masquerade gown

The Mythic Ball, Part 1: Dragon’s Blue, Black and Gold Masquerade Gown with Flame Underskirt

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A black velvet masquerade gown with a square neckline, long sleeves and a large, bell-shaped skirt. At the neckline is a gold band in a stylized flame pattern, with a large fire opal surrounded by rhinestones set in the middle. The sleeves have blue ruffles at the shoulders and at the wrists, with iridescent blue-green highlights and shades of purple in the shaded areas. There's a bit of golden lace above each ruffle. A pattern of golden scrolls runs down the length of the sleeve. The bodice has a long, triangle-shaped area from the neckline to the waist patterned with shiny blue and purple dragon scales and bordered with delicate gold lace. At the waist is a gold band with a stylized flame pattern, set with three fire opals surrounded by rhinestones. The overskirt is open at the front and edged with a blue iridescent ruffle and golden lace. A golden pattern of a stylized dragon breathing flames is on the edge of the skirt. The underskirt appears to be made of fire. There's a light blue tail curling over the edge of the skirt and light blue wings at the shoulders, tipped with golden horns, and there's a small black velvet mask decorated with golden scrolls.Every year on Halloween, a certain kind of idea or story takes form, gets dressed up and throws a great party, called the mythic ball. These ideas prefer to be called “archetypes” (and you use the term “monster” at your own peril). For example, Dragon here isn’t a particular dragon; she didn’t make Saint George a legend, she’s never guarded the vaults in Gringotts and she doesn’t make a habit of burninating anything. Rather, she exists as the idea of a dragon, a force created by human culture and called upon when someone needs something large, reptilian and powerful for a particular creation.

It’s the night of the mythic ball; Dragon is holding court in her glorious dress. She was the queen of the monsters’ ball last year; those rare times she doesn’t win, she’s quite gracious about it, knowing as she does that the title will pass back to her sooner rather than later. Certain parties are known to hum “Puff, the Magic Dragon” behind her back, and there was a great fuss last year when Kraken made a snippy remark about her archetype being based on majestic giant squids and Dragon’s being based on cute little frill-necked lizards.

“I suppose you’re all just as popular as ever?” Dragon asks the group of archetypes surrounding her. She’s trying, without success, to keep from looking smug. Her courteous nature doesn’t allow her to directly bring up her own triumphs, but should someone happen to return the question to her, she would bring up how very pleased she was by that handsome and very popular young man voicing one of her newer representations, and how she had actually figured in several very popular cultural works lately. As a matter of fact, these days representing her archetype could be said to constitute its own industry. Not that she had calculated the salary of all the CG renderers, motion capture specialists, character designers and fantasy artists and authors who made up her most devoted fanbase, but she was sure it would be a most pleasing number. They feed their families and expand their portfolios thanks to the world’s desire for her; she grows as if nourished not by a hoard of gold but by a wealth of stories and artistic works.

Incidentally, there’s a second dragon archetype enjoying the party; this one is older than she is, and, she knows, more powerful. How much of her desire to be the center of this event stems from her jealousy, I can’t say.

Happy October, a month which you may know I like to celebrate as the most important time of the paperdoll year since it includes Halloween, a holiday that just begs for fanciful costumes. Those of you who have been reading for a while may remember this dragon-themed masquerade gown from 2010, and the promise of similar dresses to come. It never happened, because I finished that dress — still one of my favorites — and realized I’d never top it in time. (I think that’s also when I first noticed my wrists having problems.) Well, now that I’m doing digital coloring and shooting for one dress a week, it’s time to revisit the mythic ball…

Who will we meet next? The contentious Kraken mentioned in this installment, perhaps? Or another of the many archetypes attending the ball? Come back next week to find out! In the meantime, don’t forget that you can now download combined color and black and white PDFs of all of my 2014 dolls and outfits for free! Also follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest for sneak previews, paperdoll thoughts and fun reference images of dresses. If you enjoy my work, I’d also appreciate your support through Patreon.

Masquerade Gown with Rainbow Ruffles and Black Rainbow Sequins

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A masquerade gown with a black bodice, covered with sparkling sequins which subtly shine in blue, red, green, purple and yellow. The neckline is off the shoulders and slightly V-shaped, and is trimmed with a line of white ribbon. The sleeves are three-quarter, and their edges are trimmed with more white ribbon. There are long ruffles attached to the edges of the sleeves, and they are a gradient of green to blue, decorated with a pattern of mist and stars. The bodice extends over the top of the skirt and is gathered at one hip, decorated with a white bow. From the bow, four rows of ruffles fall towards the base of the skirt like a waterfall. The ruffles form a rainbow gradient, and are decorated with a pattern of mist and stars. The skirt is black, and falls to the floor. It is patterned with abstract swirls of glowing dots, some of which subtly sparkle with rainbow colors.Click for larger version (PNG); click for PDF version. Click here for the list of dolls.

There we have it: ten days of digital coloring! I’ve learned a great deal, and I’m ready to start doing some different things next week. I’m going to shoot for Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Luckily, my husband, parents and even my baby are all quite cooperative. Milo recently started letting me put him down for naps in his crib, instead of requiring hours of rocking while he snoozed. So if you’re happy to see me back, thank that little baby!

After ten days of digital coloring, I have basically nothing to say, except for that I’m enjoying myself very much. I have a lot of plans for cool things I want to try, such as making my own patterns (thanks to Julie’s repeating pattern tutorial).

Anyways, I have a site redesign in the works so I’ll have a better link to this at some point, but in the meantime please consider liking my page on Facebook or following me on Twitter. I haven’t quite gotten in the habit of using these things effectively, but I have plans for them. Oh yes. Plans…

For now, which masquerade gown was your favorite?

poll by twiigs.com

Masquerade Gown with Cherry Blossom Bodice, Pink Skirt and Sparkly White Ruffles

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A masquerade gown with a white bodice, patterned all over with clouds of pink and reddish-purple cherry blossoms. The neckline is off the shoulders and slightly V-shaped, and is trimmed with a line of sparkling white sequins. The sleeves are three-quarter, and their edges are trimmed with more white sequins. There are long ruffles attached to the edges of the sleeves, and they are pink and patterned with abstract white swirls. The bodice extends over the top of the skirt and is gathered at one hip, decorated with a light reddish-purple bow. From the bow, four rows of ruffles fall towards the base of the skirt like a waterfall. Each one is covered with sparkling white sequins. The skirt is light pink, and falls to the floor. It is patterned with abstract white swirls.Click for larger version (PNG); click for PDF version. Click here for the list of dolls.

I admit I’m very proud of the sparklies on this one. Those are some serious sparklies. I will have to work hard to out-sparkly things tomorrow! The pattern on the bodice is from gimei, and the brush I used on the skirt is from Pixels & Ice Cream.

I’m running out of things to say about these recolored dresses! I’ll be happy to do new things. I’m thinking I’ll try for a Monday – Wednesday – Friday schedule…

Masquerade Gown with Black Velvet Bodice, White Lace, Purple Skirt and Glittering Strands

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A masquerade gown with a black velvet bodice with a damask pattern. The neckline is off the shoulders and slightly V-shaped, and is trimmed with a line of light purple ribbon. There is a decoration of rhinestones at the bust. The sleeves are three-quarter, and their edges are trimmed with more purple ribbon. There are long ruffles attached to the edges of the sleeves, and they are purple and decorated with strands of glowing rhinestones. The bodice extends over the top of the skirt and is gathered at one hip, decorated with a light purple bow. From the bow, four rows of ruffles fall towards the base of the skirt like a waterfall. Each one is made of white lace. The skirt is purple, and falls to the floor. It is decorated with looped strands of delicate rhinestones.Click for larger version (PNG); click for PDF version. Click here for the list of dolls.

Another masquerade gown! I must confess I’m getting a little bored of recoloring but I’m learning a great deal. I think, though, that I’ll start doing new things next week. I’ll try for a Monday, Wednesday and Friday schedule. The lace and the sparklies are from Obsidian Dawn and the damask pattern is from sofi01.

The contest I had going has already been won… Sarah, tell me how you’d like me to color this one, please!