Self-Portrait as a Cardassian

[Nerys Ghemor]

I really wasn't expecting this last night and today...but it's something I've wanted to try drawing for MANY years and finally accomplished: a self-portrait in the form of a Cardassian.

The outfit is a cross between one that a young Iliana Ghemor was seen wearing in "Second Skin," and the ones worn by Natima Lang and Releken in "Profit and Loss," along with some of my own design ideas. As for the hair, I decided not to go with the geisha-like do's Cardassian women are most commonly depicted with--I opted for the braids instead since that's something I might actually be tempted to do with my hair if it were straight.



PLEASE visit this link for full-view (click the pic once you're on the page): http://www.sheezyart.com/view/1878511/

I have to tell you, this is a really weird one for me to see!

One thing I also began to notice as I drew this was the strong Art Deco influence on my style and approach--especially when it comes to the way I handle the shading and blending. While I recognize it isn't the most realistic style, there's something about the aesthetics I really like. (It also happens that, in my personal view, Cardassian architecture and fashion, as depicted on Deep Space Nine, reminds me of a sort of "dark Deco"...I honestly don't understand why so many of the DS9 characters react to it like it's ugly.)

[Santaman]

Nice job. I wish I could draw like that.

[Venardhi]

Do you have a picture for comparison?

The one thing that stands out for me is the spoon looks a bit off, less refined than the rest of the face, and possibly a bit too big.

[Nerys Ghemor]

Thanks for looking, guys!

Santaman--I find most people tend to sell their own potential short, when it comes to their drawing skills. Give it a shot...you'll probably do better than you thought.

Venardhi--Not planning on posting my real pic online, sorry. I just don't do that...not here or anywhere.

As for the "spoon," I did decide to be a little less delicate with it. The width takes its cue from the roundish shape of my face. The prominence...well, I decided to make that and the eye-ridges more prominent based on something you might find amusing: in real life, I refuse to tweeze my eyebrows like most of the people where I live (which I find creepy--it makes all the women around here look like clones), so while they're not bushy or anything, they're a bit more prominent than most of the locals...but ya know what? I am pleased with the way I look. I took the same attitude here in the drawing--not being really delicate with the ridges...and I am still, overall, pleased with the result even if it's not perfect.

Honestly, I don't mean for this to sound like arguing. I can see why you felt that way. I just thought I'd explain what was running through my mind as I drew.

[Shawnster]

You know, this might be a good idea for the monthly art contest.

[Nerys Ghemor]

Shawnster wrote:

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You know, this might be a good idea for the monthly art contest.

IF this became the contest, would this piece be eligible?

[Venardhi]

No, entries have to be done specifically for the contest.

[EmperorKalan]

Venardhi wrote:

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Do you have a picture for comparison?

The one thing that stands out for me is the spoon looks a bit off, less refined than the rest of the face, and possibly a bit too big.

I noticed the size too.

"Do big spoons run in your family?"

[ThomastheCat]

[quote=EmperorKalan;2020293]

Venardhi wrote:

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"Do big spoons run in your family?"

Best. Pickup line. Ever.

[Nerys Ghemor]

[quote=ThomastheCat;2020644]

EmperorKalan wrote:

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Best. Pickup line. Ever.

Oh boy...I can just imagine a whole slew of Cardassian sayings that might exist, ranging from the simply funny to the completely bawdy...

[Praetor]

I'll say it again, Nerys, since you linked here from "That's Me" - this is really nice work.

[hellsgate]

Interesting.

Iliana Ghemor of the A.Q. Alliance vessel, Kenya. Starfleet's first Cardassian-involved Officer Exchange in 2382 during the onset of The Andak (Agricultural) Project. The Detapa Council demanded the participation of Ghemor as the Kenya's First Officer after releasing Thomas Riker from Lazon II as part of influence-bartering that produced The Gamma Quadrant Peaceful Exploration Treaty which curtly ended The Dominion War.

[Nerys Ghemor]

Praetor wrote:

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I'll say it again, Nerys, since you linked here from "That's Me" - this is really nice work.

Thank you very much for looking!

hellsgate wrote:

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Interesting.

Iliana Ghemor of the A.Q. Alliance vessel, Kenya. Starfleet's first Cardassian-involved Officer Exchange in 2382 during the onset of The Andak (Agricultural) Project. The Detapa Council demanded the participation of Ghemor as the Kenya's First Officer after releasing Thomas Riker from Lazon II as part of influence-bartering that produced The Gamma Quadrant Peaceful Exploration Treaty which curtly ended The Dominion War.

Curious: where did you get that bio? Is that from Star Trek: Online?

[hellsgate]

Nope. Just thought it up as an idea for a future fic. (Either your's or mine.) The Andak Project is definately Star Trek Online, but the rest is part of my own alternate Shatnerverse (Post-Nem) fic universe. The Kenya is a Loknar-Class upgrade in the TNG relaunch era.

http://www.angelfire.com/pe/Relentle...irisClass.html

[Nerys Ghemor]

Ahh, I see.

I've actually cast myself into a different fic of mine, though. It's one I haven't really written much on yet, and it's barely above a cameo role...but "my" name in that drawing would actually be Instructor Setal Teron. "Instructor" is the title for a schoolteacher. (You'll notice that title is carried with pride--schoolteachers get a lot more respect in Cardassian society than they do in American society.)

The story...is actually a romance. (Though I intend it to be largely family-friendly.) Instructor Teron's just a side character, though--friend to one of the main characters.