yugosalkins
Fifty Storms
[TI1]The Lunacy of Mar
Posts: 95
inherit
1944
yugosalkins13 omar_du_more yugosalkins
0
May 20, 2019 21:57:51 GMT -6
207
yugosalkins
[TI1]The Lunacy of Mar
95
Aug 17, 2017 19:50:29 GMT -6
August 2017
yugosalkins
|
Post by yugosalkins on Oct 5, 2017 2:12:33 GMT -6
I have been practicing with colors in photoshop for some time, but there is still much I need to learn to use PS effectively. You can see here that I have tested out the waters with this picture. For some reason the canvas in Photoshop show up a lot warmer than the actual image file, this worries me as I can not accurately apply the right colors with the naked eye and had to go over each layer and adjust the color balance. I'm content with this portrait on a conceptual standpoint, but I will try push to become more effective with my brushes.
|
|
yugosalkins
Fifty Storms
[TI1]The Lunacy of Mar
Posts: 95
inherit
1944
yugosalkins13 omar_du_more yugosalkins
0
May 20, 2019 21:57:51 GMT -6
207
yugosalkins
[TI1]The Lunacy of Mar
95
Aug 17, 2017 19:50:29 GMT -6
August 2017
yugosalkins
|
Post by yugosalkins on Oct 3, 2017 19:52:04 GMT -6
Welp...I didn't think this would be a thing, but here it is. I guess since SOTN did play a significant role I could tell my story of how I came across it. Though I have to let you all know that my story isn't flashy or memorable as the stories I've read here. My parents never cared about video games and the gossip and talks about video games had always stayed in a small circle of friends during school. Even then I was sort of old school, but was always opened to new gaming genres. I was picky about my video games back then and Castlevania was not one of the games I have considered to have any enjoyment out of especially when only having played the NES games. Yes, you heard right. I hated Castlevania.
The Super Nintendo and Genesis have reintroduced me to Castlevania when the graphics, music, and gameplay shown vast improvements from the hardware of it's time and I was pursuing a style of art as early as Middle School. By then, I was introduced to Dracula X while also with Megaman X for the first time. I don't know what is X titles, but that time I hit a level of graphic intensity that I have not been used to. Seeing a half blown off Zero speaking to me had almost made me hurl in my mouth a little bit. Something I have not expected from a Megaman game no less, then I went straight to playing Dracula X not expecting anything other than what I saw on the cover art. It took me to a dark place that washed away the qweeziness that I have had from MMX's sudden graphic nature, it was like a baptism of hellfire showering over me. Because nothing was safe in the growing world of video games I came to accept maturity in my taste in video games and the way I played them. I don't really question how the way Richter bled out so violently as he begin to spark out blue light when getting dropped by something as simple as a bone when low on health, well, not anymore.
Dracula X changed the way I thought about Castlevania franchise and have had my interest slowly building towards the other different Castlevania titles, but Castlevania was still not on my top favorites. Bloodlines was not like Dracula X, but it was enjoyable. I couldn't afford anything during that time so back then it was only rent outs, hand me downs, or trade. I had to find some means to earn some money or really really pray that I get it for Christmas which is hardly likely. Somewhere between 98 or 99 is I have been seeing copies of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night in stores, game stores, etc. I didn't have a Playstation, but I learned a little bit more from word of mouth because back then that's how it used to be. When there's big news about a game we pass the word in discussion. Sure I hear about the latest games and how awesome they are, but because I don't have any means of getting those things I am always behind. The games I wanted so badly back then are now extinct pretty much, sorta ironic.
Back to the story, I had no chance of buying or even playing the game. I never had a Playstation and deep down inside I know I have missed out all the awesome games that came with that system. One day a former friend of mine brought over his PS1 introduced me to two games for the first time ever, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. I fell madly in love with Soul Reaver and spent many hours playing. When we took a break from that, we moved on to SOTN and he let me play it first since he spent hours already playing Soul Reaver. I guess it's also because I told him about it. Any news I hear about video games I tell him about and he gets them. When I played as Alucard at the start of the game, it was like as if the magic inside the game has recognized me as it's master. Immediately my adventuring nature kicks in and I begin discovering things and finding new items and ways of playing he has never seen before when he played it. He's always been one for cheats so of course he would not know. Getting everything with cheats and beating the game was his staple, but by God did he learn from my gameplay.
Eventually, around the turn of the century....2000 was the turn of the century was it? Well, I finally got my PS2 and the games I had bought before even acquiring the system are now playable. On the same month I got my PS2 someone broke in our house and stole most of my gaming consoles save for the Snes which fell in the back of my Tv. Both my Christmas and my birthday was destroyed. There was nothing I can do to redeem my stolen game consoles. The PS2 was given to me as a gift from my mother and her friend who saved up to get me the one thing that would open me up to the next level of gaming and my growing inspiration for drawing.. I was truly heartbroken. The news about my misfortune reached out neighbor at the time who had PS1 to spare to at least play the games I have for the Playstation. Friends from school also gave me gifts That I can use for my PS1, a copy of Blade and Final Fantasy Tactics. The neighborhood was not as good as it used to be and we've kept getting problems that eventually forced us to moving elsewhere, but when I did get the chance to borrow a copy of SOTN until I finally gotten my own as a gift. That game alone perhaps more than the others I had played had tied me over from the darkest times of my adolescence. Transferred to my new school I got to meet new friends and had speak to people who had the same interests. This is when I met my friend Andrew or Euphoric_Fever as he is known in discord. We share the same love and interests in Castlevania, but his love grew exponentially when I had ultimately introduced him to Symphony of the Night. I have never seen anyone turn gay for Alucard as quickly as he did.
With even before owning a copy of SOTN I new of the art that was used in the game. NOCCA, an academy school of arts granted me access to computers because we didn't have one at home. I delve into searching art references of my favorite games and anime. I've learned about Ayami Kojima and her works before I even knew she was a female artist. Around that time I wanted to master that art style so badly, but only remained my failed attempts to capture the beauty of her originality. I have made OCs and 2 art posters for Castlevania as well as designed a character sheet which was eventually tested with it's first session among two of my other buddies. I've learned the most of what I could of Castlevania and the many titles, eventually through the games I follow the timeline that was built over the years that was still being pieced together during that time. Eventually I got my PS2, but by then I have enough to get games for that console. Blockbuster was near by where we live so I go there from time to time and dig out what other games I can find, it was then I've done something so outrageous. When I saw that they were selling Greatest Hits copies of SOTN I have lost my mind. I got my money and gotten as many as 5 copies to pass out among my friends who I felt would enjoy the most out of this game. I questioned myself sometimes why I did this not because it was just a 10 dollar deal, then I finally know. I loved Castlevania. Koji Igarashi made that possible somehow and from there it became what it is. It seems that it became more than just a gimmicky horror action adventure with all the hollywood monsters in it, but it became it's own story. It's own long stand-alone story and everything else is just an aesthetic that will keep adding on with each passing installment. It was the Iga Period for Castlevania, a time when...each Castlevania game has it's own story to tell, it's own exciting style of gameplay to share all while paying due respect to the previous installments whether it be story based or gameplay.
There hasn't been a time that hasn't talked about Castlevania and possible fan projects around this time of year for me, Euphoric, and Kevin another buddy of mine. We're old fan farts of Castlevania. Eventually I learned there was a fan-run group on Facebook called Project Akumajo 1999 challenging Konami and Igarashi the creator of SOTN to complete the storyline. There has been petitions, voting polls, donations, all sorts of stuff. Euphoric broke the news that he had answered the call with a riddle, that's when we knew at that very moment that all along.....He was Dracula and he is coming back.
So yeah, I jumped on the hype train and there I was since the very beginning of this Kickstarter campaign. Not really known in the community, but I was there. So to this very day when I think, draw, play, read, talk, eat, dream about Castlevania I do it with SOTN in mind. The style, art, mood, and atmosphere at the very least. There you have it. My story, take that however you will. It's not really legendary or heart-lifting, but this is pure truth. My life with Castlevania.
PS. As for the copy of SOTN, I now only have it digitally for PSN. I'm okay with that though. I don't expect to win any giveaway, but I gave this a shot just in case this one counts. I really didn't expect this to be such a long post. I'm really sorry guys.
|
|
yugosalkins
Fifty Storms
[TI1]The Lunacy of Mar
Posts: 95
inherit
1944
yugosalkins13 omar_du_more yugosalkins
0
May 20, 2019 21:57:51 GMT -6
207
yugosalkins
[TI1]The Lunacy of Mar
95
Aug 17, 2017 19:50:29 GMT -6
August 2017
yugosalkins
|
Post by yugosalkins on Oct 3, 2017 1:00:09 GMT -6
I have been in the mood to draw some art for CV OCs and some Bloodstained Fanart. I had previously have been speaking with the friend of mine about undertaking a Bloodstained Web-comic project, but due to life and time restraints we feel like it would be a grand undertaking to even begin this late of the game not to mention having to do the heavy amount of research to piece together a comic with an Kojima-esque art style which I have been learning and slowly mastering. Even though the project was dropped, I still would like to attempt a few pages to honor the message I have left for Igarashi-san. I'm sure you remember this featured from one of the Bloodstained Updates. You can find the DA page here. Ideally I created this traditional painting as the intent of setting an art cover for the comic. It's not my first time attempting a Kojima-style art, but I believe I may have came closer in essence than my previous works many years ago. I have been putting this style into practice as I am preparing the 3 page comic which I will write and illustrate on my own time just for devotion's sake. I feel it's safe to display my love and inspiration for this style of art as a big fan of Igarashi's team and many of their fantastic works. I have to say it was not easy to adapt to this style, but I hope my attempt to do so will merit some praise and respect in expressing my love and passion for the games he has created for this genre. I have been following a D&D Ravenloft game session that's run by XombieMike. With the use of the Fantasy Grounds and the way the characters shaped the story I was inspired to draw them out in a profile display which was a perfect practice. The story is wonderfully narrated and the players have played their characters on point with the setting. I give my kudos to the players with such a superb dialogue in their role playing! With permission from Sunraiser, I took the chance to follow closely to detail of the look and aesthetic of her character design. With only little adjustments here and there I was able to draw the character full scale while still keeping true to the Kojima-style in drawing. I was pleased with the result just much as she approves. If I be permitted I wish to draw the rest of the characters to see them drawn in a fashion seen in Ayami Kojima's works with more of a home-brew feel to give it a sort of uniqueness and originality that will tailor them to the story fittingly. I will also be looking to posting other works similar to this style when I have the time and will also share the previous works of art that I have attempted in the past. I myself ran a Castlevania game some time ago for a test-run and have a revised character sheet design which I will also post. Thank you for the chance of letting me share these and more.
|
|
yugosalkins
Fifty Storms
[TI1]The Lunacy of Mar
Posts: 95
inherit
1944
yugosalkins13 omar_du_more yugosalkins
0
May 20, 2019 21:57:51 GMT -6
207
yugosalkins
[TI1]The Lunacy of Mar
95
Aug 17, 2017 19:50:29 GMT -6
August 2017
yugosalkins
|
Post by yugosalkins on Oct 2, 2017 19:30:12 GMT -6
Mana has my vote, but as long as Natsume-san's art isn't dismissed who also deserves credit. I'm definitely okay with that.
|
|
yugosalkins
Fifty Storms
[TI1]The Lunacy of Mar
Posts: 95
inherit
1944
yugosalkins13 omar_du_more yugosalkins
0
May 20, 2019 21:57:51 GMT -6
207
yugosalkins
[TI1]The Lunacy of Mar
95
Aug 17, 2017 19:50:29 GMT -6
August 2017
yugosalkins
|
Post by yugosalkins on Sept 13, 2017 18:34:12 GMT -6
Hi smashbro596! Thank you and Angel-Corlux for the welcomes! I didn't think anyone would respond to my wall message. lol I'm looking forward to what Bloodstained is going to bring.
|
|
yugosalkins
Fifty Storms
[TI1]The Lunacy of Mar
Posts: 95
inherit
1944
yugosalkins13 omar_du_more yugosalkins
0
May 20, 2019 21:57:51 GMT -6
207
yugosalkins
[TI1]The Lunacy of Mar
95
Aug 17, 2017 19:50:29 GMT -6
August 2017
yugosalkins
|
Post by yugosalkins on Aug 17, 2017 20:05:28 GMT -6
Yugo was here.
|
|