Fantasy Art, Odds & Ends

[Kaytara]

Anyone remember me? I had a thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103046)here a while ago, which is now sadly past the point of resurrection.

So here's my new one. Unlike "OotS Scribbles', this one should remain relatively free of any OotS stuff, because my obsession has run its course and also because I'm jumping on the bandwagon of every other artist out there and whoring for attenti trying to get more exposure.

First, a link to the past. The "Melodramatic Elf" and "Tree Dragon" pictures some people liked so much in the old thread? Finished by now. :smallamused: Behold the progress:

Melodramatic Elf
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/8383/cryingelf.png
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/5822/cryingelfwip.png
http://th09.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/f/2010/272/3/c/story__s_end_by_kaytara-d2zlcyn.png


Tree Dragon
http://fc05.deviantart.com/fs45/f/2009/148/4/1/Myth_by_Kaytara.png
http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/8828/dragonpreview.png
http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/022/2/9/legend_by_kaytara-d35feyz.png


And now for some new stuff:

Angry elf:
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/2797/angryelf.jpg
Lovey-dovey love scene of an elf couple: (NSFW?)
http://img573.imageshack.us/img573/6866/candlelight.png
Cute little elf child:
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/3166/elfchild.png
Current work-in-progress:
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/5499/snowunicorn.png

Please do not quote the images in your replies. It kills bandwidth and the little pictures suffer.

[Serpentine]

Heeeeeey. I've already favourited that tree dragon. Better go save the new one! Because it's amazing.

[Nosferocktu]

Umm... I am at a loss for words... specially with the dragon and the elf-cliffside... why haven't you been picked up by a gallery?

[aart lover]

very win. i guess you thing for elves, right? s'okay, i'm a fellow fanatic:smallwink:. anyways, i'm glad you're posting art again, i especially liked how you showed the progression of the drawings.

[Kaytara]

Thanks, guys. ^^ Yes, I'm an elf fanatic, and am almost not ashamed to admit it. :P

@Nosferocktu: Thanks, but artistic ability is a dime a dozen these days. It takes something really unique, like a really memorable style, to attract any attention these days, and it's right like that. Being on a huge community like Deviantart can be really humbling. :smalleek:

Here's a couple new pictures to appease elf fanatics. ^^

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/1432/gorelf.png
http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/7469/elf2.png
http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/3104/elvesb.png

Just what is it that makes elves so appealing that "there's, like, eleven subtypes of them"?

[Nosferocktu]

I think maybe you should talk to wizards of the coast and see if the have anything in the works for Magic the gathering. I honestly think that maybe you could get some of your stuff onto cards. Or maybe even into Pathfinder or DnD books. Thats just my honest opinion.

[Serpentine]

Hmm... Your faces are lovely, but it looks like you could use some more work on your hands.

[Kaytara]

You did not see any hands. :smalltongue:

[Ninjaman]

You are damned good Kaytara. also how do you make them, are they drawn in hand and coloured on the computer?

[Gorgon_Heap]

artistic ability is a dime a dozen these days


I heartily disagree. I think maybe your perspective is skewed because you speak with other artistically or creatively-minded people to review your work.

Of pretty much everyone in my family and/or friend groups I'm the only person with any ability to draw, and I've never progressed beyond character portraits.

That tree dragon of yours is gorgeous - detailed, lithe, and evocative. Ditto some of the elf images.

The fact is not that everyone out there is a good artist; it's that anyone with a modicum of talent today has at his/her disposal all necessary to self-promote till Ragnarok.

Chin up. Your stuff is the bees' knees.

[aart lover]

one more thing, i've noticed that in a lot of your art you come up with many symbols and rune-like things, shown as tattoos, markings on clothing, etc. just how do you come up with them? i've tried and usually end up with not so good stuff, but then maybe i'm just not so creative.:smalltongue:

[Kaytara]

I've been neglecting this thread again, but I have a semi-excuse of going through finals right now. :P

@Gorgon_Heap: I didn't mean to sound depressed and dissatisfied with my work, but thanks nonetheless. Maybe you're right. XD

@aart lover: That's funny, my runes and stuff strike me as horribly unoriginal and unimaginative. O.O I just draw random swirls and then liberally drop some more swirls and dots to fill the space without clashing with what's already there. Regardless of the symbols themselves, though, it's always important to follow the shape of the surface, be it a human limb or a piece of clothing.

@Ninjaman: It's both. :P Anything really scribbly-looking tends to be pencil-drawn and scanned, anything relatively smooth-looking and vividly coloured is usually digital. Sometimes I draw digitally from scratch, sometimes I work over a previously scanned pencil picture - in fact, that's how I did the tree dragon, as can be deduced from the WIPs.

Anyway, a few more pictures before I completely disappear into the maw of final exams!

http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/062/e/4/dark_elf_lady_by_kaytara-d3athgi.png
http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/062/3/4/bak__complementary_by_kaytara-d3atmti.png
http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/062/a/4/elf_rider_by_kaytara-d3atg47.png
http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/062/c/2/elf_provoking_peta_by_kaytara-d3ath94.png
http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/9733/elfyelf.png
http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/1384/elfyelf2.png
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/3038/elfyelf3.png
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5171/elfyelf4.png
And now for something very different: XD http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/056/0/3/lady_in_long_robes_by_kaytara-d3adhv6.png

Is it too much? Let me know if it's too much. ^^

[Ninjaman]

Those are good.

[billtodamax]

You're an amazingly talented artist.

Just a heads up.

[Kaytara]

Just finished a little full-colour pic for a change! :D

A (biologically infeasible) microscopic dragon chilling with some e. coli bacteria. :D

http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/066/1/1/draconis_primordialis_by_kaytara-d3b4faa.png

[licoot]

Just finished a little full-colour pic for a change! :D

A (biologically infeasible) microscopic dragon chilling with some e. coli bacteria. :D

http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/066/1/1/draconis_primordialis_by_kaytara-d3b4faa.png

that is just awesome

[Ninjaman]

The most dangerous dragon in the world!
Capeable of destroying kingdoms without any hinder!
And it is so cute.

[Symmys]

Wow. Just, wow.

If you don't mind me asking, how's that work-in-progress from the first post coming? It looks like it's going to turn out really cool.

[Serpentine]

Awwww. Bootiful! :smallbiggrin: ...and a little creepy :smalleek:

[aart lover]

pure fantabulous win:smallbiggrin:. so is there a story to go along with all the elves in full winter-gear?:smallconfused:

[Bangladeath]

I enjoyed this, good show sir...

[Kaytara]

@licoot: Please don't quote actual images. ^^; It kills bandwidth. That aside, thanks. ^^

Huh, here I thought the bacterial dragon was more "cthulhuesque horror" than "cute". XD Ah well. :D

pure fantabulous win:smallbiggrin:. so is there a story to go along with all the elves in full-winter gear?:smallconfused:

There is. There once was a little girl who liked to watch her dad play videogames. After they finished one of the games, called Betrayal at Krondor, she was very distraught over how sadly things had ended. She couldn't stop thinking about it, so when she found out that the game was based on a series of books, she started reading them, and they became the first fantasy series she grew to love. She loved some of the characters and races in that world more than others, especially the Native American-esque Northlands-dwelling extremely cool dark elves, so she kept obsessively drawing them. Till the end of time. The end.

And now you know. :P

Wow. Just, wow.
If you don't mind me asking, how's that work-in-progress from the first post coming? It looks like it's going to turn out really cool.

Thanks. ^^ Heh, now that you mention that... It's coming along pretty well. ^^ It's the first time I've tried to draw snow-covered trees, and it's been a long time since I did anything with moonlight, but the work's gotten a lot smoother. Starting and laying the foundation is always the hardest part.

http://img862.imageshack.us/img862/3749/snowhut.png

And because I just can't stop making fun of this pic:

http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/069/c/4/beware_migraines_by_kaytara-d3bbcwa.jpg

[Ninjaman]

That house iss amazing. Now it just needs a pair of red eyes in that darkness.

[Serpentine]

Or maybe a reflection in the (what I presume is) water at the front, of something that isn't there.

[Kaytara]

(There'll be a unicorn, there, you know. :D Standing on water. Or something. XD)

YES! Finals are over! ^^ (For now, at least.) How shall I celebrate? What shall I draw? Suggestions, anyone? :P

[Ninjaman]

(There'll be a unicorn, there, you know. :D Standing on water. Or something. XD)

YES! Finals are over! ^^ (For now, at least.) How shall I celebrate? What shall I draw? Suggestions, anyone? :P

An elven wizard who have finally completed researching his Über spell.

[billtodamax]

A cat!

:D

I like cats.

[Kaytara]

How about the best of both worlds? :D

(Yes, sloppily shaded. Live with me. I have to learn to do these things fast. XD)

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/2244/elfcatwizard.png

...I have no idea why the elf is the one who looks like he ate the proverbial canary. O.o

Oh wait, now I do! The elf is actually the cat, switched bodies with the cat by accident, and now he's going to cast the spell to switch them back... or so one of them THINKS. >D Muahah.

[Ninjaman]

Cool Kaytara. It looks nice. Now you just need to color it :smallbiggrin:

[billtodamax]

Kitty! :smallbiggrin:

Name him Ted!

[Serpentine]

Kitty! :smallbiggrin:

Name him Ted!The elf is Snuggles.

[Kaytara]

Hello again! :)

I suppose the two poor guys have no choice but to accept your Christening. xD

On an unrelated note, here's some more elfy goodness...

And that should make it clear where I've been this past week. ^^

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/2483/fenfen.png
http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/7365/fenfen2.png

[aart lover]

yo. leaf/plant armor?

[Kaytara]

They're feathers, actually. :P

And here's the second one complete with sloppy colouring! Except for, you know, colour. XD

http://th08.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2011/112/d/8/da2__perils_of_hair_bleach_by_kaytara-d3ek7p0.png

[aart lover]

ah, i see now. pretty cool, the colouring's not too sloppy. great work, an elf fanatic couldn't wish for more:smalltongue:

[Saeyan]

hey Kaytara! just dropping by to say hi.

That hair looks nice. You have good ideas.

[Kaytara]

Thanks, Saeyan. :D

By "good ideas", you mean "jumping on the bandwagon of drawing Fenris from Dragon Age 2 just like every other artist and their dog"? :P

I've finally finished that cold and snowy picture of a hut in cold and snow. Voila!

http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/119/8/9/in_winter__s_chill_by_kaytara-d3f652m.png

[Ninjaman]

Beutifull. Much better than glowing red eyes.

[aart lover]

very nice:smallbiggrin:. the unicorn is a nice touch.

[Saeyan]

I don't know about Dragon Age 2. Played about 15 minutes of the first and freaked out. But I am going to try again after my exams at the end of the year.

The newest piece is lovely. Very nice handling of the rim lighting on the unicorn's body especially, and I really like those trees.

Minor criticism:

The eye level feels a little bit inconsistent to me. I'm not good enough to explain why, though. But I think it has to do with the unicorn.
The light coming from the window falls off very quickly as can be seen from the snow. The hut is also not very tall. Since the water is some distance away from the wall of the hut I think the reflection of the window in the water would not be so obvious, if there at all. It makes for an interesting warm accent though.


A little paintover to accompany it - the image changes every 5 secs (I hope you don't mind)
http://i.picasion.com/pic40/13bdeedbf4e93d342de2fdd5d9338100.gif
What I did:

got rid of the
pushed the value organization a bit further to focus attention on the unicorn
removed some stars...
toned down water reflections (they can get a bit distracting)
a tiny bit more in cast shadows


And lastly I must compliment you on that rim light again!

[Kaytara]

Thanks for such thoughtful feedback, Saeyan. :D

1) You're totally right. Physics have no place in this picture. I call artist's license. XD I mostly just did the window's reflection on the water because I wanted to. Plus, I think it does a nice job of guiding the eye down to the unicorn, negating the need for the shading-down you did.

2) That said, the shading-down, especially on the trees, does make it look somewhat more realistic. Don't feel as cold, though, at least to me. Public opinions, anyone? With dark values like that, though, I find that it's often an issue of personal monitor settings. Those shadows look plenty dark enough on mine already.

3) Feel like the lake looks a bit empty with the toned-down reflections, though, and the unicorn sticks out a bit (especially with the way its position breaks symmetry in the composition), whereas the reflection lines in the original make it blend in a bit more.

Now, where I really messed up is where the unicorn is standing on water, i.e. the water rings - water structures that, apparently, just crisscross with the water structures already there and constituting the horizontal reflection lines in the water. But let's pretend I didn't just point that out. XD

[Ninjaman]

Personally i like the original the best. It might not be as close to reality but it captures the scene better. I think of it as artistic freedom.

[Savannah]

I, too, prefer the original. We can't exactly be complaining of a lack of realism with a unicorn in the picture :smalltongue:

[TheBlackShadow]

Wow, nice Fenris there, some of the best artwork I've seen (probably *the* best, come to think of it, not that I've spent a lot of time looking, but still). Pity I never got along brilliantly with him, since I played a mage the first time around, but it wasn't until the end that our relationship became particularly... explosive, shall we say. :smallamused:

If you're a Dragon Age fan, how about some Merrill while you're at it. Please?

[Kaytara]

What, you blew him up? :smalleek: But he can side with you no matter what, if he respects you enough! O_O

Merrill? I dunno. I can't think of her without imagining her as all anime and huge-eyed (because face it, she is). I'll see what I can do. :D

I, too, prefer the original. We can't exactly be complaining of a lack of realism with a unicorn in the picture :smalltongue:

I didn't want to be the one to bring that up, but yeah. XD However, I'm of the "Like reality unless stated otherwise" school of thought and e.g. loathe it when "It's fantasy!' is brought up in discussions about books to excuse lack of research or unrealism in mundane matters, like how long an untrained farmer can swing a hammer in battle without collapsing of exhaustion (I'm looking at you, Paolini). XD


I'm currently working on something I dug up, having started and abandoned it in summer 2007. Below is what it looked like when I left it. :D Currently trying to reduce overall suckiness and colour stuff in. Spent the last four horus straight drawing, just like good old times. ^^

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/4088/hallsketch.png

[Ninjaman]

I will be looking forward for the colored version.

[Prime32]

However, I'm of the "Like reality unless stated otherwise" school of thought and e.g. loathe it when "It's fantasy!' is brought up in discussions about books to excuse lack of research or unrealism in mundane matters, like how long an untrained farmer can swing a hammer in battle without collapsing of exhaustion (I'm looking at you, Paolini). XDHe has royal blood. Yes, that's it. <_<

[Kaytara]

No, it's the Power of Loooove(tm), as I hear it. T_T :smallamused:

Sneak peek. ^^ Hope to finish it today. O_O

http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/5343/hallpreview2.png

Yes, he no longer has eyes. Maybe the mask is just a particularly stylish pair of, uh, sunglasses?
...I seriously have no idea what's going on in this picture.

[Serpentine]

It looks bizarre.
<3

[Ninjaman]

*Steps back*
*Points at drawing*
Keep that thing away from me!
*Runs away*
*leaves a note on the way out saying: Love the shades*

[Kaytara]

Huh, bewildered fear wasn't really the reaction I was expecting.

:vaarsuvius: Exxxxxcellent. :smallamused:

An update! This is taking longer than I thought. I keep obsessing over details. The critters still need to be done. Still, painting for hours when you've been planning to go to sleep is fun. Good thing it's a weekend and that, as of a few weeks ago, I'm done with school forever. :D Ah, the sweet feeling of self-fulfillment!

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/148/2/1/fey_by_kaytara-d3hh0es.png

[Ninjaman]

:smalleek: I don´t know if I should start banging my hands together (as a gratitude), or let little watery drops down my face (in envy of your skills), or both (propperply the first).

Also congratulations (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=us3dQ0nnlHY)

[Kaytara]

Hah, hehee, uh, you do me too much honour. ^^; :smallredface:

Update time.

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/956/weirdunicorn.png

And this, kids, is what happens when you start colouring something without having the faintest idea what colour you'd like it to be, beyond "something dark", and then having even less idea on how the scattering of bright light would look on that colour, and in the process of trying to fit it into some larger colour scheme, as well. ¬_¬

Now I need to go sleep before I go insane or fall asleep. x_x

[Savannah]

....that is the creepiest unicorn horn I have ever seen. Somehow the curve just looks....wrong :smalleek: (In a creepy-wrong sort of way, not a incorrectly-drawn sort of way, I mean.)

I like the coloring, though. It's almost as if it's an unearthly, strange color, which works for a unicorn.

[billtodamax]

I adore that unicorn.

[Serpentine]

Cooooool. I can't wait to see the finished product.

[Ninjaman]

Creepy unicorn is creepy.

[Kaytara]

First (and main) birdie beast done.

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/7973/weirdbird.png

The final stretch. Only the background birdies and probably ten more hours of pointless and minor tweaking left.

...This is going to be one weird-looking painting. O_o

I think the mask guy and the unicorn are janitors. The guy has the keys, the unicorn does the floor wiping... with his feet.

...Yeah.

[Serpentine]

Sooooo coooool. The wings, especially, are beautiful.
This painting's gonna be gorgeous.

[Ninjaman]

Why are you so god damn awesome at drwaing? WHY!? why?

[Kaytara]

Thanks, guys! ^^

Ninjaman, I'll tell a horrible secret (for all of the internet to hear). As far as I'm concerned, it's 1% talent (and genetics), 99% practice x time.

I spent approximately twelve years of my thirteen-year school education (German system, don't ask) doing nothing but drawing in class. Year after year, about seven hours a day on average. (And that's not counting potentially hours of drawing/painting at home.) The teachers had to tolerate it because I was able to multitask enough to listen and participate in the lesson even while scribbling away at something and was the resident insufferable know-it-all and straight-A student, so technically speaking they had nothing to complain about. (May vary from school to school and from country to country, though.)

In short, my arc of art skill-building has been very, very level grindi practice intensive, probably a lot more so than for someone who takes art classes or something three times a week.

And now I have to study for my maths final on Monday (my recent bout of painting has presumably been a particularly creative form of procrastination), so I cannot in good conscience start another x-hour drawing session to finish it, but here are some quick rough sketches of cute elves. :P

http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/599/elfyh.png

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/2417/elfy2.png

[Saeyan]

mmm, elves...

I love your faces so much right now I cannot stop looking at them.
but watch out on linking the head coherently to the body!

PS: thanks for consistently being one of the 2 people who stop by my thread :smallredface:

[Serpentine]

Hey Kaytara, you should ootsify your microscopic dragon and woodland dragon for the current IA.
If you don't, I may :smalltongue:

[Kaytara]

Ba-DASH! As of Monday, I'm officially done with my final exams. I will now proceed to point and laugh at every kid I see on the street who's still trapped in that rat race.

mmm, elves...

I love your faces so much right now I cannot stop looking at them.
but watch out on linking the head coherently to the body!

PS: thanks for consistently being one of the 2 people who stop by my thread :smallredface:

It's nothing. :smallredface: And aargh, you've uncovered another of my weaknesses! I suck at necks, particularly the part where they connect to the back of the head. Any slightly unorthodox pose and my humanoids end up looking mutated.

Hey Kaytara, you should ootsify your microscopic dragon and woodland dragon for the current IA.
If you don't, I may :smalltongue:

I might take a shot at the microscopic one, but I'll go insane (and my computer will overload and blow up) if I try to do the tree dragon like that. O_O You're welcome to try, though. XD


First, a few little things...

I found this when digging through my pic folder today. It's one of my earlier attempts at painting Vaarsuvius. (Or rather, what it looks like after a filter to make it look decent.) So eh, why not share it? ^^;

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/8992/vportrait.png

This is... Arya... from Eragon... drawn on a dare. It's probably the corniest-looking piece of fantasy I've ever done. I feel dirty. XD (Which, given that I've done illustrations for OotS crack pairings, of all things, is saying something.)

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/2673/aryaz.png

A sketch for a sort of continuation picture for the tree dragon:

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/8320/treedragon2.png

But finally... at long last... X_X

http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/159/9/6/travellers_by_kaytara-d3if64n.png

Ugh. I refuse to touch this again. Sleeep now. Sleeeeeeeep. x_x

[billtodamax]

Soooooo cool.

New background get!

[Serpentine]

Wooooo! It's beautiful! :smallbiggrin: And I'd quite like to see more of that dragon...

[Ninjaman]

I saw this ealier but of some reason i didn´t post. Kaytara... Kaytara... i don´t know how to tell you this... The men in the whites robes called... to say that. You. Are. Awesome. Itself´s. Diety. Of. Epic. And. Awesomeness.

[Kaytara]

*hugs Ninjaman* D'awww, thank you!

I am now officially out of school. :D As in, officially officially. Prom night was unexpectedly fun, and the graduation ceremony not too boring. MUAHAHAHAHA!

WIP of the dragon thing: it's for the Colossus contest on DA so I have to finish it by midnight PT, which for me means about 9 am on Monday... Best get to it!

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/8514/colossusx.png

[Kaytara]

Eeek. It took me about sixteen hours all in one sitting, more or less, but I did it, and finished with two hours to spare. :D (And later did a whole lot more of tweaking, too.)

And because I happened to make WIP shots while doing it, here they are:

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/9075/wip1x.png

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/6930/wip2of.png

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/298/wip3v.png

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/8572/wip4d.png

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/3818/wip5o.png

Finally, the finished version...

http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/294/wip6.png

Close-up:

http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/171/d/9/uprooted_ancient___closeup_by_kaytara-d3jf8l8.png

I'm finally done, but I dunno. Feels like something is missing, and I'm not the only one who feels so. The composition bothers me, a bit - all that empty grass space. Oh well.

And now a teaser of another weird thing I've started on an impulse, without any plot or plan or sketch. I'm just asking for trouble, aren't I? XD

http://img863.imageshack.us/img863/2772/fairyj.png

[Ninjaman]

That dragon is awesome :smallbiggrin:. You rock!

[billtodamax]

The empty space around the front of the piece on his tail. Other than that it's excellent.

[Silviya]

Wow, your art is really, really awesome. I especially like all the dragon pictures you've done. And the picture with the elf hunter person on the unicorn and the bird things. It's dark and magical and otherworldly and frightening all at the same time. Your art is just amazing.

What program do you use for your digital pieces? Is it photoshop, painter, or something else?

You've got posing down. I see a lot of art that is otherwise good fall flat because the pose looks stiff/unrealistic/unnatural (my art included . . . .), but the poses you draw are really nice and fluid. And I like the faces on the elves too. They don't look quite human, but the inhumanness adds to the picture instead of taking away from it. They don't fall into the uncanny valley, but they look just slightly inhuman and more elven. This is a really hard balance to get I've found, but you've got it perfectly.

You know how to use color. So many artists I've seen just slap on color without thinking if all the colors work together, but the colors in your pieces all work well together. Especially in the picture with the elf hunter and the unicorn and the bird things.


Are you looking into any sort of art related careers? I could see you becoming a professional artist.

[Kaytara]

Thanks, Silviya, for such detailed feedback. It's funny (and pleasantly surprising) to hear positive feedback on my poses, because I usually have the hardest time positioning the legs and figuring out where to put the arms. :D The comment about the elf faces was also very reassuring to read, as I was unaware of this - but on reflection, you're right that it's a difficult issue when drawing elves. To hear that I'm doing well is... good to hear. :D

(I find it interesting that you describe the black-masked guy as a "hunter". May I ask what gave you that impression?

I make the digital pictures in Paint Shop Pro 8. It's effectively Photoshop, as I hear, only not as expensive. Sometimes I use a previously scanned pencil drawing as a base for the shading and line work.

While I've sometimes idly considered the possibility, I do not plan to go professional. One of the reasons is that, bluntly, it's a cutthroat industry. As a freelancer, one is constantly on the lookout for jobs, and constantly competing against fellow artists, and needing to calculate one's fees and costs to the point of making it a science. As a long-term employee in, say, design or concept art... still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I don't want to have to think about deadlines or have to constantly balance quality with efficiency. Besides, other people telling me what to draw? I have no doubt that it can feel very rewarding, particularly if the project happens to be interesting, but I very much doubt that "doing art for a living" would really be the dream job it sounds like to a beginner artist. My best friend took art as an advanced subject in high school and I always shuddered to hear of the "do 20 sketches in the next forty minutes" type of assignments.

So I'd rather keep art a fulfilling hobby, though doing the odd commission is nice, particularly now that I'm applying for college - though it helps that, here in Germany, college tuition fees are only about 1500 USD per year. (No offense to most of you, but I'm glad I don't live in the USA... I can't imagine the pressure of trying to do art to support a college education.)

Anyway, rambling aside, some more roughish scribbles, mostly of elves.

The next step in the "small elf and huge wood dragon" series. It's apparently becoming a series, yes.
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/4392/dragonmenace.png

A random face:
http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/7845/handsomeface.png

A random face of an elf who turned out looking terrifyingly like MJ.... O_O
http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/4536/mjelf.png

Now, because I finally worked up the nerve to post something even more unfinished/minimalistic...

http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/190/d/e/chieftain_by_kaytara-d3lino8.png

And now for lots of elves dressed for cold weather....
http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/9656/gorathbird.png


http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/3223/furryelfwoman.png
http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/9366/furelfgirl.png
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/6923/furryhatelf.png

(Yay for smallish feet! And yes, the fur hat is... random. O_o)

I've found that the pencil drawings look a lot less rough and scribbly (which is mostly an artifact of the scanning process) and more smooth if I just apply a certain Soften effect on them. How does it look?

[Ninjaman]

Make an elf who isn´t dressed for cold weather (in cold weather).

[Silviya]

Yay, more pictures! I love all the tree dragon pictures you've done so far, and that sketch looks awesome.

(I find it interesting that you describe the black-masked guy as a "hunter". May I ask what gave you that impression?

Huh, I just realized you never stated that the elf was a hunter. I think I got that impression because, for me at least, there seems to be some sort of story behind that drawing. I'm not sure if you intended for there to be a story to it or not, but it feels like there's a story there. For me, that story was the elf and the unicorn are companions walking through some ethereal land, either a path between worlds, a sort of other dimension thing, or a dream world. The sky and the sort of rainbow shimmer everything has added to this impression. The bird things seemed to be creatures of that ethereal world, especially given that their colors match the world around them while the elf and unicorn stood out. I can't exactly describe what gave me the impression that the elf was a hunter. Probably a combination of his stance, his clothes (he seems to be wearing a lot of different furs and feathers on his boots and cloak and such), and . . . I don't know, exactly. The story of the piece, to me, is that the elf travels between world with the unicorn, hunting strange beasts and searching for lost relics.

. . . . I'm reading way too much into that drawing and the story behind it. I do that with a lot of drawings I like *shrugs*.

[CWater]

Oh, hey, you have a new thread! Heh, and you just keep getting better and better, Kaytara!:smalltongue:

That picture with the elf, unicorn and dragon-birdies is gorgeous and I was already dead tired of my old final fantasy wallpaper...I hope you don't mind me using your pic?:smallwink:

Could do some more detailed commentary for it and other pics too, but right now's a bit too late for me. Let's see in a few days:smallsmile:

[Kaytara]

Make an elf who isn´t dressed for cold weather (in cold weather).

...Don't tell me you want me to draw an elf in a fur bikini. XD


Yay, CWater is back! Sure, use away. :D

Silviya - thanks for sharing your interpretation, and I don't think you're reading TOO much into it. Yes, I did have a story in mind - something pretty similar, actually. They're travellers between planes/worlds/dimensions, the birdie beasts are natives of that interdimensional space and are generally trying to attack them, but can't touch them as long as... Not sure. As long as they stay on the bridge? Keep that magical wand thing with them? As long as they don't look at the birdies? "You're safe as long as you don't look at X and/or just keep walking" is pretty common in fairy tales - just look at Orpheus and Euredike. So it's one of those possibilities - if nothing else, I just realised the "don't look at the birdies" caveat would at least explain why the "hunter" seems to be wearing a mask. Beyond that, I don't know much either, though. >D


Now, a random face I might do something with later:

http://img808.imageshack.us/img808/9974/wavyelf.png

I've spent the last four hours working on the new wood dragon one. A whole hour just on sketching and figuring out the composition, and then started on the background...

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/6254/encountersketch.png
http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/2016/encounter2.png

[Saeyan]

ohh I like that face a lot.

I also thought of Tiasal when I saw it. not sure why.

Since you haven't put in the figures yet, you could try looking in a mirror to check if that much of the sword arm will be visible from that angle we're seeing the body at.

[Ninjaman]

...Don't tell me you want me to draw an elf in a fur bikini. XD

No, don´t be silly. I want you to draw an elf in bikini, in a cold area, freezing.:smallbiggrin:

[Serpentine]

Sure, cuz there's not ten million-odd pictures of women in ridiculously inappropriately skimpy demi-clothes out there 9.9

[Ninjaman]

Sure, cuz there's not ten million-odd pictures of women in ridiculously inappropriately skimpy demi-clothes out there 9.9

But there are none drawn by kaytara. Also it could be a male in underpants for all i care.

[Armand]

Normally saying just 'good work' to an unknown artist (i mean personally unknown of course) isnt my style I can say that...
But some of these looks very nice. I, even capture one for to show my players as an half-boss npc description =) (one of your's masked elf, from page 2)
Thanks for that...

And as little point out, may I suggest to watch out for upper lip of your characters... This may improve their face slightly...

[Kaytara]

Thanks, Armand. :D

Guys, scantily clad women (and occasionally men) are, like, THE staple of fantasy art, at least as it was a couple decades ago. >_< I'm not sure if my conscience could bear it if I added more to it.

...But I'll think about it.

(Meaning that I'll ponder carefully how to technically answer Ninjaman's request while making the picture as far from scantily-clad eye candy as possible. >D)

For now, I'm progressing on the forest picture. A few teasers:

http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/8863/encounterteaser2.png
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/2756/encounterteaser.png


Since you haven't put in the figures yet, you could try looking in a mirror to check if that much of the sword arm will be visible from that angle we're seeing the body at.

Yeah, I think it works. It's probably not clear enough in the sketch, but his torso is turned somewhat towards the viewer, with his left shoulder slightly jutting out in relation to the right. We'll see.

[CWater]

Hi! I finally felt like getting some commentary done, so I guess here it is!:smalltongue: I dunno if it's any use for you, but hey, I get an excuse for staring at good pieces of art for minutes and no one can call me a weirdo:smallwink:

Oh, and I'm sorry that I quoted the images, I know how people hate that, bandwidth and all... But you see, you have so many pictures of elves that it would have been kinda hard for me to point out which one of them I'm talking about at each time:smallamused: I can remove them later, if you want.

First this!
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/2673/aryaz.png
Soo, this is the corniest thing you've ever drawn, huh?:smallamused: Heh, actually, I kinda like it. The contrast between the dark elf and the white horse is nice. It's a little more cartoonish than most of your works, but it's not a bad thing. Shadowing is done well, and only colour spot, the green eyes, is a nice touch. One of the eyes is a little off place though, but I can't say which one.


http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/159/9/6/travellers_by_kaytara-d3if64n.png
This has been said before, but this picture is amazing. I can see you worked on it a lot. The elf is cool (though I have to wonder how can he see anything from under that mask:smallbiggrin:), and when I compare him to that Vaarsuvius that I once had as my background I can see progress. This fellow's posture looks more natural and much less stiff. The cape and hair flow nicely. (I see the 'dramatic wind effect' is present:smallamused:) I'll also say that I really like the clothing on his torso and hand, the magic glow on his staff is well done too. Legs are fine, but a little more simplistic that the rest of him.

The dark unicorn is amazing. What comes to my mind is that there was originally a normal unicorn, but then someone bent its horn and the whole creature became a little twisted. Not necessarily evil, just twisted.:smalltongue: And it seems its kinda young, since it's so small compared to the elf. I have no nitpicking on the unicorn, it's just beautiful.

The flying creatures are really interesting. They look a little like birds, but there's also something lizardlike in them. The ones in the backround look hostile, but the one on the left does not. I don't know what was your intention with it, its pose is nice, but what is it doing? Is it trying to grab the elf with its claws? But it doesn't look angry...puzzling. XD I like the transparent wings and the greenish colour on the head.


http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/294/wip6.png
Calm. That is the strongest feeling I get from this pic. The tree dragon rising from the ground. The colours are very beautiful, though I believe you're right saying that the composition is not as good as it could be. I'm not sure what would be better though, perhaps the circle is too clear...
The close-up is...wow :smalleek: How do you have the patience and skill for all those details? This whole tree-dragon is an awesome creation, are you planning on drawing more of it?:smalltongue:


http://img863.imageshack.us/img863/2772/fairyj.png
Haha, this one is creepy. XD I think it's the eyes, the other looks at you and the other one past you... Is she swimming or flying? Nice posture, though her left arm is a little too long, I would say.


http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/4392/dragonmenace.png
I really like this one, I dunno why. It's just a sketch, but the layout somehow pleases me. I like how the elf has a sword, but he doesn't seem to be fighting with the dragon. He seems more like: "Hey now, don't come so close, the little one's scared of you." Or at least to me:smallbiggrin:
Are you going to finish it:smalltongue:


A random face of an elf who turned out looking terrifyingly like MJ.... O_O
http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/4536/mjelf.png
Ooh...nice, I like her expression. The other cheek has a quite sharp edge. Who's MJ?


http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/190/d/e/chieftain_by_kaytara-d3lino8.png
A little obscure, huh:smallamused: I wonder why, but every time I look at this I imagine there to be a sea in front of him.


http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/9656/gorathbird.png
This one's a nice one too...have I seen this elf before or am I just imagining... The bird's really well done. I suck at drawing animals myself, so I'm always impressed when someone does it well. XD The elf's face is good, but his body is kinda thin considering he appears to be wearing armour. Also, his right arm seems a little dead. I know, leftover arms are a pain.:smallwink: The legs are good, possibly slightly short, though that can just be my screen. You are good at drawing clothes, you know?


http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/3223/furryelfwoman.png
Hmm, her expression is quite dull...has she just gotten up? Also, her right hand is a bit off.


http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/9366/furelfgirl.png
Cute, can't think of anything else to say!


http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/6923/furryhatelf.png
Ooh, this one has very nice clothing and the flag flows well. I especially like the hat!:smallsmile: His expression is not very sharp either, but...it doesn't seem to be a problem in this picture! He looks like he's a little lazy, or maybe just relaxed. Like he was really sure of himself. Right hand is fine here, but it might seem slightly more natural if it was holding something or leaning against the rock. Just my humble opinion. :)


http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/6254/encountersketch.png
Hey, didn't I just see this:smallamused: Aw, now it looks a little like he's threatening the dragon...oh, well:smalltongue: The composition's nice in this one too.. Are they walking on the path or past it?


http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/2016/encounter2.png
The forest looks dark, a little threatening. I'll comment more when you're finished with this.


http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/8863/encounterteaser2.png
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/2756/encounterteaser.png
Pretty...I really like those hedgehogs!:smallredface:


And a few older pics from the first post:

http://th09.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/f/2010/272/3/c/story__s_end_by_kaytara-d2zlcyn.png
Did I ever see this finished? Oh, well, I see it now. Heh, I like the name "Melodramatic Elf". Hmm, maybe s/he is a little melodramatic:smallamused: It's still a beautiful picture though. Love the cape, is it shredding into...birds. Damn that sorcery:smallwink: I wonder why this happens. The lines on the mountain are more visible than in the rest of the pic, so they make the elf seem a little out of place, when looking from that side. If I ignore them and just look at the elf and the background, it's fine.


http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/022/2/9/legend_by_kaytara-d35feyz.png
I love this one, and I think I've said it before:smallbiggrin: The dragon is awesome, it looks it's really made of wood and earth. And that...elf I suppose, is just sitting there in peace under the tree (which is a nice detail too). I hope he knows what he's sitting on! :D It's also great how we can 'see' the setting sun, even if it's out of the picture! Absolutely beautiful colours, can say no more.:smallsmile: I could put this pic on my wall.


HUH, that was all for today! I'll post commentary again when there's new pics!:smallsmile:

And I repeat, I shall snip away the pics once I now you've seen this post!

[Kaytara]

Yeesh, CWater, you weren't kidding. O_O :D Thanks for all the critique - I'll go and read through it carefully after I've restored some semblance of a sleep schedule.

I'm done. Twenty-ish hours? I only just now - after using PSP8 for years - discovered (by accident) the option to "lock layer transparency" that lets you edit nothing but the colours of a layer's content without worrying about adding new lines. I feel like such a tool.

Obligatory hedgehogs, since it's for my mom's birthday.

Sleeeeeeep....

http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/198/1/d/strange_encounter_by_kaytara-d3xyow8.png

[Ninjaman]

Nice! Love the baby dragon.

Cwater MJ is Michael Jackson.

kaytara, you draw lots of elves so for your next draw a Hafling and a greater deamon in a bar fight.

[Kaytara]

It's been a while!

Been mostly chilling out and drawing stuff in a style I'm not comfortable with. Not done yet.

(Re)discovered a site called portraitadoption.com. It's a site where people go to find unique (!!!) portraits for their characters and stuff with a legal guarantee that nobody else will have a portrait like that, since the artist is obligated to not display, to have never displayed, and never display that picture anywhere online in the future (barring certain restrictions). I've registered and have been whipping up little stuff to post.

A belated reply to CWater:

The elf is cool (though I have to wonder how can he see anything from under that mask), and when I compare him to that Vaarsuvius that I once had as my background I can see progress. This fellow's posture looks more natural and much less stiff.
...Yeah, and the funny thing is that the posture for this one is based on a sketch that is way, WAY older than the Vaarsuvius one. XD

I don't know what was your intention with it, its pose is nice, but what is it doing? Is it trying to grab the elf with its claws?

I think it's trying to grab him, but is unable to touch him so long as he's... something. Standing on the bridge? Holding that wand thing? Not looking at the bird creature? Something.

Haha, this one is creepy. XD I think it's the eyes, the other looks at you and the other one past you... Is she swimming or flying? Nice posture, though her left arm is a little too long, I would say.
Kneeling on the ground and looking up at the moon. Yeah, that one still needs a lot of work. ^^;

Hey, didn't I just see this Aw, now it looks a little like he's threatening the dragon...oh, well The composition's nice in this one too.. Are they walking on the path or past it?
They'd probably be walking on the path, except, you know. Dragon. >D

So, CWater, since you've probably been the most amazing and thorough source of comments and critique I've ever had (and that includes my parents XD), how about's me draw you somethin'? Any requests? :D

Stuff I did in the meantime:

Coloured - sort of - that monochrome Fenris pic I had.

http://th00.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2011/199/f/d/fenris_debleached_by_kaytara-d40k5x1.png

And a unicorn. Because I apparently keep retreating to unicorns when I'm feeling art block-y.

http://th05.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2011/218/a/8/splendour_by_kaytara-d45nupl.png

[Saeyan]

unicorns ^_^
that is a nice portrait - I like the eyes especially. But the hair seems to be almost uniformly shiny despite the patterns of light and shadow hitting the rest of him.

[Kaytara]

I wanted the hair to be kind of glow-ish. :/

[Ninjaman]

Nice. Now draw something that isn´t an elf or a horse.

[Prime32]

Nice. Now draw something that isn´t an elf or a horse.*awaits pointy-eared centaur* :smalltongue:

[Kaytara]

:P

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/5007/centaurt.png

Something huge happened today on Deviantart. I got a Daily Deviation for the original wood dragon (http://fav.me/d35feyz) picture. O_O
I got, like, seven hundred page views in one day, and over two thousand faves for it.... O_O

Wow. O_O

Anyway, I started another picture with a wood dragon. I'll be using the technique of doing it in monochrome and then colourising it afterwards.


http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/3146/bondteaser.png

[Serpentine]

Yaaaaaaaay! :biggrin: It is a gorgeous picture.
I look forward to seeing both of those finished, too. The arms and hands are looking pretty good so far, although the head/face looks maybe a teensy bit funny.

[Kaytara]

Eh, I don't think I'll be doing much more with the centaur. It's not really my thing.

Update on monochrome one:

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/6112/bondpreview2.png

I got sick of doing things the hard way and made myself a bunch of custom brushes to make drawing grass and hair a lot more efficient. :D The brush itself is shaped like a bunch of dots, with Step (called something else in other programs, but it determines how continuously the brush is applied) set to 2, and pressure sensitivity for size turned off. I discovered something interesting - by setting the rotation to be pressure sensitive, the brush becomes perfect for twisty things, like somewhat curly hair, or gnarled stuff - the root-like things hanging off the dragon's jaw were done with just a few strokes of this twisty brush. :D A huge improvement over having to draw each line separately.

...Making shortcuts with custom brushes to make drawing more fun and less tedious is probably something I should've been doing for ages.

[CWater]

I'm done. Twenty-ish hours? I only just now - after using PSP8 for years - discovered (by accident) the option to "lock layer transparency" that lets you edit nothing but the colours of a layer's content without worrying about adding new lines. I feel like such a tool.

Obligatory hedgehogs, since it's for my mom's birthday.

Sleeeeeeep....

wood dragon on the path!
Ooh, beautiful pic once again:smallsmile: The elves look good, especially their hands are well placed. Also hair and clothes are very well drawn; that is clearly one of your strongest areas:smallsmile: If I wanna grab my magnifying glass and go nitpickery, I could say that the small elf's front foot looks a tiny bit too big. The bigger one's legs also get another glance from me, but they pass without comment.:smallamused: The overall look of the two is really nice, and I like the atmosphere of the forest around them. It's mysterious and somewhat dreamy. Where do those little blue sparks come from? Plus, I love the hedgehogs!!:smalltongue::smallbiggrin:

The little dragon is also very cute:smalltongue: and it fits in well in the surroundings. But the older dragon on the other hand, well, its colours are darker and it looks more...sharp than the rest of the picture, which makes it stand out. I dunno, it could have been your intention, but since the elves, who stand in front of the dragon, have that same dreamy look as the forest, which is behind it, it looks a little funny to me. ...did that sentence make any sense?

A belated reply to CWater:

So, CWater, since you've probably been the most amazing and thorough source of comments and critique I've ever had (and that includes my parents XD), how about's me draw you somethin'? Any requests? :D
Hee, thanks:smallredface: I know it's been a week (how did I miss updates made to this thread is beyond me), but still willing to take that request? :D

Stuff I did in the meantime:

Coloured - sort of - that monochrome Fenris pic I had.

*snip*
Cool:smallamused: I can't decide if this fellow's looking serious or sarcastic here. Those white lines on his neck, are they a tattoo? Well, whatever they are, they really capture one's eyes when looking at this pic. Hair is amazingly drawn as always, and the black feathers make a good contrast to it.:smallsmile:

And a unicorn. Because I apparently keep retreating to unicorns when I'm feeling art block-y.

*snip*
Pretty..:smallredface: No, I'm not feeling girly at all today...^^' The hair is quite shiny as Saeyan pointed out, but I don't think it spoils the overall look too much. Unicorns are magical creatures, so one could say it underlines that.:smallwink: And this unicorn has a beard! A feature that is so often excluded. It's well drawn here. Also beautiful horn and eyes.:smallsmile:

Something huge happened today on Deviantart. I got a Daily Deviation for the original wood dragon (http://fav.me/d35feyz) picture. O_O
I got, like, seven hundred page views in one day, and over two thousand faves for it.... O_O

Wow. O_O
I'm not too surprised, that picture is awesome.:smallbiggrin: Something that is hard to describe with mere words. One of the most beautiful works of art that I have ever seen. And that's saying something:smallwink:
Oh, congrats of course! ;D

Update on monochrome one:

*snip*
Hoo, I'm looking forward to see how this one turns out.:smallsmile:

[Saeyan]

congratulations, Kaytara! That wood dragon is one of your strongest pieces. Now you are only a few short steps away from joining the ranks of the DA elite.

[Kaytara]

The little dragon is also very cute:smalltongue: and it fits in well in the surroundings. But the older dragon on the other hand, well, its colours are darker and it looks more...sharp than the rest of the picture, which makes it stand out. I dunno, it could have been your intention, but since the elves, who stand in front of the dragon, have that same dreamy look as the forest, which is behind it, it looks a little funny to me. ...did that sentence make any sense?

Yeah, you're right... I'd noticed, but not really thought about it. It might be what's somewhat off about the picture - the dragon and everything else are in somewhat different styles. Oh well. :D


Hee, thanks:smallredface: I know it's been a week (how did I miss updates made to this thread is beyond me), but still willing to take that request? :D

Yes. Let's hope I won't regret it. XD


Cool:smallamused: I can't decide if this fellow's looking serious or sarcastic here. Those white lines on his neck, are they a tattoo? Well, whatever they are, they really capture one's eyes when looking at this pic. Hair is amazingly drawn as always, and the black feathers make a good contrast to it.:smallsmile:

"They are pure lyrium, carved into my flesh against my will."

In that universe, it's a toxic substance that, in a word, is magic juice.


My wood dragon pic now has over three and a half thousand faves... Exposure is a terrifying thing. But now the viewcount and stuff is back to slightly over normal. Teh fame! I feelz it slipping away!

congratulations, Kaytara! That wood dragon is one of your strongest pieces. Now you are only a few short steps away from joining the ranks of the DA elite.

Dun dun DUNNNNN! :P

Seriously, I think it'll be quite a while yet. XD

I haven't progressed on the other stuff yet, but I dislike posting empty-handed, so here's some other stuff I'd done earlier. One is a WIP, obviously. Painted from scratch with no sketch, plan or idea - kind of fun. Just trying to learn how to paint skin. Without pain.

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/8194/cullichcoloured.png

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/4654/gypsyelf.png

On an unrelated note, I think I'll leave out spoilertags now because they're a pain and don't actually have any bearing on bandwidth, and reserve them for huge screenstretching stuff.

[aart lover]

nicely done :smallbiggrin:

[Kaytara]

For my pencil-y work, I decided to have a go at OotS again. Because, face it, those scribbles of them in my previous thread, with tiny hands and feet and tiny muscles and deformed limbs, kind of... suck. :(

Guess who's up first? :D

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/3594/newvo.png

I'll be colouring this one in with markers, but decided to post the lineart too. If anyone else wants to have a go at colouring it, you're welcome to.

[jazylh]

I've skimmed through the entire thread & I got to say your art keeps getting better. the only suggestion I'd give as an illustrator is to work more on giving it a finished look. The portrait of the woman is Perfect tho. Terrific work there!

[Kaytara]

Thanks, jazylh. :D What, exactly, do you mean, by working more to give the pics a finished look? Most of the stuff I post here is WIPs and rough sketches, after all. Or do you feel that the finished pictures lack polish?

Anyway, here's my coloured V:

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/574/newvcol.png

[Kaytara]

This kind of came out of nowhere. O_O

I just thought I'd see if I could come up with anything for the newest DA contest - you have to draw an image that incorporates a few particular lines without changing their relation to each other. So I did. And suddenly I had this thing going.

I'm so glad I made these hair brushes.

About four hours.

http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/233/c/4/precious_by_kaytara-d47ey7f.png

Now I'm off for a week driving and hiking around Switzerland. (Muahaha, living in Europe is awesome.) Cheers!

[Serpentine]

Yessss, I saw that contest. Thought of entering it (Mr Squiggle, anyone?) but then I realised *actual* artists would be in it, like yourself :smalltongue:

[Ninjaman]

This kind of came out of nowhere. O_O

I just thought I'd see if I could come up with anything for the newest DA contest - you have to draw an image that incorporates a few particular lines without changing their relation to each other. So I did. And suddenly I had this thing going.

I'm so glad I made these hair brushes.

About four hours.

snip

Now I'm off for a week driving and hiking around Switzerland. (Muahaha, living in Europe is awesome.) Cheers!

Oooh pretty... And yes living in Europe is awesome.
*Invitates Kaytara to a high five*

[Kaytara]

*High five!!!*

So, I uploaded an acrylic painting I did for school two years ago. It's vaguely of my city's park. I like how the geese came out, but then again I used photo references for them.

http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/244/8/2/geese_in_the_park_by_kaytara-d48f7qg.png

Also, I've started on another random thing. It's one of those times when I pick up a sketch that's a couple of years old. I'm terrible at sticking to one project, aren't I?

http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/4848/overdue1.png

[Savannah]

That (cherry?) tree is amazing!

[Kaytara]

Thansk!

Not cherries, actually - the blossoms look more like lilies, if anything, though I'll be damned if I know what it's called.

Progress!

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/89/overdue2.png

[Savannah]

Oh, I think I know what kind of tree you're talking about, although I'm not sure what it's called either...

[Lady Moreta]

Thansk!

Not cherries, actually - the blossoms look more like lilies, if anything, though I'll be damned if I know what it's called.

Magnolia? (http://www.types-of-flowers.org/pictures/magnolia.jpg) Flowers kinda look like lillies, and the entire tree looks like this (http://www.visoflora.com/images/original/Visoflora-magnolia-180.jpg). Looks like what you painted - which, by the way, is awesome :smallsmile:

I have lurked in this thread for quite some time now, utterly in awe of how good you are :smallbiggrin:

[Kaytara]

Thanks, Lady Moreta! :D

Yes, that's right - magnolia. Not the kind like the one linked in the picture, but the pinkish kind, the saucer magnolia tree, like this:
http://www.about-garden.com/images_data/3523-magnolia-x-soulangeana-alexandrina.jpg

It's a stunningly beautiful flower. O_O

Update! I finished a commission of a wolf-y character, "Dove"! :D

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/256/a/8/commission__dove_by_kaytara-d49q19j.png

Detail shot!

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/9508/dovedetail.png

Also, here's the result of my recent participation in Sketch Fest at Ellen Million Graphics (http://www.ellenmilliongraphics.com/sketchfest/sketchfestprompts.php) (which is awesome and addictive and everyone should try it. Can be profitable, too. The people who leave the prompts are often tempted to buy the stuff they've inspired. I've made 34 dollars selling original sketches!

http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/255/e/c/flowery_antlers_by_kaytara-d49p6aq.png

http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/255/0/1/sleeping_hedgehog_by_kaytara-d49p6in.png
http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/255/c/1/green_and_purple_by_kaytara-d49p6rs.jpg
http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/255/9/c/fall_critter_by_kaytara-d49p745.jpg
http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/255/f/5/a_hush_fell_over_the_glade_by_kaytara-d49p79w.jpg
http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/255/0/3/the_water__s_rising_by_kaytara-d49p7z4.png

And the rest, with sarcastic comments by me. :P

http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/255/c/4/sketch_fest_2_by_kaytara-d49pa4c.jpg

Also, here's the compilation of my previous Sketch Fest stuff, likewise with wisecracking (plus OotS special!).

http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/242/7/4/sketch_fest_by_kaytara-d48c7qf.jpg

[Lady Moreta]

Cute little sleepy hedgehog! Well done, you have just broken me with the cute :smallbiggrin:

I love the stargazing bunnies as well.

[Ninjaman]

That wolf is amazing.

[Kaytara]

Yes, it was wholly my intention to break people with the cute! :D

So. Um. Instead of finishing any one of the myriad things I'm already doing, I went and did an entry for a book fanart contest I was honour-bound to enter in. Gah. Difficult, but fun. Very far out of my comfort zone, and I'm sure it shows.

This is probably my first non-fantasy finished picture since.... Uh. Hmm. Interesting.

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/9641/piecesofeight2.png

[Lady Moreta]

I like it :smallbiggrin:

I feel awfully sorry for the poor kid with the blood on the shirt and the gleeful look on the face of the guy with the knife is creeping me out. I really like the way you handled the light effects as well, it's very affective in setting the scene.

[Ninjaman]

That is sooo gooood. That new hair brush is worth its byte in dolars.

[Kaytara]

...I actually didn't use the hair brush there. >D (I mean, those guys are pirates. Matted, filthy, partially diseased pirates. They barely even HAVE hair.)

Guys, it's not just some poor kid. It's book fanart, like I said. Surely SOMEONE must recognise it? :D

[Lady Moreta]

Guys, it's not just some poor kid. It's book fanart, like I said. Surely SOMEONE must recognise it? :D

Oooh, the people are even casting shadows! Sorry, got sidetracked by the shadows :smalltongue:

I have to admit, the first time I looked at it, the kid with the blood was the first thing I saw and I thought he was a hobbit :smallredface: - then I saw the guy with the parrot and went 'ooh pirates!' - and I'm afraid that's about as far as I got.

[billtodamax]

Muppet treasure island, but with people!

[Lady Moreta]

Muppet treasure island, but with people!

That's actually what my first thought was too :smallredface:

[Savannah]

Guys, it's not just some poor kid. It's book fanart, like I said. Surely SOMEONE must recognise it? :D

I'm assuming Treasure Island, although I don't have anything concrete to point to that. It's quite good, regardless!

[Kaytara]

"Treasure Island" is correct. And because it is awesome, a quote for context:

I stole round by the eastern end, keeping close in shadow, and at a convenient place, where the darkness was thickest, crossed the palisade.

To make assurance surer, I got upon my hands and knees and crawled, without a sound, towards the corner of the house. As I drew nearer, my heart was suddenly and greatly lightened. It is not a pleasant noise in itself, and I have often complained of it at other times, but just then it was like music to hear my friends snoring together so loud and peaceful in their sleep. The sea-cry of the watch, that beautiful "All's well," never fell more reassuringly on my ear.

In the meantime, there was no doubt of one thing; they kept an infamous bad watch. If it had been Silver and his lads that were now creeping in on them, not a soul would have seen daybreak. That was what it was, thought I, to have the captain wounded; and again I blamed myself sharply for leaving them in that danger with so few to mount guard.

By this time I had got to the door and stood up. All was dark within, so that I could distinguish nothing by the eye. As for sounds, there was the steady drone of the snorers and a small occasional noise, a flickering or pecking that I could in no way account for.

With my arms before me I walked steadily in. I should lie down in my own place (I thought with a silent chuckle) and enjoy their faces when they found me in the morning.

My foot struck something yielding—it was a sleeper's leg; and he turned and groaned, but without awaking.

And then, all of a sudden, a shrill voice broke forth out of the darkness:

"Pieces of eight! Pieces of eight! Pieces of eight! Pieces of eight! Pieces of eight!" and so forth, without pause or change, like the clacking of a tiny mill.

Silver's green parrot, Captain Flint! It was she whom I had heard pecking at a piece of bark; it was she, keeping better watch than any human being, who thus announced my arrival with her wearisome refrain.

I had no time left me to recover. At the sharp, clipping tone of the parrot, the sleepers awoke and sprang up; and with a mighty oath, the voice of Silver cried, "Who goes?"

I turned to run, struck violently against one person, recoiled, and ran full into the arms of a second, who for his part closed upon and held me tight.

"Bring a torch, ****," said Silver when my capture was thus assured.

And one of the men left the log-house and presently returned with a lighted brand.

Dun dun DUNNN!

What follows is one of the most suspenseful and nail-bitingly scary chapters in the book.

And huh, go figure, I actually got the colour of the parrot right. I was more or less picking randomly.

[Lady Moreta]

"Treasure Island" is correct. And because it is awesome, a quote for context:

Dun dun DUNNN!

What follows is one of the most suspenseful and nail-bitingly scary chapters in the book.

And huh, go figure, I actually got the colour of the parrot right. I was more or less picking randomly.

Wasn't Treasure Island written by Robert Louis Stevenson? In that case, why is that snippet so good?

(I've read a R.L. Stevenson book before, She - it was awful... but this sounds rather good)

[Kaytara]

Wasn't Treasure Island written by Robert Louis Stevenson? In that case, why is that snippet so good?

Gah - bwuh? Treasure Island's a classic. It's SUPPOSED to be good. Those things are kind of related. :P

It quite literally single-handedly created/popularised most of the modern pirate tropes. Pirates using nautical slang? Pirates having buried treasure? Treasure maps with "X marks the spot"? The whole pirate with a parrot on shoulder thing? This is where it all began. Stevenson is to pirate stories and adventure novels what Tolkien is to Fantasy.

(I've read a R.L. Stevenson book before, She - it was awful... but this sounds rather good)

Really? I've read a of Stevenson's stuff. What book was it, and why do you say it was awful?

[Lady Moreta]

Really? I've read a of Stevenson's stuff. What book was it, and why do you say it was awful?

She. :smalltongue: That was the name of the book, I kid you not. Although now you've got me doubting my memory that it was written by Stevenson...

Okay, ignore me... the book I'm thinking of was written by H. Rider Haggard. I did a Victorian Lit paper in uni 8 years ago and we read She which I loathed and another book by R.L. Stevenson, the name of which I have clearly forgotten... it would seem I got the names and authors mixed up in my head. Ignore me :smallredface:

[Kaytara]

Hah! I knew Stevenson's fine name would be vindicated.

Incidentally, you know of Jekyll & Hyde? Yeah, that's Stevenson's work too.

I finished something! Just before moving. I hope I'll be able to get my hands on digital painting again soon.

http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/281/4/e/love_by_kaytara-d4c8or3.png

[Saeyan]

ahh the horse dragon head looks super awesome. Happy moving k.

[Zylle]

Really enjoyed browsing this thread :smallsmile: Kaytara, you have an amazing talent for color composition!

[fizzybobnewt]

10,000 hours and all that.
10,000 hours of dragon trees. :smalltongue:

[Kaytara]

Hehe, thanks, guys. :D :smallredface:

I'm stuck without my digital painting stuff or my scanner till the end of the week. On the up side, I'm so far very pleased with pretty much everything. My new apartment is awesome (it even has air conditioning!), and the city I study in and the town I live in are the kind of places people go on vacation to; textbook examples of fairytale-esque German towns, with lots of old houses with sloping roofs and narrow winding cobblestone streets and flowers on windowsills and railings and in giant bouquets on freaking lamp-posts. Also, my classes so far have been pretty awesome and interesting and promise to keep being so.

So... nothing new to show. Except I could show a few sketches I did when I finished the dragon one.

http://1.1.1.7/bmi/fc01.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/281/b/6/elf_ranger_by_kaytara-d4c8sok.png

http://1.1.1.6/bmi/fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/281/7/a/bak__running_out_of_titles_by_kaytara-d4c8t24.png

And as soon as I get my hands on my files again, I can upload another one (or two) of those huge sketchdumps I sometimes do, with lots of elves. Should I even keep doing that? Or would you guys prefer it if I didn't clutter the thread with sketchy stuff?

[Kaytara]

Okay. Busy with lots of stuff, but I managed to finish something in just two sittings.

http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/292/7/c/goodbye_by_kaytara-d4dcukt.png

[Lady Moreta]

That is awesome :smallsmile: I love the forest dragons (I pretty much love any dragons) and the autumn colours in the leaves is just incredible. It's beautiful :smallsmile:

[Kasanip]

The colors are very beautiful. I want to learn to make colors like you. :smallredface:

[Fri]

Two sittings eh? Was it 12 hours per sitting :smallbiggrin:?

[Kaytara]

More like around 10 hours in total, actually. ;) I was able to save a surprising amount of time with my custom grass/hair brushes and the new leaf brush I made (it just spatters dots and rotation is set to be pressure sensitive so it ends up looking nicely chaotic, but it's great). You can see the leaf brush in the upper right and left corners most prominently, if you look. Most of the actual detailing/in-focus stuff is done by hand, though.

Some new stuff:

A pencil work with the theme of... well... wholeness of family, and all that.

http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/300/2/c/happiness_by_kaytara-d4duszg.png

And a commission of a Prince of Persia-ish character:

http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/299/0/b/commission__tornica_by_kaytara-d4dusdb.png

[Ninjaman]

Links are broken :smallfrown:

[Kaytara]

That's weird. Fixed. Couldn't do it with spoilers, though.

[Lady Moreta]

Awwww... she's got a bandaid on her knee! That's so adorable! :smallbiggrin:

Yes... that is the one thing I fixed on :smalltongue:

[Savannah]

Hey, it could be worse -- I'm fixed on the question of why, if it's about wholeness of family, mom and dad are missing their heads :smalltongue:

Love the Prince of Persia one! ...now I wanna go play the game again, but my game system is halfway across the country :smallfrown:

[Kaytara]

Yeah, the headless parent thing does seem to creep people out. Funny, that.

So, more art! :D

Only pencil/marker stuff this time, but yeah... I've got a test on Identifying Minerals in the Field tomorrow, and here's my tending to my art thread, instead. XD

First of all, Nanny Ogg, 'cause I've been reading a lot of Discworld:

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/2322/nannyoggandfluffykinsby.jpg

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/8954/3341katerinastolenchild.jpg

A drawing inspired by the song The Highwayman. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teq2m0BN-Wo)

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/8506/3361katerinahighwayman.jpg

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/1108/bakhagglingbykaytarad4e.png

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/9840/gorathinaredcloakbykayt.png

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/6136/hedgehogteapartybykayta.jpg

And finally a slightly surreal photo I took. Look carefully at it. >D

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/8493/shortcutthroughautumnby.png

[Saeyan]

blonde guy/girl with ponytail. delicious.

also I may be starting an art practice thread, interested? :smallsmile: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223506

[Kaytara]

Thanks for the link, Saeyan. :)

Ah, the blond ponytail guy. I had such a crush on him when I was a kid. :smallredface: :smallbiggrin: Still have an ungodly obsession with ponytails even to this day. ^^

[Savannah]

And finally a slightly surreal photo I took. Look carefully at it. >D

*looks*

...*looks more carefully*

......Hah, that's brilliant! :smallamused:

[Lady Moreta]

*looks*

...*looks more carefully*

......Hah, that's brilliant! :smallamused:

Agreed :smallbiggrin: Very disconcerting...

I love the two hedgehogs in cloaks and the two guys selling (presumably) to the third one sitting down. Actually, I like the dark-haired elf in the green cloak :smallbiggrin:

[fizzybobnewt]

Wwwwwhaaat? There are... Two water levels? 3? Is that what it is?

[Lady Moreta]

Wwwwwhaaat? There are... Two water levels? 3? Is that what it is?

Look at the building - specifically at the mid-point of the building where the windows/entrance are with the tree in front of them. If you look carefully, the whole thing appears to be fluid.

[Savannah]

Err...it looks fluid for a reason. She took a picture of a reflection on the pond and then flipped it upside down so that the reflection looks like the actual scene and the scene looks like the reflection. Look at the floating leaves in the upper left and how the kayak is smaller in the "scene" than the "reflection".

[Lady Moreta]

Ahhhh... I had wondered what was going on with the kayak...

I'm oddly disappointed now, I thought it was one of those fluke awesome shots :smalltongue:

[Kaytara]

Actually, I like the dark-haired elf in the green cloak :smallbiggrin:

So do I, Moreta. So do I. :smallredface: ^^

Hehe, thank you for the comments, and cookies to Savannah for figuring out the reflection thing! :D

It's kind of funny how many people (on DA) failed to notice that there doesn't seem to be a solid boundary where the water ends and the house begins. >D

The hedgehogs are actually part of a larger story - something I did a year ago for a calendar, based on a poem. Here's the images from that:

http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/001/3/7/the_hedgehog_saga_by_kaytara-d364ops.png

[Lady Moreta]

I noticed the lack of a solid boundary, I just missed the reason why :smalltongue:

Hedgehogs are awesome :smallbiggrin: and that kid with the yellow hair is downright creepy. Please tell me that was intentional.

[Kaytara]

I noticed the lack of a solid boundary, I just missed the reason why :smalltongue:

Hedgehogs are awesome :smallbiggrin: and that kid with the yellow hair is downright creepy. Please tell me that was intentional.

Yes. :D

If you flip the image horizontally, you'll notice his face is, like... skewed... deformed, almost. That's part of what making him so disturbing. It was, likewise, the "I didn't intend this but I like how it looks so I'm leaving it in" kind of intentional. >D

[Kaytara]

Here's some concept art-y stuff I've done for a commissioner! They're partially like speedpaints, sort of. Very little polishing and dwelling on detail, more trying to capture moods and stuff. I'm new to that kind of thing. Spent a little over two hours on each.

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/1131/eingewachsene.png

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/3817/forest2w.png

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/830/ignilupa.png

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/9765/mountainlake.png

[Serpentine]

That wolf is boooootiful :3

[Lady Moreta]

That wolf is boooootiful :3

Seconded! I love the firey footprints left behind! :smallbiggrin:

I love the two scenes as well, not as fond of the elf lady though. Something about the way the shadow divides her face right in half just doesn't look right.

[Ninjaman]

:smalleek: That is good.
Here is a challenge: draw something NOT nature based.

[Kaytara]

:smalleek: That is good.
Here is a challenge: draw something NOT nature based.

Everything is based in nature. :smallcool:

Progressing on my next pic. Finished painting the central figure, more or less. Very much still missing something, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

Preview:

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/9186/overduepreview.png

[Kaytara]

Done!

Yeah, lots of things wonky.

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/4742/overdue2small.png

And I managed to squeeze in a commission work before I leave and lose access to my digital stuff for the rest of the year. Whew!

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/6024/wasserengelsmall.png