DoA 5th Anniversary Arts

[aimeekitty]

Dec Arts Day 9!
On DA

This was a collaboration image done by Aimee C.(armeleia) and I for Den of Angels 5th Anniversary. Den of Angels is the largest English community for asian ball-jointed dolls. I was one of the founding members of Den of Angels and it's admin for a long time,... and eventually I retired and Aimee C. took over (along with the other volunteer moderators), so it's fitting that we do a collab for the anniversary!

The top figure with the blonde hair and dress was drawn and colored by me, and the lower figure with blue short hair was drawn by Aimee C. I meant to post this a while ago, but the file somehow got lost in my inbox.

You can get some t-shirts with the design, here.

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COUPLE UNRELATED THINGS:

♥ in lieu of that meme going around, how bout you just ask me questions and I'll answer. <3
or you can do it on twitter. By the way, I haven't had time to follow everyone and keep up with twitter and facebook, but if you @aimeekitty on twitter or you reply to a post on facebook, I -will- read it and respond where appropriate. <3

♥ Would you guys like to see a video demo on how I use COPIC markers or draw? (or would you like to see other types of videos...? Mitch is barred from answering this question.)
EDIT: I'll definitely do some drawing and marker tutorials then, when I get some time to figure out my setup, etc. :)

♥ If I did an art show, is it acceptable for me to do it with marker work? Or would I have to use watercolor or gouache or something? The reason I ask is that I've heard some people say they were worried about marker permanence over time? But I don't really know much about this. (I haven't noticed the colors fading, but I haven't really done a study.)

Comments

[arkadia.livejournal.com]

I would definitely love to see a video on you doing marker work.

As for the marker vs paint. I think researching different types of archival papers might help. Inks tend to last a long time so I don't see why this would apply differently to markers. I suppose it really depends on the brand you are using and the quality of the ink.

[junemermaid.livejournal.com]

It's funny even tho the two drawings go very well together my first thought was "That one girl looks so different than how Aimee usually draws!" lolzzz

Also I think it's okay to do marker work as long as you use good paper for it. I have markers I did 14+ years ago and the color is okay on them brilliance wise but they ended up bleeding something awful because I used crap paper. A good manga paper actually keeps better than bristol.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

can you recommend any particular papers, and thanks! :)

[junemermaid.livejournal.com]

I've started using unlined Deleter B4 paper for marker/ink work. It's the same paper I use for my comic pages so it holds ink really well but it doesn't have the non-photo-blues to get in the way~

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

how does it compare to the immediate bleed properties of regular copy paper? (which is what I typically use). I hate bristol because it's so thick that the colors don't bleed enough for me... I like having a watercolory feeling as I'm working.

[junemermaid.livejournal.com]

Oh God if you're working on copy paper that's like the MOST bleed you can get. The comic paper is made to take Copic inks so it doesn't bleed in an annoying way (save for reds, reds always feather on me!) but you can still paint with them. It's thinner stock than Bristol and even smoother than vellum Bristol. You can order thinner stock as most manga papers come in 2 thicknesses so why not try both and see which works better for you?

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

sounds like a good idea! sorry, I'm retarded, where do you order your's from?

Yeah, I like a LOT of bleed.

[covariant-brine.livejournal.com]

If you're talking copic markers, I would love to see you do a demo with those. They fascinate me, but I haven't invested in them because I can't afford to just buy a couple dozen colors to play with when I don't really know how to use them properly.

Also, I can't see how there would be a great difference between the lasting effects of copics vs watercolors. Watercolors are pretty fugitive anyhow, and on the right paper and kept out of sunlight, etc. I think they would be about equal, though I have nothing to cite comparing the two.

[ellorgast.livejournal.com]

My goodness, that is absolutely gorgeous.

[keita-yuki.livejournal.com]

A video of how you draw would be awsome. :3 Dr who drawings ^_^

[xhelloxghostiex.livejournal.com]

I would love some marker tutorials from you! Your work inspired me to get into marker coloring myself, so this would be super cool :)

[kittytreats.livejournal.com]

I would love to see a show of you using markers. I'll have to think about some other animation related questions for you soon. I didn't realize you retired on DoA. However I just started being more active on there. Its such a wonderful site. Its not as daunting with picking what doll to adopt with all the information. Hee hee its a great way for me to kill time at work too.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I still have an account and still have my dolls, but I just didn't have the time to devote to moderating and doing admin stuff. It's almost like a parttime job, I think people don't realize how much time the moderators spend on it. I spent a while of being slow and inactive before finally retiring.

Sure, you can ask animation questions, if I can, I'll answer.

[quentin-watson.livejournal.com]

I'd love a marker demo, too!

[april-art.livejournal.com]

Markers, like many inks, tend to be somewhat fugitive. But some fade more easily than others, so it really depends (most companies will have some info on lightfastness listed somewhere).

While it's true that some buyers in art shows positively freak about archival-ness of the materials used, that doesn't mean you can't use markers. I certainly know of artists who have used inks and markers on art in art shows--indeed, almost anything goes in some shows, although some have stricter rules than others. Just make sure you note it down on the bid sheets (or whatever price/info sheets they are using--there is usually a place to note down the medium used) and at least the buyer won't be able to say they weren't warned.

I love that DoA image, btw.

[desertrosecout.livejournal.com]

I love the DOA image.

I would love to see a tutorial by you.
My daughter is an artist and she primarily uses markers. She is very very good (I don't say this because I am the mom, she really is good).
I try to make sure she has good supplies to use, and I am interested in the markers that are named above. Where is a good place/mail order? to purchase Copic markers? And the paper mentioned. Daughter is using sketch paper, and regular copy paper at this time.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

just because I use it doesn't mean that it's the best thing to use... different people prefer different things,

I've tried probably 5 different brands of markers over the years, I prefer COPICs.

but, you could buy her a couple colors from COPIC and see if she likes them. They require practice using, too... I think, because they react a little differently than other markers.
whenever you switch marker type/brand,... it's important to see how much they bleed, how quickly they dry, whether -once dry- the same color layered on top of itself produces a deeper color or not, how the colors blend into each other while wet and dry. that sort of thing.
this aren't criteria... they're qualities, and some prefer certain ways...

I use regular copy paper ALL THE TIME. I prefer it to expensive "nice" paper, because of the way it bleeds, and how easy it is to see through on my light box.

you can get COPICs at anime conventions, kinokuniya bookstores, SWAIN's art stores (probably other fine art stores...) ... http://copicmarker.com/ or just do a search for COPIC markers.
I'd recommend the SKETCH variant on the markers because they have two tips, but one of the tips is a brush tip, which is really fun. all of mine are that type.

[desertrosecout.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the information, I really appreciate it...I will see if she is interested in these.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

http://www.dickblick.com/products/copic-sketch-markers/

they carry them too. :)

[uniformgrey.livejournal.com]

I would love to be able to see your process with markers! I really enjoy watching others work and the different techniques used by everyone - each individual has their own flare with their supplies of choice.

Congrats on DoA being the prime spot of Ball Jointed Dolls, though you've retired its great to see your influence still active in the community. The collaboration you both did is quite stunning.

As for the ask you questions meme: what attracted you to jump into doing comics/manga format work after working in animation and doing illustrations for so long? Do you have someone you can accredit with giving you that push you needed to give it a try?

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

hey, I'm not sure if I fully understand your question...? what do you mean "doing comics/manga format work" ? (such as...?)

[uniformgrey.livejournal.com]

Your Japan Ai: A tall girl's adventures in Japan and other shorts?

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

oh! well, I guess I wouldnt really call it manga. I mean... manga is japanese comics... and the way I draw japan ai, it's just the way I draw shorthand after years. I'd say the influence is from drawing in animation in general... doing simple shapes as a shorthand., and then also I'm sure I've been influenced by cute manga and such, but it's not a conscious choice to draw "manga".
But I'll answer you more in detail later. <3

[uniformgrey.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much and sorry for any confusion!

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

it's no problem! it's not really important, everyone's perspective is different. :)

[baka-echo.livejournal.com]

The DoA collaboration is absolutely beautiful! You guys did a wonderful job. It's amazing how two different drawing styles can work so well together. <3