Bonnie Watson's Blog, page 19
December 20, 2012
December 19, 2012
December 17, 2012
Purity WIP2
Work in progress 2... not exactly a scene from the novel, but it could be. I never exactly said what type of terrain unicorns lived in.This is done digitally in Photoshop CS5.5 using a feathered brush and blurred layers to build up the body. Then I go back and erase around the body to give it that hard lined look and add texture to the skin. 
December 13, 2012
Purity
Work in progress... Osha, character from novel series.
December 4, 2012
Stargazing Wizard
Looks like I've moved into the clay department now, lol!
Decided to name this little guy Tobin. This is the first time I've ever used super sculpey, and I LOVE IT! The only thing is I don't know about the baking part. I did, after all, sculpt it on top of a glass bottle, and I don't think the glass bottle would survive a bake. What can I do to harden the clay?
November 30, 2012
NightDay - Story Concept
NightDay
Story Concept
There’s always been stories of Light vs. Dark (good & evil, basically). But nowadays it’s hard to come up with a concept that isn’t that stereotypical, “Hey, the dark ones are the bad guys!”
Because I hate that…. So how about this:
The land is literally divided between day and night, where the moon and sun shine 24/7. I like things that have to do with Balance. Now let’s just say that before Day and Night were balanced, they were fighting for control. And the only way to keep control was to offer the gift of either Day or Night to a chosen to extend those abilities over the land.
Okay, that’s not bad. Now about some characters?
Let’s say that two brothers are born on the side of Day. But when one of the elders prophesizes Night’s shadowy reign, the brothers are separated to test their loyalty. Lucas, or Lu, is eventually chosen to lead Day’s people. But his brother Luciens is cast into Night, for they believe this will satisfy the balance between the two realms. Na, why doesn’t Day break it’s promise? Why does darkness always have to be so bad? Let’s say an elder does prophesize a drop in balance, but they can’t tell which one strikes first? Let’s say the typical reasoning is to think Night would be the one or that one of the brothers would tip the balance by going over to Night. So they decide to offer one of the brothers to Night to help keep balance. Maybe Night doesn’t have a chosen, or hasn’t needed one. And Luciens gets picked. Yes, let’s send the baby brother over to the dark side!
Do what now? I think that would totally peeve off someone if they got kicked out of their homeland. So that would be one reason why Luciens goes crazy. The other reason is maybe his brother Lucas got raised a little too far on the pedestal by his parents or clan leaders. He’s first-born. Typical jealously thinking here. The younger brother gets ignored and does some things maybe to get attention, even though his brother tries to bring him up to his level. Yeah, that might work. But who’s really at fault? Luciens, the elders, the offer of Night to gain power over those who mistreated him? Who knows? There’s a lot at stake here, it seems.
Now leader of Day, Lu (Lucas) is forced to work against the brother he’s come to love, and will stop at nothing to bring him back to a world of light. Yet that love is quickly betrayed when Luciens is taken up as heir to Night.
With a lust for power that darkness brings him, Luciens wants to break the balance and expand Night over the entire land in order to take revenge on those who cast him away. He believes his brother is the cause of his banishment. Lucas was always the popular one and held more privileges as first-born. His plan is to strip everything away from his brother like it was done to him.
Fighting against his Luciens is not easy, as Lu realizes his love for his younger sibling is just as crippling as the blow he’s received that gives him a constant limp. Why Luciens? Instead, Lu tries to change the laws that cast unwanted children to the other side.
Perhaps then Luciens will see that he’s not against him after all…
November 27, 2012
Tuesday Teaser
A little teaser for book three current chapter in "Healer"
It was hard to avoid Valor's penetrating stare while dancing. Glory kept her head slightly turned, letting her attention span to the other dancers on the floor, though every now and then her eyes flicked back to his face. Has he even blinked? she wondered. The music was beginning to pick up, but her feet felt sluggish. Her mood was not helping. Neither was Valor's presence.
"You know it's impolite to stare," she said coldly.
A thin smile. "Hard to resist with you." He led her in a spin, then pulled her close. "Can I at least glimpse that delightful smile of yours?"
Glory just rolled her eyes and threw him a narrowed look. "Fancy you've been plotting all types of ways to win me back." The tempo was slowling again, much to her relief, and they drifted between others in an aimless circle. It was between two couples that she thought she saw Shafari still watching. She sighed. "How's my father?"
"Oh, he's enjoying the extra bedroom space," came a sarcastic reply, his pleasant expression turning serious. "What a thing to ask! How do you think he is? He's been besides himself with worry and wants you home."
"You're just saying that," Glory huffed. "We've been sending him letters, unless you've detained them...again!"
"Again? You don't seem to get it," Valor said sternly. His grip tightened and he jerked her in a dip. Her gasp of surprise spurred the next statement of, "How would you feel if someone you cared about just disappeared without any indication as to why?" He let her up, seeing how her expression contorted in discomfort. "Glory, I'm not making this up to satify my feelings for you. Your father hasn't been the same since. Does that mean nothing to you?"
It was hard to avoid Valor's penetrating stare while dancing. Glory kept her head slightly turned, letting her attention span to the other dancers on the floor, though every now and then her eyes flicked back to his face. Has he even blinked? she wondered. The music was beginning to pick up, but her feet felt sluggish. Her mood was not helping. Neither was Valor's presence.
"You know it's impolite to stare," she said coldly.
A thin smile. "Hard to resist with you." He led her in a spin, then pulled her close. "Can I at least glimpse that delightful smile of yours?"
Glory just rolled her eyes and threw him a narrowed look. "Fancy you've been plotting all types of ways to win me back." The tempo was slowling again, much to her relief, and they drifted between others in an aimless circle. It was between two couples that she thought she saw Shafari still watching. She sighed. "How's my father?"
"Oh, he's enjoying the extra bedroom space," came a sarcastic reply, his pleasant expression turning serious. "What a thing to ask! How do you think he is? He's been besides himself with worry and wants you home."
"You're just saying that," Glory huffed. "We've been sending him letters, unless you've detained them...again!"
"Again? You don't seem to get it," Valor said sternly. His grip tightened and he jerked her in a dip. Her gasp of surprise spurred the next statement of, "How would you feel if someone you cared about just disappeared without any indication as to why?" He let her up, seeing how her expression contorted in discomfort. "Glory, I'm not making this up to satify my feelings for you. Your father hasn't been the same since. Does that mean nothing to you?"
November 26, 2012
Rise of the Guardians
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Decided to try out this movie tonight. "Rise of the Guardians" focuses on Jack Frost (loved the albino look ;p) who doesn't recall any of his past memories after waking up to a cold and wintry world. I enjoyed the different styles of the characters, guardians including our favorite holiday figures: Santa, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy and Sand Man.
Each of the characters held a special role in balancing out the world where children who believed in them kept them going. Now, I had wondered about this because most movies who include Jack Frost can't see him. I was correct. When Jack first comes about, he's mostly ignored. But, as you can imagine, when someone believed, then he could be seen.
The downfall was a character called Pitch Black who understood what it was to not be seen and played on Jack's fears to keep him from helping the guardians as he installed fear in the children to keep them from believing.
The animation was from Dreamworks, and we all know Dreamworks rarely produces poor quality. I loved the flow of action. I've gotten used to predicting who takes a fall. But hey, it's a kid's movie! No one really dies in a kid's movie. Although, I have to admit, it's not really for little kids because of all the fighting. What movie nowadays doesn't have fighting in it? Have you noticed that in today's movies?
Santa had some kickbutt tattoos on his arms. On one arm it clearly said "naughty" and on the other said "nice." His character gave off a sort of Russian feel (or lack of the correct nationality). Now while most of our Santa's prefer white fur, this one had black (feathers?) trimmed around the shoulders and arm cuffs.
Easter Bunny did remind me of a kangeroo due to the Australian accent and boomerangs. Jack Frost himself even pointed that one out as he poked fun at his lanky figure.
Tooth Fairy was different. Her appearance resembled a large hummingbird, complete with little helpers with hummingbird beaks and squeaks.
Sand Man, or Sandy, as they called him, only ever spoke in symbols. He kicked butt when he wanted, especially when Pitch tries to take him down.
Jack is a fun-loving guy who enjoys games and causing mischief. When he realizes Pitch holds the key to his past, he's determined to help the guardians undo Pitch's scheme. It sort of reminds me of a plot in Terry Pratchet's movie "Hogfather" where in order to take control of children's memories and make them forget, the villain steals teeth from the tooth fairy. Same basic plot. Must work every time then, lol. Apparently, teeth or other personal items always hold memories. Controlling those memories is just another way to control what people believe in.
So, okay, I guess the story concept isn't a new one. I do wish they had given Pitch a better name. Pitch just doesn't sound very scary. They could have called him Black instead. Shade would have worked too. Even his very make up wasn't all that convincing. While the other characters seemed more engaging to do battle with each other, all Pitch could do was manipulate Sandy's sand dreams and turn them into Nightmares. Yes, I'm talking black sand-blown horses galloping through the skies. A lot of things can fly in this movie.
Overlook that little fact, and the movie is pretty good. I actually wouldn't mind seeing it again myself. I don't feel too old for this.
Not a bit...
Decided to try out this movie tonight. "Rise of the Guardians" focuses on Jack Frost (loved the albino look ;p) who doesn't recall any of his past memories after waking up to a cold and wintry world. I enjoyed the different styles of the characters, guardians including our favorite holiday figures: Santa, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy and Sand Man.
Each of the characters held a special role in balancing out the world where children who believed in them kept them going. Now, I had wondered about this because most movies who include Jack Frost can't see him. I was correct. When Jack first comes about, he's mostly ignored. But, as you can imagine, when someone believed, then he could be seen.
The downfall was a character called Pitch Black who understood what it was to not be seen and played on Jack's fears to keep him from helping the guardians as he installed fear in the children to keep them from believing.
The animation was from Dreamworks, and we all know Dreamworks rarely produces poor quality. I loved the flow of action. I've gotten used to predicting who takes a fall. But hey, it's a kid's movie! No one really dies in a kid's movie. Although, I have to admit, it's not really for little kids because of all the fighting. What movie nowadays doesn't have fighting in it? Have you noticed that in today's movies?
Santa had some kickbutt tattoos on his arms. On one arm it clearly said "naughty" and on the other said "nice." His character gave off a sort of Russian feel (or lack of the correct nationality). Now while most of our Santa's prefer white fur, this one had black (feathers?) trimmed around the shoulders and arm cuffs.
Easter Bunny did remind me of a kangeroo due to the Australian accent and boomerangs. Jack Frost himself even pointed that one out as he poked fun at his lanky figure.
Tooth Fairy was different. Her appearance resembled a large hummingbird, complete with little helpers with hummingbird beaks and squeaks.
Sand Man, or Sandy, as they called him, only ever spoke in symbols. He kicked butt when he wanted, especially when Pitch tries to take him down.
Jack is a fun-loving guy who enjoys games and causing mischief. When he realizes Pitch holds the key to his past, he's determined to help the guardians undo Pitch's scheme. It sort of reminds me of a plot in Terry Pratchet's movie "Hogfather" where in order to take control of children's memories and make them forget, the villain steals teeth from the tooth fairy. Same basic plot. Must work every time then, lol. Apparently, teeth or other personal items always hold memories. Controlling those memories is just another way to control what people believe in.
So, okay, I guess the story concept isn't a new one. I do wish they had given Pitch a better name. Pitch just doesn't sound very scary. They could have called him Black instead. Shade would have worked too. Even his very make up wasn't all that convincing. While the other characters seemed more engaging to do battle with each other, all Pitch could do was manipulate Sandy's sand dreams and turn them into Nightmares. Yes, I'm talking black sand-blown horses galloping through the skies. A lot of things can fly in this movie.
Overlook that little fact, and the movie is pretty good. I actually wouldn't mind seeing it again myself. I don't feel too old for this.
Not a bit...
November 20, 2012
Tuesday Teaser
This is teaser from the latest chapter in Book Three "Healers".
"A mirror?" He raised a pallad eyebrow in question. When he did not receive an immediate response, he stepped closer to inspect it. The fine craftsmanship of the wood intrigued his interest to who might have carved it until his gaze flicked to his own appearance staring back at him. "And I suppose you have something to do with this," he spoke softly.
A wink, and the prince inclined his head to what his inner unicorn might reveal. To his surprise, the mirror's structure began to waver. Like a veil being lifted, a single wave of energy pulsed over its form before vanishing. No longer did the mirror's form remain, but a wavering oval surface that hovered slightly above ground.
"What in No'va...?" he heard Shy utter behind him before turning to Lord Gracie.
"This is not like the others I've seen here."
"What is it?" Shy stepped beside his brother.
"A portal," was the reply. "But why here? Why keep it secret?"
"It's been dormant for years." Lord Gracie joined the two brothers. "When I first came to this land, it was this particular portal that gave us access. After that, it just shut down."
"You were trapped here?" Wisdom asked, but Lord Gracie only chuckled.
"Compared to what we had before, this was a blessing! But those who did not follow... never could, as we could not open it back up." A sigh. "Nevertheless, the Foreseers predicted its next use during something called a... Purification?" At this, he glanced to Wisdom.
A nod. "Purifications are supposed to come once a millineum, but because of Jenario, the balance calls for it to happen well before that time." He stepped away from the portal, and as he did the illusion returned in the guise of a mirror. "Did your Foreseers show anything else?"
"The message was quite clear about a unicorn needing it for a particular location. Perhaps the one you carry IS that unicorn. The mirror did, after all, react to your presence."
Wisdom looked down at his wrist, kept covered by a thin cloth that matched whatever outfit he wore. Slowly, he unwove it to check the scar. Its circular form had already begun to fill in to a half crescent, reflecting the phases of the moon.
"If that's so, she'll be needing it soon...."
"A mirror?" He raised a pallad eyebrow in question. When he did not receive an immediate response, he stepped closer to inspect it. The fine craftsmanship of the wood intrigued his interest to who might have carved it until his gaze flicked to his own appearance staring back at him. "And I suppose you have something to do with this," he spoke softly.
A wink, and the prince inclined his head to what his inner unicorn might reveal. To his surprise, the mirror's structure began to waver. Like a veil being lifted, a single wave of energy pulsed over its form before vanishing. No longer did the mirror's form remain, but a wavering oval surface that hovered slightly above ground.
"What in No'va...?" he heard Shy utter behind him before turning to Lord Gracie.
"This is not like the others I've seen here."
"What is it?" Shy stepped beside his brother.
"A portal," was the reply. "But why here? Why keep it secret?"
"It's been dormant for years." Lord Gracie joined the two brothers. "When I first came to this land, it was this particular portal that gave us access. After that, it just shut down."
"You were trapped here?" Wisdom asked, but Lord Gracie only chuckled.
"Compared to what we had before, this was a blessing! But those who did not follow... never could, as we could not open it back up." A sigh. "Nevertheless, the Foreseers predicted its next use during something called a... Purification?" At this, he glanced to Wisdom.
A nod. "Purifications are supposed to come once a millineum, but because of Jenario, the balance calls for it to happen well before that time." He stepped away from the portal, and as he did the illusion returned in the guise of a mirror. "Did your Foreseers show anything else?"
"The message was quite clear about a unicorn needing it for a particular location. Perhaps the one you carry IS that unicorn. The mirror did, after all, react to your presence."
Wisdom looked down at his wrist, kept covered by a thin cloth that matched whatever outfit he wore. Slowly, he unwove it to check the scar. Its circular form had already begun to fill in to a half crescent, reflecting the phases of the moon.
"If that's so, she'll be needing it soon...."
November 19, 2012
Revamped Art
A revamped version of my Water Healer. Added texture to the skin tones, beefed up his chest (more sexy looking) and his lower arm muscles. The only thing left to change is the foreground water so it's not so blurry. The background can stay the same. Other than that, I think this is pretty darn good to submit to the "Spectrum 20" contest for 2013!
I've tried before to enter, but never got in. For those that win, their pieces are published in a very NICE looking art book. The only thing I haven't liked about it is how dark it's become. Lots of folks value dark fantasy or sci-fi over the lighter and more colorful versions. But... that's their preference. Let's see how it fairs this time.
