Subliminal Hyphen

Webcomics: Top Five

2010-12-31T19:43:00.001-08:00

At least, my personal top five anyway. And here's where I'll tell you why.

Of course, I should state here my preference for very heavy, soul searching stories--and that should que you in as to why I choose various stories over others.

5. DELVE into Fantasy by Del Borovic

The art scores a full 10 as far as this comic is concerned--but the story is light, and is meant to be. I believe the artist mentioned at one point that the comic was created to parody fantasy RPGs and thus it keeps a very almost whip-creamy feel to it. It still made the list, so while it may be in fifth, it still has a place in my heart.

If I were to make a complaint about anything, it would be that at the moment, the villain seems a little out of place in this very fluffy world. Though, being familiar with the artist in question, I expect that the comic will take a much darker turn sometime in the future.

4. Nightingale by Catherine Bataka & Collin LaMothe

Number four simply because at the moment it is so short. It clearly has a lot of potential. The promise of a dark, broody cast set in a similarly harsh world. I'm very excited to see where it goes--if it goes.

3. Trying Human by Emy Bitner

The first thing I must point out about this comic is, and I am sorry for this, a small complaint. Sometimes I feel some of the characters are rushed. This is probably due to the author planning the story all the way through and wanting to get to the meatier substances of the plot. Still, I do love good character development--but it is more a plot driven story it seems.

As far as it's good qualities, it updates regularly, has wonderful art and a well established world. Clearly the creator has a wonderful vision of the whole world's workings and is continuously tinkering at it to perfect it. This comic has the number three spot because it is clearly a labor of love.

2. On the Couch/Life on a Stick by Wendy Witherow

Okay. So I said I liked deep comics. This is clearly comedy. But good comedy! Consistent characters. Wacky, cartoony slapstick. It has all of that zaniness you remember from your favorite saturday morning kid-shows--with a little bit of adulthood thrown in. Clearly, as a young adult who doesn't really want to let go of her imaginary friends, I can relate to this.

On the Couch is pure fun.

1. Jack by David Hopkins

The star of the hour. I have only recently stumbled across the comic [and incidentally, read it all the way through in about four sittings]. What can I say that hasn't already been said? This comic is dense, packed solid with questions humanity has asked for decades: what makes faith? How can one love fully? What is it to truly overcome your own faults? Be prepared to cry both tears of sorrow and joy for this one folks. It pears everything down to the core of good storytelling. [Sans, of course, the Frigid mcThunderbones arc... But we won't talk about that.]

Oh. And don't let the anthropomorphic animals be off-putting. Disney has already proven to us that talking animals can tell stories just as well as people. [The Lion King anyone?]

Just read it. Right now.

FAQ: To Be Updated as Needed

2010-11-28T06:58:00.001-08:00

Q: Are you male or female?
I am of the womanly persuasion despite the screenname.

Q: What should I call you?
Most people seem to default to "DLO" if they don't know me personally. DLO, Demon or Kimi are fine.

Q: Where does your screenname "DemonLordOnigawa" come from?
Actually, the name and title are connected to a very old character of mine from high school. His name was "Katsunori Onigawa" and was, in fact, a demon and a Lord. You can see him here.

Q: How long have you been drawing?
Since about fifth grade, I think. It's been a long time.

Q: What do you do?
I'm currently a student--studying abroad in Tokyo.

Q: What tools do you use?
Pencil, ink, copics, colored pencils--generally traditional tools.

Q: May I use your art as a reference for my RP character/avatar/icon/banner/etc?
If they are OCs, no you may not. I may be okay with you using my fanart--note me.

Q: Please draw my character!
Are you offering to commission me? Otherwise, sorry, I don't do requests unless they are for very close friends--and they know who they are.

Q: Are you open for commissions?
Check my frontpage, the answer should be there.

Q: Will you draw more fanart in the future?
Maybe? I rarely draw fanart of published things unless it's convention season or it's commissioned.

Q: Do you have MSN/AIM/Yahoo/Skype?
I do, but if you need to reach me, Note me on dA first. I check nearly every day.

Q: Will you ever do a webcomic?
I have one in the works right now.

On Challenging Yourself

2010-08-31T14:37:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have been milling over my old artwork--and I have come to a shocking conclusion. While I have certianly improved my anatomy, my ability to draw details and even my coloring to a certain extent I've gotten too comfortable.

What I mean is, I have fallen into drawing things that I find easy rather than challenging myself with new compositions, environments and various other things. As an artist, I have stunted my own progress by becoming too comfortable with the same things. I used to really used to challenge myself. I tried to create things far beyond my skill level at the time, and I improved because of it.

What happened?

When did everything become so cookie-cutter?

I was watching Aqua-Limeade's livestream yesterday where she was redrawing some of her older art in her current style. It was a moment of epiphany. A good way to practice would be to improve some of my old art by redrawing it, fixing mistakes, and ultimately [hopefully] improving my skills, adding depth to my art and continuing to grow as an artist.

So to any artist reading this, assess yourself. Have you fallen into the trap of drawing only what is comfortable?

Some RP Doodles...

2010-08-28T20:49:00.000-07:00

Yeah, life's been hectic lately. With seemingly endless medical appointments and a diagnosis of lupus, things have just pushed the comic release date back further and further.

As it is, I am going to be aiming to have it up by the middle of September--whilst I am acclimating to Tokyo--but who knows how I'll deal with Japanese photoshop.

Anyway, on to the art:

Announcing: Release Dates!

2010-07-12T18:46:00.000-07:00

Officially, my long in the works Lunary Souls comic will launch on August 1st. Stay tuned!

Spiegelman Tribute Project II

2010-06-27T09:04:00.000-07:00

More concept sketches for the Spiegelman tribute project.

Spiegelman Tribute Project

2010-06-24T14:59:00.000-07:00

In late 2008/early 2009 I started developing a tribute project to Art Spiegelman's Maus. A professor of mine suggested I pursue the project with an intention of getting it published as a homage to Spiegelman's work. Not for any other reason then showing my appreciation for one of the artists that inspired me.

Finally, after sitting on the project for quite a time, and only really finishing one page, I have picked the project up again with a more serious intention. So! For all my blog readers, you get a sneak peak at some of my concept art and various musings.

Advice for First-Time Artist Alley Artists

2010-06-19T20:22:00.000-07:00

So there I am, sitting at a half-empty table at M.A.C. [that is, the Minneapolis Anime Convention] when I wonder: What the heck am I even DOING here? I don't know anyone, I hardly have much merchandise, and God, I don't even know if I can make back what I spent on registration and the like!

This being my second con [ever], I finally decide that this will be a learning experience; if anything at all. That said, I have very certainly learned my fair share of things attending my first con alone.

1. If you have prints, paper, art supplies--etc, always bring your stuff in a suitcase with wheels. It may FEEL like you're overdoing it, but trust me on this. I have the bruises to prove that wheeled-suitcases would've been the best plan here.

2. If sharing a table with someone, and a few people I spoke to learned this the hard way, be absolutely SURE that you have a solid plan as to who you'll share with. Make a time of where you'll meet, and when, so that no one gets lost in the process!

3. A little embarrassing but, if you are bogged down by commission work, or are the only one running your table and can't get up--try offering art in exchange for food. I did this at M.A.C., posting a "Bring Me Food and I Will Draw You FREE Art!" sign, and got quite a bit. It is a good way to stay at least moderately healthy while manning a eight+ hour table shift.

4. Make sure you have change! Many people will pay with larger bills--20$, 10$. If you're a good person, you'll have change. I recommend at least 100$ in 1$.

5. The above stated, DO NOT take bills larger than 20$. If someone gives you a 50$ or 100$ bill for something that costs 1$, ask them [politely] to break it in the dealer's room.

6. Pace yourself! If you're doing commissions, find out what your limit is and don't exceed it unless you are willing to pay postage for commissions completed after the con. Mark down which commissions need to be done before what day [because some people don't stay the whole weekend] and get them done. If you need to, take a break and stretch your legs.

7. Pay attention to what sells! An investment in a button maker, for instance, may not be good if you don't know what kind of buttons to make. Even if you don't watch X-Y-Z series, find out what is popular.

I may add more to this list later, but at the moment, I have several more commissions to finish up before Con-End! I hope you all are having a good time, whatever you're doing!

Lunary Souls and a Co-Authoring a project...

2010-04-28T20:09:00.000-07:00

It seems that the school year is finally winding down--and I have plans for three webcomic projects in the works. Lunary Souls, previously called Life With Muses is currently thumbnailed and ready to be worked on seriously. I am vastly excited for this. The ending and beginning are pretty set in stone storyline-wise. It is nice to finally have this done at least. The middle is more fluid as it is meant to be open and somewhat slice of life.

The second project is a Pokemon fancomic. Which will be my less-stress-and-more-fun comic. As I have less emotional weight attached to it.

The third is a co-project with L. O'neal, where she will be doing the art, and I will be writing the story. There are no concrete plans as to what the actual story and characters will be like, but I am excited to begin. I really hope that I can become a professional comic artist in the future. At the moment, I must stick with amateur comic making.

And then there was...

2010-02-15T07:15:00.000-08:00

DLO's new blog. Or, should I say, "yet another new blog that will hopefully not fail..."

I intend to use this blog for my more serious, art-pursuing, art and literature related posts. LJ just doesn't seem to be the place for some things, does it? As a note to you sensitive types out there, this blog will very likely contain explicit language from time to time as well as ideologically sensitive topics. I like literature a lot, so such ideas may come up every so often.

Quote of the Day:

_{“Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.” --Oscar Wilde}