Garza's Box of Monsters

writing, pen doodles, and all kinds of creative experiments

[garzabirdart]

http://garzasmonsters.tumblr.com/

I HAVE A NEW ART BLOG! (yes another) (sorry)

i was getting frustrated not being able to reblog my old posts from my personal blog, or interact with people through it (send/receive asks and things easily, not many people replying to or reblogging my posts, that sort of thing)

SO, i set it up and i just went through and reblogged most of my art from here, and from my other site, GO CHECK IT OUT! there's a few new things in there too, re-dos of previous work i forgot to post earlier

you can unfollow garzabirdart if you want, i don't think i'll be posting there much anymore

SO COME FOLLOW ME YOU GUYS~! http://garzasmonsters.tumblr.com/

[garzabirdart]

I decided to gather together the sketchies i did developing this species's look and their habits/behavior. I'll reblog this later with some commentary on what decisions i made, what changed, and why~ and maybe a bit about their world and stuff

[garzabirdart]

A species of alien lifeform nicknamed "flying monkeys", up close these guys are closer to earth's reptiles or birds than mammals. Traditionally they live in large nomadic family groups in the treetops, and most will never touch the ground (some of the creatures living on the ground are EXTREMELY DEADLY). Although modern groups have found ways to build cities on stilts above the forest canopy, and even floating metropolises. 

Notes: two 'thumbs' and three fingers on front hands (what about feet? hmmm), tail has a patch of thick grippy skin at the end, number of wings vary between individuals, for gliding and displays, not actual flight, larger eyes, hard bony 'beak' (or just larger tooth/tooth ridge? huh, 'rostrum' is an extremely useful word, research dino beaks) at the front of the mouth for cracking nuts/use as a tool. Feathers and scales. Small, Omnivorous, Sentient, Definitely not the top of the food chain.

[garzabirdart]

Why was Nico posed facing away from the viewer?

Because he pretty much hates everyone else in the picture, and is not really a part of the team. I mean, he doesn't hate Brendan (yet) because Brendan's under his command. But everyone else has been a pain in his butt since he started patrolling the area, and Sierra's been downright confrontational. Also he can't wield a light-weapon (probably, i mean he probly could with training, but i have yet to decide whether he does in the story)

 What do the colors mean?

The colors vaguely correspond to each character's...personality? soul? fighting spirit? that sort of thing. The colors can also vary slightly depending on the emotional state of the wielder.

What are their favorite desserts/treats?

Caden likes pie (apple or blackberry), Erica likes really thick hot chocolate when it's cold and mochi ice cream when it's hot, Sierra likes fruit-flavored popsicles or fruity frozen yogurt, Brendan likes malted milkshakes, and Nico likes german chocolate cake or baked apples.

What does each of their bedtime routine's look like?

Sierra used to be good at going to sleep on time when the team was together, now she stays up late getting into fights online, Erica always winds down with a cup of tea and a book before going to bed (asking Sierra if she wants any is her subtle hint to go to sleep), Caden sometimes gets online real late and checks if Sierra is still online (sometimes to tell her to go to sleep, sometimes to call and wake her up real early the next morning, just to piss her off)

Do they plan meals out ahead of time, or decide what to make for dinner when the time rolls around?

Caden and Sierra make it up as they go along, Erica plans meals sometimes, Brendan and Nico mostly get their meals where they work, but Brendan likes to get takeout in town. The eception is weekends at Sierra and Erica's place, they make a gigantic brunch and invite friends over to watch crappy movies all morning (Caden's the only one who comes over every weekend, but their old captain and some friend from other Light teams show up every once in a while).

 Is Erica wearing tights or really tall boots?

tights, with matching shoes, like ya do~ girl's got swanky fashion sense even when fighting the forces of evil

Does anybody here have an exceptionally strong sense? what about an exceptionally weak one? (For example: I have a terrible sense of smell and a great sense of hearing)

hmmm, well, Caden's probly got really good vision, Sierra's got a good sense of hearing, Nico's eyes have been worse since he got his black eyes, and Brendan's have gotten better since he got his second eyes. Erica...probly had really good reflexes and is a good judge of distance since she uses throwing knives and daggers.

[garzabirdart]

Heh, well it kindof depends. Both Caden and Erica are kindof trip-prone. In Erica's case, it's usually Sierra's fault, she's a messy roommate and usually ends up leaving her shoes/coat/self lying around on the floor, although Erica does go around with her nose in a book constantly. 

Caden is more clumsy on missions, he's the new kid, he's got crappy training 'cause he joined up just as the their job was being handed over to the Ravens and everything was super confusing. Poor guy is anxious to prove himself to the rest of the team and ends up tripping over himself a lot. Sierra's his kindof-mentor and covers for him, but still teases him about it. 

[garzabirdart]

ahahaha, okay i have to do this one 'cause it made me laugh so hard.

Short Answer: I Have No Idea

Long Answer: Heh, okay, so while Erica and Brendan are adorable and pretty good dancers, Nico and Caden are both avid ballroom dancers, and they both would be at least familiar with eachother's styles and while i'm not sure about Nico, Caden can totally switch lead/follow beautifully. So after a couple seconds of super awkward figuring out who's leading what dance, they would KILL IT, they would be TEARING UP THAT DANCEFLOOR they would dance CIRCLES around the competition. 

And it would be HILARIOUS

Because Sierra HATES Nico, she Hates His Guts with a sullen aggravating passion. It's not really well-founded, and not entirely his fault, but he never really tries to mend things with her, and is really rude to her constantly and Sierra can be a Vindictive Little Shit when she's got nothing else on her mind

And she would Really Like to give the win to Erica and Brendan, mostly just to get on Nico's nerves, but it would be SO OBVIOUS that Nico and Caden won that she would HAVE to give it to them, and she'd be SO PISSED about it.

just SOOO PISSSED

ahahahahahhahahahahaha 

[garzabirdart]

Erica and Sierra dance in the style of "go to a dance club, fling yourself about" although they've both picked up a few hiphop moves from fellow dancers...and Kpop music videos. (if they Did go to legit classes, Sierra would do Tap or Lindy, and Erica would do WestCoast or Lindy)

Sometimes they drag Caden to a club with them and he keeps an eye on their drinks and keeps Sierra out of fights and insists that he DOES NOT DANCE. He SO DANCES, in fact he VIENNESE WALTZES. He is actually all about ballroom and even gets the girls to watch those dance competition TV shows and is EXTREMELY EMBARRASSED ABOUT THIS. (he likes to seem lazy/aloof/disinterested, so he gets super embarrassed when someone finds out he's actually a huge nerd) 

Brendan is totally a ContraDancer, he used to take Erica (and the rest of the team of course) out dancing when they were a team, but after that, well, things kindof fell apart...especially after they found out he joined up with the "ravens".

Nico would rather you addressed him as "Captain" and no he does not dance, especially since his new leadership position gives him almost no time of for that sort of thing. Anyhow, after getting his black eyes, he was too embarrassed to go back. He was afraid he'd scare people. (Nico tangos, and therefore used to run into Caden at ballroom events. They've sortof both individually decided that awkwardly ignoring eachother and TELLING NO ONE is the best course of action in such situations)

((ahahah i realized doing this i'm TERRIBLE at drawing Brendan omg, and he's such a central character to this thing too aaagh, so i included some practice...i should do a height chart for these guys...))

[garzabird]

RIGHT SO, i need some practice with these characters before i get into doing something with them, so ASK ME THINGS~! like, personality test questions or OC or OTP question things, ask questions about them, ask them questions about eachother, ask me questions about the universe, whatever you want~!

left to right it’s Brendan, Erica, Sierra, Caden, and Nico

[garzabirdart]

Okay I got a grand total of one ask here guys, the answer is coming today or tomorrow, let's have another shall we?

[garzabirdart]

Colors!

i swapped the boys like i said i would, Caden works better in green and Brendan in gold/yellow. (i still think i drew Caden looking too much like a girl but whatevs)

I really liked mauve or orange for Sierra, she's got a spontaneous personality, ruled more by emotions than rational thought, but the colors go coral and pink when faded/transparent and don't hold the same excitement or meaning, you know? (and Team Leader = Red is so boring) So i stuck with the electric blue (although looking at them together here, the mauve really does catch the eye, i might have to revisit that idea).

My first choice for Erica was a really...well, a Rose Lalonde color, ya know? the pinker end of purple? so i went a little bluer and greyer and i think it actually suits her personality better. 

[garzabirdart]

So, i carry a LOT of paint at work, and i noticed i carry the cans differently depending on how many i pick up at once.

I realized I've started carrying single gallons against my stomach with both hands, to avoid over using my right arm or leaning to one side constantly. Four cans of paint at a time is the worst, and the most i can really carry around at once. Five Gallon Barrels are a struggle, but we don't have to carry them much because they have a special handtruck for them. (one of the girls at my old store could lift/carry one around Single Handed! 0_0 i was super impressed~!!)

Five gallon barrels do make nice temporary seating though.

[garzabirdart]

Work In Progress for a little team of characters i've been playing with since forever, possibly for a longer comic-like thing, idk.

I'mma just ramble a bit, things i need to think about for these guys...

I like how the limited palette warm greyscale looks, might keep that if this becomes a bigger thing. I'm thinking of swapping the guys' colors (the gold and green)...trying to find a color to fit their personalities that is also bright and individual is a pain (i was also thinking red or orange for Sword-girl, then Guns would be blue and Archer would be green?uuugh, maybe i'll research some color meanings). Also Sulky McPoutFace has no weapon...(what's his thing? feather? wing? eyes? teeth? maybe he CAN make a sword or something??)

I might also make the colors paler/transparent? (they kindof dominate too much in the second pic) or maybe try doing highlights on each character in their color as well?? hmmmm. Does the archer dude look like a dude to you? or a girl? (i draw girls far more often) 

[garzabirdart]

Some redesign ideas for Red X from the 4th, also some other robots and aliens

[garzabirdart]

Last week i went Blues Dancing for the first time in AGES, me n my sis got there early, and stopped at a cute little gelato shop to have a treat and kill some time.

[garzabirdart]

yeeeah~ more characters! apparently i named them and then forgot, so Vanamo (Van) is the girl, and Nakato is the lil mechanical bug-dude.

mmmmm how do i explain them....

you know what? i'll do the explaining of their species and stuff in a textpost later. They are kindof self-exiled from their planet, found a way to get sent into an off-planet space port research thing (probly, idk, still working on plot things). Anyhow, the whole situation made it really easy to send Van into a panic, and Nakato take on a little more of an Angry Overprotective Big Brother persona. He's shouty and swears a ton, and it's a usually a really good thing that Van is the only one who can hear him (until someone figures out that he can work speakers...that probly wasn't the best idea.) 

The dark patches on Van's body are places where Nakato either receives sensory information, or can plug in. Nakato himself is actually incredibly fragile (adults of his species don't live long without a host, the extra limbs he creates for Van are mostly for manipulating delicate objects, making a point, or to freak people out) but he can make Van stronger or faster or whatever. Unlike most of their species, they can separate from eachother, and while Van will do it sometimes to talk to Nakato "face to face", they both hate doing it when other people are around.      

[garzabirdart]

This guy is a robot, his name is Red (Red X), because the mechanic, Charlie, is not terribly clever with names, and when she first met him, he had a big splatter of red paint telling the world he's defective and undergoing deactivation (which, when the bot fights back, is an extremely long process).

Charlie is an overprotective/frustrated mechanic who inherited her uncle's shop on the desert side of a tiny planet that no one cares much about.

Red is an angry/paranoid robot who was awakened halfway through the deactivation process to find that he's been 1) marked defective for doing his job Too Well 2) tricked into deactivation, and 3) stranded on the desert side of a tiny planet no one cares much about...

...except, of course, a certain mechanic who has some almost-forgotten piloting training, and some rather dangerous/interesting ideas about Robots As Sentient Lifeforms, but some Even More Interesting, and more immediately useful ideas about salvage rights.

[garzabirdart]

scanned a ton of pencil sketches tonight, i thought i'd drop these here before i try coloring them~

These guys are from that story of mine i keep talking about 'Maya and the Darklings', these are the darklings XD

Left to Right, Top to Bottom: Plamen, Eira, Dobrogost (two forms), Glyndwr, Hedder, Calanthe, aaand oh man i don't have a name for him...

They are, essentially, elemental shape-shifters who inhabit certain objects and places. They can take any shape the want to, but when interacting with humans, it's considered polite to take on a human-ish form. It keeps the humans from freaking out, and shows that they are speaking to each other as equals. Some darklings, like Dobrogost there, aren't really good at it, having spent more time with darklings than humans. Dobrogost can only really do bird and dog forms. Other darklings, like His Nameless Snobbery there, like to show that they COULD be polite and human-shaped if they wanted to, but are CHOOSING not to, because it would be BENEATH THEIR DIGNITY to speak as an equal to you.

Darklings shapes change constantly, so a human-ish form helps mages distinguish between darklings they are working with, but a much more reliable method of identification is by their color (especially eye-color, which is extremely difficult for them to change, even in disguise), size, voice, and smell.

questions? comments? ideas for a name for whose-his-face? drop me an ask or comment or somesuch~!

[garzabirdart]

I keep checking my art blog to see if there's anything new... THERES NOT GOING TO BE ANYTHING NEW YOU MUST POST THE THINGS FOR THERE TO BE NEW THINGS Sigh...I gotta scan a lot of things