Well, people seem to really like this piece so here's some process pics and the reason why this artwork became a gif!
[ID: a series of photographs of the pictures as I am working on it. Details for each photo in ALT text.]
Original concept versus actual lines (using a ref photo of myself)
Chalk pastel base (drawing in lines and smudge them with a paper wiper)
Rendering!
Aaaand done!
Aaaand after that ... I made a mistake.
I thought, "Well, it's a bit difficult to add ink directly on top of chalk pastel, and also, I should probably make sure it doesn't smudge, right?" So I decided to use fixative. This didn't turn out well.
Luckily, I was a bit apprehensive because my fixative is already a bit on the older side and it's difficult to get an even coat. And also, I know that light colours tent to turn a bit transluscent when sprayed with fixative. So I scanned the picture before doing anything else, which is how I got the main picture in the orginal post.
Here's a comparison of before and after I put on the fixative:
Admittedly, I didn't put too much effort into getting a great "after" photo, which is why it's slightly blurry and not in the best perspective. But you should still be able to see how blotchy the colour became. The even soft look was just gone, some of the darker areas were actually non-existent (see background, hair and everything below her arm). I was, uhm, discouraged at that point.
After that, I originally decided to restore the picture as well as I can and then just add the ink and photoshop them together as one picture. But I did end up enjoying the deeper shadows of the "second version" and so decided to make the two versions into a GIF instead. All's well that ends well, I guess x)
However, moral of the story: Don't use fixative on black paper.
Hey, THANK YOU so sooo much for the moon badges!! I'd say you have no idea how happy that made me, but I have a strong suspicion you might know after all x') I hope you had a wonderful christmas too!!
And ... I have a little something for you too. You gave me the moon, so here is a moon for you and for everyone!
Actually I wanted to draw her in fancy evening attire, but I kinda forgot halfway through and now she's wearing jeans.
Tbf, I think that might be in-character.
(I drew this to test my then new polychromos, but I like it a lot, so ... why not share it?)
@AkuSaiMonth 2023
Prompt: Stars
ID in alt. Bingo card under the cut! (1/5)
The birth of stars …
This is based on that one first anniversary James Webb picture and inspired by this artwork by @prinnay! And I just realized she also made an (absolutely amazing) drawing based on that same James Webb picture...! Check it out!
My bingo card for this year:
I have 4 out of 5 drawings planned out ... let's see how many i can get out in the two weeks left
I only have one in-progress picture unfortunately. I think it's funny that it looks like it's out of focus, but no, that's what the drawing actually looked like at that point!
@AkuSaiMonth 2023
Prompt: Stars
ID in alt. Bingo card under the cut! (1/5)
The birth of stars …
This is based on that one first anniversary James Webb picture and inspired by this artwork by @prinnay! And I just realized she also made an (absolutely amazing) drawing based on that same James Webb picture...! Check it out!
My bingo card for this year:
I have 4 out of 5 drawings planned out ... let's see how many i can get out in the two weeks left
And here we go again! Welcome to AkuSaiMonth, a month of celebrating AkuSai & LeaIsa!
AkuSaiMonth 2023 Bingo
Just like last year, we will be playing bingo again! The prompts on the bingo cards are randomized! Which means, every participant will have their prompts in 1 of 30 different arrangements!
Where can I get the Bingo Card?
To claim your personal AkuSaiMonth Bingo card,
click >> HERE! <<
Using the link on the same device and browser should (in theory) always lead to the same card. However, I would strongly recommend also saving the card by either using the print button on top or by making a screenshot.
How does it work?
The goal is to get one “Bingo!” during the month (Jul 7 – Aug 8) by filling 5 prompts in a row, column or diagonal.
This could mean one post every week, for example:
Post 1: Saturday, July 8 (IsaLea Day)
Post 2: Saturday, July 15
Post 3: Saturday, July 22
Post 4: Sunday, July 29
Post 5: Monday, August 7 (AkuSai Day) -> Bingo! <3
You are of course allowed to do less than five prompts (one is perfectly fine! <3) or even fill out the entire bingo card (I wish I had your time management skills)!
Rules:
General Rules
• The event is open to everybody, there is no official list of participants and you don't have to register for it.
• You can start and end your participation at any time!
• You can fill as many prompts as you want at whatever schedule works for you!
• The goal is to achieve one bingo, but this is meant as motivation only; it’s not an obligation or restriction!
• Everybody who reaches one bingo "wins".
• There is no prize for "winning" and there is no punishment for "not winning"
Posting Rules
• The event is held on instagram & tumblr, but you can post wherever you want.
• On tumblr tag your works as #AkuSaiMonth and #ASM23
• On instagram tag your works as #AkuSaiMonth and #AkuSaiMonth23
• Mention @akusaimonth in your works both on tumblr and instagram so I can’t miss it!
• Don't hesitate to send me your works per dm if I somehow do end up missing them anyway!
• On tumblr all posts will be reblogged to the @akusaimonth tumblr
• On instagram I will collect all posts in the stories. It is also possible to invite @akusaimonth as a collaborator to showcase and collect your works on the @akusaimonth instagram page as well. All rights to your works remain with you of course!
• If you post to other sites (e.g. AO3, twitter, wattpad, youtube, ...) you can send me the link in a DM on either tumblr or instagram so I can add that link to the instagram stories and tumblr (assuming you didn't post it there yourself). Please let me know where you would like me to put the link and whether it contains NSFW content or not.
• I do retain the right to not share content I find in bad taste and I will ask you to remove it from the #AkuSaiMonth tags as well. I don't expect any problems, but just to be save.
Content Rules
• All forms of content are allowed, including but not limited to fanfiction, fanart, edits, videos, music, …
• The “/” in some prompts means you can use either or multiple of the terms
• All prompts are open for interpretation, there’s no right or wrong way to use any of them!
• You can stay within the framework of canon or create AUs or crossovers or whatever you want, everything is great!
• All content has to be made by you! Stolen fan work is NOT allowed.
• AI generated work is strongly discouraged
• If you want to include fan content made by other people in your edit/video/… you have to get permission first and add credit to the original creator/s!
• Official material can be used with no restrictions
NSFW Rules
• NSFW is allowed!
• Consuming NSFW content happens at the viewers own discretion.
Tumblr:
• Please post visual NSFW under a “Read More” or with the appropriate community label
• NSFW content will be reblogged with an #nsfw tag
Instagram:
• Keep the Instagram NSFW rules in mind (cropping, censoring, ...)
• Please add a NSFW warning in the first two slides of any visual NSFW works.
Disclaimer
• AkuSaiMonth is a fan event only and stands in no relation to any copyright holders of Kingdom Hearts or any of its content or characters.
• The rights to all works remain with their creators and the copyright holders.
• AkuSaiMonth is not responsible for any content created during the event.
FAQ
Who is behind the event?
Original creator and host from 2014 – 2019 is the wonderful @misomilk! This year’s host is @herzblutrose
I lost my card!
If you remember your Bingo Card ID, then that’s absolutely no problem. Let me know and I’ll give you a permalink to the card you pulled!
What does prompt (…) mean?
It means whatever you want it to mean! Have fun with it!
psssst - is there going to be an akusai event this year?? >.> asking for a friend. (me - i'm the friend).
Hey friend! :) You know what? Yes, let's just do it again!
I've been considering for a while, but actually: The joy of seeing everone's works outweighs any negatives. So yeah! I'll get one together! (Even though it's suuuuper late. Sorry Dx)
It will be a Bingo again, same rules as last year too! I'll try to get everything ready before the next week!
I'm currently collecting prompts (I need 24 again) so if anyone has any ideas, please share them with me! In the replies, tags, asks, whatever!! I think it's better if it's not just my ideas!
Another Magic drawing! Hello MtG fandom, I'm afraid I'm here to stay. But honestly, if nobody else wants to draw my special murderous boy I just have to do it myself.
It's Koujaku's birthday (August 19)!!! To celebrate I decided to finish this drawing / colour experiment from May! The colours are heavily inspired by one of my favourite Magic the Gathering illustration: "Dueling Rapier" by Anna Podedworna. Although I ended up using them a little different, ehehe...