Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Original Character Archive . 6 of my Oldest

Back in College I had tons of time in my hands and enjoyed illustrating tons of stories in short doodles, or write the ideas in some kind paper doing my best to string words pretending to be a writer in my own world. Sadly I never got to finish any good writing in them, but the idea's are still recorded, all kept hidden in some treasure box I couldn't remember where I placed. It was only during this part of my life that I got to record my stories properly, at least after my fourth year of high school when I obsessed for some time on a story I didn't get truly to finish even though I've written a draft of fifty pages.


Realizing that I enjoyed writing the idea's or stories despite not finishing them had myself become obsessed, or like a part of my life, to keep tabs of all the characters I could keep and integrate them in my stories in the future. Usually I form a sort of original character and the story comes along, or vice-versa, what ever idea I needed to form into. Like a normal creative person could do, in whatever means they know.

The longest running characters in my head are 6 of my oldest children, by my creative brain. They're different from my persona like characters named Hi and High, both androgynous looking semi-guess-the-gender type of characters since I never truly gave them a definitive description but that Hi looks like a boy that dresses like a girl sometimes and High is vice-versa.


The 6 children we're beings from the story I made in my head about a boy who lived in a place that had nothing but the only known land he walks on while outside of it are what I call the Blank Canvas. A universe counter-part from ours, where only white can be seen. The idea of that concept can be clearly depicted in one scene from Coraline, 2009 fantasy movie from the book authored by Neil Gaiman, where Coraline has already solved the mystery of the realm she entered and is slowly dissolving into it's original form. I couldn't explain it well but the gist of it is that.

The universe this Boy lives in is a mixed-race realm where there is no deep conflict despite having problems or miscommunications. They are governed by the library and guardians of a crystal tower. Events unfold and a world altering scenario changes his life, and what he meant in the world, he is neither an under-achiever or an under dog though. But his youth is something that makes him an under dog. Proving himself to other's didn't become obvious at first, which probably what he didn't figure out in the first parts of the story.

It's a usual shounen like story that I always read or watch in the anime's that I've encountered back in my college days. And drawing them again in a style as animated as the first image made me feel alive and awesome in my own skin. Something I've been missing these past few days as a working adult worrying about too many things in life. Right now I'm going to focus on creating my comics Tamtam, despite not it having started yet. This year end months had so much in it that the stress I got from it became too much that even my romantic head had wrapped around in a bobble of anxious dilemma.

I'm not going to put my characters details cause I've re-written their existence right now into different roles for Tamtam. A far cry from the fantasy-adventure story I had intended them to be in, although fantasy is still in it plus a little hints of the old story they original came from. Either way, encountering nostalgia in this sense gives much motivation to focus on things in a positive way, which is always what these entries I end up writing end in. Noting positivity like I was the most optimistic being in my planet.

Monday, November 21, 2016

Komikon Aftermath . Petshap Inc's out there! . After thoughts

Today is monday, Nov.21st, the day after the two day rush of adrenaline local comics convention (sigh of relief) and to this day I have never felt as well satisfied as the first time I've attended an event to sell my stuff back at my first Ozine indie table.
This is the first convention that I didn't create and sell a new title of any kind, one-shot or any of the series I have or currently want to create. Instead we, my friend and I, pushed and promoted our semi-business art group Petshap Inc's. Despite my demeanor through out the event for being sick, the first two days of my budding sniffles and coughs that eventually turned full fledge phlegm war, I had the opportunity to work out some sweat and suck up my guts into focusing semi-full in marketing and trying our best being sellers. I didn't get to sell much, as a sales person, according to my opinion and of course comparing it to some of the people who I saw. But seeing our merchandise get attention and well enough recognition says quite a lot. Not to mention the appreciation for our artworks that were on the items we sold.

Yes, the prices we're not that satisfyingly good to even consider getting all the capital we had to give, but the exposure was well worth (although, we honestly sold a lot in the first day and a few for the second). Now just a little bit more push to our aim, and knowledge of what the people actually do want, we can move forward on events and occasions where we will have the opportunity to plan and sell our items and talents again.

This is a laughing matter, considering that I'm almost half way into giving up on fully making an effort again yet here I see our hard worn efforts into making these items becomes something uplifting, even if it was just a little. Truly a rewarding moment for me, and any negative thoughts may come, it still would no dampen that small feeling of letting our efforts be appreciated by any means.

To my comics making, it won't go away, it won't leave my heart. And even if I am able to say that somehow I am more eager to give attention and support to Petshap Inc's, my side as a comics creator felt effectively fueled. After seeing our table mates Pop Shop's comics creators for the title of Tanod and Mang Jose, which sad to say I never got to truly browse and give praise cause I was to shy and other stuff (thanks hesitant last minute self), there was that admiration I had that won't go away still for awesome comics makers out in the field. Indie and unpicked by any specific publishers or well on their way to publish-dom.

Source
The same goes for Petshap Inc's that is either on it's path to being a design for commission group or design group for items that can be given as gift that are awful fancy and cute, pretty long interpretation of the path but oh-well, there is never going to be a good day for me but if I choose to be happy even for the simplest of these moments, then I thank providence for all these fortunate things however small.

Soon Petshap Inc's will be having it's tiny process of refurbishing aims again, while my new comics title will be done and on it's way to a good hope and future.

Age and time may hinder me, yet the efforts of these two days are truly a blessing even if I was sick and I couldn't successfully make any rounds around.

Also first time experiencing so many, at least around five, people asking for a commission from me, such tiring interactions to humans that I guess I am alright with. Work stress to develop my skills are always welcome.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Komikon 2016 . Petshap Incs

Here we go again. November is coming and Komikon, the premiere comics convention in the Philippines (I don't really know if it's premiere or anything, but it's one of the well known), is just around the corner!

Me and a few friends of mine formed a group that focuses on Line and Doodle art works. The groups name is Petshap Inc's, sort of a word play for Ink's since majority of our works will be black and white emphasizing our skills to create from pen and ink, and our "pet" name for our group of friends that we just kind of tagged on ourselves out of fondness. Six years has passed since our college days, or the year we kind of just stuck with each other yet we're still growing strong, or any kind of metaphor strong could apply in our bond as friends.

This year end, we're going on an epic journey to introducing ourselves into the realm of business. (insert party poppers and dab-jamming here)

Check it!
Featured in this group as artist contributors are Briks (frozenpillows on IG) and yours truly typing away (pansikoser on IG). We've been actively uploading on our redbubble site, but have limited social marketing for it, still it ain't that bad to consider as we are still both struggling and it's only the first few months of our own plights. Still, trying to make a mark in this industry (that feels quite somewhere there but not) we've opted to sell merchandise designed by us.

Petshap Inc's IG
Coin purses. Yes, our designs, printed on canvas cloth and sewn to perfection. The designs on it were specifically intended to be laid out as pattern designs. It was quite fascinating to do such designs, although having no idea on what to put on them is a bummer. But there's nothing better than seeing your project come into fruition.

And this coming Komikon will be our setting stone!

Last year I didn't get to sell much of my self drawn comics, although this year I'm doing a different project I'm still going to sell some of my titles. Originally I had intended to create a new comics series to sell in the indie section of Komikon, Indieket, but I had been going through some mishaps in producing pages for the story and the story itself. Being unsatisfied with a story has always been a mishap for me, but I'm honest enough to say I'm more eager to start and completely finish this future project.

Anyway we still don't have the details for where we will be placed in the convention but I hope it's going to be good, probably get the details this coming saturday.

Friday, October 28, 2016

Tha's 'Nother Story . fairy tale with a cliff hanger

Source; Story: The Golden Key; Art: pansikoser

I've never encountered the best cliff hanger of a fairy tale in my known time to spend reading one.

Good day. After spending some good breakfast and spent finishing some touches on a project, I thought I could put up some time to look into translated fairy tales online.

Childhood without stories that were aimed to tell a lesson; amuse them, spark a good imagination in their head or just simply pass the time, will make any person from their child days miss out on a lot of things. Fortunately, I grew up enjoying the world of reading; fascinating me enough to be excited and involve myself, even have it as my work. Although I'm a struggling artist and growing slowly towards my goal, I couldn't agree more to go back to different types of genre and scope.

This includes reading fairy tale like stories, the origin of true fantasy and fiction for me.

Children stories have a variety of versions, there are ones from the era of the Grimm brothers and Anderson that based of the child's version of cautionary tales. Generations before them that were passed down from word of mouth that formed legends and mythology, to this age where the realistic the story is that stirs an emotion or scenario the better. Unto ones that were completely bizarre and simply amused you with current trendy and catchy cute concepts of fables or monsters that delved independently to the pursuit of creative essence.

Golden Key


Tells a tale of a boy in the middle of a winter night, or any time of the day maybe unlike the little match girl who spent her time in a snowy night. This boy was poor who intended to never go home due to the state of his life. Freezing, almost no food to eat (maybe?), and no other chances of making things better, he finds himself scraping through the soil to warm himself only to find a tiny gold key, and upon digging deeper, finds a large chest.

Eventually the translation from my source doesn't have any version with the ending. In fact, it just hinted a form of anticipation for the contents, even though it might just end up like Schrodinger's cat. To me, it is either the best cliff hanger or a grand opportunity for a writer to try and end the story themselves. The beginning of the story isn't that much different to whatever style the Grimm brothers wrote in. Yet, the unfortunate lack of ending feels satisfying and not at the same time.

I couldn't even analyze the story's very essence or possible cautionary tale for anyone, just that it's all going to end like Schrodingers cat. The possibility of only bad things coming out from the chest, or may be good things, no one will be sure of. So, maybe, in the end, I could just subjectively make this story a seemingly inspirational one. The positive kind, where one person begins with a sort of reminder that how hard life is don't give up on a pursuit you believe in that will grow into something better in the end, or maybe that the chest will always be a symbol of life's mysteries and surprises.

Either way, looking at the way it was written is enriching enough, I must say. Let it's simplicity just baffle you into it's incompleteness. 

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Tamtam and the Update


These days I've stopped creating for my planned webcomics "Tamtam: Peaceful Days", and stopped editing the script for the first arc of the story. But I've come back to edit the story and soon plan on creating the drafts, by pencil, and just post it like that through my webcomics. Mayhaps it would make me successfully practice being a clean pencil artist for my art, and future projects. I could ink them at the same time, but I take ten years to ink, especially in projects that I have to leave them off for the while.

Being slow in the industry of creating my own story and comics is a bit dragging. I won't be sugar coating my sin by saying I'm not jealous of the people who've gone and succeeded in this line of life, but I'm not lying when I say that I get the same heights of inspiration even sometimes greater than my warped jealous self. Either way, the script is in an over haul of almost everything. From the dialogue to terms used, I'm decided as well to incorporate the irony of 'Baybayin' into my story as a language used by mythos like creatures more than modern society.

In the Philippines, there is a local language and alphabet called 'Alibata' or 'Baybayin' that has been used by our natives until the Spaniards came, as I recall or think...or remember. The alphabet isn't exactly dead, but majority of the citizens aren't even versed in it anymore, me included. My father is awesome with tagalog words, that makes me evidently proud about that skill of his. Considering if it IS a skill to completely know more tagalog than english.

Source
Me incorporating 'Baybayin' as an ironic dead language in the universe of "Tamtam" is iconic, in a sense that I want to explore how I could string the world I've concocted and the reality I'm partially basing it from. Along with the fact that I'm introducing furry characters AND mythological representatives, completely based from original Pinoy mythology will be a big thing. Not that I'm following the trend in our comics industry, but I've always wondered how I can explore the stories I create with local fiction and mythological lore.

Filipino mythology is really fascinating, but in my growth as an adult, I've lost some of my fascination with the context like I'm already tired and not even happy to support local product, or information historically for that matter. History, especially the lore and legends, has always fascinated me like a moth into a candles light in my childhood days.
Source
Yet, my memory as good as the misconceptions that of the goldfish (if it IS a misconception that goldfish's memories are short), is completely warped into just retaining only the ones that I need for my current life. See Sherlock BBC, and that episode about him forgetting that Science and the Sun being the center of our known living universe.

This desire must not leave me, that's why I'm writing it here and possibly making a chronicle of my progress, albeit planned only yet and slowly progressing in it. Me, seeing myself researching about how to use 'Baybayin' will be a big thing for me. Putting up an ambition and a goal set helps me a lot.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Bound in Blood-Issue 1 is out now!!!


This is a follow up on one of my projects I've worked on, in collaboration with an author, at the start of this year (2016) and I'm proud to say that it has been released and published online in Comixology (link here).

There isn't enough words for me to express my excitement since it's already been a month now since it was published.

Issue 1 is a slow pace, but it's action packed enough with awesome morbid mystery. Even the Chicago set that I wish I've seen in real life while I researched for references had me pumped.

Doing this project has set my heart to my true goal, especially now that I'm involved again with a new project that I'm currently working on. Details about it will be posted soon on this blog, as active as I can possibly do with my time. The set is fantasy with at least a steam-punk mix with medieval knights and the likes.

The story is as interesting and intense as "Bound in Blood", something I've enjoyed doing since I could remember illustrating my first heavily detailed and gorish art.

If you want to see some of my old works, browsing through my gallery SilentNitingale in DeviantArt would be a good enough. Nowadays I just post them through my Instagram account (if you wanna add me go ahead!).

Starting with this tiny step at this part of my life, I hope that more projects come my way so I could continue illustrating awesome stories. And even start my own.

Them Inktober stuff (so far)

This is just a re-cap post of mine on how many images or inktober illustrations I've done since I started participating. Usually I couldn't force myself to participate long enough with this kind of thing since in the past few years I was completely drained and busy with work. So far, I've just proven that by doing this, it means I've got more time to spare than I thought I had. Much positive, is that conclusion. (laugh, laugh)

Day 1 was something about Fast. So I just drew a snail...
Day 2 have something to do with noisy, so I looked up for the noisiest mammal and somehow the internet says it's the whale. I would agree, especially if I stood beside one and simply heard them "groan" out their call.
Day 3 made me think of something, and so far I didn't have anything so I drew a jar with snot in it. Which just ended up being a soul. Collect a soul.
This was my first cheat day, day 4. It was the week where we we're going to pass pattern designs in our art group/personal business Petshap Inc's. The week was busy, in a sense that I didn't even have the time to do the patterns, so to catch up with the inktober prompt list, luckily, I snagged a bit from my designs. This one didn't get into the patterns, but was used as a design on our Redbubble store.
Theme's sad and hidden were done on the same day, day 6, since day 5 was the first skip I did. Forgot the reason why I forgot to draw on that day, I'm guessing I was tired about something.
Day 7 and 8 was a glorious one. Day 8 was the day I watched "Ako si Josephine", a local play that my mother had intended to watch with my sister but I ended up with the tickets and even added another amount to pay to my sister. (oTL)

The night of day 8, after the play, I was back on my table drawing for Petshap Inc's, and at the same time feeling tired and trying my best to think of an inktober to draw from the prompt. Thankfully I was in a "spent time with my friend and it was heavenly" hype, that it motivated me to draw a satirical irony about the concept of lost (I lost my motivation on day 7, but got it  back the day after). Then drew Chinito from the play "Ako si Josephine", to represent Josephine's (and Helena's sort of) rock, metaphorical or not. (laugh, laugh)
The illustration for broken was basically the most bizarre that I had to hunt down where I posted it.
This illustration was the first I did in combining two themes in one, jump from day 10 and transport for day 11. End result, a pogo stick.
 
Again, skipping a day and doing them both in one, add the joy of using my new pen brushes. Day 12 and 13, respectively worried and scared, are both the opposite of what the prompt themes are. One is a medic braving the battle field and the other a chubby ballerina dancing her way through the sunset.
Since halloween was basically inching closer in that corner I did a trick-or-treat tree and relax theme. Which I consider the most hilarious of what I've drawn for inktober and basically more composed than the rest.
Second cheat day, wet, and she isn't even technically wet. Tenshi no Tamago, the inspiration for this illustration, was one of the animated films I tried watching along with Watership Down and Felidea. All of which I did not get to watch in my childhood days.
Technically the third sort of fanart, themed battle, which I submitted on day 18 but originally was for cay 17. Amadea from the RPG Masquerada. Loving her for her strength and vulnerability in the story was my biggest pull. Albeit sincerely listing this game as one of the games that I will buy and play some day in my spare time. Money still escaping me right now. (laugh, laugh)
Days 18 - 19 - 20 were all squeezed in two a set of illustrations I posted in day 20, during a moment where I was religiously watching owl videos in youtube.

That's about it. So far the diversity of the styles and concept of my illustrations show too much that it's barely laughable, actually laughable. Mayhaps I will get to post another continuation of this Inktober stuff and successfully finish one finally!

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Art Thing: fanism towards Leviathan and its art

There was a book series I sort of obsessed, in a degree, over back between the years 2012 and 2013 entitled Leviathan. The series is a sort of historical fiction steampunk book that focuses over a certain "part" of World War I. Which, I think, was pertaining to the Ottoman empire and the likes. Clearly I've little to no clue of the German, Union and Ottoman relationship during that era, excuse me historians. Don't roll on your graves, I'm not worth it.

Image Source
There are several highlights for this book that I swear will be biased if I stated them because it's based on my taste of literature or genre alone. However, I do believe the artist for the books illustrations is worth everyones money and time. Here I present one of the "awesome-est" artist for steampunk I've seen, and also admire in the level of putting details through his illustration.

< Keith Thompson >
No image of the person, yet
(thank god, cause I searched and found some random handsome dude...dunno who he was)
You can visit his website here: http://www.keiththompsonart.com/

I've never not given enough praises to any artist who enjoys putting heavy sketchy details into their work, whether if it's just a doodle or for work.

In this case, my admiration goes heavily on the steampunk concepts he made for the book. He's also got a deviantart that I might say is fairly inactive since I think it only features his works from the book. And, since the book series is already done, I guess it's fair enough to assume that it won't be updating anytime.

Below are some of the images I like from the gallery (http://keithwormwood.deviantart.com/).

Leviathan
Peace Treaty
I suggest you browse the gallery more AND his website, or you can buy the Illustrated companion book The Manual of Aeronautics, I think this image is also in the book. I have a copy of the book, given to me by my boyfriend as a christmas gift, I liked it a lot even though I didn't really show it much.

This isn't much of a glorified article putting his works on a pedestal, however I do get inspiration and determination to work just by seeing his art so if I were you I'd start browsing his works and get some good juices there. Or, if not just browse it for fun.

Monday, February 29, 2016

Bound in Blood . Preview Art2

The next stop, side character introductions. There were only a few side characters used for the story, besides the faceless random citizens.

This guy, well he doesn't really show up much in the first issue
 but soon you'll see him being everywhere in Dave's life.
Chief Pat Wilson. I based him on the first image
of an elderly "healthy" man with a 'stache.
That's right, it's written on the top "Stephen Colbert 101"
cause Tom Swanson, the reporter, was fairly based to Stephen Colbert.
Tom Swanson, paired up with a camera man!
You'll never really see how he looks like, but just in case, put a face.
Why not!
Lastly, news anchor John Reynolds.
Originally, I tried to look for the original one, but it seems like he really doesn't exist.
Searching for a good fit reference for characters that wouldn't even have that long exposure and presence in a story sometimes takes time, specially if you're going for a semi-realism feel and style for majority of the art. I personally enjoyed looking for a good Stephen Colbert reference since I'm a fan, but that didn't mean I didn't enjoy making for the others.

Bearing in mind about all the elements you need to keep when it comes to designing a character, the aesthetic of their facial personality and how you see them stating and expressing their dialogues is a necessary thing. If you can't imagine them being what they should be in the story sometimes feels mechanical. Something I learned almost in the middle of this progress.


Check our FB page: Bound in Blood
Support our kickstarter: Bound in Blood (not your average mystery comics!)

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Bound in Blood . Preview Art1

Good day! In celebration for the release of Bound in Blood's (facebook) kickstarter here are some raw artworks posted online by the artist, yours truly!

 
Preview of the two important characters in Dave Ugarte's life.
You'll have to read the comics to figure which of the two is his romance and rock.


Study for Dave Ugarte's character design
Dave Ugarte's final design
So far the basis for the three characters are really diverse, Allison was originally based from a different actress but not someone that looks like Jennifer Lawrence. Although the feel could have passed as Kate Beckinsale or the likes. Having her look soft and pleasing to the eyes was the ultimate aim in contrast to Claire who is peppy and quite the character with a robust personality.

It was also a challenge for me to produce a specific look for Dave since the first chapter had little personality to show for him but only to his loyalty to the justice, and his loved ones, after the events of his past. So I depicted him somewhat borderline with an unsure expression but stern, that would soon be covered by a beard later on in the story.

Conversing with creator Patrick Goforth about the fruition of the characters was quite a thrill, specially crossing the lines of the character descriptions to pencil and paper.

To know further about them and their roles in the story pass by our kickstater and support our cause!

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Bound in Blood . Kickstarter support

This will be a short article related to one of the projects I am involved, it's a comics I helped come alive entitled "Bound in Blood" and it's Kickstarter.



Bound in Blood

(not your average mystery comics!)



"His name is Dave Ugarte, formerly a soldier, now known as Sergeant Ugarte of Chicago Police department. His first official case as one of Chicago's finest takes his new life for whirl wind."


Please do check it out and support the project!

This is the first for publish work of writer Patrick Goforth and his colleague artist JR De Borja.