it I'll post the link : http://ellairefenwick.deviantart.com/ Be looking forward to more updates soon!

Finish Last? Not in My World.

Unbelievable. Girls make the worst decisions in dating. Do you ever get tired of hearing about women who stay with a guy just because they "love them," even though this person has done nothing but treat them like trash? It's the appeal of the bad boy, they say. Hopelessly romantic girls can't help but try to get underneath all those layers of bullshit to uncover the true sweetness inside of that person. I shake my head at you. If that guy hasn't exposed that sweetness to you by the time you've reached second base...sorry girls, but he's probably not worth your time. Look at all those nice guys on the sideline wearing their hearts on their sleeves, being totally neglected. Here you are chasing around your man trying to scrape off those grimy layers of arrogance and rage, when you could have that sweetness and sincerity handed to you for free.

Why do I bring this up? Simple. Because I have this quirky, but catchy song lodged in my cerebellum (see what I did there?) about just what it's like to be a Nice Guy. One of my favorite Youtube artists collaborated with his friends to produce this original song. And while some people think surfing Youtube is a colossal waste of time, I counter with this: If it entertains, inspires or speaks to you, it's worth it. While this song is geared mainly toward guys, I still can take something out of it. I don't need to settle for a bad boy. I deserve a nice guy; someone who will cherish me and treat me with the love and respect I deserve. So why would I have it any other way?