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Half-dude — Dancers Backstage
Published: 2011-07-26 06:55:25 +0000 UTC; Views: 3091; Favourites: 11; Downloads: 23
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I would like to dedicate this drawing to the lovely ~warriorcatroseeyes who showed a great interest in my Scymanterian dancing girls, even gaining inspiration to draw her own amazing picture: [link] So this goes out to you girl, I hope you enjoy the little extra exploration into them. ^_^So the real reason for this was to practice foreshortening the Scymanterian body, I originally had a different much more cutesy pose planned out for the girl.. with her arms curled up.. hands under her 'chin' as if she's fluttering her eyelashes at the camera. But I guess this 'unaware of the viewer' version is cool in its own right.
So the idea here was wondering how do Scymanterian ceremonial dancers act when they're between acts or 'off the clock' shall we say and what do they do? To answer what they do, pretty much what you'd expect..beautifying themselves and maintaining their money makers. XD
This brings back the antenna curlers, something I've already used a lot with my Irken pictures, but at least since these are my own people I can at least confirm that no..female antenna are not naturally curled.. it's a fashion thing. For detail, the way these work is there's a round knob leading to a drum on the inside of the device. Similar to a paper-towel dispenser in reverse.. the girl would insert the tips of antenna into the bottom, turn the knob, which would draw the rest of her antenna into it and wrap it around inside the curler. Steamer vents in the inside walls (operating at low heat since antenna are sensitive) slowly 'iron' them into a curled shape.. a springiness that the antenna stay in that shape for a few days.
Lets see, the auto polisher is what she's using on her fingers there. I'd imagine being exoskeleton creatures, one way of beautifying is to get polished.. much like the effect on a car. Just being smooth and shiny looks appealing, you can get it done just to your fingers or if your extreme you can have it done to your whole body.
The girl in the background was added in last, I figured it would make the picture look more populated.. and it did. This IS supposed to be like a female changing-room kinda atmosphere..so you'd expect there to be other girls in there. Not that it makes much of a difference with Scymanterians, but yes that girl in the background IS naked.. XD bless girls and not caring about being nakey with other girls... you guys are crazya! *ehem* she appears to be doing something with her foot.. perhaps shaping them. Again, having thick bone like exoskeleton I'd imagine with something like a file.. you'd be able to file off any abnormal bumps or rough areas on your body with no pain.. again.. to a point... like a toe-nail.
Lastly, the little cubical-like all there on the right gave me an opportunity to show a little culture. Here we have another cool looking symbol.. looks related to the ones they wear on their uniforms. Below that is a page of text, I've decided they right vertically. The text there that you can see is one word.. I'm working on an alphabet and it's almost done but I've been lazy about finishing it. I'll go into it more deeply when I release that.
Scymanterians (c) Me
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Comments: 54
They are very pretty aren't they? : )
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Oh yes they definitely are hohoho
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I still cant believe I never commented on dis! XD
These dancers are pretty even without their outfits and such!....that... kind of came out wrong... but whatever XD
I love all the little details you put into your Scymanterian stuff, makes things much more awesome when I look up from the description to see what you wrote about (Yes I read the description before I look at the picture) XD
My only complaint is I cant quite figure out her pose, theres a lot going on there. Maybe its the lack of color
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Yeah wtf man? Why haven't you? : P
Well yeah? Isn't a girl usually more attractive with her clothes off? XD
I'm trying to put as much details as I can into them. I'm glad your reading the description because you'd be missing a lot if you didn't.
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Well I meant they looked good in "pretty" way rather than sexy, though I do still consider them kind of sexy even if they are eight foot tall insects. I do hope that doesnt insult XD
Well duh, thats why descriptions are there in teh first place XD
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No it's a compliment. XD
Yeah but still.. people don't read them. >>
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Good, wouldnt want to anger the eight foot tall insect ladies XD
I knooooow it drives me crazy
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Yeah besides, not when a squishy little human head probably sounds appetizing. XD
I feel bad for story writers the most.. people just don't read stories on DA.
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Poor writers, and even when someone does check out someones story they usually are just grammar nazis pointing out flaws XD
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Yeah besides, not when a squishy little human head probably sounds appetizing. XD
I feel bad for story writers the most.. people just don't read stories on DA.
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AAAAA YOU FEATURED ME I love you, you know that Ian?
Ahh, the antenna curlers! I remember them way back when in a picture of Owen getting made over. The idea's been in my head all since then, cuz really, it's a pretty cool concept 
You know, I imagine at the right temperatures, the steamcurler feels really really good~
That, or it feels like a shitload of muggy humidity centered around your 'ears' >3<
If curled antennae are a fashion statement, would there be other antennae styles? Such as crimped, curly-cued, flattened (as in, they're drooped down flat against their skull and down their back)?
I like the candid approach you did here. She still looks real cutesie, and I imagine some faint music playing from a radio somewhere in the back, with Scymanterians chattering back and forth all around, a possible 'hairdryer sound' from the steamcurlers clear above all the din.
Oh! And a veteran ceremonial dancer woman going around nagging dancers and making sure they all go out on their cue.
See what I mean when I talk about how your cartoons come to life? XD
Wow, I was surprised by how translucent their wings really are. But at the same time, I'm delighted. Imagine, the designs on their wings would look near like they're floating in mid air, in harmony with the girls' swaying arms!
The cubicle thing, is that like a bulletin board or what?
WHOOO, hurrah for the medium sized, totally unorganized comment!
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YOU DESERVED TO BE FEATURED I love you too
Was that the first appearance of antenna curlers? I thought it was the picture of the Tripple T's at the salon. O.o I'm glad to hear you're not sick of it yet.
It could feel pretty good I guess, at low low temperature. Of course there are other styles, some of those you mentioned are actually in these scraps:
[link]
[link]
[link]
I'd be interested to know how long you actually stare at my drawings. All your comments make me so happy because it just feels like you spend time staring long and hard..taking in the atmosphere.. seeing all the little details. You're truly an example of how more people on DA should be.
A veteran dancer huh? That might be an idea right there..
Well maybe not as transparent as they look here.. blame lazy shading on my part. But yeah kinda cool.. like stained glass if the wings are painted.. Imagine THIS.. the girls hold up their painted wings while a colored light behind them shines through their wings.. projecting the painted shapes onto the audience. : 3
Well cubicles.. you know.. [link] little cubes separating. Each cubicle has some beauty devices inside and a padded floor to lay on and pillow.. its just little temporary relaxing quarters for the girls.
I LOVE it >3
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Oh you~ Haha XD
That's probably not the first appearance, just the first I remember seeing of it. I don't think I was watching you in much of the era of the Triple T's o.O
Hehe, I like the antennae in that last picture you gave me (on the female).
It's random <:3 If my inbox isn't particularly overflowing, I can sometimes keep a deviation open in another tab for a long time, especially if it's something that really interests me. I go back and forth between the deviation and other stuff, gradually building my comment before submitting. Sometimes I can do this in three minutes with a long detailed critique, or in three hours with a short and sweet compliment. It depends ^_^;;
I try to be a good deviant. They say you get attention when you give attention. Though even if that isn't true, it never hurts to make an artist feel special C: (Do I sound sappy?
A dancer from years ago, who has long lost her looks, but still knows how to throw one hell of a show... She knows everybody in the biz and is good with making connections, and it's hard to tell whether she misses her old career or is glad to finally be retired... *continues rambling*
Ohwow... That's a glorious thought. Pair that with dark (nearly black) lighting and a rotating color cycle for the lights to fit the mood and tempo.
Ahhh, I see! My mind was elsewhere, haha.
That's an interesting thought... I'm not sure if I've encountered something similar, aside from actor trailers, or the little individual vanities you see in movies.
I'll try to keep 'em coming then >D
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VERY NEICE!
Yeah.. seems like SO long since I've drawn Tiera and the gang. The last stuff I did with them was with the war Tiera had with Ravenpuff's Blake..they're rivals in who's the hottest. XD
I like that one too.. like they're crimped at the ends.
Well since I usually supply a song with my car drawings, I've wondered if (when you do listen) if you actually will listen to the whole song while looking at the picture.. taking in the atmosphere and seeing the little details (kinda like I was hoping everyone would. XD) ..that's just the impression you give me.. that that's what you do.
I appreciate SO much, you have no idea how much I do. It's getting to the point almost where if you were to stop commenting? I might not draw the Pinky pics anymore at all. O_o; ..my whole motivation for drawing is fueled by my feedback.
I'd have to be careful, sounds too close to comfort to Ravenpuff's model expert Bix-Fix. o.o;
Yeah I can imagine it'd look pretty epic if they were all flapping their wings at the same time. : D
I really had no references for the cubicals.. kinda just came out of my brainmeat.
I will keep appreciating them too. ^^
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Ohgod, haha XD
Perhaps, for nostalgia's sake, you'll draw them sometime?
Hottest, eh? Well girls, being fully clothed, it's hard for me to judge... *shot*
Do you think they ever tie their antennae together, or 'braid' them somehow?
If I do listen to a song, I don't always do it whilst looking at your pictures. However, I'm always thinking about your pictures during, and while I'm writing the comment.
Oh dear... pressure o_O;;; I know where you're coming from, and it's hard Ian, but it's best to try not and get dependent on a single/handful of commenters.
The sad thing is, I have to give this advice a lot. It makes me feel bad >.< I used to have a friend that would literally get suicidal if I didn't comment o_O;; And I had to comment a certain way. GUH, was it stressful
Oh crap, yeah, you're right! Admittedly, I was thinking of Bix... Sorry Ian!
Oh wow... Imagine the Scymanterian dancer I drew has a solo in some sun dance. She stands on a podium as a fiery light grows behind her... Then she lifts her wings, the light shining through her wings and dawning a huge, burning sun shape throughout the entire theater!
I appreciate that you're appreciating :'D Haha XD
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I highly doubt I'll find a reason to draw them again, unfortunately. : / I never really had much of a plan or purpose for their characters to begin with other then being total bitch characters.
Pfft! Do they braid their antenna! XP [link] [link]
I know you are WC, I know you are.. and that's what makes your comments so wonderful. ^^ I know just by reading them that you've really thought about the picture and stuff..
Oh no, please I don't wanna make you feel pressured! <: / It was meant to be humbling. I wasn't aware you'd had a bad experience like that, I hope I don't scare you into thinking I'm gonna be like that too. The last thing I want is for you to make forced and forced-to-be-nice comments.. Only comment if you really think my art deserves it.. and dont feel forced to say only good stuff too. Ok? <: o
Haha you were? Lucky for me I'm paranoid of looking like a rip-offer.
That would indeed be a beautiful sight! But wow.. can anyone say stage fright? Those girls must be super confident in themselves.
Hehe X3
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Characters for fun, eh?
Aaah! That's kindof a twirly half-braid, but it works
Indeed I do~ 
It's okay, thanks so much for assuring me <:D Sorry, heh, I'm a pretty tentative person and worry a lot.
Same here! I have a comic going on right now called 'haBLAMos', and for a while, it was very similar to Jhonen Vasquez's Johnny The Homicidal Maniac >.< Only with more gay people. It's come a long way since I had that revelation, though.
Oh of course! 8O
I imagine, the girls that work as ceremonial dancers are the best of the best (since the Scymanterian culture lies on 'strive to achieve', no?) who have dreamed of being on that stage all their lives.
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Characters for one narrow and specific purpose.. they were fun in RP..but I don't IZ RP anymore so... yeah. >>
I'm guessing their antenna are kinda stiff.. wobbly but stuff.. like an uncooked spaghetti noodle or something. Maybe they can only be 'posed' when heated or steamed.
Aww well yes.. don't worry.. I'm mature about this stuff. ^^
I like gay people. X3
Wow! You've been doing your homework!
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Ahhh. Yeah, I have a lot of those o.O I'm the type of person that just shits out character after character.
NEED. CONTROL.
I can totally imagine that... interesting thought! I imagine then, during humid days, their antennae droop? What a fashion nightmare XD
That's why I love you bro C:
I go back and read the encyclopedia now and then when I need to be sure on something
That being the case, I wonder if the Scymanterians have their misfits like humans do. Ambitionless teens who believe they won't get anywhere, so they don't even try, and spend their days being hooligans and demoralizing others |D
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Oh no, you don't have like.. an army of OCs, which none of them ever get drawn again after their initial picture do you? XD
OMG you're right! They would be all floppy on a hot day! XD How freaking funny is that? I wonder if they sweat.. I could see those things flopping around all wet and flicking sweat. XD
Hehe I'm loved.. ^^ <3
I wonder if you're the only one who reads it.. I kinda got lazy and stopped writing it.. 6.6 since no one really got too interested in them. I was SO sure they'd take off.. I mean.. what do they lack that the Trillians had?
Ah but I can answer the child question for you.. at least in part. Well you know that offspring are done in a controlled manner correct? The most contributing members of each city (a male and a female from each major city, sometimes double that) are arranged to be..well.. sexed..and/or married if they wish. These parents to be are also chosen by their clutch.. ie: the family egg they were born from. This keeps what are essentially brothers and sisters (if they came from the same eggcase) from mating and adding inbred genes to the main genepool. (Take that Alugoulia)
Well when the eggcases are laid from all the females during this designated reproduction season.. they're all taken to the hatchery. Here they're kept in an a humidity and temperature controlled chamber monitored by nurses and doctors.
The Scymanterians are similar to the Irkens in the fact that their young are birthed and raised to young adult hood in one place. On Irk it was the underground..cloning..place.. with the Scymanteria it's the hatchery. The hatchery is a huge place and it doubles as a school and collage. The children are raised by and taught by instructors (unless a Scymanterian family adopts a baby.. then he/she is taken to the hatchery every day for school) then after school they move to an equivalent to collage. Having been brought up educated in the ambitious ways of their society, they then get to take courses that nurture their own interests and passions and ready them for career.
Eventually they graduate and are sent out into the world. OH I would also like to add, that unlike Irk where the babies never see light till they're adults. The Scymanterian children DO leave the hatchery regularly to be outside.. though they're kept watch over of course.
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I'm really tugging the leash on myself now, though. When I want to draw a character and submit it on dA, I think to myself, "Now Wakor, are you REALLY going to use this guy?"
The thing is, I use all these characters for roleplaying, during which they develop insanely well, and I keep wanting to share the story
Sweat? Hmmm... That's not likely, unless they have pores of sorts...
I did a wee bit of research, and got a bit of mixed information
I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Mantids are a bit more dignified, I'm sure. Maybe they put a sort of powder on themselves in the morning to keep them comfortably cool?
Hm... I don't know much about Trillians, but weren't they also used with the creator's IZ characters? Perhaps association with the Zim fandom is what helped them take off
That, and dude, popularity is almost 100% luck! I've met artists who are simply fantastic and barely get any comments, while artists with skill one could consider lower than ours have tons of attention.
And also, people catch on to things like this easier when there's a story to follow. Perhaps you could draw a few short comics?
Aaaaah, I see. I doubt then that there's a lot of negative influence, and being that they're raised from birth to believe they can be the best they can be, there's not a lot of low self esteem that would produce misfits like the ones I mentioned.
I wonder then, if young Scymanterians are susceptible to being perfectionists? Like, they're afraid of not being the best they could be (which is a bar they've set waaaaay to high for themselves).
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I dunno, I've never understood people who make a ton of OCs. (no offense) I just figured less is more. You make less and just RP with them. Then instead of having an army of fairly developed OCs you can get a couple of REALLY developed OCs. I guess some people just get a trill out of developing character more then using them.. that's not the case with me.
Well but remember your research. They've evolved, their organs have advanced and become more complex and efficient.. their brains too..leading to sentience. I could maybe see them developing pores in the kinda skin sections between their exoskeletons. The places in-between their exoskeleton plates on their bellies and in their joints have a thick kinda skin in-between.. like snake skin between the scales: [link]
Well I'm aware of that with the Trillians, that their advantage is that Irkens were involved with them. As a spoiler I AM planning on Involving the Irkens with the Scyamnterians.. I just having DONE it yet. Oo;
Well.. I wouldn't say they're PUSHED to be the best they can be. But their interests and passions for what they like to do are nurtured and supported..and their education is individualized to educate them in that area of study. I bet their children get better education then us. XD Wouldn't you like to just learn about what you're interested in?
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I don't understand them either o.o;; Which is unsettling.
For me, it's mostly habit from adapting to my rp buddies, who are actually the ones that fart out all the OC's. I feel inclined to make friends for them, and as the new friends develop, characters associated with their story pop up, and then everything just EXPLODES XD
I usually try to keep them private now, haha.
If a dog can survive the heat with panting only, I'm sure Scymanterians could have sweat glands in the few 'flesh' areas. Hehe, and this is kind of random, but I really like this idea because since Scymanterians have fleshy padded hands, they might still get 'clammy', as they say.
I don't know why I just find that cute OKAY
Really? Great, can't wait to see what you draw up! I have a feeling Owen would get along with a Scymanterian scientist.
o.O I imagine the Scymanterians would be absolutely appalled by the Irkens' slavery of the aliens they dominate.
So would the school maybe be a system of what we would call 'extra curricular activities', and the students would get to pick or be assigned classes fitting their passions, along with basic classes?
It sounds absolutely WONDERFUL. If they have a class for reading and writing comic books, I'm THERE.
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Oh so, the RP friends you have make you feel kind of like.. boring or something? They're always using new characters and you don't want to make them keep RPing with a couple of yours.. so you try to keep up?
I'm personally amazed that you even noticed they had fleshy palms. O_O I know what picture you GOT that from.. just.. didn't seem like anyone noticed. ^^ But you sure did hehe...
cute as in... two young Scymanterians are on a date and the girl goes to hold his hand and it's all clammy from nervousness? hehe
The Scymanterians are out there in the universe.. probably a few who go to Foodcourtia even. I guess if you really wanted to you could even consider those aliens that were in the SHOW who look very similar to them..maybe THEM in the show.. as drawn by JV. The race I'm talking about is like.. the guy in Hobo 13 who suggests crossing using the tree.
That's exactly what I mean. ^^ I should probably draw some pictures from the school..show how Scymanterians are raised.
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Yeah, that's a big part of it ^_^;;; That, and I just can't seem to fit our characters' stories altogether. X is in a relationship with Y, but if I try to get them to be friends with A, B, and C, it just doesn't seem to hit off. So if a new character shows up, a new character needs to be made to accommodate.
I'm personally not amazed with myself O.O; I'd think anyone who saw that picture and the explanation would just... know.
PAY ATTENTION TO DETAIL, PEOPLE!
Kinda, yeah! That and just nervousness in general. Don't ask me why, but I've always found nervousness/awkwardness to be THE cutest thing EVER. Which makes me feel a bit like a sadist, because I know how horrible a nervous/awkward person feels <|D
Oouuuh... He does look like a Scymanterian, just (aside from obvious differences)... less 'filled out' XD How did such a spindly thing hold on for so long?
That'd be interesting O.O It'd be a good opportunity to draw baby mantids too X3 And all the (possibly) cool technology involved at the Hatchery!
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Sounds like maybe your friend should be more open to having RP stories that fit your OCs better.
But that's the thing, people don't pay attention. o.o
Well I think I find that cute too.. I mean look at Plink. XD
I know right? He must have super muscles!
Exactly, it'd be a great opportunity.
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Yeah... <|D
I've tried to find others to roleplay with, but all attempts have been complete and utter failures. I think mainly because, and though it may not seem like it, but I'm an absolutely shy, nervous wreck XD
*shakes head* Tsk tsk... it's a damn shame...
It's with inattentive people that talent is wasted.
Yeah, haha! Funny, Plink used to be a villain along with Owen, right? It still amuses me how much of a revamp they got!
Makes me wonder if that's ALL his limbs are, muscle. But he'd still need bone, would he not? XD
I have a feeling though, seeing their school and what they learn will belittle my intelligence greatly XD
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I'd be happy to roleplay with you. I think you'd be awesome and I think.. maybe you're capable of not being nervous in front of me. <: D
That is true.. :/
They DID used to be villian, Plink's whole reason for being small was that he'd be a more suitable lackey for the evil Owen and do what she said. It also painted a false sense of 'not dangeriousness' which would be shattered when Zim finds out that his strength was in robotics and he had a giant robot suit which he'd then have to fight. If you really wanna be amused just listen to the 'themes' for them I totally stole from Quake 4 long ago.
Enter Plink in giant mech: [link]
Owen and her plasma/electro-ball gloves stalk Zim: [link]
Owen and her plasma/electro-ball gloves action: [link]
That's what an exoskeleton is... bones. XD hence the name..
Prolly.. they ARE advanced after all. 
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Oh you'd be surprised. I have a friend that I'd known for about a year. I once tried to roleplay with him, and was having and absolute spazz attack!
I can only imagine Zim's antennae-drooping 'oh shit' moment when Plink comes in with that mech suit.
It sounds like it would have been one helluva scene oAo
Well, who says his legs are exoskeleton?
Well I still think you should give me a try. ^_^
You're afraid of looking like a dork in-front of the person who epic over-analyzed the working of Ernie's compactor? Really now....
That would be the proper emotion to have in that situation Zim..hold on to that. XD
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Yes, yes I am. Nyaw, I don't think you're a dork (in a bad way) 
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Well we need to think of something then! What kind of stuff are you into?
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Well, anything really ^^ Yeah, totally descriptive, eh?
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Yeah.. that doesn't really help. Oo;
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Well, anything really ^^ Yeah, totally descriptive, eh?
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I relly like it, it is well done.
The writing on the side, the text, will you be writing their language?
cause that would be awsome.
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Yes like I said, I'll be releasing their letters and number system at some point.
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wow. its amazing that you can go into so much detail with just paper and pencils! Thats why i admire you!
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But isn't that what all artists do? <: D
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^^ heheh.. you are too.. *hugs*
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i still cant belive that this is in pencil. looks all clean.
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You're the second person to say that Oo is it really that amazingly clean?
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