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shadowspark — Shadowspark--Warrior Monk
Published: 2007-04-20 05:01:10 +0000 UTC; Views: 1221; Favourites: 9; Downloads: 19
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Description
Namu Amida Butsu...For *kokiteno 's Art Jam! The Lighthearted hero.
The assignment: make a complete character reversal and become a hero of light, rather than of darkness.
I was almost gonna be a healer (see, healing's the opposite of killing) 
but I decided I still had to fight, and be japanesey, so why not be a Buddhist warrior monk?
It was convenient because of the white robes being similar to ninja garb. Hope ya like, Koki!
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Comments: 17
gah, i'm gonna have to get off my tail and get to making a submission for koki's jam.
shadow looks awesome in this, i really like the attire and color theme you gave it. red and gold of nobility and honor are a nice accent to the pure white.
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Thanks, heheheh.
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Yeah I know, I've got Koki on me about it too
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Oo, nifty, this s a great idea, I like the switch for Shadowspark. Very well done, great work on the design and excellent work with the colors and details.
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Excellent job shadowspark, crisp coloring, detailed work and bravo to your own style that makes it all the best!
Yeah, kinda hard not to be a least a little bit of warrior in the feudal era, lol.
Like you said the clothing looks awesome, and cheers to your work on the armor! o0o
Flawless work, please keep it up lad!
Later,
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Hey, neat idea for a character switch : D! I think Shadow is lookin' real nice [and still quite deadly!] in those dashing white robes and armor. Great work on the mountain scenery too!
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Thanks so much.^^ From now on tho, I only kill those who threaten the peace of Buddha's sacred grounds... namely American diplomats.
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Ooh, I like this a lot! Especially his outfit, wow.
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sorry for the lateness on this, but thanks a lot!
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WOW! Oh WOW! 
^_________^
I think you perfectly captured the essence of Shadowspark as a lighthearted hero. He's still a warrior, and a powerful one. But instead of darkness being his ally and source of power, the light itself is his strength. With the armour and the polearm/halbred/sword-on-a-stick, his deadly tactic lies not on his swift assassin skills, but an almost unyielding strength. Speaking of strength, I can still feel the awesome strength of will Shadowspark imbues, only now it's shifted towards purity.
But what truly makes him lighthearted is the way the warrior strength is tempered and channeled through the pure discipline of the monk. Parallel to Koki as a paladin, the true heroism in this picture comes from the complete devotion to good and purity. An undisciplined monk, just like an unvirtuous paladin, is nothing better than a well-trained mercenary or thug.
The approach you took to show this inner peace and harmony is beautiful in its subtlety. No kick-ass showing of martial-art ass-kicking. Closed eyes and extended palm. Very serene.
You look awesome in white, btw. The red and gold help make it a very attractive getup. Who ever said enlightenment couldn't come with fashion sense? ;D
Anyhow, the clothing itself is awesome. I love how you wrapped yourself up. Part of me thinks of a similarity to the ninja, except the purpose for hiding one's visage is much more exalted in Shadowspark's case. To me it's a sign of purity and chastity, but another idea comes to mind. Just like the shakujo (the ringed staff) was used to warn that the priest was coming (thus even small insects could scurry away, keeping the monks'vow of non-violence), the covering could also be a very deep symbol of pacifism. There's not even a danger of inhaling an innocent creature by the monk. It's very deep in the sense of purity and the wish to harm nothing and no-one.
Oh, and the scenery!! *drool* It has all the serenity of a sumi-e scroll, but a lot more colouring. I'm quite intrigued by the fact that everything's got a brownish tone. This makes the monk shine in his whiteness, making for another symbol of his enlightenment. Even the heavens look tarnished when compared to the light of a pure soul.
Thanks a million and one for joining my art jam, koan! 
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sorry for the lateness on this, friend. It was such a massive comment, I was too intimidated to give an immediate response.
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I <3 your sketchy style. I think the contrast of the faded trees in the background is a nice touch.
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Nice job! I have ask, what'd you use to color it?
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color pencils and pen. I went over it in photoshop to make the colors more saturated and the outlines a little bolder.
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Nice, I really like his costume. White is a good look for you
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So very cool, my friend, and a nice look for this character as well. Keep up the good work.
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