For those who haven’t heard of it (and for those who have, join me in singing praises), I’d like to share with you the game that has me head over heels right now — and I’m not even a gamer besides as a very casual MMO-er. I mean, I’ve never even played Final Fantasy XIII despite a bunch of fanart I’ve done for it. So what’s all the hype about GW2?

The GW2 developer’s manifesto video is one of my favourites.

It explains how the game will impact the current MMO scene. And as of seeing this, I’m a Daniel Dociu fangirl (though I think he’d prefer fanboys). Anyway, his artisanal painterly style ROX. Ree Soesbee gives me the chills everytime I hear her — in a nice way; I guess she’s just extremely driven and passionate about what she does. Apologies for the cheezy opening sales pitch. The rest of the clip should be pretty enjoyable. Awesome art and visuals.

Official Trailer

More gorgeous art. Apparently the 3D-rendered graphics were taken from the actual game using some clever camera work.

AlexRediculous’s Top 10 Reasons to be Interested

I wanted to add this because it introduced me to Jeremy Soule. His GW2 music now haunts inside my head.

And to round it off, this is the playable race FM folks wanna look into!

It’s from the first closed beta version released. I don’t know if there’ll be anymore physique options, but it’s looking pretty dandy. Still, let’s hope so.

So there you have it. Who’s excited??

COMMISSION INFO

Digital Full Colour – $40
Digital B&W Sketch – $15

Whatever I can fit into 960px x 800px image. As a quick guide, I can fit 1 full-body character, or 2 cropped-bodies. If the image is simple, then I can add a background if you wish.

Guidelines: I draw the kinds of things you see in my gallery, which tends to be semi-realistic. The more exaggerated it is, the less well I’ll cope. Heroic maidens is my theme, but the main thing is to follow dA rules. So no characters under 18 or things that would be marked as Mature/NSFW. I prefer clothes to underwear/bikinis. I’ll try my best to give you an awesome picture within these guidelines.

Slots are not on first-come basis. It’s how comfortable I’d be drawing the request. I’m sorry for making it this way, but it’s this or not offer commissions at all.

Payment is through Paypal (which also accepts VISA and Mastercard)

SLOTS [Message me your request]
1. OtakuTaylor
2. Amer

Thanks, and am hoping 2012 is treating you well!

-Mika

I asked, “How do I see Female Muscle Art?” and ended up with this. It’s a personal account of what themes inspire me, and what I look for in art and writings. It’d be great to hear of others who might be similarly inspired by these things.

Artwork Title: “Gryphon Ryder”

* * *

HEROIC ART, FEMUSCLE AND ME
A personal reflection

Heroic Art can perhaps be elaborated as Heroic and Romantic Fantasy Art. Each of these terms hint at the times of yore of the medieval ages. The times of knights and dragons, of chivalry and valour. I don’t know which came first, my fascination for the medieval ages or my adoration for fantasy; my admiration of heroism or my longing for ancient lore. Somehow, my being seems entwined with that part of our history. Perhaps I was once a knight. Perhaps I was once a dragon. I can imagine being a starry eyed youth overwhelmed with admiration for the village’s brave hero, aspiring to become one. Give me a broad sword, heavy armour and might any day!

I also have a fascination with mature women since I was a kid. Could it be the Romantic part of the trinity? I’m woo’d by their wisdom and beauty of both mind and body. Eyes that can search deeply into another’s soul, and soft words that can sooth a worn spirit. Lady Galadriel would be an example of this.

Then to the Fantasy part. We all like a dose of fantasy. Of magic and wonder, it gives colour to an otherwise generally Dark Age. The allure of the mystical is similar to the innocent allure of first love. A childlike anticipation of the unknown that promises to spellbind the senses, from moments of grandeur such as with the majestic dragons, to moments of little secrets such as the hidden world of faeries.

These elements are what essentially inspires my art. The heroism, the romanticism and the fantasy.

Through FM, I find that I can weave all of them into the characters I create. Brutish strength and power is tempered by wisdom and compassion. Fame and glory bows down to humility and service. Set the adventure in motion amidst an ancient land that hints at the magical, and you have my ideal kind of Heroic FM Fantasy.

I will strive to portray the ideals and values that reflect this ancient fantasy world, whether in big or small ways. Even if my heroic art may go unheralded, I’ll have more muscle elf maidens than any dwarf has ever seen!

“If we focus our energies and persist through boredom, we don’t just go into experience, we go through it; in the process, we learn far more about ourselves and our capacities than if we treat our lives as a sampler course.

“Discipline is a habit of doing just a little more, going just a little deeper, staying with something, pushing through it. Discipline recognizes that boredom means we’re just starting to ‘get it’.”

I’m sorry my internet issues are still not resolved, so have not been able to browse as freely as I’d like to. Still, I try to sneak by here and there, and cheer you in the background.

After finding Santa’s Little Elves, some Big Elves found Alika. And gave her a surprise while Santa’s out giving presents to the children.

Big Elf 1: Merry Christmas!
Alika: W-wow– A present for me?
Big Elf 2: Why yes! You’ve been good haven’t you?
Alika: Yes ma’am!

Thank you everyone for all your Christmas wishes.

This colored.

Alika managed to find some Santa’s Little Helpers to wish you a Merry Christmas Eve. Hope you get some nice presents beneath the tree tomorrow!

Wanting a nice piccie for the festive season? Maybe as a gift for a special friend? I’m offering 2 slots to get it done before Christmas.

The pic will be a full coloured illustration like the Not So Little Mermaid one.

It’s normally $50, but because of festive season and it’s been a while since I offer commishes, it’ll only be $35.

For more info or to order, send me a message.

COMMISSION SLOTS
1. Guardi4n
2. Gigi

Kindly note that I’ll draw physique only up to as big as in the Mermaid pic, and no full nudity please. Payment is via Paypal.

Commissions will be posted at Moonwarrior.

Something cute and shiny. Enjoy the biceps and abs

Something a bit more sinister. She’s a heavy damage warrior type, so was seeing how heavy I could make her (while still looking like she could move). She came out pretty terrifying, hence the name. Mouse work this time.