Marker Art - Aggressive Courtship

Another marker piece, but this time featuring my other creature creation, Drarowks. In this piece, the female Drarowk (gray one) is angrily roaring at the male Drarowk (brown one). Just for brief information, the Drarowks are solitary animals, only interacting with each other when competing for territory or during mating season. And even in mating season, both sexes act very aggressive towards each other and takes a while for the pair to calm down. And that's all I'll give until I can put together a species sheet.

This is just a concept in terms of color. Some of which will be modified in the final reference sheet.

Digital Coloring - Nextwave

Just a little sample of my work from Fall 2010 Digital Coloring and Lettering. For one of our assignments, we were to "professionally" color two comic pages provided to us. These two pages are from Nextwave. Of course, the artwork isn't done by me, so I claim no ownership. This is a redo color I have done for extra credit and looks much improved from my original. Will I post them? Maybe for comparison's sake, but for now, here's the good version.

Marker Art - Aqua Serpent

More like marker practice since I haven't created any marker art in awhile. Anyway, another one of my creature creations. Still no official name for it for now, so I'm temporarily calling it the "Aqua Serpent." Done during a quick break from studying for my final exam and had the urge to do a little artwork for myself for a change. It's not perfect, but not half bad.

And for those who are curious about this creature, I will reveal some information with time, but I can say that it's mostly an aquatic species, is a herbivore, and society is predominately matriarchal. Anyway, back to studying.

Concepts - Drarowk

One more set of sketches before getting back to studying and working on my final projects. For the first time ever, I give you another creature creation that is not a Vaarg. It's called a Drarowk, which is mostly a hybrid of a werewolf and lizard/dragon. No, they don't or will change human after the full moon. These creatures are reptilian and canine like in nature. Most of them is covered in short fur, but the underbelly and underside of their tails have soft scales. They also have a dark mane along their necks and strikes running down their backs and tails. I will get into them more as I continue to develop them.

Concepts - Ian and Evan

Been a long while, hasn't it? Yeah, I promise to upload new art and writings when I can. Hopefully, it won't be too long since I'm nearing the end of finals and will have available free time during break.

Anyway, my new set of concept sketches featuring the duo of Ian and Evan, both in canine form and human form. For those who might not know, they are in fact my only (for now) gay couple. Evan is the dark haired human and in canine form, he is essentially a border collie/wolf mutt. Ian on the other hand is a full blood wolf and in human form, I made him long hair to match his canine form. As humans, they are both challenging and fun to draw since I've drawn them only as canines. Additionally, I plan to do a small series of short stories about them since I already have a backstory for both and how they met. I won't give too much away and will be reveal in their new character sheets.

Sample script - Finding Her

The first two pages of my mini-comic, Finding Her, which is going to be a non-canon short story involving Voku and Nyura (and no she is not his sister, but someone just as important to him). Keep in mind that some things may change in editing, at least before I sit down and start drawing the comic. Without further ado, here's the sample:


Finding Her, One-shot – Melanee Wood

PAGE ONE

Panel 1. Establishing shot of a forest that is alongside a mountain. The forest has a mix of primarily deciduous trees with a few coniferous trees sprinkled in. It is near the start of dawn as a small light has appeared in the horizon.

Panel 2. Cut to of a long shot of the inside of the forest where there is the sight of predominately tree trunks, although the tree branches are hanging from above. Along the forest floor, there are dead leaves, ferns, stick, dirt, rock, and small shoots of grass coating it.

Panel 3. Close-up on the forest floor, angled downward.

Panel 4. Same close-up on the forest floor, except a nose and a single paw appears into the panel. The nose is black while part of the animal’s muzzle is black and blue. The paw is also black.

Panel 5. Same close-up as before, but now, more of the animal’s muzzle appears in the frame along with both of its feet, which are all black save for two sky blue rectangular bands close to his paws.


PAGE TWO

Panel 1. In medium-long shot, it is revealed that the creature is a Vaarg, but not just any Vaarg. It is Voku, one of two main protagonists from The Guardians. His head is craned upward and is looking towards his right. He is obviously looking for something, or rather someone.

Panel 2. Voku takes off running in that direction.

Panel 3. Voku then grinds to a halt just short of the opening within a group of trees.

Panel 4. He then takes a step closer to the clearing. He’s being very cautious as though not sure what to expect.

Panel 5. Medium close-up on Voku as his eyes widen with mild surprise.

Repost: Looking for a Beta Reader

Basically, I'm looking for a Beta Reader to edit and make any suggestions for one of my novels I'm currently working on called City of the Ferrets. The first thirteen chapters are roughly completed but am going back to rewrite some parts of chapter one. I also might even provide both versions of the same chapter to see which parts work and which doesn't.

The main criteria as far as what I'm looking for in a Beta reader is someone with enough experience in editing and critiquing other people's work. As well as have some patience with me as I've already completed 13 chapters, plus two more after chapter 14. At this time, I'm projecting around 17 to 18 chapters total for the book. Right now I'm struggling to rewrite chapter 14 and may end up splitting it into two. So if I'm taking longer than expected, that means I'm busy with my personal life, mostly school, or am on writer's block until I can come up with a new idea that works for the story and finish the chapter. Lastly, have to have good writing skills, in other words good grammar, spelling, and punctuation. No netspeak, improper grammar, or anything of that nature.

With those few things in mind and if you think you have what it takes as a Beta Reader, either send me a private message or email me at jadedillusions@gmail.com. Please do so soon as I want to get this, and potentially another future project, off the ground. For a little more information, go to my journal link I've provided at the top.

Official website concepts

In addition to the maquette, my plushie, and my story, this is just one of many projects I hope to complete by summer's end (or at least by the end of this year). Been working on designing my very own website, which I've been planning on and off for the past five years. Plus I've been looking for a good quality affordable web space and domain, and I think I've found one that suits my needs and budget.

Anyway, enough rambling. Here's some concept thumbnails to tie you over as well as my notes.

Plush - Toothless

As posted on my deviantart account and my livejournal post, I bring you TOOTHLESS! Took me a little over a week (about eleven days) to finish him and I'm happy with the results. Long story short, after seeing How to Train Your Dragon a few times, I wanted a plush of Toothless, but the official ones were not that appealing, not too mention one that was a little expensive. So I quickly decided to make one. After getting all the materials together and along with the help of Katy-A's tutorial and pattern, I got to work in creating him and his eyes. Over a week later, he's done!
I have to say, making him was fun and I will do the other dragons eventually, especially since I want to create Monstrous Nightmare and maybe a bigger Toothless plush. But that's a project for another time as I want to work on chibi plushes of my original characters plus I'm devoting some time to finish my City of the Ferrets novel and outline for all three books in The Guardians. Anyway, here's Toothless in all his glory.


Materials used: Black Minky cuddle plush fabric (from fabric.com), black felt, black thread, and stuffed with cluster stuff (most of his body) and poly pellets (his feet). His prosthetic tail is made from brown felt, velcro, and brown thread.
Pattern from: Katy-A on deviantart

Second maquette - Aquatic Creature

Yeah, just simply called "Aquatic Creature" for now. Still trying to come up with a name for it. At this time, I'm doing concept sketches on this creature which I'll post more soon. In the meanwhile, here's the maquette I made of it. Is the second one I've ever made and in my opinion, much improved from the previous one. Don't worry, pictures of the first will be posted soon as well. But anyway, here's the maquette in all it's glory.

Character Design - Original Characters

It's been a while since I last updated this blog. Had quite a few things going on in my life, including deciding to take a break from SCAD until the fall. Rest assure, I will be back and I won't be inactive during my break.

Anyway, some work from my classes, starting with Character Design. For the final, we had to come up with two original characters, make model sheets for them, and have an original story and script to translate that into our storyboard, and make a maquette of one of our characters. I'll post my craptastic maquette soon, but until then, here's some model sheets.

First up, Riley, my Tasmanian Tiger female pilot. I know she doesn't look much like the Thylacine, but as I draw more of her in the future, you'll really tell. Ironically, she was an actual one when I first thought her up years ago. I just hadn't used her until now. I'll get into more of her character when I upload some concept sketches of her later on, but to quickly summarize her personality, she's very bubbly, outgoing, and adventurous.

My second character, Commander Dunstan, the German Shepherd air commander in charge of Riley's little group (who we'll see later on). He's more sterner, gruffer, and protective when it comes to the young squad. Unlike Riley, he was a very recent addition to my little cast of characters I did for the assignment. Of course, like Riley, I plan on using him again in the future.

3D Art - Three Purpose Pack

Done for as a final project for 3D Design back in Winter quarter 2009, and is one that I'm extremely proud of. Simply called the Three Purpose Pack, the theme of the project was if someone was shipwrecked on an island and only had some materials washed up with him or her, would would they create? In answering the question, I came up with a survival carry-all in which has three main purposes--as a fish net, a tent, and a storage container for food. And it's entirely made from garbage bags, duct tape, wire, cardboard, PVC pipes, and yawn thread. This project took me many hours to complete, but I did it.

Character Design - Ninja and Samurai

Part of a project for Character Design and Storyboarding for Animation in which we had to design characters according to our chosen franchise. What's more, we had to draw in the franchise's style. For my franchise, I chose Avatar the Last Airbender, and I designed characters for my choice character type, the ninja and the samurai respectfully. I had fun on this assignment as I did the storyboards as part two for our project.

3D Art - Ferret Carrier Bag

Done as a project for 3D Design for Winter Quarter 2009. For the project, we had to design an item that can be worn by the individual. Since bags also fit into that category, I designed a Pet Carrier bag specifically for ferrets. To briefly describe it, it has two side pouches for storing food and water, another pouch on the other side for the ferret's leash, and inside the bag, a short leash for the ferret's harness so he/she can't escape.

2009 - Kingdom Hearts Keyblade

Well, technically, the keyblade itself was completed in June-July of 2008, but I didn't get around to posting pictures until 2009. Anyway, I created a papier mache Kingdom Hearts keyblade for my Sora costume at the SDCC that year. Eventually, I will have better photos of the keyblade, especially since I plan to make some necessary improvements--including a new keychain. I also plan to make another keyblade, either one from the game or my own design.

2009 - Tablet Sketches

Originally posted in February 2009, even though all the sketches were done in January. Anyway, I was testing my newer, smaller tablet at the time for my laptop and wanted to doodle on it on a regular basis. Unfortunately, due to the mass amounts of school I had, I had to put everything aside for my assignments. As for the sketches themselves: my fursona Rayne with new hair style I considered, two concepts of my human character Brian, Kyna (the Vaarg Goddess in my The Guardians story, and finally a speedpaint and sketch I wanted to do as an illustration in the future.

2007 - The Guardians Character Concepts

Another set of concepts originally posted in November 2007. Mostly characters that will be appearing in my novel The Guardians.

First up--Lonkarr, second-in-command of the Vogrove Mountain tribe (the brown Vaarg on the left), and his mate Melia (the magenta on the bottom right) and his son Tyee (in the middle). As a quick note, these colors are subjected to change, particularly Melia's.

Second batch: Nelli (the oragnish pink Vaarg), the cousin of Raiden and Ejnar (see my DA page to know who they are); Tzadok, (blue and green Vaarg), the father of Raiden; and Adeola (violet-blue Vaarg), the mother of Derwynn.

Third batch: in color form, Nakei (the yellow-orange Vaarg), Nelli's mother, and her older sister Aneko (yellow-ish green Vaarg), Raiden's mother; and in sketch form, Melia concept, a couple of Tzadok sketches, and Nakei's other concept.

Lastly in the four batch: Bahiti, a young Vaarg in one of the Vaarg tribes. I can't tell you much about this character yet, but here's a hint--one of my characters is related to her.

2007 - Vritra Sketches

Another set of sketches back in 2007. This time it's of my principle antagonist from my WIP novel The Guardians, and one of my favorite characters to work with in exploration of his general character and design overall.

In the top sketches are concepts when I was redesigning him (and still am to this day as I am with my Vaarg creatures). The middle sketches were of a mini-storyboard idea I had for months in which I hope to animate someday. The last set was just me having fun with a lazy Vritra. After all, he's the biggest bad guy and nothing is going to mess with him. In my old blog I mentioned that I liked one of the sketches so much, I redrew it on a larger scale, which you can find on my deviantart page.

2007 - Concept Art Collection part 1

Originally posted on October 2007, these are my concept art sketches of the four characters that will be appearing in my novel The Guardians. Featured here are: Bronius the Dragon God, Nomusa the Lion Goddess, Ripten the Griffin God, and finally some practice perspective doodles of one of the main characters in the story, Vexa.

Marker Art - Supergirl

A marker rendering I did of Supergirl for Materials and Techniques and one of my best works in the class. By far, markers have been one of my favorite mediums to work with and I plan to do more in the near future.

New art and writing blog

After giving it some thought, I've decided to go ahead and open a new art and writing blog. My previous blog will now be closed and I plan to update this one more frequently than the other. Though that depends my school schedule and if I have enough free time. But rest assure, watch out for more updates in the future as well as some of my art from my previous blog.

Take care!