~Animu 2011~

On Sunday the 4th December there was the Anime Festival organised by Animu!

I went there as representative of Talented Mauritian Artists to promote the artworks of the members, using a flash animation as found on the site, along with the different artworks of the members in files (special thanks to Jason Tse, Vincent Manargadoo, Stel Chung and Jeremy Lan). I kinda felt guilty of not being able to do much for the artists, specially writers, singers, musicians, craftsmen, amongst others. But I was glad for having met up with so many members for the first time!

There was the Aritst Alley represented by Christelle Barbe, K-San, Emi Lee, Kyky Otaku, Shailee Elliah and Lionel Anthony. On the other side was found the sponsor table selling mangas, magazines and badges, and there was also Yu Gi Oh card game being held throughout the event by Desyre Allan Victorien. Beside the TMA table, Noah Nany was doing digital portraits for interested customers! Activites like the Live Drawing Contest, Live Drawing Demonstration and Cosplay Contest were being held too! The winners of the different contests can be found on the website of Animu itself!

Animu 2011 Live Drawing Contest and Cosplay Contest

Personal views about the event: lack of activities or due to the too long duration, at a certain part of day the attendees had nothing to do but walking around the premises, and unclear judging of the winners of different categories since many have been doubting about the outcomes. But I sincerely thank the organisers for their effort put into setting up the event with limited support!!

Waiting for similar events in Mauritius in 2012!

~Interesting Quote~

I don’t usually cite phrases, but there is one that I found interesting and wanted to share with you~!

“Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self” – Cyril Connolly

And of course, this applies to any situation you may come across. Are you living for your own or living for some one else? Easy to say for the majority of the people, but not really when the people live on something that needs to be publicly recognized. Designers, music producers, actors…well, it encompasses quite a lot of artists!

How to please yourself and please the public at the same time? It’s a difficult question, since evey single person’s taste is not the same. I’ve been hearing people who are complaining about their job when it was supposed to be their hobby! Yet, in order to please the public, sometimes they have to give up their own style and what they like. Though, I am not saying that artists cannot survive when they are doing things that please themselves! (Erm, I wonder if you can understand, since I can’t find a sense in what I am talking about)

It’s a question to think about…What type of artist are you?

You? or Another You?

~My drawing tools~

So yeah! It’s been like a month and more since I’ve posted anything here! No, I haven’t forgotten this place, it’s just that I’m overloaded with different responsibilities currently.

Still, I would like to do a little introduction about my digital drawing tools!

1. Wacom Bamboo tablet
Strange enough though, I’ve been checking it on the internet but could not find the exact make of it…

I have received this tablet along with a drawing lesson package that I have taken up in Taiwan, which I have not completed yet till now. The stylus is light and handy, and the tablet has a good pressure sensor too!

2. Acer TravelMate 6231
A good mate of mine since year 2006 till today!

Even though she does not have strong processing power and storage, she has been with me from the start of my digital drawing journey. I am satisfied with the outcomes of my drawings! Yay!

Say Cheese!

~My drawing procedure (Part 2)~

Continuing with my last entry, now it’s time to get this piece colored! Example used is the Dynasty Warriors 7 couple fan art of Liu Bei and Sun Shang Xiang. Software used: Corel Painter IX.5 and Hardware used: Wacom Bamboo tablet. From the last step, add a new layer, rename if required, for skin color! Place the layer under the line layer.

1. For coloring, I like to use Airbrush! Set the opacity to around 60 to 80% as you feel like it, then cover the parts where skin is exposed, that is, doing a base color for skin. Using a selection tool or the-I-don’t-know-how-to translate-it tool (the first check box just above the layers on the right hand side of the image, where you can actually see the tick), playing with the colors again, now do the shadows (I always started with shadows) with opacity around 2-5%, eyedrop the different shades if needed. When the shades are done, do the light parts, e.g. front, nose, cheeks and chin on the face. Usually after having done the skin, I will color the part of the eye white or greyish white for the following step.

2. Add a new layer again, above the skin, basically, my skin layer is always amongst the most bottom layers. Select the eye color, do the base color again with the stronger opacity, and play with the other colors with a weaker opacity like 5-10%.

3. I usually like to do the lips on the same layer as the eye. Same technique, base color + high opacity, other colors (light and shades) + low opacity.

4. Add another layer, again, there’ll be loads of layers to add when you are not sure which layer comes above or which comes below. The hair layer will be above the Eye and Skin layers, but sometimes I put it in the middle, depends on how I used the layer, that is, I may color other objects on a layer which I used for e.g. for eye and lip.

5. When the base color is done, repeate the above coloring steps. For the hair texture, I would use a brush size around 2-4 with a rather strong opacity 10-15%, choose a darker hair color and grab all my patience, follow the flow of the hair.

6. You can do the same to add some lighter hair texture! Sometimes I would do the lighter parts again, or simply use the blur tool.

7. And again, another layer for accessories, this layer is above the Hair layer as you can see the colors of the accessories should cover that of the hair.

8. Here comes the outfit! Be prepared to have many layers for this issue! All are above the skin layer. Base color –> Shadow –> Light –> Details –> Light + Shade again!

9. Outfit near completion~! Use existing layers wisely for the overlapping details on the outfit or simply use a new layer~!

10. See the golden flower detail? It could be done on a new layer due to its complicated nature, so that when errors occur, you can always erase it without erasing the already done base (red part here). Then add and play with the layers for the other character, which I will completely ignore due to repetitive steps here, add a background layer below the skin layer and voila!

~My drawing procedure (Part 1)~

This time I am just going to do a record on how I drew the fan arts. Example used is the Dynasty Warriors 7 couple fan art of Liu Bei and Sun Shang Xiang. Software used: Corel Painter IX.5 and Hardware used: Wacom Bamboo tablet.

First, get a reference image of Liu Bei and Sun Shang Xiang, I used their official artwork from Koei, then think about the composition of the work that you are going to draw and start to sketch! I prefer to use Soft line charcoal size 2.0 opacity 30% texture 80% to do my outlines with a color in dark brown. Image size 6 by 8 cm, 300 dpi.

1. Add a new layer to sketch, define the outline of the characters, and background if necessary. Currently I am still very weak at doing backgrounds…sigh

2. Change the opacity of the sketch layer to barely visible %, add a new layer for the first character and begin to draw it with the help of reference.

3. For the outfit, using reference of course, I usually drew it directly on the same layer I drew the character, I think you might be using another layer for this issue? Watch your ref. image closely and try to get as much details as possible! Alternately using the brush and eraser tool for a clean work!

4. Add another layer for the second character, magnify to draw the details.

5. Continue with the outfit on the same layer, or use a new layer if you like!

6. Upon completion, you may hide the sketch layer to see how it looks!

7. Add another layer for background details, here for me there’s only the tent and the rope thing~! And the outline is done!

Part 2 will be about how I colored this piece, see you in my next post then!

~How I improve my skills (Part 4)~

Modesty

I have been a very proud girl. Thinking that I was the best in drawing, and I was stupid for sure! I remember of receiving a comment like " What the hell are you drawing? They all look the same! Same faces, same expressions! If I had taught your cousin how to draw, am sure he’ll draw better than you!"

Okay, that was from a mister who I really didn’t like and still don’t like, but nevermind. The point is, at that time, I was really angry and even drew on tissue paper (was in a restaurant for dinner) and was down all night. Now when I give a thought about it, indeed, even though it came out from a person whom I did not respect, I had and have a lot to improve in my drawing skills.

With time, I have learnt how to appreciate other people’s work and skills! They own what I do not own! There is so much that I can learn from others! When I am interested in a skill, I would go asking the person about how he or she did it, cause I believe in, once you know it, it’s all yours to develop!

Remember, there’s always someone better than you out there, and it won’t hurt asking!

~How I improve my skills (Part 3)~

You are not the only one drawing in this world, and neither am I, so, somewhere out there exists the competition. Of course, am not telling you to go and participate in EVERY competition that you see, but I am just going to ask you…do you have any rivals?

No, no! Not the rivals as if you’re gonna beat them down, but people who inspire and motivate you! Seeing them getting better and better makes you want to get better too, that’s how you would improve!

Currently, my first and best rival is a friend of mine from the same college~We share the same love for animes and mangas, and same interest for drawing. Having known her for some 6, 7 years, each time when I see her getting better at her skills pushes me further to get over my laziness and aim at higher levels~I really thank her for being here with me, sharing the same hobby and encouraging me in my down times.  Thank you, Raina!

And thanks to the Internet, I am able to encounter different types of artists, and really amazed by their skills! Different persons, different styles, and different beauties! Can’t wait to discover more such friends!!

How about you? Do you have any rival?

~How I improve my skills (Part 2)~

"Eww~What the hell is that?"
"You did this? It doesn’t resemble anything!"
"Ha!Ha!Ha!"
"Why do all your characters look the same? Is that a guy or a girl?"
"I think you should…would be better!"

Ever heard of these before during your art life? Yeah, me I’ve heard it loads. At the beginning, it’s really depressing, to a point that I just crushed my page and threw my pencil away, sat up in a corner and pissed off at any thing.

Yes, I have been through this, it is not a very good feeling, I admit, but in the end, I found that…it helped!

No, I did not mean pissing off at any thing helped! Haha, I meant the comments and critiques. Most of the times, they do not please the ears, YOUR ears, but when you give a thought about it, these comments and critiques do and will help you improve your skills, not only at art like I focused, but at anything!

Listen, (+calm down > w <), analyze and note down the different comments and critiques that you find will help you to improve your skills. Did they find your anatomy strange? Then practise! Did they find the color strange? Then practise again! Yes, back to the basics, practice! Draw on scrapped papers, and compare what you have drawn years ago, months ago, days ago and even hours ago, you’ll eventually find some differences!

"Wow, that’s awesome!"
"Love it, simply love it!"
"You’re the best!"
"Superbe! Cute! Cool! …etc (+other similar comments)"

Are these familiar to you too? Yes, indeed, they are very pleasing and encouraging for you to continue drawing. I call these as ‘simple comments’ and ‘appreciation’. I am not telling people not to be thankful to their admirers, but I would prefer them to tell me why or what did they like in my work, so that I am sure that I am still on the right track! Or suggest me where and what I can improve in, that’s even better!

I always liked to comment and give suggestions on works which impressed me or where I find there is the potential and room for improvement. No, I am not a professional, never will I be one. But if what I proposed has been taken into consideration, I would be very happy! Also, through observing other people’s work, inspiration will come to me~

Never fear of critiques, Request for them! They will aid a lot in improving your skills, for SURE!

Let’s comment and criticise!

~How I improve my skills (Part 1)~

I am not a professional at drawing, but I love drawing! This hobby de-stresses me very much, specially during exams, where not the notes but inspiration and ideas will fly through my head. I will grab them down using a page and a pencil~! Okay, not a very good example for those on exams, hehe~

So, what’s the basic of the basics?

Observation is unavoidably at first place. Depending on what you would like to draw, you must first observe, be it real object or fan arts or original characters. For example, female characters are my favorite, but, how to make them appear differently and not always detain the same traits? I observed different female characters, on magazines, in manga/anime, around my surrounding. It is never a bad idea to redraw them down, try to alter their looks to your own style until you find one that satisfies you.

Next, am sure you are already full of it…PRACTICE!

Practice, practice and practice till you can draw without having to actually refer to something. Knowing the traits of objects can aid much when drawing backgrounds, knowing how to situate the light source can help in deciding on the intensity of shadow, knowing how to mix up the different colors to produce different effects…all are based and learnt from observation. Yet, what has been observed has to be put into practice…so just practice already!

And I am still PRACTISING too~hehe~Are you with me?

~Alive 30 Days II~

Title: Alive 30 Days II
Total no. of pages: 42
Type: Ghost Fanatasy(?)
Time: 2005
Link: Alive 30 Days II
"Shocking News! Famous Singer Heero Kentsu has been found poisoned and confirmed dead after his body has been found at…” Indeed, a shocking news for Nanami Takeuchi, fan of Heero. But Nanami did not know what was reserved for her after one year, when she encountered Heero…in her room!
Yes, Alive 30 Days continues! With Nanami Takeuchi as main character, together with Kamui Saitoh, engage in the solving of the mystery of death of Heero Kentsu! What lies behind the truth? Let’s discover!
Alive 30 Days II has sort of a detective storyline that I wanted to try out, without much success, yet I had fun drawing the characters! Each with their personality~I specially like the part where Kyo got on his nerves and that his hat simply flew off! hehe~ > w <~!
This was the last complete manga that I did some years back. Currently onto some projects, which have been pending since quite a long time! And I hope to complete them one day, for sure!
Have a nice reading!

~Cat Prince~

Title: Cat Prince
Total no. of pages: 11
Type: Love Story
Time: 2003
Link: Cat Prince
“Miaw~” Nothing can be better to be woken up by my beloved cat Chell each morning. Yet…why do I have to see my brother, Wed’s face each morning? Ahhh~! Recently Chell has got a mate which I named Kit-Kat! Since my mother does not allow me to keep another pet, so I have decided to pull up a tent in the yard of a vacanted house and to take care of it~! But, just on the day after, Kit-Kat has transformed into a human?! Was it because of a curse? Poor Kit-Kat!
Again a short love story based on Pearl and the mysterious “Kit-Kat” in the human form(?). I had fun drawing Cat Prince, and I soo much liked to draw Wed in different funny faces~! I admit it is kind of tiring if you have such popular siblings, haha~!
Hope you enjoy Cat Prince!

~Result of TMA Logo Contest~

First of all, I would like to thank all the participants for their work and all the people who have voted for this contest! THANK YOU~!

Out of the 27 votes, the results are as follows (26/03/11 11:59 p.m.):

There was a fierce competition between Guillaume’s and Theirry’s logo~! But in the end, it’s Guillaume whose logo has been most favored by the voters with 12 votes~Followed by Thierry who got 10, and Raina with 4 and Nicolas with 1 vote~

A big applause for all the participants! Please keep up the good work! And please don’t feel discouraged either~As with good competition and challenges, you will get better for sure!

Therefore, as from 1st of April, the group logo will be changed and remain in use for 4 months till end of July, and be shifted on a 3 weeks to 1 month basis for the 2nd to 4th logo~

Thank you again, dear TMArtists! Awaiting your participation in the coming events!

~Just Can’t Forget~

Title: Just Can’t Forget
Total no. of pages: 16
Type: School Romance
Time: 2003
Link: Just Can't Forget
This story revolves around 4 teenagers namely Anna, Nathlie, Danny and Bryan. Anna and Danny are very close friends, they would go to school together, do home work together and even share lunches. This close relationship made Nathlie quite jealous of her best friend Anna, when in fact, there is an untold secret behind…
Woah~Again love story~! Why always love love stories? Because love stories are easy! Yay~But it is challenging to discover new storyline~I somewhat fail a lot in doing sad storylines, so I prefer funny ones~It makes me feel the worth drawing when I see my readers laughing at a detail or a conversation~Their laughs and smiles push me further in discovering ways to make people laugh!
Please enjoy Just Can’t Forget!

~Logo Contest~

Dear TMArtists!

Following the deadline of submission for the TMA Logo Contest on the 12th March, here comes the voting for the logo you like!

Currently we have 4 entries, namely from (classified by date of submission):

• Guillaume Clarisse

• Nicolas Haw

 

• Thierry Ctv

 

• Raina Ram

 

The logo with the majority of votes will be used on the TMA group and page for 4 months as from the 1st of April 2011, and the other logos will be used on a shift basis, say 3 weeks to 1 month basis.

Please vote using the vote option on the left up corner of the blog. Thank you!

The deadline for voting will be on the 26th March 2011 at 11:59 p.m.

~600 times fall in love~

Title: 600 times fall in love
Total no. of pages: 51
Type: School Romance
Time: 2003
Link: 600 times fall in love
How many times have you fallen in love till now? Never? Once? Twice? More than ten times? Well bet you cannot beat Dana’s record here! Since age of four, Dana Smiths has been looking for her true love, after having misunderstood what her mother has told her. Till now, at the age of seventeen, Dana has fallen in love for 597 times! (Which meant of course, 597 times’ failure in doing so). She encountered Kris Nelphe, her childhood friend, who has transferred to the same high school as Dana. What will happen between these two teenagers?
Hahaha~I know this number is just a bit exaggerated, but that was just a number…don’t think too much~> w <~! Another school romance manga (comic) by me, yay! School romance is easy, lively and you can easily add as many characters as you want~Think that ‘600 times fall in love’ is my manga with the largest number of characters, even till today~It was somehow tiring trying to include all the characters, giving each of them chances to appear~But, I had a lot of fun building the relationships between the different characters~! Favorite character: Helene Luxebourg~inspired from Hanajima Saki of Fruits Basket~
Enjoy!