To the Skies and Beyond

Type: Computer Generated (Digital Art)
Media/Tools: Adobe Photoshop 7.0
Based on: Original Concept -- not based on any other existing image
Canvas: 511x596
Date Created: July 31st - September 14th, 2004
Anime/Series: Dragonball Z
Character(s): Son Gohan, Videl Satan



My Comments:

.: intro :.
Wow, I'm actually getting artwork completed on a regular basis, xD. That's what happens when you're first Gr. 12 semester involves 1 spare and 2 bird classes! ! XD.

Well, I uploaded a preview of this artwork before and now it's finally done! ^_^. Lately, I've been getting back into my nostalgic DBZ phase by watching reruns with my boyfriend . This past summer, we cosplayed as Great Saiyaman #1 (Gohan) and #2 (Videl). We love their characters respectively, and so I knew I'd just have to make a tribute artwork to go along with everything ^_^.

Personally, I'm really tired of everyone uploading fanart of the most recent, popular animes out there . Like, yeah, I know a lot of them are -great- animes and deserve their phases, but it's like good artworks of past classics aren't even valued anymore. I don't want my art to be swayed constantly by the what's-hot-what's-not principle. And so, this artwork's kind of a rebellion also in that sense. And besides that, it's just cute .

Oh! and to visit our cosplays, go to this [link]



.: artwork :.
This artwork finished up a lot faster and simpler than I had expected. I decided to end the project early because 1.) I wasn't feeling too well to want to work on it much longer and 2.) I was already satisfied with what lay before me .

I have been running low on traditional media supplies lately, and probably won't be getting to restock much until art class next semester . So, I've taken that time to get myself more aquainted with CG ^_^.

The characters were drawn by line art originally, scanned and then coloured in. I found it pretty difficult to find out where the cel-shading should go, because yes, that is a style I very rarely try to do. But I think managed somewhat decently for a novice, anyway, XD.

The background was entirely created on Adobe, and was easier than most things I try to draw freehand on the computer. I absolutely LOOOOVE making clouds with CG ^_^. Ever since I did the clouds in my Battousai artwork, "Grave of the Last Soul", I've had a lot more confidence in it . Adobe gives me a lot of versatility in making clouds that would take centuries with natural media. Same for all of the gradients. Making the little island on the bottom corner did take a long time though, because of trying to get that building to be so damn round . But I had to put it there, and add to that DBZ feel, XD

Favorite Aspects
I love how there's a unique blend of radial balance and a-symmetrical balance in this picture. But my favourite thing has to be the little "trail" Gohan and Videl left through the clouds. That was really easy to do on the computer, but it gave everything such a cute, unique effect . It reminds me so much of Aladdin!! lol ^_^ I can shooow you the worlllddd... shining shiimmering spleendid..."

Least Favorite Aspects
The two birds in the corner . They look really dumb if you ask me, but I was getting very impatient by that time >_<;;

Also, I am AWARE that there are a lot of things about this picture that isn't too realistic... like, they're up in the clouds at an approximated 25,000 ft in the air. They probably can't breathe very well o_O;; But, they never paid that much mind in the series so I won't either, lol. Another thing is that the island is very close to them considering that they're in the clouds already, but if I didn't do that, you wouldn't be able to see the details on the island. So there's my defense ^_~.



.: message :.
This picture has a basic message: to emphasize the developing relationship between Gohan and Videl when they first met. At that part of the series, Videl had been asking Gohan if he could teach her how to fly. I thought, "Wouldn't it be cute if he just took her hand and soared to the skies?". And yes, this artwork represents the cuteness I envisioned, XD.



.: conclusion :.
I think Gohan and Videl are a cute couple, and though they did get fairly good screentime in the show, what I would have given to see a scene like this ^_^! I also think it's important that people do artworks of animes that are beyond the anime's style. Like, if everyone did DBZ artworks with jumbo-muscle men powering up, it'd be boring and unoriginal. The fights are central to DBZ's story, but I hope to create artworks of the series that prod into the more undeveloped parts... to give viewers a sense of what I believe could have happened at that time.

With the artwork, I am pleased by it. It's simple and sweet, and that's what I want it to be. It did teach me new lessons in CG art that I had only tried once or twice before, so it's been another stepping stone for me. Hope you liked it!

Peace. Love. Anime.

Kaliko Rosa
h t t p : / / w w w . k a l i k o . c j b . n e t




Kisses to my love, Tenshi Musouka


"Love is patient; love is kind. Love does not envy; is not boastful; is not conceited; does not act improperly; is not selfish; is not provoked; does not keep a record of wrongs; finds no joy in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends."
-1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

"Let everything you do be done in love."
- 1 Corinthians 16: 14