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itoshii-sanagi — Intimidation / intimacy (Vegeta/Bulma)
Published: 2013-05-14 18:18:39 +0000 UTC; Views: 3688; Favourites: 43; Downloads: 3
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Description
I feel like I've totally failed to express what I wanted to express. It turned out looking superficial instead of meaningful…I wanted to portray the contrast of intimidation and intimacy,
of…
…being a complete outsider, unwanted, looked down upon, ordered around, not taken serious and unable to rebel…
…and of finally not being treated like a monster, being accepted, loved, desired, cared for.
On the left side Vegeta is probably in his teenage years which must have been especially difficult under Frieza’s command. Nothing serious happens in that scene, because I wanted to work with atmosphere rather than with explicitness.
On the right side he is much older. However the scene is supposed to show them shortly before the Buu Arc. I wanted to capture the intimacy between them, the vulnerability Bulma has in that moment - which he cherishes and gives her his own vulnerability in return.
Everything is done with pencil and black fine liner, except for the background. I used Photoshop for it and also to add the stars.
At first the empty space on the right side was bothering me, but maybe it doesn't look that terrible after all? I don't know anymore... @_@
EDIT:
After thinking about it for a long time... I've decided I should just leave the empty space as it is, because in the end I feel more like the simpleness adds to the atmosphere.
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Comments: 7
It's obvious, what you wanted to portray... the way those three look down on Vegeta as well as that malicious grin of one of them... on top of that, you drew them in a 'higher place' than Vegeta, again showing that they feel superior to him... at least, that's the impression I got here (you know, I'm not familiar with all these characters, the story, etc anymore, haha..). His expression says it all...not content with how things are but still unable to do something... Good job on this!
And I like the background! Simple, yet it just fits, especially on the left side. To answer your question, I'm not too sure what you could have drawn instead of leaving it blank... maybe a few pillows to make it look more cozy? It could have distracted from focussing on that caring scene, though! The way it is now, it seems, that only Bulma and Vegeta count, nothing else.
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I do definitely see what you are trying to portray, but I have to say that the right side/ the intimate side, sort of bothers me too. I feels like it's not finished... maybe add a sheet or blanket over the lower half of their bodies to add sort of an atmosphere or placement of the characters so they aren't simply floating in white space. If the absence of a specific scene is what you were going for, add more of a gradient to their figures and make them fade out in a gradual/soft way rather than just straight dark lines against pure white. Maybe try a bit of stippling?
Other than that, I really like this piece and the idea behind it. ^^
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Yes, I know... It looks more like a sketch - even more once I added the background to the other side. Thanks a lot for your tips, they were very helpful and I appreciate them a lot! I'll definitely try to fix this somehow.
Aw, I'm glad to hear that. Thank you!
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Hey, don't worry, I don't think you failed with your intention. It was exactly, what I though, when I'd seen your work before reading the description.
I love the idea and think you did well in portraying the harsh contrast of hate and love, pain and safety in Vegetas life. The side with his past let me feel sad for him, it's actually inconceivable, how cold and brutal his life must have been and how much he had to suffer under Freezer. A prince, proud like him, having to bow before another creature. 
On the other side I can see the warmth and security he found in his new life with a woman, so weak and vulnerable and still the only one, strong enough to be able to give him protection and security, so he can lower is mask. It's all fine and works for me
I like the fact, that you put the left side in dark colors and the right side in bright colors, which increased the contrast of cold harshness and warm softness.
Also I like his tense and a little desperate expression on the left and Bulmas expression. Looks really nice and loveable
It's just a pity, that you left the right side quite empty. I think it also works as a contrast, when one side is full of details and the other more minimalist, but cuz of the white "hole" it looks a bit...undone. Guess, that's what you meant with "bothering you". It doesn't look terrible at all, but some few more pencilstrokes (e.g. contours of his body or her legs, hint of sheets or some corny "dream-sparkle-bubbles" [??I've no idea, how to name what I mean XDD] to make it still more smoother) would have been perfect, I think
Don't trouble yourself, you've done a really nice work here
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Oh my... your comment. I don't even know where to start... First of all thank you so much for taking the time to write so much, you have no idea how much I appreciate it and I loved reading your words and finding out about the thoughts you have on my drawing (and reading that you see things exactly as I do). I'm actually close to crying a little, because it makes me so happy; haha. Really, thank you.
Being forced to grow up like this... no wonder he had so much hatred/aggression inside of him. Ah... how you feel about it and how you see it, that I was actually able to transfer these feelings and the contrast in the end... that really... makes my heart feel a little lighter, if that makes any sense.
Yes, the empty space has this 'undone'-look, but when I added more to the picture it just wouldn't fit in - a blanket or more of their bodies. I'm not that content with how I solved this. But I'm relieved that it doesn't look as terrible to others as I feared. Maybe I'll try adding something to it again later. And don't worry, I totally know what you meant by "dream-sparkle-bubbles" XD
Thank you so, so much for your input and words!
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