BAM. First artist of the month is here! Which... is a new experience for me, since I had NO idea what to ask our first talented guest. Luckily, I chose one of the most understanding people on the interwebs, Magic Kitsune (AKA: Fallon)!
Why is she so awesome? Well, besides having her own website, web comic, blog, and several pages on art sites, she was also very understanding when my payment was late due to a car accident (Boo!). Also, it even took me up to 30 days to get back to her sometimes, and she still kept my commission going – And, please note, you probably shouldn't do that to her if you ever want to commission Miss Fallon.
So, without further adieu, here is my short (but epic!) interview with Magic Kitsune:
Reynold Hughes: Now, since this is the first time I've ever tried to highlight an awesome artist... Uhm, are there any drawings you're particularly proud of?
Magic Kitsune: Hee, this is kinda exciting. A drawing I'm proud of, though? Hm...I haven't really drawn anything in the last couple of years that I can say that about ;w; It's a little pathetic, but I think my favorite thus far is still this one I drew back in 2007: http://magickitsune.deviantart.com/art/Hawk-52250486
RH: I've already asked you what your favorite drawing so far is, but I didn't ask the follow up question: Why is that one your favorite?
MK: I believe it's an example of my first jump into a smooth digital style. It's the first picture I actually dedicated a large amount of time to and that came out nice looking (imo). It's where my current coloring style evolved from.
RH: When did you start drawing? And it can't be one of those lame "When I was five" answers! I mean, when did you really start focusing on art?
MK: But I did start when I was five...oh well. I guess I really started developing my art around the start of my webcomic, Fox Tails. So about late 2004 (age 14~15) . And then around 2007 (age 17) was when I began considering taking it more seriously, and started actively trying to improve my weaknesses. That's still a work in progress, though.
RH: What tools/media do you use the most? Are they your preferred tools? If so or if not, why?
MK: Most of it is Photoshop CS and a little wacom tablet. But good old paper and pencil are still my favorite, and that's what I use to draw the bulk of my linearts. I'm also fond of pens and inking.
RH: What kind of art do you specialize in?
MK: Anime style, in digital media.
RH: Is there any sort of technique you use in your art, or a favorite style you use?
MK: I don't know if I would call it a technique, but I like using bright, vivid colors. I've also been trying to add more weight to my lineart, to give the images more depth.
RH: Do you have a favorite art style, or a favorite artist? Is the style/the artist an inspiration to your work?
MK: Anime style done in a serious way, or in a traditional medium. Kazuya Minekura (artist of Saiyuki) continues to be on of my favorites in this regard. I wish my art were more like that, but really, my style derives more from what you might see in those visual novel games or dating sims. With those big, colorful anime-style CGs. That's what I'm going for in my digital art.
RH: What is your favorite part of the process? Why? Is it because it's easier or more challenging?
MK: I find the coloring and shading portion the easiest and most enjoyable. Also traditional inking, when I do it. My least favorite is digitally inking my pencil linearts. I just haven't found a quick and easy way to do it, and my tablet skills are still developing so it would be difficult to use that.
RH: When did you start drawing the comic?
MK: Began posting actual comics in October 2004.
RH: How long have you actually envisioned the story?
MK: I would say sometime in 2003. I was just discovering webcomics, and like a lot of people, I reeeaally wanted to get into that. I was also obsessing over kitsune at the time, so naturally that ended up being what the story was about...I was so young, though, I hardly knew what I was doing. Since then, I have a lot of other stories in mind, but Fox Tails still hold a special little place in my heart.
That's it! The first artist of the month! So please, go visit Magic Kitsune and spread some love, and make her feel as awesome as she already is.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Sunday, July 31, 2011
The Temple Quadruplets
The Tabby Sisters, by Magic Kitsune.
Aliases:
The Tabby Sisters
The Tabby Quadruplets
Quote(s):
"We lost our mother at an early age; Crime comes easy to us." - Tina Temple (AKA: The White Tabby) on Pride Fire's current affiliations.
"There's a fine line between Vigilante and Villain. The only difference, as far as I can tell, is caring about the ones you hurt." - Ginger Temple (AKA: The Gray Tabby) on the Vigilante Justice Act.
"I'll stop at nothing to make sure my sisters are safe. Hell, Heaven, not even all of Legion can keep me from protecting them." Jennifer Temple (AKA: The Brown Tabby) after a Legion Hero's veiled threat.
"I taste purple." Kelli Temple (AKA: The Yellow Tabby) on any given day.
Backstory, Up to This Point:
A Mutant's life has never been easy in the country of America. An orphan mutant, even during the eighties, would barely survive the onslaught of bullies, and sometimes even the adults that 'cared' for them. The Temple Sisters probably wouldn't have made it, if not for two factors: Their mother, simply known as 'Lynx', gave her life in stopping a Wrath plot, ensuring that Legion was constantly aware of the Sisters' status; but mainly, because the four sisters would always be there to help one another.
They were passed from orphanage to orphanage, and foster home to foster home, they finally ended up in the care of Legion around the age of 15. For all appearances, Tina, Jennifer and Kelli, each looked to be a few years younger than their really were, and Ginger, who had begun to wear full-body clothing due to an odd transformation, looked to be nearly 18. Though they were all legally adults, the sisters all looked as if they had just hit the age of sixteen - except for Ginger.
Ginger's body had changed drastically due to a mutation from her mother. She grew fur, cat ears, and even a tail, becoming horribly self-conscious about her physical appearance. When these changes began, she began to wear Legion armor, covering herself from any discerning eye. Supposedly, on the day she left, her physical age was more akin to someone in their younger twenties.
For a few years, the sisters tried to fit into normal society, but their mutations made living difficult. Their bodies were finely tuned weapons, with each woman being very careful in everyday situations to not harm those around her. After two years of living on their own, three had started to live normal lives, while Ginger stayed at home and tinkered with household objects.
But every story for heroes and heroines has a starting point.
While celebrating their combined birthdays, the sisters all decided to go out to a restraunt. On the way, a young woman with red hair bumped into Kelli, who managed to accidentally stall her long enough for the woman's problem to catch up. From around an alleyway came a behemoth of a man, bellowing that he "Owned her!", bringing his fists up for a fight. The sisters instinctively put themselves between the man, and in the blink of an eye, their combined powers were enough to knock him out cold. Unlike in fiction, however, when a leader is knocked unconscious, his minions didn't flee; in fact, the gang quickly came out to aid him, with the sisters battling to save the red haired woman. It only took a few minutes for the Legion to arrive, but each of the sisters had been wounded during the fight. The Legion mopped up whatever resistance was left, leaving the sisters where they had been found, begging for help, as Ginger was bleeding profusely.
The woman was able to stop Ginger's bleeding with her own powers, leaving no trace of an injury. She healed the other sisters too, leaving each one stunned as the woman stood before them, uninjured; in the history of Mankind, no Healer had been able to do such a thing. This woman was the first true Empathetic. Quickly realizing the danger that she was in, even from Legion, the sisters wisked her away without even learning her name. In the following days, they learned more about the woman. Her name was Katherine, but she had been using the alias 'Hali' to move undetected. The sisters agree to keep watch over her and protect her, but they already know they need help. They go about their normal lives while Ginger searches for a group large enough to protect them, but small enough to go unnoticed.
Weeks later, the sisters met a woman who simply went by Gin; she ran her own mercenary group, and was looking for help. As soon as she realized the sisters were mutants, Gin was about to walk away - until Hali showed off her powers, first reading Gin's thoughts, her mood, and then, by having Jennifer cut herself, how she could heal. While initially hesitant, she decided to let the five join her Mercenaries.
Thankfully, it was the right choice. The group begins to out perform any other mercenaries in their ranking, even becoming 'Associates" for Legion. However, things take a turn for the worse after the Creature plummets to the Earth. They began to find unregistered Meta-humans and Mutants - and this is where we first meet the sisters, as well as Gin.
After a recent run-in with a Legion patrol, specifically sent for the Tabbies, the group now has a very tough choice to make: Will they turn themselves in, or will they take the final plunge from Vigilante to Villain?
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Haven Premise and World
A brief description of the first part of HAVEN, mainly to pique interest. Next week, Wednesday, we'll have our first group bio, The Tabby Quadruplets! It'll be a drawing from MagicKitsune, who will also be the first Artist of the Month.
HAVEN
Premise: A misguided super-powered mercenary group is forced into 're-capturing' a creature that only a week ago laid waste to most of Manhattan. They're surprised to find the creature to be everything opposite they expected; he's fond of kittens, picks flowers, and even saves little children from impending doom. That all changes when they reach a haven for Villains.
The World
Just like our world, the people here are driven by money. People want it, many Super Villains need it. Since the dawn of Man, however, there have been these 'special' people living amongst other humans, given powers and abilities from sources such as genetic mutations, gods, astrological symbols, science, with many more types existing. These people have used their powers for both good and evil, and had no name until the time of the Greeks: Heroes; During the Crusades, they were considered Angels or Jinn, depending on the side they fought for. Their powers, titles, and overall mystique changed with time, until now the standard super hero and super villain monikers have become standard place.
Since the first recognized super villain attack in 1867, there have been super groups formed to stop other such attacks. The largest organization is known as Legion, formed in 2000, and is currently endorsed as the only official world-wide Super Hero Organization, funded by the United Nations and any countries it takes residence in. Legion was first proposed by the Super Hero known as Guardian; Loved by all, he had saved countless lives and stopped thousands of plots from super villains. As soon as Legion became endorsed by the United Nations (meaning any 'Super Heroes' in the group would need to provide the UN with their real identities), Guardian gave a tearful speech and left the responsibilities of his group to Tom Singer, the only person to know Guardian's true identity. Tom has no super powers himself, but commands the wealth of a weapons and armor manufacturing company, using much of this money (and technology) in Legion.
In contrast, there are no known Super Villain Groups – due to the mistrust many Villains have for one another, they often disband the groups due to infighting. There's a supposed 'Super Group' known as Wrath, lead by the eponymous leader, but there are only rumors on the group's existence and whereabouts. The only two successful super villain attacks were supposedly lead by Wrath, but Legion steadfastly denies the group's existence.
While it's considered law for any 'super-powered individual' (also known as a Meta-Humans) to register and join Legion, there are many independent groups around the world, working in tandem with Legion. Private Military Corporations and Mercenary Groups are very popular in this world – either made up of Naturals (exceptional, but non super-powered individuals), Meta-Humans, or a mixed group. Legion keeps a close eye on all of these groups, but doesn't require, if possible, Meta-Humans associated with trusted allies to Register and serve with Legion.
Mutants have recently appeared in growing numbers. These mutations range from extremely harmless (allowing one to change eye color, odd-shaped tongues, etc.), to extremely deadly (sucking the oxygen from any given space). Thanks to recent legislation from the UN, many of these Mutants with harmless powers are not forced to sign with Legion; that same Legislation, however, has deemed it that any 'dangerous' Mutants must be detained and sent to a prison where they won't be a danger to the public or themselves. This brings up the debate: How is 'too dangerous' measured? A scale has been developed (known as the Hawthorne Scale, named after it's creator), allowing Legion to effectively seize or release Mutants.
In recent months, Legion has been under pressure from the public to bring in these groups that shelter Meta-Humans; Not to mention, many of Legion's regular staff has been accused of excessive abuse on Mutants, regardless of their position on the Hawthorne Scale; making matters worse, allegations of corruption have begun to pop up. Tom Singer finds himself spread thin as he does his best to combat these accusations. Focused on so many tasks at once, a hole is left open in Legion's defenses that Tom manages to overlook, specifically over a poor neighborhood in lower Manhattan. Two new Initiates to Legion are patrolling the neighborhood, trying to mask their growing contempt for one another; And, in Northern New York, a small Mercenary Group named Gin's Battalion, are out on a routine drill near a Legion base.
Fate has an odd way of lining up these events, these coincidences, and delivering a devastating change that affects millions of lives; and because of this, Manhattan will never be the same.
Art by the ever talented Woogle. When I realized I was missing a picture at 11 PM last night, she came through for me with an awesome sketch! Go check her out on furaffinity. Although, she probably is on more than just that site.
HAVEN
Premise: A misguided super-powered mercenary group is forced into 're-capturing' a creature that only a week ago laid waste to most of Manhattan. They're surprised to find the creature to be everything opposite they expected; he's fond of kittens, picks flowers, and even saves little children from impending doom. That all changes when they reach a haven for Villains.
The World
Just like our world, the people here are driven by money. People want it, many Super Villains need it. Since the dawn of Man, however, there have been these 'special' people living amongst other humans, given powers and abilities from sources such as genetic mutations, gods, astrological symbols, science, with many more types existing. These people have used their powers for both good and evil, and had no name until the time of the Greeks: Heroes; During the Crusades, they were considered Angels or Jinn, depending on the side they fought for. Their powers, titles, and overall mystique changed with time, until now the standard super hero and super villain monikers have become standard place.
Since the first recognized super villain attack in 1867, there have been super groups formed to stop other such attacks. The largest organization is known as Legion, formed in 2000, and is currently endorsed as the only official world-wide Super Hero Organization, funded by the United Nations and any countries it takes residence in. Legion was first proposed by the Super Hero known as Guardian; Loved by all, he had saved countless lives and stopped thousands of plots from super villains. As soon as Legion became endorsed by the United Nations (meaning any 'Super Heroes' in the group would need to provide the UN with their real identities), Guardian gave a tearful speech and left the responsibilities of his group to Tom Singer, the only person to know Guardian's true identity. Tom has no super powers himself, but commands the wealth of a weapons and armor manufacturing company, using much of this money (and technology) in Legion.
In contrast, there are no known Super Villain Groups – due to the mistrust many Villains have for one another, they often disband the groups due to infighting. There's a supposed 'Super Group' known as Wrath, lead by the eponymous leader, but there are only rumors on the group's existence and whereabouts. The only two successful super villain attacks were supposedly lead by Wrath, but Legion steadfastly denies the group's existence.
While it's considered law for any 'super-powered individual' (also known as a Meta-Humans) to register and join Legion, there are many independent groups around the world, working in tandem with Legion. Private Military Corporations and Mercenary Groups are very popular in this world – either made up of Naturals (exceptional, but non super-powered individuals), Meta-Humans, or a mixed group. Legion keeps a close eye on all of these groups, but doesn't require, if possible, Meta-Humans associated with trusted allies to Register and serve with Legion.
Mutants have recently appeared in growing numbers. These mutations range from extremely harmless (allowing one to change eye color, odd-shaped tongues, etc.), to extremely deadly (sucking the oxygen from any given space). Thanks to recent legislation from the UN, many of these Mutants with harmless powers are not forced to sign with Legion; that same Legislation, however, has deemed it that any 'dangerous' Mutants must be detained and sent to a prison where they won't be a danger to the public or themselves. This brings up the debate: How is 'too dangerous' measured? A scale has been developed (known as the Hawthorne Scale, named after it's creator), allowing Legion to effectively seize or release Mutants.
In recent months, Legion has been under pressure from the public to bring in these groups that shelter Meta-Humans; Not to mention, many of Legion's regular staff has been accused of excessive abuse on Mutants, regardless of their position on the Hawthorne Scale; making matters worse, allegations of corruption have begun to pop up. Tom Singer finds himself spread thin as he does his best to combat these accusations. Focused on so many tasks at once, a hole is left open in Legion's defenses that Tom manages to overlook, specifically over a poor neighborhood in lower Manhattan. Two new Initiates to Legion are patrolling the neighborhood, trying to mask their growing contempt for one another; And, in Northern New York, a small Mercenary Group named Gin's Battalion, are out on a routine drill near a Legion base.
Fate has an odd way of lining up these events, these coincidences, and delivering a devastating change that affects millions of lives; and because of this, Manhattan will never be the same.
Art by the ever talented Woogle. When I realized I was missing a picture at 11 PM last night, she came through for me with an awesome sketch! Go check her out on furaffinity. Although, she probably is on more than just that site.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Reboot
This blog has seen far less activity than I would have really liked to see on it. I still work on my stories though, editing, creating and finalizing little intricate details. Thanks to some helpful tips on screen writing, I've been able to these ideas I have an more fine-tune them, changing things as small as character names, to huge thematic story lines, even character backgrounds and descriptions. I don't plan on posting parts of the stories I write here (mostly out of formatting issues, not security); but I may post them on a forum a friend and I have been talking about.
What's changed the most? Well, mostly the scale of my stories. For example, the Asesino of Fire's story is now mostly envisioned as a screen play, which tells a very focused point of view in a very large world; it essentially keeps people guessing why character's act a certain way, or interested in the little tidbits of information they give. My stories will now take place in my own world. While many of them do, it just makes it that much more accomplishing when I finish crafting a world for my characters to live in – and, now, in a few of the plots I have laid out, the world itself is a character.
I'll be posting in this blog character descriptions, storyline synopsizes (apparently that's the correct way to spell that), storyline ideas and minor plot outlines. My character descriptions will always feature art of the character, and I'll try to have different artists do these depictions for me. Trust me, people really don't want to see my drawing skills tested.
Every month or so, I'm also planning on doing a Spotlight – focusing on an artist I've found, whether they work with music, digital art, photos, literature, anything. I hope this will help drive traffic, as well as me trying to share an artist with others around.
Since I'll be posting quite a few different things, I'll make sure to tag them with very specific entities, making it easier to search, too. I doubt there'll be many people searching around the blog, but hey, might as well. I'll mainly be focusing on three things at first: my HAVEN storyline (now changed to a screenplay format), including extra material I come up with; a new horror story I have yet to name, based thousands of years from now; and a storyline I've been working on forever, which I've called Omega. I have a few new ways to go about Omega, as I've never 'liked' the first entry to the series, but nothing is in stone for now.
I think that's about it. If you randomly come across this, and you think you'd like to be featured in my first spotlight for August, then by all means, let me know.
-Reynold
What's changed the most? Well, mostly the scale of my stories. For example, the Asesino of Fire's story is now mostly envisioned as a screen play, which tells a very focused point of view in a very large world; it essentially keeps people guessing why character's act a certain way, or interested in the little tidbits of information they give. My stories will now take place in my own world. While many of them do, it just makes it that much more accomplishing when I finish crafting a world for my characters to live in – and, now, in a few of the plots I have laid out, the world itself is a character.
I'll be posting in this blog character descriptions, storyline synopsizes (apparently that's the correct way to spell that), storyline ideas and minor plot outlines. My character descriptions will always feature art of the character, and I'll try to have different artists do these depictions for me. Trust me, people really don't want to see my drawing skills tested.
Every month or so, I'm also planning on doing a Spotlight – focusing on an artist I've found, whether they work with music, digital art, photos, literature, anything. I hope this will help drive traffic, as well as me trying to share an artist with others around.
Since I'll be posting quite a few different things, I'll make sure to tag them with very specific entities, making it easier to search, too. I doubt there'll be many people searching around the blog, but hey, might as well. I'll mainly be focusing on three things at first: my HAVEN storyline (now changed to a screenplay format), including extra material I come up with; a new horror story I have yet to name, based thousands of years from now; and a storyline I've been working on forever, which I've called Omega. I have a few new ways to go about Omega, as I've never 'liked' the first entry to the series, but nothing is in stone for now.
I think that's about it. If you randomly come across this, and you think you'd like to be featured in my first spotlight for August, then by all means, let me know.
-Reynold
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