Reiko Hinimoto Fan Art

[endersaka]

I am the kind of artist that start a piece today and finish it in one month because in the meanwhile I am working in parallel on other twenty pieces, if I do not have precise schedules, or agreements with anyone. And this is the case.

Months ago, I was reading an art commission request (i.e. job offer) description, in the "Hiring an Artist" forum of DeviantArt, where the poster was looking for an artist to render and interpretation of Reiko Hinimoto character from the videogame for Playstation, Rumble Roses (2004).

I did not apply, because I am quite sure that my style (or styles, all very traditional) wouldn't encounter the appreciation of the typical Japanese videogame fanart audience... Honestly, I have difficulties also with American Superhero comic style, Disney, Anime or blends and in general the perception of what is Comic Art style by American audience (totally different from European styles and themes). While I am sure I can mimic all of them, I do not have a portfolio showing off this ability. We will see, eventually in the future.

Though, I was curious to challenge myself in capturing the essence of Reiko, despite the very poorly rendered 3D model of the time. I believe I got what kind of face the authors of the game were thinking for her.

I made several attempts. The first 5 dates back to that day, months ago (October, I think). The last one, which I believe is the closest one to her likeness, has been made in the past few days.

 

[Enyaw]

Really like the last except I find the dark outlines on the bottom half of the face and neck detract from the piece. Too dark. The facial expression is priceless.

 

[endersaka]

Thanks. I agree with you. The dark lines are a bit too "Comic Art". Though, I was planning to finish the piece and probably darken many areas to augment the contrast, and so they will be probably blended in the process. Or I will make a new one and refine the "concept"... Or I will finish this and make also a new one we will see...

 

[endersaka]

A bit OT, though...

One of the reasons for I am here, is that I think that the appreciations, if any, come mostly from people that value the Art and not the subject. In fact, @Enyaw comment clearly didn't spark from the subject of my sketch, but from the artistic result, and I am grateful for that.

I was browsing the Web, looking for reference material, when I noticed that since this morning at 10:30 about (i.e. about 10 hours ago), I got more than 15 notifications on DeviantArt: all about my Reiko final sketch. Everything started few days ago when I published a deviation (an image post, in DeviantArt jargon) with the early five sketches. Of course, my post contained Reiko in the title and possibly tags and description. Few hours later a DeviantArt group, devoted to Rumble Roses videogame, sent me a request to allow them to add my deviation to one of their galleries. I accepted and I also, sent a message to the group, to thanks them and joined the group with the intent to track the situation. Few days later I published the deviation with the last pencil sketch. Which got more attention than any deviation I ever posted, bringing me 2 and more new watchers and 27 "likes", modest numbers for others, but still exceptional for me.

Note: in DeviantArt, you don't like, you add a deviation to your Favorites gallery, and Favorites gallery is visible to other accounts, ... which is probably the winning feature that keeps DeviantArt alive in the social network era.

Ah, yes... My conclusion... I was about to forget it... Is that most of the success as an artist doesn't come from audience real appreciation and understanding of Art. What triggered the success of my Reiko sketch is the fact that I decided to render a character of a popular Playstation videogame. They don't care for my Art.

 

[Enyaw]

… not often anyone looks deep enough at a piece to appreciate the art. You are right, if the audience is in tune with your subject matter the response is greater. If you paint or draw for personal satisfaction and you learn to produce what you think is good, the audience of one is better than the audience of 10 who like the subject and not the art. It’s craziness to chase followers but it’s joy when followers chase you. Catch 22: you need to find your sheep and that happens by chance, circumstances, and luck. The Beatles were good but so were a lot of bands. The Beatles filled a need at the right time and the rest is history.

 

[laf.art]

I also really like the last sketch. I can see the first two sketches in the last one quite clearly.

 

[endersaka]

I can see the first two sketches in the last one quite clearly.

I really appreciate your feedback. Thanks.

I, in fact, showed all of them because the last one alone might be meaningless. These sketches acquire greater meaning as the process unfolds. In my vision they do not exist in isolation.

 

[PaintBoss]

Somehow, I missed your original post. So I’m seeing your work today. What a beautiful progression. What a great exercise to explore different ways you could portray the same image. Very smart before giving your final image. Figuring out your lighting in your shade and contrast. Where you’re going to put emphasis. Very well done. I am impressed. I saved your images. I am not at all surprised that others liked them as well.
People like what they like. The more educated and discerning people are when it comes to art and art criticism, means they may not like the subject according to their tastes, but they can appreciate the art and what the artist was trying to do. In fact in art school, we were never even allowed to say if we liked or disliked a piece of art. Instead, we were taught to go over it’s strengths, and weaknesses. A very successful piece would be something that works on all levels. Even if it’s something we would not want to put in our house. It’s a different way of looking at things. It was considered an insult to justice a piece by just saying, if you like it or not. Without considering what the artist tried very hard to accomplish.
Of course I can do what everyone does. Just think to myself oh, I really like that! That means I would put it in my house if I could!
It’s good to learn appreciation. But of course it really is lovely when people just instinctively like your work. I think a lot of people do not even think about the difference between liking and appreciation. Many people don’t spend that much time thinking about art. That’s OK.
Usually those that appreciate it and can tell me clearly why even if they wouldn’t put it in their home I hope that makes sense..
This might be easier if you think of music styles. There’s some styles that I can appreciate, but I just don’t want to listen to very often. Opera is one.
Ps. I love the darks, and strong lines on your final piece. That’s what makes it bold and gives it a lot of dynamic life. I appreciate how it gives the viewer a bit of a stronger punch for this personality and whatever this personality is going through. You can find those line and darks even in classic drawings.

 

[endersaka]

Thank you very much for your words @PaintBoss . I rarely have te opportunity to share not only my art but also thoughts about art. As you say, people do not think much about it.

About the personality of the character, I tried to put in her what I saw. I am not sure if the players of the game see the same things, though, to me this character seem to be very focused, like someone who have to work very hard and more than others to achieve her goals. I do not know the actual background story of Reiko, though this is what she transmitted to me looking at the videos and some representations.
And yes, I like old style paintings and art in general, so I am happy to make progresses in following that path. Actually, for me everything is old school, I can see the old in the new... If you get what I mean. So, new (in popular art nowadays, like illustration, manga/comic, anime, video games art, etc...) is mostly vivid colors, action, ecc. From that point of view, I can do it, but it is not a pleasure when it "must" always be like that. I am omnivorous: today I can make a superhero comic book and tomorrow painting a classic watercolor landscape.

P.S. Speaking of classic paintings (probably more romantic), recently I've "fallen in love" for Martin Johnson Heade paintings of the great marshland near Newburyport in Massachusetts, which also comes to be the locality where the short story "The Shadow over Innsmouth" by Lovecraft, begins, and the reason why I stumbled upon Heade's paintings.

 

[PaintBoss]

I know exactly what you mean!
I like going between styles as well. I think it serves an artist very well to study and appreciate the classical, older styles and the newer. Thank you for mentioning Martin Johnson Heade, I don’t think I had heard of him before. I can see some of his works at the national Gallery of art. There’s something very sublime in his landscapes.

The National Gallery Of Art

 

[endersaka]

I can see some of his works at the national Gallery of art

Which, unfortunately, I cannot visit, since I am in Europe. ... I hope, one day, to have the opportunity to visit Massachusetts and the marshland and possibly The National Gallery, in DC. Apart from Heade, it has a plenty of beautiful art.

 

[PaintBoss]

I hope you get there.