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SarurunKamui — Breath of Spring
Published: 2012-01-03 05:58:29 +0000 UTC; Views: 5445; Favourites: 392; Downloads: 0
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Description
DEAR AMMY THIS TOOK FOREVER.Well, not really, because obviously I finished. This was one of those pieces where you just keep working and working and suddenly you have nothing left to work on, and you're like like "Oh, I'm done." I started it mid-November... I really enjoyed working on it, though. I had trouble figuring out how to do the grass, but I think it worked out. And look--real flowers!
Anyway. I've always seen Shiranui as less a being of grace and beauty than of power and majesty, so I wanted to reflect that here--a creature whose breath is the warm spring breeze and whose growls are thunder, and who is as likely to lick your face as it is to tear it off. It lives in a painted world, but its nature is impossible to capture with ink alone... which is why Shiranui lends itself wonderfully to digital media, I think, despite my preference for traditional ink paintings.
This is possibly the most time-absorbing piece I've done, and it's certainly the biggest digital piece I've done at 125.7 MB, 29 layers (only 22 visible), and... a lot of pixels. OTZ
Done in PSE4, based on a pencil sketch (see alternate version here: [link] )
The music that kept me going: [link]
Brushes used: [link] [link] [link] [link] [link] [link]
Prints and posters available in my Etsy shop! [link]
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Comments: 53
Don't overreact, ThePurplePretztail...
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By "more focus on the flowers", are you referring to the chrysanthemums? Making them a little brighter, perhaps?
Thank you very much. And I agree, the large majority of Ammy art is of her looking happy/motherly/cute, and often dextrous/graceful, despite her also being a demon-slaying beast of somewhat monstrous size for a wolf. Which is fine, but it can get old. So I too appreciate when artists capture that fiercer side. And since I have a penchant for drawing creatures that look ready to eat someone, I love doing that myself.
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THAT'S NOT FREAKING AMMY. It's SHIRANUI, FOR GOD'S SAKE. Ugh.
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They're the same. Shiranui is just the name the villagers gave Amaterasu when they didn't know any better. That's why they have the same scent, why it's so powerful when Amaterasu reaches her full power again at the end, etc.
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I'm also referring to the Critique.
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oh my, when i first looked at this in my Watch messages i could tell that it was going to be something good, and boy was i right! at first glance the light and shadow are captivating and draw me to want to look at it more. now for the critique
Vision: Excellent! 5 stars! i can see exactly what the artist wants me to, and i can easily distinguish between features!
Originaity: it is very hard to be original these days, and i have seen lots of drawings similar to this, but your point of view and added effects give it a unique look to it that stands out from others
Technique: Superb! your style of drawing fur is a unique one, and you do very good with it. but if i had to say something, it would have to be Ammy's solar flare. you did a wonderful job representing the games art style with the flames, but the disc itself looks a little small in proportion to the rest of ammy, but otherwise you did very good
and Impact: as i said, at first glance the lights and effects really draw me in, and your unique style caught my eye in my watch messages. it really looks like ammy is about to tear me apart XD i think its excellent, 5 stars
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My first critique--thank you so much! Words cannot express my appreciation.
Solar Flare is definitely pretty small... I guess I just didn't want the fire to be a focus of the piece, but I guess it does look a tad odd.
I'm relieved it comes through so well. Thank you again for your input.
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Definitely a different take on the character, and a refreshing one at that. I'm sick of seeing the very pleasant, dainty Amaterasu/Shiranui renditions (not that they're bad, but as I said, this is refreshing). Your ability to capture the nuances in expression and pose really shine here, and they DO give Shiranui a rather menacing appearance.
I particularly like how you handled the fur. It seems like the hackles are raised - a sign of suspicion - which lends to the overall more "threatening" or even "threatened" look. Absolutely wonderful job!
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Thank you very much! And I agree with you on the pleasant/dainty bit. They're definitely nice, but... this is a wolf we're talking about, after all.
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Very dynamic work. I can feel the air thick with his magicks!
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Thank you very much.
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Stunning work, you can tell you've taken a lot of time over it and it has paid off - nicely done
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I tried to comment on your reply on my critique, but unfortunately, I'm not a premium member so it wont let me.
(although I don't see why they'd make you be a premium to participate in conversations on critiques.. yet still let you critique things themselves)
So I'll just send my reply here.
Yes I was referring to the chrysanthemums, in my personal opinion I thought if there was a little more focus on the flowers or the grass blooming around her feet it would further balance the other, kinder nature.
All I've seen lately are wolves with lonesome expressions or graceful okami fanart, it was a breath of fresh air to finally see something so beautifully fierce again 
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That's unfortunate. Maybe I'll submit a message to an admin asking about that...
Hmm, I'll try that. Uploading things to DA always results in a small but noticeable loss in color and contrast, too, so it should just need a little extra boost. But they're fairly dull to begin with too.
Thanks again very much. c:
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I'm a big fan of Angry Ammy -- or in this case, Shiranui. ... Only because I rarely see them at their most vehement. But I know, and the imps do too, that that calm veneer is merely a facade and they can get downright mean! 
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Thank you!
Anger is a lot more interesting to draw.
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This is awesome ^^ love the background too
Sets a nice mood
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Fantastic! There's something about the expression I just love. (:
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Shiranui is absolutely amazing! You really are talented, especially with such a unique idea!
Awesome!
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THIS.
I think this "captures her nature" better than any other piece I've seen. Awesome job!!
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Thank you! I'm really happy to hear that.
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This is awesome~
I am so very fond of Shiranui pieces. Sadly enough she's not as popular among fanartists. :/
And also, you have a very beautiful gallery~! c:
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Thank you~
Shiranui is an amazing character with an amazing design... I'm honestly surprised she doesn't have more fanart either.
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