[Merekat]

...especially when you have to whip one up for a tutorial. ;}

I have been asked to be a featured gallery artist in a book that will be published first in the US and Canada, then in the UK as I understand it. For this end, I submitted Jhenna, Flikk, Arkaynne and this new gem, Teryn. Teryn wasn't so much a piece I had planned as one of desperation. In addition to the gallery section, they wanted a tutorial. Well, as popular as Mynx is, I do not think she adequately represents my work currently and did not want her used for a leather tutorial. However, I am very fond of the hair tutorial and wanted to use that knowing the sketch wouldn't work. The publishing company wanted a finished piece to demonstrate the hair application. So I spent all weekend trying to get one ready. Don't ask me how I managed it, I'm not sure.

Either way, here's the end result. Simplier yes, but remember, this was mainly for the hair. I'll put it on my site when I have a moment. And I'll be sure to let everyone know where the book is when it's published, but I don't know myself just yet.

<img src="http://www.merekatcreations.com/crap/elf.jpg">

I kinda like her, meself... ;} I was going to go back in and add some more details to the outfit and the environment, but not much. Replace the wooden bench thingy with a rock and surround her with a swamp, but not sure. It's certain she's not completely as finished as I could get her, but I didn't have the time to completely finish her off for the tutorial due to book deadlines.

Think she would make a good print to sell at Otakon? I'm getting a table in artist's alley that Saturday this year.

[pro-phet]

here we go


no scr...

[SoMK]

Yowza ! Beautiful ! :)

The only thing bugging me in fact is the fog... Not that I think it's bady rendered, far from that but it feels like it's here to distract attention from parts you don't want to draw, the feet for instance.
I know it's not true :) but imho, it gives this false impression..

As for prints, sure, you'll sell some ! :D

[Awetopsy]

gorgeous...

the chest around the breasts is a little unclear.. but very nicely done.

[Merekat]

Oh thank you. :}

Remember guys, this is a QUICK painting for me. Only took about 15 hours total from start to finish. I put in the fog because I needed a very quick background ...this is for a tutorial, not a poster originally. Now that the submission for the book is secured, I can go back into this work and add more details.

Yes, the bodice is a little simple. Again, this was quick for quick's sake. :} Now that I have time, I would like to work on it more. Any suggestions?

Changes in costume? Change the fairy? What should I do for the background? Suggestions? ;}

Thanks again! I'm glad she's so welcomed even if technically though she's finished for the tutorial, she's not finished for the print. ;}

[ February 26, 2002: Message edited by: Merekat ]

[gArGOyLe^^]

Very nice work..

I Always look forward to your next work

[Socar MYLES]

Those are quite some ears!

In all seriousness, I love the lighting in this--it's got a great classical feel to it.

As a matter of personal taste, I'd suggest giving the clouds a bit more form & definition...no biggie, though.

Is this for the fantasy illustration book by Ivy Press, by any chance?

[Dr. Bang]

F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK F*CK I loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove this pic! Her face is beautiful in a very distinctive style! Excellent skintone!!!!!!!!!!

[The Magic Pen]

Very very nive

[Gil Agud�n]

perfect!! as all ur works... just perfect!!
aren't u going 2 submit savannah for the book??

[Jezebel]

That is really beautiful merekat. I love it when you post your paintings.

(by the way, I just sent you a private message)

[FireFry GT]

What you have so far Merekat is simply fantastic. I agree with the comments made about her chest and the fog bg.

I also like how you did her ears.

[angle]

maybe somethign a little more gossamer for clothes...right now they seems kinda tired and plain...

love the ears and expression and ditto on the fog background with the rest of the posters...

[Gecko]

please do something about the fog!

I don't have any complaints about the rug and her upper body, but from there it goes downhill. no wait, even her knee looks nicely rendered, but that fog looks like someone completely else had painted it. Also the picture consists of nice reds/oranges/browns, until there's that almost pure gray.. reminds me of car's exhaust smoke, unnaturally thick :)

i guess i wanted to say i dislike the smoke, and that imo you should change it to a real background.

congrats on making it to a book

[NextGen]

looks good.. otakon? it's not very anime like. But you have had your hand in the megatokyo goodies. I'm sure someone will buy it.

[ftgjcf]

Sweeeet! She's absolutely great! fantastic face and skin color! hair is good too

crits:
-improve the fog
-what is that lump on her back?? her elbow ? I dont think you need that there..you get a much better shape without it
-the fairy is hard to see. improve the glow of it. make its halo bigger, more weak and just a small bright center. now it looks like a fairy inside a sphere of fog :-)
-the 'crease' on her leg is perhaps too sharp down there?

elves likes forests dont they ? maybe a blue/green foggy forest will do a a background

good luck

[-HoodZ-]

me likes...so i take it that this straight from tablet? or was it scanned like your other works?

[Merekat]

Everyone: THANK you so much for the warm reception! ;}

Oh yes, I agree with everything said here! (Except for the leg line. ;} sorry)

Again, the fog was just to put in something other than a black background because of lack of time. The fairy was just to give her something to look at because of lack of time. I am SO planning on adding all my normal levels of detail to this, fear not.

And this was done with nothing but my mouse. Except for the fog. That was tablet just for ease because of the pressure features. But literally everything else was mouse.

I LIKE the idea of a foggy wood. That would be cool. Any other suggestions? I think I may have the environment down decently and the outfit changes in mind, but maybe what the heck she's looking at or what other ideas for the background would be splendid. ;} I hope to get her all dressed up and ready for the con!

Oh, and yes, she's not that anime. But because of the Megatokyo poster I did, I have a bit of a following at these places wherever MT goes... so if they know I'm there and they come to the MT tables, I'm sure they won't have trouble buying my stuff because it's not anime. However, I do want to make sure what I offer is marketable and desired. That's all. :} Just wanted to make sure she was worth bringing, but I suppose that is all due to how I finish her up, eh? ;}

Myles: Oh, and the book is prolly called Digital Fantasy Painting and It's by Ilex Press under Watson and Grupill (?) I think. If that has anything to do with Ivy Press, I don't know.

Thanks again for the comments! I love hearing any suggestions that may improve this work! ;}

[Socar MYLES]

Yep...that's the same one. I was just asking because I've got a tutorial and some pics in that book, too--the concept sounded familiar.

By the way, Myles is my family name--my first name is Socar.