Dead blog

The Raw Potato is a dead blog. For further art-related updates, please visit therawpotato.tumblr.com. For further personal thoughts, please visit altairtherook.dreamwidth.org.

This is not the end of the road! Ciao~

RaTare

Weeklong hiatus to go on a mission trip. It was really fun, and I worked hard. Which reminds me, commissions are still open. (Shameless advertising.)

Anyways, just posting up some new art, since I’ve got a lot of other things to do.

Maybe livestream a bit… or perhaps pick up LaTale. Haven’t done that in a while.

 

Lucky Destiny

 

magic’s in the fingers

 

Forever Alone dump

Yo, and by the way, I’ll be ordering Long Arm from Powflip, as well as their Big Dumb Book.

And I’m trying to code a tumblr theme too. I already coded one. Check it out at http://altimys.tumblr.com.

Summer is in the air

Literally: summer is in the air. Or all over. To be honest, it's so hot outside that I'd rather stay indoors on my computer.

Anyways, summer is here and school is out. It does make me extremely happy. Unfortunately, because my mother is a stay-at-home mom, she knows whatever I'm doing and won't let me stay on the computer as much. I guess that isn't such a bad thing, so I won't be so addicted.

Posting some new art.

Ex-bartender

Ginger

where insanity leads

You all have a wonderful, beautiful summer.

F-f-f-finals!

As the school year closes (and some are already closed) it marks the season of relentless tests and quizzes, projects and frantic extra-credit assignments. And the dreaded finals.

This semester, my only concern is really Pre-Calculus, as usual. Then comes English, Biology, then World Geography. The elective classes will prove to be easy, since we’re allowed to use our notes. In P.E., as long as I ran a mile in under 12 minutes, I’d get an easy 100.

So today I ran, and all throughout today I was so tired. So tired, in fact, that I did quite terribly during my violin lessons. My teacher quickly figured that out, since I played a piece more terribly than I did last time I sight-read it. Of course, my weariness could be also due to the fact that I went to sleep at around 1 A.M. last night.

I’ve been doing much thinking, and I’ve decided to create a visual novel. It’s actually going to be the story of Eira, since I’m sort of too lazy to write the rest. It’s very difficult to write in that poetic form and carry on a story, so I’m pretty much condensing it to storyline. Perhaps I’ll write it properly later on, after I finish this project.

Did you know that Eira is based on a short story (found in an anthology) which in turn is based on Yuki-onna?

But before I begin, I have to write the script, and I also have to figure the code for Ren’py, a great (and free!) visual novel making software. I get only the basic coding, but the rest is pretty much out of my mind. It does contain some Python, but I’m completely unfamiliar with it as well. But slowly, over the summer, I may be able to learn the language.

Also, I’m most likely going to need a tablet if I want to make clean, smooth graphics. I especially hope that whatever tablet I will buy (or receive) will come this year. I’m very eager to get my hands on one! Hahah! However, I can still draw character sketches for you to see. I have a vague idea on what I want them to look like. Vague. Hey, maybe doing this project will also help me in drawing backgrounds.

Didn’t draw for a week due to another project, so I drew this right after reading Pandora Hearts Retrace LXI

a past without me

Graahh… I used to hate this evil fellow but that chapter changed it. Pretty much love him now.

Artistry

Capella, gift for lostlocket, commissioned by yu-nomii

The following is a post from tumblr.

When I think about the vast amount of talent there is in the art world, I feel bewildered.

Just browsing through sites like pixiv.net, Tegaki E, and deviantART I am always astonished, amazed and inspired. And when I think about it even more, I feel like I’m more on the worse side of the scale than on the talented side.

In my future career, I’m probably going to pursue something related to journalism, because I love writing. Nonfiction writing is quite fun, because facts are sometimes weirder than fiction. But because I won’t pursue an artistic career, I wonder why I even draw.

But I think about it and then I know why: to fill in those free hours, to watch as images jumped out of the pages. To become better. Art holds so many values and so many emotions for me, and I know it is something I will never let go of.

So I will continue to draw and color, paint and sketch, cut and paste all the little stories of life and love and joy and hope into the pieces I create. No matter what, I cannot afford to be lazy, uninspired, or thrown off course.

God gave me this gift, and I plan to use it for the fullest.

One more time, one more chance!

Minamimoto, commission for ~rteazer

 

Amano Tsukiko Medley Cover [Youtube]

Busy month. State-standardized tests, AP tests (though not me personally), end-of-grading-period tests, orchestra auditions, concerts, recitals. Partly why I’m going on hiatus (sort of) for a while. Less social networking. Though it gives me a bit more time to catch up and begin reading manga. Hehe, what a waste of time, but it’s pretty enjoyable.

Mother’s day is coming up! Everyone have something for their beloved moms yet? I’m working on mine right now…

There’s prom this weekend and I’m staying home since I’m only a freshman. Not interested really.

 

2nd commission: Doctor Fraz

 

Long Arm contest: Lawson’s cake

Hehe, spent the whole time drawing after state-standardized tests. Which is why I finished Lawson’s cake much earlier than I expected.

By the way, I’ve received 2 extra dreamwidth codes. Anyone interested? If so, contact me. If not, maybe I’ll save them as contest prizes or whatnot. Gifts? I’m not sure.

facepalm, headdesk

Yesterday I visited my friend, due to a potluck dinner.

I brought my sketchbook, a mechanical pencil, and an eraser to work on some pieces, such as my sister’s commission, which I am beginning to despise. Her character is an evil character, and I think he’s beginning to get on my nerves. How do you draw pretty and evil men? Ah, you know what, let’s base him of Sephiroth. Just kidding, highly unlikely. Maybe just the face.

Well anyways, this particular friend of mine especially loves to steal my sketchbook so she can look through everything, which is quite annoying because of all the works-in-progress, as well as the scrapped works. I should remove the scraps, but it makes the book feel especially incomplete.

I put it in her room for safekeeping (bad idea), and she stole it. I sent my sister to go steal it back. While she did that, I gathered all my drawing utensils. Except, I couldn’t find my mechanical pencil! My eraser was there, but where had the pencil gone? I frantically checked my coat pocket, my jeans pocket, under her bed.

Apparently, she didn’t take it when she took the sketchbook. And so I looked around the house for it.

When I came back to her room to tell her about my inability to find it, I found her, as well as my sister, and other friends, flipping through my sketchbook. What the heck! I sent my sister to take the sketchbook yet she betrayed me and became my friend’s accomplice!

With the combination of the loss of the pencil and the betrayal, it’s easy to say that I was not in a good mood.

I’m not usually good with mechanical pencils, because after the first or second week of use, I break it or lose it. This particular one was my “lucky” pencil since it lasted four months without any hubbub. I guess I’m still not good with mechanical pencils yet.

But all I could do that night, in order to avoid the role of party-pooper, was to swallow my frustration.

I hope that my friend can find it.

Ah, reading back on this, it seems like a stupid artist’s rant. Stupid even for the most serious of artists.

But I just feel so down, my pencil lost, my trust betrayed.

I need to slap myself on the head. So stupid.

blahblahblahpotatoes

That art festival was quite nice, but it seems to get more and more dull each year. Maybe it’s due to the fact that it’s usually the same artists every year, but I think it’s more due to the enormous crowd size. It was so hot…

As for that violin festival, I have no idea what I got yet. Maybe I’ll learn tomorrow. I thought I sounded pretty terrible though.

Commissions is going slowly. I doubt at this rate I’ll be able to raise enough money for the summer. I’m going to probably have to sell my mother’s cakes or something. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll have to use up the last of my funds.

Yeah, scanlating duties have been a bit tedious at this time, not to mention homework, tests, etc. It seems like everything piles up on the same week. Very helpful.

3 new works!

blahblahblahpotatoes – this is actually a voice meme

Okita

Pedestrian Crossing

Interestingly enough, the next commission I’m working on is my sister’s.

I’m also working on a contest entry…  (owo)

The receding throb of school

I was pretty excited today, since I actually completed my first commission.

I’m honored to be commissioned by Samiraku, a wonderful artist. Please go check out her deviantART gallery. This is her original character Mori.

... Mori is one of the hell captains, a very serious hard working guy. The only times he can really forget his worries is when he can hear birdsong. But there are no song birds where he is...

I enjoyed doing this commission very much, because he is such a beautiful character, in personality and design!

Commission slots are still open if you’re interested.

3 other pieces done since the last post:

  Point Chibi commission

Happy birthday to xxxRushi, who was featured on this blog here.

Online club assignment

Drawing on my hand in class. Got scolded by mother. Never completed.

Ah, school is almost over and I’ll soon be reclining at home, drawing like a maniac. Unfortunately, I cannot rest yet, for this Saturday I have a violin festival. And I’m not big on practicing, but I have to for the sake of my pride and my sister’s.

Also this weekend there will be a local arts festival. I most likely will go, since I’ve gone every year I’ve lived here. And maybe I should invite a few friends so we can stare at the pretty pottery, paintings, and all sorts of goodies.

Art blogging

Hrm... As some of you may already know I have a new blog on dreamwidth.org. That blog is more of a personal blog, so I've decided that The Raw Potato will become an art blog. It's much more convenient, I suppose, when I want to type personal thoughts.

As for my tumblr, that's just spam of things I love and admire.

Some newer/posted art: 

As usual, each one is linked. ^^

By the way, if you've noticed the cbox in the past few weeks, there seems to be some "Blogobo" spammer, which fooled me at first, but I've banned them. But in doing that, I've also had to take away the email/url link, but it shouldn't be a big problem. The old spam posts are deleted too.

As a side note, I'm holding commissions. Click below for more info. And email me at therawpotato@gmail.com if you're interested!

Good day, everyone! And I hope to get another picture of the day soon!

Quick hello

Hey guys, I find myself posting less frequently about art… I really should post at least once a week or so.

Oh look—it’s picture of the day! In such a long time…

empty game by *Barbicaty

I love this piece. It blends old and new and in my opinion, it’s perfect for spring.

See ya for now~ I’ve got things to do!

careers

Retook the school-sponsored career test. On most of the questions I answered: "I don't know..."

I ended up getting this for top 10:

1. Translator — C
2. Nursing Assistant — C
3. Surgical Technologist — C
4. Artist — B
5. Furniture Finisher — C
6. Writer — C
7. Sign Language Interpreter — C
8. Interpreter — C
9. Critic — C
10. Data Entry Clerk — D

But seriously, for the questions, I really didn't mind or know for them. =_=;; Dreams are dashed. Except maybe art, but my parents aren't really seriously supporting that.

Besides, I want a career where I can help lots of people. Art can do that, but perhaps something more direct, such as the medical field.

Visit (by Rachel Ries)

Pandora Radio is one of the best things ever happened to man. Especially all the deep, expressive music I listen to when I type in 'Muse.' Almost everything on there I like. Regina Spektor is lovely too.

If you haven't already, please see Paper Dreams. I'll be sure to put up photos this week, as well as convince my mother to set up a PayPal. I'm also considering offering commissions too, but I have yet to stabilize my inconsistent style. Still, whatever helps to get that $200 by May. And if not $200, then $100.

I thank my very special friend that has donated a stack of beautiful pastel paper to use and also sponsored me ten cranes. And for my other wonderful friends that have sponsored 3 cranes. This I thank from the bottom of my heart deeply.

Origami paper

Yesterday I slept in just a bit too late, so I quickly dressed and shot out the door.

It was only in the middle of my Pre-Cal Test that I realized that my shirt was on backwards. No wonder the collar had seemed so high.

Anyways, I’m actually thinking about opening commissions to the public. I have yet to fully convince my mother to get a PayPal… I need money for a mission trip this summer with my church youth group.

To fundraise I’m thinking of folding 1000 paper cranes. The idea is that someone sponsors me $0.25 per paper crane and they get to sign the origami paper. Maybe they should put a wish in there too, so it’s not just a signature. Though I may have to raise it to $0.50 for good quality origami paper, which is pretty expensive.

Just a bit of digital art, done with my brother’s tablet. Without his permission. But when the cat is away, the mice will play. I really do want a tablet of my own.

Yesterday I was just browsing online and I found a “How to do your own emo haircut” video. Might just try that some day soon.

Some recent artwork + sushi

I assume you all know where my deviantart is…

So I will spare the linking for this one blog post.

Went to go eat sushi yesterday for my birthday. It was absolutely delicious, but for the wasabi under each slice of raw fish. And then the staff gave me a bowl of green tea ice cream with a candle stuck on top and they sang “Happy Birthday” (in English). Kind of embarrassing, but luckily there weren’t that many people in the restaurant.

And my lovely mother and sister gave me a bookmark (sister), a collage (sister), a watercolor painting (mother + sister), 3 flesh-toned copics, and a journal with handmade paper. Over all, not bad!

I found someone else who likes potatoes as much as I do

http://kristinconway.tumblr.com/post/3339127348/i-love-potatoes

Kind of creepy.

I'm Alive

Well, barely alive.

Schoolwork is overwhelming. As well as violin and piano.

The internet is my escape. That is, before I pass out from exhaustion. I hardly even have time to draw anymore - and I probably won't until (in the very best situation) mid-March.

Everyone else hanging in there?

Dumpuu

Some doodles and things on deviantArt. Each picture is linked.

Personality Disorder Test

Disorder	Rating
Paranoid Disorder:	Low
Schizoid Disorder:	Low
Schizotypal Disorder:	Moderate
Antisocial Disorder:	High
Borderline Disorder:	Low
Histrionic Disorder:	Very High
Narcissistic Disorder:	High
Avoidant Disorder:	High
Dependent Disorder:	Moderate
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder:	Moderate
-- Personality Disorder Test - Take It! -- -- Personality Disorders --

Took this test since I saw it on xxxrushi's blog on dreamwidth. But his is hidden, though, so you can't see the results.

So...
Schizotypal, antisocial, histrionic, narcissistic, avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive.

This is not depressing at all.


If anyone takes this, I'd love to see your results. Unless of course, if it's too depressing. *sigh*

Two things that make me excited as of today

1. First, Bleach episode 308 just rocked my world. Rangiku’s crying was about to make me cry too until Epic Ichigo came along and ruined the moment. And have you noticed? Aizen seems to get more and more feminine as he evolves. As someone I know says, Aizen’s become so powerful that his eyebrows merged together into a jewel on his head.
See? Except this picture isn’t as feminine or purple as it is in the anime, XD.

2. My order came in today! Realies by Lee Si Young. A great Korean manhwa containing 3 stories: “How Martians conquered the Earth,” “Is it really impossible?” and “Science Fiction Story.” I think I’ve mentioned it once in my previous posts. I really wish the author would’ve made a second volume. Maybe if I contact the author he/she will. I think it’s a he though…
There’s a chance that there’s no school tomorrow! Even if I do have to go, I won’t be so sad because I’ve got my Realies…. Mwehehe!

Superbowl Sunday

I never really was into football.

And now that everyone is making such a big deal about it this year, with all the snow and all...

I still don't care.
Well, maybe I'll watch the commercials, but I don't care.




You know what's really sad?

I work really hard on my artwork. I really do. And I'm pretty satisfied with the feedback I get.

But I only create one tutorial on how to color, and that gets a 125 faves, as of now. And the picture that I did it over only gets 9.

Really, deviantArt? I give you my all, my hard work, and you return saying that deviantArtists are selfish, caring only about themselves. They only want to know how to get better, to earn that fame.

I know this rant is probably selfishness on my part, but really it shows you how depressing it is. Undoubtedly one of the most depressing things that I've ever experienced.

Let me go cry in my corner... 

Dream wide

Heya fellows.

I got a dreamwidth account. It's a blog, yes, and it's sort of like livejournal.

altairtherook

If you really would like to, I could get some invite codes for you. Or try, at least.





My fingers have millimeter-thick calluses...

Cicadas

Was reading The Boat by Nam Le.
It's a great book, filled with short stories.
What I love best about it is that Le is able to change tone and style almost completely, from one story to another. My absolute favorite one so far is "Cartegena." I also think the way Le ends each story is wonderful, though it always seems so sudden. It is as if Le was trying to get you to connect deeply with the character, but he cuts the story off at the point where you are wanting more, more, more.
The only problem I have with it is that practically every story has sexual scenes. Except for "Hiroshima". I understand that these scenes come up now and then, but not every story has to have something like that.
Otherwise, it is a wonderful book. The styles are absolutely mesmerizing.

I went ice-skating on Monday. Fell at least three times. My sister happened to be better than me; the only time she tripped was because I fell on top of her. And a classmate (whom I have frequent arguments with) happened to be there. He skated quite wonderfully. I am jealous.

There was a birthday party too. It was quite fun. And we played "sardines," which resulted in my body being squished into a closet with about ten other people. What loveliness!

Oh yes, here's a beginning chapter of a new story. The next chapter will come out... Let's say, next month?

More pictures! Each one is linked, just if you want to check em out!

 

 

Ciao ~××♥××!