The Thumb Cinema Characters : The story of Tanuki-San

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Maybe you people have seen my Judo racoon illustration on my Etsy shop, but who is this character? What's his story?

Well, Tanuki-san was born for a College examn, where we were supposed to representate a sport through a short animation. At the very first moment I choosed Judo, because I love martial arts, and really the only interesting sports for me. So we had to do a lot of investigation of the sport to make the short film, along that I decided that my film should had a japanese traditional style. But who or what should be the main character? I really don't like animating humans very much, so I needed an animal. I choosed a racoon because it's a traditional japanese animal and it's the main character of many japanese folk tales, incluiding for they mischievous acts like robbing food.
I also think that one of the stereotypes of japan was the typicall Godzilla-like monster that terrorized the town, and I HAD to add something like that xD that's why Tanuki-san is a Giant Judo Racoon hahaha.



Here's the character Sheet for Tanuki-san, it explains several things about his personality :) Click to see it:



And the result of all this was this short, it's subbed in spanish but maybe you could understand it anyway. A giant judo raccon terrorizes a small japanese traditional town. He easts and drinks everything that crosses his way, and it's having a great time. The town people are very scared and call the town's protectors, who are a Sumo wrestler, a Karate-kid and a Samurai. With the power of Judo, tanuki-san defeats them all very easily until a small Judoka like himself challeges him. In the end, size or power didn't matter, because the little judoka knew how to use his opponent force in his favor. Tanuki-san leaves town defeated, but not wothout robbing the last montain of food he could!


Etsy Shop: Zaraillustrates

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Zara Picken is a talented English illustrator that sells prints of her wonderfull artwork at her Etsy Shop. I really loved all her minimalistic animal illustrations, that have a very special choice of colour and textures. Here are some of her items that you can find at her shop:

Cat Print:
"Original illustration of a cute and colourful cat,
perfect for cheering up any wall"

Nes Controller Print:
"Original illustration of a video game control,
spelling the words "game on""

Pipe Man Print:
"Original illustration of a thoughtful-looking pipe smoker,
perfect for adding a touch of old time sophistication any wall"

Polar Bear Print:
"Original illustration of a cute and colourful bear,
perfect for cheering up any wall."

You can see more of Zara Picken's work on her website, which can be found at
http://www.zaraillustrates.com, or her blog at http://www.zaraillustrates.blogspot.com.


Etsy Forum Picks 1

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Since the blog it's re-opening I decided to accept submissions from fellow Etsy artists to feature here :) I will be doing this periodically, just ask if you think your style and items suit the blog and want to be featured. Here are some items I liked on my first submission request:

The Stapelia Company's art:
This beautifull vampire original Sketchboard artwork was made through a very time consuming and meticulous process utilizing etching tools to scrape away an india ink surface coating to reveal the white board underneath.


Stacey Alberta's Eclectic studio:

She's just opened her Etsy shop recently
and sells her original abstract art.

Studiomme's Illustration Prints:
Who's afraid of a wolf? Beautifull and high quality print of
and original Red Riding Hood illustration.

Choumie7's beautifull pocket mirrors:
These are little pocket mirrors with exclusive illustrations
by Choumie. Very beautifull and practical!

LaughingFridge's Magnets:
Fat Cat's magnets! A really cute adition for
anyone's fridge. She has quite a lot of
variety of cats incluiding vampires and pirates.



The Thumb Cinema is Back!

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Hello everyone! I've just opened my Etsy shop again after months of inactivity. I have a new category now: Illustration prints! I decided to start making these because apart from being an animator I also wish to be a children illustrator someday so I tough to start now :) Also flipbooks take a lot of time to make (the animations) so I tough this way I can update often. Here are some of the new illustration line, some are available as 4x6, 5x7 and 6x8.
Tanuki-San, the Judo Racoon:
He's the giant Judo raccon that terrorizes a small japanese town.
Loves food, sake, and Judo. He only wants to have fun :)


Little King of the Jungle:
This little lion walks around the jungle very proudly like
he own all the place, maybe one day he will.
Stylish Little girl:
Very elegant walking around town with her new
French-like style outfit

Fats cats:
This is what happen when you overfeed your cats,
they still love you though! In fact they're happier than ever!
Under the leaves:
This little girl found herself surrounded by tall
and strange trees, it's probably a dream.
Little Cow and Milk:
She's very proud she's making the
best and most delicious milk around!