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Description
This is my submission to the 2008 Okami Fanart contest.

I wanted to draw something a little different. Rather than a full-body shot of Amaterasu, I decided to focus on the eye. The reflection inside the eye shows a torii (Japanese sacred gate) backlit by the rising sun with a dark storm approaching from the left. The sun symbolizes Amaterasu (the Japanese sun goddess) as well as Japan itself (land of the rising sun). The storm is the encroaching darkness (Orochi) that is threatening the land. The torii represents the divinity of the two combatants and adds an Oriental touch. Also, by focusing the upcoming battle between good and evil in the center of the eye, I wanted to show that it occupied a place of extreme importance to Amaterasu.

I hope the symbolism wasn't too boring but I felt that this piece would benefit from having some deep thought behind it.

Done on 11x14 black sketch paper with white charcoal pencil (layout), soft and oil pastels.

Description
This is my submission to the 2008 Okami Fanart contest.

I wanted to draw something a little different. Rather than a full-body shot of Amaterasu, I decided to focus on the eye. The reflection inside the eye shows a torii (Japanese sacred gate) backlit by the rising sun with a dark storm approaching from the left. The sun symbolizes Amaterasu (the Japanese sun goddess) as well as Japan itself (land of the rising sun). The storm is the encroaching darkness (Orochi) that is threatening the land. The torii represents the divinity of the two combatants and adds an Oriental touch. Also, by focusing the upcoming battle between good and evil in the center of the eye, I wanted to show that it occupied a place of extreme importance to Amaterasu.

I hope the symbolism wasn't too boring but I felt that this piece would benefit from having some deep thought behind it.

Done on 11x14 black sketch paper with white charcoal pencil (layout), soft and oil pastels.