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thelettergii — Maiden of Autumn

Published: 2011-10-14 20:50:36 +0000 UTC; Views: 2016; Favourites: 62; Downloads: 28
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Description EDIT: There was way too much white in my gallery IMHO, so I painstakingly attempted to remove all the white space. Yay Potatochop!

A last-minute entry for ^Nyiana-Sama ’s 72-hour contest , where you create a magical character based on one of the four seasons. I chose autumn, partially because it’s my favorite season and partially because it’s that time of year anyways.
EDIT: So the contest results were posted, and I won second place! I'm very happy with my new premium

I’ve named her Laelia after a flower that peaks in autumn (or so says the god that is Google). The season of fall, in addition to being a time of vivid color, is also a time for abundance: lots and lots of food, hence holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving when we gorge ourselves silly. Therefore Laelia, besides heralding the arrival of her season, also has the power to bless the world with fortune and prosperity. With the aid of her golden cornucopia, no living soul will go hungry. (sorry zombies)

She’s a mature figure, calmly comforting those who suffer the heated wrath of Summer and preparing those who fear the icy famine of Winter. (I’d come up with names, but I can’t really think of any right now :T) She’ll always make sure to keep a smile on her face, thus bringing a sense of comfort wherever she goes.

Yet despite her bright regalia and quiet charisma, Laelia carries an aura of sadness. While autumn is the season of harvesting, it is also the season of dying. She mourns at the thought of having to concede her reign to the merciless Winter every year.

Okay I’ll stop before I get too excited. xD

Laelia’s mask is loosely based on one I bought this summer in Italy. I knew I *had* to include the mask somehow; the leaves were too fitting for the theme! For the dress, I tried to go with a Venetian-style gown, but I wanted to add in leaflike elements somehow. I also have to admit I was heavily inspired by *Lillyxandra ’s amazing outfits.

At first I wasn’t sure about including wings, but I was dying to draw Amy Brown-style wings because they fit so well with the autumn theme, thanks to their leafy edges and graceful curves. The wings I mimicked are here: [link] Hopefully they don’t look too similar…

I originally wanted to just submit lineart and be done with it, but I figured I might as well practice coloring because that’s what I seriously lack skills in. Also I timed myself for the heck of it: it takes me one hour to sketch, one hour to ink, and way too much time to color. OTL

Now I kinda want to do the other seasons for the heck of it.
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Comments: 33

Gothique-Blackthorne [2012-10-28 21:21:27 +0000 UTC]

Uwaaah! I dunno if this is something only I don't know but could you please tell me how you removed the white space of your art on Photoshop? I'd really appreciate your help in a note

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thelettergii In reply to Gothique-Blackthorne [2012-10-29 00:46:06 +0000 UTC]

Ooh, yeah I can definitely help with that! I will note you in a few hours if you still need help, but I just used the Background Eraser tool in Photoshop. (If you have Photoshop CS, just click and hold the eraser icon and then a little menu will pop up, and choose the Background Eraser.)

Here's a little tutorial on how the Background Eraser works: [link]
But really you can just play around with it and you can figure it out on your own.

It was kind of painstakingly long (now I just use a tablet and it's much easier, but with a mouse it took FOREVER), but it's worth it! Hope this helps

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Gothique-Blackthorne In reply to thelettergii [2012-10-29 05:38:08 +0000 UTC]

I look forward to your super helpful note! I only have like Photoshop Photoshop I didn't know there was that kind of tool!!!

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thelettergii In reply to Gothique-Blackthorne [2012-10-29 05:46:07 +0000 UTC]

Oh, I meant that if you still needed help (like if my reply wasn't clear enough) then you could ask me to note you! But this is fine too

Yeah, I'm pretty sure every version of Photoshop has it -- check the Help option if you can't find it. Good luck!

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Gothique-Blackthorne In reply to thelettergii [2012-10-29 21:15:12 +0000 UTC]

Thankies! I think I can do it now

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oasiswinds [2012-01-09 04:01:41 +0000 UTC]

My My my!!!! I love those colors!

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thelettergii In reply to oasiswinds [2012-01-09 04:39:09 +0000 UTC]

Eee, thanks! I'm glad you like!
Now that it's winter I think I need to make a new one

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goldplanes [2011-10-20 13:14:00 +0000 UTC]

This is so pretty, I love the colors and pattern on her flowing cape!

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thelettergii In reply to goldplanes [2011-10-20 19:44:33 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! It definitely took me a while to come up with that pattern, so I'm incredibly happy you like it!

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mishihime [2011-10-17 14:49:25 +0000 UTC]

It's very bright. o_o

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thelettergii In reply to mishihime [2011-10-17 20:49:12 +0000 UTC]

Haha, that might be the fault of my screen. P:

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Becca-chan873 [2011-10-17 02:36:51 +0000 UTC]

Wow ... The wings are absolutely beautiful.

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thelettergii In reply to Becca-chan873 [2011-10-17 04:54:02 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! I struggled with those the most so I'm glad you like those

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Becca-chan873 In reply to thelettergii [2011-10-17 16:09:46 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome

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Virmont89 [2011-10-16 21:16:37 +0000 UTC]

OMG that is so beautiful

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thelettergii In reply to Virmont89 [2011-10-16 21:57:15 +0000 UTC]

Aw, thank you kindly! I really appreciate it ^^

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Virmont89 In reply to thelettergii [2011-10-16 22:21:17 +0000 UTC]

your welcome I wish i could color like that ^^

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thelettergii In reply to Virmont89 [2011-10-16 23:21:02 +0000 UTC]

Haha, really? I still feel like my coloring skills need some work. But I'm glad you think so

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Virmont89 In reply to thelettergii [2011-10-17 02:01:59 +0000 UTC]

well i think it looks good

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thelettergii In reply to Virmont89 [2011-10-17 04:54:11 +0000 UTC]

Thanks again!

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Virmont89 In reply to thelettergii [2011-10-17 07:54:13 +0000 UTC]

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Savinee [2011-10-16 17:15:11 +0000 UTC]

I love this! The dress design and colors are gorgeous!

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thelettergii In reply to Savinee [2011-10-16 20:23:18 +0000 UTC]

Yeee, thank you! I'm glad you like it

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puxy95 [2011-10-15 14:24:58 +0000 UTC]

Awesome I would be glad to see the other seasons designed by you

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thelettergii In reply to puxy95 [2011-10-15 21:49:33 +0000 UTC]

Aw, thanks! I'll definitely keep that in mind then

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puxy95 In reply to thelettergii [2011-10-16 10:11:49 +0000 UTC]

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AvlynnTheFox [2011-10-15 02:49:43 +0000 UTC]

Okay the colors are so beuatiful! She is very pretty and I love how you imcorperated autum very nicely.

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thelettergii In reply to AvlynnTheFox [2011-10-15 02:54:06 +0000 UTC]

Hehe, thanks! <3
Now I'm tempted to do the other seasons...

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AvlynnTheFox In reply to thelettergii [2011-10-15 03:11:15 +0000 UTC]

do winter for me! my birthday is in winter! if not then can't wait to see the next season!

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thelettergii In reply to AvlynnTheFox [2011-10-15 03:15:16 +0000 UTC]

Well...winter comes after autumn. Can do

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AvlynnTheFox In reply to thelettergii [2011-10-15 03:21:37 +0000 UTC]

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

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babynoodlez [2011-10-14 21:14:58 +0000 UTC]

This is beautiful!
I love the colours

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thelettergii In reply to babynoodlez [2011-10-14 22:10:42 +0000 UTC]

Aw, thank you!

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