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#anthro #crown #female #furry #gun #kiseru #mustelid #pipe #pistol #raygun #space #spaceship #starship #weasel #wreath #floralcrown #japaneseweasel #otterzapper #mustelaitatsi
Published: 2017-11-26 23:28:50 +0000 UTC; Views: 2584; Favourites: 61; Downloads: 4
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Description
Mistress of the StarsKeeper of the spaceways
Bridger of the darkness
You who turns the arming key
You who closes the priming circuit
Grant us breath where is no air
Let us see where is no light
Preserve us from the perils of space
and the violence of the enemy's paw
------- the Space-travellers' prayer
GIMP 2, about 30 hours. Some self-made custom brushes.
My entry in the 2017 Space-Revived Chromatic contest.
Space Art Contest: Chromatic! *CLOSED FOR JUDGING!
The Chromatic contest is now closed for judging! Many thanks to all of the participants and everyone who advertised the contest, we have had an excellent showing and hopefully everyone enjoyed it!
TobiasRoetsch and myself will now carefully deliberate the final scores by the 13th. No doubt the selection will be close, with impressive works entered into the competition. The prizewinners will be contacted as soon as possible for their prize preferences!
Take a look at the entries from the contest gallery below:
Please don't go by Axel-Astro-Art
My colours of choice are yellow and red.
Many thanks to all who have commented and offered their thoughts during the process. A special nod of recognition goes out to Planetrix and Zulden for their thoughts on a tricky subject, ERA-7 for her massive knowledge of art theory, and - lastly today - conservancy for a well-needed nudge -.o
EDIT: I intend to touch this up for Art Square, but the original will still be in my scrapbook.
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Comments: 77
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Why, thank you - this is one of my few pieces on display where I specifically strove to make the character stand out as attractive, so very glad to hear it was a success.
You can probably tell whence some of the inspiration for this design came -.o
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Why, thank you.
Truth to be told, this is not only imagination, but as my last picture of 2017 it is very much a compilation of things I learned in my first year on Deviantart. Just a year before, I could not have painted this - I neither had the skill to accomplish it nor the frame of reference to imagine.
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There she is, in all her glory! Really glad to see that you finished it in time. I also have to compliment you on that background -- it is really, truly gorgeous. The stars and supernovae are wonderful, of course, but it's the little details like those shadowy planets in the upper left that fill in the scene and make it come together. Great hands, too, btw! I just hope that you're happy with how well this came out (because you should be 
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Thank you, and indeed here she is, in all her glory - and not much else. Must admit, was not so certain about the change from kimono to sparkly two-piece, but think it came out for the better. Kimono tend to give a "boxy" appearance, and for a weasel it does a lot for the impression to display the steel spring physique. It also made it easier to include two of the more obviously warlike details: The ribbon bar clasp, and the Peacekeeper key.
I am really glad to hear you mention the dark planets. Time ran out so could not implement this as extensively as I intended, but most of the large "tendrils" of the nebula cross a small cluster of objects as they near the edge. The idea is that the crisper objects sit on a trail the eyes can follow towards the upper body.
There are a couple of things I might touch up after the contest, but for now, very pleased with the learning experience - there are a few things in there I did not think I could do, and some I have never done before.
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I just noticed that you updated this. It really came together nicely. I appreciate the the use of warm colors over the typical cool often seen in space art. It’s a bold choice and I think pays off well in viewer engament. Causing the spectator to ask “What is going on here?” And then study the piece more closely.
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Thank you, and indeed you hit the nail right on the head there -.o One of my biggest motivations for joining the contest was getting an incentive to question my ideas of colour. Most of my space scenes in colour have tended to be in warm reds and yellows. Mostly because a lot of my inspiration when it comes to the more fantastic side of space art - ranging from Masters of the Universe through John Carter (mostly the Kari Leppänen incarnation) and Richard Corben - occurs in settings where it is indeed very warm. But also because when I paint deep space scenes, I have often wilfully ignored or intentionally gone against my knowledge of colour theory. While at university, I grew sick and tired of people seeing arbitrary symbolism in my work (the same people who in all seriousness apply contemporary gender roles to planets and rank their value accordingly...), and strove to make it a hard point that the universe is frankly anti-anthropocentric.
We shall see how the contest goes, but have indeed learned a good deal in this painting.
If you do not mind my curiosity, what would you say is going on here?
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Just an FYI people often assign geneder to my planet watercolor scenes like Goodbye Cassini even though that is not my intention. I think we are strongly socialized to just assign gender it is so imbedded in our psyche that people do it unconsciously. It is so implicit that it is something you have to be mindful of to overcome. I just don’t know how many people are engaged in that kind of mindfulness yet?
I change my mind on what I think is representated here every time I view it. Originally I thought she was some kind of way finder. A piece on discovery? Especially given the space travelers prayer that you put in your description. The center of the nebula type feature in the background has that darker window or door like appearance as if that’s the direction of travel she is heading in and guiding the ships to.
But, the piece has to me militaristic undertones with the warm color palette, weapon at her side, and general design of the ships they look almost like weapons. The space travelers prayer also has aspects to it that are creatives and destructive.
Perhaps it is both or none of the above and just a cool anthro space piece?
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You got that right. Tend to view planets perhaps not as specifically female or male, but by implication as girls or boys - as children. I know it is as irrational, but still do.
I should probably have added emphasis around the issue, on the "rank" and "value" parts. Sadly, Swedish higher education is not always an environment where gender equality thrives - sometimes with the faculty to blame. Not something I recall fondly.
This interpretation was a curious read; it reads very closely to how the idea developed. I intended to go entirely with awe and wonder, with the character as a patron saint or embodiment of safe travel and wayfinding; the setting between two pillars of a nebula were indeed hoped to convey the image of a gate or window. Still, in every sketch I made the starships were mistaken for missiles - the "rocketship" design is not so common in popular consciousness today, but wanted to keep it to preserve the gilded fantasy aesthetic. Thus decided to play with the ambiguity and enter some warlike aspects. That also prompted a change of the character's species, from vulpine to musteline: Just as foxes are typecast as clever and mysterious, so are mustelids as fearless and unrelenting, merciless and unpredictable. Two qualities spacefarers should strive to possess, and two for which deep space should rightly be treated with respect. It is a wondrous environment, but also unbelievably dangerous - and given human nature, we may not be about to make this any better. The Space-travellers' prayer is very closely modeled on historical mariners' hymns, most of which invoke protection from piracy and war as much as protection from the elements.
But you are very right, in the end it balances between the three main pillars of space art. Majesty, dread, and just plain coolness.
The last, I am especially glad to hear.
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Creative and very beautiful the whole image builds the character.
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Thank you, and even moreso for the advice on the way.
It was with only hours left of the competition, but finally figured out a way to replicate a hint of Turner's "mustard painting", and looking back it probably saved the whole left quarter of the background. The ugly brush made it!
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You mean the ugly blush ruined it?
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Hmm... yes, guess that might be the appropriate wording. Quite as intended, ruined in all the right ways.
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It looks very cool that I know for certain, very impressive work!
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This is beautiful. Nice nova effect in the background.
Just one question. What is she smoking?
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Thank you. Most pleased with that background - figured out a few new tricks while I was at it.
That is a kiseru, a Japanese style of pipe. The kiseru usually has a bamboo shaft and a simple metal bowl and mouthpiece, but took a lot of creative liberty here.
She smokes a kizami blend from Alnitak, flavoured with lilac and a hint of sweet pepper.
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I have one of those pipes (not like this one!) I picked up in Asia. Mmmm... smells good!
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Not a smoker myself, but very fond of the smell of pipe tobacco - and when it comes to applied art, pipes of all sorts are among my favourite items.
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Why, thank you <3
Holidays were busy and time ran out, so had to cut a couple of corners, but was a really good learning experience. I never imagined this would be possible to finish when I woke up today.
But, I promised a good acquaintance a late christmas miracle - and as promised, the miracle happened.
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You're welcome-it's fantastic!
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Oh my o.O Are you okay?
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It's getting too beautiful for me can you tone it down a bit with an ugly brush?
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Hmm... Now that is an idea, actually.
I think I read something earlier about composing with textures, and have wanted to sneak in a Turner reference - the honourary godfather of space art. Perhaps it would be an idea to include a rough flame in the background.
Going into detail with the nebula on Monday. Let me get back to you.
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This has been really interesting to watch unfold, especially this time where I can catch a closer glimpse into your process and look at the colour palettes close to the work areas.
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That is good to hear, and also feel it has worked very well. One of the most important single sentences I have heard in the year is probably "check your thumbnails", and feel it has done a lot of good to have a finished state every day. Have saved .pngs regularly on all my larger paintings this year, but until now never did anything with them until I was finished.
If nothing unexpected eats my time, hoping to have most of the fur done by Sunday.
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"Uncomfortable weasel is a dangerous weasel, moreso than usual" <--- I'll admit it, I laughed
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Come to think of it the danger might be exaggerated since, to paraphrase Valentina Tereshkova herself, there is no such thing as sagging in space. But even if the top is just there so I have an excuse to arrange sequins like spiral galaxies, have criticized others for uncomfortable-looking or even outright dangerous fantasywear in the past.
Which reminds me, got to look up some cut gem tutorials today. Cosmoskitty had a good one for smooth gems, but was planning to use it only on the visible eye for contrast.
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Just finished a pretty good book on the mundane aspects of space flight (Packing for Mars by Mary Roach), and the author mentioned that. She described a few other ways in which weightlessness can affect the appearance, too. Your organs migrate away from your midriff, giving you a more slender appearance, and your body dumps a bunch of water because it thinks there's too much blood in the upper torso (so you lose weight). Sounds like space flight might be an appearance enhancer for some
What blew my mind is all the other things that just don't work very well in weightlessness, like being able to feel that you need to urinate (urine collects in the center of the bladder, rather than the bottom), or how your inner ear becomes really confused, leading to extreme nausea. Even burping is challenging, because bubbles no longer float to the top of the stomach so the gas tends to be accompanied by liquid on the way out.
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Curious coincidence: That is exactly what I needed right now.
Have been indecisive whether to keep the near-zero body fat for a more weasel-like appearance, or to add a lot more softness even before the fur. Looks like I do not need to choose after all.
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Not sure if astronauts get this cut, but slender is probably the way to go. If you're trying to show zero G effects, though, don't forget the floating hair!
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Yes, this is certainly a bit exxaggerated. Have filled her out a bit, but intend to keep her hard as steel and ready to leap right across the room if need be. Probably not proper zero gravity in this scene, though - trying to preserve the hard "wedge" of the head against the dark, but floating hair is certainly on the list for this Spring.
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Slowly creeping forward. Painting on the laptop in the city library right now - picked up a book on Bruno Liljefors for reference.
It is a strange thing to think once I would never have touched said book - frankly his subjects are hideously boring. Only now I have learned perhaps this is not a bad thing; leaving no bias nor distraction as I study his craft instead.
Thanks for reminding me to update the title. Had in mind to turn the WIP into a step by step breakdown when finished and upload a new file, but know many have added this page to collections already. Better to do it the other way around.
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Maybe even use the word completed so people know for sure it's not just another update.
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this is pretty well done,i love the mix of warm colors that make that burning effect,as if you touch it would burn you.The decoration that it has on her head is nice,i would love to see it finished,and the hair matches pretty well,but it gets lost because it's like golden yellow,and the background it's a really similar color.i don't really like the head but that goes on you,it's well made,but i quite don't understand why that face and not a human one,no hate.the pose that she's doing is nice,the proportions are well made and it's comfortable to look at,definitely a piece of work that i'm interested in see how it's finished.
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this , my dear artist , is a beautiful masterpiece!
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Why, thank you.
There are fifteen days left of the competition, and I paint very slowly. This is good inspiration to hear.
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This is coming along beautifully, I'm really looking forward to seeing it completed. I'm just as interested to read the final description. You're putting a lot of work into this very interesting image I want to learn more about the ideas and meaning behind it. As it is it seems to evoke a romantic call to exploration and colonization of space, almost as a poster piece of encouraging the effort. It seems to blend both the desire for exploration with the drive to spread life to new worlds. The blended features of the central figure with her mix of human, robotic, and animal features seems like an acknowledgement of the need of humans to blend with both exosphere and technology to facilitate the advance into the stars.
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Thank you, and please forgive me for taking long to reply. Holiday preparations, and one last attempt to meet last year's single resolution, have been keeping me not so much busy as distracted.
There is indeed quite a long story about how this character came together, and exactly what influences - old and new - produced her. I would like to keep it open whether she is a physical individual or a personification, so as with many possible amalgamations, the influences are wide apart.
This concept has gone through a lot of interations, but the pipe, specifically a kiseru (if a highly elaborate one) is irreplacable. Without belittling the massive contributions from C.S. Lewis through Flash Gordon, Lensman and Dune, without Toho space opera could not exist. As the starships are fantastical but technically inclined rocketships, so the character had to be a Japanese mythical animal. In my youth, one of my first encounters with the kitsune was a modern depiction smoking a pipe; a minor trend around the turn of the millennium. Today the fox is however somewhat de-mythologized, and in the furry fandom the fox is frequently typecast, often as sensuous and dreamy. I wanted to return a sense that for all its wonder and majesty, space is at once terribly frightening - and to play on how today, spacecraft in fiction are never rocketships, and so the shape invokes the thought of missiles.
There is certainly a lot of romanticism at work, and certainly a call to intrepid exploration - but it is in the vein of Togo on his bridge, or Nelson wreathed in golden light. These are pursuits that juxtapose the idealistic and the cruel, in an environment that is as beautiful as it is uncompromising.
Thus the character turned from vulpine to musteline. Part because I wanted to spotlight a lesser known Japanese mythical animal - while the kamaitachi is a most formidable beast, the Japanese weasel is largely unknown - but also because like foxes, mustelids have a reputation: Fearless and unrelenting, unpredictable and merciless. The former two are vital attributes for space-travellers in any setting, the latter two attributes for which space itself is rightly respected. For a character that could be either an individual or a personification, the fit seemed perfect.
That, and Mustela itatsi has a very nice ring to it.
Hmm... just noticed the hour has gone from PM to AM since I started writing. Merry Christmas!
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Make sure you change the name and remove WIP when your done
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This is good its some kind of expressive art.Its show the variety of the art. the Color is good, the character is kinda different but its cool but i still dont know what kind of species are you making.
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Thank you. This is a work in progress, so a lot of the broad strokes are not final, but that is an interesting thought - I am very much in a phase of studying 18th century painters right now, but expressionism just might be next up.
The character is a Japanese weasel, mustela itatsi, with a couple of ferret features. Weasels are fascinating creatures, but the Japanese species is not so well known abroad. I made an earlier study with the character as a fox, but changed to weasel because the traits of mustelids fit better with astronauts and space: Fearless and unrelenting, and unpredictable and merciless.
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This looks really cool, I never really see art like this even when hunting for it. I like the fire-y colors and the pose of the...ferret? [looks like a ferret, please correct if I'm wrong]
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