Oh, yay that your concept was accepted! Definitely would like to see your progress as you work on it.
Ah, and about our pics for the default skin here--I found the header through some searching around, though I think the size is a bit different. *shrug* And I found a different celtic knot sort of button for the boards themselves. The one thing that's still messed up are our avatar stash...I suppose I need to fix those next.
Ooo...you know, I really do see what you mean about your sketches turning out "different." Definitely not a bad kind of different--I'm sensing you're getting a handle on a greater degree of versatility in styles and mediums, and the results are very awesome indeed. *bounces*
Yes, your colored pencil is looking good! I like the shading you're doing, and the color scheme is excellent. Also, flames are hard, but it looks great. And I love the details you did in the face to indicate the bone structure...yup, really love this one.
The pen one is cute! She's got such a sweet look on her face too, and the curve of the neck is so elegant. And I admire your bravery--I'm always so terrified to ink things, knowing I can't erase it. *trembles* I really like the boldness of the lines in this one--you should do more inked ones. *nods*
Oh, cool on the landscape one. That angle looks so hard! But seriously, the bushes and the trees and the overall composition of this...absolutely awesome. *applauds* Yes, yes, try it in colored pencil!! Want to see!
And I love the last one. On the contrary, I think the wings look amazing--I love all of the tension in this pose, and the wings somehow add to it. (And, as I was trying to draw a dragon myself earlier today, I have a newfound appreciation for your genius with wings. *crumples sketch* Man, I find them maddening) Anyway...hmm, I believe this is another I was snag for iconage.... (I'm hoping to have a new batch of them for you later on this week. )
Re: Dragon Pics « Result #2 on Nov 20, 2009, 2:14pm »
I did end up re-submitting the DC concept - and 'tis accepted! Yay! And, it may actually wind up being a "drak" variety - relatives of the Ochredrakes, and able to breed with them. Which would be really cool. No real progress yet - I'm waiting to hear back from the girl who created the Ochres on whether they'd be acceptable, as they seem to fit her requirements, but I'd do some of the details slightly differently, depending on which way it goes.
I'm so happy you like the griffins! They're so fun to do, even if feathered wings are hard. *hugs them* And hehe, I must admit, I'm particularly fond of that teenage one myself. Like I said, I kept changing my mind about how it was going to go, had been planning to "finish" if more, but I got to that point and it just seemed right. I'm so glad you like it! (And yay, iconage! *g*)
And I really must do more sea serpents. My main difficulty tends to be coming up with interesting poses for them - it's too easy to let them all start to look alike. But I do have at least one in mind now, so...
Meh, I have not been able to find any of the pictures we were using - I think they were lost in one of our computer transitions. If you do get a chance to look for something to replace them, that would be great. Otherwise I can work on finding something too.
Just a few new stuffs. Because I've been sketching a lot, but everything I do suddenly seems to be turning out... different. Not so much bad, I don't think, but - huh.
Colored pencil! He. I learned a whole lot from doing this one. I think I might get the hang of it yet.
Experimenting with pen. Rest of the page is a bunch of various shading and scale texture scribbles, so I'll just cut out this part, 'cause I think she's kinda cute.
Um, I really don't know what happened here. Not really my usual style, crazy hard perspective when I'm trying to do it, and I have an awful time sketching in landscapes. *tilts head* It just happened. I was thinking this one might be good with a bit of colored pencil, now that I have some idea what I'm doing.
"Rawr. Mine." I was trying to draw a flying dragon, but this one came by and insisted on daring someone to get it. *g* The wings... Er, wings've been being weird for me lately, and the perspective would not work, so I started doing some scribbly ones, and that's what I ended up with. I'll probably be trying to shade this one.
Books contain knowledge. Knowledge is power. Power corrupts. Corruption is a crime. Crime never pays. So... if I keep reading, I'm gonna go broke!
~~~~~
"Chocolate is a perfect food, as wholesome as it is delicious, a beneficent restorer of exhausted power. It is the best friend of those engaged in literary pursuits." -Baron Justus von Liebig (1803-1873) German chemist
Re: Dragon Pics « Result #3 on Nov 16, 2009, 7:18pm »
Oo, very cool concept idea...I really like the idea of the defense mechanism being their apparent childishness. ^_^ I do think you should resubmit it! *bounces*
And yay, I'm so happy to see more griffins! The first one is so adorable--the baby looks so fluffy and cuddly and cute, kind of reminds me of a baby owl. *loves* I love the angle of the head on the second one, and the teenage-ish one...oo, I love the sweep of his wings. There's a lot of energy in this one--I can tell it's a younger griffin. Also, there's something about the style of that one...I'm not sure if its the fact that you used the wings to complete the drawing, rather than drawing the rest of the body, but it just looks really excellent. There's a lovely sketchiness about it--I think it's one of my favs of yours. Beautifully stylized. (Hehe, and now I will snag it for subsequent iconage. )
And awwww, Long-Furred babies! *adores* Love the leaping pose of the top left one. And I really like the fuzzier ones--it just seems very right that they should sort of be balls of fluff to begin with. *g* And the knobby little horns on the top left one are so very cute. Can't wait to see the finished concepts!
It has been a long time since you did a sea dragon! So awesome--I love how twirly and flowing you do them. *g* You should do more! I miss them!
And yaay, another phoenix! Really like the flame effect with the ripply wings.
Awesome, mellon-nin--I enjoyed them very much, naturally! And can't wait to see more! (Also, heh, pardon me if I seem a little out of it...because I am just a little out of it. Wheeeew.)
(And yep, I'd noticed all our main skin pictures were gone, and assumed that's what must of happened.... If you don't find them, I can always scout around for something else to replace them. Also, all of our stock icons appear to be gone. Boo. )
Re: Dragon Pics « Result #4 on Nov 10, 2009, 6:47pm »
Oh, you like my original DC concept dragon! *bouncy* My idea for that had been that its spines would give off a chemical - which it could spray in a more concentrated form through the one on its head - that would act as a sedative on other animals, helping it escape predators or catch prey. The dragon itself would be immune, and in groups of them the chemical would actually have the opposite effect, stirring them up until they'd attack and kill much larger animals, which they'd normally avoid. Any rate... I'm thinking I might possibly try re-submitting it as a different concept, where their defense mechanism would be that other dragons hesitate to attack them, because even when grown they look like babies. *shrugs* We'll see.
He, I'm glad you like the German Shepherd one! For some reason that body type is just terribly hard for me... Which is frustrating, because I have ideas for it. Have to keep practicing.
The Eastern as an otter dragon - that's something that hadn't occurred to me! It really would fit rather well, and I don't think anyone's done something like that yet... Hmm, may have to try it.
Hehe, y'know what's funny about the sitting dragon? I decided to draw the wing like that because I couldn't get the base of the tail to look right. Wings can be such a fun way to cover up awkward anatomy... *g*
Mmm, I've a feeling I'm going to wind up doing a whole lot more of both wyverns and Temeraire dragons. Because they're both so fun, even if they are insanely hard. (LOL, I've been trying to decide whether the Temeraire books getting made into movies is likely to wind up inspirational to my dragon drawing... or just make me waaay too intimidated by the awesome to try that kind of illustration again. *g*)
Haven't done many griffins for a while, and Neffie wanted me to do a baby and momma griffin together. So.
A pose I've been wanting to do. Still not quite what I had in my head, but close.
And a teenage-ish one. Hehe, I kept changing my mind as I drew about what I was going to do with it... but I rather like the way it turned out in the end.
Aaand some doodles, in varying stages of completion. These were all to start working out ideas for the different stages of the babies for my Long-Furred dragons over on DC. So I may or may not wind up finishing these specific ones to use there.
Haven't done a sea dragon in a while. So I did one. The idea was that it was a mostly-grown one, so it'd have mostly adult features and size, but slightly softer and shorter. Oh, and I decided to try doing some air bubbles. Anyway.
Phoenix! A little different from the way I've been doing them, because I wanted to try something a little more... stylized? Basically, starting with fire and adding bird elements, rather than the reverse. Which proved every bit as hard as I'd expected, because loose, flowy flame shapes are reeeally not easy for me.
Hope you enjoy!
(Heh heh, ah, and I do intend to re-upload the older pictures. I got them all saved to my computer before Geocities went down, 'cause I knew I'd never want to scan them all in again, but I just haven't got to uploading them to Photobucket yet. Speaking of which, I just realized the other day that we lost the pictures for the main forum skin, here. Totally forgot that they were on Geocities. o.o Not sure whether we still have them on a computer, here... *goes digging around* )
Books contain knowledge. Knowledge is power. Power corrupts. Corruption is a crime. Crime never pays. So... if I keep reading, I'm gonna go broke!
~~~~~
"Chocolate is a perfect food, as wholesome as it is delicious, a beneficent restorer of exhausted power. It is the best friend of those engaged in literary pursuits." -Baron Justus von Liebig (1803-1873) German chemist
Re: Dragon Pics « Result #5 on Oct 26, 2009, 7:37pm »
Whee, more dragons!!
Oo, really like your first concept sketch. The stance is different, but the legs and claws and overall body shape kind of remind me of a Komodo dragon...it looks a bit more lizard-like--or perhaps more like a dinosaur, even--than some of your other dragons. It's got such a cute, blunt face too. I like it! And awww, the baby! *wants to cuddle it* (And oh, that is so tiny. *is awed*) What was your original concept for it?
The German Shepherd one is seriously awesome. I love how long and narrow the head is, and the body looks quite swift and powerful--love how you can see the muscles in this one. Also how you even made the tail suggest something of the German Shepherd's stance...I just really, really love it.
Eee, the Eastern dragon is cool--the lines are so graceful and fluid! It reminds me of an otter, actually, the fluidity of the movement, the flexibility of the body, the position of the claws, and the more obvious suggestion of fur rather than scales.... This is awesome. I think it would make a really cool DragonCave concept too, actually, if there's not already something similar in the works. *bounces*
I am totally in awe of your wing-drawing abilities there with that sitting dragon. *bows at your feet* At you MUST do more from-above dragons!!! I LOVE that! It's kind of bat-wing-esque (Yes, again, LOVE is my word of choice tonight. Also the random comparing of all your dragons to various animals. *g*)
Yay, you did another Temeraire dragon!! *hugs Lily* I really like what you did with the wings. And the ship in the background. You know how I mentioned I always had trouble envisioning the scale of the dragons in those books? Seeing a good representation really helps, actually. Again, I have a feeling your dragons will take over my brain when I finish reading that series...like they did with the Patricia Wrede books. *g*
Wyverns, eeeee!!! Okay, I am not quite as fanatic about wyverns as I am about phoenixes, but still. You did these so fabulously. You're really getting so good at making your dragons' bodies look muscled, like their chest muscles and their wings could actually support them in the air, and it's particularly good here. Really like. And oooohhh, the ickle wyvern! (Gwaah, something about any of your "ickle" drawings always makes me so very squeeful. So cuuuute. )
Re: Dragon Pics « Result #6 on Oct 24, 2009, 4:28pm »
He, I'm glad the griffin came across well! *bounce* It is very fun playing around with the body language - and generally rather easier than actual facial expressions...
Whee, I'm glad you like the ickle baby! I really should draw more babies... I've been having lots of ideas for them, but right now when it comes to getting them to translate to paper they're proving uncooperative. *pokes babies*
Quote:
Oh, but I love the dragon with scenery! Its pose. That is so good. The way you've got its tail wrapped around the trunk, and its poise as its sitting there...I just really, really love it, and I think it's one of your best, to be honest.
Oh, thank you! *hugs* That is really so encouraging. I always get so hesitant, trying to draw that sort of picture (the scenery, and the perspective, and the - gah!), so I'm just so happy you think that!
*pokes Neffie for you* LOL, did ya know she's actually got three novels started, now? Of course, that means she keeps getting stuck feeling guilty no matter what she's working on, because there are so many other things she's not doing...
So happy that you like the Temeraire! Hehe, I'm definitely going to have to do more of him, actually including the details from his description. (If I can actually manage to do that type of head again... o.o )
So, wow, it's been a while. I've been meaning to post some of the stuff I've been working on, but it's been challenging to find a good time to sit down and scan in a bunch of the sketches. (Heh heh, and when I finally did, I ended up needing to hurry it, so pardon the somewhat varying quality of scans. )
First off, a sketch I originally did for a Dragcave concept (the first one, that got rejected). I think I figured out later on why it was rejected, though, so I may see if I can work out another concept to fit the sketch sometime, and see if that works... Anyhow.
Aaand a baby for the previous one.
Another try at the German Shepard-esque body style. Which still really did not work out the way I wanted. Phooey.
Hehe, this is another sketch that resulted from drawing random lines until an idea occurs to me. This time, it turned into a kinda Eastern-style one (I think I've only done... one? of those before).
Just a rather awkward-looking sitting dragon. *g*
Have I done a dragon from directly above before? I know I've tried, but I don't think any of them have really turned out... Anyhow, wanted to play with a different wing style, so this is what I came up with. (And with bonus Epic LOL-Worthy Castle-From-Above Sketching Attempt! )
Oh! I did Lily, from the Temeraire books! I'm kinda "meh" about the way it turned out, so she's probably one I'll be trying again. (Man, though, trying to find a balance in wing size between something that fits the name "Longwing" and yet would still be reasonably manageable in the ground...)
Huh, don't think I've ever even tried doing a wyvern before. And now I kinda know why. Those back legs... *headdesks repeatedly* But now I kinda know what my problem is, and it's actually served to highlight my need to revamp my methods for drawing legs. We shall see how successful the attempt proves in future...
And then I drew a kinda ickle wyvern, 'cause I wanted to do something cute.
Books contain knowledge. Knowledge is power. Power corrupts. Corruption is a crime. Crime never pays. So... if I keep reading, I'm gonna go broke!
~~~~~
"Chocolate is a perfect food, as wholesome as it is delicious, a beneficent restorer of exhausted power. It is the best friend of those engaged in literary pursuits." -Baron Justus von Liebig (1803-1873) German chemist
Re: 7th Challenge - Return, or New Beginnings « Result #7 on Oct 17, 2009, 8:00am »
Huzzah! I really have missed these challenges; it's going to be so much fun to see what everyone does!
I wish your bunnies well, Cami! I've started my own, but I think this is going to be one of those multiple draft things before I get it to my liking...and since I'm doing a lot of intense desk-work these days, it may be awhile before I'm able to do much leisure-time desk-work. (Gwah, bad back.) Anyway...I would hope I'll have something by December.
Books contain knowledge. Knowledge is power. Power corrupts. Corruption is a crime. Crime never pays. So... if I keep reading, I'm gonna go broke!
~~~~~
"Chocolate is a perfect food, as wholesome as it is delicious, a beneficent restorer of exhausted power. It is the best friend of those engaged in literary pursuits." -Baron Justus von Liebig (1803-1873) German chemist
Domina Junior Member Official Site Graphics Artist member is offline
Pancakes!
Joined: Feb 2006 Gender: Female Posts: 198 Location: the Lackadaisy
Re: 7th Challenge - Return, or New Beginnings « Result #9 on Oct 12, 2009, 9:27am »
Ooh, count me in! At least, I really, really hope so... an idea has yet to walk up, embrace me, and say, "Kiss me, I'm yours!", but I'll keep staring dreamily off into space; that should help.
Missed you guys ever so! I can't wait to see what everyone does -- there's nothing like a good prompt to bring out the genius.
(Avatar by scarletts_lady - banner from arwen-undomiel.com) "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." - C.S. Lewis
Re: 7th Challenge - Return, or New Beginnings « Result #11 on Sept 24, 2009, 6:52am »
Oooo, YES an SGA fic would be absolutely awesome, Niro. *bounces excitedly* (Heh, I feel like I'm going after SGA fic like a starved person now that the last season is over. )
You still thinking about doing SGA fic too, Cami? And...is Nef going to participate? *pokies her*
Books contain knowledge. Knowledge is power. Power corrupts. Corruption is a crime. Crime never pays. So... if I keep reading, I'm gonna go broke!
~~~~~
"Chocolate is a perfect food, as wholesome as it is delicious, a beneficent restorer of exhausted power. It is the best friend of those engaged in literary pursuits." -Baron Justus von Liebig (1803-1873) German chemist
Re: 7th Challenge - Return, or New Beginnings « Result #13 on Sept 22, 2009, 1:50pm »
Might poke my head in here a bit this challenge. *pokes head* I've got an idea I had already been brooding over that would work quite well...an SGA fic. *shrug* Dunno, we'll see.
Re: 7th Challenge - Return, or New Beginnings « Result #14 on Sept 21, 2009, 4:45pm »
Ah, administrative meetings...sounds so solemn and officious, doesn't it? *g* (Aherm. Not that that isn't a perfectly apt description of our...ah...administrative meetings....)
Anyway, yaay, a new challenge! I'll certainly be participating...though as of right now, I really have no idea what I'll be writing. Hmm...will have to commence some headscratching. The thing I have loved about these challenges in the past though is that they often get me off on a train of thought I never would have considered without a prompt, so I'm looking forward to seeing where this idea will go. Really like this prompt.
I think I'll be spreading the word about the challenge elsewhere too! It'd be lovely to try to draw a few other people in, and breathe some new life into this board! *huggles poor lonesome board* It's been quiet here too long.
7th Challenge - Return, or New Beginnings « Result #15 on Sept 21, 2009, 11:05am »
Well, it has been some time since we've had a new long-term challenge! In honor of our return to activity, it was decided in a recent administrative meeting (ahem) that the theme of this new challenge will be "Return" or "New Beginnings".
So, the challenge guidelines:
1. Use the theme of Return and/or New Beginnings in a fanfic, crossover, original story.... There are no restrictions on fandom here! Just try to have the challenge theme play a significant part in whatever that story type might be.
2. Aim for a story of at least 2000 words. If you want to go further than that and write a novella, that's quite welcome - and don't be afraid to post if your story comes in a bit under the mark, either. We tend to be quite flexible with our guidelines around here.
3. For a deadline, I'll say... end of December. Again, though, we tend to be quite flexible here, depending on what everyone needs. So if things are coming down to the wire and you need more time to finish up your story, just say so!
4. Probably not necessary to specify, but I'll say it anyway: positively no slash, smut, or foul language permitted. This one's not flexible.
5. And drop a note here if you're intending on participating! You can jump in at pretty much any point, so don't ever assume you're too late. And don't worry, there's no pressure if your ideas fizzle out on you and you decide not to do it after all. We just like to have a general idea of who's interested. We'd love to have as many people as possible, though!
6. If you've got any questions, however large or small, go ahead and ask it - either here, or by PMing one of the admins. We're happy to answer.
So go ahead and get to writing! I can't wait to see more from all the awesome writers around here.
(And if anyone's wondering where the last challenge has gone to - I've moved the entries over to the challenge archives.)
Books contain knowledge. Knowledge is power. Power corrupts. Corruption is a crime. Crime never pays. So... if I keep reading, I'm gonna go broke!
~~~~~
"Chocolate is a perfect food, as wholesome as it is delicious, a beneficent restorer of exhausted power. It is the best friend of those engaged in literary pursuits." -Baron Justus von Liebig (1803-1873) German chemist
Re: Dragon Pics « Result #16 on Aug 11, 2009, 10:16pm »
Wheee! New pics! *bounces all over them* Oh, but argh, isn't that the way...technology behaves itself just fine, right up until you actually try to use it. And somehow, I think scanners are just particularly obstinate, more so than most tech. One day, the settings are perfect, the next, everything goes grainy. Or your computer refuses to acknowledge the thing's existence. Anyway...I feel your pain. Glad you managed to get this scanned in anyway though!
Oh, I like that griffin. And I can definitely tell a change in its expression--the way you do their body language is just awesome. It looks on the verge of shrinking back and making a mild show of resistance, but yep, definitely looks a bit like it thinks backing out is probably the best option currently.... Very much love it!
Awww, I love the little dragon! The more rounded features and the slightly too large head really do make it look more ickle. And for some reason, I think its little wings look terribly cute--like they're not really big enough to allow it to fly yet, but it likes to flap them around a lot even so. It's cuuuute.
Oh, but I love the dragon with scenery! Its pose. That is so good. The way you've got its tail wrapped around the trunk, and its poise as its sitting there...I just really, really love it, and I think it's one of your best, to be honest.
And eee, eee!! You did a dragon in colored pencil!! Love the colors you chose, and I really can see the German Shepherd pose in this (have I mentioned yet how I love how you transpose real animal characteristics onto your dragons and griffins? *nods* They feel so very natural), and I really like the tail in particular. I don't think you've done a tail quite like that before, have you?
And wheee! More snippets from Nef's oh-so-mysterious book. (And while you're busy giving her another poke from me, go and tell her to quit the little, uncertain, "It's only a first draft..." stuff. Because, as usual, it's awesome. And poke her. Because I want to see more. ) And not only do I just love that idea--and am so intrigued by the part phoenixes might play in everything--I think your depiction of it is awesome. I love the heraldic look, and the way you sort of etched those glyphs in above and below. Mmm...yep, I think you're definitely going to end up Nef's illustrator. *nods*
Really like the dragon in the branches...I can imagine that was difficult. I've always found it really hard to figure out how to place things that aren't on level surfaces. But I think it turned out really well! (And I really like the perspective on the wings here, the way you've got them spread, but still fit them so neatly in with all of the branches. )
And yaaaay, Temeraire! SO much better than my attempt, and I love the way you did his face! *keeps staring at it* That's just...really awesome, the way you got the scales to look, and the overall shape, particularly with the nostrils. Very magnificent, and definitely powerful-looking too. *loves*
Awesome, mellon-nin! Will certainly be eagerly awaiting more, as always.
Re: Dragon Pics « Result #17 on Aug 11, 2009, 11:03am »
Polly: Ooo, thank you much for the tips on Photoshop adjustment of the pictures! *takes notes* I'm so happy that you like the pictures! Hehe, I think I will have to read more of Patricia Wrede’s books… and try to draw that baby dragon. I’m glad that you like Kazul! And her third horn! *bouncy* LOL, yeah, that was a bit of a trick to figure out… And oh, I’m so happy you think the Temeraire-inspired dragon looks that way! That’s just the sort of thing I was going for.
Tinu: Thank you so much! *hugs* It makes me so happy that you liked them. It’s so encouraging to hear that. Hehe, it seems a very large proportion of my dragon ideas lately have Temeraire inspiration. It’s quite likely I’ll be doing more and more based on the books as I go along. *bg* But oh, you really should read Patricia Wrede's books, with Kazul! They're nothing like the Temeraire books, but they are really cute and wonderful fun, particularly if you like Fairy Tale-style stories.
Aaaand some new pictures! Please forgive the variances in the scanning. I actually ended up needing to use two different scanners, both of which had been quite cooperative up until I got my hands on them – at which point they began malfunctioning and generally going haywire and no one could figure out what was going on with them. It took me about four times longer than I’d expected just to get them scanned. I am technologically cursed, I tell you.
Trying to do a griffin looking more scared/uncertain. I certainly haven't been using their ears to their full potential, but it's surprisingly hard to make them more expressive, while still looking... right. So - something to keep working at.
And I wanted to do a little dragon, with more distinct emphasis on the "baby," rounded features and disproportionate anatomy typical in lickle animals.
He. I was trying to play around some with scenery and perspective, here. Neither of which actually worked, really, but anyhow.
Colored pencil experiment! I was trying to draw a dragon with a different body type (rather German Shepherd-ish, with the exaggerated slope to the back, and somewhat crouching hind legs). When that seriously failed and I couldn’t manage to fix it the way I wanted, I decided it'd be a perfect one to do some more playing around with colored pencils on, because I couldn't wreck it. I actually think I like it better now... Gotta figure out a better way to do those eyes, though, that doesn't involved them looking so blurred.
And here I give you something directly out of Nef's book. A section of wall which shall prove... significant. (And yay for me actually managing to draw rather heraldic-looking dragons! Hehe...)
Here's a little snippet of her writing, to describe it (ahem, and to satisfy her uncertainty, I shall mention that this is supposed to be just placeholder, first draft stuff):
“…Carved into the heart of the intricate stonework was the large representation of a Phoenix bird's egg. It was larger than a man's head, and smooth. Protruding as it did from the carving, it was discolored an ashy grey from years of wearing under the elements--darker at the bottom, and lighter on top. Dragons curved protective wings over it, with the shape of an adult Phoenix rising, smoke-like, between them in foreshadowing of the egg's hatching. Along the top edge and bottom edge of the wall ran words which none of the common people could read. They knew what it meant, all the same.
If an innocent victim were condemned, touching the Phoenix's egg was supposed to give them a painless death. There might even be signs--no one knew for sure what kinds--if an innocent, about to be executed, touched it. It didn't really matter, though. To think that no prisoner, not guilty, had died painfully was some consolation--an absolution, however small.”
I have had this picture in my head for quite a long time. But it is really surprisingly hard to draw dragons standing in rather awkward positions. Their legs just wind up looking... not right. But yay, I like the way this one finally turned out!
Okay, so... somewhat different head type from my usual. Been wanting to do something like this for a while, and finally got inspired by the covers of the Temeraire books and decided I had to figure out my own way of doing it. This is... a little nearer the general way I envision Temeraire, except that I wasn't really trying to match the details of his description. So. Anyway. But oh! - my try at vaguely suggesting scales on the face didn't completely fail! Hehe.
Books contain knowledge. Knowledge is power. Power corrupts. Corruption is a crime. Crime never pays. So... if I keep reading, I'm gonna go broke!
~~~~~
"Chocolate is a perfect food, as wholesome as it is delicious, a beneficent restorer of exhausted power. It is the best friend of those engaged in literary pursuits." -Baron Justus von Liebig (1803-1873) German chemist
Re: Dragon Pics « Result #18 on Jun 26, 2009, 5:44am »
Aww, I love your new drawings, Cami! The curled-up dragon is great - I can imagine it must have been difficult to draw him this way! The phoenix is great, too, and I love the idea of an ice/snowflake dragon.
LOL, actually I couldn't tell you were trying to cover up things in the next pic - I like the sense of movement you get while looking at it.
The two griffins are so cute! *huggles griffin babies* I really like how you draw them.
I can't say anything about Kazul, because that's a dragon I don't know yet, but I still like your picture of him - he looks so regal and proud! The tail is great, too.
It's probably no surprise that I love the Temeraire-inspired dragons! *g* I especially like the wings and the tail of the first one and I can almost see the second one spiral. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more!
Re: Dragon Pics « Result #19 on Jun 23, 2009, 8:06am »
Quote:
Hehe, and I’ve a feeling I’ll be drawing plenty more in future, as it now appears that a phoenix is going to play a… quite crucial part in some of the developments of Nef’s story.
Oh, yaaaay! For both aspects of that, both the prospects of encountering them in teh story, and seeing more of them! *squees* (And send Nef much poking. I want to see more! Even if it's just notes and scrappy things! *pokepoke*)
Just a word on the lightness issue...if you use the "Enhance - Brightness/Contrast - Levels" function in Photoshop, you can often fix even the palest scan. Pulling the leftmost slider far to the right can really work wonders; I use it for everything, because I have the exact same issue! (And I just now tried it on your first pic, and was able to get it to this: http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww351/cirtholien/Misc/wheecamidragon.jpg. Dunno why it ended up brown...but I think you could probably fix that too by making it monochrome, or put a black layer over it, and setting it to "color" if you wanted. Oh, yes, just tried it; it does work like that: http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww351....ragon_black.jpg. I like using the "Levels" method, because it often fixes more than the "Brightness/Contrast" function does. *bounces*)
Anyway...I love these! The curled up dragon (which I think I bounced all over already, but still!) just looks SO. Good. I just love that pose, especially how you got the wings to lie...it looks so comfortable and natural.
And this phoenix is gorgeous...something about the flow of those lines, and the sweep of the wings...it has a very free, sketchy quality, but a lot of upward movement to it. LOVE. (Yes, this will again be the word of the day. )
The snowflake dragon is so cute! I love how the frills on his horns look almost icicle-y, and how there's an overall frosty sort of look to his face. And on the contrary...the picture of the two dragons looks really, really well done to me. I'm again just so impressed by your wings....how you use them here to suggest movement. And I think the perspective here is really good here too. *nods* Nope, doesn't look to me like you were covering for anything.
Oh, and I like the faraway flying dragons! It's always so freeing to be able to do loose sketches, isn't it? I love their tails here too...you always do such interesting things with them.
Aww, cute griffin! Being all proud of his dead mouse. *g*
And EEEE, Kazul! *glomps her* (Erm...I think she wouldn't kill me for glomping, but nonetheless.... ) Utter love. And yes, I did have a bit of difficulty imagining those dragons doing the things they did if they didn't have opposable thumbs...and I think this is great. Her claws definitely look dexterous. Also, I just love how you made her third horn look. I actually tried to draw her myself when I was doodling in a class one day, and that was where I came to grief.... But you made it look quite feminine and almost unicorn-like, and I love it. Love, love, love. *squees* (And if you read Talking to Dragons, I absolutely must see you do a pic of the baby dragon in there. Because it is Too. Funny, and so much like one of your dragons.)
And oooo...cool...your Temeraire-inspired dragon looks so very elegant. (For some reason, I'm put in mind of a sort of "thoroughbred" dragon by this...LOL, maybe the fact that they're in the British service gives me that impression. Very impressive, and I am so in love with what you did with his tail, both with the curl of it and with the frills at the end. Absolutely stunning, this, very graceful indeed, the pose and everything about it.
And coool! I can imagine that would be an awfully hard pose...but it turned out looking awesome. And again, love the tail. You keep adding to their tails, and it just looks terrific, all the additional frills. *bounces*
Ickle curled up griffin! It's so cute! I love how alert it looks, the way its ears are perked up...even if it is a little scrawny, it's cuuute. *huggles it and wants to take it home*
Re: Dragon Pics « Result #20 on Jun 22, 2009, 12:25pm »
Quote:
There's something about all of these poses that looks so fluid and bold; I can really tell that you're trying new things, and that you're feeling more comfortable with the lines, and it's all just looking so awesome. Heee, and I know I've said that all throughout here, but you keep reaching new levels of awesome, and these are particularly impressive.
Oh, thank you, mellon-nin! *hugs* I can’t tell you how encouraging it is to hear that. I mean… I do feel I’ve made plenty of improvement since my earliest pictures, but sometimes, as my style’s shifting, it’s hard to tell whether what I’m doing is really getting better, or just, I don’t know… drifting. So thank you!
And it makes me very happy to hear that that griffin reminds you of heraldry! I’ve been rather wanting to do some dragons and griffins in more heraldic poses, but it’s proven surprisingly difficult, since those poses tend to be so stylized, and I’m so used to aiming for more of a natural, “accurate” appearance, I guess…
And oh, I'm so glad the griffins are looking natural to you. I do tend to study other animals a lot to figure out how they should move, and I'm very happy that it's coming across.
Yay, I’m glad that perspective didn’t seem too off to you! Nope, you’re right, I’ve never really done a dragon at that sort of angle before. It is fun to be playing around more freely and trying out new angles – but yeah. Haaaard.
And hee! I’m so happy that you like the phoenix! *bouncy* I’m still working on finishing it, but I do think I will be coloring it soon. Hehe, and I’ve a feeling I’ll be drawing plenty more in future, as it now appears that a phoenix is going to play a… quite crucial part in some of the developments of Nef’s story. So.
'kay, so, new pics. I think you've seen a couple of these, Polly, but most of them should be new. Also, due to scanner complications, I had to scan these in differently from how I usually do it, and some of them kept doing odd things. I thought I'd finally got them all showing up right, but now it seems like some of them are strangely faded. But I don't really dare play around with them any more at the moment.
Sleepy dragon! It is ridiculous how long it has taken me to get this kind of curled-up position right. Somehow I just couldn't seem to manage it... but I finally did!
'Nother phoenix!
Just a random idea I had for a little ice/snowflake dragon. Didn't work out very well, but I may play around with it more in future.
LOL. A very awkward picture, in which I kept adding things in an attempt to cover up other things that weren't working out. Can ya tell? *g*
He. Okay, it's not much, but I'm happy, because it's a successful attempt at drawing: 1. Two dragons in a picture (always rather challenging). 2. Dragons from a distance. 3. Sketching them in very, very loosely.
Likkle griffin being a mighty hunter!
And yes, Kazul, from Patricia Wrede's books. *hides* Yeah, didn't work so well - in part because I had the baaad idea to try drawing scales again. Fail. Someday, someday I will figure out how to do that. I am rather happy with how my attempt at that front foot went, though. (Not that you can see it well here.) Y'see, from the description of the dragons' caves and some of the things they're described as doing, it seemed like they must have some sort of opposable thumbs, and I think it worked here.
And here would be the first of my Temeraire-inspired dragons! It's not actually a picture of any of the dragons from the book, and doesn't actually match the descriptions of any of those types, but yeah. This one makes me happy because I have never been able to draw a dragon sitting (except from a back view) before - it always turned out just terribly. So. Also, part of my ongoing struggle to make the tail positions more... graceful? natural? interesting?
Couldn't crop this one, because for some reason every time I tried it kept getting really blurry. Can't figure what's up with that program... *scratches head* But anyway, I do like this one. You have no idea how hard it is to get the legs to look good from this sort of position. Seriously.
And to finish things up, another ickle griffin, all curled up. Not actually the picture I'd intended to draw, and it turned out rather on the scrawny side, but I still think it's cute.
I've got more, but none of them are completed yet, so... all for now!
Books contain knowledge. Knowledge is power. Power corrupts. Corruption is a crime. Crime never pays. So... if I keep reading, I'm gonna go broke!
~~~~~
"Chocolate is a perfect food, as wholesome as it is delicious, a beneficent restorer of exhausted power. It is the best friend of those engaged in literary pursuits." -Baron Justus von Liebig (1803-1873) German chemist
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The one thing that's still messed up are our avatar stash...I suppose I need to fix those next.
I like the shading you're doing, and the color scheme is excellent. Also, flames are hard, but it looks great. And I love the details you did in the face to indicate the bone structure...yup, really love this one. 
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But I do have at least one in mind now, so... ![[image]](http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f132/Imbecamiel/CPFirebreather.jpg)
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I'll probably be trying to shade this one. ![[image]](http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f132/Imbecamiel/RawrDragon.jpg)
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*is awed*) What was your original concept for it? 
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