Hello dear readers and welcome to the first update for 2009! 2008 was wonderful even if we had only half a year together. Let's hope 2009 will be complete and better. Recently I've been playing nothing but Rondo of Swords. It gets better but harder. I'd like to start Persona 4 soon, but I don't know when I'll be able to. For now, let's see what was submitted recently.

Featured this week is TomR's Final Fantasy Tactics piece. Having posted several of his submissions, I've come to notice this artist likes to try different styles and play with the medium. His pieces are very dynamic and personal and Agrias is no exception. The drawing is gestural, literally like a painting on canvas, with strong and saturated colors. The deep shadows really help set the mood and accentuate the colors' presence. The characters feel like they are solid, not drawn and flat figures.

Aurian has sent several summoned monsters submissions lately, and this week, we get to have a look at two of them, the first one being a dragon inspired by Bahamut. This one looks quite friendly, in comparison with Aurian's previous Bahamut. This one features very interesting textures, and this is probably related somehow with the medium. The second picture stars Valefor, colored in the artist's signature watercolor technique. Unfortunately, this one is yet again small in size, so try your best to enjoy the textures and colors. Personaly, I like the light reflection on the chain best. There are many kinds of contrasts in this picture. The strongest one is probably the purple and yellow juxtaposition. Next, the warm and cool colors, a solid contrast between the monster and the background. Since the character's lines are mostly curvy, it would have been interesting to have some straight lines and shapes in the background, but this one is still fine.

No worries here, I haven't skipped Red's picture. One of many of his Earthbound submissions, this one takes the characters to Summers. What I like in Red's Earthbound submissions is to look at the scenery. There's always interesting stuff to find. Once again, you will instantly recognize the Earthbound style here, and not because of the characters. The stairs, the benches, the umbrellas, the big sign; everything is there. Good attention to detail and a sense of humor is what makes this piece interesting, from my point of view, since they help establish the drawing as an Earthbound submission and give it life.

And this is it for the regular update. There are no themes submissions this week, but make sure to read the comics. This week, Final Fantasy VI Comic's chapter 2 begins with Locke visiting Arvis in Narshe. What will happen next!? See you next week to know exactly what! Also next week: there are no new submissions! Please send in fan art so we can have a nice column. I do have a few pieces, but I'd like to have a full column. Thank you, and see you next week!

Maxime Viventi is finding 2009 to be very cruel so far