Drawing challenge

So, I haven't written or submitted here in years. I think I've stopped seeing myself as an artist forever ago (except dancing wise). I'm a creative person with a sense of aesthetics, but I'm also very lazy. I found my path, and it is the one of an historian. I can't be good at everything, so I gave up on drawing, writing poetry (not entirely) and even photography.

But nothing is keeping me from pursuing these things as a simple hobby to get my mind of the sometimes dreary historical research.

A few months ago, an acquaintance/friend of mine (I have such a hard time categorizing these!) started the 100 pictures drawing challenge. She might have an account here which I will link to if I come across it, later on.

When I saw her gorgeous work it made me want to pick up the challenge, but I quickly realize that my skill in drawing is so low that I would never be satisfied with the results so it would only serve to disappoint me more.

I had picked my theme (basically the Dürkenscythe multiverse, with all it's inhabitants, various timelines, the whole setting)  and even started thinking of concepts for each picture, with the keywords given in the challenge.

But I never started, nothing more than a few sketches anyway.

Yesterday as my insomnia kept me awake, as usual, an idea struck me.

The two types of art I have the most mastery of are writing and photography (including some amount of photo manipulation).

So.. as of yesterday, I decided I will design costumes, find lenses, wigs, make-up, models, and take pictures of those concepts I had written out, and for each picture, I will write a piece.

I'm so excited (and also afraid of the type of costs such a venture entails...)!

But this is going to be fun.

So just for fun, here are the 100 keywords for the pictures, and what I have laid out as a concept so far for each. I will definitely be editing this post in the future.


1. Introduction

I'd like to have portraits of all my models pieced together for this... this will probably end up being several different pieces rather than one. That entails a lot, but then again it's just portraits so no costumes will be needed. I think the photoshopping for this will be really fun though.

2. Nurture

This should be Azariah with her daughters Pavlova and Circe, with maybe Circe's father being visible in the background, maybe a portrait of Pavlova's father on a fireplace? Yeah definitely in a boudoir like setting, with a fireplace, and fancy seats and couches... cozy, richly... Some type of contact between Pavlova, Circe and Azariah. I have to think about wigs for this! And costumes. They are a royal family after all, so fancy stuff. Somehow this will be extremely fun.

3. Light

She's gonna be the most present character I think, but the one "actor" that represents light the best is Pavlova. She is the chaotic good character, for whom laws don't matter, only doing good matters. I'm really thinking of a whole armor + sword + shield thing here, showing her as her "defender of good and justice" role. I think Saber from Fate is definitely an influence here. I will definitely include symbols of purity and light. White gloves maybe? And her shield and armor should have these kind of symbolisms as well. Lamb, unicorn, diamond-like stones, things that are almond shaped, the sun, a flame?

4. Dark

By opposition to Pavlova, Lilith represents darkness. I sort of always wanted to display her sitting, laying back, on a throne, with slaves all around her. That is going to involve lots of props.. Including symbols here are going to be much easier since there will be a full out set around.. I'm thinking, definitely, a cup of wine, or maybe several. Symbols of debauchery, darkness, sexuality and such. Maybe even animals such as rabbits, bats, eagles, dragons and also some flowers, plus definite symbols of excess and richness (jewels? tapestries? precious fabrics and materials? foodstuff?)

5. Seeking Solace

I want to have Antoine chatting with Opale in this. He's going to his aunt for council. He's fancy, rich, fashionable, eccentric, popular, handsome, young, and she is old, homely, quiet, discreet. Yet he turns to her in his weak moments. The set would be a kitchen. I think things such as stoves, food, warmth, resonate with the term "solace" to me. And Opale, despite her apparent weakness, would fiercely protect those she loves.

6. Break Away

This would be Éloïse murdering Antoine after he used her as a Ghoul for months/years. Symbolism is simple here: she is breaking away from his mental and physical control of her, after forcing him to give her the gift of vampiric power. I think it might be post killing, though, like, with him lying in a pool blood and her leaving the scene. I'd like very cold colors for this.

7. Heaven

Pavlova facing her creator might be a good choice for this. I have to think about this concept more.

8. Innocence

Nee-Chee is a perfect choice here, with Lilith, and how Lilith uses Nee-Chee's innocence and mental youth to her advantage. Maybe a puppet/puppet master thing? That would be really interesting.

9. Drive

10. Breathe Again

11. Memory

12. Insanity

13. Misfortune

14. Smile

15. Silence

16. Questioning

17. Blood

18. Rainbow

19. Gray

20. Fortitude

21. Vacation

22. Mother Nature

23. Cat

24. No Time

25. Trouble Lurking

26. Tears

27. Foreign

28. Sorrow

29. Happiness

30. Under the Rain

31. Flowers

32. Night

33. Expectations

34. Stars

35. Hold My Hand

36. Precious Treasure

37. Eyes

38. Abandoned

39. Dreams

40. Rated

41. Teamwork

42. Standing Still

43. Dying

44. Two Roads

45. Illusion

46. Family

47. Creation

48. Childhood

49. Stripes

50. Breaking the Rules

51. Sport

52. Deep in Thought

53. Keeping a Secret

54. Tower

55. Waiting

56. Danger Ahead

57. Sacrifice

58. Kick in the Head

59. No Way Out

60. Rejection

61. Fairy Tale

62. Magic

63. Do Not Disturb

64. Multitasking

65. Horror

66. Traps

67. Playing the Melody

68. Hero

69. Annoyance

70. 67%

71. Obsession

72. Mischief Managed

73. I Can't

74. Are You Challenging Me?

75. Mirror

76. Broken Pieces

77. Test

78. Drink

79. Starvation

80. Words

81. Pen and Paper

82. Can You Hear Me?

83. Heal

84. Out Cold

85. Spiral

86. Seeing Red

87. Food

88. Pain

89. Through the Fire

90. Triangle

91. Drowning

92. All That I Have

93. Give Up

94. Last Hope

95. Advertisement

96. In the Storm

97. Safety First

98. Puzzle

99. Solitude

100. Relaxation