Scanner still being fucktons retarded. I finally found out how to persuade the stupid thing to adjust contrast and exposure (Half-assedly... it still doesn't do blackpoint and whitepoint nor does it do proper exposure, it only fakes it by adjusting end-file values), but now it only scans 8 1/2x11" pages despite having an 11x17 bed.

Duly noted: Not buying a Brother scanner again. I'm sure I'll persuade it to be Less Stupid ™ eventually, but... guh. I should not have to tame my fucking technology! Contrast had to be corrected in Photoshop, and the colors are still somewhat off.

In any case, a brief passage by Kishiro Yoshitaka comes to mind, when I look at this piece:

"If one is to imagine the perfect sword, that can cut and swing with no resistance, a sword that is an extension of the mind and heart of the warrior who wields it, and not a dead weight of steel, then it becomes clear that the sword is of little consequence compared to the will of the strategist. Those who would master the way must come to understand this: A sword is a tool whose purpose is to cut. Each day the strategist must practice this until it is not practice, but a part of their spirit. The strategist knows that every sword they wield is perfect, for their will is perfect, and it is through their will alone that they win battles..."

Deep stuff. I figured given Naomi's character background as a crafter, the weird conception of a 'perfect sword' made sense. Yet another minor eyesore artistically out of me. I'm going to take a shot at digitally coloring the inkwork as an experiment sometime, but in the meantime, I have two more requests pending. Allester, you're next in line to have your image brutalized. :(

Prismacolor pencil and micron ink on bristol.