So it's done - I drew (or attempted to draw) Dean from Supernatural for my dear friend shippersbigtime. I still think it's a little off as a portrait (I think the face's too thin, and that's what throws me a bit), but I have to say I am really proud of how I handled the lightning - I don't usually do shading this dramatic while working in inkwash, because it can be a pain to handle, but I think the volume came out quite nice here.



( bigger version + in progress pictures )

I don't think I've ever seen so many HARDCORE BADASS MOMENTS OF AWESOME from the Adama clan in only one episode as we had here. I am still a little incoherent from the INSANE TENSION and the many scenes when I just had to pause to laugh with glee because everything may be going to hell, but at least all my favourite characters are being amazing while it happens.

( OMG(S) SPOILERS GUYS )

The drawing that's currently keeping me occupied:



Ink wash + ballpoint pen + pencil + obsessive realism = pain in the neck. But I love using ink to play with textures, and if I can manage not to screw this one up, it should look pretty cool.

While my Supernatural watching has taken a back-seat to DEMENTED BATTLESTAR FLAILING now that my show is back and all, I am still watching, and for the most part still enjoying it, in a guilty pleasure, I-can't-believe-I-like-this way but watching and enjoying all the same.

( spoilers up to SPN 2x14 - Born Under a Bad Sign )

Sure, people angst prettily in Supernatural... but when they break in Battlestar Galactica it is messy, and it is BRUTAL and it is not pretty at all. And *that* is why I love this dark and bleak train-wreck of a space opera so much.

( Battlestar Galactica 4x11 - Sometimes a Great Notion )

Two days for the season premiere of Battlestar Galactica and - just so you know - IF ANY OF YOU SPOILS ME FOR THE IDENTITY OF THE FINAL CYLON I WILL CUT YOU.

Thank you. That is all.

On Sunday I went to the park with some friends, enjoyed the sunlight, drank mate like good Argentinean kids we are, and then went to the cinema to watch my first movie of 2009 - I wanted to watch The Duchess (hi, Ralph Fiennes! Hi, Keira, pouting your way through yet another costume drama! hi, boy who played the manwhore one of the History Boys!) but we ended up watching Body of Lies, which was alright. I am a little fed up with American movies trying to tackle Middle East conflicts responsibly, and though this one tried harder than most, it still left a bitter taste in my mouth. As a thriller it was fairly decent stuff: the plot was gripping and suspenseful and the locations were awesome, but I don't much enjoy movies when I only care for the characters as pieces on a chess board. Good job Russel Crowe, though, for playing such an unlikeable fellow (overweight CIA man pulling the strings from his comfy desk back home) without trying to be flashy about it. Both him and Leo DiCaprio (tragic how his pretty boy looks seem to be slowly deserting him, but good for him because it turned out he actually can act) were good without trying to do any showy, scene-stealing, gimme-an-award-am-a-serious-actor crap, which wouldn't have worked for the material anyway. Not a bad movie overall, but I can't find it in me to be too enthusiastic about the whole thing either - and the ending was rather lacking and nowhere as critical as I was hoping it would be. It didn't help that I hated Crowe's character and all he represented, and mostly rolled my eyes at Leo's (though that was hardly his fault)... so really, the one who made the whole thing watchable was Mark Strong stealing the show as the suave, and pretty fucking dangerous head of the Jordanian intelligence agency. And you know you have a problem when your favourite character is the scheeming, well-dressed torturer bastard.

Then on Monday, I watched the S2 premiere of Supernatural AND WEPT LIKE A COMPLETE IDIOT. No, really. I did. And then, as I sniffed alongside the father and the sons, I got it: this is how it goes, you come for the eyecandy, you stay for the Winchester family drama. And you know what, I HATE it when shows toy with me so... oh, who am I kidding? I totally love it. BRING ON THE MANPAIN, KRIPKE. I CAN TAKE IT.

And today - well, today I didn't do much. I went to the dentist, I bought a pair of skinny jeans, and now I'll probably go out again to buy paints. Yes, paints. Acrylics, in fact, as well as new brushes. Because this Thursday I am going back to taking art classes, believe it or not. And I haven't painted a thing in five years, so believe me, it's kinda of a big deal for me! Will let you guys know how it goes. <3








Also, tomorrow my friend shippersbigtime is coming over to continue watching Supernatural until I am but a pathetic, drooling wreck, a shadow of my former self. Which is fine by me, because it seems weird to watch the show alone - yesterday I caught myself telling Sam 'oh, just HUG HIM YOU FOOL' like, out loud, and at least if Maira is here I can pretend I said it just to amuse her and not because I am evidently losing my grip on reality.

So, if you've been following this journal, you'll know Supernatural is my new guilty pleasure. It's the type of show that can only be watched late at night, preferably after a little too much coffee, preferably in company of fellow fangirls. I'd say Supernatural is like a dirty little secret you are a little embarrassed about once the morning comes.

That said, I will admit the season 1 finale was actually awesome. Manipulative as hell, but pretty damn cool. And that's the most articulate thing I am going to say about it: ( things get a little more FLAILY after the cut )

That dork in my icon? That'd be Matt Smith. Will he be a good Doctor? Only time will tell, but Party Animals at least has taught me that he is FREAKING ADORABLE when he plays an awkward nerd. So this will be my designated OMG DORKY FANGIRL GLEE!!!1 icon for a while. Raise your hand if you too want to ruffle his (tragic) hair.

As to what has me FLAILING all over the place... well, that'd be the video for Franz Ferdinand's new single, Ulysses. I like the song well enough (it makes me curious to listen to the whole album, at least), but the video caught my eye. It seems they are back to making cool, exciting videos yet again. Oh boys, you crack me up - I'd missed you so. <3



It's... bizarre and trippy and ridiculous in places. And I kinda love it. Hee!

In other news, I hate the summer and can't wait to be FREEZING TO DEATH in London.

Did anyone catch the season premiere of Damages -aka that show with Glenn Close as a fabulously scheeming, ruthless lawyer - last night? It's not really a show I blog about - but it's just so gripping and I love it so! The premiere itself wasn't that good an episode, but I thought it set things up nicely for the new season. This show's all about the tight, dense plotting and complex, intelligent characters taken to extremes, and there's certainly going to be a lot of back-stabbing and intrigue in S2, judging by what we've seen.

As regards the cast, Close continues to be AWESOME, and her Patty Hewes is both vulnerable and chilling (then again, I do like seeing brilliant yet ruthless female plotters in my fiction - see Laura Roslin). Rose Byrne will evidently get to do a lot more this season as Ellen, Patty's hardened (and grieving) protegée, and while she's obviously at a disadvantage working with such a talented and experienced cast, she plays the new stronger, more vicious Ellen quite well. And on a more shallow note, she's a beautiful young woman, though it worries me a little to see how painfully skinny she's got lately - it actually works great for the character, as her thin face and delicate frame give her a haunted, tough yet vulnerable edge... but I remember just how lovely she used to be a few years ago and it makes me a bit sad.

As for the new additions, I am not too thrilled about William Hurt being cast (not really a favourite of mine) but his character seems interesting - I am far more intrigued about who Marcia Gay Harden's going to be playing, but I suppose her first appearance shall be in episode 2.

Finished! Nowhere as good as I wanted it to be, but eee - inking with a brush is so much fun! I really need to do that more often. Still, most of the details were done with a cheap micron pen because I *really* don't trust my less-than-steady hand that much.



( Merlin fanart - the full picture )

Book lovers! I am already wondering what novels to take to Europe when I get on the plane on the 12th of February. I don't want to take more than two paperbacks with me, as I know I am going to buy a ridiculous amount of used books as soon as I get to London - but at the same time, I want them to be good, because there's nothing more depressing than being stuck during a long trip reading garbage because you don't have anything else.

So, basically, what I am looking for is:
1. a fun, gripping, airport read - not stupid, mind you (like all literature students, I am a little snobbish, what can I say?) but nothing too dense either
2. Novels are a must. Preferably long, preferably contemporary
3. I don't mind bleak and depressing, but I'd rather not sob on an airplane, to be honest.
4. Either in English or in Spanish is fine my me.
5. Fantasy, sci-fi, mystery or historical novels are cool too.

If you are not sure about what I have read / generally enjoy, there's the books! tag to help you out.

Thank you, oh geeky and wise friends list!

ETA ( Your recs )