M-ARTS

Nov.2006

Kimiya Masago, a picture scroll artist, and Sui Morishita, a novelist, came to M-ARTS office.

beginning of 2007

Started to sculpt a Samurai's figure which is one of the characters in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" by Kimiya Masago. We set up the project team and got down to the creation.

Jan. 19th 2007

First prototype made by the craftsman.

Before making its detail, the prototype proportion was checked under supervision of Masago. Following the sentence, we introduce the whole story of "Liu Bei Xuande" which took 16 months to launch.
It was not good impression at first. The prototype got negative feedback from Masago. There is Masago's comment without modification below. (It has been approved by Masago)

Masago“I would like to say truly about the first prototype of Liu Bei. It is different impression of my original characters in Records of the Three Kingdoms.
This is because both characters are different from their deformation, I think. It has not taken in my graphic's characteristic yet. (I know, it is hard at first.) For example, Liu Bei in my works is eight or nine-head figure (According to a historical evidence, Liu Bei was 180 centimeters tall ), but your Liu Bei looks like six-head figure and also short legs.
I am afraid that it is difficult to modify its detail from the first prototype because its proportion is different from my picture. To be careful, it's not just to be larger the character. (if so, the horse would be looked smaller in comparison) The first prototype should be changed the balance of its proportion. (For example, to modify its head smaller, legs and arms longer, or shoulder broader.)
Although I required rigorous quality standards, its ends depends on how it begin. Please understand it. I just pointed out that I worried. As a result, I wrote just negative things. Sorry about that.
The detail of horse is great! I assume the horse was created by experienced craftsman. I would like to give a message for the craftsman. If the craftsman gets tip, which is my painting originality, he would make a marvelous figure. I wish good luck of the creation. In addition, I am not sure about face, but it is kind of a good now.”

Did we make the figure exactly from Masago's image and commercialize it? How did I tell the craftsman and improve the first prototype? It was possible to improve the prototype? The troubles never seem to end.

Jan. 31st. 2007

Modified its proportion from the first prototype significantly.

Masago“Oh my goodness, it got better! I was surprised”

Although the prototype still needs to modify, it is getting better from the first prototype.

Masago“I would like to give an advice to the craftsman. There is a trick to seem larger the character that is making its upper body smaller (especially face), so the horse looks bigger in comparison. It is the same way of using wide-angle lens to photographs and movies. In doing so, the character seems like smaller face and longer legs. If you make the horse smaller, the horse would look a pony or a donkey, and also the character would look smaller. When I draw a horse, I emphasize its muscle and drawing legs longer than it actually is.”

We got a shrewd advice.

May. 18th. 2007

Sculpted complete in every detail, and finally finished.

Color representation is one of the characteristics of Masago's picture. I don't know the finished figure until it cut the shape and painted the color even though the prototype was completed.

Aug. 2nd. 2007

Completed coloring sample

When a M-ARTS staff saw the sample, and said “it looks good, good job”But...

MasagoI pointed out some problems at last meeting, but it wasn't reflected for“Liu Bei.” It is totally different from my image. You know, when you look the figure from the side, it's not cool because its head is big and not standing straight.
I should have told the detail with my drawing at the last meeting surely. If it's possible to amend the character's shape (The horse is OK), I would like to modify it. I would appreciate your understanding.”

If modifying the its shape, it have to start from scratch.　　　　　　



On the same day, we received the specific data from Masago.

Masago“I don't know that it will meet the deadline, but I hope you to confirm it. I made this rough image quickly, but you will understand. It might be too straddled.
In addition, I drew the horse to understand the position between the character and the horse easily. Please just look at the character.”

Few days later, we received the more detail from Masago and were surprised.　　　　　　



For improving the figure, he indicated the detail of the sword, breast pad, pattern of its clothe, cloak, and so on. For Liu Bei, he redrew and offered us.
Masago's work was very touching. We will have to improve for the great work and make efforts.

Finally, the team decided to start from scratch.

Oct. 2nd. 2007

Improvement of the problems

Solved the biggest problem that the character is not standing straight.

Masago“For the character, it's OK for the detail and pose, but the proportion isn't good. Maybe the last time proportion was better than this time. According to a historical evidence, Liu Bei had longer arms and legs. In my picture, Liu Bei is eight or nine-head figure. Because of the photograph, Liu Bei seems like six-head figure and also too short arms and legs.
Can you modify arms and legs longer with the data that I sent before and three dimension printout? If it won't success, modify the face smaller.
I feel sorry about that I required a lot of things, but I want to make perfect work that everybody might satisfy.”

Oct. 10th. 2007

Prototype completion

There was only requirement to raise the horse's saddle and Liu Bei's body.

It took long time coming here. it's just around the corner to end. I'm excited for coloring.

Jan. 15th. 2008

Completed coloring sample

My first impression was that it was better to recreate the figure.

Jan. 17th. 2008

Completion

Masago“Can you change the color? For Liu Bei, muffler to be white, shawl to gold, and also belly band to gold partially. In addition, bottom to be black.”

Now all our efforts will go to success smoothly. The Liu Bei figure is in production for scheduled to go on sale on April 30th 2008.

Since these works passed strict supervision by him, we recommend these satisfactory works with confidence to all people who like statues.

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