#Drawing in the Naruto art style is so difficult...

[anbubox]

When your maid actually has to do maid things instead of staring at the sky with you for hours... what a pain... I wish Shippuden EP #460 was an arc instead of just one episode... Aino and Kaguya I miss you. I love them so much I can't put it into words

[whizzingbyintgevoid]

hello! so im broke, and need money, like, desperately, i also have no time for a job (in the middle of finals month at school)

so, im opening Emergency Low Cost Low Effort Commissions! (working title lol)

my ko-fi: ko-fi.com/actuallyjustvibinginthevoid

Will draw:

fanart

ocs (with reference (picrew is enough!))

furries (need a reference tho!)

sfw nudity! (in underwear)

landscapes, organic backgrounds, clouds

character sheets (with reference! can be photos from pinterest + picrews!)

CAN DO DIGITAL OR TRADITIONAL!

2 CHARACTERS MAX!!!

fandoms im most comfortable in: star wars, minecraft, naruto, fullmetal alchemist, the magnus archives, dungeon meshi (but i can do any! (with reference))

and more! send me an ask or a DM and we can talk!

Will NOT draw:

NSFW art

mecha

complicated backrounds (cities, lots of perspective)

i can refuse a request for any reason

How will the commissions work?

send you request!

i will respond (hopefully no later that in 2 days) and we will talk about the specifics

after we finalize the request i will send u 1 sketch where we can meke small adjustmens

i will send a small preview of the finnished piece and ask you to pay

after the payment is complete i will send you the finished piece in high resolution JPEG and PNG formats

this whole process should be finished in about a week max!

Prices and Examples

sketch: 5$ (in this case you DO NOT get a progress sketch) (extra character +3$)

flat colors: 8$ (extra character +5$)

shading: 10-15$ (depends on shading style!)

landscape: 15-20$ (depends on difficulty! (the more sky visible the less difficult))

character sheet: 10-15$ (flat colors or minimal shading)

traditional (alcohol markers): 13$

[thedragonagebigbang]

Bang Creator Interview: Tumblr: @vaamiel  |  AO3: vaamiel

The Collaboration period has begun! In these quiet months before works are due, we want to foster a sense of excitement, camaraderie, and celebration among our participants. To that end, all participants were given the option of a formal interview by our mod, Dema, or an informal “ask-game” survey. We hope you enjoy getting to know our phenomenal creators as much as we have!

Interview with Vaamiel

Vaamiel and Dema talk artistic development, childhood anime obsessions (-cough-Naruto-cough), and hoping to see Dorian in DA4

Dema: So, I know you take commissions, but have you done many exchanges before? Any Big Bangs?

Vaamiel: I've done a handful of exchanges over the years, but nothing really substantial. No big bangs either - though I've certainly read enough fics and seen enough art that others have done, haha. I'm sort of just... dipping my toes into the world of fanart for the first time since I was a teenager, so even though I've been drawing for ages, a lot of this is completely new territory for me.

Dema: Oh that is awesome! Welcome to the bang! What led you to return to fanart?

Vaamiel: I think a combination of a couple things: confidence in my own ability plays a big part of it – it's really intimidating to draw characters that I love so much and translating them into my style has always been difficult – but this past year is also the first time I've been really passionate about a game in... well, about a decade, and I think that's led to more experimentation and willingness to stick to learning subject matter that I otherwise struggle with. Mostly, Dragon Age coming back and Baldur's Gate 3 being out at the same time really pushed me back into the world of wanting to participate in fandom from more than the sidelines.

Dema: I really love your work. Artist to artist, how did you develop that confidence and style expression? What has that journey looked like for you?

Vaamiel: Thank you so much! It's funny actually, because the way I draw now has kind of... always been my style? It's just my technique and understanding of fundamentals that has improved. I can look back through my childhood sketchbooks and go, this was for SURE made by the same person, haha. As a kid I was all about anime and comics and games – particularly early gamecube and xbox stuff that relied on very stylized graphics to compensate for the technology. All of those things really saturated my brain and effectively became super tied to my own understanding of art and artistry and how I wanted to make art.

I've tried to emulate other styles or artists' techniques over the years, but (and I think this ties back to why I struggle with fanart) my own voice is so strong in my work that it really took all the joy out of creating. I've learnt over time that my personal art evolution is all about small changes and improvements, rather than trying to force ideas or ability through radical stylistic changes. Basically, I draw what I like and add things here or there as I come across something that I think would fit organically into my own style. That's been things like brushes or expressions or even the way I structure my sketches - all things that are small but can make a big difference in the overall picture. Add to that how my confidence has improved as my actual ability has improved, I think I've really organically grown into being better able to wrangle my style and apply that to fanart, original art, et cetera.

Dema: So now I do have to ask what fanart you were making as a kid and high-schooler? (I was a Sailor Moon kid. Sailor Scouts for ALL the most obscure celestial bodies one can imagine 😂)

Vaamiel: Hah! oh no 😂I was CRAZY about Naruto as a kid - actually, the first fanfiction I ever read was Naruto fanfiction. Then after that it was Homestuck, Inuyasha, Steven Universe, Pokemon, Dragon Age/Mass Effect... not necessarily in that order! I wish I was a Sailor Moon kid to be honest – would be WAY cooler than admitting I was a Naruto kid!

Dema: Inuyasha!!!!

Vaamiel: YES!

Dema: To be fair I am older than you by a pretty big margin LOL, I probably would have been a Naruto kid as well.

Vaamiel: LOL fair enough! It was in just the right time slot on cable when I was about...9 that the 4kids dub formed the foundation of my entire personality from that point onward.

Dema: So cute! Was there a particular moment that got you into Dragon Age fanwork?

Vaamiel: So, for my own work, I think it was the trailer last Dragon Age day and then in… January of this year or so, replaying Origins that had the cup finally spill over and I sat down and started making fanart. It was like my love for the series hit critical mass and with Veilguard coming up, it felt like the perfect time to actually try to make it work, you know? When it comes to appreciating Dragon Age fanart as a fan, it was two creators from tumblr that did it. Crystalvfae did a series of fanart that fundamentally altered my brain chemistry (I still look back on their painting of Morrigan and sigh sometimes - it is SO good). Then I found Spicyshimmy and was never the same. Their Anders/Hawke work is so special and got me into reading fanfiction voraciously in general. It totally reignited my love for reading and was the thing that got me into AO3!

Dema: Is there any specific bit of Veilguard that has you most excited? Or are you mostly avoiding spoilers?

Vaamiel: I am SO all in on all the Veilguard content honestly. I love trying to pick little bits out of the trailers and stills we've gotten so far and make connections to the lore/put together potential plot theories. I think I'm so excited for all of it? Like, I'm just ready to get back into the world of Thedas itself and experience a cool new story. Of course, I do love the graphical upgrade and all the locations we've seen so far and the costuming!! It's really all been exactly what I've been wanting. Also seeing Dorian again. That's probably pretty up there too.

Dema: Yes! Man. I cannot believe how cool Minrathous is. Dorian tried to tell us, but I am still flabbergasted.

Vaamiel: He was right!! All along!!! We really were in a different century.

Dema: As far as the current collaboration process goes, how are you feeling? Are the ideas percolating? Are the sketches sketching?

Vaamiel: Yes! I feel amazing about the partnership I've got!! I've got some scenes that I've got some sketches going for already – as soon as I read my fic I could see exactly where I wanted to take the art. The atmosphere is so good and the writing lends itself perfectly to the kind of pieces that I love to make. I'm really, really excited to be creating for this fic and collaboration!

Dema: I am delighted to hear that, we cannot wait to see what everyone creates!

Vaamiel: That was Very Difficult to be appropriately vague for haha - it really is an absolute delight to be working with my partners and I can't wait to talk about this fic and the art I'm making for it.

Dema: It is soooo hard to ask questions that are not POINTED hahahahaha, as someone on the inside who knows everyone's matches. You get an A+

Vaamiel: Yay!!!! I’m glad I was able to keep things appropriately mysterious 😌

Dema: Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me today, it has been super fun!

Vaamiel: Absolutely! Thank you so much for hosting this interview and all the work you've put in for this event!! This has been a blast!

[ivan-draws55]

Hello! My name is Ivan, I am a 22-year-old trans man that has recently started art school to understand the principles of design and color theory better so that I can make the art I’d really like to make. I’ve been drawing traditionally for around 10 years, and I occasionally try my hand at digital art, though I’m not the best at it. But since I started drawing, I’ve always wanted to share my art and make something out of it. Specifically, I’d like to design characters and give them meaningful stories that people relate to. I want my art to mean something, I want it to live and breathe in the way that only an audience on the internet can make it do. I’d like to create a safe, close nit community that fosters creativity in every way. I have a lot of oc designs, some are for different shows that I enjoy, but most of them are just people that aren’t connected to anything, and I’d like to share their stories, but deciding on a set backstory and name for each one can be difficult sometimes. But for now, I think I’ll just post the designs and see what other people think of them. 

A couple more things about me: I love to cook, it’s one thing that has been a part of my life and personality since I was little. I mostly watch anime and listen to podcasts in my free time, though I do also play a few games, but not many. So expect some fan art from time to time from any of the following. I will also be posting this on my instagram @/ivandraws55

Anime: I started watching anime around the same time I started drawing, the first anime I watched that I recognized as anime was Blue Exorcist, and my favorite anime I’ve ever watched is Soul Eater. Though I did know about Naruto and had a Super Smash Bros style game for it as a kid. Some other anime that I have seen and enjoyed are: Ouran High School Host Club, Your Lie in April, Horimiya, Fruits Basket, Sk8 the Infinity, Haikyuu!!, Yuri!!! On Ice, Given, Spy x Family, Erased, Tokyo Revengers, The Orbital Children, No. 6, Jujustu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, Full Metal Alchemist, Attack On Titan, Black Clover, Fire Force, Bleach, and One Piece. 

Podcast: I was introduced to Welcome to Nigh Vale when I was in high school, and instantly fell in love with it and the media format. Once I had caught up with it at the time, I started looking for others like it and fell into a rabbit hole of weird and interesting podcast that I couldn’t get enough of, some of these are: The Magnus Archives, Archive 81, The Storage Papers, The Penumbra Podcast, I Am In Eskew, Alice Isn’t Dead, The Milkman of St. Gaffs, The Town Whispers, EOS 10, Darkest Night, 36 Questions, The Bright Sessions, and Wolf 359. 

Games: I’ve been playing Zelda games since I was a kid playing on a GameCube, my first one was Twilight Princess, so it will always be one of my favorite games, though I do have a variety of Zelda games. Another game that I started playing when it came out is Genshin Impact. My favorite character is and always has been Xinyan, she was one of my first characters and has had a mostly permanent spot on most of my team comps. 

[cheerpuppy14]

hi there! I'm an intermediate artist looking for a style change, and was wondering if you had any advice on learning anime style art? I absolutely love your style so much!

Hi!

First of all thank you so much! I'm happy you like my art style ;;

Changing a style in an instant is very difficult (trust me I completely changed my style to a cartoon one once, but then slowly went back to anime haha), but the most important thing you need to know is that there's no one "anime artstyle"

There are different ways to draw eyes, features, proportions, etc. Do you have a favourite style? Or do you just like multiple ones from different artists/shows? A useful method I found is practicing by trying to copy a style completely, it helps you find out which aspects of it you like the most. Once you copy multiple ones you can try to combine the ones you like, or even just choose to follow one you liked the most. It's not wrong since you probably won't stick with it long and your style will evolve slowly no matter where you start.

I'm bad at explaining this kind of stuff because I just tend to go with the flow haha, sometimes I just change my style slightly for a specific piece and that's ok! I started with copying the naruto style lol But I hope this helps you in a way!

[voidpidgeon]

25, 27, and 30 for the artist ask game :]?

I have been rotating theses question for 15 minutes, why is this so difficult djksggjk

25. Something your art has been compared to that you were NOT inspired by

man my art has been inspired by so much over the years and changed so much too, it is really hard to think of something

when i was younger i had a way more anime leaning style and i remember getting lowkey offended with being compared to Narutos art style (i think). But tbf i was 100% inspired by that lgflsdkl

27. Do you warm up before getting to the good stuff? If so, what is it you draw to warm up with

here :D

30. What piece of yours do you think is underrated

I feel like original art is underrated in general, beside some break out pieces. But that is something very understandable, people are just more likely to reblog the blorbo

[liarist]

Chains

Genin

Mito was having breakfast in complete tranquility while Kakashi looked notably frustrated, attempting to style her red hair.

"Can you repeat why you want me to do your hair?" he was a great ninja, but a hairstyle was getting the best of him.

"Because today we're taking the exams to become genin. If you style my hair, you'll bring me luck, Kashi," she replied.

He had no choice but to sigh in surrender. He couldn't say no to the redhead.

She wasn't nervous; she knew everything would turn out fine. But she was worried about Naruto. Her friend meant everything to her, and she didn't know what she'd do if he wasn't with her.

"Naruto!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arm around the blond's shoulder. "Have you practiced for today?"

"Of course, Mito! You'll see, I'll be the best," he responded enthusiastically, and Mito smiled, deciding to trust him.

In the classroom, everyone seemed excited, and the nerves were evident. Mito sat next to Shikamaru, who was sleeping. She doodled and occasionally paid attention to the students called to take the exam.

"What kind of drawings are those?" Shikamaru teased when he woke up. She looked at him seriously, making him shrink in his seat.

"Don't judge my art."

In reality, they were very difficult-to-understand doodles, and she knew it. But she had to keep her mind occupied, or she'd die of boredom.

"Nara, Shikamaru," Iruka-sensei called. Shikamaru reluctantly got up from his seat.

"Don't fall asleep during the exam," Mito said, and Shikamaru smiled and nodded before leaving the classroom.

The others were called alphabetically, and when it was finally her turn, Mito almost ran up to the front. She presented herself to everyone and started performing the jutsus they requested.

"Ah, Mito, Kakashi-senpai asked me to tell you to go home directly after the exam," Iruka-sensei said.

"So be it."

After receiving her ninja headband, Mito left the place and went straight home as instructed. When she opened the door, everything was silent. She left her things by the entrance and approached the rooms.

"Kashi?" she called his name. "I'm home."

The sound of the door echoed behind her. Mito turned and sat on the couch, tapping the seat next to her, signaling for the jounin to sit. He left several things on the table and then took a seat beside her.

"Congratulations! Your mother would be so proud of you," he said.

Those words filled the girl with emotion. Kakashi always talked about her mother, and thanks to him, she had learned several jutsus from her clan.

"Can you do me a favor?" That caught Kakashi's attention.

"Of course, what's wrong, Mito?" he asked, intrigued.

"I want to know the truth about that day…"

Kakashi went blank. He had never mentioned many details about what happened that day, only telling her what was necessary for her to understand things at that moment. He never thought the time would come when Mito would want to know the truth.

"Where should I start?" he sighed. "Your mother and Naruto's mother were very good friends. Both came from the Hidden Whirlpool Village. Naruto's mother, Kushina-san, was the host of the Kyubi, and when it was time to give birth, the seal broke. Minato-sensei ended up sealing it inside Naruto."

"Minato, the Fourth Hokage?"

"Naruto's father is the Fourth Hokage, but after what happened, they decided it was best for Naruto and the others not to know the truth."

"Will he ever know the truth?" This question left Kakashi pondering because he truly didn't know if that would happen at some point.

"I won't lie to you, Mito. I don't know."

"I see…"

"But I promise you I'll take care of him…"

"What do you mean by that? Naruto has me to protect him," she replied.

"I'll let you know the teams' arrangements tomorrow."

"Wait! Will he be in your team? What about me? Am I just irrelevant?"

"The teams are formed strategically…"

The conversation ended there, and they had dinner together, talking about other things. The next day, Mito woke up feeling completely disoriented. She sat on the bed, staring at her wardrobe for a few minutes, feeling as if she hadn't rested at all during the night, wanting nothing more than to go back to sleep. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the clock and paled. She jumped out of bed, grabbed some clothes, dressed hastily, and then grabbed her things, still by the entrance, rushing to the academy.

Luckily, Iruka-sensei hadn't arrived yet, but she had managed to make it in time for the commotion of several girls arguing about who would sit next to Sasuke. Naruto climbed on the table and stared at Sasuke intensely, and tension filled the air between them. Mito didn't quite understand why. The girls continued arguing, but now it was about Naruto's behavior, and there was even a small incident when someone accidentally pushed Naruto, causing him to get closer to Sasuke and ending up in a kiss.

"Hey! Stop hitting him, you jealous girls!" Mito exclaimed, pushing away all the girls who had pounced on Naruto. "This is easily solved," she said, taking the seat next to Sasuke.

"Move, Mito!" Sakura and Ino screeched.

"Make me," she replied, giving them a cold and emotionless look.

She put on that face whenever someone annoyed her, and according to Naruto, it was something terrifying.

When Iruka-sensei arrived, everyone returned to their seats. He slowly mentioned which teams they'd be in. Not everyone was happy for various reasons; some didn't get along with their teammates, some wanted to be with Sasuke, and so on. Mito could say that she was content; she wasn't with Naruto as she would have liked, but she was with Shikamaru, Chouji, and Ino.

After the lunch break, they were going to meet their sensei. Mito followed Naruto, seeing him head toward Sakura, and how each member of her team went in different directions. She already knew how things might end up, and it was better to prevent Naruto from causing any trouble.

She followed him and saw him enter a room where Sasuke was, then saw Sasuke leaving as if nothing happened. She couldn't help but sigh and went in to help Naruto. But to her surprise, she found Sasuke tied up inside. She started to help him untie the knots.

"I'd say don't take it personally, but I think it has been," she smiled sheepishly, and he looked at her for a moment before nodding.

"It's a shame you're not on our team," he replied before leaving.

When lunchtime was over, Mito went straight to the classroom, where she found the other genins. The senseis arrived one by one, taking their respective genin. Mito went with her team to Asuma Sarutobi.

She already knew the shinobi; he was one of Kakashi's friends, and he had occasionally looked after her, so it wasn't a surprise to see him smoking while others grimaced at the smell of tobacco.

"I understand why they're here, but… Why am I here?" she asked.

"I think I don't understand your question, Mito."

"The Ino-Shika-Cho team is something that has been going on for generations because of their teamwork. What do I have to do with this?"

"Oh, well, that's because of your abilities. With them, the team can be greatly enhanced," he explained.

Mito nodded, not very sure. She knew that because of her clan, she could do great things. Everyone expected her to be an expert in fuinjutsu, but the truth was that she hadn't had the chance to practice much of it. She could barely use the Diamond Chains. She hadn't been able to practice the various jutsus of her clan since most of them were lost, and Kakashi had forbidden her from using the ones he had until she was older.

As evening fell and they were officially approved as genin, Mito lay down next to Shikamaru to watch the clouds.

"I wish I were a cloud," he said, and Mito looked at him sideways and smiled.

"I don't know what I want," she replied. "But I guess I still have time to figure it out."

[caramelmochacrow]

for the artist ask game, 2, 5, 15, 18, 19, 31, 32, 36! :]

OKAY. i just got the patience to answer this again, sorry cheren.... i got a little mad at my laptop crashing

2. How long have you been drawing?

ive been drawing ever since five years of age (i think?) but i started getting serious around 6-7 years old.

3. What’s your favorite thing to draw?

i looove drawing people w silly expressions but pretty much just people. (if you want to be very specific, i like drawing yuka)

15. How long does an average piece take you to complete?

if im very positive and motivated, it takes me 6-8 hours. if it's full body and fully colored however, it takes me at least 2 days to finish. an extra day is added if i want to fix up details.

18. What are you currently trying to improve on?

different body types-- specifically fat and muscled bodies. also bodies that have boobs. i just got over my slight dysphoria over it a couple months ago, so im still trying....

19. What is the most difficult thing for you to draw?

animals or anything animal shaped. (this is why i just draw people with cat ears and dog ears.) i want to get better at this though.

31. Show us your oldest piece of art you have on hand.

my first ever ms paint drawing btw. this was added into my google drive in july 21 2021, but it could be older than that.

32. What defines your artistic style?

the way i draw faces/expressions, i think that's what defines my style to people the most, haha.

36. Do you have a shameful art past? (recolour sprite comics, tracing art, etc.)

oh god....... okay, i dont know if what im shameful of counts though....... okay. cheren im guessing you know naruto so you know shikamaru and temari? i used to have a big crush on temari (still do) and shikamaru ends up w temari at the end of the story. bc i had a huge crush on her, i "redesigned" shikamaru at the tender age of 10-9 years old to make him look like me so whenever i draw shikamaru and temari it was pretty much me and her. i have more shameful things i have done as a child but this is certainly one of the big ones.

[cubur]

Yes yes yes))

14, 16, 21, 25

Hi, hi, hi ❄️💕

14. Any favorite motifs

Stained glass, wings, fantasy themes, long hair, rain, snow, all kinds of flowers, sky, forest, East Asian theme and culture/outfits/motifs

(Though I don't draw often, something like this)

16. Something you are good at but don't really have fun doing

Answered here

21. Art styles nothing like your own but you like anyways

Hmm this question is difficult to answer… I mean, so many! I'm not sure if I can give any names, not all the artists i follow have tumblr accounts, but there are a ton of artists out there that are just so goddamn talented! Sometimes it's just a single detail, sometimes it's the whole piece and sometimes I stare at some parts trying to figure out how it's done. And knowing that I could never draw like this, but it still works to save all these treasures in my memory

25. Something your art has been compared to that you were NOT inspired by

Not for Naruto/Sasuke but whenever I draw a character, a commission or any oc, I don't like when someone comes and says "this character looks like this or that". If this character was that person, I would have written this already, right (?) Also, I often get comments like "did you create this inspired by this fanfic?" or "this Naruto, or this Sasuke reminds me of this fanfic" for some au ideas that I created purely from my imagination. I mean, there are millions of people and ideas in the universe, it's easy for people to think the same things without realizing it. Plus I usually write about the things I get inspired by

[kikyan]

Hello! (Sorry I know I already sent an ask for hunterxhunter but I saw that we could request several) Can I have a durara, naruto and blue exorcist matchup please?

Appearance : a 17years old ,5'4 ace/heteromantic gemini girl ambivert.Dark brown hair/eyes(glasses) a little chubby/muscled and pale skin+permanent smirk/smile/ neutral face. My style varies a lot (always comfy) but I never wear dresses heels/makeup. I love to imagine outfits with symbols from fandoms or my own drawings so I have a rather unique style who changes a lot

MBTI: INTP

Personality : .Sassy sarcastic a little naive but I have a backbone (don't bother flirting with me and if you feel that I am flirting with you which happens a lot then it's just my personality and on the rare occasion I notice they have to confess or I won't believe it) ,calculative,protective,creative,expressive,,tsundere,manipulative,a devil's advocate,prideful,charismatic,smartass,bookworm,daydreamer,a little insensitive/blunt because I'm more on the logical side so I don't express emotions or comfort people well (cracking jokes is not the good answer),vengeful,mischievous,a huge tease,open minded,very curious,gets annoyed easily,impatient so kind of a bad temper,observant but not romantically,sadistic to a point but my conscience prevents me from doing these acts.Indifferent to many things,open minded to many things some against the major morals. I am trilingual (in order : Arabic,french, english) and trying to learn italian. With my friends I am either laughing, goofing around or annoyed. Those who don't talk to me see me as a nerd aggressive smart and blunt person ( even prideful) and strangers as a polite sweetheart. But I am a chaotic good/neutral. I notice a lot of details because I don't let my guard down even if I daydream plus I have a photographic + sound memory and they work very well in all situations which can be a bother when I try to concentrate which is difficult for me because I get distracted easily.

Dislikes: I hate injustice and fight for my beliefs. I have trust issues so I never talk about my problems and will use humor when confronted. Daylight. Cooking. Slow things or people. When I get teased a lot (yes I am a hypocrite here). People who don't pay attention to a conversation and then ask to repeat it more than once. People who change side easily and always criticize forgetting themselves. I tend to be aggressive and expose an annoyed face easily (I am moody), plus I hate orders and love pressing people's buttons it's funny(in a fun way rarely in a mean one) unless it's a sensitive subject

Likes: I love cats/laughter/sweets/pranks/dark humour/ a true crime and Supernatural enthusiast and I love science especially concerning space, chemistry, robotic and psychology. Books, sleep, drawing and video games too. Oh and debates I love them. Surprises too I hate routine and runs away from it

Hobbits : Reading, getting lost in a book, drawing, learning, debating, daydreaming, sports (fighting ones), art (music/drawing/writing) and video games

have some bad habits like biting my nails (I just got rid of it)/lips and moving my leg up and down because I am always nervous, disorganized room/sleep and eating schedule plus I am lazy. Of course if someone tried to address my problems I will change the subject or use humor. I don't understand a lot of references because I'm either too lazy to watch or I don't care/predictable. Also I might try to hide it but I am very competitive and a sore loser

Thank you!

Of course! Here you go! I match you up with...Shikamaru Nara from Naruto. Rin Okumura from Blue Exorcist, and Shizuo Heiwajima from Durarara!! 

To break it down, Shikamaru is a laid back character but is very smart. He complains a lot about doing it but he knows that even if it is hard and too much work he’ll probably still do it. Relating a lot to the both of you, he’d rather spend him time snoozing or doing domestic hobbies. He’d love to sit in silence with you or lazily talking about random things. He’d bring up topics and situations to get your input and a debate may spark.  

Rin is someone who wants to live his life. I love this man so much like his smile is serotonin. Before finding out he was a demon he was living his life, having fun, getting into fights that he never wanted to get but as luck would bring him he did. After finding out about his life, being the son of Satan and being a demon, well he certainly can’t return to that life can he? He’ll cherish and want someone he can talk to and joke around with, which in season one and two was HARD ASF because they kept dodging this man like the plague or simply not liking him. the teasing and the mischievous personality, while he may complain would be something he enjoys and loves because he sees it as you treating him as a person rather than Satan’s spawn. You dislike cooking? Well he likes cooking so while you won’t cook, you’ll enjoy the meal. You’d treat him more like his best friend and like himself as opposed to the others who are a bit weary of him at the start of the show. As soon as the other’s join, he’ll never forget about you being the first one to appreciate him. 

Shizuo Heiwajima! THIS MAN IS JUST SO SKJFBSHB HE IS PERFECT IN ANY AND EVERY SINGLE WAY GOSH! Enough simping, let us continue. You like sweets, Shizuo like’s sweets. You’re blunt, Shizuo is blunt. Which is something good. While there are no requirements in a relationship Shizuo would value someone being honest because he’d rather someone lie and beat around the bush before saying what they mean. He’d admire everything that you are and what he isn’t. You’d do a great way in reminding him that he is not a monster because while yes the gentle approach works just as much, I wanna slap this man and yell that he is loved by so many. I can already see your dynamics lmao! 

[quirrrky]

Hello! Congratulations on your milestone ^^

Can I have an Oracle matchup for naruto and demon slayer please?

Appearance : 5'4 ace/heteromantic gemini girl ambivert.Dark brown hair/eyes(glasses) a little chubby/muscled and pale skin+permanent smirk/smile/ neutral face. My style varies a lot (always comfy) but I never wear dresses heels/makeup. I love to imagine outfits with symbols from fandoms or my own drawings so I have a rather unique style who changes a lot

MBTI: INTP (I am an ambivert but oh well)

Personality : .Sassy sarcastic a little naive but I have a backbone (don't bother flirting with me and if you feel that I am flirting with you which happens a lot then it's just my personality and on the rare occasion I notice they have to confess or I won't believe it) ,calculative,protective,creative,expressive,,tsundere,manipulative,a devil's advocate,prideful,charismatic,smartass,bookworm,daydreamer,a little insensitive/blunt because I'm more on the logical side so I don't really understand or recognize emotions,vengeful,mischievous,a huge tease,open minded,very curious,gets annoyed easily,impatient so kind of a bad temper,observant but not romantically,sadistic to a point but my conscience prevents me from doing these acts.Indifferent to many things,open minded,morally...unique. With my friends I am either laughing, goofing around or annoyed. Those who don't talk to me see me as a nerd aggressive smart and blunt person ( even prideful) and strangers as a polite sweetheart. But I am a chaotic good/neutral. I notice a lot of details because I don't let my guard down even if I daydream plus I have a photographic + sound memory and they work very well in all situations which can be a bother when I try to concentrate which is difficult for me because I get distracted easily.

Dislikes: I hate injustice and fight for my beliefs. I have trust issues so I never talk about my problems and will use humor when confronted. Daylight. Cooking. Slow things or people. When I get teased a lot (yes I am a hypocrite here). People who don't pay attention to a conversation and then ask to repeat it more than once. People who change side easily and always criticize forgetting themselves. I tend to be aggressive and expose an annoyed face easily (I am moody), plus I hate orders and love pressing people's buttons it's funny(in a fun way rarely in a mean one) unless it's a sensitive subject

Likes: I love cats/laughter/sweets/pranks/dark humour/ a true crime and Supernatural enthusiast and I love science especially concerning space, chemistry, robotic and psychology. Books, sleep, drawing and video games too. Oh and debates I love them. Surprises too I hate routine and runs away from it

Hobbits : Reading, getting lost in a book, drawing, learning, debating, daydreaming, sports (fighting ones), art (music/drawing/writing) and video games

have some bad habits like biting my nails (I just got rid of it)/lips and moving my leg up and down because I am always nervous, disorganized room/sleep and eating schedule plus I am lazy. Of course if someone tried to address my problems I will change the subject or use humor. I don't understand a lot of references because I'm either too lazy to watch or I don't care/predictable. Also I might try to hide it but I am very competitive and a sore loser

Thank you! 🌟

hello anon! I hope you can see this. I think you forgot to give me your moon potion 😆 You can look them up here: —» 🌙 MOON MATCH-UP

pls choose your flavor and your type of potion then come drop an ask of your choice. I'll keep your info so that you won't have to type again 😊 see ya, okaii? 😉

[shock777archive]

Damn. Has it really been that long?!? The past 10 years of my life have been so transformative to me...I cannot wish away anything I went through in those years nor would I want to. I am so thankful to those of you who have followed me for a long time, if you're new followers, or are just casually checking my works periodically. You all have supported me in ways you don't even see. Thank you so so so so much for all the love and appreciation! I cannot wait to see what the 2020's will bring. God Bless! I've also included a little run down of the major things that happened to me as well as notes on my art down below. Can't wait to see you all next year! 

2010: Age 17. I was still in high school and I remember this was the year I had finally switched from Photoshop to Paint Tool Sai as an art program. Paint tool sai improved my digital art majorly, and I am forever grateful. I was also super obsessed with pen-palling and I had a lot of pen pals with folks on skype. 2011: Age 18. I graduated high school this year! It was one of the toughest years of my life, however with a lot of spiritual battle and issues at home. I really dug into my faith this year, and it reflected in my art. This was the year I also had made my first Original Characters that were not fan characters of a separate series. 2012: Age 19. I got my driver's license this year. It was also the year I got accepted into ministry school, and the first time I moved away from home to be on my own. I got my first car this year and continued to draw on my laptop I was given. Having no wifi at home and having to stay in the church parking lot in my car to be on the church's wifi was an experience I wouldn't forget. When the laptop battery died, it was game over! lol. I drew a lot, but it didn't get posted often because of my internet issues. 2013: Age 20. Year 2 of my Ministry School days. I met a lot of cool people. It was the first time I had rode in a plane and the first time going to the East Coast of the United States. This year I was making animations on youtube and expanding on my original characters a lot. I made so many new OC's, I can't even remember them all! lol It was a very creative time for me, and a deeply spiritual one as well. 2014: Age 21. I had my 21st birthday this year and my very first drink was a Pineapple mimosa. This year was sadly the year I lost my grandmother to cancer. It was hard, but I had a lot of support. I graduated ministry school and I also got my first job working as a grocery bagger! In the fall I began taking Japanese lessons at college, and met many japanese friends on the internet. This is the year that "NARUTO THE LAST MOVIE" came out, and NaruHina, my all time favorite couple from anime, had become canon at last. Thus,  I drew a looooot of Naruto content this year. It helped me through the hard times. This was also the year I finally did my first art commission! 2015: Age 22. Now this year was a year to remember. I continued my schooling at college and I had a part time job at an arts and crafts shop. Those japanese friends I met online? Yes, those friends and I had become close and through some miraculous ways, I was able to finally visit Japan...a country I had always dreamed about visiting! In August I went to Japan and it was one of, if not the highlight of my life. It was the year that I also had started to balloon in popularity on tumblr and other social media sites because of my bbrae art. I had always drawn and loved bbrae, but posting it online this year is what really made me "popular." 2016: Age 23. I had to move back to my hometown after 4 years away. This year was difficult mental health wise...lots of changes were happening and there were plenty of ups and downs. But one of the biggest ups was meeting my boyfriend Josh. We had known each other in high school, and even dated for a month in 2011. But these many years later, it finally meant something more. 2016 was full of BBRae drawings and a mix of naruto art. I was torn between two loves! 2017: Age 24. Hey, It was finally my chinese zodiac year! This year was considered lucky. I got to visit so many cool places thanks to my boyfriend who brought me along. I was also continuing my schooling at a different college. I got to see my favorite band of all time in concert, and it was AMAZING. I got to go inside their tour bus, get autographs and meet them and take photos. A good time was had by all! In this year I really focused on BBRae stuff as well as my own series and characters within the Teen Titans universe. 2018: Age 25. I grew tired of college and decided to take a break from it. This year was very hard for me mentally and emotionally. Looking back on it, it all revolved around my health and lack of productivity. This year I focused HARD on creating a cute anime style for myself. I was obsessed with watching speedpaints on youtube, and learning how to draw cutesy things like chibis...I used a lot of pastel colors, created even more oc's that had cute themes and outfits to them...I was so obsessed with pink lol I was frustrated with my art this year. But I picked up a new hyperfixation, which was splatoon 2 lol. 2019: Age 26. Ah yes, now we are up to speed. As for 2019, well. I got to see one of my favorite japanese girl bands in concert. That was sooooo exciting! I think I made lots of strides in conquering some of my depression. For one thing, I went back to school and figured out a game plan for what I want to do in life. This was a big year for me in a videogaming sense...I have played more videogames this year than I have in my entire life. And my collection keeps growing! I rekindled an old friendship, and also have been studying how to cook. I was more private with my art this year...keeping a lot of drawings to myself. I did post this year, but not as much as in the past and I hope to change that this upcoming year. I celebrated my 3rd anniversary with my boyfriend, and I'm going to soon get a college degree. I've taken my sweet time with pursuing higher education, but now it's starting to finally pay off. I haven't drawn much naruto lately, and it's been mostly about my own characters and bbrae. I hope to get more of my personal life in order and become healthy so I can draw even better and more amazing things!

[ryuukenden4]

Do What Makes You Happy

(Okay fair warning, this is a very long post with some seriously personal stuff in it.)

I know I don't usually open up on here, but I think it's time I finally do it to get it off my chest. This has been a topic I often find myself thinking about. It usually makes me feel really shitty when I do, but I don't ever talk about it with anyone. I think I need to let all of my thoughts air, even if no one listens.

This post is about "cringe culture." Basically, judging someone for something they love. Not criticizing or internally judging, but shaming. This is a topic that sits badly with me on both ends of the spectrum. I both have judged people and been judged, and both sides feel bad.

Let's start off with why I'm even making this post. I've thought for a long time about myself and the stuff I enjoy. I know it isn't normal, and I know a lot of people in my age group can't relate. I love anime, it's been an outlet for me and my weird fantasies (like dragons and swords, not the other kind) for almost 10 years now. Video games are some of my lifeblood even though I guess gamer girls don't exist?? I immensely love making characters, fan and original. Fictional characters are my cornerstones where real people (usually) tend to fall flat. Let me elaborate.

Anime has helped me cope with many difficult things over the years. It helps me connect with family and friends. It gives me a creative outlet for not just drawing and writing, but thinking. Even cliché anime always make me see the world in new ways, and I love it for that. It's helped me develop myself and my style for such a long time that I can't imagine being parted from it any time soon.

From anime especially comes my love of fictional characters. I have always loved them (my first favorite characters were Jim Hawkins and Bilbo Baggins, and I'll never forget that fact about myself), but that love became intensified as I grew older. I don't necessarily see myself in them, but I enjoy getting to know them. It's almost a personal connection with the characters. My favorites are almost always established from their introductions because something with them and me just...clicks. Even if I have no clue who or what they are, there is something there I feel. Like they're an old friend or something. They make me feel not alone, as strange as that sounds. Like for instance, take Mirio, my current muse on here. His sunshiney personality and goofy nature brighten my day. His selfless nature and general goodness make me strive to be a better person. As soon as he was introduced, I knew he was gonna be one of my favorites, I could just tell. He feels like a friend to me, and I really feel a connection with him.

Moving from characters, video games have allowed me to explore new worlds and escape the mundanenss of our own. I'm not trying to sound deep, but having a way to escape this life for a little while is nice. The interactiveness of video games is so wonderful, and it really feels like I'm shedding myself and becoming someone else for a spell. I especially love games that either have an awesome protags who is loveable and you root for them, or ones that you create your own character and save the world.

Which brings me to my last and most sensitive topic; my characters. I have made characters since I was able to. From my warrior cats to my anime side characters all the way up to my completely original ones, my characters have always had an influence on me. Rarely do I make self-inserts, but when I do they are versions of me I wish I was. (My first warrior cat was pretty much me as a cat, I'll admit. And my first anime OC was also loosely based off me.) But I have come so far with them from what I used to do. Now my characters all have their own lives and I'm just telling their stories. Yes this sounds cheesy, but I hear that this is what makes a good character. When you sit down and "chat" with them and they are separate from you. I don't want to say none of my recent characters are like me, because obviously new characters are still forming from MY brain, but I do my best to develop them like functional, separate people and not fictional versions of me. And yes, often I do end up shipping my characters with other characters (my own or canon), but I never make it about me. It's about two fictional characters that are fun to imagine going to see a horror movie or taking a walk or cuddling under the stars.

As much as I love all of this, I'm terrified to talk about my interests with others. This post has been extremely hard to write so far, but I'm forcing myself to do it so I can finally be at peace with my negative thoughts. I find it hard to talk with others for fear of being labeled "weird" or "cringey." And it's not even that I mind their comments, I mind and worry about what they DON'T say. I always get nervous talking about stuff with people because I worry they're silently judging me. And sure, I understand what I do isn't everyone's cup of tea (nor do I expect that literally at all, especially shipping OCs and canon characters). I just worry it actually affects how people view ME as a person from what I like. That's why I hide my interests in my pysche, I try to avoid making others uncomfortable with me, even if I feel uncomfortable hiding myself. It all stems from my lack of self-confidence and fear of being hated. Judging and being judged are very stressful things to undergo, especially for someone not happy with who they are 90% of the time.

I mentioned earlier I've experienced both ends of this. So let me discuss. I had a very judgmental mindset of people for a long time based upon what they liked. I judged people hardcore for liking things that were ridiculous to me. I never said it to them, but my thoughts were mean and malicious. Looking back on myself for that, I find it disgusting, and I'll be the first to say I was wrong. I honestly think my spitefulness stemmed from my own bad experiences I'll describe later. What people like doesn't usually harm me in anyway, and so what makes me the one who dissuades them from doing what they love? I am a devout Christian, and one of my life-changing takeaways from those experiences was to step back and let God be the judge. My judgment ultimately means nothing to someone's life, and so they should be allowed to do as they please and God can decide if it's wrong or right at the end. Again I say, if it makes you happy, DO IT.

On the other end, I have been ridiculed for what I like. It's been little things like disparaging comments from family members or even anon hate (old Tumblr accounts now deactivated). I still remember my worst experience was on a platform called Flipnote Hatena. Basically, you drew little animations, often to music, flipbook-style on your DSi and posted them for others to see. I made a Flipnote for my Spyro fan character (very much a self insert...I was like 10) and Spyro to the song "Listen to Your Heart." I was so proud of my work, and it was my best yet. I posted it, not expecting much, as my stuff wasn't very popular. Then I got a notification for a comment. I was so happy to see what someone said, praising my art. Turns out it was another user telling me I was wrong for shipping my dragon and Spyro because he only loved HER character. She peppered in death threats and told me to kill myself. She proceeded to make Flipnotes about wanting to fight and kill my main avatar (my warrior cat at this point) to prove she deserved Spyro. Obviously I was distraught. I just wanted to share my love for Spyro and what I thought was my best animation, and I got told to die and threatened to be killed all for what I enjoyed doing. I know nothing would have come of it in hindsight, but being a 10 year old, that really scarred me. I caved and deleted my Flipnotes with said characters and never posted them again. I let that person win, and erased a portion of myself from my heart.

This is the event that usually makes me question if what I'm doing is "okay." I get bouts of negative thoughts toward myself and my "weirdness." I find myself wanting to delete all my characters and writings and everything. I tell myself what I'm doing is wrong, and it would make so many people angry and mean if I posted it. And then I tell myself I don't NEED to post it to be happy. I don't need validation on my stuff. I don't need fans of my characters or for people to ship my couples. I just need someone to affirm I'm okay, that I'm not wrong. I need someone to tell me "if it makes you happy, do it." I need to be reminded I'm also a person with feelings that matter. I'm uncomfortable deleting all of my hard work. I'm angry for deleting that character I put hours of research and thought into. I'm mean when I think of someone being so bothered by what a stranger does that they have to verbally abuse them for it. That's why I'm extending that for anyone listening. If you need to hear this, you are valid. If it makes you happy, please do it. Know that someone out there is rooting for you. I am 100% behind you.

That old show you watched with your middle school best friend? Watch it and relive some great memories! That cute idea you have for a scenario between your Naruto OC and Kakashi? Draw it, it's probably super cute! That idea for a for a story based solely upon platonic love and not romantic? Hell yeah, we need more of that content!

Basically, do whatever makes you you. True happiness seems like it's becoming hard to find nowadays, so if you find it, hold onto it. Never change for what you expect people want from you, and that doesn't just extend to hobbies. Be your awesome self. One day, someone will come along who loves what you do too, or will love you for being you. :)

Do what makes you happy.

[elven-ariaera]

Welcome all!

If you’re reading this, I’m assuming you’re familiar with my work as either an artist, cosplayer, writer or any of the other creative things I do. Recently, I had been asked about some of the work that I do, and I thought a fun way to just that was to fill out a few questionnaires. Here I talk about some of the high and low points of doing what I do, what inspires me, and my process of creativity.

For those who are only interested in certain segments, I’ve broken the article into the following sections for you to easily maneuver your way throughout the piece: Art, cosplay, writing, and questions asked by you.

I know I’m no professional and compared to a lot of others I don’t have as outstanding an amount of followers, but if this article can help inspire at least one artist to try something new or learn something they didn’t know, well, that’s good enough for me! I hope you enjoy!

Art

When did you get into art?

I’ve been drawing as long as I can remember, but I do recall middle school in particular being the time that I really started pursuing art. I had to choose between volleyball and art club after school, and guess which one I picked. It wasn’t just academics either. My notebooks were full of fan art of mostly Link and Zelda, but you could find some Kirby, Pokémon, and Naruto scattered in there as well.

Show us your oldest piece of art you have on hand.

Yeah. It’s… Something.

What defines your artistic style?

I think the faces of the characters I draw distinguish my art. I always have a certain way of drawing the eyes, ears, and other features. I always give my females more prominent eyelashes than males as well. Certain clothing as well — The way I draw capes and hoods are distinct. Not to mention when designing my own clothes, I tend to use similar patterns.

Do you practice other styles/have you tried other styles in the past?

I occasionally dabble outside my comfort zone. I’m not necessarily a huge fan of the “Cal-Arts” style, but I’ve tried it every now and then, especially when creating fan art for shows like Steven Universe, The Amazing World of Gumball, and Amphibia. I don’t really do it too often, but I’ve made a piece for my portfolio mimicking several art styles from a variety of different shows just to demonstrate that I can do it if I’d like to.

What levels of artistic education have you had?

Honestly, just high school. I thought I was going to college for digital illustrations but it turned out communication/graphic design was totally different. I actually got into that because I could draw when not many other people in that field could. Of course, I’m always interested in learning outside of school. I learn through watching other artists on social media, seeing how they create their work. Just watching a speed draw can help so much! The way I learn the most, however, is just by doing. Practice, practice, practice! 

Show us at least one picture you drew or sketched recently that you did not put on a public site.

I’ve been doing a lot of Fire Emblem doodles for my new sticker line, so here’s Setsuna. Honestly, I just like drawing bust portraits like this.

What is your favorite piece that you have done?

I can’t just pick one! I’ve drawn over 900 things since I first joined DeviantArt (and I’ve been drawing even before then), you want me to pick just one? Haha, I’ll narrow it down to three of my favorites (in no particular order):

I love this one because it was like the first cute drawing of Ivysaur I’ve ever done. Ivysaur was always a tricky pokémon for me to draw, but this was the first time I feel like I nailed it. Ivysaur also happens to be one of my absolute favorites, so that’s a plus.

This is Minerva, a Guardian from my fantasy stories. Every time I drew her prior, I could never quite get the look I wanted. This was the one that I really liked and so I colored it and am very happy with how it turned out.

I don’t know why I just love this drawing I did of Dimitri from Three Houses. I think its the eyes and hair. And the color contrast — especially in the original ink sketch (that I hung up over my craft table.) I just love it.

What is your least favorite piece that you have done?

Again, you want just one? Haha, too many failures. I’ll be fair, though, and post three of those as well.

Here’s one from my early days. I was trying so hard to get the hair all detailed like and instead it came out looking like gross looking veins. Not to mention how atrocious the proportions were. Oh man, I’m sorry past me, I know you tried.

Here’s one I was so proud of: I copied the official art for Twilight Princess and thought it came out amazing. So amazing I titled the piece “Awesomeful Link.” Yeah. Um. Nope.

Here’s a more recent one that I’m not too pleased with. I was so excited about the latest batch of Steven Universe episodes (which I would later learn were a big bunch of filler episodes and that didn’t make anything better) I drew Pearl reciting her ‘big line’ of the trailer. I tried to mix styles and I tried something different with the eyes and all in all it just came out… Meh.

What do you like most about your art?

I like the faces that I draw. They’re always the most fun and I think they come out the best. I especially love the eyes, I go into so much detail on them (even though they’re usually so small when I print them.) I’ve had issues in the past where I made all of my characters look like they had the same face, but I feel I’ve been doing a lot better at individualizing the face of each character and that makes it all the more fun as well.

What do you like least about your art?

The hands. Sometimes I draw them well, but I still struggle hard and sometimes it really shows. For chibi drawings, I don’t really care as much, but on my more “serious” art, I get a little bummed when I’ve got a wonky hand hanging off their wrists. Feet also sometimes give me a bit of trouble, but usually only when I do poses that involve more movement, which is why I sometimes make my art stiffer and I don’t like doing that either.

Have you ever considered taking commissions?

I do take commissions. In fact, I’d love to take more if it were possible.

Are you looking to pursue a career in art?

I do it part-time right now. I’m satisfied doing commissions and artist tables at local conventions. I think I’d like to pursue writing more than art, but I do love art just as well, so part-time is perfect for me.

What do you like drawing the most?

As I mentioned before, faces. I love drawing facial expressions, I feel like it’s the very core of a character. It’s the first thing I notice when I look at anyone’s art, so I always go all out on my own. I also like drawing hair and wrinkles in clothing. I used to be really obsessed with wrinkles and it would always look like my characters didn’t iron their laundry, but I’ve definitely toned it down since then, haha.

All in all, I like drawing human characters the best — or humanoid. Elves, fairies, merfolk; I love them the most. I like drawing animals too, but not as much as people. 

What do you like drawing the least?

Once again my answer is hands. They are still as difficult to draw as the day I started.

Backgrounds are also not enjoyable for me to draw. It’s an important part of a piece, but I get so bored drawing anything that’s not a character — which is why you’ll probably notice in a lot of my art that I do a lot of very minimal backgrounds. I’ve been trying very hard not to just take stock photos anymore (with the exception of my Mythical Month art as they’re meant to be stickers,) and I’ve been using games like Skyrim and Breath of the Wild as inspiration with their gorgeous scenery. 

Do you draw more fanart or original art? If fanart, what fandom do you draw the most of?

I post a lot more fan art than original — at least I used to, but I also think I have expanded in sharing my original art more and more with my Mythical Months/Mondays. I guess maybe I’d say about half and half.

What medium/program do you use the most in your art?

Digitally I always use Photoshop. Always. As for traditional art, I’ve been using Copic knock-offs (I’m still learning, so I’d rather not waste the money) and the Sakura Micron pens for my ink sketches. I’ve really been enjoying them, actually, it’s very therapeutic. However, no matter digitally or traditionally, I always, ALWAYS start with a pencil. I like mechanical pencils, I don’t like traditional #2 pencils anymore. The thin lead helps me keep control better.

How would you rank your art? (poor, mediocre, good, etc.)

I always say I think my art is “above average.” I know it’s not bad, but I think it could always use improvement. I don’t know if I’ll ever get to a place where I think my art is phenomenal, but I’m content with it, it makes me happy, and that’s all that matters.

List at least one of your “artspirations.”

My art style was greatly inspired by Naruto, Fire Emblem, and Zelda. I always liked more proper body proportions with that hint of anime inspiration. I like bigger eyes on my characters because they help convey emotion so much better, but I also don’t like the oversized baby eyes outside of the occasional chibi style. Avatar: The Last Airbender was also a great influence since the creators did exactly what I like to do and execute it wonderfully.

What do you think you could stand to improve on?

I feel like I can always improve on everything that I do in my art. There are things I’m good at, but I don’t feel like I’ve mastered anything in particular. Then there’s hands and feet again which I definitely need to work on. Lastly, motion. I want to be able to draw more fluid character motions. I’ve been working on it with my original art that I don’t post online, but hopefully I’ll start incorporating it into all my work.

Do you have a shameful art past? (recolor sprite comics, tracing art, etc.?)

Ugh, yes, YES! I admit I was so bad at first, but I also think that’s just how we learn. I used to do a lot of tracing. I started first just full-on tracing images off my computer — That’s right, I’d put the paper up to the computer and trace it like that. Then I started using bases, which was better because at least I had to draw all the details like hair and clothing by myself. Then I finally worked up the courage to stop using them completely. I’d use references, but I would force myself to figure it out by eye rather than copy it straight from the source. I’m happy to say I haven’t been tracing since my late middle school- early high school years.

Cosplay

How many years have you cosplayed?

My first cosplay was when I was fourteen, and I’m twenty-five at the time of writing this article, so eleven years now. Wow.

How did you get into cosplaying?

I honestly don’t know. I was invited to a convention where I heard people dressed up and was like “hey, I want to try that!” I guess it was because I didn’t really do Halloween as a kid and I was so deathly terrified of costumed characters as a toddler that I never took an interest until high school.

How many cosplays have you done?

That’s funny, you want me to remember how many cosplays I’ve ever done. A lot. According to my photo collection, I’ve done about 60 different cosplays (59 exactly if I’m counting correctly.)

What was your first cosplay and why did you choose it?

My first cosplay was Osaka from Azumanga Daioh in her blue summer uniform. Azumanga Daioh was my second ever manga series and my cousin and I were so obsessed with it. She even went as Yukari with me to the convention (though only, like, two people knew who we were.) Tomo is probably my favorite character, but I related personally more to Osaka, being the air-head that I am. I also didn’t have to really style my hair (because that was an era before I used wigs.)

What is your favorite cosplay you’ve done so far?

It’s a tie between my Trainee Link (Hyrule Warriors) costume and my Royal Guard Link (Zelda: Breath of the Wild) costume. Both are alternative costumes for one of my all-time favorite characters that I hand made all the really detailed pieces all from scratch. Link has always been a special character for me to cosplay, but these two are my favorites.

What is your least favorite you’ve cosplayed?

Rapunzel (Tangled). I was obsessed with her at the time which is why I wanted to cosplay her originally, but my dress was not the best and I didn’t look good as her. At least I think so. It was the only costume that made me feel insecure.

What cosplay is the most uncomfortable or troublesome?

Okay, I love this costume and character to pieces, but my gosh the struggles I go through for Pearl (Steven Universe). Blue Diamond (Steven Universe) is the worst in terms of how long it takes me to put my makeup on, but Pearl is right behind her at about 2 hours being my best time. However, the thing that makes Pearl more troublesome to wear is one thing and one thing alone: armsocks.

They look great and prevent you from having to dab makeup all over your body, but I literally couldn’t even hit the home button on my cellphone and it’s not like I could just take them off like gloves. They’re attached at your middle and putting them on is a hassle on its own. Getting your fingers into each tiny socket is so time-consuming. Now imagine this while also being coated in body paint. Plus, having white be the color of the stockings, you have to be conscious of everything you touch because it will stain and show. Because of all this, I refuse to use the restroom dressed as Pearl, and while that is “in character,” it is not healthy and totally NOT recommended you do that.

What is your most comfortable cosplay?

During the winter, Ravio (Zelda: A Link Between Worlds) for sure. It’s like wearing a giant snuggie. However, in summer, it does get hot very quickly (which is why I literally only wear biker shorts and a tank underneath if I ever do take it out on a hot day), so I only wear it in summer if I know there will be AC. Heatstroke is a real thing. Miss Frizzle (Magic School Bus) is probably the best all-year cosplay in terms of comfort. It’s just a dress, stockings, and a wig really.

But in all honesty, most of my cosplays are relatively comfortable. There’s really nothing that I’ve been so uncomfortable that it’s made my physically ill or scarred me physically. My health is important to me, and should safety should always come first.

How do you research the cosplay before you make it?

I look up lots of reference images. I need an image of the front and back, though if it’s not available, I just improvise based on the images I do have on hand. After that, I kind of just wing it.

Do you sew your cosplays yourself?

A good majority of them, yes. There are a few exceptions to this, though: My Disney princesses are all bought since I use them in performances and want them to be durable if children come and tug on the outfit. Pearl, also being a performance cosplay, I did buy as well. For her second reformation outfit (the sleeveless with the ribbon) I got specially commissioned to look and fit me just right whereas her movie/future appearance (jacket and mom-jeans) I literally found at a thrift store. I also love to find costume pieces at thrift stores. Whether I use them as is or make alterations, they make life so much easier when you make a good find for a cheap price. Leni Loud (Loud House) is probably my favorite thrift/sew hybrid. I found a base dress, altered the top and added strap sleeves, put lace around the edges, found a blingy pair of sunglasses, bought earrings and painted them, and made bows for sandals I already had. The most expensive part of that cosplay was the wig I bought from Arda (and it’s always worth it to buy from them in my opinion.)

When I make a costume completely from scratch (like Ravio, Thranduil, any of my Link cosplays) are when I really love the costume and character and want to take on a challenge and bring it to life myself. They also tend to have pieces that can’t be altered from your everyday clothing, but that just makes me work harder and learn more!

How did you learn to sew?

My grandmother taught me how. Osaka was my first cosplay, but my mom altered it from a tee shirt we found at a thrift store and a lucky skirt find. Kabuto Yakushi (Naruto) was the first cosplay I made from scratch (and I won best novice at the convention I wore it to — even with my terrible wig, haha.) She showed me how to use patterns when we made that and my Ayame Sohma cosplay, but after that, I scrapped using patterns and I basically just eyeball everything now. It’s totally not recommended, but I’m a little weirdo and just prefer to do things the way I do. Still, I wouldn’t be able to use a sewing machine if it weren’t for her. Thanks, Nanny!

Do you make your own props?

Most of them. I don’t really use props too often as I find them cumbersome to lug around a convention (which is how I thought of the Fire Emblem, Gravity Falls, and Skyrim book boxes to store your stuff and add some extra flair to a costume.) The few props I have made include Link’s sword, his trainee shield, his original shield from Zelda 1, and Soren’s Wind Tome (which I used for Laurent (Fire Emblem: Awakening) because I didn’t finish Soren (Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance) yet…) Then there’s my prized cosplay prop; Victreebel for James (Pokémon). That was all thanks to my fleece hat business in high school that taught me the skills to build that thing.

I actually think the only prop I store-bought was my Hylian Shield because it was so lightweight and easy to carry, plus I was dreading doing all those details at the time. Maybe one day I’ll make it from scratch, but for now, I’m content with my store-bought.

Do you style your own wigs?

Yes. I have been improving my styling skills a lot more since I first started. It was always a more difficult task for me, but I’ve been practicing more and more. The first one that I attempted on my own was my short-haired Rapunzel. That was basically just giving it a haircut, though. My first real styling challenge was Breath of the Wild Link. It took a long time, but I actually had fun figuring out his hair.

For most of my costumes, it’s really just the bangs that need that extra pop, to which I use Got2B gel and spray. Does the trick every time and keeps everything in place. For those who are wondering, though: No, I did not style Pearl’s wig. I am not ready for that kind of gravity-defying styling. That was all E-Bay.

What skill has been most useful for making your cosplay?

Well, sewing mostly, but other skills that have come in handy for me personally have been painting, crafting, makeup, styling, and overall decorating. Probably other stuff too, just nothing more I can think of off the top of my head.

What is the hardest thing when making a cosplay?

Probably figuring out how things connect. This is the main reason I’m timid when it comes to armor. I’ve been getting better, but I’m still having trouble figuring out how everything attaches and how to put on these kinds of costumes, which is why my Skyrim Elven Armor has been put on hold.

What was the biggest screw up you’ve had making a cosplay?

I’m not sure if I had any major crisis’ when it comes to making cosplays, but I’ve certainly had my fair share of irritating mishaps and mistakes. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve accidentally sewn the sleeves on a costume inside out about 4 times before I finally got it right.

I’ve cut holes in my clothing, I’ve sewn sleeves on too tight, and I’ve even completed a hat that took hours just for it to wind up being too small when I put a wig on. I guess most of the major issues I’ve had with sewing are measurement issues, so my advice to you is to always measure and try on your costume as you go. Don’t wait until the day of the con to try out your new cosplay.

How often do you injure yourself while making a cosplay?

Not too often, I occasionally prick my finger with my sewing needles, but I haven’t had too many serious injuries. I think the worst was when I slashed my thumb with the exacto-knife when making my first shield for Link. Needless to say, there was a lot of blood.

Do you try to stay cheap or do you splurge on materials?

I am a frugal soul; if I can save, I will. That’s why I thrift so much. However, on a costume I’m really passionate about, I will spend more to ensure the quality. For example, I spent a little more going to a more shimmery material for Royal Guard Link. It cost about $50 for the blue and red material, which to me, is a lot (and that was with coupons). However, the results were 100% worth it. PS, Michaels and Joann’s ALWAYS have coupons. I totally recommend downloading both apps.

I also stand by that with wigs and contacts. I love Arda, their quality is great, but they are more expensive than Amazon. Contacts I don’t mind spending more for as well since the quality is VERY important in this case; they are going on your eyes, after all.

However, as I said, I am absolutely not opposed to going cheap. If you can make it work, make it work. My Nyo!Austria (Hetalia) cosplay came out very cute and it was literally made from bedsheets. From using mostly thrifted and recycled materials, a lot of my cosplays came to around an overall price of around $30. Some of these costumes include Mega Gardevoir (Pokemon), Tomoyo Sakagami (Clannad), Spyro (Spyro the Dragon), and Luan Loud (Loud House.)

Cosplay can be totally affordable, you just have to be creative and think a little outside the box sometimes to make it work.

Have you ever cosplayed with a partner or group?

Yes, a few times. I’d love to do more group cosplays, but we all have to think of something we all like. Luckily, two of my very good friends decided they would dress up as Steven Universe and Amethyst to go with my Pearl this year for Comic-Con and it was such a great experience! I’m trying to convince them to do others as well, such as The Loud House and The Magic School Bus with me as well, haha.

Do you try to act in character?

Always: but I don’t always succeed. It really depends on the character. Pearl I could roleplay for days. It’s probably because I connect so much with her and performing as her doesn’t hurt either. Dee Dee Magno Hall says her favorite lines to say are peoples names, and after giving it a shot myself, I totally see why. I even practiced Garnets “Stronger than you” monologue in Pearl’s voice and tone (in case no one volunteered to sing during our karaoke event) and it always makes my friends laugh.

The characters that stump me a little more are the more serious characters I choose to portray; Link, Laurent, Thranduil (the Hobbit), Belle (Beauty and the Beast), just to name a few. I’m kind of a goofball/airhead so those characters clash with my personality a little bit, but I am getting better. Blue Diamond is surprisingly the easiest of these types to stay in character for.

That being said, I love being the outgoing, oddball characters. Like I said, Pearl is second nature to me, as well as Anna from Frozen. Back in my Hetalia days, Austria and America were my go-to guys. I could act as them forever, and my friends and I literally lived as them for a while with how much we role-played. Most of the Disney Princesses it’s pretty easy for me to stay in character, especially (like I said before) Anna, Sofia the First, and Merida.

How do you react to cosplayers dressed as a character from the same anime/game/etc?

If there are some good character opportunities, I will role-play on the spot, but more often than not I will ask if we could all get a picture together. There were so many fun interactions with other Steven Universe cosplayers when my friends and I did our little group, but one of my favorite interactions was probably when I was dressed as Laurent and I stumbled across a Miriel cosplayer and I just shouted out “MOM! I FINALLY FOUND YOU!”

Do you try to duplicate your character’s expressions, walk, movements, etc?

I can talk the talk (mostly), but I have more trouble walking the walk. I’ve been trying to replicate movements better, but facial expressions I have trouble with (ironic as it’s my favorite part of drawing.) I’m not as photogenic as I’d like to be, as you could probably tell by most of my pictures being the same face, but I definitely am striving to improve on that.

What was your funniest experience of acting in character?

Okay, there’s a lot that I could share, and eventually, I want to do an article solely on cosplay “in-character” experiences, but the one I HAVE to share right now is a recent experience when I was dressed as Ariel from The Little Mermaid.

I was performing at the family day event my church helps out at my pastor’s air force base as Ariel, and after my sing-a-long, my makeup was a little smudged. I asked a volunteer where the restroom was so I could touch up before I headed back out to the crowds. I thought he’d take me to a private restroom, but he brought me to the public one where there were families waiting outside. They noticed and the dad joked “See? Even princesses have to go.” to which I laughed and gave my best Ariel shrug to play along. I went inside, fixed my makeup, and went back outside.

It wasn’t long, so the family was still outside the men’s room. As I walked by, the man’s son shouted out “Ariel, congratulations on going pee-pee!” to which I bursted out laughing. Everyone was. I mean, if you gotta congratulate a princess on using the bathroom, you picked the right one! After that, I did explain that I was just putting on makeup but I appreciated his enthusiasm and thanked him for it.

Do you compete in cosplay contests?

All the time. I love them. Whether I win or lose, I always get something out of it. I learn tips from other cosplayers, get to meet so many interesting people, and those times I do win I get prizes which is always nice as well. Most importantly, though, the memories that are made there are the very best part.

Have you won anything?

I have won quite a few. I have three trophies, a medal, a few certificates, and have won a cash prize as well. My first win was my second convention as Kabuto where I won the best novice trophy. My most recent win was for Ravio in August of 2019 with best in show. It’s amazing, I never thought I would get this far, but I’m so grateful for everything I’ve been a part of.

Again, it’s totally not about winning, but I’ll admit that it does feel really nice to have my hard work appreciated. Just as drawing, I still feel like I have a lot of room for improvement in my cosplay, so winning a few contests here and there definitely helps my low self-esteem.

Do you prefer skits or walk-ons?

I’ve only ever done walk-ons. I’ve never had anyone to do a skit with and I don’t think I could pull one off on my own. I’d love to do one eventually, but for now, our panels are good enough.

How many friends have you made because of cosplay?

Quite a lot. My Instagram is full of cosplayers I’ve met at conventions and I love seeing their cosplays and drawings, it’s all so inspiring!

Do you attend photoshoots and meet-ups outside of conventions?

Occasionally. I’ve never done a professional photoshoot (though one day I’d like to,) but I have attended a few meetups. I’ve done one for Steven Universe, Once Upon a Time, Disney, and I actually accidentally walked into a Fire Emblem: Awakening one dressed as Laurent, so that worked out.

What is the funniest reaction you’ve gotten cosplaying from people outside of the community?

The best one was when I was dressed as Link and my friend and I were on the subway. There was a mom and her kid sitting across from us and she pointed to me and said to her child, “Look, an elf! You see? Santa’s got his helpers out all year round, so you have to be good!”

I also had another wonderful experience outside of a con dressed as Link, though it’s not as funny but more just a sweet memory. It’s quite a bit, but luckily I’ve already written about it for Zelda Universe so I’ll just link it here for anyone who’s interested. 

Name a few cosplays you’re planning to do next:

I’ve got to get Soren (Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance) done soon. I’ve been wanting to do this cosplay forever and I did start it, but I need to finally finish it. Dimitri (Fire Emblem: Three Houses) is also on my list to do next. Not sure about who else I want to do for sure, but some ideas that have floated around in my head have been Tilly Green (Big City Greens), Anna with her Frozen 2 look, Princess Peach (Super Mario), and a Thalmor Mage (Skyrim.)

What is your dream cosplay?

Princess Zelda from Twilight Princess. I’m still too scared to try to cosplay her. I bought a cheap starter costume that I was going to build off of and it wasn’t turning out the way I wanted, so I put it off again. One day I’ll feel confident enough to make her costume, but until then I’m totally satisfied with my Link cosplays.

What do you take into consideration when picking a character to cosplay?

Honestly, I just have to love them as a character and the costume itself has to seem do-able. I mean, I’m totally not opposed to buying cosplays if I really want to be a particular character, but like I said, making it means all the more to me. It’s my display of affection towards that character, the creators behind them, and the series as a whole.

Is cosplay serious business for you?

Yes and no. No because I don’t do it for money, likes, or internet fame. I do it because it’s fun and what I like to do. Yes because I go all out when I cosplay. I do everything I can to get the look the way I want it and I put my blood, sweat, and tears into it when I make them by hand. 

What is your favorite thing about cosplay?

Everything: Dressing up as a character I love, roleplaying them, taking photos, just everything! I would do it more often if I could!

How do you want to grow as a cosplayer?

I want to learn how to make more. I want to build armor, I want to learn new makeup and hairstyling techniques, and so much more. I’m happy where I am, but I know I can be better. I will watch others and learn from them and push myself to try new things!

Are you willing to answer questions and help other cosplayers?

Absolutely! I may not be a top dog of cosplaying, but if I can help someone with something I’ve learned along the way, I’m more than happy to help!

Writing

When did you start writing?

I started in middle school as well, I used to write a Nintendo fan fiction called “The Kirby Show,” where Kirby and his friends would get into wacky sitcom scenarios. They were really just knock-offs of the television shows I used to watch back in the day, but hey, everyone’s gotta start somewhere.

As for my original writing, I started that more in high school. I still wrote a lot of fan fiction at that point, but I was starting to develop my own characters as well. I thought it about time to think of my own creations, and I did. I remember I was in my Godmother’s car when I thought of the main three characters and since then the cast has expanded so much, their stories are much better developed, and the lore is much more solid.

When you were a beginning writer, what did you write primarily? What do you write now, primarily?  (i.e. romance, fan-fiction, poetry)

As mentioned before, I started out writing stories about characters that were not my own. Now I do all original writing — well, aside from my work at Zelda Universe. There I get to write about all the unique aspects of one of my favorite game series of all time, so there’s that as well. Writing there has helped me start writing little fandom topical posts for my own blog, such as top 10’s, reviews, and other things along those lines. 

How often do you write?

I make it a habit to try and write at least a half-hour a day. If I’m really on a roll, I could write up to a few hours a day before I get burnt out. Even though I’m not always writing, I’m always developing the stories in my head. 

When is your favorite time of the day to write?

I always write a half hour before I go to bed. The later it is, the more ideas keep rolling in. With my early hours for work now it’s harder to stay up late, but that doesn’t stop the ideas. I just gotta push myself a little harder to start earlier to have more time before I need to go to bed. 

Do you have a writing muse? If so, who/what?

Not in particular. I always just write about what I like and incorporate different aspects of my life into it. I guess I’m my own muse in that sense? I don’t know. I just write what I do know. 

What is your most popular lit piece?

Out of all my public pieces, I’d say either my “Animal Crossing Diaries” series or my “Endless Ocean” screenplay. “Vagabond” gets some decent attention as well, which is nice, but honestly, I’d be happy if there was just one person enjoying my work, so I really can’t complain. 

What is the piece you are currently writing?

Out of my public blog works, “Vagabond,” from my Zelda Universe collection I’m working on a character piece on Colin from Twilight Princess. 

What is the piece you most recently finished?

On my blog that would be my “Top 10 Favorite Fire Emblem Characters” list. For Zelda Universe, it’s actually a piece about Fire Emblem as well — It was DS week, I could write about whatever DS game I wanted to, of course I have to sneak in some Fire Emblem.

What piece are you most proud of?

While “Vagabond” definitely needs some more work, out of all the pieces I’ve posted publicly, that one is the one I am the proudest of. If anything just for Kurt and Maerwynn. They are two of my favorite characters to play around with and I’m so happy that somehow I was allowed to think these two up.

In my more private works, my fantasy story is my pride and joy. I feel so blessed to have been able to come up with these characters, and I do hope that someday I will be able to share them, whether on a television screen as I’ve always dreamed of in a novel of some sort. One day, maybe. 

What piece are you most disappointed in?

It’s not so much disappointment, but rather I’ve grown so much in my work, it’s very hard for me to look back at my first romance story. It’s a little cheesy and the dialogue is a bit clunky, some of the actions that my characters had performed totally go against what their characters have become now after spending a lot more time with them. It’s something I would love to revisit and maybe even go public with, but it’s going to take a lot of work. 

From all of your stories, who is/are your favorite character(s) and why? (try to limit it to 3)

Since I only published “Vagabond” online, I’ll stick to characters from this story in particular.

Maerwynn is definitely a favorite because she’s got a lot of qualities that I wish I was bold enough to enact myself. She speaks her mind without a care of what anyone else will think, even if it’s blatantly rude. She goes for her goals, even if they may seem ridiculous, and she pursues them with great passion and ferocity. Even with this rough and tough exterior, she’s still got a softer side that she’s just discovering in her new life at the palace. Now, I wouldn’t ever recommend being like Maerwynn ALL the time, but there’s definitely is a time and place where we could all be a little bit more like her, I think. Her confidence is the thing I admire most about her.

Kurt I connect with as well. Again, he says all the things that we all wish we could get away with at one point or another, but he knows he can because he’s royalty. However, he’s got so much going on underneath the surface as well with the complications of his past. He’s learning to open up, connect with others, and understand his feelings. Despite feeling restricted by the laws of his kingdom and the traditions of the royal family, he finds his own way to feel free and be himself. 

What is the best compliment you ever got on your writing?

My best friend who I’ve been sharing these stories with for as long as we’ve known each other told me the nicest thing not to long ago. I always laugh at myself for going so crazy in-depth with the lore and characters of my fantasy world, but she told me how she’s admired that and the love and care I put into each little thing was what made it so great. It really meant the world to me to hear that and I can’t thank her enough for all the love and support throughout the years! 

What is your main goal in writing?

I don’t know if there’s one main goal in particular, but I suppose if I had to pick just one, it would be to show good through the works of my characters and hope and pray that it inspires others to be like them. Kindness is growing scarce in the world, and if I can just inspire a little bit of it in someone, I suppose that’s all I can ask for. 

Have you ever been published?

No, but I am aiming for it. Once I complete Vagabond, give it another revise myself, and hopefully find an editor to give it another look over, I’d love to find someone to publish my book or even self publish on a platform like Amazon. Just something to get my work out there.

Questions asked by you

Who is an artist that you look up to? There are a few artists online that I follow who I just adore their work. Three that come to mind in particular are Bianca Roman-Stumpff, Bellhenge, and TheStarfishFace. Their art is so different from mine, but I think that’s probably why I love it so much (if that makes sense?)  They each have such a unique style and great subject material, I highly recommend giving them a look!

What did you think of “Frozen 2”?

I loved it. No secret that I’m a huge Frozen fan, so I was bound to like it. I was actually really nervous about how it was going to end, but I can say (without spoilers) that I am 100% satisfied with how it concluded. Also, Kristoff finally gets the spotlight that he deserves, thank you, Disney.

However, as much as I did love it, I do totally admit I do see flaws in it that could have been improved on. That being said, there was that in the first movie too and I stilled loved it. The characters have enough charm to keep the film entertaining throughout and I just adore them!

What does your family think of your art?

My parents have always encouraged me about my art and I know my grandmother loves it; I gave her a sweater with the art she liked of mine last Christmas and my mom says she wears it all the time. The rest of my family knows and supports my art as well, I  never really had any issue with my small art business and the family.

Any memorable cosplay experiences at a con?

So many. I’ve shared a few before, but I think I’d like to make a whole article on the great cosplay experiences I’ve had! There are so many to talk about and stories to share.

Is there a type of art that you would like to get into? I’ve seen a lot of people doing wood carving and burning, but that looks insanely difficult.

I’ve actually been considering wood burning, haha! It does look difficult, that’s why I’ve been hesitant, but maybe in the future I’d give it a shot. I think they’d make my Skyrim wood pieces look legit.

I’m really up for trying anything. If money wasn’t a thing, I’d have tried a lot more by now. In the future, I’d love to try needlepoint as well! 

Recently, I had been asked about some of the work that I do, and I thought a fun way to just that was to fill out a few questionnaires. Here I talk about some of the high and low points of doing what I do, what inspires me, and my process of creativity. Welcome all! If you're reading this, I'm assuming you're familiar with my work as either an artist, cosplayer, writer or any of the other creative things I do.

[tuckerenthusiast]

hey! any tips for developing your art style // any specific influencers / tutorials that helped you develop yours? thanks!

Ahhh, I’d say tips on how to develop art is pretty difficult to give! I always see art style as like a “nurtured” sort of thing, as in it’s something you develop depending on what media you consume, what artists you look up to, and if you have artist friends, what their styles are. 

At least, that’s how mine went!

I read a LOT of webcomics while I was in the biggest influential stage of my art (Hanna is Not A Boy’s Name, Boxer Hockey, The Meek, Homestuck). Der-shing also has a TON of really great tutorials on anatomy that I ate up as a teen. And not just for body, but for WRITING too. They are amazing.

Homestuck was mainly because it was one of the few communities that I was REALLY into and pumped art out the fastest for. It actually made me want to draw (which the only other fandom I’ve been in that has replicated that same feeling is well, South Park!)

Ranma ½ was my favorite manga as a child and I’m still in love with how soft the characters look? And the pastel colors?

And Milt Kahl’s hands are A+ gorgeous, I’m still studying hands actually so this is a continuing learning process, but I want to reach the level of expression that he has in his hands. they’re HANDS dude but they have so much character!!!!

(and i suggest just doing a MARATHON of short animations on youtube, sheridan is good but ESPECIALLY gobelins they are… fantastic and theres so much talent oh god)

And then finally, yeah, just any artists on Tumblr that you admire, man. ESPECIALLY YOUR FRIENDS They’re going to consciously or subconsciously influence your style. Other than fandom, I don’t think I’ve learned more about how I wanna draw than when I was on Tegaki with a bunch of friends or pchatting, and I’ve seen a lot of people who are friends where you can pinpoint bits of their styles that are obviously influenced by each other.

so if i had any tip, again, AS GAY AS IT IS… keep drawing! C O N S U M E all media. Read artbooks (i own a few!), watch cartoons, play video games. There’s a lot of fear in copying someone’s style, but unless it’s deliberate, it’s kind of impossible when you have SO many influences and then put yourself and your preferences in it (there’s a meme that’s around that’s weird in that a lot of artists LOOK like their art style so i naruto voice believe it!)

[celestianvices]

Naruto

[tag: ninja vice]

Name: Ciavera Song Age: 23 Race: Oni Rank: Chunin Village: Nadeshiko village (Land of Water)  (Originally from the Land of Ogres) Elemental Style: Water (or possibly Ice) Height: 5'6 (human) 6'0 (oni) Weight: 145lbs (human) 225lbs (oni) Hair: Black (normally), White (oni) Eyes: Jade Green (normally), Red iris w/ gold eyeball (oni) Skin: Pale (normally), Blue (oni)

Physical Description: Normally, Ciavera appears as a comely young woman with pale skin and long, straight hair that falls almost past her knees. Her hair is inky black and glossy, with a clean edge along her bangs and the ends of her hair, framed by slightly longer sections on the side that have a sharp slanted edge to them. Her eyes are a clear jade green color and her lips are painted red, with a similar color marking the edges of her eyes. Her clothing is simple and designed for comfort and ease of movement, consisting of a dark teal top and a long, coal colored skirt. Her feet are partially wrapped by gauze which extends up her leg, stopping below her knees. Her ninja headband is often worn either on top of her head (rather than across her forehead) or as a belt, and bears the mark of the Nadeshiko village, marred by a horizontal line through the center. She is often seen wearing what looks to be a tiger pelt.

When she assumes the shape of the Oni, her clothing remains the same. However, her skin color changes to a blue color and her hair becomes white. Her eyes gain red irises and golden yellow eyeballs as well and her body takes on a more monstrous appearance, shooting up to 6ft in height as her teeth become more sharp looking. Avera gains long, sharp claws on her fingers and toes, and a pair of short, pointed horns on her head.

Background: Born to a dwindling tribe of Oni living in the Land of Ogres, Ciavera’s childhood was (like many) rough and bitter. Her family lived in the mountains near a small village, but their relations with the humans had never been good, and when she was very small, the villagers hired assassins, hunters meant to drive out and exterminate the perceived threat the little colony held for them.

They came in the night when the oni were vulnerable and began a bloody massacre that decimated the entire group. Only Avera and her mother made it to safety, though her mother was badly injured in the battle to keep her little one safe. Escaping down the mountain and from there, crossing the border into other lands, she eventually brought her child to the village of Nadeshiko in the Land of Water before the woman at last succumbed to her injuries and died, leaving toddler Avera as the last of their tribe.

The village took her in and decided to raise her, and soon learned what a challenge that would be when her oni nature began to manifest in the form of unusual strength and random transformations that changed her hair and skin color, and gave her horns. These physical changes tending to manifest when the girl was angry or upset. She eventually gained control of these abilities, but not until she was a bit older. In fact, they began the girl’s ninja training as a means of teaching her these things, and as she excelled in her studies, so did she quickly gain a hold on her natural powers and abilities.

This however didn’t seem to curve her oni nature, and Avera grew up spoiled and bratty just the same, developing a taste for alcohol at an early age and often getting into trouble for petty theft and a poor attitude when dealing with authority. She fought with them often, and the more advanced she became with her training, the more difficult she became to handle.

She had always been attractive, and only became more so as she grew older. So despite her attitude and mannerisms, men still came to challenge her for her hand in marriage, as was the custom in that village. However, none were able to best her in single combat, and many a suitor was sent packing at the end of the heavy mace she carries as her preferred weapon. In the midst of these challenges, Avera attained the rank of chunin, passing the exam and showing that to get what she wants, the oni girl could even work with others in a team setup. Unfortunately, this was as far as her training would go.

The power she’d shown during the exam caused great concern for many of the more powerful members of the Land of Water’s upper class. They began to wonder if this rebellious and unruly woman wasn’t more of a threat to them than an asset. These fears were bolstered by the arrival of a stranger; a participant in the attack 16 years earlier in the Land of Ogres. Whether this person had tracked the girl down, or just came across her by chance was impossible to say, but he took it upon himself then to reaffirm their fears and as a result several of them pooled their resources in order to higher the best assassin they could; the child prodigy named Ling.

Rather than face her head on at first, when he arrived he was accompanied by a group of four other ninja, all highly trained. These were to provide valuable intel on the targets fighting style, skill, and strength. He got some of that information, but at great cost. Only one of the four returned to him, stumbling, fearful, and missing an arm. The ninja was only able to impart a small amount of information before dying from the massive injuries left by the encounter.

Ciavera hadn’t meant to let that other assailant go, but there was no time for her to worry about that now. She knew she had to get out of the village and run as far as she could, just as she and her mother had when she was a child. She brought the sparse few items that held sentimental value to her along and without even so much as a good bye to the villagers the woman made her way out into the wilderness and away from the village.

If she thought she’d be able to take cover there while she collected herself and formed a strategy of escape, Avera was wrong. Even with a days time separating her fleeing with the young assassin’s pursuit, he caught her trail easily by sensing her chakra and following the clear path straight to her.

The battle that ensued once he finally confronted her was intense, and dragged on for hours before he finally gained the upper hand, after which point he took full advantage of the gained ground, beating her until she was within an inch of her life. Even still, lying on the ground in the dirt and her own blood from the fight, she still raised her clawed hand in a weak attempt to scratch at him, her kanabō tossed somewhere out of her reach. She was beaten, and there was no way she could effectively prevent him from dealing the finishing blow. And yet…

He couldn’t do it. Even after the loss of his warriors and the grueling battle that had followed, he could not finish her. She kept her eyes fixed on his right up until the moment she lost consciousness, only then returning to the pale and elegant appearance that was natural for her, beaten and bloodied though she was. He couldn’t bring her back to the village like that, and so instead he brought her to a small hut, his now empty base of operations. Against everything he’d been trained to do up til that point, the young man cleaned her wounds and lay her on a mat on the floor.

When she woke up, her appearance changed almost instantly back to the intimidating oni, and treating her injuries was slow going. Not that it was so surprising, who wouldn’t be distrustful when shown kindness by the very person who’d attempted to end their life?

Time passed, and she began to calm down. He brought her fish, which turned out to be a favorite food of hers and so a good peace offering. She began to talk to him, and he learned more of the details of where she’d come from, and what had happened there.

That was three years ago, and since then her trust has not only been earned, but proven time and again. The two of them became rogues, sticking together, living and acting for their own benefit, and for each others. The attachment that has formed between them since that first meeting has become unshakable, with Ling often introducing or referencing Ciavera as his wife, and Avera calling him her husband as well.

Recently, they seem to have come up with a plan involving the recruitment of other outcasts from many different Lands. It’s a plan that is mostly kept secret for now however.

Powers and Abilities:

Oni form: The natural ability all her clan has to change from her human form into the horned and bue skinned oni form (as described in the physical description section)

Oni Strength: Avera’s strength is far above that of an average or even well muscled woman of her height and build. She can lift and swing large objects that would normally be too heavy for other people to use with only one hand.

Weapon proficiency – kanabō: This weapon is made of a solid and incredibly heavy metal, usually intended to be wielded with two hands, however Avera’s strength allows her to use it with just one hand.

Oni claws: When in her oni form, Averas fingers and toes end in sharp and durable claws which she can use as a secondary weapon should her kanabo be taken out.

Elemental focus – Ice: Avera's elemental jutsus mostly revolve around ice, though there are a few water techniques thrown in there as well, mostly for the purpose of use in conjunction with the ice jutsus.

Chakra pool: Her capacity is fairly large, though there are definitely people with more to draw from than hers.

Martial Arts Expertise: Avera has always excelled at hand to hand combat, and has kept up with her training even after leaving Nadeshiko village.

Item transformation: Avera’s weapon is carried around on her person in the form of a kiseru pipe. When she hits people with it, her blows can confer the full force of the kanabo.

Drunken Master: Avera drinks often and to excess. This does nothing to hinder her martial arts expertise.