This one was a looong time in the execution. Not that it took a long time to draw; just that a sizeable chunk of time passed between the first drawing and the finished art. The original linework is dated 1993, and I seem to remember that basic flat colors were also aded at that time. And then I put it aside, because I wasn't satisfied with the face I'd drawn on her at the time. "I'll fix it soon," I kept thinking to myself.

"Soon" becomes 2005, and a lot had changed, including Tetsuko's physique; I had to give her bigger arms and bosom to bring her in line with what's become her "official" look.

Another reason for the delay in getting this pic finished was that I wanted to put in a background that would better suggest that she's sitting at the counter of a diner or coffee-shop. Ultimately, though, I decided that "simpler is better", at least in this case, so I left the colors flat and the background undifferentiated. And it seems to work; I got a good reaction to this pic when it was posted to the Amaz0ns message board.

Interesting question, though, that I haven't been able to answer yet: would Tetsuko be a regular at Starbuck's?

© 2006 David C. Matthews