#not the best screengrab but this made me cry so i wanted to post it lol

[merlinoutofcontext]

Bradley James on Instagram (x)

10 years to the day, the last episode of Merlin aired on the BBC. The first thing the cast talk about when we meet up is memories of the crew. They really were magical. Miss them.

Merry Christmas Merlin fans. You’re pretty special as it goes too.

Love The Once & Future King x

[silvysartfulness]

Talk Shop Tuesday: How do you decide which scene in a chapter of HHaR to illustrate? And are there any scenes that you'd like to illustrate but haven't had time/energy/etc.?

It’s always a careful see-saw balance between “interesting scene from the chapter that I would enjoy drawing and think people would like to see drawn” and “I’m a lazy, low-spoon disaster and will cop out on anything too complicated”..!

For example, I absolutely hate drawing interior settings, so you will notice there are very few detailed indoor scenes - and the times they spend entire chapters indoors and I can’t escape it, the settings tend to be very vague. So usually, if I have the choice, I’ll avoid any scenes taking place inside.

Drawing unnamed, random npcs/crowds is also boring/taking too many spoons, so again I tend to avoid those (or making the people around them silhouettes or just very roughly sketched background figures). Architecture is another headache – if I have decent refs and I really want to convey the atmosphere of a place, I’ll sometimes draw cityscapes, but I’m a happier artist when I don’t have to.

So in short, if I can get away with character close-ups or doing landscape backgrounds, that’s what I’ll likely go for, especially if I’m a bit low on spoons!

Sometimes I really do want to capture something more complex, though – the latest one, with Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji as guest stars took me forever to draw, because I hadn’t drawn those two before, and I had to start by going through the last few episodes of the series to screengrab a whole bunch of refs, and then actually draw their faces, decide on which of their outfits I wanted to draw, then find refs for that etc. It took a lot of time and work. 🥲

And yeah, there are absolutely many scenes I would love to see drawn, even though I don’t have the time or energy for it – there’s a reason I so often wish for commission slots for birthdays and Christmas! I love to see others tackle those scenes! Xue Yang and Xiao Xingchen meeting on the bridge in Hongqi, the three of them cuddled up together in the ruins of Dushou, the trio walking toward the temple of Yanxia Guan, almost drowning in the river after fighting the catfish yao… I’ve been blessed with so many gorgeous commissioned works!

Not to mention the amazing fanart some people have given me! It takes my breath away every time someone decides to draw something from the story just because they felt inspired to, absolute pure magic! The best feeling in the whole world! 😍

As for specific scenes I would love to see drawn, either scraping my own spoons together or commissioning others to… 🤔

Song Lan possessed by the mist spirits and fighting Xue Yang is such a striking visual in my mind, with his white eyes and mist trailing from nose and mouth!

Song Lan dragging/carrying a crying, drunk Xue Yang up the stairs and into his room in Muaishan, or possibly the following utter breakdown.

Song Lan’s shock when Xue Yang tells him about the death sentence awaiting him in Jinlintai and/or the follow-up shock when Xiao Xingchen is let in on it.

Xiao Xingchen and Xue Yang by the little impromptu shrine Xue Yang made for Jin Guangyao

More art of the three of them cuddling in Dushou, tbh, because it’s the first time they allow themselves to snuggle up that way on purpose, all three of them, and I love that for them! 🥰

The smut scenes – I’ve only drawn one of those. Now that we can’t post porn on tumblr anymore, it feels like there’s little point to put in all that work, because I couldn’t share such art in many places. But I still love to see it!

I originally wanted to draw the trio and Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji having dinner and talking together for chapter 57, but was once again defeated by old nemesis - interiors. It was bad enough drawing 5 detailed characters in a single illustration, I would not also have to deal with walls and furniture and stuff. 😒

That's some of the ones that come to mind! So many scenes, so few spoons! (And apparently I'm supposed to be writing the damn thing, too! 😭)

Thank you so much for asking! 💚

[mysticdragon3md3]

spoilertastic reactions to P5A ep3

So we’re going with family names, huh?  *bitter sigh*  Fine...!  But I expect that to eventually change, you two!

Ryuji, don’t make your RenRen jealous.  (Let me stretch interpretations for my OTP, okay!)

Obligatory AkiRyu screengrabs:

Morgana Cat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really like how the changes from the game's storyline efficiently condenses the story.  That'll come in handy when they need more time to establish character tones or cram in everyone's Confidant routes, later in the series.  And yet, it doesn’t feel choppy anymore.  That seemed to stop after episode 1.  I can see this being much easier for a Persona-newbie to follow, than the Persona 4 anime, which got me completely lost.  x_x;

I liked how Ryuji directly interacted with Shiho.  Since the anime skipped a lot of the game's long section of showing Ryuji's concern for the prisoners in the Palace, which went a long way towards his protective characterization, it's nice to get these replacement instances of portraying his concern for other people.  Also, he knows best about Kamoshida getting worse while everyone is working towards Nationals.  It’s kind of odd that the game didn’t have them interact before.  

And again, the camera closes in on subtle eye movements to convey emotions and important points.  

OMG Kamoshida's shit lost Ann's job to Mika?!  >O<!!!!!!!!!!!  These changes the anime makes to condense the story are really effective.  ^_^  I hate Kamoshida even more, if that's possible.

Again, with the shifting facial/eye expressions replacing actual dialogue scenes, that were in the game.  In the game, Ann directly apologized for misplacing her anger onto Akira/Ren. In episode 3, instead, it’s all in facial expressions.  It's really efficient to convey characters’ emotions with this direction in the anime.  But it's kind of ironic, because it used to be that if an anime wanted to save budget, they'd put in a lot of voice acting vs drawing more movements.  But this anime is the other way around.  ^_~    

"But they don't know anything."  Right when Ann said this, she gets reflected in Akira's glasses and his head slumps down slightly, like Ann's situation reminds him of how no one would believe him when he was arrested.  In fact, it very immediately shows the similarity between the sad expression in Ren's eye and the sad expression on Ann's face.  That shift in lenses was just like when the glare came off Ren's glasses after Kawakami was talking to him about how everyone was ostracizing him over rumors, but then Ren's glasses suddenly shifted to clear and showing his eyes, when Kawakami mentioned "Sakamoto" to start talking badly about him.  I wonder if this lense glare/reflection shifting is going to happen with every Confidant, to show their similarities with Ren and Ren’s sympathies towards them.  It would build up Ren's character development and rapport with the Confidants well.  ^_^  

And once again, some key dialogue from earlier gets repeated. 

 In episode 2, Ryuji’s lines “You can’t just walk away when someone’s in trouble, right?...How is that wrong?” paralleled Arsene’s question “Simply going to watch? Wouldst thou forsake him?...Was your choice back then a mistake?” to Ren during his Awakening, to reaffirm his resolve.  It may seem obvious to emphasize key themes by repeating virtually identical dialogue across characters/scenes, but I like how such a clear emphasis on what’s important to the story, also says what’s important to Ren and what created the bond with his friends.  

Yup.  Not a cat.  LOL  

"MonaMona"  ^_________^  (I kind of miss the portrait icons, but this is ok.)

So the director said in an interview that there would be a surprise in this series, implying something different from the game's storyline.  All this time I was afraid the change would be Akechi not getting his game ending, since I dislike Akechi.  But what if the change is something nice, like characters who were originally intended to join the Phantom Thieves, but got cut from the game, getting to join them?  Hifumi was originally supposed to be Queen!  O.o  When I first went through the game, I wanted Mishima to join the Thieves.  I wonder if he'll get to in the anime.  *.*  ...Probably not though.  A lot of the plot depends on his Phan-site, and he only did that because it was the only thing he could do to help, since he didn't get a Persona.  

No, Morgana.  You are an awesome cat.  ^___^  

Don't give your name, Ren!  LOL  And Ryuji is the one who corrects him.  LOL  I don't want to hear anymore crap about how "Ryuji is stupid".  ^o^

I like how Ren is always saying something to give everyone Strength.  

Look at Morgana's and Ren's smirks when Ann Awakens.  ^o^!  It’s like Ren is figuring out his place/role to give others Strength and he’s becoming proud of it.  And not just that, but he’s also proud of his friends finding Strength to get out of the same Weaknesses that he used to be in.  

Yes!  Ann being a cool dominatrix!  Kamoshida and his goons need to suffer!!!!!!  

And I like that they directly referenced "Cougars".  Look at Morgana’s eye expressions!  LOL

Morgana's slingshot!  ^o^

I like how in addition to Ren encouraging his friends' Strength, he also protects them during the fight.  

Ryuji was right about Ren being different in the Metaverse.  He has to wait until he gets there, for him to actually say the things that he feels and act on that protective nature of his that he seems to have been doubting ever since his arrest.  (Why else would he need both Arsene and Ryuji to reaffirm that his impulse to protect others wasn’t wrong?)  Like what he should have said to Ann in that cafe, while she was crying for what to do.  I look forward to the series progressing and the emergence of smirky, sassy Akira, who can start to say these things and be confident in himself, outside of the Metaverse.  It occurs to me that meeting Ryuji was Ren’s reaffirmation that he wasn’t wrong, while helping Ann release her unrestrained self is kind of what Ren also needs to do.  I guess each Confidant represents a part of character Growth that Ren needs.  Ryuji represents “protect people regardless of the consequences to yourself”, and Ann reflects “don’t restrain/repress yourself”.  So I guess the story is kind of an indirect character arc for him, reflected through the friends he gains.  

Alright.  That's a MUCH better transition for the All-Out Attack!  So much better than ep2!  ;u;  And I like the group ending finale too.  ^__^  

It occurs to me that Ryuji is always the one offering drinks.  His mom sure raised him to be polite.  O_o  

“The four of us...” = “Yon-nin”.

My favorite "yon-nin"!  ^u^  <3 <3 <3 <3

Before this series was released, I had watched the Persona 5 Daybreakers OAV and some of the pacing's lag during the fight scene made me vent out a post full of all my fears.  Fears that I did not want to come true when the anime series production had finished, but I just had to get out of my system. And there was no way to know whether it’d come true or not, until the series premier.  Nothing to do but whine and cry out in fear.  I'm so relived now, that each episode of this series so far has given me primarily positive things to say---each and every episode.  ;u;  I'm so happy to be wrong!  ;U;  That’s ALL I want!  I just want to be wrong, when I have nothing but worries!  ;u;  After years and years of anime adaptations screwing up every time they deviated from the source material, anime production is finally getting to that point where it really adds to the manga or videogame, more than dilutes.  ;u;!  

[news-mashable-yahoopartner-blog]

Badass Milo Ventimiglia doesn't follow the rules of Instagram

Milo Anthony Ventimiglia is back on Instagram and you'd better believe he's playing by his own rules.

Die-hard fans may recall the This Is Us star quit Instagram in January 2013 after feeling like people were no longer paying attention to his photos. (We get it, Mi.) He shared a memorable final post captioned "Finito," and proceeded to go dark for years, but on Jan. 1, 2018, Milo kicked off the new year by vowing to gram again.

Naturally, I, a Ventimiglia stan, turned on post notifications to ensure I wouldn't miss any of this man's future content, but things got weird, fast.

SEE ALSO: Milo Ventimiglia talks about Crock-Pot backlash and honestly, it's perfect

The majority of Instagram users live by an unspoken rule that one must not post in excess. A single post a day? Acceptable if your life is super interesting. Two a day? Yikes, but okay once in a while. Three or more? Essentially unheard of, unless you're Beyoncé.

If you're in the mood to share dozens of photos, you make a Facebook album — everyone knows that. Instagram is a selective platform for your best photographs, so it makes sense that it should be used sparingly.

But does Milo give a shit?

Milo's Instagram takeover

On Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, Milo made good on his promise to gram by posting a photograph of his shoes in Los Angeles.

"Nice," I thought to myself, picturing Milo on a California sidewalk at that very moment, motorcycle helmet in-hand. But before I could hit the like button, the actor shared another snapshot of himself in New York. Wait, what? 

Western Roads. 1920. Contractor. LA

A post shared by Milo Anthony Ventimiglia (@miloanthonyventimiglia) on Jan 9, 2018 at 4:19pm PST

Within seconds my phone was blowing up with Milo notifications as he went on to Instagram a photo of the American flag, one of his motorcycle feat. Apple Jacks, and some We The People art. Before I knew it Milo had shared 15 photos to the platform over the course of six minutes. The notifications would steadily arrive every 25 seconds or so, and I was in awe of what was happening.

Milo just Instagramed 15 pics in 6 mins and there is no end in sight I'm laughing so hard

— Nicole Gallucci (@nicolemichele5) January 10, 2018

More shots from New York, a flurry of photos from D.C., then Arizona, and back to California — Milo's shoes and motorcycle were making their way around the country right before my eyes. 

But the real badass move? Not all of these photos were PROFESH. The actor was sharing photos of eaten food, part of a table, and even a "mistake," which was quite literally just a blurry picture of nothingness.

D.C.

A post shared by Milo Anthony Ventimiglia (@miloanthonyventimiglia) on Jan 9, 2018 at 4:25pm PST

A post shared by Milo Anthony Ventimiglia (@miloanthonyventimiglia) on Jan 9, 2018 at 4:35pm PST

Evelyn. LA

A post shared by Milo Anthony Ventimiglia (@miloanthonyventimiglia) on Jan 9, 2018 at 4:27pm PST

I had so many questions. Was Milo about to share every photo he'd taken during his Instagram hiatus? Did he have these photos and captions pre-written? Was anyone else in the world laughing uncontrollably while getting notified of his every move? Is this how teenage Jess Mariano would Instagram if he made an account to impress Rory?

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL HELP SOMEONE MILO U OKAY? pic.twitter.com/TGH6LZQFz7

— Nicole Gallucci (@nicolemichele5) January 10, 2018

After 18 minutes and 38 Instagrams later the madness stopped. Yes, you heard me... THIRTY EIGHT. Forget a single day, he shared 38 photos in less than 20 minutes. Who DOES that? I was exhausted from the emotional roller coaster Milo had taken me on, but assumed it was a one-time deal to mark his return back to the platform.

It wasn't.

A league of his own

On Jan. 17, the Ventimiglia take-over struck again with a less overwhelming blast of 11 posts. Then, on Feb. 10, he amped things up to 17 posts. Now I was intrigued.

Dying to know if this was normal Milo behavior or some elaborate, artistic cry for help, I set out on an investigation starting with the actor’s very first Instagram post — a filtered photo of a nicely made bed from Dec. 12, 2010.

A post shared by Milo Anthony Ventimiglia (@miloanthonyventimiglia) on Dec 12, 2010 at 12:50am PST

On his first day as an Instagram user Milo posted twice. Ambitious. On his second day, twice. And I noticed nearly every day that followed his daily post count exceeded one. On Oct. 16, 2011 the man posted 13 photos and someone called him out for his excess sharing.

Image: screengrab/instagram

Once a badass, always a badass

This weird and completely unnecessary dive into Milo's Instagram history made one thing abundantly clear: Milo Ventimiglia does not care about your Instagram rules now, and he has never cared about your Instagram rules. It just wasn't apparent to me until I turned on notifications.

Would I love him to hit pause on the later-grams and share real-time Instagrams from his life once in a while? Sure. Is it mildly terrifying to see someone break the social media mold in such an ~extra~ way? Hell yeah. But there's no denying his bold Instagram strategy is far more exciting than playing it safe. 

With that said, I feel like VERY FEW people can pull this off, so for the love of Milo let's not all bombard Instagram with 32 posts a day. If there's anything to learn from this it's that we should all care less about what other people think of us.

Milo's a rebel who refuses to live life by some unofficial rule that stifles his creativity, and for that I commend him. He wears his leather jackets well, he drives a motorcycle, and he grams when he wants to gram.

WATCH: Here's why 'This Is Us' fans are cursing their crockpots