Commisions
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Princess Minako - Symbiosis - 15% Sketching
Rya - December Flower - 20% Lineart Complete
Aaron - Untitled - Awaiting Contact
Brash - Mmrawrz
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So, 2008 is off to a very good start. I apologize for not making a journal before hand to bid everyone a very merry christmas and a happy new year.
I received a lovely Wacom Intuos 3 9x12 for my christmas present and I have to say its amazing. The surface texture is much nicer compared to my old graphire. The increase of surface size makes it less a strain on your wrist and shoulder by allowing you to do larger movements. Also, because you can do larger movements, it's much easier to get smooth flowing lines.

Art ::
As you can see, i've recently completed my entry for artgerms' Pepper Project. I'm fairly proud of the turnout, although i dont suspect i shall be shortlisted due to the recent flood of amazing entries. Just a quick glace at my previous work and you can tell i'm shifting gears towards a more semi-realism style. I do, for all intents and purposes, plan to keep my anime style so it wont ever be full blown realism. I'm also experimenting now with Painter X and trying to get a feel for it. The brush's in there feel much better, much easier blending, and the "paper" canvas provides a lovely grain that makes the picture feel less machine generated. As of right now until my commisions contact me again, I shall be working on my mother's birthday present. I'm planning a rather extravagent piece so look foward to it. Hopefully i'll be able to post it in a week or two, i just finished the sketch this morning.

Anime ::
I have just finished Black Lagoon as of yesterday night, and it was a pretty good anime. Very high animation quality for a non OVA/movie production. The voicing is done with a certain amount of style and flare to give contrast to each characters personality. The only gripe is the engrish you have to sit through in the final arc.
The new Kidou Senshi Gundam 00 continues to impress with a rather interesting turn of events that took place on episode 18. The animation quality seems to be taking a slight bit of a dip recently, but still impressive.
I took up bleach again after leaving it alone for around 3 months, got caught up on all 12 episodes in one night. The arc with Rukia's ordeal with Kaien-dono was nicely done. I cant say i like chad's fight very much...bad animation, and ugly fighting style.
Naruto Shippuden is progressing smoothly. Although i'd prefer if the company moved at a faster pace, spending 3 whole episodes on the "battle" with orochimaru was pushing it. It was only a chapter or two in the manga.
Code Geass R2 is starting soon for all you nuts out there, ghost hound seems like a pretty good psychological thriller, and i've heard some good things about the new persona anime.
I also bought the Full Metal Alchemist and Death Note manga in the last month as well. The death note manga has a couple of translation blurbs that bother me. Ie) Humans are a riot vs Humans are amusing. The Full Metal Alchemist manga is amazing. They explain the mechanics of their world much better. Go into further detail with the homunculus, and lots of good art. There were times i'd stall on a page just to admire the art.
And naturally, if anybody has recommendations for me, post em down below.

Other ::
I've decided to get my hair cut sometime in march once my bangs are long enough into a more asian fashion i suppose you could say. I'll be ordering some Gatsby Hair wax as well, since it works wonders compared to garnier and stuff over here.
Gaming for 2008 seems like a good year. I recently picked up Professor Layton and i love it. It is absolutely brilliant. With great voice acting, a nice style by level 5, an engaging story and mind bending riddles left and right. I haven't had a chance to play No More Heroes yet on the wii, but its been getting really good reviews and i do intend on renting it sometime.
And sorry for caps..but SMASH BROS BRAWL! I cant say how excited i am for this game. Although from some blog impressions the physics has been changed drastically, i think it'll still come out a winner for 2008. I'll post some impressions when i get my hands on it, not that its neccesary.
I've also got into starcraft again, only to get my ass kicked by my friends 3 hatch Muta-rape and my friends bisu-imitation combinded with some reaver dropping in there. I thought my 3 rax would save me against the mutas but no.

Thats all for now.
Luca