sofanoirmelodrama

[sofanoirmelodrama]

Bright and clear through the window of those eyes.

[sofanoirmelodrama]

The idea behind this painting is inspired by the saying “there are many fish in the sea/waters”. Here, it alludes to the feminine sentimentality of enjoying how men find women attractive and intriguing, without giving any chance of romantical involvement or the lack of such intention from either side. It is an empowering feeling that fights against the traditional stigma of how a woman should be in a relationship just to feel “completed” based on social standards.

The imagery used is inspired by the fish-scooping game at Japanese summer festival, with some of the fish being koi fish which has the same sound as the word “koi” meaning “romantic love”. By letting all the fish pass through without actually scooping any, one evades the purpose of this game though they exist in the same flow. Since I don’t draw the water, the way the hair flows should indicate the water flow and somehow resemble aquatic plants for the fish to swim through.

[sofanoirmelodrama]

「懐かしい未来」 "Natsukashii mirai" is the notion of a nostalgic vision of the future that we yearn to return to, the eternal longing that can only be answered in a dream, forever transcending time. 

 To me personally, it's the summer skyscape of my hometown and life in the 90s of a faraway land. Do you know that I was only half-joking when I said we need a tower too? Something to be filled with modernistic dreams of a nostalgic future, rather than past. 

 One single drop of water can ruin a perfect layer of painting, I took so much time completing this one with many changes along the way. Finally we're here, somehow. 

[sofanoirmelodrama]

A “random” watercolour painting I did while my partner was playing on the piano.

The cobalts are cold colours, yet when combined together, they can illustrate a bright, dreamy sunshine kind of feeling. 

[sofanoirmelodrama]

A bunch of (mostly friend’s) original character practices with gouache.

[sofanoirmelodrama]

Watercolor illustration of the morning river story, starring: Sakamoto Akari (Usa-chan)

Lasim

Asakawa Y-kun

Asakawa Hiro-kun

Salim (the genie)

[sofanoirmelodrama]

The strange ways via which a girl may have found her heart again.

I found mine one day in October.

[sofanoirmelodrama]

He’s still there, fishing for the half of my heart that was never forgotten, in a poodle left after the rain. So that I will always still have it. So that we will always have it.  Watercolour on Arches HP 300gsm

[sofanoirmelodrama]

A watercolour study I did of my own taken photograph during a trip to a pretty mountain town. I’m going to make this a gift again. 

It’s almost mid December I still owe at least 1-2 art gift as of now *sweats*

Watercolour on Khadi 320gsm - A5

[sofanoirmelodrama]

A comic I started and finished within 48 hours for a contest by the Goethe Institute. It got sent out at the very last minute (literally) and somehow won a prize!  The theme was “thought during lockdown”.  Watercolor on Albireo 218gsm

[sofanoirmelodrama]

Another old work from 2016, done as a gift for a friend before she went away to a Northern land - where I thought would be very, very snowy. A personal favourite of mine.  Watercolor on White Watson 300gsm

[sofanoirmelodrama]

Old works from 2015-2016, done as gifts for a friend.

I love, love doing character illustrations. My friend’s designs are pretty diverse so it’s always fun to draw their original characters!

[sofanoirmelodrama]

The film screening at an old pub

And the talk between a director and an actress/screenwriter, missing the appearance of a novelist. 

[sofanoirmelodrama]

An Old Film

Director: Hinosuke

Screenwriter: Maryna Lette

[sofanoirmelodrama]

Good morning, Jupiter. Time to revise our lessons.

1. Humans are only different in look and at core. All that can change are the in-betweens, as known best by the doctors, and the stars.

2. You cannot save someone who does not truly will to save themselves.

3. We brought it all upon ourselves, everything mostly.

[sofanoirmelodrama]

[sofanoirmelodrama]

I honestly like both versions ;) Should I use this on the new namecard for my shop?

Gouache on Art Spiral sketchbook paper and Indian handmade watercolour paper.