Oua escaped.
...
...
Crap, I really am losing my HK touch.
I'll edit this later I guess.
21 February 2010
20 February 2010
Creation Comic, Part One
After I finished writing the story (in class, remember?), I thought I needed practice drawing jiiaii, and then H.E.You asked what Other looked like, and then I drew it, and then I was wondering what the facial expression should be, and then I decided to show the first scene, and then the rest of the scenes happened. After that I Photoshopped it, becuase I didn't want to color it manually.

He.E.You doesn't really like how the coloring on Fire came out, and neither do I. I was going to make it/him properly red-orange-yellow, but I was too lazy. ;P But I love the light, especially on Earth. (You can see a bit on Water in the eighth panel too).
Time:...about 5 hours, I think? Medium:sketch with pecil, outline in ballpoint pen and Sharpie, final in Photoshop.
PS YOU CAN CLICK IT TO MAKE IT BIGGER.

He.E.You doesn't really like how the coloring on Fire came out, and neither do I. I was going to make it/him properly red-orange-yellow, but I was too lazy. ;P But I love the light, especially on Earth. (You can see a bit on Water in the eighth panel too).
Time:...about 5 hours, I think? Medium:sketch with pecil, outline in ballpoint pen and Sharpie, final in Photoshop.
PS YOU CAN CLICK IT TO MAKE IT BIGGER.
18 February 2010
The Creation of the World
I wrote a short story in class today. It is, as the title suggests, the creation of the world, Hourglass Kingdom style. It's mostly a dialogue fic, but I think you should be able to figure out who's talking.
In the beginning there was nothing. Well, not quite. There were laws of quantum and physics, come up with on the fly by the Five, the Originals who collectively decided that it was unfair to be able to have infinite size and sneak attack yesterday. Thus Time and Space were Created. Now four of the Five would have been content to quietly exist and embody abstract principles, but Other had, well, other ideas...
--All right... so what if I get in a war? I don't have much physical presence, and why only three years ago Earth and Air had that squabble... I know. I'll just take some of the leftover mass, they'll understand, I'm sure. Huh. Lookit. This bit of earth's turned into a sphere. GUYS! HEY, GUYS!
--What is it, oh Other?
--Look! It's a ball! Why is that? Air?
--Well... we did sort of make up the laws of physics as we went along... This must be an unexpected side effect.
--Hey! If I poke it starts turning back into a ball! Look! Isn't it cool?
--Wow!
--Stop doing that; it's not right. Fire, stop!
--No, this is cool. But it's so slow... Let's give it some more energy. Fire, a little more juice~...?
--BOOYAH!
--Careful! This could be dangerous! Have you considered the consequences at all?
--Nope.
--Look at them. They are beautiful.
--They're just bits of compressed energy. Nothing special, just messy.
--You have no sense of adventure, Air. And they are. Beautiful, I mean. And see what it's doing now... well, at least some of the energy made into the little… planet.
--Planet.
--Yep, planet.
--Don't name it; you'll get attached!
--I'm already attached. I'm going to put some water down. And now it won't freeze what with Fire's explosion.
--See? I'm awesome.
--Well, all right. This is an interesting experiment.
--Now the earth is all covered up.
--Look, I'll just poke it and now there's parts sticking up, okay?
--We should add a layer of air, just to be fair.
--Good idea.
--Sure!
--...
--...
--...
--...
--...
--Now what?
--I'm going down for a closer look. And it's spinning around the... sun. Sun-sun-sun. How fascinating. COME ON, EARTH!
--Aah!... Wait, I dropped my--*
--No time. This is beautiful.
And thus the world was Created.
*The moon. In case you can't figure that out.
I guess this is what they mean when they say 'humble origins.' The Originals do eventually get the laws of physics worked out, since before they were just sort of willed into existence to regulate the physical conflicts and level the playing field. By that time, however, they'll have created life and won't fix it so as not accidentally kill off everything in existence. They'll be arguing about pi for millenia. :)
I hope you get a good idea of each Original's personality. But Earth isn't always that grumpy he/it's just a bit stubborn and xenophobic ;). Please comment!
In the beginning there was nothing. Well, not quite. There were laws of quantum and physics, come up with on the fly by the Five, the Originals who collectively decided that it was unfair to be able to have infinite size and sneak attack yesterday. Thus Time and Space were Created. Now four of the Five would have been content to quietly exist and embody abstract principles, but Other had, well, other ideas...
--All right... so what if I get in a war? I don't have much physical presence, and why only three years ago Earth and Air had that squabble... I know. I'll just take some of the leftover mass, they'll understand, I'm sure. Huh. Lookit. This bit of earth's turned into a sphere. GUYS! HEY, GUYS!
--What is it, oh Other?
--Look! It's a ball! Why is that? Air?
--Well... we did sort of make up the laws of physics as we went along... This must be an unexpected side effect.
--Hey! If I poke it starts turning back into a ball! Look! Isn't it cool?
--Wow!
--Stop doing that; it's not right. Fire, stop!
--No, this is cool. But it's so slow... Let's give it some more energy. Fire, a little more juice~...?
--BOOYAH!
--Careful! This could be dangerous! Have you considered the consequences at all?
--Nope.
--Look at them. They are beautiful.
--They're just bits of compressed energy. Nothing special, just messy.
--You have no sense of adventure, Air. And they are. Beautiful, I mean. And see what it's doing now... well, at least some of the energy made into the little… planet.
--Planet.
--Yep, planet.
--Don't name it; you'll get attached!
--I'm already attached. I'm going to put some water down. And now it won't freeze what with Fire's explosion.
--See? I'm awesome.
--Well, all right. This is an interesting experiment.
--Now the earth is all covered up.
--Look, I'll just poke it and now there's parts sticking up, okay?
--We should add a layer of air, just to be fair.
--Good idea.
--Sure!
--...
--...
--...
--...
--...
--Now what?
--I'm going down for a closer look. And it's spinning around the... sun. Sun-sun-sun. How fascinating. COME ON, EARTH!
--Aah!... Wait, I dropped my--*
--No time. This is beautiful.
And thus the world was Created.
*The moon. In case you can't figure that out.
I guess this is what they mean when they say 'humble origins.' The Originals do eventually get the laws of physics worked out, since before they were just sort of willed into existence to regulate the physical conflicts and level the playing field. By that time, however, they'll have created life and won't fix it so as not accidentally kill off everything in existence. They'll be arguing about pi for millenia. :)
I hope you get a good idea of each Original's personality. But Earth isn't always that grumpy he/it's just a bit stubborn and xenophobic ;). Please comment!
Labels:
background,
hourglass kingdom,
Introduction,
short stories
17 February 2010
Poll
Okay-- I know this whole thing is kind of confusing, so I was thinking I might have a sort of interveiw thing. I posted a poll, but (at least on my computer) the question is too long so it goes on top of the answers. For clarification, it says 'Should we make a post where you ask questions in the comments and we answer?' and the answers are 'Yes,' 'No,' and 'I don't care; do whatever,' in that order. Please vote!
14 February 2010
Concept Art (Wow, more?)

I made a picture, as you can see, of the Marshes (see here for the map -->http://noriagray.blogspot.com/2009/10/map-of-hourgalss-kingdom.html). While I don't much like the picture itself, I really do love the effect.
Time: about 1 hour Medium: all in Photoshop CS4
11 February 2010
Headpriestess Vala Art

Make a wild guess as to who this is. Vala will be appearing (briefly) in the main storyline. She is the Headpriestess (no, really?) of the Marsh Chursh, Eastern Temple. She is wise and accepting, but a lot more stable than most other Headpriestesses. Notice that her ceremonial robes (all are custom-made) are composed mostly of straight lines and icy colors-- her water jiiaii's default form is a little ice sprite. She could also develop an earth jiiaii, but she's never really seen it as a priority so she wouldn't be able to just call it up in one try, and if she did, it would likely be very weak.
Admire her while you can, guys and gals, because I will not be drawing her in full regalia for a long time. My hand will fall off now. Until next time!
Time: way way way too long (about 8 hours altogether) Medium: sketch with Sharpie on paper, final in Photoshop.
Labels:
author comments,
concept art,
hourglass kingdom,
jiiai,
priestess,
story
01 February 2010
PainPic Final (Maybe)
Katerina Concept Art 2 (Lotsa pictures today, huh?)

Here is a better picture of Katerina for you to enjoy. It's basically a remake. Marvel at my amazing Photoshop skillz! Ah well, I'll get better with time.
In case you were wondering (which I doubt), that black bit at the bottom is her always-present obsidian necklace. Actually it's probably whatchamacallit-- those black magnetic stones you get at most of the 'Pay $5 for a baggie of stones' kiosks at tourist places? Those. Obsidian = verr verr sharp.
Time: about 1.5 hours, Medium: All in Photoshop (CS3)
Labels:
concept art,
firelands,
hourglass kingdom,
jiiai,
magic,
priestess
Fail at Pain
Third Pain Picture
To Our Followers
Wow, our amount of followers jumped from four to nine in one night. I'm impressed. Thanks everybody, I just noticed the "Followers" bar on my blog last night (whoops). Anyway, in case you don't know, on this blog you should probably start reading from way back in...what, April? Of last year, because this is (supposed to be) a story, not a series of random events.
The concept art, of course, we just started adding in, and Noria is an awesome artist. In case you're wondering about the names, yes, they are pennames. H.E.You (that's moi, which is overrated in the English language) is derived from my initials, which - yes, for those of you who have trouble making deductions - are H, E, and Y, but no, my last name is not You. "Hey You" just seems like an awesome penname, especially since, again, they do come from my initials. Although I'd prefer the vast majority of you who didn't know who I was not to call me a stalker. :) Noria, on the other hand, is what we've been calling my collaborator/bff for ages, and we spent...what, an hour or so?...in badminton practice making our awesome slams and trying to come up with the best last name for "Noria". "Noria Rose" and "Noria Dove" were obviously cancelled out from the beginning..."Noria Hearth" we considered, as we did "Noria Johannsen" and other last names. But we didn't want something average; we were aiming for something that represented her, like a word from a favorite book, or one made up from something she likes to do, etc. But "Noria Art" is kind of stupid for obvious reasons, and "Noria Crivens" (Noria enjoys the Terry Pratchett books)...well, what can I say? In the end/locker room, we decided on Noria Gray, and there it remains.
The word "Jiaii" came from one of our earliest mutual favorite activities, making random letters on whiteboards by erasing bits of previous words. I don't recall what "Jiaii" actually came from - it was something for football, and I vaguely remember something about "butt"something, but it's a very unfocused memory. Anyhow, we classified "Jia" as "world" and "ai" as spirit, and the rest of the words came from there.
Our actual graphic novel series (only the text, concept art, outlines, and ideas will be posted on this blog), which is about the Hourglass Kingdom and its elemental spirits (you know what, just read the introduction, the very first post, can't miss it) originally came from the fact that Noria is an AMAZING artist, and she was doodling all these intriguing, practically perfect pictures and saying "Well I don't know" whenever I asked her what was happening here or how this bit came to be or who that thing was, which drove me nuts. So she gave me permission to make up explanations, and, well...go look at the second post.
Anyway, this blog is usually not as boring as this long explanation post, and the next step of the pain picture, along with hopefully another Man with the Shard chapter, is coming up when I finish my homework...so, see you all soon!
The concept art, of course, we just started adding in, and Noria is an awesome artist. In case you're wondering about the names, yes, they are pennames. H.E.You (that's moi, which is overrated in the English language) is derived from my initials, which - yes, for those of you who have trouble making deductions - are H, E, and Y, but no, my last name is not You. "Hey You" just seems like an awesome penname, especially since, again, they do come from my initials. Although I'd prefer the vast majority of you who didn't know who I was not to call me a stalker. :) Noria, on the other hand, is what we've been calling my collaborator/bff for ages, and we spent...what, an hour or so?...in badminton practice making our awesome slams and trying to come up with the best last name for "Noria". "Noria Rose" and "Noria Dove" were obviously cancelled out from the beginning..."Noria Hearth" we considered, as we did "Noria Johannsen" and other last names. But we didn't want something average; we were aiming for something that represented her, like a word from a favorite book, or one made up from something she likes to do, etc. But "Noria Art" is kind of stupid for obvious reasons, and "Noria Crivens" (Noria enjoys the Terry Pratchett books)...well, what can I say? In the end/locker room, we decided on Noria Gray, and there it remains.
The word "Jiaii" came from one of our earliest mutual favorite activities, making random letters on whiteboards by erasing bits of previous words. I don't recall what "Jiaii" actually came from - it was something for football, and I vaguely remember something about "butt"something, but it's a very unfocused memory. Anyhow, we classified "Jia" as "world" and "ai" as spirit, and the rest of the words came from there.
Our actual graphic novel series (only the text, concept art, outlines, and ideas will be posted on this blog), which is about the Hourglass Kingdom and its elemental spirits (you know what, just read the introduction, the very first post, can't miss it) originally came from the fact that Noria is an AMAZING artist, and she was doodling all these intriguing, practically perfect pictures and saying "Well I don't know" whenever I asked her what was happening here or how this bit came to be or who that thing was, which drove me nuts. So she gave me permission to make up explanations, and, well...go look at the second post.
Anyway, this blog is usually not as boring as this long explanation post, and the next step of the pain picture, along with hopefully another Man with the Shard chapter, is coming up when I finish my homework...so, see you all soon!
Calendar
The Hourglass Kingdom’s calendar has exactly 400 days, for obvious reasons. (If I had to create a world, I would at least give them a calendar that makes sense, wouldn’t you?) Each month has 20 days, and the starsigns affect life more than the zodiac affects our life.

For the next few sections, assume anything before a semicolon (;) are positive attributes and anything afterwards are negative ones.
SPRING — change, growth; excess, greed
SUMMER— freedom, dreams, confidence; pride, fancy
AUTUMN— settling, warmth, comfort; burnout, overwork
WINTER— preparation, inner peace; stagnancy, rot
The starsigns both affect (minorly) a person’s personality and the two months that are spent under that sign. So people born under the [starsign] will be [qualities] and the [starsign] months are times of [qualities] and being [qualities]. Simple, right?
The Starsigns
Wolf: social, intelligent; obsessive, close-knit
Giraffe: foresight, intuitive, planning; lethargic, overly cautious
Bee: Hardworking, creative; overwork, mania
Snake: change, growth, individuality; overconfidence, lack of caution
Crocodile: sense of self, skill; bad luck, close-mindedness
Elephant: travel, strength, memory; clinging to the past, holding grudges
Eagle: joy, fierceness, aggression, confidence; destructiveness, elitism
Pig: inner growth, passive resistance, perseverance; anger, passiveness, reactive
Monkey: adaptive, clever, tricky; lack of sense of self, reliance on others
Deer: caution, speed, peaceful; panic, hiding from problems

For the next few sections, assume anything before a semicolon (;) are positive attributes and anything afterwards are negative ones.
SPRING — change, growth; excess, greed
SUMMER— freedom, dreams, confidence; pride, fancy
AUTUMN— settling, warmth, comfort; burnout, overwork
WINTER— preparation, inner peace; stagnancy, rot
The starsigns both affect (minorly) a person’s personality and the two months that are spent under that sign. So people born under the [starsign] will be [qualities] and the [starsign] months are times of [qualities] and being [qualities]. Simple, right?
The Starsigns
Wolf: social, intelligent; obsessive, close-knit
Giraffe: foresight, intuitive, planning; lethargic, overly cautious
Bee: Hardworking, creative; overwork, mania
Snake: change, growth, individuality; overconfidence, lack of caution
Crocodile: sense of self, skill; bad luck, close-mindedness
Elephant: travel, strength, memory; clinging to the past, holding grudges
Eagle: joy, fierceness, aggression, confidence; destructiveness, elitism
Pig: inner growth, passive resistance, perseverance; anger, passiveness, reactive
Monkey: adaptive, clever, tricky; lack of sense of self, reliance on others
Deer: caution, speed, peaceful; panic, hiding from problems
I think I might be putting too much effort into this...
Also: some of the month names actually have a meaning, which I would be happy to explain to anybody who asks... *stares pointedly at comment button* Judging by pennames, there might actually people who I actually don't know from school! ^__^
Labels:
background,
calendar,
firelands,
forests,
hourglass kingdom,
jiiai
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)