Friday, January 30, 2009

First Week

Well really this was the first real, full day of work today. I think I may like this job- now that I have something to do, it's really fun. I have yet to get my CS4 though! Here's hoping on Monday, eh? But I'm already getting to do some noticeable work- I named the news letter, the "OneSource Resource" and wrote a bit of copy. Hopefully I can get into some meat next week.

To do list: live at school Saturday and finish some Do work, hardcore.

Until then, please enjoy a picture of my cats watching a squirrel.


Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Dizzy Storm

Home from work and school due to ice storms, so here's some quick sketches of the Dizzy Storm .... AND good ol Squinting Owl

Monday, January 26, 2009

Obama Five!

Keep a look out for this 5 coming your way

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Chapter 3 nearly done

Chapter 3 is almost done! Just a little more tweaking with the contrast/value, and there you have it.

Click for big


PS, did you notice I got another scanner? :)

Actual Actual Pilgrim!

I present to you the story of Vistana the Silent Monkey, an actual actual pilgrim! Created the real way with actual other people playing the parts of Raisin the narcissistic hero-type and Nubs the clumsy, little jeweler. I created Vistana because we did it over Skype and my (Vista) computer decided my microphone wouldn't work, thus making vow of silence.

Vistana the Silent Monkey

Spiritual/Exile

Vistana was a middle class daughter, fairly plain, of a family from the town Skipee. In the town of Skipee there is a new trend amongst teenagers- becoming a Windist. Vistana particularly likes the way her conversion to Windism irritates her parents, and becomes very pious, even taking a vow of silence she never breaks.

She ruins a dinner party for her parents one night by marching around the dining room with Windist slogans on signs. Her parents are horrified and quickly ship her off to the temple ala boarding school.

Vistana gets into trouble by being pushy and evangelical with her religion to the point of being a pest. She is also always silent, so she can be misunderstood, unheard, or appear very rude.

Vistana gets out of trouble by sheer luck and coincidence. She attributes this to a higher power, the Lord Geyts, but it's probably just dumb luck.

Vistana got in trouble when:

Vistana was taking her turn on kitchen duty when the large bag of Windist flyers she constantly carries catches on fire. Panicked, she runs to tell the only elder in the kitchen, Squinting Owl. Unfortunately she can only talk with notes and Squinting Owl has forgotten his spectacles today. He reads the note saying "Help! There is a fire!" and believes it to say "Hey! I've got a flyer!" He complements her flyer, much to her dismay.

Raisin is nearby and sees what happens. Seeing a chance to prove himself a mighty hero, he runs up to tell Squinting Owl verbally that the kitchen is on fire. Unfortunately, old Squinting Owl's hearing is going as well and the elder believes Raisin has said he has lit the kitchen on fire. The kitchen is burning down as the young man gets a talking to.

The next day everyone is mourning the loss of the kitchen due to Raisin "setting the fire." A boy named Nubs notes that the kitchen is now a big pile of carbon. Never missing a chance to talk about geological phenomenon, he begins to give an impromptu speech on carbon and diamonds. To better illustrate, he begins taking diamonds as big as his fist out of his pockets. Other people are gaping- they ask if they could have some. Nubs shrugs and hands them off. On his planet, diamonds are worthlessly common, but for the Temple they buy a brand new state of the art kitchen and everyone is pleased with the outcome!

Vistana has a bond of Pest to Raisin the Fermented Grape because she constantly bothers him with her flyers and evangelical ways.

Vistana has a bond of Protector to Nubs the Blind Mole because she sees him as in need of holy guidance and protection from his clumsy ways.

If you like, the stories of Raisin and Nubs

Raisin.

Raisin is showing off for newcomers when an older boy, Speaking Flower, overhears. Speaking Flower asks Raisin to make a speech at next weeks statue dedication, since speaking flower wont be able to go. Raisin is so busy bragging around the temple he forgets to write a speech

Raisin is sweating on stage, but Nubs gladly stands up to take his place. He begins talking about who the statue is dedicated to, but it dissolves into a speech about the origins of granite. Two hours later, everyone but Squinting Owl has politely sneaked away from the speech. Squinting Owl gives Nubs a standing ovation and Nubs takes a sweeping bow- knocking over the statue.

Squinting Owl is of course horrified, but just then Vistana walks up. She is dressed in full Reformataall garbs, which include white powder covering her entire body. The statue was placed in her normal meditation spot, so without noticing she stands still at attention exactly where it had been. Squinting Owl, being a bit hard of seeing, believes it to be the statue replaced. Upon closer inspection he declares that it is uglier than he remembers, and that it should be removed.

Nubs.

Lazy Cloud is given the job of restoring a very valuable jewel encrusted vase, but has pawned it off on Nubs. Since Nubs gets good grades and is from a planet of miners and jewelers, Lazy Cloud believes it to be a good decision. However, very quickly Nubs takes apart the whole thing and is admiring his work. It's better now in his opinion- there are more parts! You can share!

Lazy Cloud returns and is fuming! He gives Nubs an ultimatum- fix it within the hour! Nubs is worrying over the broken bits when Vistana walks by. She is unconcerned with his problem- sorrow is all a part of Geyts plan. She places flyers all over his slumped form and leaves. The flyers are stuck on with tape Nubs realizes! He takes the tape and puts the vase back together. Pleased with his success, Nubs wonders off.

Squinting Owl walks in to see his favorite vase. He can't see too well, so he gets up close with his huge viewing glasses. It seems that there is quite a bit more tape on the vase than he remembers! Seeing the Windist flyers scattered all around, he is sure this was the work of Vistana. However, Raisin comes to the rescue, being the hero again, when he explains to Squinting Owl that she has made the piece better. It is now a post modern piece exploring deconstruction and reconstruction, and really is more valuable than it ever was before. Pleased with this explanation, Squinting Owl commends Vistana on her excellent work.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Actual Pilgrim!

I'm reading up on how to create a pilgrim for a trial run tomorrow, and I couldn't resist making one really quick. I invented some companions to complete his profile, but I'm too lazy to make some for them. Besides, this is only practice! Until next time, please enjoy the origins of monk Wylde Grand, the Wild Wind!


Wylde the Wild Wind

Origin: Nomad

Wylde as an infant was floating on the air currents in a basket with big blue "It's a boy!" balloons attached. Apparently there were too many balloons! He was adopted by pirates who found him tangled in their sails. He grew up sailing from world to world, pillaging and cursing and is generally lacking in the finer art of etiquette.

Departure: Castaway

He is separated from his ship when a ginormous storm rocks the boat. He is launched into an aimless flight until he lands (roughly) within the temple walls and becomes a "young visitor."

How does your Pilgrim get into trouble?

Wylde grew up thieving and his salty dog nature gets him into trouble. He lacks the insight to avoid taking things he wants or getting revenge on others. He is a bit reluctant to become a pilgrim or monk, and has a fond wish to find his true "home."

How does your Pilgrim solve his problems?

Wylde like to resort to trickery, since his rhetoric skills are about non-existant. Surprisingly, he is a great trickster and manages to get out of some pretty sticky situations through outfoxing the competition.

Wylde gets into trouble at the Temple

Growing up as a thief, Wylde finds it hard not to just take what he wants. He is very interested in the temple's supply of wish granting Koi and steals one in order to blackmail a few choice requests. Little did he know the Koi could scream for help!

Houlei comes to the rescue

Houlei is sitting in the rock garden when Wylde runs in. Having a crush on him, she decideds to help him (despite the obvious infraction of rules!) as long as he will return the fish to its rightful place. He runs off and she stands gaurd to distract the elders who are now rushing out of the temple at the sounds of the Koi.

Houlei gets into trouble

Before she can come up with anything, Houlei slips on the wet drips left by the fish and knocks over some very carefully arranged rock stackings. The feng shui of the entire temple is thrown off as each rock in the garden is disturbed in a domino effect- all right in front of every elder in the temple!

Finally, LeForte comes to the rescue

It's not long before the whole temple knows what's going on! LeForte, being extremely honest but also extremely compassionate, steps forward to appologize for his associates. Luckily, he is highly skilled in the art of rock arranging and stacking and volunteers his service in repairs to the garden. Noble LeForte is, of course, assisted by his companions, who lift the huge rocks while the expert arranger barks commands. Turns out there is no better restitution than saying sorry and cleaning up!

Bonds

Pilgrim Wylde the Wild Wind has a Bond of Suspicion to Pilgrim Houlei the Singing Bird because Houlei is a goody two shoes, but for some reason is always helping him out. Wylde is too naive to realize she has a crush on him, and just sees her as bending her morals for some wily plot. He does however admire her (fictitious) ability to plot.

Pilgrim Wylde the Wild Wind has a Bond of Pest to Pilgrim LeForte the Still Pond because he thinks LeForte can be a real stick in the mud some times. It's just plain funny to see the look on LeFortes face when Wylde dumps disapearing ink all over his sacred scrolls!


The collective group of pilgrims are called the Squabbling Squirrels because of the clashing natures of their personalities. Houlei is constantly torn between being stable and noble like LeForte and having fun and playing around like Wylde. Each of them bicker constantly over big and little moral and etiquette issues.

Rotating Lead Pencil



(click for link)

Check this out! A mechanical pencil that rotates constantly to get an even wear on the lead! Amazing idea, and if you, like me, use these things all the time, you will understand why that is a good thing.

So why am I not buying it?

Because as an artist, I need multiple kinds of tips to produce artwork. I use a sharp edge for line work and a soft worn down angle for shading. Over the years I've learned to manipulate the lead to get whatever kind of tip I need. I do waste lead this way, but not that much and the stuff comes cheap- plus it's a great result.

But I'm sure it's awesome for writing!

Fontorama!

Hey check it out I made a font out of my (awful, awful) handwriting!

Another Update on Chapter 3

Like 2 hours more of work. Am I getting minimum wage here? Taking a lot longer than I thought, but it's fun. Big ol flash shine in this one. Enjoy, click for big.


Curly black hair will be the death of me.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Update on Chapter 3

Click for big!


*yawn* About an hours worth of work. What do you think?

Again, sorry for the photo. I'm getting a scanner soon, so anticipate some good stuff!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Do Cover!

Could it be... a Do cover? It might be!



Click for big!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Flying Koi Thingy



The majestic puffer koi is very tame. The people of this planet use it to travel the vast skies. She moves by sucking air into her enormous cheeks/gills and puffing it out the back, propelling her forward. She is too heavy to land on a world and lift off again, so the people have her anchored to their planet and climb a ladder out to her.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Sketches

I got my letter of offer from Odyssey!

Well I've been looking up and sketching references and ideas today, which aren't very interesting to look at, so I'll post some old (and new) Do stuff from my sketch book!


A sky dolphin! I got the idea from a medieval etching of a person riding what looked like a prehistoric marine creature.



A flying jelly fish thing with feathers... I don't know either. It eats watermelons as this Pilgrim knows!


An alternate Battlerina.


The dragon writing his letter at the top and on the bottom it's Arber and her squirrel meeting a paper crane in the temple for the first time!

As always, click for bigger!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Hero Machine Pilgrim

Well it looks like I've got the internship with Odyssey, pending paperwork of course. It's going to be difficult- especially the commute! But, that's how it goes I guess, I hope I enjoy it!

Maybe I'll post some more drawing later. In the mean time, enjoy my Hero Machine Pilgrim!



Chapter 3 Begins!


Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Sketchy Chapter 3

Started chapter 3 today. I like to do a quick sketch first, step away, and come back so I can better see any mistakes. You'll see I've made note here. Again, sorry for the photo instead of scan. School labs open up next week!

Click for bigger!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Yearbook Faces

My friend Daniel who is the brains behind this whole Do thing has been sketching yearbook pictures, and I thought that'd be a pretty swell idea to do myself so... here you go. Forgive the low quality, it's a photo and not a scan since my laptop died and the scanner doesn't work with Vista (we hates Vista). Click for bigger.


While we're at it, I just got all the photos in from Sue at Into my Garden so I sketched this quick mock up to see how the color schemes and placement would go. I thought once I get the real thing going here I'd try a couple more... integrated and less 1995 Netscape table border look. I went with green since that seems to be her signature color, especially on the old website. The green corners are supposed to be the little plastic thing that holds it.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Blah Blah Blah

Well it's been a busy busy weekend, I haven't hardly had time to draw or design. Hopefully I can pick that up strong tomorrow! Sue just sent me more photos so I can finish her mock up, so that is just great. I'm also about to sign a contract for Do: Pilgrims of the Flying Temple! Fabulous!

I've been all over the world and back. Had a job interview today at Odyssey in Euless, and had the great pleasure to get a flat tire. What a pain- and of course I'm a little girl so I couldn't replace it myself. The roadside service guy was super friendly though and I'm back in town just fine. Remind me not to go that way during rush hour anymore unless I have to! Wow! Hopefully the interview went well, I'm pretty confidant it did- and hey, at least I made it alive, right?

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Do Letter Writathon!

Well, I'm participating in a study today where they test my blood, feed me icky milkshakes and then test my blood again. Good to help science, but I'm bored here with nothing but a slow internet connection and my brain. That's why I've taken to writing letters for Do! First I did one about a Dragon Girl inspired by Sarah Mensinga :

The letter is written on what looks like a bit of trash paper with rough charcoal from the end of a burnt stick. The letters are big, hardly legible and some are backwards and every other word is spelled wrong. It is rolled up and tied with a bit of dirty twine. On the back there appears to be an old shopping list.

Dragon Child
(Knot + Tree)

DER MONKS,
My nAMe is UrkgraHH and i ned HelP. My Famly is BIG and im smal. My broFArs and sisFArs fhly and plAy and Blo BIG Fires at the pepul in the toWn bellow. it look so mUch Fun but i donnt no how too fhly and my bref donnt Have fires in it no mater hoW hard i blo. i donnt evin have Wings!! the BiG kids laf at me and say "she stupid, stupid UrKgrAHH cannt Fhly none!"

Moma says im pepul Folk and pepul Folk don'nt no how two fhly and blo Fires like dragon Folk do. Moma says im adahpid adapted adopted so im nOt guna lern Fhlying. But i ax MurrSSShd my bigist broFar and he says pepul can too Fhly!! he says monks Fhly and that thay go ALL thru the SKy and myb maybee thay donn't blo no Fires but they do ofher stuF too thats juSt as god good!

Can yu Fhly? Can yu help me lern to do it so ofher dragons don make jokes? i want too kil towN pepul and be biG like them!

(signed) URKGRAHH


It's actually really really hard and irritating to write like that! Anyways, after that I did one to go with the Cowephant sketch...

The letter is written in fairly clean handwriting on a piece of paper that's obviously homemade, pressed with a few flower petals here and there. It's been put in a bright red envelope and tied to a blue bird's leg. The writing is in green ink. For all the letter's careful charm, there are a few big splats of what looks like mud, but doesn't smell as sweet.

Can't Milk those darn Cowephants!
(Tree + Flag)

Monks of the Temple,
I am a humble farmer. I live with my young husband, Roland, and we tend our little property with the hard hands of good decent folk. On our little planet it's hard to grow too much and villages often squabble over land, food and animals because of it. Food is scarce, and in this little village we are the only farmers.

Our village is tiny and hidden between two great mountains in a valley, so we don't get too much trouble normally, but lately the neighbors to the North been affected hard by the drought, everyone has, and they're contesting
ownership of land and pinching our animals at night. Worst of all is the cowephant, which are mighty valuable around here. They're huge beasts that fly way up in the mountain mists, they smell bad but they're cute things and they give a whole heapin' load of milk, enough to get our tiny village through a rough drought.

I've been pulling a double shift watching the Cowephants to keep the greedy buggers away, but I'm afraid our little baby airwhale isn't up to all nighters. Silver's been grounded with fin rot, and he's the only airwhale we've got broke in around here. I'm sure Silver'll get better, but while he's sick I can't fly up to watch the herd.

Now, if I can't watch the herd that means a couple things. First of all the folk here in town are running down their rations and no milk means a lot of skinny folk. Plus, sooner or later a thief is going to nab a couple head, if not the whole lot. If we lose those varmints, we'll be flat broke and hungry. To top it off, my favorite of the bunch, ol' Bess is due to calf soon and that'd be a cryin' shame to lose that babe- and the money we'd get from selling such a fine animal.

Already I'm sure those poor Cowephants are aching to be milked. Ain't there any way you monks could lend a hand?

Thank You Kindly,

Mary

Friday, January 9, 2009

My first post

So I've gotten a blog, this is where my random projects will go! So here's just a little sketch to get us started off: