http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:gerg002&section=today deviantART RSS for by:gerg002 en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:53:17 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/28630797/ http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/28630797/ Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:22:26 PST
I hope you like my gallery!

]]> ~gerg002 http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/20651462/ http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/20651462/ Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:54:33 PDT
Anyway, I went on an anatomy course at the Prince's Drawing Trust in London over the summer, and I've uploaded some of my results of such an experience.

- Greg

]]> ~gerg002 http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/14211292/ http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/14211292/ Fri, 17 Aug 2007 12:45:24 PDT
- gerg

]]> ~gerg002 http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/8470247/ http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/8470247/ Fri, 14 Apr 2006 14:39:14 PDT
I've got new art to upload!

Most of those who actually look at my work should have realised by now a certain drought of art being uploaded into my gallery the past couple of months. Luckily, that drought should soon end, as my Marvel VS. series of artwork starts to materialise.
I ditched the idea of having an A4 drawing for each pair, and yesterday decided to do an A3 drawing featuring all the fighters. It's going pretty well, and should be finished over the weekend. Unfortunately the Easter holidays mean I won't have access to an A3 scanner at school until the 24th at the very least, so you may not see it until then.

I hope it lives up to any expectations - it is certainly becoming one of the best pieces I've produced.

- gerg

]]> ~gerg002 http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/7896198/ http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/7896198/ Tue, 14 Feb 2006 14:12:15 PST
I'm just posting to say that I am still am doing art and stuff, and that soon there should be an influx of art and all.

The first thing I've done and am nearly ready to post about is that I've made a model of Jack Skellington, for an art project at school. Well, I'm nearly there, but after half-term finishes I should be able to get some turnarounds of the final model. The (more?) interesting aspect of it is that I've made it out of MiniMate pieces, which, for the 'ignorant' (for a lack of a better word) among you, are little 2" collectable block figures. Look it up on Wikipedia and you should get a rough idea.

Images, though? They're a slight problem, as unlike my previous photographed exlpoits, there are much more than three photographs to put up. I'd rather not reduce them onto one post as they're pretty blurry as it is (for bad camera skills look straight at me), so the best I can do right now is redirect you to here: [link]

^It's my thread on the forums of the producers of MiniMates: Art Asylum. If you read it from start to finish, whilst you may not understand the direct references I'm making to certain MiniMates, it should give you a decent understanding of what I intended to do when I started, and how it came to the finished project. For those who just want the eye candy, go to page three and there should be a brief run-down of the current model, with plenty of pics. enjoy!

Now, I also have some pictures planned, but it may take a while. I started, a while back now, a picture of 'my life', which was an A4 picture of characters from TV programs I like, games I like, comics I like etc. Basically, a whole compilation of the interests that make me, me. It sounds a bit corny, but I thought it'd be fun. Unfortunately, it's still in its blue pencil stages.

I also started a series of Marvel VS. pictures, which was a bunch of Marvel characters fighting other characters from different things. In other words, I'm planning on having:

*Wolverine vs. Darth Maul . The original picture - this arose from one of IGN's 'questions of the day': can a lightsaber cut through adamantium?

*Rogue vs. Phage the Untouchable. The latter character is one of the main characters included in a Magic: the Gathering set. Magic: the Gathering (MtG, Magic) is a cardgame I semi-collect (I've unoficially quit, i.e. I still say I'm interested but hardly play), and in the storyline of the sets she appears in, Phage is a character whose touch infects and diseases all organic matter and silk. I thought it'd be interesting to draw since the two characters can't use their super-human powers on each other.

*Galactus vs. the King of All Cosmos. Again, the latter character is the more unkown one. This time, such a character is also a game related one, but this time features in the 'Katamari' series of videogames. This idea also spawned from IGN, in which they said the best videogame comic would be a Galactus vs. the King of All Cosmos one-shot. Basically, two gigantic people fighting in space.

*Gladiator vs. the Commander. These two are pretty much neck and neck for unkwown-ness... ness. Although the character 'Gladiator' does feature in the X-Men series of comics from time to time, I don't think as many people would know him as those who know Rogue of Wolverine. Basically, just think a Superman-esque guy. Which, conicidentally, is a description of the Commander. It seemed interesting enough.

Anyway, that's what should be coming your way soon enough. Oh, and I plan on having Marvel losing in the Marvel VS. series - root for the underdog!

- gerg

]]> ~gerg002 http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/6675309/ http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/6675309/ Tue, 04 Oct 2005 05:55:28 PDT

So... happy new year! I think it's 5766 or something....

]]> ~gerg002 http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/6651977/ http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/6651977/ Sat, 01 Oct 2005 14:52:31 PDT
I'm also painting another picture, so hopefully that'll be done before hand.

- gerg

]]> ~gerg002 http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/6339728/ http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/6339728/ Sat, 27 Aug 2005 04:56:45 PDT Listening to: my new MP3 player! :D
Reading: Robin Hood
Watching: Star Wars: Episode IV

Okay, a few opinions to write, so I'll just cut to the chase:

Charlie & The Chocolate Factory - PG

This movie has been difficult to judge. I, and many others, have very fond memories of the original movie, so trying to redo it is hard. Beware: this film is different, very different. But whether or not that is a bad thing can be debated. For example, my brother hated the film. He said Willy Wonka is a Michael Jackson and the whole thing about his childhood was completely uneeded aswell as more. And that's true and that's how I feel too, but I think I took it for what it was. This new version is completely different from the original, but if you don't comapre each other you will enjoy a good film. They are very different takes, and I think I will end up owning both on DVD some time.
Overall - 7.5/10


Fantastic Four - 12A

I loved this film. It isn't the best thing out there, but it is a fun film. And it is (excuse the pun) 'fantastic'. Having just read quite a few Fantastic Four comic books, I can say the movie really replicates the fast paced action of the paper pages. But this style leaves out complicated backstories and the like, although I am more than certain that wasn't really intended. I love comics and superheroes, so this was great for me. It's simple at best, but fun to watch. Although rant mode is now initiated because of another stupid Stan Lee cameo!!! Why do they have to interupt the flow of a film to make someone say two lines of forced text and say them badly?!! ugh! But anyway, as I've said before, this film is fun and mindless if you must. It's not as deep as X-Men, but I don't think it was meant to be.
Overall - 8.5/9... if you forgive Stan Lee

I hope someone actually reads this, but oh well.

]]> ~gerg002 http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/6225269/ http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/6225269/ Sun, 14 Aug 2005 13:32:07 PDT Listening to: Dangerous
Reading: Robin Hood - at least I should be
Watching: Madagascar

Another review, enjoy!

Madagascar - PG

I saw Madagascar on Tuesday and although it's funny, it just doesn't live up to the pure ingenious of stuff like The Incredibles. Simply put, Madagascar may be a laugh while it lasts, it won't make you want to rush back and see it immediately afterwards.
The animation is fluid, and it's a very enjoyable film, but not very memorable. The voices are all very well done, and there are bits which will make you burst full of laughter. That granny packs a mean punch.
The storyline may be lacking though. The film isn't particularly long, and I think the plot could have been touched on a bit more.
Maybe it's just my tired state that's making me that much more critical, but in all honesty, Madagascar does not match up to Disney's Classics, or even Shrek and Shrek 2.
But I must commend the film on making me enjoy most of the film's ending credits, something I don't often like to watch.

*I like to move it, move it. I like to move it, move it. I like to: MOVE IT!*

Camp lemurs rule!

Overall - buy it on DVD. It's worth owning, but it doesn't live up to its hype when your sat in the cinema.

]]> ~gerg002 http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/6157189/ http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/6157189/ Sun, 07 Aug 2005 08:43:03 PDT
- coloured version of my ultra cool pic ^TM!
- Donkey Kong vs King Kong picture (DK wins! w00t!)
- pictures of a model of a Pirhana Plant from Mario that I made
- and scans of a picture of flowers I am planning to draw

Listening to: er... the opening one in The Emperor's New Groove
Reading: Edge #153 does that count?

Anyway, here are the reviews I said I'd make for dAGamers:

Mario vs. Donkey Kong – GBA

I bought this to entertain myself on the trip back home from a holiday to Switzerland, and simply enough, it fulfilled the job.
Basically, you play as Mario, trying to gather back all the Mini-Mario toys Donkey Kong has stolen when he realised his local shop had sold out. The game is originally split into six worlds, each with eight levels. The first six consist of two parts each; the first being a task to collect a key and bring it to a door and the second being to free the Mini-Mario toy. The seventh level gets you to gather these Mini-Mario’s into a toy box, and the eighth level is a boss battle, where your health at the start depends on your previous success in the previous level.
The game starts with a bit of nostalgia, a few girders and oil cans here and there, but manages to successfully branch off into new areas, without them feeling forced. But unfortunately, six worlds isn’t a lot. It may sound so, but I could complete the first three or so in a few hours, although some of the later boss battles require a lot of skill, and may give you a few Game Overs.
Overall, the game is interesting. Simply said, it’s a puzzle game in a platformer’s shoes. Don’t be fooled, Mario’s complex jumps and handstands do nothing to hide a very enjoyable, and sometimes even addictive, puzzle game.
My only annoyance would be in the instruction manual, where at the slightest hint of something they give away the whole idea two lines underneath, dampening a possible greater experience of exploration and puzzle solving.

Graphics: 7/10
Mario is very well animated, and the levels, their backgrounds and the opening and ending movies seem to be some of the best I’ve seen on the GBA.

Sound: 6/10
The tunes may not be as catchy as the original Super Mario Bros. theme tune, which also gets pepped up on the Title and Select File screens, but they are very well done none-the-less.

Gameplay: 8/10
One of the best puzzlers I’ve played. I’m sure some of you will argue with this, but I give Mario vs. Donkey Kong this rating because of the originality and creativity of the game.

Value: 6/10
Despite the extra levels, a decent gamer should wiz through the first few worlds in a few hours. Some replay value is added through the availability to unlock even more levels when you beat the high-scores in the first six worlds.

Overall: 67.5%
It may not seem like it, but I would highly recommend this game. It is an original idea that has been given full attention, if not suffering from a longevity crisis.


Kirby Canvas Curve – DS

I imported this game for my holiday, but unfortunately it didn’t come on time. I can tell you now, it was worth the wait.
I haven’t played much, but from what I have completed I can say that Kirby Canvas Curve is a well constructed game. The main tagline is that you use the stylus to guide Kirby on lines of paint around courses, defeating enemies and using Kirby’s well known ability to copy them to give you extra help. The animation is well done, and the abilities are original and fun to use. And yet, there’s still more charm to be had.
The game is split into eight worlds. Each world has three courses, and at the end of the first two courses in each world there is ‘The Jump Game’. Here you are required to build Kirby’s speed up and jump as far as possible. Not only is it fun to set new records, but at the end of the mini-game there is a very quite black and white animation of five dancing Kirbies, with accompanying music to match.
At the end of the final course, there is a boss battle. In an original and unique manner, you choose one of three bosses to battle, each requiring you to use the touch screen in a different manner. At the end of these battles, the animation I mentioned before is also played, and after you’ve defeated each boss twice, they become available as mini-games.
But wait! There’s more! For an extra bit of replay value each course hides three medals, which in turn can be traded in to unlock extra goodies. And on top of that, there are two more different ways to play the levels. Time Trial asks you to... ]]> ~gerg002 http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/6109543/ http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/6109543/ Tue, 02 Aug 2005 06:37:44 PDT
I am back from my holiday, with a whole new project to upload and a game design to get started on, so expect more uploads soon.
Right now, I've got reviews to do...


DVD Review - The Mask

I bought this in Switzerland for £8, and despite having the orginal on video, I thought it was a classic going cheap. Unfortunately, btoh I and the movie have aged since I first saw it, and it seems no where near as funny as I remembered. The graphics are outdated, and the slapstick comedy doesn't live up to Jim Carrey's newer work, with only one joke that gave me a real laugh.
Overall, it doesn't feel like what it used to be. Since I havn't been lounging around the house all day to give the extra features a look-in, I can't comment on them.

Rating: Not so special edition = 2.5/5


Game Review - Mario vs Donkey Kong (GBA)

Again, I bought this in Switzerland, but since it was around the same price as in England, I couldn't make advantage of the exchange rate. None-the-less, it entertained me for the trip back home.
Basically, you play as Mario trying to steal back the Mini-Mario toys that Donkey Kong stole. It may seem like a platformer, but essentially, it is a puzzle game. There are six worlds, each with eight levels, with the first six split into two part (in the first you have to collect a key and bring it to a door; in the second you have to find and free the Mini-Mario).
In the seventh level (called the Mini-Mario level), you have to guide all the Mini-Marios to a toy box. The eight level is a boss battle.
Overall, the game plays well. It introduces itself in the first world with a bit of nostalgia, with the scenery consisting of girders and the ocassional flaming oil can, bringing back memories of the arcade game that started it all. Yet it still manages to branch off into seperate locations successfully, which don't feel forced.
My only annoyance would be in the instruction manual (yes, I do read them) when it gives you a slight hint at what something would be useful for, but immediately underneath it tells you everything. This kind of ruined what could have been more exploration and thinking. But otherwise, it's a great fun game, full of clever puzzles in a platformer's shoes. An entertaining run, if too short at that.

Overall: 3.5/5


Game Review - Kirby Canvas Curve (DS)

I inported this from Canada for my trip to Switzerland (nothing else to do with Switzerland, I promise), but it didn't come on time. I can tell you this now, it was worth the wait. This is what you bought the DS for.
I havn't played much, but from what I have done, I can tell you that it is a well constructed, challenging game. Consisting of eight worlds, you guide Kirby through levels in the worlds using the touch screen, and must protect him from enemies, or detsory them by dashing into them, and sometimes copying their abilities.
At the end of the levels, there is a 'Dash Contest', which rewards you with stars (which can be collected for '1up's each time you get 100) the further you go. When you complete this you get a very fun, if not cute, little 'dance' from five Kirbies, renedered in black and white with charming, accompining music.
At the end of the worlds, there is a boss battle, where you choose which boss to face out of three. These seem to use the touch screen very well, and can become very challenging in the later battles. Each time you beat a boss, the next time you face them, they will be harder to beat. At the end of this battle you also see the black and white animation.
Overall, from what I've played, the game seems to have enough for me to do, without the replay value or the mini-games. It's one of the best games I've played this year, and a fantastic entrance into the world of Kirby out of Super Smash Bros. I say this because it is full of detail, and uses the touch screen and dual screen capabilities wherever it can, without feeling forced. It is a full adventure, with new things to discover every time you turn it on. Not a classic, I must say, but a great game none-the-less.

Overall: 4/5


Well, that's finally done. Enjoy!

- gerg ]]> ~gerg002 http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/5923732/ http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/5923732/ Wed, 13 Jul 2005 13:36:47 PDT Mood: Need help packing!
Listening to: Backstage I'm Lonely

Well, on Saturday I'll be going to Switerland until the 2nd of August, so expect a bit less activity from me in that time period, and no updates picture wise.

Anyway, I posted this to give you the heads up, and hope you have a great Summer whilst I'm gone (admit it, you'll miss me ^^).

So, see ya!

]]> ~gerg002 http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/5856163/ http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/5856163/ Wed, 06 Jul 2005 11:17:09 PDT
Contact me here:

orysteckester@gmail.com ]]> ~gerg002 http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/5820510/ http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/5820510/ Sat, 02 Jul 2005 12:17:36 PDT
So... erm... I won dAGamers first contest....
...
...
...
w00t!! !

Go me!
...
...
...
[/end rave] cool. ]]> ~gerg002 http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/5762562/ http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/5762562/ Sun, 26 Jun 2005 13:32:43 PDT
First things first - get the measly stuff out of the way. That includes the fact that I've now got 300 page views! Go me!

But now, on to the main event - the film review of...

BATMAN BEGINS (12A)

This hadn't got a lot of attention from me, but I managed to get myself waiting at the cinema on the afternoon of the opening night, quite a bit before the film started. Three words: Better than I expected... well four then.

UPS:

As I said, the film was better than I had thought. My main worry, the Tumbler, was put to rest, and I began to like it in the end. Whoever-played-Batman was good, and the mix of villains was nice. I also like the way it touched upon The Joker at the end, a very nice touch. I suppose the most important thing is that it secured my liking of the probable trilogy, something I can say is not so common nowadays, with my hate for Tobey Muguire as Peter Parker (the Spiderman SUIT is fine) and X3 looking bad. Lastly, I like the way the story unfurls itself, which is very unusual for a Batman film.

DOWNS:

Yet the film could not stray away from my nitpicks. My main concern was that Alfred seemed too big, and Chancellor Gordon too twindly, but I can't say I would die without immediate changes. Luckily, nothing much made me annoyed, although the lead female role was worse than usual.


Overall: You should have already seen it. It's a great film - The End. Nothing much else to say really. It's made me interested in the franchise, which is all that matters for an opening film like this - although it can't beat Batman Returns. Michelle Pfeiffer + Catwoman + The Penguin = VERY GOOD INDEED...


EXTRA! A DVD review... because I feel like it.

A few weekends ago I borrowed The National Treasure off a friend. So I'll give you some quick thoughts.
It's a very nice film - very Disney indeed. My words of warning to you are this though: Do NOT watch it after a very good film *cough cough* Batman Begins *cough cough*. It's very charming, no doubt about it, but nothing special, and that's the bottom line. Unfortunately they only had a one-disc DVD, so extras, my main concern about DVD's were non-existent. Thus, I won't give it a rating - something I'll do in the future...

Bye - gerg ]]> ~gerg002 http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/5510901/ http://gerg002.deviantart.com/journal/5510901/ Tue, 31 May 2005 11:20:08 PDT
From now on I'm going to review any new films I see, just for the heck of it, to spread my views, and maybe find a way of getting people to notice me. Anyway, I'll start with The Cat Returns:


THE CAT RETURNS (U)

I heard about this and was quite interested in it, knowing that it was done by the same Studio Ghibi that brought me the likes of Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke. Come yesterday I got around to seeing it and actually enjoyed it somewhat. I say that as though I thought it would be bad and it turned out to be good, but I mean it in a more unsure way, unfortunately in the reverse circumstances.

UPS:

The film had its highlights, and at times was quite funny. The setting was nice, the animation was fluid and the whole idea was good on a whole. The characters were good aswell, and I liked their different attitudes. The movie definately kept me entertained.

DOWNS:

Unfortunately, a lot of the film made me frown. I HATE that annoying crow's American voice-over! It's just so out of place. Ugh! Anyway, I thought the film was too short. I liked the idea of what it would be like to be a cat etc., but it wasn't developed enough (in my opinion). It just felt too 'black and white', and didn't give me the emotion I found in Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke.


Overall: Rent it. It's a nice watch, but don't go to see it hoping to see a masterpiece. I must say that it is the worst of the three Studio Ghibi films I have seen so far.


- gerg ]]> ~gerg002