CrystalSeraph

I'll be deleting this account in about a week's time: this gives anyone who's interested in rewatching me time to move across.

Needless to say, I've improved a lot as an artist~

glorificatasura.deviantart.com

Prompted by some interest from others in Tybalt (there's been more than one), I devsearched for his name, and found three entries that were pretty clearly referenced from his design: similar hair paired with the soul patch, dark skin, same number of piercings and general style. It's a shame the artists didn't let me know that they referenced my stuff. I have no issue with people drawing inspiration from my work, but I'd much prefer it if they told me so I could see xD.

On saying that, 'inspiration' is what I hope to offer, rather than having others use my characters or copying them. There are characters in fiction and history that I adore, and who inspire me - Cleopatra, for instance, is the inspiration for Tabitha - and I draw a lot of visual inspiration (Mingming has strong elements of Xiaoyu from Tekken), but using other people's characters and designs? Ehhhh...I think it's wrong.

If you come to my art pages and see my works, and decide that you like them, then please take the inspiration with you. If you always wondered what a paladin of Sune or a drow Celebrant of Sharess looked like, and you found your inspiration to create here, then take it with you. But please use what I create to create people, places and characters of your own. Original characters are just that - original - and the older ones should inform and inspire the new ones, instead of being used by others and/or copied. I would hate to see other Tybs running around when there could be other Sunite paladin characters out there, and there are extremely few. So go! Please create them and tell meeee xDDD.

~Seraph

Thanks!

I'm thinking of doing something celebratory for 10000 :3

I'm feeling a bit more hopeful. We're settling in at the new place quickly, and it's much nicer here than the old apartment. Hopefully conducive to art, but that depends if I can relieve other stresses...

Yay! I have a meme snagged from . It looked like fun: if anyone does it from here, link me XD

Rules
1. Choose a few of your own characters. Five at the most.
2. Make them answer the following questions
3. Then tag three people.

Characters Chosen:
Tybalt Ha'Shazir - Paladin of Sune
Altair Hammidan - Cavalier and favoured soul, ex-soldier
Sage - Irish hitwoman and thug
Mingming Song - Chinese ghost and spirit protector
Shiroi - Nephilim (genome) soldier

1) How Old Are You?
T: Me? I am 22 summers this year.
A: Too old *grumbles*
S: 23.
M: To my knowledge, I died in 1985...so...let's say 22
Sh: I am currently 2.

2) Height?
T: Taller than most doors. I get used to ducking.
A: You're 6 foot or so, eh? I'm a couple inches shorter.
S: Why are you asking me this kind of shite? Are you a cop?
M: I tend to stick around 5 foot or so. Shoes add another 2 inches.
Sh: 7 feet, 3 inches.

3) You Got Any Bad Habits??
T: *amused* The drinking or the skirt-chasing?
A: Bah, you hardly touch the bottle. I drink, and smoke. I get carried away sometimes.
T: Sahddina preserve.
S: I had a tendency to feel sorry for people sometimes, you know? I'm working on it.
M: I live a disciplined life. I'm sure it helps that I'm incorporeal.
Sh: Not especially, though I sometimes lack...proper conduct.

4) You a virgin?
T: HAHHAHAHAHAAA
A: I have to agree with him, hehe.
S: I have no idea who these lads are, but they have a point. Pretty bloody obvious.
M: Ummm...>_>
Sh: No. I sincerely hope this questionaire is confidential.

5) Who's your mate/spouse?
T: *eyes Altair*
A: Heh. *winks back*
S: I'm not a settling type. Any floozy will do for a bit.
M: If I had one, they are probably dead.
Sh: I am honestly not sure. I am torn between Seth and Lazarus. I have many bond mates.

6) Any kids?
T: I've tried not to.
A: Not unless men start being able to have babies.
S: I heard they can do that now. But yeah, not a hope in hell f' meself.
M: I'm pretty sure I was given a forced hysterectomy before I died.
Sh: I am infertile...

7) Favourite Food?
T: Ach, too many. I like dhal and fresh vegetables, when I get them.
A: Lamb and pita bread, with yogurt, eh?
S: Is beer a food?
M: I would eat anything, if I could *cries*
Sh: I am not fussy, but I prefer very light food.

8) Favourite Icecream flavour?
T: Kulfi? Rose and pistachio ^___^
A: Same here, but with saffron, if money isn't an issue.
T: And there's orange...and vanilla...*drools*
S: Fuckin' hate the shit.
T: And almond...
M: Bastards, shut up ;____;
Sh: I quite like green tea.

9) Killed anyone?
T: Yes...I am not proud of it, though. Even the assassins and monsters...
A: Not too many, eh? Mostly beasties, goblins and the like.
S: *snorts*
M: I have never killed anything already living.
Sh: Many times.

10) Hate anyone?
T: Not really. Any dictator or enemy of the church makes it on my list pretty fast though. Maybe if I ran into a blackguard.
A: I'm not feelin' too disposed towards devils, at the moment.
S: The question is, who don't I hate?
M:...Eminem
Sh: My enemies. The bulk of humankind.

11) Any secrets?
T: I like pink.
A: *snorts* That isn't a secret, eh?
T:...fuck. I thought it still was.
A: Secrets, eh? I'm officially an outlaw now. Hiding out under my brother's name.
S: *glares at questioner* You're McLaughlan's man, right?
M: I envy the living, despite being lucky to keep my sanity...sometimes I wish I wasn't...
S: For fuck's sake, cheer up, emo kid.
M:
Sh: I assume this is confidental...but I am defecting to the Nephilim rebel movement in the next month or so, once my unit and supplies are organised.

12) Love?
T: As many things and people as possible. Altair has my heart, at the moment.
A: This idiot, and a few others over my life. I love my horse and my bird.
S: I think I answered that one before, hey?
M: I try to love. I think I love Sifu and Heise, my kitty.
Sh: I love my unit, Lazarus, Seth and his brothers...many people.

13) TACOS?
T: What?
A: Eh?
S: Finally, something good. Yes, I like tacos. Beef and bean tacos. No lesbian jokes, but I like that too.
M: FOOD AGAIN! WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU PEOPLE??
Sh: I cannot stand heavy food.

14) Ever slept in all day?
T: Once or twice, but only when I'm really injured.
A: I sleep erractically since leaving the army, so yeah.
S: Not in a real long time.
M: I think so...
Sh: No.

15) Favourite show/movie?
T: What do you mean? What's a movie?
A: Some kind of exercise?
T: I like dancing. I guess that's moving
S: 'Pulp Fiction'. Who are these idiots?
T & A: *dance dance*
M: *joins in*
Sh: I have...ever only seen one film...these men are rather distracting...

16) Favourite band/bard?
T: None in particular, but Sedna has a lovely voice. I like to sing the hymns to the Lady with her clerics.
A: I bet you do. Some paladin you are, eh? You're supposed to be rescuing the clerics from dragons, not gadding about with them in a skirt.
T: I do not wear a skirt. It is a tahiri.
S: Mate, that's a skirt. I like the Pixies, Souixie and the Banshees, a few others.
T: It's not a skirt ;__;
M: I like classical Chinese music. And I have to agree with the Irish guy.
S:...I'm not a guy, missy.
Sh: I have no favourite musicians. However, I must concur. That is a skirt.

17) Eye colours?
T: Yellow.
A: Stop sulking, eh?
T:...not a skirt...
A: I have grey eyes.
S: I wear contacts.
M: One black, one white
Sh: My colour varies, depending on my mood or if I am engaging in stealth.

18) Skin?
T: I'm sort of light reddish-brown, I think.
A: Dark and swarthy. There's no hair colour question, eh?
T: They are just wanting to know the obvious things, I think.
S: You guys are pretty obviously stupid, and there was no IQ test...
T: Well, you're pretty obviously a psychopath...
S: What? Bloody raghead, I'll shiv you, I swear...
M: AHEM. I am extremely pale, lily white. Dead looking, oddly enough.
Sh: Again, varies. I favour a regular pale tone.

19) Fat/average/slim?
T: I try and look good for Lady Sune.
A: You always look good, eh? I'm sort of...barrel shaped?
T: You are stocky, and it suits you, aziz'el.
A: *smug*
S: God, cut it out you fags, for Christ's sake. I'm slim.
M: I am quite slim, but I really don't know...this isn't me.
Sh: I am...thin. And not especially attractive.

20) Rain or sunshine?
T: I love the sun.
A: Same here.
S: I grew up in the rain. Belfast, huh?
M: I like either, but rain falling through my body disconcerts me.
Sh: Rain offers a greater tactical advantage in the open.

21) Pool or beach?
T: Either, really. But I can't swim, so I go for the sun.
A: Can't swim? What kind of Jakar's son are you?
T: One who didn't live near water.
S: If I could own a pool, I'd fill it with the black stuff and die happy.
A: I went to a pool once. It was too extravagant, eh? Princes and things.
M: I love the sea.
Sh: Again, the beach can offer significant tactical advantages, though landing can be problematic. Pools are for training.

22) Dog or cat?
T: Both.
A: Bah, neither. Horses are the way to go.
S: They're good if you need fast fresh food.
M: I love my cat
Sh: I agree. They are decent in emergencies.
M: ;__;

23) Do you believe in aliens?
T: Aliens? As in people from other countries?
A: Other countries? What? The things you say, eh? *snerks*
S: No. It means aliens from outer space, you idiot ragheads.
T: *detects evil and recoils*
M: Well, ghosts exist...
Sh: I see no reason that other forms of life could not develop.

24) Natural born, or clone?
T: *eyeing Sage* Natural born, of course.
A: What the hell kind of question is that, eh?
S: I was born from me mam, like pretty much everything.
M: I would assume the same.
Sh: I was cloned, actually. I am the ninth attempt at creating a Shadowen-hybrid Nephilim.

25) Ever destroyed something out of blind rage?
T: Give me a couple of minutes. I'm getting the lady's blessing for this pale man here.
A: hahahaa XD
S: Was that a threat, pretty boy?
M: No. Guys, shut up.
Sh: I can and will restrain you both.

26) Any unusual things about you?
T: I have ifreet blood on my mother's side, and tattoos...all sorts of things.
A: You have a birthmark on your...
M: tmi, tmi *fingers in ears*
S: I like skinning redheads.
Sh: Many things, the least of which is my physical strength.

27) How much food/drink do you need a day?
T: Whatever it takes to keep me going? I don't know, it varies.
A: I try not to eat too much, eh? I'll get a gut otherwise.
S: About three pints.
M: You just keep rubbing it in...
Sh: I eat once or twice a week, and drink water every day.

28) Favourite place?
T: I have a few. Temples to Sune are lovely, and I like most wild places...at the moment, my favourite place is probably the garden in Sune's grounds at Liren.
A: Wrapped up in a blanket with him *points*
S: Gods...
M: I like the temples in Beijing, and Qibao's dianxin shop.
T: ^____^
Sh: The ground, amongst the plants. There are no humans at ground level, these days.

Role-playing has fallen through, on top of everything, so I have far less inspiration for art than I did. Also, my desktop HD died, rendering me without a tablet and photoshop. Hence the lack of updates.

I find it a bit difficult to draw on paper these days. I also don't think I have significantly improved on my art, tbh. My rough sketches and paper sketches don't really look considerably better than they did 6 months ago. I realise that finished pieces are exactly that, but still...my 'finished' works never quite approach my standards anyway. I don't want to rely on stock-art for inspiration: it was ever only meant to be a stepping stone.

I'm considering taking life-drawing classes again. I'm pretty sure they would have some where I'm moving to. It could only help. I'm sure there are lots of things I can do to improve, except that I don't have much in the way of natural talent. Everything art-related is a bitch for me to learn.

With everything that's been going on, I feel sort of depressed. This probably affects my art too :/