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tarkheki — Fai Fluorite:The White Phoenix

Published: 2008-06-15 05:21:39 +0000 UTC; Views: 7722; Favourites: 126; Downloads: 359
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Description This is the 7th image form 15 I did for Anime North 2008.

Second in the “Tsuabsa” series, this one features Fai Fluorite.

When painting Fai and Kurogane, I wanted to make a conscious effort to stand them antithetical to one another; in composure, on boldness, in character and in composition.
Like in the series, these two character are “black and white”, and like in the series, the standard stereotypes are challenged as you learn the history’s of each character. Those how were “guilty” became “innocent” and vice versa.

Having said that, I was surprised to see yet another thing happen- what I have always said about art, and a good image- it will tell YOU how and what it wants to be. Not the other way around. So I couldn’t be happier to have realized that my conscious effort was realized and requested by the images themselves.
Kurgoane’s image is bold, dramatic, powerful and challenging.
Fai’s image is cool, aloof, flowing, and submissive- even for the shear fact that you are seeing his back and not his face.

I had one fun time doing his tattoo as well. Especially on the varying skin form.

Size: 15” x 20”
Medium: Acrylic on Canson Paper
Original: $80
*Prints: $7

*Watermark does not appear on prints.

Edit:
For all those that keep mentioning about Fai’s physique: You are morons. The lot of you.
Let me explain to you a little concept about “Artistic license” and a little something called “Realism”.
If I were to paint the exact proportions of an anime character in realism, I would come out with something that has NO semblance to REAL HUMAN ANATOMY. I’d have to condense the rib cage by 25%, and lengthen the legs by two. Do you understand this? Do you have the conception of a little “artistic liberty” when drawing an image? Did you FAIL kindergarten or Art Fundamentals where they ALLOW you and ENCOUAGE you to draw/redraw images and characters at your own discretion, making corrections to fit the style in which you are working?
I’d suggest that people who have no brain or artistic skill educate themselves before making idiot comments on my page. If all you can comment about is a faulty critique on the style, or if all you are looking for is another traced image of an existing manga page- that’s far beneath me. Go somewhere else.
And for the love of god- STOP WATCHING ME. I have NO interest in having stupid people bombard me with idiot comments and questions. I’m not here to entertain the drooling brainless masses- I’m here to make art.
Related content
Comments: 74

shaina773 [2013-01-08 23:15:45 +0000 UTC]

Wow, I really like this take on Fai! He is my favorite chara from the anime The flow in this piece though, its really gorgeous! Amazing job! I love this piece a lot! :3

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tarkheki In reply to shaina773 [2013-01-09 07:47:29 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! I wanted to have a polar opposite to my Kurogane image in nearly every aspect... I think the influence of the bird-theme dominated the concept.

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shaina773 In reply to tarkheki [2013-01-09 13:17:27 +0000 UTC]

Hehe I see, and the 2 images work perfectly together! And yes the bird concept was perfect as well! The dragon and bird are awesome, cause you see that in the anime as well. The contrast between the 2 pictures is awesome as well! Seeing them together is really cool! The warm and cool colors, which makes them opposite but yet they also work together to achieve your concept! Very well done!

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crackerinblack [2011-01-16 09:31:32 +0000 UTC]

I actually based the tattoo I'm getting on THIS drawing for the most part!

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tarkheki In reply to crackerinblack [2011-01-16 15:17:48 +0000 UTC]

Well, I admit it isn't exactly "my" idea, as CLAMP were there ones to design and execute the tattoo on Fai... but I'm still humbled by that!

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crackerinblack In reply to tarkheki [2011-01-18 05:43:12 +0000 UTC]

Well, at the same time it was kinda'hard to find good still images of the tattoo. And having it on a more realistic body did help a lot.

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tarkheki In reply to crackerinblack [2011-01-18 05:46:09 +0000 UTC]

Well then, I'm glad i could help! XD

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karenjade [2010-01-29 01:56:31 +0000 UTC]

Awesome! I have to say, I only watched the anime "Cardcaptor Sakura" because I liked the character of Meiling, but I found myself enjoying "Tsubasa" because of Fai and Kurogane! Now I can't decide who I like the best! LOL! And I see your point on the whole artistic realism too.

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tarkheki In reply to karenjade [2010-01-29 16:23:36 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!
Yah, many people seem to have beef with Tsubasa... for me, it was a little slice of heaven.

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Trieste-Sokaris [2009-07-29 22:00:02 +0000 UTC]

I adore your drawing, but I agree with your point about artistic licence and realism too. There's nothing more boring to me than searching for good fanarts and seeing nothing more but carbon copies of a manga's original style... C'mon, show a little creativity here, people ! You have the balls to recreate a character in your own style, and that transposition actually requires some skills !

However I think you should understand that your rendition of Fye here may actually make some people frown. Okay, all of Clamp's pretty boys look lanky, but Fye still looks lankier than them ; it's easy to notice. Besides, it wouldn't be important if Fye wasn't so associated with Kurogané, with whom his physique is obviously put into contrast : he's supposed to be built, and brawner. My point is that : "damn, if Fye is so well-built, what must Kurogané looks like ? A gigantic steroid addict ?"
So I think many of the fandumb comments you had to deal with were actually about your artistic licence rather than the whole realism issue. It's important to separate the two.

But anyway, it sure doesn't make sense that Fye is so well-versed in martial arts and capable in combat when his muscles are so pathetic... Of course there's the good old "he's a wizard, it's been confirmed he can live longer than normal humans, so why not an improved agility" argument, but that's still farfetched. He'd have to get an athletic build at best. But since in the story we're supposed to be actually surprised he can hold on in combat, it's still part of his character, even if it fails at common sense and logic.

So my point proves... Well, nothing. Anyway, if these kinds of little artistic licence is the price to pay for actually artistic fanarts, I'll take it without any hesitation. Congratulations !

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Wynterstoops [2008-09-02 06:33:08 +0000 UTC]

I want that tattoo. D: But not on me. I wonder how likely my brother is to get it if I get him drunk first... o_O

This is awesome looking. I love the bird.

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tarkheki In reply to Wynterstoops [2008-09-03 03:04:08 +0000 UTC]


Maybe you should wait until you get married... and get your husband to do it! XD

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Wynterstoops In reply to tarkheki [2008-09-03 08:49:03 +0000 UTC]

Nah...I don't want a husband covered in tattoo's...just my brother. 'Cause then my bro would be cool, and tough chicks would dig him, and he could finally get to making me MY NEPHEW! Stupid defective niece producer... >.< I live in the estrogen pool, and he's not helping any.

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tarkheki In reply to Wynterstoops [2008-09-03 23:46:32 +0000 UTC]

Well, considering the amount of abuse I see toward women, and the overall preference to men and all that is masculine, I'll applaud your brother for wanting girls. Lord knows, with a 70% abuse rate being at the hands of men toward women, and entire countries/cultures that practice infanticide becuase the babies are girls, it's a welcome change then what I'm used to.

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Wynterstoops In reply to tarkheki [2008-09-04 13:19:22 +0000 UTC]

He doesn't want girls though. He likes his just fine, but he wants a boy too. And lord knows with 12 nieces and 4 nephews, I do too. We live in the estrogen SHARK TANK.

It is true that women do suffer abuse a lot more than men, but in our family that actually tends to be rather untrue. It wasn't until I was a teenager that I realized most women weren't strong physically and emotionally, and most men definitely weren't gentleman. I'm still holding out for someone like my brothers. It's going to be a long wait though. Chivalry is pretty much dead outside of my household.

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KorsithKoris [2008-06-30 22:41:52 +0000 UTC]

...you know, I just wanted to say that your growling about the whole "realistic" anatomy and the people who want the "CLAMP!Fai" anatomy is awesome. A little heated, but awesome, and brings out something very obvious:
ANIME HAS EPIC FAIL IN REALMS OF REALISM. THAT'S WHY IT'S CALLED A CARTOON.
...ahem. More of what I'm trying to say is that I agree with you wholehandedly - a lot of it is a few things - artistic license, stylization, artist preference, and actually a few other things as well. I mean jeez, what some people think is cute, if you put it into the real world won't work out. Fai'd be this really skinny-ass white boy who is all bone and would probably have problems moving much, as that is possibly the most accurate to CLAMP's style put into realistic terms. Guys have this thing testosterone. They gain muscle, and yes, not all of them are buff, but they can be this wiry menagerie of muscle and solid mass. I know this, I've seen them. Like anyone else has. If you want ethereal pretty boys that look like CLAMP's UKE!boys, look at women. Because that is what they are. :3
Anyway~
I adore the contrasts here, by the way, the way he's not so solid and yet stands out against the background. And as everyone has said it, that bird? That makes my heart flutter. I want the BIRD, not the man. That bird is freaking awesome, and a gorgeous raptor. Guh. *q* I do have one mild thing, but it may just be me - his hair doesn't seem to fit the quality so much, and Fai himself when matched up against the background seems to stand out too much, unlike Kurogane who fit in, I thought, fairly well with his background. All in all though, very well rounded and enjoyable to see. <3

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tarkheki In reply to KorsithKoris [2008-07-01 04:27:10 +0000 UTC]

Dude, heated it may be- but you had to see how many and how LONG I had to put up with these kinds of comments- and on other images too. I love comments, don't get me wrong- but some of them seem as if very little care, thought, skill, or tact are included. I'm a very blunt and straightforward person- so lots of my "combative" remarks are just as a result of me being very blunt that way. XD

But I appreciate your sentiments, and agree with your examples! That was the exact point I was making- the FACE alone of an anime character would require a total re-evolution of the skull to fit the criteria. It's funny that a place that has so many artists dwelling, you would expect more on-lookers ot be exposed to a variety of styles and artistic license. Guess not.

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KorsithKoris In reply to tarkheki [2008-07-01 04:51:06 +0000 UTC]

Heated is fun, and I really hope you don't think I was trying to attack you. I was summing it up as best as I could as I saw it with the whole capslock thing and more of adding my voice to yours? XD Hah, maybe it didn't come across like that, so I'm sorry if you thought I had directed it at you.

Indeeeeeeeeeed. Like, seriously. XD And there are plenty of "ideals" with Western comics, etc, where the anatomy is just as screwy, though in a different way (the big boobs, the psycho legs of doom on some women...or if you've got Roman/Greek ideals of beauty, even that isn't possible, realism itself incorporates a whole slew of identities). Big time. I am always surprised when things like this come up because it's like "Okay, maybe not my thing, but I can totally understand the artist's view on this. What is their usual style? Is it good for them, or is it a little lacking today?" Artists need to be their own person, not CLAMP, not Yoshitaka Amano, not Tetsuya Nomura (unless they want to be these people, it happens with style copiers, I know that too) - it's art. Expresing yourself through a visual medium, making a statement or whatever. Even if it's fanart. XD I did a paper on "Anime" in college, 'twas fun and taught me a lot, especially about the ideals this country itself has with what is art and what is not art. Hysterical. Lemme tell you. A large part of the artist world despises the Japanese cartoon style, which is really interesting because its roots actually come from Disney. <3

...And yes, you'd think that but we've also got a slaving mass of serious fangirls/fanboys running around...

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tarkheki In reply to KorsithKoris [2008-07-01 07:45:27 +0000 UTC]

Oh no, not at all- I didn't think you were attecking me. I got you spot on, no worries.

The entire history of film in Japan was highly influenced by the west, and in turn now the West is being highly influenced by them. I remember first year of History of Animation and World art we had to make thesis papers and all that- I specifically went into the Anime Genre and the evolution of Eastern art to try and show people the incorporation of the Russian and Western film-making in it. Generally, I noticed a HUGE love for the Anime style at my college- but it's only between the age group that is close to mine- the seniors in the industry think otherwise- most of them, not all of them thankfully.
And then I did a whole project on Michaelangelo becuase that man's my IDOL when it comes to human anatomy- mostly regarded and critiqued that unlike DaVinci, didn't want to draw "beautiful" women, but more accurate "masculine" women that were spot on for the time period. He drew the "Real" that existed, not the "real" that poeple found attractive and artificial.

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KorsithKoris In reply to tarkheki [2008-07-01 08:21:00 +0000 UTC]

Yay!

*nods* Oh cool, so you know all about it; that makes me very happy. <3 I guess most of what upsets me about the Eastern styles here on Western shores is that I've heard a lot of horror stories about professors of art who are really, really vicious about the style when, like we agree on, it's just another cartoon style. I don't get it, it really blows my mind at times.
God yes, that is very, very true. There's always a lot we can learn from anyone from any time because it does go in cycles - waves of wanting to draw the ideal and that being the best way to draw, or waves of wanting to draw the real and that being the way to draw and between those two there would be this vicious slap to anyone who thought they'd like to try the "not in style" style.

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tarkheki In reply to KorsithKoris [2008-07-01 17:54:55 +0000 UTC]

Even my professors were very divided. But mostly, the ones that "didn't like it" were more along the lines of "style is style and there is good stuff and bad stuff and that's that". I think what helped both the love/hate relationship with the style is the infatuation that the West has with the East- both the bad stereotypes and the ignorance the West has to mentalities outside their own, it helps to "boost" the sometimes "sinister" mysterious unknown that helps to become extreme infatuation.

I love variation. I love style and I love seeing things and specifically artists that can vary and give new perspective to things. That is what art is about.

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KorsithKoris In reply to tarkheki [2008-07-02 21:51:40 +0000 UTC]

Ehh... But you're in Canada, right? It seems like there are more in other countries who get it better than those who do when they're directly in the US. I find myself afraid of the possibilities, though I do admit I am probably not as informed as I have yet to talk to the professors themselves and I haven't been in college for a time. *sigh* I miss it. ;_;

XD I do too, though I can be a stickler at times.

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tarkheki In reply to KorsithKoris [2008-07-03 00:31:01 +0000 UTC]

Well, I'll attribute it to both being a non-us country, however there are still a slew of those kind of people here. Mainly, Canada's number 1 export is Animation (as far as non materialistic substance goes. Lumbar and Animation rival some years for the top spot). Canada has lots of studios, and a lot of the poeple working in the US have also come form Canada. Our awareness to the genre is greater becuase of the background we play in the history of animation methinks.

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KorsithKoris In reply to tarkheki [2008-07-08 01:12:35 +0000 UTC]

Huh, I can safely admit I had no idea about that - what with the Canadian experience with animation and such. I did recognize there were a large numbers of say, voice acting companies form there, but animation in particular, not so much.
That actually is very interesting, and helps me have some hope, though as I am a resident of the US currently, I find myself still intimidated...

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allegroassai [2008-06-23 08:59:58 +0000 UTC]

Not familiar with the series, but I love the translucient Phoenix in the background. It looks as if it's been made of ice. No, air. Ice is too solid for this wispy-looking creature. In contrast to that, the figure in the foreground looks solid, warm and 'real'; the tribal tattoos (at least that's what they look like) on his back enhance this appearance of liveliness. He looks warm; I want to touch him, whereas I would not want to try to touch the Phoenix. It'd probably burn my fingers.

Is this comment in any way understandable? ^__^;;

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tarkheki In reply to allegroassai [2008-06-23 17:02:42 +0000 UTC]

It sure is! And very well comprised. I was trying to set a conflicting tone between the BG and the foreground. The figures need to look real, and the BG just an indication to character attributes, less physical existance.
Yah, doing his tattoos was incredibly fun. It really seemed to come to life when painting the different plains on it.

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flor-spring [2008-06-22 15:48:39 +0000 UTC]

really nice

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silverfangel [2008-06-22 11:48:32 +0000 UTC]

erm...me thot fye was a skinny twit...when did the bishonen start to become this...this...oh! i dunno...*recoils*

me like old fye*cries*

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tarkheki In reply to silverfangel [2008-06-22 16:47:17 +0000 UTC]

No one is asking you to look if you don't like.
In fact, you might as well not watch me. I'd appreciate that.

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itachiandByakuyalove [2008-06-17 03:52:04 +0000 UTC]

i love that phoenix it is cool,cute,and beautifully good job

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Hazmanian-Devil [2008-06-17 02:53:58 +0000 UTC]

W-wow! This is absolute beauty!

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TwilightUnicorn [2008-06-16 22:31:57 +0000 UTC]

*former Fai fangirl squeal!* As I'm sure others have told you, this is gorgeous. His tattoo looks awesome (I love that design).

Okay, time to stop looking so my brain can start working properly again.

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tarkheki In reply to TwilightUnicorn [2008-06-16 23:07:00 +0000 UTC]

At least you didn't lick your computer screen... apperantly, one of my friends did! XD

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TwilightUnicorn In reply to tarkheki [2008-06-17 16:57:11 +0000 UTC]

O_o ...Well, as a Fai cosplayer, I guess I'm not that surprised, but still...

I'm more of a Kuro-puu girl anyway.

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ForsakenUnicorn [2008-06-16 18:21:10 +0000 UTC]

Luv the tattooing! The details on the pheonix is VERY nice!!! LUV IT!!!!

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arpellias [2008-06-16 09:31:43 +0000 UTC]

this is aweshome...he is my other fave from tsubasa ^_^

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kaOtic-saNity [2008-06-16 00:39:58 +0000 UTC]

Sweetie this is GORGEOUS! You make it way too easy for me to lick the comp screen when you put these kind of images up.
I wish they had put the two images together at AN, the contrast between the two is just, wow!

....okay, one more lick...

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tarkheki In reply to kaOtic-saNity [2008-06-16 01:58:02 +0000 UTC]

Well, I did put them side by side.... but kinda happy that you didn't lick the originals!

Mmmmm... licking screens. All the radiating goodness.

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Kiyokushitaka [2008-06-16 00:05:25 +0000 UTC]

Amazing tattoo...wow.

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redmangos13 [2008-06-15 21:36:52 +0000 UTC]

ah! Fai!! great work!

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Koloko [2008-06-15 21:21:57 +0000 UTC]

I am envious of you anatomy Not only for the human, but the bird too. They have a nice ballance to them, both slightly turned and such.
My favorite part, though, is the plumage on the bird. It looks absolutely stunning, and the way the sky is kind of bleeding into the image of the bird makes it just pure awesomeness.

So, yeah. I envy you

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tarkheki In reply to Koloko [2008-06-15 22:55:59 +0000 UTC]

Don't envy me- trust me, NOT me.
And I can guarantee you, you can be if not are just as good. Keep drawing every single day, all the time and you will see you do the same!

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Koloko In reply to tarkheki [2008-06-15 23:00:17 +0000 UTC]

That's so sweet You're awesome ^.^

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evergrnterrace [2008-06-15 20:46:09 +0000 UTC]

I LOVE IT!!!!

Seriously. Fai and Kurogane BOTH need more love!!!

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tarkheki In reply to evergrnterrace [2008-06-15 22:54:51 +0000 UTC]

Tell me about it- I see the amount of idiot comments I get and want to laugh at some people. Why can't fandoms be- you know- intelligent? XD

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Superdemon-Inuyasha [2008-06-15 18:58:40 +0000 UTC]

ooo very pretty! 8D nice job on this!

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DFlameMangaka [2008-06-15 18:45:42 +0000 UTC]

A very good quality piece, but that character doesn't give of the same slight softness that Fai does.

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Sangrebloom [2008-06-15 17:41:49 +0000 UTC]

I do really like this! I only wish I could see more detail in the phoenix! <--has poor vision and must squint

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DuetMaxwell [2008-06-15 16:57:46 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful work!

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royi-20 [2008-06-15 14:51:18 +0000 UTC]

I never know fai was so buff

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