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swan-swan — Keep Holding On

Published: 2007-04-14 22:36:35 +0000 UTC; Views: 7223; Favourites: 154; Downloads: 46
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Description I finally finished this pic!

It wasn't really the work, it was more of the mood...the emotion to put into it. Well, I had that emotion, and so I started up the Avril Lavigne playlist and began working....it went through one sit-down session (about an hour and ten minutes) and well into another before I finally finished touching it up--and that was just the touch-up session!

Before I say anything else, though, GAZILLION thanks to for her INCREDIBLE advice on this piece--it turned out a lot better than I'd thought. She gave me so, so much help with this...I hope the arm turned out all right!

Basically, this image is my interpretation of the scene right after Katara escapes with Aang, but before they reach Appa--I wanted to give the impression of her completely blasting her way through the ceiling...and the closest thing to what she would be doing would be screaming. If I could give it more life, complete with sound, she would be giving a shriek of grief, frustration, and any other emotion you choose. She's using her last vestiges of strength.

Apart from her edits to my original drawing, no reference was used, really. Maybe a little bit, but this is pretty much all my drawing and Phee's edits. The good parts are probably hers... I don't think I did Aang's head quite right, but you can tell it's him. The colors came from screencaps....

My main concern with this is that I feel that the lighting takes away from the picture by adding too much to it--it's spectacular, and it really helped some of my weaker points, but I still feel kind of cheated. The lighting took me only a few minutes, and it's easily the first thing to note about the image. Sigh....ah, well, it looks good to me.

I drew the pic by hand....her left arm is digitally drawn, and I think Aang's head is, too....the watermark is mine....DO NOT STEAL THIS IMAGE, I PUT HARD WORK AND HEART INTO THIS.

Colored using MS Paint. The light is thanks to OpenCanvas.

I DO NOT OWN THESE CHARACTERS. Viacom, Nickelodeon, Mike, Bryan, and anyone else who works on Avatar: The Last Airbender does.
The IMAGE IS MINE. Again, do not steal. I'm not really worried about it, but you never know....

I also made a music vid to the song: [link] It's one of my best, so please, view that, too. It goes with the artwork....

At least some good came out of Eragon....

FULL VIEW, PLEASE. Comments would be nice, as well, along with critique...I might choose to redo it.

EDIT:
EDIT:
EDIT:

I revised it.

Thanks to and for their critique! I think it looks much better now...the light's not as dramatic as before, but I kind of like it like that. If the lighting needs work, I can do that.

The other girls so far:

Toph: [link]
Jin: [link]
Mai's mom: [link]
Mai: [link]
Koko: [link]
Related content
Comments: 124

Fradalikeztoons [2010-09-11 08:33:34 +0000 UTC]

This pairing + this song = SO MUCH EPICNESS!

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starstreamergirl [2010-03-25 21:52:58 +0000 UTC]

Hey, can you do one of smellerbee??? please?!

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DigitalGirlfriend [2009-07-13 01:25:23 +0000 UTC]

Awesome job on this! I love the lighting

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AvrilLavigne899 [2008-11-29 01:34:41 +0000 UTC]

I like it but to bad i'm a zutara fan huh? I don't want to be mean but I find aang.. well.. annoying.. and Zuko.. well.. he's badass!

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swan-swan In reply to AvrilLavigne899 [2008-12-01 00:31:40 +0000 UTC]

How does Aang fail to be like Zuko in that regard? He's redirected lightning, mastered Toph's secret earth-sense ability, saved pretty much every person in the show, griped less than most other heroes in his category, and still kept his sense of humor.

Annoying?

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AvrilLavigne899 In reply to swan-swan [2008-12-01 00:44:28 +0000 UTC]

I don't know a word you just said but whatever..

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Avatarone3 [2008-09-11 23:13:38 +0000 UTC]

Hey! I love this one. This is probably my favorite episode, I don't know why, but I love how it shows how much Aang actually has to give up in order to win, and yet he still doesn't, but the way Katara loves him, right now, more as her life support and hope than a lover (but you never know), it's so beautiful to me how a person more than a friend can go that far to save the ones they love (from the point of view of both Aang and Katara) Great job. and It says advanced critique, so I will, no offense. I think that since Aang, right now is either dead or will be, his face shouldn't be in a wince. also, Katara's face is great, with her determination to save her more-than-a-best friend, but I think it should show more sadness and pain as well, and tiredness, because they both fought. Also, the green lights look like they're shining upward, and it just makes more sense to me if they look more downward. but sorry this is all on you at once. believe me when I say that I love this piece so much, great job, and keep it up! thanks! I love it!

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swan-swan In reply to Avatarone3 [2008-09-11 23:22:05 +0000 UTC]

Well, this is an ancient piece that I'd long ago sent to the "art of the past" section...

Thanks for the comment, though!

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Avatarone3 In reply to swan-swan [2008-09-12 00:06:54 +0000 UTC]

Well, I know it's from season 2, but your message said to critique, so I felt I had to. but don't change anything! It's an amazing piece! I love it so much! and I love all Kataang stuff, not just the kissing and love stuff, but how they are closer friends in a way I can't even describe. thanks!
Oh, and you're welcome!

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msp10496 [2008-06-14 09:46:03 +0000 UTC]

katara is cool but i am not kataang

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Feing6 [2008-04-23 06:36:37 +0000 UTC]

I thought u were really in to maiko? Oh weel. I love that song!!!

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swan-swan In reply to Feing6 [2008-04-23 06:50:37 +0000 UTC]

Yep, I am.

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Feing6 In reply to swan-swan [2008-04-23 07:25:13 +0000 UTC]

Really... COOL

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Maurexen [2008-04-09 04:05:33 +0000 UTC]

Fantastic work with perspective and lighting effects...this is great...portrays so much emotion.

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swan-swan In reply to Maurexen [2008-04-09 04:24:09 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

This pic actually bugs me to no end these days....XD

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Maurexen In reply to swan-swan [2008-04-09 06:29:50 +0000 UTC]

Why? Keep touching it up?

That's the major disadvantage to Traditional art...you've used marker and it's done...I mean...there's no un-doing ink.

I love it. That part in the episode almost made me cry...the look on Katara's face when Aang fell was gut-wrenching.

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Acaciathorn [2008-04-08 22:08:57 +0000 UTC]

Wow, beautiful! Love the streaming light.

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swan-swan In reply to Acaciathorn [2008-04-08 22:51:04 +0000 UTC]

Thanks.

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AmethystBeloved [2007-12-27 19:52:31 +0000 UTC]

Absolutely beautiful! I love the wonderful point of view we have with this picture. Katara's heart is breaking, but she is still pushing through to get her friend out of danger. I am beyond impressed with your shading, and the way you play with light and dark.

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swan-swan In reply to AmethystBeloved [2007-12-27 20:54:02 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a bunch for that!

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avatar-leeloo [2007-10-20 08:17:06 +0000 UTC]

Very dramatic. You put a lot of emotion into this and it shows.

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swan-swan In reply to avatar-leeloo [2007-10-20 15:27:02 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much.

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Kelseyalicia [2007-08-24 01:13:30 +0000 UTC]

wicked. September 21. That when we get the final season!

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swan-swan In reply to Kelseyalicia [2007-08-24 01:19:06 +0000 UTC]

Indeed!

Download the trailer from ASN!!! ^_^

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Lucca-Majere [2007-08-07 01:26:21 +0000 UTC]

Wow...this is an amazing drawing...Truly. The lighting and the water...and the hand! I can't draw hands worth crud. D:

...I'm a friend of tempestblue's, in case you didn't know, and I finally gotten around to watching all of Avatar...in two days. Yep.

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swan-swan In reply to Lucca-Majere [2007-08-07 01:33:16 +0000 UTC]

YES for the two-day viewing!!! Avatar is such a blitz show....

Ah, Tempest-in-Blue? Yeah, we're...well, I guess we're friends, though we can debate and we met on cold terms, but I enjoy her art and she usually comments on mine!

[checks gallery]

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Lucca-Majere In reply to swan-swan [2007-08-07 12:52:27 +0000 UTC]

Eh, I don't have any Avatar art yet...but I am going to soon, hopefully. XP

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swan-swan In reply to Lucca-Majere [2007-08-07 16:31:09 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the friend add! Congratulations on being my 100th watcher.

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Lucca-Majere In reply to swan-swan [2007-08-08 13:51:39 +0000 UTC]

Oh, well...thanks. ^_^;

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WhiteWolfMystic [2007-06-23 05:35:57 +0000 UTC]

When I see the title, it reminded me of the new Avril Lavigne song, "Keep holding on" on her new album. This is a very dramatic scene and also very emotional, protraying one character saving the life of another. This is very good work. I'm looking forward to more artwork from you

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swan-swan In reply to WhiteWolfMystic [2007-06-23 06:25:48 +0000 UTC]

That's the inspiration! And the basis....

Check through the description, it's actually part of a project....

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WhiteWolfMystic In reply to swan-swan [2007-06-23 15:00:26 +0000 UTC]

I know, I just thought it was interesting though

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swan-swan In reply to WhiteWolfMystic [2007-06-23 19:14:30 +0000 UTC]

Ah...thanks.

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WhiteWolfMystic In reply to swan-swan [2007-06-24 01:01:42 +0000 UTC]

you're welcome btw, Katara's hands seemed difficult to do because of the perspective that you drew them in. You did a great job with that because that perspective is extremely difficult

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swan-swan In reply to WhiteWolfMystic [2007-06-24 05:52:47 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, I don't think I did a perfect job, but I had enough of a mental image to be close enough...thanks a lot for that one, though!

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WhiteWolfMystic In reply to swan-swan [2007-06-24 16:11:19 +0000 UTC]

You did do a perfect job! That perspective is difficult to do! you're welcome

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rice-nd-music [2007-06-21 15:25:06 +0000 UTC]

amazing! all you people gotta stop making these emotional kataang pictures, you're pulling me to the drark side!

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swan-swan In reply to rice-nd-music [2007-06-21 17:20:00 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the encouragement!

I'm not trying to yank people over, just trying to get them to be a little more...accepting. I don't want disappointment in the canon....

A Zutarian or Kataanger needs to be accepting of another ship, because if the other one happens, it can ruin the episode....if it DOES work out, fine and dandy, but....there's always the odds of the other side.

Season Three's going to take all of the fun out of shipping, but that's why we enjoy it now.

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rice-nd-music In reply to swan-swan [2007-06-21 19:16:55 +0000 UTC]

i'm going to be so sad when the show is over and we can't ship anymore!! but that's why me and Jake ship people in real life

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Aguara [2007-06-12 15:56:12 +0000 UTC]

Yes, this picture is amazingly very done!
Nice job!
And keep on listening to Avril, she always helps me keep holding on!

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swan-swan In reply to Aguara [2007-06-12 18:59:56 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

I need to listen to her a bit more...need to get this Mai pic done....grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....

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Aguara In reply to swan-swan [2007-06-13 00:56:22 +0000 UTC]

Hope it turns out well!

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kataang4life [2007-06-08 05:24:00 +0000 UTC]

ooo! i love it!

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swan-swan In reply to kataang4life [2007-06-08 05:31:48 +0000 UTC]

Glad you do.

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vick330 [2007-05-23 15:19:03 +0000 UTC]

Best fanart of that scene I've seen so far, you captured Katara's expression perfectly.

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swan-swan In reply to vick330 [2007-05-23 16:39:43 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a lot!

And thanks for the fave.

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crailis [2007-05-17 05:10:53 +0000 UTC]

Wow, this is really nice! n___n

MS Paint?! Man, I would die if I had to use that! Takes some serious skill, in my opinion!

-favorites-

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swan-swan In reply to crailis [2007-05-17 06:01:21 +0000 UTC]

OpenCanvas provided the lighting effect.

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crailis In reply to swan-swan [2007-05-17 13:19:26 +0000 UTC]

I know, but the drawing itself in paint is just.. amazing. Something I could never do <3

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swan-swan In reply to crailis [2007-05-17 13:47:55 +0000 UTC]

You can.

PRACTICE.

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