Before I get down to the artwork, a short request for those contributing fan art to SA: As much as I love games, there are an awful lot out there I've yet to play, so when you're sending in your artwork, unless you know for certain that I'm familiar with the game, please send in the name of the game your work was inspired by. Twice in the last couple weeks, I've gotten pieces that looked great, but I had no idea what game they were from, since I'd never played them... so much for my being "hardcore," huh? Anyway, on to the good stuff: Today's Sketch Artist update, guaranteed to get some kind of response out of you!

   In the first gallery: Marvel at the grace and beauty of Blademoor's Celes, as portrayed in "Restless Aria". Laugh maniacally along with Kefka, as drawn by J.J. McCullough. Sigh in reminiscence for your old party as you view Cyph's "FF Classic-01". Stare at the beautiful Tifa Lockheart in Oibara's "An Amber Jem" - after all, she's probably used to it by now. Gasp at the menacing evil of "The Prince of Darkness" as drawn by Andreas Rödig - and envy him for the cool villa, also by Andreas! And laugh your head off at Uncreativity's "You Sporky Cat!" (I know I did!) Cry with Nanaki for his father in Saskia Lemke's "Crying for Seto" animation - and if Saskia's other gif, "A sleeping RedXIII with cubs," doesn't make you say "Awwww," I don't know what will. Also by Andreas Rödig, mourn the loss of a truly cool villain in "The Presidents Death".

   And in gallery two: Gaze at the marvelously dignified oil painting "Qui Gon Jin," by Wei. Be dazzled by the graceful artistry of CHILD's "Growlanser" and "Ashley". Gasp in astonishment at the fact that there are actually two Phantasy Star IV pictures in the same update - Saki Wright's "Think of Me" and Blademoor's "Soldier of Fortune" - and only one FF8 picture, albeit a gorgeous one, as contributed by Yingster. Stare at the dynamic Xenogears work by Arkos Reed, "Lahan at Fire". And finally, smile at the sweetness of "By Starlight," a picture of a very romantic Link drawn by Carrie.

   --Andrea "I sound like chapters from a self-help book!" Hartmann