Misty by the Stream (*/F, foot and side)

[Low_Roads]

This will be something in the nature of an experiment. Not as far as the artwork is concerned... that's a pretty straightforward Pokemon tickling scene (Bulbasaur/Misty: side and foot). But I've also included a piece of Pokemon poetry. It's a few years old and has no tickling content (at the time, I had no idea there was any such thing as a "tickling community"), but I've always been proud and fond of these pieces (I wrote dozens) and want to share them. Since this first has Bulbasaur as its subject, I thought it might be a nice compliment to the art.

Let me know what you think. If everybody hates the idea (or thinks this is the wrong venue), no harm done. At least I got the inspiration for a new picture. If there's enthusiasm, I plan about a dozen more such submissions, featuring poem-specific Pokemon and various Pokemon ladies (Misty, Jessie, Joy, Jenny, that new brunette gal, etc.).

"Bulbasaur's Wild Glide"

Many, many ages past,
A Bulbasaur became aghast
About the sad conditions on the ground.
Although he knew he couldn't fly,
He reasoned he'd be happy
High beyond the trees, where feathered things abound.

He took stock of his squatty form
And saw that it was not the norm
For animals who have to soar and glide.
An artificial method of
Attaining his sweet dream above
Was needed, ere his theory could be tried.

He thought that, from a Spearow's nest,
Abandoned quills might prove the best
Of any air equipment he could stow.
With pinions in each leafy vine,
He clambered up the nearest pine
To gaze upon the valley far below.

He gathered up his pluck and skill
And heaved himself into the chill air,
Fanning it for all that he was worth.
He'd just about attained the right
Technique he'd need to make his flight,
When his poor body impacted the earth.

Our Bulbasaur attained his wings:
Though scientists distain such things,
In matters of the spirit, what do they know?
He sits serenely on a cloud,
His smile benign, his manner proud,
Adorned with golden feathers and bright halo.

FSJIV

* * *

By the way, let me encourage all artists or aspiring artist to check out daiconV's art thread "oekaki?" Please read the discussion and take part in the poll. I'm not intimately familiar with the technology, but it sounds as though it could be a great boon to this forum.

 

[Budweiserbob!]

*sniff* beautiful!

 

[Low_Roads]

Ha! 😀 Thank you, Budweiserbob! 😀 Yeah, it's a real tear-jerker, alright (a jerk was involved with its creation, anyway).

 

[nessonite1]

I can't say I've ever seen Pokemon Poetry but Im sure that rates among the best 😛 😀 I've seen tickling poetry and I generally find it much too silly. 😛
Uber cute piccy too...my my how Misty has blossomed!!

 

[Low_Roads]

Thank you so much, nessie! 😀 You're too kind! You're right about Misty. I was anxious to make sure she looked adult instead of like a kid. Think she minds?...

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Its definitely a good combo, the picture and the poem.

 

[Low_Roads]

Delighted you liked it, Vlad! Thank you!

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Its one of the better Pokemon fanarts I've seen actually. You're obviously paying attention to detail. Thats good.

 

[Low_Roads]

Thanks for noticing, Vlad. Yeah, I spent a good deal of Saturday collecting reference screenshots from fansites and doing thumbnails. I had to, since I'd never attempted an anime-inspired picture before. It's not as easy and you and ness make it look. Those deceptively simple design elements need to be handled just right before they work. I could be happier with the result... the hands didn't come out exactly as I wanted (I started falling back on my old design tricks, which are rather coarse... one needs to employ finese when dealing with anime girls...), and the head looked far better in the pencil sketch than after it was inked. Practice should improve technique, and I intend to get plenty of that.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Yes. Practice doesn't make perfect, but it sure as hell helps. LOL

 

[Kalamos]

Reviving older threads I overlooked.

Thumbs up.

 

[rajee]

Cute and cool. 😀

 

[Low_Roads]

Thanks K! Delighted, as ever, with the lofted digits! This one goes back a ways (well, in my time-frame); my first Pokemon submission! The artwork is primarily an excuse to share these old poems, an opportunity I wouldn't have otherwise. Well, a project is a project! I still have about half a dozen workable ideas, so it should be a healthy series once I'm through.

Thank you, rajee! Summer heat always puts me in mind of streams, pools, lakes... any extent of refreshing water! So I particularly appreciate your "cool" compliment!

 

[Kalamos]

Got opposable thumbs. Will raise them.

...

On a more serious notice, a full series would be fun.

 

[Low_Roads]

I actually had a poem for every one of the 250 Pokemon that existed at the time (before this latest series... Ruby, Emerald, Alabaster... whatever). Well, to be truthful, I'd often combine several of the little beasts in a single poem, just to keep things manageable. But each one got a reference, at least. Wish I could claim that all these verses were masterpieces, but many were short (only a rhymed couplet in some instances), and others were pretty poor. I've only picked my favorites to inspire pictures... that's why the choices have been so erratic. Fortunately, a few high profile Pokemon made the cut: I still have Meowth and Pikachu to do. A good thing... what would the series be without Pikachu!

 

[nessonite1]

There is a new set of Pokemon? heh I never knew.
I used to really like them but I never really enjoyed it after they added to the first 150 or so.

 

[Low_Roads]

I've lost track myself. I think the total's up to three hundred and something now. It's just too much effort to keep up to date anymore. I've really enjoyed the games and the TV series (always admired their innocence and simplicity), but the dynamic really hasn't changed at all over the years. Fan fatigue is inevitable, seems to me.

 

[Kalamos]

Well, unless they inject more adult topics... but Pokemon Advance [the game] used to be fairly complex already, with variable genestocks, specialty training and improved breeding.

I guess they are simply aiming for newer players and audience.
It's often like that. Older fans get bored [and older], newer fans get into the picture.

Have you done something for the Blaziken? Just wondering.

 

[coloman]

I like the picture and the poem, thanks for sharing them both with us. I enjoy writing poetry myself so I especially liked this poem and as I told you before the one you included with your other post. Maybe we could collaborate on something with you creating the artwork and me penning a poem to go along with it. Please let me know if you would like to do that.

 

[Low_Roads]

No, no Blaziken poems (or attending pictures) I'm afraid. The whole Torchic line came along after my friends and I stopped trading Pokemon verse, around mid-2001. Just as well, as I'd run out of fire-related themes to hang new poetry on. Here are my Charizard and Cyndaquil poems instead. Might as well share them, since I won't be adapting these guys into illustrations. This is probably what a Blaziken poem would have sounded like. Gotta warn ya, though... they're both pretty silly:


“Torch Song”

Anxious Ash trains Charizard
In a technique that’s been barred.

Mr. Ketchum’s not above its
Use to gain the badge he covets.

They attempt this risky move,
Hopeful that their skills improve.

Charizard spits too much heat,
Wrapping Ash up in a sheet.

Ash combusts for quite awhile,
Downcast at the sloppy style.

Nothing’s left at Brock's return.
He sifts Ash into an urn. FSJIV


“Twenty Pound Marshmallow ( Toasted )”

Cyndaquil,
Oh where’s my pillow?
Did you eat it in the night?
You did, thank you!
Now I’ll spank you!
Yiii! Don’t set the bed alight! FSJIV

***

John, a collaboration sounds like fun! Let me know what sort of picture (what specific elements) would inspire you most and I'll work on one. And , should you want to, please feel free to contribute a poem to any picture I have produced or will produce in the future. Such additions could only enhance the experience!

 

[Hungarian21]

Well, u weren't kidding with your poetry. Cute pic! 😀

 

[coloman]

I read your note Littlebighead. so let me think a while about what sort of picture would inspire me most. I will also consider writing poems for the pictures I have already seen because that will help me write a poem for an original piece of your artwork. I usually come up with a key word that gets me going on the first line or two of a poem and then I go from there but thinking of specific elements for the picture should help me as well. Sometimes it takes longer for me to get inspired to write a poem and I am also a barbershopper and that keeps me busy too so it might take me a while to come up with a poem good enough to go with your excellent artwork.

 

[Low_Roads]

Ooops! Missed this one last night! Thanks once more, Hungarian! Actually, I'm frequently kidding with my poetry! :laughing: Much of it is pretty goofy indeed!

I completely understand what you mean about inspiration, John. The muse in charge of my poetry is very inconsitent (I think she vacations a lot). Back when I was writing these Pokemon rhymes, I was turning out maybe two or three a night. Now, I doubt I could do one at all. The mind-set just isn't there anymore and it would take a great deal of effort to recapture. Please don't feel any pressure. Produce when the spirit moves you. I plan to be a member of the TTC for a long, long time, and you should always be able to reach me through PMs.

 

[Kalamos]

Those poems would really work in a wacky fairy tales book.
Whoever suggested it - can't remember the post right now - was right about it.

Dunno if it would fit in your schedule, but who knows?

 

[Low_Roads]

Thanks K! Nessie once mentioned that my art style would probably be right of kids' illustrations. Having checked out a few childrens' titles in Barnes and Nobel, I can see her point.

As for the poetry... I probably should have signed a contract with Nintendo before putting in all that effort. :laughing: What I really ought to do is become industrious and write a whole new original series. It's a long-shot at the moment, but I've still got plenty of productive years. I could still happen! 😉