Filling in the scenery so it resembles Venice. Doesn't quite match my original sketchy outlines, but those are just guidelines anyway.
I might add some more detail to the kids later, but this is good enough for now.
Now to think of a story in which to use them.
On one hand; I've always thought it looks weird when someone in Sweden _fills_ their home with things from China (or any other country/culture). Having things as part of the mix is one thing - but letting it be dominant... naah.
OTH: I wonder if I can find similar dragons at Alibaba?
(Edit: story in toot below)
Book Promotion: Since the tragedy of 1994, Agency Division have weilded their authority over matters arcane with relative impunity. Enforcers like Vidcund Därk, collectively known as the Men in Black, serve a single purpose - the absolute eradicaton of magic and those who would use it. This is not an uncommon goal - a group of rogue arcanists known as the Grey Angels have much the same outcome in mind. When a respected mathematics professor obtains a translated copy of the Pnakotic Manuscripts, the hunt is on to determine how he got hold of it. But soon, a bigger crisis unfolds - one that Agency Division can’t keep under wraps.
If you like urban fantasy, but you're tired of the tropes playing out the same--snarky relucant hero, tortured by their sins--please check out my novel, Idle Hands.
Dr. Grey is anything but reluctant or tortured by her sins. Skeptical, bitter, but not tortured. She revels in what she's becoming.
#UrbanFantasy #QueerLit #Pulp #NeoNoir #lgbt #bookstodon
DRM-free ebook: https://aubreyjones.itch.io/idle-hands
Amazon: https://a.co/d/9gHbZKS
All major platforms: https://books2read.com/b/bxyQvl
Wang Ye wearing only a towel off camera. A+ acting - if it is acting.
Seriously, how do you cast for roles like Wang Ye? Does the casting agent keep a list of C-drama land cutiepies, with marks for the ones comfortable showing skin, and then just grabs the one who happen to be free at the moment?
Utterly wild jackets and cardigans seem to be high (expensive) fashion for men in China rn. So Wang Ye's jacket isn't a thrift store find* - it marks him as jet setter.
(*To people of my age it would be, but before any of my peers feel superior; our generation bought jeans with ready-made holes.)
*snrk!* Like I said... but I've sworn to ice box the b-word for a while, so let's just say Wang Ye is raking his father over coals. (Aaaand Neo Hou will soon star in a classical historical romance - at least it looks like that - so we may have to savour these scenes.)
Producer: I want the light to shine through the windows so we get dramatic shadows...
Location scout: Mhm...
Producer: ...and I want Zhang Zhiwei's reflection in the window.
Location scout *suddenly remembering some basic physics*: Errrr...
Producer: It's _symbolism_!
Location scout: *sigh* We'll fix it in post...
(They did their best by having the bottom part of the pane in deep shadow, because it is, indeed, good symbolism.)
With boycotts going on, here's a reminder that my books are available wide, so you can find them on many platforms: stores, library apps, and even subscriptions, and I'm perfectly happy if you decide to ditch the Big Store and get my book elsewhere or read it through a library.
I've had an urban fantasy setting that's basically Venice kicking around my skull for a while. I don't have any names yet, but here's the main characters overlooking the canals.
We're not in Heng Dian World Studios anymore! While it is possible to weather sets the carvings are a bit too detailed - HDWS does great work, but they err on using modern materials and reducing complexity. I wonder which old temple had to bear a drama production for days?
City series
Watercolor. Acrylic finished details
Arches cotton paper
A4 size
#MastoArt #arte #art #drawing #painting #watercolor #urbanfantasy #urban #cityscape #city
Ok, normally I start rooting for the Bad Guy when the plot gets too dumb, but that's not the case here. The plot is good. But the sheer ambition of Sinister Pleasure bringing a _band_ to their riot, with both traditonal Chinese instruments, Western ones, and a pianist (not in picture)...
...Sorry Good Guys! I'm with the grand piano!
Real fire or not - I suspect that inside every vfx person there's a 10yr old who wants to do explody stuff.
I mean... I do...
(Not sure about this scene, but so far production seems to have combined digital overlays with on-site practical effects - ie. double bang for the buck.)
It's a crap pic because it's a crap still - the fight is so fast paced I have a hard time getting something not-blurry. But I am impressed by the vfx in this drama, especially here where the lightning shoots chunks of dirt out of the ground. Could it be better? By a _small_ margin yes; China is levelling up fast, and most of it is totally agreeable.
Not sure if I'll go anywhere with this. Some character concept sketches from a potential urban fantasy series, set in the Venice-like city of Salognia. …
Character Concept Sketches: Salognia Nights https://aceade.net/2025/03/13/character-concept-sketches-salognia-nights/
One last push: nominations for the Hugo close tomorrow night, and I think City of Roses deserves to be on the short list for Best Series. I mean, I'd say it's the best urban fantasy series you aren't reading, but then, I'm biased.
I feel I'm overusing this word, but... just for the last time*
ONE GIGANTIC BITCH SLAP _COMING IN HOOOOT_!!!
(*because that brat, _that_ brat, deserved it)
and it belts out a roar,
that's a moray
