story sketch: restoration [update: 10-29-2011]

[meeks]

This sketch was requested by minor_architect and depicts a scene from ysabetwordsmith's Monster House poem, Restoration. The cold little radiator dragon has been placed in the oven in the hope that the heat will revive it, while the monsters from under-the-bed and in-the-closet peer through the window.



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Comments

[mdlbear]

Terribly cute! I <3 Monster House!

Thank you!

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

Whee, someone else requested an illustration of my work!

I just love the perspective on this one, looking over the dragon and out the oven. I knew this would make a great scene, but I couldn't figure out how to make it work as a picture because from the other side, all you'd see would be the backs of the monsters' heads. This is a brilliant solution.

The dragon is also quite well done, with the serpentine appearance. Further refinements: I'd like to see his tiny little paws, and the texture sharpened so that the rill on the back is clearly scales/spines. Right now it looks kind of furry. His texture is scaly, like a snake or a lizard, and I like the idea of that rill down the back, which could reasonably be the kind of scales that are semi-erectile spines. Here's a good view of iguana spines, which are often used as inspiration for dragons:
http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Iguana-close-up-the-animal-kingdom-251122_1024_768.jpg
Also, antique radiators used to have lovely scrollwork on them, and his scale patterns subtly reflect that. If the picture proves popular enough to reach that level of detail, here are some examples:
http://www.fireplaces-oldham.co.uk/cast_iron_radiators_daisy_gold.jpg
http://www.castrads.co.uk/cast_iron_radiator_antique_gold_big.jpg
http://www.architecturaltreasures.co.uk/StockImages/LargeImages/IMG_5712.JPG

I really like the worried expression on the lower of the two monsters. Both of them look appropriately fluffy, with huge expressive eyes and sharp teeth. However, their shape is more akin to a sasquatch than to Gossamer:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OWBqR4K7woo/SlKXFZAqksI/AAAAAAAABKk/i3JEEh_t2AM/s400/MessinWithSasquatch_2-full.jpg
So, more of a rounded head on a short neck, rather than a face directly in the body; and thicker arms, hands with fingernails that are a bit claw-like. The monster-under-the-bed also has extra arms, but that wouldn't really be visible here. The body shape can probably be tweaked if the picture goes to revision -- they are mostly outlines at this early stage.

[zianuray.livejournal.com]

Eeee! He's so cute! (Nice job, btw -- the others look downright worried about him!)

[minor-architect.livejournal.com]

Y'know, for whatever reason, I pictured the radiator dragon as a European-style dragon (albeit in miniature) rather than an Asian-style dragon. Then again, if he wasn't long and skinny, he wouldn't fit into the radiator's coils! So I'm glad to have that point clarified. :)

Yes...

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

I tried to fit enough into the description about his serpentine shape, but it seems to be hit-or-miss whether people catch that. I think as soon as you say "dragon" most people think of a giant lizard with wings. He looks more like an antique radiator pipe with little paws, though. Not exactly a Chinese dragon, but closer to that than the western variety. Radiator 'dragons' are actually fire elementals adapted to camouflage themselves in human environments.

[aldersprig]

oooh, oooh, OOH< the Eyes on the monster in front!! And I love the tiny little legs on the dragon! And you can see him going /\/\/\ over the bars of the oven rack and eeee

[minor-architect.livejournal.com]

I LOVE how the radiator dragon is turning out! One of his hind paws is even clinging to the oven rack, hee! <3

[wyld_dandelyon]

The dragon is wonderful! The critters in the back are still a little rough, so I hope you get more comments and sponsorships!

Wow!

[ysabetwordsmith]

Oh, this is adorable! The teeny little foot dangling down between the rungs. The huge sad eyes on the closer monster. I like how the monsters are turning out, too. Must go link now!

[kelkyag]

The eyes on the monster-under-the-bed and the face on the radiator dragon are both adorable. I've no idea how the little dragon manages that much neck with so little leg, but then, I'm not sure how ferrets manage, either.

Well...

[ysabetwordsmith]

On the physical level, the neck is mostly muscle. He is modeled loosely after the Asian style of dragon, thus serpentine in form. Some snakes can lift about a third of their bodies upright. He moves more like a snake than like a lizard. The legs can hold onto things or push against the ground, but are not necessarily intended to hold him up.

On the metaphysical level, he is a fire elemental. Part of his ability to maneuver is based on heat and magic rather than on physical means. And like a natural reptile, he becomes quite torpid in the cold. When fully heated, he moves with a swift, almost boneless grace.

[zeeth_kyrah]

I love this.

Bake at 200 degrees for 8 hours, serve warm?

[rowyn]

He's pretty cute, even if he doesn't look like much of a meal. :)

[eseme]

That dragon is ADORABLE! Though he dies need legs and wings to look less like a snake.

And the monsters look so comically worried. But really, putting a dragon in the oven is a good idea!

Hmm...

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

He has little stubby legs, but not wings. I think the horns and the little rill of spines down his back are also helpful for distinguishing him from an actual snake. But he is a serpentine sort of dragon, more similar to eastern than western structure.

[aldersprig.livejournal.com]

How did I never comment on this? O_o

I love the dragon, and he's just how I pictured him!

I'd love to see a follow up, with him in the radiator...

Ooo...

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

That's a good idea! A followup with the dragon on the radiator would be really cute. Later on he sometimes coils on top of it, like a snake; but in this poem he mostly hides behind it or -- a better picture -- wraps himself between the coils of the piping so that he almost looks like part of it.

Feel free to suggest this to meeksp. It could conceivably be shown along with the oven scene, similar to the dual sketch for "Unfolding Wings."

[catsittingstill.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is so cute! The POV you've chosen is really clever too.

[kitrona.livejournal.com]

Oh, lovely! I especially love the detail on the dragon and on the shorter monster. :)

[rix_scaedu]

He's a beautiful little dragon.

[laffingkat.livejournal.com]

Oh, he's adorable! I love his little feet, and his peaceful expression and relaxed pose. It contrasts nicely with the worried expressions of the onlookers. :)

[eseme]

Oh my gosh! This is much improved. I love the little legs and all those scales!