I should really be smacked for not updating often It's just that I figured since I don't watch the journals of other people, no one would be interested in what I have to say...^^'It's just that writers write and artists do artsy stuff...it's very rare that you find a person who does both well. It's like whistling and snapping. Usually one or the other. Rarely both.

ANYWAY, back on topic, I actually took a trip to Japan this week , and have gone to several different art stores, and have found them worth telling you about.

First is screentone. Those who have attempted at authentic manga have probably heard of such a thing. If not, it's the texture effects you find in manga that comes in sheets. Those in the US usually try to addapt without it because it's difficult to find, but in Japan, they actually sell them in stores. They're as easy as finding books, there were shelves and shelves of 'em! My gawd, it was so awsome!

Have you ever heard a manga artist advise you not to use american written how-to-draw-manga books? I have, and at first I was like, whatever, if it looks good, I'll buy it. However, that was before I actually got my hands on an actual Japanese how-to-draw book. I got one on perspective, and although I cannot understand any of the writing, it was much more helpful than any of the english books I've read in my whole life. I'm not exaggerating when I say that Japanese how-to-draw books kick american how-to-draw books in their asses.

I swear I could practically LIVE at the art stores. There were so many things there that were made ESPECIALLY for manga drawing such as copic markers, the feather duster, pens that use ink form a bottle, manga paper, and other tools. Usually, we need to adapt the tools we could get our hands on in the US to use on our drawings...but they have it all in one convienant store...

So I advise to anyone that is going to Japan that is a manga aritst, BRING MONEY! It's hella expensive, but soooo worth it. (The markers I bought were 3 dollars a piece) Buy as many things as you can that catch your eye, especially books!

so that all I had to say about the state of bliss I was in while there Hope you get the chance to go there yourself!

P.S. sorry I haven't submitted anything in a while, I'm actually almost done with the project I'm doing now. It's just one that has taken a lot of overdoing. Gomen nasai and arigatou gozaimas for reading!

P.S.S. Eat sushi when you're there too..a LOT of it...the most delicious sushi evah!