"Diana" by Lisa Ann (Jae) Andresen

Jae, this is so cool. I just stared at it, transfixed, for a good minute or so before pressing the comment button. The lines are so graceful, so fluid - on both Diana herself and on the Wood - it's like magic. I really, really love this piece. I love the way her horns nearly blend in with the tree branches. I love the way she leans forward, alert, like a deer, her expression alert as well. I love the moon silhouetted in the trees behind her. The shading, the lines - everything. I am so impressed.

Lisa Ann (Jae) Andresen replies: ":igh of relief:: I really, really, really wasn't sure where I was going with this. It's so unlike anything I've ever done-- I've never done any hybrid more complex than a mermaid, never done so much detail all in pencil, only one other time ever drawn an upturned face-- I felt sometimes durring the month I spent working on this that I was biting off more than I could chew, and I'd have to set the work aside for a few days. I was particulalry concerned about the sense of "pause" I wanted to give her. I was afraid her figure would be percieved as stiff, not tense. ::hugs:: even if no one else like my picture as much as you, you did, and it made my day."

I really like both the picture AND the idea. I think it's kind of original!

Ooooh, it's beautiful...the pose fits the shyness of the dear rather well, like she's creeping along, warily. ^-^
If I may crit? Female deer dont have horns, leastways the species I've seen. The tail appears to be tacked on, not a continuation of the spine. It might help to move it up higher on the rump, so that the flow of the topline (the back) doesnt dip down into the tail but rather moves right into it. Also (and I know legs are hard to draw, especially deer and horse and the like) the extended foreleg is a bit stiff looking. It may help if you uh....hm. I dont know.
But over all, the shading is nice and soft and her expression is great. I really enjoyed looking at this!

I really like this one...the body looks so soft!

I like the picture, and i totally know what you mean about the name. i have the same things happen to me; i begin drawing one thing, and then(as mental as it may sound) it decides to be something entirely different, sometimes it decides to be a different colour, or name. you are not alone in the muse guiding you whether you want it or not, it just happens, am i right? anyway, good picture and great concept.

may peace be in your heart and the stars watch over you

-Benten (Japanese goddess of love, the arts, wisdom, poetry, good fortune and water)

I really like that creature, she's different. It seems to me that her left arm is a bit too short somehow, i don't know, there's something odd about her arms. Good shading!!!