The Bridge : Done with my usual India ink, wet brushes, and quill pens. I used more white acrylic for the painted grey parts.

The setting is Songgwangsa Temple. I don't know anything else about this place yet since my reference is just a post card. Drawing that Korean architecture is a true pain in the ass though. ESPECIALLY all that roofing, believe me. But I love it all.

The girl in front is wearing a modified hanbok design of mine, complete with breast wrap this time. Her face and hair are based on K-pop singer Hee Jin from the group BabyVOX. In general, I rarely use reference photos for muscle anatomy though. I generally construct a characte'rs body, individual muscles, and proportions depending on what I see their personality or purpose as.

This femme is clearly serving a guardian role. Strong but agile, not bulky. Mistress of the Korean Sword Dance. Master of the secret (and just invented by ME) martial art known as "yuh juh doe" meaning "way of woman" in Korean (formerly called "femi-ninjutsu" by ME again).

On a historical tangent, there was a period of Korean history (Silla period) where young men were raised and taught to be the country's next elite "knights." Most popular in the 7th century, these men were often from aristocratic families, rigorously trained in mind and body, taught to appreciate the natural beauty of their homeland, and act as military leaders in times of need.

This process was called Hwarangdo and only those young aristocrats of highest virtue, courage, integrity, and ability could become Hwarang (translation "Prince of Flowers"). They were taught to respect life and remain loyal to king and family.

I think this is pretty cool. (Even cooler that the Korean character "Hwoarang" in Tekken is named after this concept. I was quite impressed they were aware of this little known Korean historical fact, especially considering the makers are all Japanese. They must have been reading non-Japanese history books.)

So in essence, the femmes in my drawings are all hwarang, knights, guardians, you name it. I'm the king, and they protect me from becoming too unhappy, too jealous, or too lonely. Why do you think I draw primarily women anyways? Forever loyal and forever mine. They keep me secure from all insecurity.

That's what this drawing is really about.

Of course, that's what they are all about.

Hail to the king, baby.

 

(Pathetic? Crazy? Maybe. But both are good for my art.)