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#christmas #darkspeeds #merrychristmas #rose #snow #tracyjbutler #mordercai #lackadaisy #lackadaisycats #lackadaisyfanart #lackadaisyspeakeasy
Published: 2015-12-25 18:20:04 +0000 UTC; Views: 6570; Favourites: 153; Downloads: 14
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Description Time flies by every year, making it seem like Christmas is just around the corner.
On the day itself, we sometimes lose sight of what's really important about Christmas.
Bombarded by the rush of people making their way to shops to buy gifts, online or on foot,
the stress, the frustration and the madness can easily blind us from the simpler times.

So if you are one of these people, try this next time.
Keep Christmas simple. Presents are superficial on the surface.
Take a step back and simply give your time to that special someone.
Be it a family member, your friend, or relative, or even a stranger.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!


Warm regards,

Elson 'Darkspeeds' Wong




This took me AGES to do but it was a worthwhile digital painting exercise for sure!

The inspiration behind this piece can be found here:


Six Days Till Christmas! Six Days Till Christmas!
It's amazing how time flies - we're almost to Christmas! Have you done your Christmas shopping? Have you watched Star Wars: The Force Awakens? I got myself a bunch of stuff but perhaps the most interesting item would be a 13th Century Sword (live blade). You're wondering - why? I'm telling ya - why not? (Actually I have a legit reason and it's a story to share for the New Year).
Anyways this past week had been BUSY. So I do apologise in advance to :iconblackan: and :icontwintailfirefox12: for the lack of updates on their commissioned pieces. I will however commit to getting those done right after I finished this painting in which I'm about to reveal for progress. = )
All of those who are watching, you should know of the Lackadaisy series by Tracy J Butler (aka :icontracyjb: and if you haven't where have you been?), I'm doing a Christmas tribute illustration and this year it's dedicated to her series. I found a powerful conne


Special thanks to  , I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I look ever to continuing supporting you on Patreon and with my own personal projects inspired by your series.

Also I would like to take the time to personally thank my 'Clothed Figure Drawing' instructor from the Academy of Arts university back in 2013 - Thomas Gronbukt. He was the one got me to think about my strokes and the importance of paying attention to detail to illustrating clothing on figures. He also gave me recommendations on top American illustrators in which one of them has been inspiration for his project - Norman Rockwell.


Last but not least, here is the painting process to share with you all!

Merry Christmas ~ (Part 2) Painting Process Merry Christmas ~ (Part 2) Painting Process - Catching Up
It all starts with the humble thumbnail sketch. I did three and decided to pick the best one that would suit the project.

I then decided to take photos of myself posing as the subjects (Mordecai and Rose) for my own referal when it comes to accuracy of posture, anatomy and the folds of jeans/pants.
  
I continue to illustrate the elements that made up the illustration, making sure that I got a solid foundation before I began painting. Excuse my 80's cartoon references!




As you can see I've made some changes - there is one chair less outside the cafe and one of
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Comments: 25

CZProductions [2016-04-09 06:43:24 +0000 UTC]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYqq9O…

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Dreamkeepers [2016-01-07 02:27:28 +0000 UTC]

That looks amazing@!  Congratulations!

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JUrdGaner [2016-01-05 15:46:50 +0000 UTC]

Now THIS is effort well-spent.
It really captures the essence of a Christmas gathering and all!

Granted, I've only read the first volume of "Lackadaisy" but from the looks of it Mordecai is related to her, right?
Also, he looks more like a banker or sales agent instead of a killer-for-hire! His expression looks right on the money, too!

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darkspeeds In reply to JUrdGaner [2016-01-07 05:33:57 +0000 UTC]

Yes! That is Rose, his sister. You can find her here - a much younger version of both Mordecai and Rose!

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sonicolas [2015-12-28 08:46:13 +0000 UTC]

This looks pretty good! I like the little detail you put on the menu board. They may be little but they really add up. :3

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darkspeeds In reply to sonicolas [2016-01-07 05:35:19 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for taking note of the smaller details Sonicolas!

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GirlGamer12 [2015-12-27 16:55:19 +0000 UTC]

What a lovely festive piece this is! I particularly love the way you've done the lighting and the reflections at the top of the window. The snow fall is also a very nice seasonal touch. Absolutely superb, well done!

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FlapperFoxy [2015-12-26 16:29:49 +0000 UTC]

Amazing work!  

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MorayK [2015-12-26 16:05:24 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful!

I love how there's a lot going on, as there would be in real life in a similar scene, like with the logo on the window and the reflection and the snowflakes, but it doesn't take away from the piece. Everything fits together nicely. Makes me want to go sit and relax in a coffee shop too!

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JDE-Ringtail [2015-12-26 08:04:38 +0000 UTC]

Very nice! I love the snow and the reflection technique! You did an awesome job on Mordecai as well! It's nice to see him in a different expression one in a while! And the other cats look awesome as well! Great job!

And once again, Merry Christmas!

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ezioauditore97 [2015-12-26 01:46:47 +0000 UTC]

Quite heartwarming! This is such a warm and happy holiday painting.

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tracyjb [2015-12-26 01:03:48 +0000 UTC]

This is really wonderful from top to bottom - the details, to the reflections, the warm palette.  It's always a lot of fun and informative seeing your process too.  Thank you so much!  This really brightened my holiday!  I hope you're having an excellent Christmas.

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darkspeeds In reply to tracyjb [2015-12-26 02:31:00 +0000 UTC]

Glad to hear that this brightened your day Tracy!

Your illustrations and sequential art continue to inspire readers and I look ever forward to how Lackadaisy pans out for 2016 - both character development, story progression and the quality of the artwork.

You are also one of the few indy comic artists that I follow who not only publishes quality work but having built a trust with your readers - showing reliability every time. So no matter how long we wait for that next strip or illustration, please, do take your time.

Have an awesome New Year and I look ever forward to honing my art foundations through self-study and creating some concrete concepts for my webcomic Edenspell.  

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jerijune [2015-12-25 20:50:36 +0000 UTC]

Merry Christmas, dude!

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XalenTheWolf [2015-12-25 20:01:53 +0000 UTC]

Really cool, I like it! Merry Xmas, Elson ^^

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SonnieJaye [2015-12-25 19:23:13 +0000 UTC]

You're paintings are just so mesmerizing and gorgeous! I hope you enjoyed your holidays! c:

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Shambleshambles [2015-12-25 19:12:51 +0000 UTC]

Wonderful work!
I love Mordechai's expression! 

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darkspeeds In reply to Shambleshambles [2015-12-25 19:21:23 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! Making him not look too happy was a challenge for sure! XD

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NamiNeri [2015-12-25 19:07:03 +0000 UTC]

*whistles* So this was your big project that you were working on huh? Noice. I love the shading here. Give a bit of a darken feel, even though this is supposed to be the jolliest time of the year. Excellent work as always, dude. I hope you have a happy new year and a very merry Christmas

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darkspeeds In reply to NamiNeri [2015-12-25 19:51:21 +0000 UTC]

Thanks Kayla! And hope to get your commission done this week!

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NamiNeri In reply to darkspeeds [2015-12-25 19:56:48 +0000 UTC]

Awesome! Also, New avatar for a new face! I can't wait to see it Elson, work hard but don't exhust yourself.

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darkspeeds In reply to NamiNeri [2015-12-25 19:59:22 +0000 UTC]

Will do!

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S-D-F-Studios [2015-12-25 18:47:04 +0000 UTC]

Oh wow!

This is such a gorgeous piece of fanart you've produced.

I love how both characters' body positions are so relaxed and enjoying ones company.

I've only read a few steips of Lackadaisy  

Anyway, excellent work and i hope you've had a very Merry Christmas :3

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darkspeeds In reply to S-D-F-Studios [2015-12-25 20:00:34 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! Likewise! 

And be sure to read the rest of Lackadaisy, you're missing out!

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Strykeforce2005 [2015-12-25 18:29:09 +0000 UTC]

Awesome work

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