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Time Taken:
* Drawing: 3 days
* Inking: 2 days
* Coloring: Unknown
Currently Listening To: "See You In My Nightmares," by Kanye West

I should probably state, first and foremost, that this is meant to be a signature for a user on the Clockwork Mansion forums. Hence, the weird border and layout. This is the maximum resolution version. The version he'll be using is much smaller than this one due to the forum's restrictions on signature sizes. It also will not have my little icon and the copyright information in the corner.

I would have gotten this put up before Christmas, but I was still working on the background. Technically, I finished coloring and inking the main body just before Christmas, but since I wasn't done with the background I didn't see a reason to put it up on DeviantArt. Ironically, I only created the background thanks to an improvisational twist of creativity in Photoshop. Simpler is better, I guess, because I had been trying to use a bunch of customized brushes and features to make the background look as complicated and impressive as possible without success, whereas the really simple background works, I think.

Mao is a Nictarl. They belong to Amber Williams.

I'm not sure about the anatomy of the drawing, but it's definitely better than my usual stuff. The character doesn't look like he's been starving. Plus, I like the coloring and shading in general, although the diffuse glow sort of overwhelms the finer details in the shading.

Before anyone mentions the weird text placement, it was how Mao wanted it. I showed him several different versions, and he chose this one. As long as Mao's happy with his picture, I'm fine.

And one more thing: I had inked this before I came up with the "shaped, tapering lines" thing I used in the collaboration with Ren Gaulen, so I didn't incorporate the inking style. Also, as a fun fact, I had made a mistake with coloring Mao's eyes - I colored them blue when they were meant to be red - which had me hurry to fix that. XD

I hope you like your picture, Mao!

Now for Tapewolf's, since he probably wants to strangle me because I've kept him waiting for so long D:

~Keaton the Black Jackal
Art © *KeatontheBlackJackal
Mao Laoren © ~Orianj
Nictarl race © Amber Williams ([link])