10 Free Features

My final year end of semester projects and exam hit with a vengeance. c(@_@ c) ]]]]] I often take unexplained absences when I'm stressed out so I hope that answers why I haven't been around for a while. I've got some free time while I render my draft shots right now - 4 seconds of draft-quality animation take approx 40 minutes each and the project is due on Wednesday (that's Tuesday for some of you).

However two days after I hand that on I'm off overseas on holiday overseas, wherein I hope to teach myself how to relax again. (*3*) I'm seriously finding it difficult to sleep these days with study stress.

I'm very sorry I haven't been around. But from early-mid July I should be more active.



10 Free Features (round 2)
This round I've got the pleasure to feature another two internet buddies, who I've known on DA for quite a while. POMOLA: Which is your active account from which I can feature you?





Shadow Starry
Shadow Starry's animations and drawings are always full of vibrancy, personality and energy - they're a pleasure to view and tend to make me grin. There's been more Flash work coming recently as well - keep it up, they're looking fantastic!


[Ryo-neko: Not What He Ordered] - A brilliant flash drawing. The glow contrasts against the dark background to bring out Ryo-neko and his expression of shock got me smiling straightaway. XD
[Chibi Avatar: Icarus v2] - I love the interactivity of this avatar and the detail given to every phase (I cheated and used the forward option to check each). My favourite avatar is probably the waffle. Mmm waffles. They're a great recurring theme in Starry's art.
[Profile Banner] - While I'm a sucker for character art I have to say that the colours and textures of this banner really appealed to me. The muted grey blues in the background bring out the text well - its a nice image.





Soul Alive
Soul Alive's ability to render form both in characters and architecture gives depth and shape to her artwork. I love both the impact of her computer coloured work and the texture of her originals and always look forward to the updates of her webcomic, A Cruce Salus.

[A Daily Prayer] - I love this webcomic. Its a brilliant self-contained story with crisp artwork, effects and panels. Completely finished and polished to a high standard it continues to impress me. ^^
[Fanart - Silva Mundus] - A web comic I'm familiar with and love - and this work of fanart pleased me : D Soul Alive gives her personal touch to the character in terms of style. There's a sense of rest in the picture with the lush background and informal pose - brilliant. I can see these sort of colours working for the comic.
[ACS - Prologue Art] - Look at it - look at it! This is one of those pictures that show off her wonderful skil to render accurately and outstandingly. The pages of A Cruce Salus always feature top-notch art and this panel is among my favourites.



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Finished Sketches
(From the last journal meme)

[link] 1 - Meshullam; for Shao-Feng-Li.
[link] 2 - Tinc; for R-Zion.
[link] 3 - Fight Stance characters; for Zaije.
[link] 4 - Tsumi slicing apples; for Kuro-Mizu.
[link] 5 - Jack B. Daniels; for Amenco.
[link] 6 - Rumpy and Jurgen; for Thenumber42.
[link] 7 - Azriel; for Soul Alive.
[link] 8 - Mokoto; for Khakibluesocks.
[link] 9 - Penguin Surprise; for HorticultureBoy.
[link] 10 - Taiyou; for Goldenspines.


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-Friends-



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10 Free Features


The first ten people who reply to this journal will be featured in it. I'll list my favourite three pieces from your gallery and a comment about each. I'll also write my overall impression of your gallery and style.


In return you have to either have done this meme (leave a link to it in your comment) or do this in turn for ten other people.


Shao-Feng-Li
Shao has a polished digital illustration file. Her characters have life, personality and presence and her colour palette is always rich and striking.

[Bloody] - I love this pencil rendering of Geneva. The details are sharp and the drawing retains that wonderful traditional media look. I'm also a sucker for these wonderfully drawn costume details.
[Confidence Revamped] - More of those wonderfully rich colours. As suggested by the title, the character is confident and all the movement of the hair and cloth give action to the picture.
[Jedi Master Final] - Lovely pose and details. I love the strong movement and expression, and the shading fleshes out the character's form. I love the red backlighting from the lightsaber.



R-Zion
R-Zion's has developed his XVIII world and characters in detail, bringing life to the story with each new concept drawing. His original characters have thought and depth in their stories and design.

[Obbeo, the Ortolan Chef] - I love this guy's design. His crimson suit stands out against his blue skin and I love his background story; a chef starting out again after falling from grace.
[Sillek, the Quarren Swordsman] - Another fantastic design, especially with the mouth and face. I haven't seen a structure like that before but it works. Sad backstory - I like how it fits into the series.
[Tinc] - This character is great. I chose him for a sketch as part of my last journal meme because of his humorous personality and design.












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Finished Sketches
(From the last journal meme)

[link] 1 - Meshullam; for Shao-Feng-Li.
[link] 2 - Tinc; for R-Zion.
[link] 3 - Fight Stance characters; for Zaije.
[link] 4 - Tsumi slicing apples; for Kuro-Mizu.
[link] 5 - Jack B. Daniels; for Amenco.
[link] 6 - Rumpy and Jurgen; for Thenumber42.
[link] 7 - Azriel; for Soul Alive.
[link] 8 - Mokoto; for Khakibluesocks.
[link] 9 - Penguin Surprise; for HorticultureBoy.
[link] 10 - Taiyou; for Goldenspines.


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-Friends-



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Update:
I had to finish the remaining sketches relatively quickly. I've got three projects and an essay on the go at Uni and didn't want these to hang over my head for the next month or so. Sorry the last pictures didn't have as much time put into them as those I'd previously completed... but hey, they're free and en masse.


Results:

The following people nabbed the ten free sketches:

1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- 8- 9- 10-



Finished Sketches

[link] 1 - Meshullam; for Shao-Feng-Li.
[link] 2 - Tinc; for R-Zion.
[link] 3 - Fight Stance characters; for Zaije.
[link] 4 - Tsumi slicing apples; for Kuro-Mizu.
[link] 5 - Jack B. Daniels; for Amenco.
[link] 6 - Rumpy and Jurgen; for Thenumber42.
[link] 7 - Azriel; for Soul Alive.
[link] 8 - Mokoto; for Khakibluesocks.
[link] 9 - Penguin Surprise; for HorticultureBoy.
[link] 10 - Taiyou; for Goldenspines.


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-Friends-



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Summer's End
It seems like a lot of people on DA are already busy with study. I guess its that time of the year again, when we get into the year properly. At the end of 2008 I'll have completed my study, so its a exciting one for me. On March 3rd I'll be in classes and sadly placing the easy Summer days behind me. For a little while, at least.

I hope you're all doing well and continuing to develop artistically when you've the time. I'll be following in your busy footsteps and spending less time online around other responsibilities. Though I'll still log in each while.

Take care and God bless,


Sarah (Rah).


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-Friends-



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5000K HITS

Well.... my front page is nearing the 5000k mark. I'm not always one to flout tradition, so I'll prizes to the three persons who capture my front page at that number or close to it. 1st place goes to the closest, 2nd to the next closest and so on.

I hope you like the prize system. A bit more fun this way, ne?

1st place winner:DerrickEwing (at 5000 hits!). [link]
2nd place winner:Meboeck (at 4992 hits) [link]
3rd place winner:Kuro-Mizu (5017 hits) [link]


PRIZES:

Category A
- full body colour fanart of your original character (negotiation)
- full body colour fanart of an existing character (you may need to supply references for me)
- a full colour scene (negotiation)
- lineart character sheet (one full body shot; several facial/detail shots alongside)

Category B
- full body lineart of your original character
- full body lineart of an existing character (references may be needed)
- colour head and shoulders of your original character
- colour head and shoulders of an existing character (references may be needed)

Category C
- a custom blinking avatar/stamp
- head and shoulders lineart of your original character
- head and shoulder lineart of an existing character (references may be needed)


1st Place: Choose 1 from categories A, B or C
2nd Place: Choose 1 from categories B or C
3rd Place: Choose 1 from category C.



By negotiation indicates that the amount of detail/work that goes into the piece will depend on my current workload. References may be screenshots etc. of an existing character. No complaints about the final artwork; I will endevour for accuracy but inevitably may get some small detail 'wrong'.

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-Friends-



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