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MilkgapGemini by-nc-nd

#gemini #cityscape #clouds #parasol #umbrella
Published: 2005-08-14 08:02:59 +0000 UTC; Views: 28681; Favourites: 966; Downloads: 3596
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Description Flying on a brollie...

I sell prints of this here

EDIT: In response to some of the comments about this after it became a DD, I'll add some info people have asked about.

The name Gemini is because the piece is a concept for a calender that would have an illustration for each month inspired by the astrological sign associated with the month. I only did 3- Capricorn is on my website, but is far far inferior, and Leo is lost forever (it sucked too, so no great loss). Using star signs for calenders is far from an original idea, so I didn't want it to be the obvious images for the sign, like twins or a lion or a goat. I tried to play off the characteristics people of the signs are supposed to have. Gemini's are and air sign- thus the flying and clouds, and intelligent. I imagined her as kind of an explorer/student so I gave her books and a map and telescope. I'm sure I had some reasoning for other parts but I can't remember now.

As for influences, Miyazaki has been mentioned, and he is one of my two favorite artists. The other I don't think anyone mentioned is Arthur Rackham. They are both huge influences on me and I think it can be seen in this image especially. In fact, the black and dark colored border is directly influenced by one of my favorite illustrations by Rackham of the Holy Grail.

One thing I wish I had done different is the rendering on the city below. I did this at a point were I wanted to do absolutely everything with a brush and thought of it as a cop out to us a pen. Now I'm more interested in the opposite- using as many different tools as possible, so would render the city with a dip pen to give the line-work a more solid look.

So thanks to all for the nice comments, and to OmniNashi and oedalis for making it a DD, it totally made my day.
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Comments: 121

Oission [2005-09-29 13:09:13 +0000 UTC]

well, everyone sayed everthing to be sayed so I will just say, great drawing.

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photocopier [2005-09-28 03:55:43 +0000 UTC]

wow, this reminds me of the art/'comic' seriesFlight

fantastics, a must fav.


[link] d_bbs_b_2_1/103-6856375-5329408?v=glance&s=books

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Milkgap In reply to photocopier [2005-09-29 21:37:59 +0000 UTC]

Your comment motivated me to go post this on the Flight Forum. I've been meaning to check that board out for awhile now.

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Milkgap In reply to photocopier [2005-09-28 05:11:45 +0000 UTC]

The flight books are really great, I picked them up at a con earlier this year, and aspire to be in one if they keep making them. I never thought about it, but this picture does fit in with the theme... I'm sure I share a lot of common influences with the various artists on the books, Miyazaki being the most obvious. I wish when I did this pic in '95 I had the drive Kazu has to make a whole book... and then another bigger one. They're both really great, and I'd recomend them to anyone... plus you're supporting independent comic artists!

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Milkgap In reply to Milkgap [2005-09-28 05:18:39 +0000 UTC]

Oops, I actually did this in 1998. SOme of the artists on here couldn't even pick up a pencil then. I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but... man do I feel old.

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OmniNashi [2005-09-27 22:41:19 +0000 UTC]

What an awesome idea, this is just fantastic!

I mean, the detail you put into the backdrop of the city is so intricate. I can see every rooftop, all the little lines, each contributing to the realism you provided.

As for the sky, which is much simpler, gives nice contrast to the more detailed city. In fact, the clouds are appearing to be more like smog, which reveals there may be a double meaning.

Or that I look too deep into things sometimes.

The umbrella man is just way cool, especially with the shadowing, and I love this overall! Great work!

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Milkgap In reply to OmniNashi [2005-11-30 22:15:54 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the nice comments, and for suggesting it as a DD!

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OmniNashi In reply to Milkgap [2005-11-30 23:41:09 +0000 UTC]

No problem! I'm glad it got picked!

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variations [2005-09-18 02:51:19 +0000 UTC]

This is so beautiful, I love the mood and amazing colors. I feel like it expresses something so priceless.

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frecklefaced29 [2005-09-16 03:58:46 +0000 UTC]

awesome. It's so classic and beautiful. It reminds me of Laputa and Porso Rosso. I'm glad you like Miyazaki.

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cloudthirteen In reply to frecklefaced29 [2005-11-30 23:10:49 +0000 UTC]

Wow, I thought the same when I saw it!!

This is gorgeous, though... It's just so classic!! The clouds are very artistic, and I love the birds flying underneath. It adds a great touch to the fantasy piece of this. I also love the realistic looking water, and the different ships in it. And the town's so intricate!! I love the little clock tower!! And the girl is beautiful!! I mean, in her face, she looks like a normal girl, but something about this makes me find her beautiful... I guess it must be that she's sort of a sign of innocence and wonder in this little, normal looking town.

This is just wonderful. A definite favourite!!! ^^

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frecklefaced29 In reply to cloudthirteen [2005-12-01 04:16:28 +0000 UTC]

heeeyyyyyy i like your avatar! It reminds me of Howl's Moving Castle! yeah, i like ~Milkgap 's works!

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cloudthirteen In reply to frecklefaced29 [2005-12-01 12:45:34 +0000 UTC]

Haha, thanks so much!!!! It's IS Howl's castle!!! Haha!

But yeah, they're really good...they make you think!!! ^^

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kchilt In reply to ??? [2005-09-15 15:52:23 +0000 UTC]

SImply beautiful. The wonderful mood that is expressed so vividly from this picture is almost indescribable for me. I love the feeling of freedom and soaring through the clouds so this is just amazing. The shear scale of the picture is impressive, with the far away city down below and the massive swirling clouds that look so milky and smooth. And the seaguls really add to the actiona nd movement and scale of the composition, its all just so grand.

The design of the girl is very well done too. All the little details that make her interesting from her clothes to her accessories make this more than just a picture but a story too. The almost monotone color scheme is powerful and expressive, especially when it comes to the beautiful sea of mute blue and the faded red umbrella.

Amazing work!

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Milkgap In reply to kchilt [2005-09-16 02:50:58 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much for such an in depth compliment, I'm glad you enjoy so many things about it!

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kchilt In reply to Milkgap [2005-09-16 04:16:53 +0000 UTC]

No problem, Im glad I found it. I think its just grand.

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sampough In reply to ??? [2005-09-12 05:28:55 +0000 UTC]

Just beautiful.
It looks like something I could find if I went to the library and started paging through some olllld children's books.

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Bingus [2005-08-14 13:43:21 +0000 UTC]

Very nice piece. I enjoy how you have used a somewhat traditional look with nontraditional subject matter. It has somewhat of a more timeless feel for me because of this.

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Ladymialee [2005-08-14 11:59:33 +0000 UTC]

Just as the commenter above has mentioned, I am amazed by the amount of detail you place lovingly within each object, whether it be sentinent or otherwise.

You're illustrative skills are amazing, if I do say so for ...well, yourself. Or would it be 'If I do say so myself'?

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tavorna [2005-08-14 08:07:18 +0000 UTC]

Wow...this is fantastic! The idea is so creative, and just so beautifully executed... I'm so impressed by the tiny, intricate town, I'd imagine that would have taken alot of patience!

A really gorgeous piece. +fav

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