Heh heh, thought I'd update my journal. Nothing new to report! Both Gravity and NTGW are back to their regular weekly schedule.

Have a great day all!

<3 Roo

It's Chinese New Year in these parts and I am goooone.

Well firstly, I'd like to apologize for the Nara comic. I had planned to conclude this chapter before I leave, but looks like I've run out of time! D8 Ack! The last two pages are so juicy too. Ah... well.

That said, both comics "Gravity" and "Nara: The Grey Warden" will resume their updates on the week of the 25th this month.

Thanks so much for supporting my work peeps! Nara's story has been a pretty long ride and I still see the same deviants around from when I started this silly little comic 3 years ago. That's really awesome.

On a side note, a deviant shared a site with me where you can get your work copyrighted for free, amongst other nifty services for artists/writers/musicians/creators/etc. Go check it out! [link]

Guess it's time to update the journal! ^_^

I've been doing lots of copyright research since starting the comic project, Gravity, with *Niksche. So, I stumbled upon this on the U.S. Copyright Office website:

What is copyright infringement?
As a general matter, copyright infringement occurs when a copyrighted work is reproduced, distributed, performed, publicly displayed, or made into a derivative work without the permission of the copyright owner.

Hmmm... that sounds like my Dragon Age fan comic. OOOPS. Well, dang it. Anyways, I'll still continuing Nara's story to the end since I'm already knee deep it in (over 140 pages and counting deep)... which leads me to a question I've been frequently asked.

Will there be a fan comic based in the Dragon Age 2 verse?
No, I won't be making anymore fan comics after Nara's story. One of the reasons is stated above, the other is that I've spent almost 3 years working on Nara and I really do not want to do that again. I do enjoy sharing fanfiction, it's fun! It has also taught me a lot about creating comics. But the time has come for me to set off and work on my own projects. It's only then I'll be able to test my mettle as an artist or a storyteller. In all honesty, it feels a little crappy riding on the coattails of someone else's success. Of course, this is just my personal feeling. I do enjoy fan created work myself.

Also, some other questions I've been getting:

Why don't you take commissions for licensed characters?
It goes back to copyright infringement. Sure, lots of artists sell prints and sketchbooks of their art featuring popular characters, but that doesn't make it okay.

Why is there such a long wait between comic page updates?
I'm now illustrating 2 comic titles which I try to update once a week. One is Nara: The Grey Warden, the other is Gravity. Each page takes me about 6 hours (spread out over several of days) to complete. Please bear in mind that I draw, ink, color, and letter these pages between a job and taking care of my family.

Do you have any tutorials on coloring? If not, can you please make one?
I have a few here: [link], but I haven't made anymore because there are some really awesome ones on dA. Check out my favorites: resources folder for tuts I've collected on dA. They've helped me a lot.

When will commissions open again?
Probably by the end of February 2013, after the Lunar New Year celebrations.

When is Zevran coming back?
Muaahahahahaha...

Okay, I think I've covered everything. Have a good day everyone.

Boy! Am I glad that the world didn't end! Did I really think that the apocalypse would happen today? I don't know, you know, anything could happen. Perhaps I've been watching too many movies; playing too many games. In any case,  I'm thankful that my Friday was just like any other Friday and that the holiday season is here again, perhaps a little sweeter than the ones before.

Happy Holidays everyone! Let's be excellent to each other!

Hey there!

Finally, the project *Niksche and I have been working on is nearing fruition! GRAVITY tells the tale of a family struggling to cope with life in space after earth is nearly destroyed. The comic will be updated weekly beginning December 12th, 2012. You're welcome to join our group over at Gravity-comic. We'd love to see you there!

Hello dA peeps!

Hope you're all well. Crap, has it been a while since I updated this thing. XD

I'll be reverting to posting weekly updates for my on-going Dragon Age fancomic instead of uploading a chapter at a time mainly because I need to stagger the pages to balance out life, work and fun. Also, to dedicate some time on a new project *Niksche and I are working on. It's an original comic! But more on that later, once I get my act together.

So Nara's story continues with a one page a week update! Thank you to all of you who have been supporting me all these years. I truly appreciate it.

Love & peace,
Ru

Thank you for the birthday wishes all! My birthday was on September 3rd and I only got around to posting a thank you journal today. Oh... I am bad.

Thank you, I really appreciate it.

If you're wondering about that comic, it's still being worked on. I keep a progress log of the comic on the left side of my profile page. Right now, I'm sketching out page 6. You can also get sneak peeks of sketched pages on my tumblr: roorurooster.tumblr.com

Have a great day/night, wherever you are! Thank you for watching my page.

Hello, 'ello, 'ello!

A little FAQ journal to answer some questions that have been popping up in comments which I haven't had the chance to answer individually.

About the Dragon Age Fan Comic:

1. When is the next update?
Ah! I would love you give an exact date, but I can't. The comic is a hobby and I work on it when I can.

2. How long did the recent chapter take you to complete?
Eeek! I'm afraid to say. XD Ittookme6months. •_• I hope the next chapter will take a fraction of that time.

3. Will the comic be printed into a book and sold?
No. This is a comic based on a computer game and featuring registered characters created by Bioware. I'm not even entirely sure if I should be doing a fan comic. However, it is free for all to enjoy... until I get shut down by lawyers, that is. But the game is awesome! Go buy it and play it! *wink*wink*

4. Will Zevran come back?
Yes?

5. When will Zevran come back?
He is Zevran! No one knows, but he.


About commissions

1. Are you accepting commissions?
I'm still closed for commissions. I hope to open slots soon, but I won't be able to handle the extra work load at the moment.

2. No more fan art commissions?
That is correct. I no longer take commissions of registered characters, however, I will be happy to do a commission of your original character (even if they exist in a fandom).

I know this sucks because I love drawing your OCs getting cozy with fandom hunks and vixens. Personally, although it is technically illegal to make money off of drawing a registered character, I wouldn't hesitate to commission an artist I love to draw me a picture of a character I love. But... phffft... copyrights and fan art is such a hairy issue, so just to be safe, I'm going to say 'no' to orders containing registered characters.

3. Do you take requests?
Sorry, I don't take requests.

Oh heck! I'm finally done with the next chapter to Nara's story!!



Thank you all who watch my page! You guys help fuel the fire to keep me going with this comic!

Updating my journal because my dA page has been so stagnant!! D8 All's good over here in Roo land. Just busy. Hope you are all well and happy.

Hello there!

I'd like to address some notes I've been receiving lately about the comic. Please understand that Nara: The Grey Warden is a personal endeavor and is not a priority in my daily schedule. I work on it when I can. Although I appreciate the enthusiasm, noting me with things like "hurry it up" or "why are you drawing other things and not the comic?" will not help me finish pages faster.

For those curious, I am changing the format of how I release the comic on dA. I'd like to try posting them as downloads in chapter form. There will be 12-15 pages per chapter. This will lengthen the wait time, but it will be a more complete read compared to a disjointed page by page update.

Thanks again for your support and for those who have been so patient! It is nice to see the same deviants hanging around my page from when I started my dA account a little over 2 years ago.

I think this is the longest I've been away from deviantART. My gosh, I've missed it!

Oh no wait... last year I was away from it or 3 months. But wow, it feels just as long.

I'm more active on tumblr these days. It's where I post my random doodles and unfinished artwork. I'm trying to keep my dA gallery for finished pieces and the comic. Join me if you're on there: roorurooster.tumblr.com

Speaking of the comic, it's not abandoned. I'm working on it and would like to release several pages in batches instead of updating it page by page like how I used to. Life has gotten busier for me and I'm trying to find ways to balance out my time. Sorry for leaving it hanging.

Hope you're all well!

Ah, another year is almost over!

I can't thank you guys enough for your support and comments, especially with the comic. It has been slow going recently, but I assure you, I will see to it that I complete my little fanfiction pet project. I know what it feels like never knowing the end of a story that you're following (ahem... Battle Chasers *cough* )

I've been on deviantArt for 2 years this December and, although there are some bad eggs within the community, I must say that the positive and constructive feedback I receive overall overshadow the negative ones. I should grow a thicker skin. I brought this up because I've seen many deviants get discouraged on deviantArt and want to leave. Don't be. It happens to all of us. We just need to continue doing what makes us happy and not lose sight of that.

Hope you all will have a great holiday with family and friends!

I just wanted to update the latest amount that has been raised for Doc's heart valve operation. It's off the charts!! I repeat: You. Are. All. AWESOME!



In other news, I've just completed my last freelance job for the year (unless something else comes along) which means I can get back to the comic and outstanding commissions!! W00t!

AH! When it rains, it pours. But it's all good! I've just been hired to work on a car ad campaign. I'm super stoked and... OMG so nervous. Hope I do a good job and if all goes well, maybe I'll get to share the project in my dA gallery.

I have to put my dA shenanigans on hold for a bit. I haven't been playing "Skyrim" either and it's killing me! haha. Anyways, just wanted to update my loyal watchers about my whereabouts as I've been MIA recently.

Take care all! Nara will be back, she's taking a little holiday.

I bought my copy of "Skyrim" yesterday. Ya'll know what THAT means. My soul will be sucked into the XBox. I'll try my best to keep updating the comic, but I just wanted to let you know that uploads may be sporadic. :3

A reminder about the awesome Calendar Project to raise funds for 's heart valve surgery! If you're able, please buy a calendar or donate a little something. We're about halfway to USD2,000! Go to 's page to read about how you can help. Thanks!

Hey all!

Some of you may have heard about the Calendar Project we're doing to raise funds for 's heart valve surgery. If you haven't, we're trying to raise USD2,000 to help ease those hefty hospital bills for our dear friend.

A band of deviants, including myself, are taking part in creating a Heroes & Champions 2012 Calendar featuring our own OCs. A digital copy of the calendar will be sold for USD15.  There are also great prizes to be raffled away, like a Promo A4 image of Fenris signed by Gideon Emery at 2011 MCM Expo in London, for folks who donate more than USD15. Sounds good, eh?

Head over to 's page and find out how you can save a friend's life by buying a calendar or donating a few dollars. A little goes a long way!

Thanks for reading!

I'm probably the last person to write a journal about this. Sorry!

If you're looking for commissioning art and help someone in need at the same time, then check this out.

The deal.
Fellow deviant has heart valve disease. A band of deviants have decided to help her cope with her hospital bills.

How can you help?
Commission artwork from one of these artists! For more info, visit 's journal [link] .

ART COMMISSIONS

      

LITERARY COMMISSIONS

      

Comment with links to your fan arts and fics about Zevran.



I'm trying to remedy the lack of this sexy Antivan in my fan comic and folks bugging me about his return since his departure. Y'know, distance does make the heart grow fonder. Begging me to get him back in front and center a.s.a.p. only makes me grin with devilish glee. *cackle* I hear ya, this Howe business can get a little dreary, but I'm trying to liven it up with ice boxers!

Oookay, so I'll get it started. Please comment with your favorite links too!

Zevran's PoemI met her on a summer's day
The trap was set, the plan put in play
The mage lured them into our reception
She fought with fury as she realised the deception

I could not hold against her might
And soon enough, she had won the fight
"What to do with you," she pondered
"Let me join you," I responded

Her companions shouted a resounding "NO!"
But the look in her eyes said it would be so
She asked for my name as she looked in my eyes
I told her my name was Zevran Arainai

We worked together against the Blight
And then I asked her at camp one night
"Care for a massage I learned in Antiva?"
Little did she know how I would deceive her

W Simple GiftsNara Mahariel was freezing her ass off.

Wearing her Wade-Wear™ pea coat had seemed like a brilliant idea that morning, but the windless, clear day had given way to a breezy, snow-filled evening. Fortunately her car was parked only four blocks away from the office and since the snow hadn't been falling for long she could probably still drive home.

It was Yulemas Eve and despite the holiday, Nara had elected to go into work. Politics never slept, and this was especially true for the Dalish embassy. On Tuesday the Landsmeet would hold hearings on the current state of elven equality; an upcoming trade negotiation with Kal'Hirol was schedul

Edit: Oh hang on. In composing this journal, I forgot to gush about him. HAH!

Hmm... well, on my first playthrough, my mage character did not romance Zevran. As I've mentioned before, I played DAO not knowing any of the characters could be romanced, so my mage fell into an accidental romance with Alistair. Damn Chantry Boy, so easy to love. It was only during the last moments of the game right before the final battle that I learned what a tragic character Zevran was. I enjoyed listening to his stories, and loved how he became more endearing with each tale. But alas, it was too close to the end and no tent time was spent, no earrings exchanged. His loyalty to the Warden at the end of the game made me forget that my mage was dumped several hours before.

Zev is someone you'd want watching your back (heh heh), and if he does turn on you, well, then you've probably done something to break his loyalty.

I feel like I've been sorta MIA from dA these few weeks. Hope you're all well. And thank you for the points! I'm sorry that I haven't gotten the chance to thank you individually. I'll need to get cracking on a contest so we can share the love.

Also, I'd like your opinion about the fonts I use in my fan comic. I'm thinking about changing them to the standard fonts used in comics because the current one I'm using looks a little weak, but I'm afraid it will break the flow of the pages with a sudden change.

Are you okay with the current typeface, or should I change it to the typeface shown here: [link] ?