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halfnote — Heyy, Astrid.:
Published: 2011-09-17 05:04:31 +0000 UTC; Views: 12732; Favourites: 419; Downloads: 88
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My interpretation of Future!Astrid, and a way to rant about my views about her.I've really wanted to get this across in my fic because it's quite prominent, being that Astrid is feminine. Seriously. She's not some butch chick about to go slay some dragon ass and be chief of Berk and the one wearing the pants in the relationship ALL the time. Really, I'm a total history freak going to major in Anthropology with a minor in History so I really try to stick to the book as much as I can (as far as it goes, knowing that documentation wasn''t super accurate way back), and I enjoy it, so I do take it seriously. And, knowing what I do, women in Viking culture did have enormous amounts of respect in contrast to Indian women or Russian women, or any woman anywhere in deep history, but Viking men would never allow a woman to be a chief. Oh my god, never . I don't care about the ifs and the buts, but guise. And the thing about Hiccup not being chief really irks me too. I know he's still a wimpy noodle, but you saw the way he commanded the group when they arrived at the Green Death scene. He's born to be chief. It''s natural for him to be so, though he's grown up being a stupid, fumbling, always-messing-up dork.
Okay. About Astrid and the picture again. I see Astrid as a 'hidden' type of feminine. Like, she obviously doesn't want to show it because of the boys she's surrounded by and she doesn't want them to see her 'womanly' weaknesses, but she SO is such a girl still. Did you see she flicked her bangs or tucked her hair behind her ear? I mean, if she was the incredibly up front type of person that I see a lot, she would have outright kissed Hiccup instead of messing around and kissing his cheek. She was so blushing. It was soooooOOooo obvious.
This also ties in with her femininity and still wanting to be 'the best' and tough and shiz. I don't see her losing that at ALL. She wouldn't be Astrid if she didn't tussle in the mud and punched Snotlout all the time. Really. I love her to death. Maybe that's because I can relate to her just the same, but she's a good, somewhat rounded character though slightly undeveloped in the movie but enough for opinions.
And oh . I can't forget to mention this. Astrid is so perfect for Hiccup, not in every way, but pretty damn close. She pushes him around a lot and I could see him doing the same with his dinky ideas and stuttering, but they fit each other comfortably and nicely. She could be a bit tough and domineering, but she has a soft side too (relating back to the kissing cheek thing). She has many layers. Many... many layers. Oh dear Jesus, does she. But that is what also makes me love her to pieces. And besides, I don't see who else Hiccup could be with. I mean, I watched the movie, so I'm going to go with the freaking movie. I read only the first book and Camicazi wasn't introduced, so I don't really see her being 'with' Hiccup in anyway. I mean... Astrid is a spin-off from Camicazi, but, I don't know, from what I know about her... she doesn't seem to fit. Camicazi and Hiccup are definitely more friends than lovers, I know that.
Ah, anyway, so this pic is definitely set in the future. After I drew it, I wanted it to be about after the time she marries Hiccup but her hair is supposed to be up, so just ignore that. Ugh. And do I just love Astrid in that gray-blue, holy mother. It's so lovelyyyyy on her.
And man oh man do I need to get to those full-body things. Fack. I'm so out of ideas for everything. I can't write, I can't draw. This is really quite old, this drawing. I've had it on my computer, and I'm bored enough on a Friday night to get to drawing and update something. BUT, I did update my fic yesterday. Go reeeeead, homies. OHHH, and you see that necklace? Yeah, Hiccup gave that to her on his adventurez. IN MAH FIC.
NOTE: I do not intend to hate on your opinions and nor will I ever. I respect what you believe as long as you respect mine. I really could give two shits if you think this or that. RESPECT, bros
P.S: Totes go ahead and let me know what you think about anything I've said or about the pic!
I think I'm a bit too obsessed with HTTYD
--
Jammed out to You Are a Tourist by Death Cab For Cutie whilst coloring!
Astrid (c) DreamWorks, art (c) me
Officially end rant.
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Comments: 78
People say Astrid is a 2-dimenstional character. And yeah, they're wrong.
Astrid does have a feminine side, and she has her tough side, I'd say it's less about the boys around her and more to do with the fact that she is a fighter at heart. She is a warrior and all the shizznit that comes with it (not to menion an overacheiver). But of course, as we see, she has a softer side. So yeah, I agree with 99% of that rant 
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I couldn't agree more. Astrid has a whole lot of hidden depths and character traits, one of the many reasons why I love her so much as a character. As tough as she is, there's always been that softer side to her as well as girly. She can be both, because that's what she is, she wrestles in the mud and punches Snotlout, but then she's also tender or soft and caring (mostly and primarily with/to Hiccup).
Anyways, this picture looks really good, you did an absolutely amazing job with Astrid, she looks so pretty, and really just alive. Very good job
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WHAT THE FUUUUUUDDDDDGGGGGEEEEEEE... Aww she looks so cute in that dress
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Old thoughts but still ringing true. All agree. Awesome picture and looks like they still kept that femininity in Astrid in the sequel images!
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I agree with absolutely everything you just said. Astrid is an important, feminine, deeper character that is important to the franchise. She is the perfect match for Hiccup who will soften over time but still kick ass if need be. Thank you for drawing her the way that I envisioned she'd grow up to be. You are a lovely artist.
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XD! Your whole rant how she was adorable made me laugh! But i agree with you just cuz girls don't show their fimanin side doesn't mean they don't have one. Good art by the way! ;D
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I love this, she looks so pretty! What kind of utensils do you use for coloring?
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I use PaintTool SAI to color but I put the textures on in Photoshop CS5
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OMG I drew a picture of my friend when she's older and there are a lot of similarites between my drawing and her. Sadly I didn't post it up on deviantART. Xc
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This is gorgeous and I totally agree with everything you said.
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As a bit of a history nut myself, YAY! This. I would QFT if I could.
And on Hiccup, you're absolutely right. Hiccup may not be physically leadership-y, but mentally? Very much so. All he needed was confidence, and the movie did a very good job of showing his ability to stand up for himself and take command of his peers in the end. A leader is being able to recognize and utilize the strengths of individuals to make a whole, and Hiccup was clearly capable of that in the end. Just because he's physically weak NOW doesn't mean he isn't suited to being chief...
It's not as if women are supposed to be uber feminine or dominated in the HTTYD world. The Elder, a very respected and wise figure in the village, was female. And clearly both genders are warriors in Berk. But a woman can be strong without being abrasive or dominating, and a girl can fight without giving up her femininity.
So.... Yeah. /ahem/
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i love seeing her like this, im not a fan of the lady warriors
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Oh my god, I love how you've drawn and described Astrid.
Personally, I think you've nailed her personality. There's definitely hints of her girly side in the movie, while still showing her as a tough girl.
Amazing~!
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Given the way the Vikings of Berk value tradition and continuity, logic suggests that Astrid has been trained to be a wife as well as to be a warrior. I'm sure that she has nice dresses for festivals or formal occasions. She... just doesn't wear them much. I also imagine that she has probably got the boys to the point where they're scared to say if she looks nice.
Nice job on this, BTW - You've captured the essence of Astrid and transferred it to this picture. She's recognisable (you'd be surprised the number of fan-artists who can't do that). You can even see the story in her body language. She's asking Hiccup what he thinks of her festival dress and hoping, really, really hoping that "slack jawed imbecility" means that he likes it.
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Thank you so much! I try really hard to keep the characters looking like themselves so they ARE recognizable! And hahahaha, I love the Hiccup description; that would totally fit him
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I. Love. This I've been a bit disappointed that many people portray her as being so overtly tough ALL the time. I think this depiction of her really sums up the side of her character that gets overlooked even when it's plainly there for all to see (i.e, hair flipping/neatly braided, able to listen to reason, caring, etc.). Plus your written review of her rocks. Seriously, you summed up my own view of her completely! Bravo
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Thank you! 
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No problem
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Me too! I love discussing the dynamics of characters, so I'm openly willing to debate on Astrid's conception with the limited facts we do have about her. But, I'm glad you see her in the way I do, too!
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That is so cool
Really? Wow, you're very welcome
...Not sure if that gels or not, but I couldn't get the idea out of my head
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Yeah, I felt the same way, too. The first time watching the movie, I was mostly gushing about Hiccup and his adorable cuteness and how I thought he was ridiculously funny (seriously... I have never laughed harder. Jay Baruchel just compels me that way, so I have a smokin' hot crush for him, lolol 
And yeah, I could see that situation happening where Astrid loses the necklace and she flips and stuff, haha. Kind of gels, lol
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Your description of when you watched the movie just made my day
Cool, I'm glad you didn't think I was way out of left field
P.S - I just read the latest chapter of "Hands on Sunshine" and I LIKE
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Whoop! Dang, we're just rolling on a tangent!
And yayyy! I'm glad you liked the last chapter! Didja review?
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Tangent roll yay!
I must admit, I love how Astrid is a stubborn piece of work. What she said to Hiccup at the Nadder scene in the Ring really stuck with me. All I could think was, "Whoa! Don't mess with her
Sadly I don't have the ability to review because I don't have a Fanfiction.Net account
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it's interesting how you left the hands like that!!! i'm so bad at hands I normaly just don't draw them but you pulled off the not finish but still there look really well!!! I love it!!!!!
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Hahahaha, I'm surprised you think the hands are 'good' for being unfinished. I usually finish hands or whatever, but I really didn't want to with this piece. I couldn't get them right!!
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Ya I know what you mean!!! like it looks good in an unfinished kind of way you know!!!!
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Well this is certainly refreshing to see
I can't tell you how long I've been against the angry/butch/raaar thing. Because it's not even the girl we were introduced to - it's simply not. Bang-flicking, hip-swinging, bashful body movements when faced with hormone-raising situations are al things I've had to argue for before. And I swear she has some kind of eye-makeup going on in some of those pictures.
Anthropology was one of my favorite subjects in college and I can't help but soak up culture and behavior patterns. It's one thing to take characters and conform them to today's ideals, but I feel like it's so much more respectful to keep them in their elements. I too have this thing about historical-accuracy and taking into account their time-period and meshing it with the movie. Astrid was a very practical girl, if a little rigid, and seemed to take their tradition and culture very seriously. Rising to the expectations of her peers and elders was her personal duty--(one of her few consistent personality traits)--and I think marriage, legacy, and, ultimately, taking responsibility to the keys of her own home were just as important to her as dragon killing (back when it was cool, that is).
Also in agreement with the Hiccup-as-chief thing. It's not so much the Astird-is-a-girl thing (which is a very fair point) but leadership qualities. Hiccup is a natural delegator and he's someone willing to see what needs to be done regardless of public opinion. Astrid is a great soldier and very good at following orders to a T.
The only thing I'd disagree on is the Astrid--near-perfect-for-Hiccup thing since (while possible) the character we were given in the movie still needs a bit of development before I think she'd be able to fit the bill. We have to give her layers to explain the personality shift; otherwise she would be seen as shallow and unrefined characterization. But there is a lack of thought to her behavior and actions - one that, realistically, happened because they had to squeeze this female action star into the romantic role prematurely (and it really was premature, I think many can agree on that). What this did was give almost too much wiggle room in deciphering her reasons behind this. So we have people who think she's crazy butch, people who think she's secretly been in love with him, people who think she was always looking for a man to sweep her off her feet and was only working so hard to impress her abusive father or what not... and no one can be completely wrong in their personal theories because we just don't have the facts.
Sorry if none of that made much sense; I'm not entirely eloquent with words
...We don't see so much fighting over Hiccup's behavior because he was fleshed out properly. If anything, I think Hiccup would be more perfect for her and that she should have her own journey in realizing it. I've read the books and having done so I can see Camicazi filling the role of a love so much smoothly; they already have the dynamic there. Hiccup has an admiration for Camicazi's prowess and Camicazi repeatedly refers to Hiccup being the only boy worth respecting (despite his physical failings), which is just adorable given her culture. Bear in mind, I have no illusions that Hiccup will end up with anyone else (it's a kids movie!) and I have no expectations for Camicazi to make an appearance, I just think Camicazi would be exactly what Hiccup needs in a difficult time of change. While Astrid was supposedly the expy of Camicazi, the girls really have nothing in common except for a competence in battle. Hiccup needs humans willing to befriend and listen to him, to help him like himself before he can like other people, and Camicazi comes off as the girl for that.
But that's all besides the point. Lovely Astrid is lovely, and it's nice to see her with her hair down, so to speak. Just like I don't think we'll see Camicazi, I don't think Dreamworks is going to show this side of Astrid (that I'm sure many of us, including myself, would like to exist). However, it would be magnificent if they did and I'm really hoping they give us a little more to Astrid's character in the following films.
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No, I totally understand you! Haha 
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Oh I got that - it all comes down to our personal preferences...and usually that is influenced by what we want for the character who is developed. Hiccup's kind of like our sounding board when it comes to directing Astrid. Some people take Astrid's movie behavior at face value and opt to get rid of her as the love-interest, others reason it out and choose to see her as very suitable for Hiccup, and then there are those who need to work her up to that point from where the movie left off. I'm of that last group, and I had to have her grow up a bit in front of the readers before I felt she had a solid enough character, because I think asking people to sympathize with her right from the movie is a bit hard. I totally get humanizing her; she's a tough girl to get into having so little to work with (and what we did have was a bit all over the place), but it's absolutely necessary if you plan on doing her justice.
Words are such trixy things! But I understand the real/unreal dilemma - I try and I try in Hitchups but at the end of the day I'm still working with a dragon-ridden world.
Doesn't mean we can't try!
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I know I've squeed about your work before, but I do really adore how you portray her. I mostly hate the idea of making her chief over Hiccup because it completely ignores the journey he took in the movie. Just as you mention, he took charge during the rescue at the nest, and I just think he'd bring a very grounded, diplomatic tone to the chiefdom It takes away from his character to deny him that. But yeah I think Astrid would chafe being forced into a strictly "female" role, but that doesn't mean she doesn't enjoy being a girl or wouldn't take being a wife seriously.
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Thank you so much! And if you go here to Cafcow's picture: [link] it really explains a lot, and she says stuff that I can't quite put into words! And of course Astrid wouldn't fit the perfect mold of a homely housewife. That's completely silly to think she would. To me, I imagine her being neat and being able to sew quite well, so I think she would keep a clean house, but she can't cook the greatest, of course. There has to be something to keep her character intact because she's not absolutely perfect.
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The smile is gorgeous, loving the hair, and I want those frills... I as well keep my feminine locked away. Most of it. >>; I know how Astrid feels.
I think she's smiliing out to Hiccup who is probably departing from Berk. Eee'yep. ^^
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Thank you so much!
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aw! this is so cute! And I find a lot of your points about Astrid's character to be very true at least for me. She's a nice foil for Hiccup; they can bring out the best in each other. BTWs, respect for Death Cab for Cutie...favorite band.
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Thank you!
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I think you're perhaps trying too hard to link the fictional Vikings of Berk to real-life Vikings, but I agree with you, Astrid is feminine. I think it hit me when I realized she's the only person in that village who wear colors, take care of her hair and don't wear a helmet. She's sensitive to beauty and takes care of her appearance, as opposed to everyone else in the village who wear the same color brown in their clothing.
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I don't know, maybe I am trying a lot harder than a bunch of other people, it's just... history is awesome for me, and like I said, I do take it seriously, lolol. But I'm also trying to be lighthearted about it because I want to stick to the intention of the movie-makers. Eh. And yeah, I've always kinda wondered why she didn't wear a helmet, but I'm glad you pointed that out to me. That makes sense! Haha.
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