Hanbok Girls - Jangmi

Finnaly getting these drawings done...

First from a series of 5 chibi ladies in hanbok
I posted as a sketch a while ago...

She is Jangmi (장미), wich means "Rose".

I apologise for any mistakes in the drawing and (specially) in the writing - I don't speak one word in korean, and I used the caligraphy mostly for aestethic purpose... Sorry, very sorry if it looks terrible!

Her design was heavily inspired by this beautiful hanbok photo:

So I don's deserve much credit for that. ;P

Hanbok is so lovely, I'm looking foward for drawing another one! <3

WIP - Mulan

So, the sketch of the next Disney Princess in my series is done... Mulan!

It's only the second (maybe third) time I draw hanfu... so I apologize if there are horrible mistakes. x_x I could have researched deeper about hanfu, BUT since historical accuracy is NOT the purpose in this series (actually, innacuracies are kind of a "characteristic" in fairytale dresses...) I decided not to try and be correct about a certain time period or style. I mixed visual elements from various hanfu references (so pretty! <3), while trying to stick with the overall base of Mulan's original design...

Mulan is my second favourite Disney princess. It bother me when stories only portray women either as the ridiculous useless "damsel in distress" or some exagerated (and then, also ridiculous) super-brute-kickass (annoying Lara Croft comes to my mind right now...). I guess the main reason why I like Mulan is that she is a both strong and feminine character, intelligent and brave more than just plain "stronger than the guys". 

I tried to show this "delicate and strong" concept in the drawing, balancing the sword and the falling flowers. I'm still not sure if I like her hair, thou...In part I want to give her a more intricate hairdo (just like the ladies in period chinese movies). On the other hand, I'm afraid that will take her characterization as Disney's Mulan, and she will just look like some pretty yet generic princess...

Her original facial features are very unique and pretty,
so it's being fun to redraw them in my style! ^_^

Yuutaro to Hana-san ^^

A small sketchdump of my ordinary ancient japanese couple <3...

Yuutaro and Hana-san. ^^

Oh, on a mini wafuku note: on the second upper drawing you can see how Yuutaro's sleeves are sharp-square-shaped, while Hana's are also square, but with rounder, softer borders... that's an actual differential characteristic between man's and woman's kimono. ;D

Chibi Sketches...

While I'm working on the next Disney Princess
in my series, here are some chibi sketches! ^^

So, remember the chibi plain castle guard Yuutaro? 

Now he's got a girlfriend! =3 

No, she's not a princess. Nor a brave kunoichi. Nope, not a powerfull miko, and not a geisha, either. The bad guy of the story is not even in love with her.

She's just a farmer girl who makes lunch for him quite often. 

Her name is Hana-san. ^^

More of her coming soon! ;D

Also, another very sketchy sketch: the famous ancient japanese writers (and indirect rivals), Murasaki Shikibu and Sei Shonagon. Chibified! It is said that lady Shonagon had a sharp personality, and lady Shikibu was more quiet and dreamy... don't know if it's true, but I went for it on the design. ^^'

Just don't look at their kimonos for too long, or 

your eyes will burn from the ugly messy lines... x_x

And the winner is... Mulan!

So, Mulan is the great winner of the poll for 

the next Disney Princess in my series! 

Thanks to all who voted! ^^

I was quite surprised - I always tought Ariel and Belle were the most
popular Disney princesses... and one of them would win. XD
Personally, Mulan is my second favourite (after Rapunzel ^^)
so the result of the poll was also very nice news!

I'll work on her, althou I'm super busy these days so it will 

take more time than the previous two... x_x

As Cinderella, Mulan will be another great challenge, only now from a different perspective - I need to give the series' "antique storybook" look to an ancient chinese outfit.

Delicate lines + faded colors + european dress = fairytale storybook. Ok!

Delicate lines + faded colors + hanfu = ancient chinese painting. (Wich is very very beautiful... but it's not the same as this series style! x_x)

Well, I'll try my best to make the style look right! ^^'

Also, I have a few simple chibi sketches to post so 

wait for some of these in the next few days. ^_^