Most of you know I like hearts or, more appropriately, valentines. :heart:
So, of course, it would follow that I'd have a heart-shaped pencil, and (moreover) that I'd draw a Care Bear with it (as such would be the most expected and cliche thing I could do)! The pencil and its subject go together well---similar colors and both come from Japan.
A Japanese Care Bear? Mhm!
This is Sweet Sakura Bear. She was never a part of the (various) Care Bears animated series, though she (as is true of a few others, as of writing) were part of the toy line. Wikipedia describes Sakura well,
"Sweet Sakura Bear is a toy-exclusive Care Bear developed specifically for the Japanese market in 2009. Polite, modest, and soft-spoken, Sweet Sakura is meant to exemplify the traditional values of a dignified Japanese girl, and teaches us to savor the splendor of every passing moment. She has cherry blossom pink fur and her tummy symbol is a pink cherry blossom with a red heart in the middle"
-Wikipedia (08/01/2020)
I hate drawing Care Bears---their tummy symbols REALLY betray my limitations as a cartooner. I can draw characters (kinda), but symbols and patters requiring precision placement and symmetry aren't happening, esp. at the tiny scale I draw at. Still, this could have turned out worse, and for those who care to see the 'real' Sakura, Google exists (or you could click/paste this): https://sta.sh/01i4qiww4kdi
Anyway, the Heart-Shaped pencil has a heart-shaped barrel, but sharpens well in a standard sharpener (the shavings it produces are interesting). ^^ The shape feels fine to hold, albeit, the making of this drawing was my first time using this pencil---I didn't draw with it very long, so I cannot say how comfortable it would be to use for long periods. I will say it does matter a little where you hold it. The drag is excellent, albeit the lead is soft and dusty.
My favorite version of the CBs was from Dic. Nelvana had smoother animation (sure), but thet their stories were strange (what's with the Star Trek parodies?). :P The Dic series better captured the spirit of the Care Bears.
My favorite version of the CBs was from Dic. Nelvana had smoother animation (sure), but thet their s
