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JessicaMDouglas — K'i-Lin
Published: 2004-10-15 00:45:17 +0000 UTC; Views: 7664; Favourites: 244; Downloads: 2140
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Original: SoldPrints: Limited Edition still available.
The K'i-Lin, in china. Also known as the Kirin in Japan....
I'd like to say something here... This image was sparked after several people told me things like... "A dragon can't have hair or feathers. A unicorn can't have horse hooves or a curved horn. A naga-type creature can't have six arms." etc.
This is fantasy. The wonderful thing about fantasy is that you can make whatever you feel like making. So... with that in mind... I sat down and researched the K'i-lin. I didn't look at any other artist's rendition of this creature... I simply read page after page after page of descriptions on K'i-lin. Then I drew what my mind's eye told me. This is what *I* see when I think of the K'i-Lin. This is *my* interpretation of the words I read about a mythical (to some) creature.
I'll be doing an entire series... focused mostly on different culture's take on unicorns right now, since my researches lead me in some... interesting directions. Expect the unexpected...
But what I am trying to say is this: Please, take a little time to think before you say that something "can't be". Keep in mind that each time you say that, you are working to surpress an artist's creativity a little more... until they no longer want to express themselves through art. Unfortunately for all the people who have told me I "can't" do something.... I'm afraid that I don't listen very well. Sorry.
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Comments: 236
Those people sound like one of the art teachers at my former high school. She wanted the students to do THEIR pieces the way SHE invisioned the particular theme e.g. if it was a scary theme, she wanted you to put in headstones, ghosts e.t.c or else she wouldn't grade it.
People like that need to shove off.
I have a Kirin character in my head as well. I didn't envision her as you did with yours, but that's the beauty of art; different interpretations of the same subject makes them pieces more personal rather than manufactured copies.
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for some reason... whenever i see a kirin i think of poodles...
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BWAHAHAHAHA! Okay, you made my choke on my drink this morning. Thanks *laughs*
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Beautiful... and by that I am actually not refering as much to the picture, but as to your description.
Yes. I get tired of people saying that something can or cannot be. I don't listen to it of course, but it always irks me when people look at my dragons and say "why doesn't it have horns and why does it have bat ears?" Why? Because that is how my mind sees them. Creativity should be awarded, not scolded. It's starting to become a problem in multiple places too. Like nowadays, you can't really have an elf that isn't in love with forests and tall and humanlike because of how deeply that vision has been engrained into our minds. I bet that if I was to draw an elf totally different from what most people see that I would be shunned for not doing it the comman way.
that is why when I do draw something generic, I try and come up with my own mind's vision that has nothing to do with what I've seen before.
But... back to the picture. The coloring is brilliant, and I love your interpritation of the kirin! I can't wait to see more of these interpritations from you.
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I love when unicorns and unicorn-like creatures do not look like a 'one-horned horse' -- thank you, Jess for bringing this singular vision to us.
The anime The Twelve Kingdoms actually plays with the idea of a kirin, as a holy creature ordained by the heavens to choose kings. It is an interesting show if you're doing research on the subject.
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They are wonderful! Very original design and very well done. It's amazing!
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OMG
I love this.
You have no idea. . .
I know it wasnt for me at all
but thank you anyways
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Awww, they're beautiful! And fluffy! Although the hair coming out from just behind the nostrils kinda freaks me out. But in a good way! I think they're shibby!
~Sky~
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They are so beautiful ^^
I love this picture *nodnod*
You did a lovely job ^_^
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"A unicorn can't have horse hooves ...." who ever said this needs to be smacked hard, cause in the most basic sense a unicorn is a horned horse. very nice picture by the way
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In fact, It's not *only* a horned horse...a lot of sources depicted the unicorns as some kind of deer-antelope being, or something between that and a horse, with two-toed hooves. This is the most extended and accepted depiction, but as mistressofspam said, fantasy artists may follow this type of depictions or not, because, hey, it's fantasy. I think i can understand boths sides. BTW, I never liked the unicorn pics that were merely a horse with a horn attached on its forehead...but that's me. Im' not saying that's "wrong", because, er, we don't have a living unicorn for reference purposes...
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"Im' not saying that's "wrong", because, er, we don't have a living unicorn for reference purposes... "
That's what they ALL say. It's a conspiracyyy!
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I totally agree with you! I think the word "can't" Should not be in an artists vocabulary. You should always draw what you feel!
And I Love the pic!!!
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Simply beautiful! I love the message also, it is very true. Which is why I love writing fantasy so much. But the picture is just so... pretty... I love the coloring and the manes are just... wow! Spendid job!
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OMG!!! u colored it! i told u it would look even more spectacular and it does... it's absolutley gorgeous!!
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They're so pretty! I love how graceful you made them! ^^
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that colored pencil work can't be
I know how complicated it must have been. Creativity is always good.
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Amen!
People who have set convictions on such things really annoy me, too. Beautiful Ki-lin, by the way.
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Well, I'm glad that you are stubborn. lol I enjoy your work, and totally agree about the not saying something "can't be".
This piece is really cool. I like how you did all those things people said "can't be". That should show them. lol
The hair on this is great--I always like the way you do hair, its so flow-y. The scroll in the background is really cool too--gives hint to the myth. Great job on this piece. Keep it up.
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Wonderful! I love it, and it's a very good way to say "NAAAH" to em people who say can't do this, shouldn't do that, ect ect! *bearhugs* You and your art are truly awesome! ^___^
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I'm loving so much how you did those scales. They really look like they're popping off the page all 3-D like. Plus, their hair is gorgeous.
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The beauty of art is in the artist's unique interpretation, not the ability to conform. Good on you, for ignoring all those "You can't"s, making your work yours, and for inspiring others to do the same.
I am really looking forward to the rest of this series.
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You are SO right.. I am so bloody sick of people going off on it must be done a certain way like a harpy this way..a unicorn this way ..yadda yadd...hmm....they fail to realize like what you said..it's fantasy and you can create whatever you want 
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Your creative soul is what makes your art so beautiful. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
This is a definite fave. I adore unicorns of all kinds, and the kirin is one of my favorites.
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those are very beautiful creatures. 
and i completely agree with you. the idea of a "dragon" or "unicorn" or whatever should not be limited to one picture... it should be left to the artist for interpretation. the very idea of fantasy... i'm glad you don't let other views limit you. but anyways, awesome piece of art
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Bravo. I completely agree with you because right now I feel like I am majorly being artistically supressed by a new teacher and I'm glad to hear you voice and put words to what I could not. THank you.
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You never cease to amaze! Very excellent job!
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Or, as a variation to can't...Those who say something is impossible shouldn't interupt the person who is doing it.
Anyway, love the picture, and I totally agree with you about fantasy.
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So CURLY! OMGTHATSOFUNOMGOMGOMGOMG
*easily amused*
Great job! Love those scales!
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Wow, they look really cool.
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Wow! You did a great job! I hope people don't get it confused with the beer xD I know them better as kirin, so I'll call them that. First of all --- Good for you for telling people and knowing that fantasy is fantasy -- not written out, its whatever you want it to be!
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wow very awesome! ^__^ I love the way that it turned out!
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Well, kudos to you for your blatant unwillingness to compromise on your vision.
I love this and think it's absolutely gorgeous, and as always, stand in awe of your talent. Love it, love it, LOVE IT! <3 *Luff to j00*
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