Mel's Inktober 28 - Rapunzel and Robin Hood

Wowsers, I haven't drawn Terence and Rhiella in a long time. Haven't written about them for quite some time, either. 

Looking at their story now, I think it needs a serious overhaul. Oh, I still intend to write about them by all means, but some major changes are quite in order.

A few years ago, I imagined them dressed up as Rapunzel and Robin Hood. So, it was really fun to draw them like this again, and Rhiella would be a lot more like Rapunzel than Maid Marian.

And yes, she's just about to clonk herself with that frying pan! (Ouch!)

Happy Birthday, Terence!

A very happy birthday to my boy, the unicorn turned human who started it all. 

2023 Inktober 10 - Terence in TLU Style

We wouldn't have Terence without The Last Unicorn, so every so often, I like to draw him in the movie's style. 

 

One criticism I will give Lady Amalthea is that she's not too terribly expressive, although Mia Farrow's voice work really helps to make up for it. And all of the other unicorns are drawn the exact same way, over and over. But their basic appearance is lovely; I love how their bodies "flow" and their manes are absolutely sumptuous. This movie also marked the first time I saw a depiction of a unicorn with a lion's tail.

 

As a kid, it took me a while to get used to the less-horsey aspect. Now I have a vast appreciation for the variety. It's so fascinating to see how the same fantasy creature is portrayed one way, and then portrayed another way.

 

This is probably why I love fantasy so much, because there are really no rules or limits at all. You can tell any story you want, any way you want. All you really have to do is be consistent, and not have magic be an instant solution to everything.

 

And drawing this kind of stuff is so much fun. I did two Last Unicorn pieces for FanX last year, and I'm still immensely proud of them today.

 

I'm in the process of reading the book yet again, I doubt I'll ever get tired of the movie, and I can sing every one of those songs on cue. I especially love to sing "In the Sea" and "That's All I've Got to Say." 

 

And criminy, I realized too late that I forgot Terence's crescent moon mark above his eye. Don't you just love it when you realize your mistakes after your work is done and you've already deleted the original WIP? 

 

2023 Inktober 8 - Terence Meets Ariel

Terence has a lot in common with Ariel. They're both fantasy creatures, they're both impetuous (though Terence is a bit more cautious and not quite as gullible) and they both fall in love with a human. 

Both lost their mothers at a young age, and both their fathers harbor an understandable if excessive hatred toward humans. Humans were even responsible for the deaths of their mothers.

By unicorn standards, Terence is the equivalent of a 19-year-old, so he would only have a few years over Ariel. That's why I often refer to him as "the white-haired youth."

And even though Terence doesn't live in the water, he'll take any advantage of getting good and wet. He can never resist the opportunity for a swim in unicorn or human form. Furthermore, it's because of the merfolk in his world that he got access to those special shells that let you breathe underwater for as long as you like. He becomes a very talented singer, too.

Small world, innit? Or in this case, small ocean. 

Happy Birthday, Terence

The wind is moving
But I am standing still
A life of pages
Waiting to be filled
A heart that's hopeful
A head that's full of dreams
But this becoming
Is harder than it seems
Feels like

I'm looking for a reason
Roaming through the night to find
My place in this world
My place in this world
Not a lot to lean on
I need your light to help me find
My place in this world
My place in this world

If there are millions
Down on their knees,
Among the many,
Can you still hear me?
Hear me asking
Where do I belong?
Is there a vision
That I can call my own?
Show me

I'm looking for a reason
Roaming through the night to find
My place in this world
My place in this world
Not a lot to lean on
I need your light to help me find
My place in this world
My place in this world

Looking for a reason
Roaming through the night to find
My place in this world
My place in this world
Not a lot to lean on
I need your light to help me find
My place in this world
My place in this world

Looking for a reason
Roaming through the night to find
My place in this world
My place in this world 

If I could pick any song for Terence's anthem, it would most likely be this one. He starts out questioning his place in the world, what he can do or what he's even good for. He represents me when high school graduation was just around the corner.

Then he goes on to become something he never imagined he was. Old Beowulf admits Terence took even him by surprise, and Beowulf is not the kind of creature to be easily surprised (if at all) anymore.

Well, the ice cream and the berries are in the freezer now (bought them yesterday after work) and I'll watch a unicorn movie a little later. Most likely, it's going to be The Last Unicorn, although I have watched Legend a couple of times, too.

I definitely got strawberries, but I also got blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Terence likes just about any kind of fruit; next to berries, he'll eat pretty much anything involving apples. He'll eat meat on occasion, mostly fish, but he prefers fruit and vegetation. You could say he's a vegetarian who's not afraid to touch meat every so often.

The ice cream is Ben & Jerry's Phish Food, my favorite.

For now, it's time to post the artwork and wish my dear old mate, the one who started it all, a very happy birthday. 

Happy Birthday, Terence!

I've seen the mystics play there
Once or twice, but I knew they had a reason
Enchantment plays its cards all right
Hand in hand

With the workings of the seasons

Legends can be now and forever
Teaching us to love for goodness' sake

Legends can be now and forever
Loved by the sun

Loved by the sun
Loved...

Two and two go so close together
Whether there is hope that is torn apart
In the words of all that's singing
Hand in hand

The beginning is at the start

Legends can be now and forever

Teaching us to reach for goodness' sake
Legends can be now and forever
Loved by the sun
Loved by the sun
Loved...

Who sings of all of love's eternity?
Who shines so bright
In all the songs of love's

Unending spells?

Only lightning strikes all that's evil
Teaching us to love for goodness' sake
Hear the music of love eternal
Teaching us to reach for goodness' sake

Legends can be now and forever
Teaching us to love for goodness' sake...

Sweet songs of youth

The wise

The meeting of all wisdom

Sweet songs of youth

The wise

The meeting of all wisdom

Sweet songs of youth

The wise

The meeting of all wisdom

Sweet songs of youth

The wise

The meeting of all wisdom

To believe in the good in man
To believe in the good in man
To believe in the good in man...

 

My Inktober 2021 #6 - Disney Crosses Terence

Looks like Goofy really done goofed up this time!

I can't even look at Terence's face with a straight face!

My Inktober 2021 #4 - Terence at Halloween

Well, this is one way a unicorn's horn comes in handy! Just don't let Linus van Pelt see!

Unicorns and Crowns

I've created a new blog for my fantasy series. I call it Unicorns and Crowns. 

Nothing wrong with this blog; Meeting Mel, that is. I just thought I'd dedicate something entirely to my work (in progress) and so you could call this my "business blog."

Since I've settled for self-publishing, I'm going to need all the promotion I can get. They say all good authors keep a blog or two. It's quite fun, too, even therapeutic. 

Besides, Blogger is free, so why not?

My 2020 Art

One thing I'll say in 2020's favor: I put out more amazing art in full color, with a little help from my dear Kel.

Both art and writing can be extraordinarily therapeutic as well as fun and gratifying.