This is a collaboration between Amy Fennel and myself. My "clear Line" inks, and her use of Fractal Painter. Asheru seems to be observing a firelit scene below her. She carefully edges out on the cliff to take a better look. Pen 7 Ink plus Fractal painter. Scott Ruggels/ Amy Fennel 4 / 3 0 0 3

a further exploration into the manga style. This time the core cast of "Asheru's Journey". Magnus, the young lord, The Armsmaster, The Elderly Scholar, and our Heroine, Asheru. this was done after watching a lot of Slayers Next, and reading the CPM Manga version of Lodoss Wars. fundamentals stay the same, but the style guides are different. Interesting. G-Pen nibs, Deleter ink, Photoshop tones, on sketch paper. Scott A. H. Ruggels 8 / 2000

Ha Haa! The fear in their voices, the shudder of their revulsion was as to me the savory scent of a fine meal, after a week in adesert. Their fear gave me energy, and with that energy my plan of evil was born! I expect your eyeballs to be cast to my feet now, and I laugh at your pitiful wailing! Here, the true measure of a "Style chameleon" is writ most dangerously! Asheru as a Manga chaacter! Muhwah ha ha ha haaa! Fear me! Steel dip pen (G-pen) inks (D-Letter), and computer zips. StyleChameleon 8 / 2000 (repost to correct Katakana)

People were interested in some of my Jaggiri work, that I did, with more than a little assistance of Blythe "Collie" Collier. In looking through my work Hard drives I found a document from "The Wild Hunt" days of around 1992-3. In it was some I thought I might share some of it from the time capsule, and show people, that once I sucked big time too. These are two armoured Jaggiri, note the shorter muzzles and the lack of solid anatomy. Both traits common to my Jaggiri before I read a lot of Dinosaur anatomy books. Pencil on Paper Scott A. H. Ruggels 7 2001

Here are two other Jaggiri fighting. The one on the attack is supposed to be the 'Crown Princess" equivalent to the Jaggiri, engaging in sword practice, but this shows the difference between Noble's armour, and the regular stuff. Again a spike on the hock, and the mushy skulls are somewhat an embarassment to me today. I got better. Pencil on Paper sometime around 1992 or 3. Scott A. H. Ruggels 7 2001

Now She has a name. Her name is Asheru. Really Soft pencil (7B) on Bristol. Scott Ruggels 2/2000

Here are some head studies of Asheru, to get a handle on her markings. Lots of Coffee table Wolf books I looked through. Soft 7b Pencil on Bristol. Scott A. H. Ruggels 2/2000

Here Asheru grabs serious air, before striking with her longsword. Not to confident in the maneuver, she is at least showing some grace. 7B pencil on Bristol. Scott Ruggels 2 / 2000

Low and Sneaky, she moves quietly, weapon at the ready. 7b Pencil on Bristol. Scott Ruggels 3/2000

John Gilmartin posted on yerf.binaries, some tips from his instructors on sketchbooks. They suggested eschewing the pencil, and sketching directly with inks. So... here's Asheru, tracking, and she has found something. Ink on recycled sketchpaper. Scott A. H. Ruggels 3 / 2000

Here Asheru practices her lunge strikes, in front of a skeptical arms master. Pencil on paper. Scott A. H. Ruggels 5 / 2000

The tribe's weathered Armsmaster gives weapons instructin to Asheru, and her Brother, Shortly before they go off to visit civilization. charles bronson was the "mental hook" I had for the armsmaster's character. Pencil on Paper. Scott A. H. Ruggels 5 / 2000

Asheru Sits in a field of flowers. Pencil on paper. Scott A. H. Ruggels 5 / 2000

Here we see Asheru negotiating with some primatives, far far off the trade routes. Skins and flaked rocks seem to be their gross GDP. Still, she's nice, respectful, and calm, despte the female in the back's opinion. pencil on paper Scott A. H. Ruggels 6 / 2000

Not to leave out the Asheru fans in the audience. Magnus speaks the truth, much to Asheru's dismay. i did this one in the middle of the "Timm " groove, just to make sure i wasn't getting too much "drift" Asheru looks lousy in the Timm style (as is shown in the images posted on "binaries". some DESIGNS don't fit certain STYLES. Pencil on paper. Scott A. H. Ruggels 7 2000

Not all of her sword work is practice. She Can fight. Here she parries and follows through on a spear charged by a lupine tribal male, with fatal results for her attacker. Pencil on paper Scott A. H. Ruggels 7 / 2000

Here Asheru brings home something for the pot. Using a bow type weapon would be difficult for anything with a long muzzle, and that is part of the advantage the Humans had over them in the past. The Lupines use slings as they are versatile, and cheap. Asheru is good, but not as good as her older brother with them. Pencil on paper. Scott A. H. Ruggels 7 / 2000

Mmmm Dinnertime. Here Asheru gets to eat of the efforts of her hunt. Barbecued Ptarmagen. Yummy. Last load of material before I am off to San Diego Comic Con. Have a good week, and I may see some of you there. Pencil on paper. Scott Ruggels 7 / 2000

While out on the training grounds, another Legion officer comes over to observe the odd activity. Female lupines of Noble birth live a life of leisure, and try to do as little as possible, in emulation of the Imperial high society. They would never lower themselves to a life in the service. Common females, such as this one /could/ be elevated to Noble status, but usually they serve in the legions, and if not invalided out or killed in action, return to their home areas with a moderate amount of separation pay, to buy property. Pencil on paper Scott A. H. Ruggels 8 / 2000

Later, when in the Legion offices, while the rest of the party confers and plans their route to the lands east, The female officer (Mara? Virinia?) greets Magnus in a familiar manner. Asheru Notes this. The officer is being prudent in cultivating a friendship with Lord Magnus,setting up her retirement. She can marry Magnus, enjoy some status, and good placement for her offspring. Magnus will get a competent bride, with some skill at logistics and managing the property. As it is, she's one of Magnus's few friends, and they get along smoothly. Pencil on paper. Scott A. H. Ruggels 8 / 2000

This originally was supposed to be an April Fool's joke, but I was late. Experimentation into seeing what other genres I could picture Asheru in, as well as playing with cover designs. Putting an old sketch, a lot of photoshop coloring (and innumerable layers) to placeher in a background, The building is in downtown San Mateo. Pen & Ink, with Photoshop mass construction. Scott A. H. Ruggels. 0 4 / 1 7 / 2 0 0 4 .

Asheru attempts to greet Magnus in the same fashion as she saw Magnus's friend do, in an attempt to refurbish his impression of her%85 Pencil on paper. Scott A. H. Ruggels 8 / 2000

%85Magnus, not pleased with Asheru's attempt at familiarity, lets his feelings on the subject be known. Pencil on paper. Scott A. H. Ruggels 8 / 2000

Three's a crowd... Pencil on paper Scott A. H. Ruggels 8 / 2000

after her encounter with Magnus, The Kindly scholar tries to cheer her up with a meal. pencil on paper. Scott A. H. Ruggels 8 / 2000

Not long after, Magnus recieves a stern lecture on the value of teamwork, and morale from the young noble and the armsman. The Young noble outranks him socially, and the armsman is probably more skilled than Magnus. Pencil on paper Scott A. H. Ruggels 8 / 2000

Trying different inking treatments for Asheru. to see how they work. I'll probably try other different types. different inking styles. G pen on recycled paper. Scott A. H. Ruggels 9 / 2000

Someone made a comment about how Asheru looked a little "under equipped". I counteresd that most folks travel light,and that before she could stow her stuff on the group's mules, she carried it in a blanket roll. Her equipment here is a blanket roll with a couple of blankets and some leather, tied around the shoulderstrap of a woven, tight weave net bag. In the bag are her tools, hunting suppies, water, and smal odds and ends. In the roll would be extra cloth tapes and materials to do minor repairs. Pencil on paper. Scott A. H. Ruggels 9 / 2000

Oooh Now she's >really< mad! Someone has really honked her off. Idon't think she's going to be very reasonable right now. Pencil on paper. Scott A. H. Ruggels 10 / 2000

Some hand studies, figuring out how her paws/hands look. They work like ours, but have pads and short fur. I would expect her hands to be fairly expressive. Pencil on paper. Scott A. H. Ruggels 10 / 2000

first thing in the morning magnus and the armsman are disagreeing rather loudly, and asheru puts her leg wraps on in wary silence. Pencil on paper. Scott A. H. Ruggels 10 / 2000

I bought some art supplies while at Comic-con last week. This piece was done to test out the brush tipped Copic Markers. They come in 3 sizes, with the largest being a standard Copic Marker, with one end being a foam tip brush (the other two being small brus tipped pens). The Good news is that Copic is making a push into the US market (and their US sales rep is an Art Teacher from Oregon). Their paper is good too. The bad news is they are pricey, though the markers are refillable. I like these pens. Done with small, medium, medium and large black Copic markers. Scott A. H. Ruggels 7 / 2001.

More practice with the Copic markers and inks. This was a little more planed out than the last time, and oddly, She's looking a little older, and a little more comfident. Nore stuff for an eventual Huzzah 'trib. Asheru, in training. Copic Markers on DELETER Manga bristol. Scott Ruggels 8 / 2001

Asheru investigates a suspicious noice in one of the tents. Pencil on Recycled Paper. Scott A. H. Ruggels 10 2001

A Very frightened Asheru. Pencil on recycled paper. Scott A. H. Ruggels. 10 2001

Asheru dodges back. Pencil on recycled paper. Scott A. H. Ruggels. 10 2001

A back shot of Asheru showing marking and costume details. (with a nod to Richard Bartrop on the pose). Pencil on Recycled paper. Scott A. H. Ruggels. 10 2001

It's getting to be towards winter and a characteristic of my Aunt's dog is for it to fluff out and thicken it's coat for Winter. That inspired some thoughts of Asheru's coat in winter. When is it too much? Copic Markers on recycled paper. Scott Ruggels 10 2001

As the Party makes ready to leave. Asheru is Introduced to imperial mules. Equal unfamiliarity with eachother leads to misunderstanding

The Armsman informs Asheru that the mules are quite capable of taking care of themselves, and she should probably keep her distance until they are accustomed to her. Pencil on paper. Scott A. H. Ruggels 7 / 2002

On their way Northeast, Asheru notes they will be passing by her pack's wintering place. She suggests that they go there, so as to stay at a friendly camp. The Humans agree, especially the Old Scholar. Once that is decided. Asheru lopes ahead. She greets her mother, the Alpha Female of her pack, and informs her to exoect some guests. pencil on paper. Scott A. H. Ruggels 12 / 2002.

Asheru then warns her mother about Magnus, and his low opinion of "Uncivilized Lupines", and his rude behavior. Her mother, the Female Alpha then discusses with her, what they might do. Mother smiles as she gets some ideas. "He may not like us, but he won't take us lightly", she says, "and we won't let him abuse our hospitality." Pencil on paper. Scott A.H. Ruggels 12 / 2002

From the latest Issue of Huzzah, #48. At the feast, Asheru wanted to sit with her friends, all of them so she asked Old Uncle, to sit at the same spread as the humans. The Old uncle was suspicious. and the mood was less than warm despite Asheru p-laying hostess. Pencil on paper. Scott A. H. Ruggels. 1 / 2000

..however after a bottle of Imperial Spirits (that the scholar gave to the Alphas as an impromptu gift) was opened and passed around, the mood lightened, and some of the social barriers were lowered. Old Uncle and the Armsmen had quite a lot to talk about. Pencil on Paper. Scott A. H. Ruggels 1 / 2003

From the upcoming final issue of Huzzah! (#49) The hunting in the desert was bad. Asheru had to spend longer and longer out in the field, hunting, and looking for water, ranging wider and wider. Following the scent of water, and%85something else, she crested a ridge and saw what appeared to be a human city in the distance. She quickly returned to the party, and informed them of what she found. It was agreed that they would head towards the city. Pencil on paper. Scott Ruggels 5 / 2 0 0 3

The city turned out to be a vast ruin. It went for more than a mile from edge to edge. The Scholar Suggested, that while being careful, they should see what they could find. And he would try and figure out who had built it. Pencil on Paper. Scott Ruggels 5 / 2 0 0 3

Asheru, however was distinctly uncomfortable. While the others moved through the ruins with a mood of shoppers at a market, Asheru was tense, and the strange noises or the peculiar scents or lack thereof made her very uneasy. She felt like she was being watched, and sounds, such as bricks calving off a decaying wall made her jump. She endured it, but moved quietly and paid more attention to her surroundings than the focused humans.

Excer[ted from the fourht part of "Asheru's Journey" appearing in the last issue of Huzzah! (#49). The Old Scholar also made another discovery, through of a grimmer nature. Inside a building was a room piled with skulls. The skulls were a mixture of human and lupine. There were a lot of them, but just the heads. Some with jaws still with them, some without. They looked piled rather than stacked.

This took a lot of the enthusiasm out of the party. Asheru , especially felt sad. For her, It felt that now she was looking back towards the spirits that had been spying on her. And it seemed all very unhappy. Subdued, the rest of the party cleaned up, and left the city. {encil on paper. Scott Ruggels 5 / 2 0 0 3

A color head study of Asheru. However, I had a LOT of help from Vantid on this one, to get the furr to not look so much like carpet. Thank you Vantid. :-) Pen 7 Ink, then a LOT of Photoshop, and some Painter from Vantid. Scott A. H. Ruggels 0 4 / 2 0 0 4 .