January 10, 2025 • 29 mins
In this Pokemon interview, we are joined by GrunesDragon, a Pokemon Trainer and artist with a passion for Dragons and Dragon Pokemon.
GrunesDragon Pokemon Journey starts with the anime and Pokemon Y. Due to the restriction of media by their family, GrunesDragon would not be introduced to Pokemon games until Pokemon Y thanks to their friend. GrunesDragon shares insight into the more recent games, specifically Pokemon Scarlet and Violet and how the plot of a group of outcasts appealed to them.
GrunesDragon deep affection for animals and this made Pokemon extremely appealing, especially during times of turmoil at home. GrunesDragon also found art as a way for them to provide an escape and would pursue this interest in different artistic ways.
Sources
Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay
Connect with GrunesDragon: Website
Connect with David Hernandez: Linktree
E-mail Me: asthepokeballturnspodcast@gmail.com
Join Our Discord Community!
https://discord.gg/AqAbD7FbRt
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
GrunesDragon (00:00):
I am GrunesDragon, and this is my Pokémon story.
David Hernandez (00:42):
Welcome to As the Pokeball Turns, where we
interview people about theirexperience with Pokemon.
My name is David Hernandez andtoday I'm joined by an artist
known as Groon's Dragon.
Groon, welcome to the show.
(01:03):
There we go.
We're getting in the spirit now.
I like it.
Uh, I'm going to guess that youlove dragons because obviously
your username and for those whocouldn't hear it, it's actually
a dragon drawers.
What she did, I believe.
GrunesDragon (01:18):
Yes, I believe so.
Honestly, that would be aninteresting dragon.
Yes, In my sort of art and in myfurry adjacent ways, I started
IDing with dragons, dragon typePokémon, dragons in general, and
drawing them a lot.
I would say 2013, 14, and thathas just kind of been my life
(01:39):
since.
David Hernandez (01:40):
What was it about dragons that appeal to
you?
GrunesDragon (01:43):
I think it was partially drawing these things
is satisfying as hell becauseyou can't technically make
mistakes.
Uh, and you can also do, youknow, very, you know, very
swirly, fluffy sort of manes andwhiskers and body shapes.
And just do badass drawings aswell without that much effort
put into making it look badass.
David Hernandez (02:02):
You know, you just gave me more hope as an
artist.
I'm like, you really can't messup a dragon.
Like, how could you really messone up?
GrunesDragon (02:08):
I mean, do you see some of the dragon designs that
come out on like mass producedmerchandise that are ugly as
hell?
David Hernandez (02:14):
yeah, I do.
And they look kind of weird.
GrunesDragon (02:16):
You really can't mess up.
David Hernandez (02:18):
I got to ask you this.
So what is it like with dragonPokemon?
Like, do you have any likeparticular favorites that remind
you of a dragon?
Are there's any that you justlike are completely turned off
by?
GrunesDragon (02:27):
there are some I beleive Fridgebax.
I don't know how much I need toexplain.
Fridgebax does not appeal to medesign wise.
It is an ugly little bugger.
I'm sorry.
I know it is not a dragon type,but uh, screw everything.
I like pirated Pokemon the Movie2000 when I was a teenager and
that permanently changed mybrain chemistry.
David Hernandez (02:49):
really, why?
GrunesDragon (02:50):
Something about Lugia's just elegance and
character and the way it wasanimated.
And later on, the same thinghappened when I had the
opportunity to see, the Zoroarkmovie.
David Hernandez (03:01):
Oh, was that also a pirated movie, I assume?
GrunesDragon (03:03):
Oh, yeah, for a while I was not allowed access
to any form of mainstream media.
So when I got some freedom as ateenager in sort of a different
household, I just went hamwatching all of the stuff that
appealed to me.
David Hernandez (03:15):
It's like I have like 10 years of media I
have to catch up to, I gottastart now!
GrunesDragon (03:21):
I still kind of live under a rock when it comes
to mainstream media, but thereare some things that I
definitely wanted to catch upon.
David Hernandez (03:27):
Hey, I remember when I pirated, what was it,
Dragon Ball Evolution?
I felt like I wanted my moneyback, ha, sometimes it's not
always the best thing.
GrunesDragon (03:35):
Yeah.
David Hernandez (03:35):
But so you said you don't like Frigidbacks.
What are some that you do like,Dragon wise?
GrunesDragon (03:40):
I've been warming up to more of them.
My taste in Pokemon has beenevolving over time, which I
suppose makes sense.
Her her her evolving.
Uh,
David Hernandez (03:48):
Pun! Hmm.
GrunesDragon (03:49):
yes fantastic I've started to be get more attached
to grandpa, which is curiousbecause I just didn't like it
for the longest time I thoughtits face looked stupid and to be
fair.
I think its face still kind oflooks stupid But i'm as i've
drawn it a couple of times foruh, people's characters or for
fusions i've It's fluffiness hasstarted to appeal to me.
David Hernandez (04:11):
so, you know, you talk about, you know,
pirating Pokemon 2000.
Was that like your firstexperience into the Pokemon or
was it even before that?
GrunesDragon (04:18):
My first experience into Pokemon, and
this is a really weird story andI don't know why I remember
this, was I was on the schoolbus and someone left, like, one
of those kids magazines lyingaround.
I don't remember which one.
and it had an advertisement forPlatinum on the back.
And for some reason they gaveMaylene a Houndoom.
I don't know why they gaveMaylene a Houndoom.
(04:38):
You know, the way advertisingmaterial can just be really
inaccurate with Pokemonsometimes.
and I remember looking at allthe designs on that cover and
going, I don't care for any ofthe humans and Houndoom is the
only Pokemon on this cover thatI'm liking the look of.
And then proceeded to not haveany more exposure to Pokemon
other than like the internet,until the Black and White era.
David Hernandez (04:57):
so black and white was mainly your first, I
guess, quote unquote games intothe Pokemon franchise.
GrunesDragon (05:02):
My first Pokemon game that I got to actually
play, other than playing throughmost of a ROM of Black and White
when it came out, was my friendlent me her cartridge of Y, and
I would play it at high school,and I would go and hide in
closet in the art room and justplay Pokemon Y.
Our art our art teacher was sochill that he's just like I
shouldn't be allowing this buti've said something to you
(05:24):
technically So i'm just gonnaleave you be
David Hernandez (05:27):
but why are you hiding in the closet though?
If you're not hiding from theteacher.
GrunesDragon (05:30):
Then I don't know just to be alone with my game
David Hernandez (05:32):
Okay.
Okay.
That makes more sense is I canimagine the teacher opening the
doors like What are you doinghere?
Are you just playing Pokemon?
Okay, keep going.
I got it.
Like you just like you're tryingto
GrunesDragon (05:42):
you're supposed to be doing artwork, but you know
as long as you get yourassignment in I don't care
David Hernandez (05:46):
and I'm assuming this is still you
couldn't like have likemainstream media at home and you
were still Restricted I guess soyou're kind of having to keep it
away from the parents and allthat.
GrunesDragon (05:54):
not at that time, but I was still in the habit of
Focusing on things other than memode at home So going to school
that would be like the placewhere I do the fun things
David Hernandez (06:04):
Will you and your friends like talk about
Pokemon, you know once you startplaying in everything like that
Like how deep did you get intothe fandom initially?
GrunesDragon (06:10):
Into the fandom?
Not very much initially.
I had a lot going on at thattime, I would eventually end up
joining the Poki Ask Vlogcommunity, which is still going
strong from what I hear, whichI'm amazed by, because that is
primarily on Tumblr and Tumblrhas been some shit.
David Hernandez (06:25):
Oh, it's been through a lot, my God.
Tumblr's barely a resemblance ofwhat it used to be.
GrunesDragon (06:29):
Yeah, but it is making a bit of a comeback with
the looks over at the dumpsterfire far to my right of where
Twitter used to be.
David Hernandez (06:37):
Hey, these dumpster fires have feelings,
okay?
These trubbishes, they matter,okay?
So don't call it
GrunesDragon (06:42):
Stop setting garbodors on fire.
Stop cruelty
David Hernandez (06:46):
The madness, the madness!
GrunesDragon (06:48):
Yeah, Tumblr is making a bit of a comeback and
back in the day when it wasfirst sort of booming I ended up
starting a couple of pokemon Ocask blogs and that was a great
way to be interacting withpeople With a common interest I
was following Iris Chroma, Ibelieve that's still her
username.
I was following Iris who thenwent by Tia, Sort of a widely
(07:09):
followed very cool pokemonartist though.
She has transitioned to doingmostly contract work anyway at
the time I was following her andshe started a pokemon creatives
chat in 2016 And that was ainitially a skype group but
quickly transitioned to adiscord server just for pokemon
artists to get together and befriends and show off each
other's work and i've made somelifelong friends from then
David Hernandez (07:32):
I guess, It would be in a way like a discord
channel nowadays to where y'alljust post art and y'all just
like oh but like oh this isamazing and y'all's own art kind
of thing.
GrunesDragon (07:40):
Yeah, and also just socialize in general,
pokemon creatives chat, uhitself shut down 2018
David Hernandez (07:48):
Aww,
GrunesDragon (07:49):
But uh sort of in an emergency We don't want to
lose everybody some of themembers put together a second
server that we are into this day
David Hernandez (07:57):
When it comes to art, did you start drawing
when you
GrunesDragon (08:03):
I've been drawing since I was a tiny child and I
started taking it seriouslySometime around middle school, I
guess I had a lot stuff going onin my life that meant that I was
just kind of spaced out all thetime I wasn't Learning as much
from school as I should havebeen and I wasn't even in school
for some periods so I didn'treally have a chance to get good
(08:23):
at anything in particular Butdrawing was the one thing I was
always doing, even when I wasbeing discouraged.
David Hernandez (08:29):
Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.
I'm glad that you stuck with itthough.
A lot of people, I don't know,get knocked down cause you know,
they get told their art's notgood enough or it won't amount
to anything.
You know, it's kind of, it'srough living the artist's life.
GrunesDragon (08:40):
Yeah.
Drawing was the one thing Icould always just go sit down
and do.
And, props to my grandma who wasalways like showering me in art
supplies because she's anabstract artist herself.
David Hernandez (08:50):
Oh, so it runs in the family.
GrunesDragon (08:52):
I suppose so.
David Hernandez (08:53):
Do you remember what you used to draw growing
up?
Like, were they just like,cartoons?
Or
GrunesDragon (08:58):
I was a wolf and horse child.
David Hernandez (09:00):
A wolf and horse child?
Okay,
GrunesDragon (09:01):
Like you've ever run into like a horse child,
who's like, so into horses thatthey'll like pretend to run like
a horse and stuff, that was me.
David Hernandez (09:08):
I've met a child that's so into horses he
dresses up on them.
So, it's just kind ofrefreshing.
ha ha ha ha
GrunesDragon (09:15):
I think that was partially what drew me to
Pokemon in the first place.
growing up, I always had more ofa sense of empathy with real
life animals and also cartoonanimals, more of a sense of
empathy with critters than anyhumans whatsoever.
Uh,
David Hernandez (09:30):
feel that, yeah.
Pokemon
GrunesDragon (09:33):
Pokemon and especially, seeing how Lugia was
depicted in the movie 2000, justlike, yep, I fricking love
Pokemon.
David Hernandez (09:41):
2000 just solidified your kind of interest
in the franchise at that point.
GrunesDragon (09:45):
Absolutely.
David Hernandez (09:46):
when it comes to Pokemon Y.
What do you remember?
Like, do you remember like thisplot?
Like, what do you, what did youenjoy about playing that game?
GrunesDragon (09:53):
hmm I recently replayed it and was hit sort of
differently still good But whatI remember being hit the by the
most uh at the time Was the thebeautiful world song at the end
David Hernandez (10:05):
Oh my gosh.
GrunesDragon (10:06):
how it goes on with the multi language lyrics
floating up on the screen andjust the fantastic music and
immaculate aesthetic at somepoints and then I the the
beautiful world song was whereit really killed me with pokemon
y I love that so much
David Hernandez (10:20):
I know.
I was just listening to it earlytoday.
Actually small world.
GrunesDragon (10:24):
It's kind of, like, Kiseki is a bit
repetitive, but it's really hardto beat.
David Hernandez (10:28):
It is it's like one of them songs that it
repeats over and over But it'sso good that you really don't
mind it if that makes sense Didyou get into the anime?
GrunesDragon (10:38):
I never really got into the anime.
I wasn't really a TV watcher,and I, you know, it would have
been kind of difficult up untilI was an adult for me to even
access the Pokemon but I didcontinue picking the games I
remember I Think I had droppedout of school At that point I
got in the car with mygrandmother Went to go pick up
sun and moon booted up moon inthe car and the title screen
(11:00):
music made me cry in like thepassenger seat of our honda
element
David Hernandez (11:05):
what was it just the tune of it or just
GrunesDragon (11:07):
I don't know something about just the epic
swell of it and the chorus ofvoices singing Something about
that tune just like immediatelymade me cry
David Hernandez (11:15):
Was gonna say on top of you know being kind of
an emotional shift from youdropping out of high school
that's kind of a I don't know ifit's a high or a low, it's kind
of a unique rollercoaster
GrunesDragon (11:24):
Yeah, I was just, I was just, I was very strained,
and I was getting by, and a newPokemon game was out, and I was,
it was truly a sense of like,oh, I'm, I'm cracking open
something that's full of unknownbrand new wonders.
David Hernandez (11:36):
This is like a new, a start over, it sounds
like almost.
GrunesDragon (11:40):
Could be! I don't remember that much about the
Ultra games, other than like,oh, that was cool, they messed
up the story, but the gameplayis fun.
I got to play Sword and Shieldfor the first time when I first
met, the person I would move inwith and end up dating.
David Hernandez (11:54):
Aw, that's, that's awesome.
GrunesDragon (11:56):
remember it was when we were first getting to
know each other.
They came from a couple statesaway to visit, and we were both
grinding out trying to shinyhunt a shiny Nickit for them.
David Hernandez (12:05):
So y'all both met through, Pokemon?
Bye.
GrunesDragon (12:07):
Yeah, we had spoken through the Pokemon chat
that we had both been in foryears at that
David Hernandez (12:12):
mean.
Yeah, I know.
GrunesDragon (12:22):
both of us were not fond of the raids in Sword
and Shield.
They were very slow.
David Hernandez (12:27):
regular ones.
GrunesDragon (12:32):
very slow in Sword and Shield.
I remember sometimes I wouldliterally be falling asleep
trying to finish a raid.
Yeah.
David Hernandez (12:42):
Do you prefer them now in Scarlet and Violet?
GrunesDragon (12:46):
Yes.
As glitchy as they can be,because Scarlet and Violet, the
raids feel great in this game.
David Hernandez (12:52):
it's been night and day because I tried going
back to play Pokemon Swordbecause I started with Shield
And it just felt so weird, itfelt like in spite of the
criticisms Scarlet and Violethave received I actually enjoy
the way it, like, feels playingthat game Compared to Sword and
Shield for some reason
GrunesDragon (13:09):
Yeah, that's understandable.
I think, Sword and Shield hasmore of a tight aesthetic sort
of thing going on, but reallyneeded improvement in gameplay
and the plot being only halfdone.
David Hernandez (13:20):
Yeah, I don't know, I didn't like the plot too
much to be honest.
It just, that's what turned meoff to it.
It's not bad, it just wasn't thebest.
GrunesDragon (13:27):
I could see what it was going for something,
something sort of likecapitalism and exploiting things
and sort of adulthood andresponsibility.
It was going for something cool,but they didn't finish it for
some reason.
David Hernandez (13:39):
especially like, I didn't like the term the
mayor made.
Because I actually felt like heshould have been a good guy.
I didn't really understand hehad to be the antagonist.
GrunesDragon (13:47):
I yeah, I the moment when I officially
couldn't with Sword and Shield'sstory anymore when it was, when
it was like, you're in a tunnel,there's a Pokemon rampaging
outside, you don't get to see itor deal with it, go away, you're
just a kid.
We didn't even animate any ofthis for the player to look at,
it's just a thing that'shappening in text.
just like, okay, what the hellis going on with the plot?
David Hernandez (14:08):
you know, what about the story for Pokemon
Scarlet and Violet?
Did you enjoy that more?
GrunesDragon (14:12):
So, Scarlet and Violet did something to my
brain.
I, you know, never reallyattached to human characters.
I don't know what it was aboutit.
It's just been a quirk of mine.
Until Scarlet and Violet.
Something about, just all of theplot lines going on there.
something about those particularcharacters, just explosion of
thinking about these charactersand liking these characters.
(14:34):
I think character writing didchange significantly, between
Sword and Shield and Scarveye.
David Hernandez (14:40):
Which part of Scarlet and Violet did you kind
of identify with or kind of,related to?
GrunesDragon (14:44):
I mean, all of the plot lines are emotionally
compelling to me, and I thinkthere's a lot of things where
the characters are doing athing, but you can detect sort
of a, an undercurrent to it.
Like, the whole Nimona wants youto complete the, Pokemon League
thing.
It's just like, oh yeah, I amyour rival now, I am adopting
you.
But there is enough dialogue tosuggest that Nimona is kind of a
weird eccentric person and islonely because no one likes
(15:05):
being around her.
There's a lot of relativelysubtle for Pokemon stuff like
that going on with almost all ofthe characters and that's
something I really liked.
David Hernandez (15:14):
yeah, cause really all three characters,
they could honestly be outcastin a way.
Cause you said Nimona, she'svery hyper competitive, you
know, you got, Penny where shewas, trying to defeat the forces
she created with, Team Star.
And then the tragic story of,Arven basically both his parents
not giving a crap for the guy.
They both kind of had their ownlike outcast story in a way, and
(15:34):
then separated from the school.
So it's kind of relatable forsome people who've maybe been
down that road, you know?
Yeah, for
GrunesDragon (15:40):
Yeah, for sure.
There's a lot of sort of hiddensadness in Scaravai and
something about that just wokemy brain up.
David Hernandez (15:46):
I was curious, you know, since we're still on
Pokemon, do you have a favoritePokemon at all?
GrunesDragon (15:50):
Zoroark.
It has to be Zoroark.
There are a lot of Pokemon thatI would exalt as being amazing
Pokemon, but it really has to beZoroark.
David Hernandez (15:58):
Ooh, how come that one.
GrunesDragon (15:59):
The way it was animated and depicted in Master
of Illusions really got to me.
It is, it is elegant, it iscool, like it stores its babies
in its mane and it just sort oftucks them in there.
The artwork is lovable andbadass and elegant and I just
love it overall.
David Hernandez (16:16):
I'm not gonna lie, I was actually expecting a
dragon type Pokemon.
I'm really, I'm reallypleasantly surprised, if
GrunesDragon (16:21):
Well, I've accidentally started a tradition
for I don't know how long atthis point of drawing at least
one mega Rayquaza every year.
David Hernandez (16:28):
out of accident or on purpose?
GrunesDragon (16:30):
It kind of happened on accident.
David Hernandez (16:32):
what led to the first one?
GrunesDragon (16:33):
probably just looking at its design and its
majestic tassels and trying todo my best to do justice by
that.
And I still think I haven'tsucceeded
David Hernandez (16:41):
I mean, I think that's always the struggle of
every artist, right?
You never feel like it's donewell enough because, you know,
we're the strongest critique,
GrunesDragon (16:47):
for sure.
David Hernandez (16:48):
I know for me, you know, when I do a podcast,
I'll edit it for like hours uponhours.
And I still, even afterfinishing, I'm like, there's
still problems with it.
And no matter how much, youknow, you edit it, eventually
you just have to release it atsome point.
Or in this case, when you drawit, you got to just eventually
what you've done is the best youcould
GrunesDragon (17:02):
Yeah, absolutely.
It's just like, well, until thenext time I try this.
David Hernandez (17:53):
Since we're on the topic with art, you know,
this is a podcast where, youknow, your art and, you know,
your world of Pokemon kind ofcollide.
I did some research on yourartwork and I kind of want to
touch on some of the artworkyou've done and the inspiration
behind it.
You know, what led to youdrawing it?
so I'm only gonna go through ahandful I mean I could be here
all day if we try to go throughall of them first one of course,
the one is of course the Lugiaone, which is seems like it was
(18:16):
inspired from Pokemon the movie2000 It's called the song has
given me strength.
Is that basically kind of whereit was inspired from?
GrunesDragon (18:22):
Yes, okay, now that, I was gonna say, which
Logia one?
But yes, that was, I got animage in my head for trying to
do something with sort of thegrey and the clouds and doing a
little bit of a rainbow y effecton it, uh, and wanted to see if
I could pull that off, I got anidea in my head for a drawing I
wanted to try and do that wouldreally have to be done digitally
(18:43):
of Just sort of the way thatimage is composed with the gray
Sort of the gray thing overallwith a little bit of a rainbow
effect that and trying toreflect the feeling of lugia's
song and how its function is inthe movie of just being you
know, Beaten down, battled down,and rising because of this
music.
sort of a heartful feeling thatI was trying to depict, and also
(19:06):
testing what I could do in termsof what I could draw.
David Hernandez (19:09):
The next one we'll touch on is Sylveon's
fairy tale.
It's the one where Sylveon'skind of like battling a dragon
with the castle.
I don't know if, Huh?
GrunesDragon (19:18):
Just, I'm excited to hear that you found that one.
A, because it's old, and B,because it's a piece I'm still
kind of excited about.
David Hernandez (19:25):
It's a great one.
Cause I don't know if you'veever played it.
It reminded me of a wind wakerand gave me those vibes of like
somebody telling an ancienttale.
And it's like a image ofsomebody like this person went
to go slay the dragon kind ofthing.
If that makes sense.
GrunesDragon (19:38):
That makes me very happy to hear.
I have played Wind Waker,although I didn't necessarily
make that mental connectionuntil now.
It's one of the major driversfor my style.
but yes, I saw Sylveon's dexentry in Shield.
that something something at onepoint Sylveon repelled a
dreadful dragon Pokémon.
I was thinking okay, the worddreadful in pokemon is almost
(20:00):
always associated with ghosttypes and we have a new ghost
type dragon so that's probablywhat it was and I was just
trying to sort of Depict whatthat dex entry could have been
talking about because it soundedvery badass and cool.
(20:29):
Yeah Yeah, it's the worddreadful was a tip off It was
probably talking about ghostpokemon because pokemon has sort
of repetitive language when itcomes to certain types.
David Hernandez (20:39):
the only other one I could have been would
maybe be, uh, Giratina, but eventhen that's back in Sinnoh.
It's kind of a you picked a goodchoice.
GrunesDragon (20:46):
Yay, thank you
David Hernandez (20:48):
The next one I want to talk about is the one
called Illuminating Arcanine.
And I just love the colorcontrast between, you dark, it's
the, uh, human arcanine.
You got the dark red and theblack with the blue behind it.
And again, it ties back to, Iguess, since you were inspired
by Wind Waker, it gave me moreof those vibes as well.
It's just, I don't know, it'sjust a very good depiction of
it.
GrunesDragon (21:09):
yeah, so that was, I'm going through like a very
faint, uh, sort of medievalweeaboo phase at the moment.
Uh, and I've, you know, I'vebeen looking at a lot of images
of old Renaissance paintings andtapestries and stuff as I've
been sleeping, just because thatis sort of what's on the
background of the music that I'mplaying.
I got the idea for the Rapidash,which is the partner piece to
(21:30):
that one.
And I wanted to make it sort ofa duo, like you could almost
hang this on either side of athrone or something.
So I did the Arcanine to go withthat.
Uh, and that is all watercolorin case you could not tell.
David Hernandez (21:43):
I will be honest, I'm not that detailed.
I just like good drawings.
I'm don't know, I can't tell thedifference.
So don't, you're giving me toomuch credit.
I just like looking at stuff.
GrunesDragon (21:53):
Oh, yeah getting the colors getting the colors
good in watercolor is achallenge because you can't go
back and you can't go lighter
David Hernandez (22:02):
So you have to really commit to it whenever you
draw to it.
Because once it's
GrunesDragon (22:05):
Yeah, I just have to keep throwing on layers and
eventually get it, right?
I
David Hernandez (22:09):
Now you said that you weren't, you know,
you're currently going throughinspiration of medieval art or
Renaissance art.
You know, is that primarily yourmotivation right now?
And what is some of yourinspiration from some of your
past art that's led you to kindof where you are now?
GrunesDragon (22:22):
I think i'm going through sort of a medieval
regalia slight phase justbecause it is fun and fancy and
pleasant on the eyes Idownloaded a brush pack That's
full of sort of pattern brushesand I can't stop playing with
those and it's becoming aproblem in terms of art style
inspiration overall Okami.
David Hernandez (22:40):
Oh, I love that
GrunesDragon (22:42):
Yes.
you know what Okami is.
David Hernandez (22:44):
if you have not played a real quick, if you have
not played Okami, it's on theWii or you can bootleg it,
whichever, you know, let's justbe honest.
We've all pirated at some point.
You
GrunesDragon (22:53):
Okami HD was re yeah.
Okami HD was re released on PCand switch.
David Hernandez (23:01):
There you go.
You don't have to be, you don'thave to break the law.
You can just get on your PC.
I'm assuming stream and get onthe switch.
You play the game.
Such a good game.
I first
GrunesDragon (23:10):
I first played it on Wii and it was it was really
funny The TV was like on eitherside of the TV were a couple of
windows So if you know howWiimotes work during certain
times of the day my Wiimotewould just not work anymore And
I couldn't draw a circle Becausethe Wiimote works with like two
infrared lights on either sideof like a sensor bar and that's
(23:31):
how it detects the position Soat certain times a day the sun
would be in the windows and myWiimote would stop working
David Hernandez (23:36):
oh my gosh.
Struggle will be sometimes.
GrunesDragon (23:38):
I'd honestly say the switch is the best console
to play Okami on The resolutionis obviously better and the
motion controls work fantastic.
David Hernandez (23:47):
that was the, I was gonna say the, I remember
playing on the, we, the biggestissue I had was the controls,
because sometimes, and I didn'teven have the sun, it was just
not responsive.
And, you know, uh, when youbattle in that game, it's kind
of important.
So definitely would recommend itSwitch if you have one.
GrunesDragon (24:00):
I'm drawing a circle.
What wrong with you?
David Hernandez (24:03):
Work, dang Well, you work, dang it! I'm
gonna throw you at the TV! Well,Groon, I got one last drawing I
want to touch on.
It's my favorite one that you'vedone.
And, like I said, it was hardfor me to pick one, but it's
actually the one, it's calledthe Grand Migration.
And it's the one with all theVivillons, and then I think
it's, it's either Ponytail orRapidash.
(24:24):
It's got like one in its mouth.
GrunesDragon (24:26):
Yeah, there's there's like one butterfly
bothering the ponytail
David Hernandez (24:29):
and it's actually Poke, it's the Pokeball
Vivillon, which is great.
GrunesDragon (24:32):
Yeah, and there's like a Floette in corner like
oh, this is cool, and there isone Butterfree hidden in the
piece
David Hernandez (24:39):
Oh my gosh, don't tell me that.
I didn't even see theButterfree.
I just
GrunesDragon (24:41):
one Butterfree in all the Vivillon
David Hernandez (24:43):
Oh, I see it.
Okay.
Okay.
I just assumed they're allVivillon.
Oh, wow.
GrunesDragon (24:48):
Yeah, that piece was also watercolour.
I did it when I was strugglingwith seasonal depression, and I
just wanted to draw somethingexuberantly pretty and spring
themed and joyful, which issomething I keep returning to.
I have a few pieces in sort ofthis spring set.
I'd say that was definitely theone with the most effort,
painting all those Vivillon.
David Hernandez (25:08):
They're all different colors.
None of them are the same andit's not digital.
So you said it's watercolor,right?
GrunesDragon (25:13):
Yeah, every pattern of Vivillon is there at
least once, I believe.
And you know, whenever there'ssort of that, all Vivillon have
very geometric designs, right?
So I put down a layer of colorand then I'd have to wait for it
to dry completely.
So I'd go to a differentVivillon and put down a layer of
color and have to wait for thatone dry, rinse and repeat until
I've been sitting at my desk for10 hours.
David Hernandez (25:32):
Oh my gosh.
The thing artists go through.
Okay.
This is, this is, they'rededicated.
This is what I'm telling you.
GrunesDragon (25:38):
I really enjoyed making that piece and I'm still
proud of it and I am so glad,it's making me so happy that
someone recognizes it.
David Hernandez (25:45):
GrunesDragon, I got one last question to close
out this podcast.
GrunesDragon (25:49):
Pokemon!
David Hernandez (25:50):
Of course it's a Pokemon question.
So, if somebody was going tocome battle you, six on six
Pokemon battle, what six Pokemonare you bringing?
GrunesDragon (26:01):
I have Pokemon that I've carried through the
games that I'm attached to, sothose are gonna be my first
picks.
It would be Luxray.
I sort of have a Luxray thatI've named in honor of one that
I lost in a Nuzlocke.
it's sort of in my mind,obviously you can't do this in
the game, but this Luxray iswhite because he was revived in
the flower fields.
so Luxray, just reliable goatfriend through many different
(26:25):
games.
Extremely, extremely good friendin Platinum.
My Shiny Zoroark, who I huntedfor in ORAS.
I, I believe that was one ofthose where it was under the
table in high school.
I was Shiny hunting with the DexNav in Alpha Sapphire.
David Hernandez (26:39):
Okay.
GrunesDragon (26:40):
Sorry, I just have good memories with my Pokemon.
David Hernandez (26:42):
No, I love it.
This is great.
First, you're hiding in thecloset.
Now you've, uh, upgraded to thetable.
This is getting, this is gettingbetter.
GrunesDragon (26:50):
Math class first thing in the morning.
I'm not doing math class firstthing in the morning.
I'm playing Pokemon.
my mega, my mega Altaria, whichI'm crying because they got rid
of the move return, which washer signature move.
David Hernandez (27:03):
No.
Yeah.
GrunesDragon (27:04):
saying if there were a Pokemon battle happening
right now, she has returned.
I don't care about cannon.
David Hernandez (27:08):
Hey, no judgment here.
It still has return.
GrunesDragon (27:11):
yeah, they got rid of Return, but Altaria had
Pixelate, and the best set atthe time was to run Mega
Altaria, with Return on it,which is basically 255 power
Fairy type move.
David Hernandez (27:21):
All right.
It's halfway.
You got three.
GrunesDragon (27:24):
Alright, I have Luxray, Zoroark, Altaria.
Honestly, Glimora.
I have come to like Glimora alot.
David Hernandez (27:29):
Oh, yes.
That's a good one.
GrunesDragon (27:31):
It It's pretty, and it's a little bit
understated, and mechanically,it is fun to play.
Ah, shoot.
I guess my Gen 4 love is showinghere because Star Raptor.
Star Raptor is strong andreliable.
I love Star Raptor.
great to use in a battle.
David Hernandez (27:46):
oh, yeah, you can't go wrong with it.
GrunesDragon (27:47):
I'm trying to think.
I think my sixth Pokemon wouldbe some sort of troll Pokemon,
like prankster, whimsicott,
David Hernandez (27:53):
Oh Okay.
GrunesDragon (27:54):
some sort Pokemon.
You would get really sick ofseeing who keeps annoying you
and slowly taking down yourteam.
David Hernandez (28:01):
That brings your ability
GrunesDragon (28:02):
That is, that is my favorite, tactic Just
annoyance.
Pokemon,
David Hernandez (28:06):
My gosh a person after my own heart.
I used to always spam doubleteam back when I was younger
deep
GrunesDragon (28:11):
uh, yes.
David Hernandez (28:11):
still do.
Yep
GrunesDragon (28:13):
Double team sets are annoying are so annoying
David Hernandez (28:16):
They are.
I try not to use them anymore,but temptation
GrunesDragon (28:19):
Yeah,
David Hernandez (28:19):
there.
GrunesDragon (28:20):
for sure
David Hernandez (28:21):
GrunesDragon, thank you for coming on the
podcast.
If people want to check out yourart, if they want to connect
with you, where can they go?
By all means, please plug away.
GrunesDragon (28:30):
you can look for me at grunes dragon g r u n e s
dragon on blue sky I have anartful which is sort of my
portfolio That gets updatedevery once in a while.
It's intended to be a sort ofThe ultimate, you know, uh,
where I put everything you canalso follow Grun's Dragon on
Tumblr.
The blog wasn't active for awhile, but it's active again.
(28:51):
And I have some really old artin the archive there.
And you can also find me onInPrint.
I used to have more shop frontsand eventually downsized to just
InPrint.
So if you're looking for,Pokemon art prints, I have them.
I have those and I have someother stuff.
I am GrunesDragon, and this is my Pokémon story.
David Hernandez (00:42):
Welcome to As the Pokeball Turns, where we
interview people about theirexperience with Pokemon.
My name is David Hernandez andtoday I'm joined by an artist
known as Groon's Dragon.
Groon, welcome to the show.
(01:03):
There we go.
We're getting in the spirit now.
I like it.
Uh, I'm going to guess that youlove dragons because obviously
your username and for those whocouldn't hear it, it's actually
a dragon drawers.
What she did, I believe.
GrunesDragon (01:18):
Yes, I believe so.
Honestly, that would be aninteresting dragon.
Yes, In my sort of art and in myfurry adjacent ways, I started
IDing with dragons, dragon typePokémon, dragons in general, and
drawing them a lot.
I would say 2013, 14, and thathas just kind of been my life
(01:39):
since.
David Hernandez (01:40):
What was it about dragons that appeal to
you?
GrunesDragon (01:43):
I think it was partially drawing these things
is satisfying as hell becauseyou can't technically make
mistakes.
Uh, and you can also do, youknow, very, you know, very
swirly, fluffy sort of manes andwhiskers and body shapes.
And just do badass drawings aswell without that much effort
put into making it look badass.
David Hernandez (02:02):
You know, you just gave me more hope as an
artist.
I'm like, you really can't messup a dragon.
Like, how could you really messone up?
GrunesDragon (02:08):
I mean, do you see some of the dragon designs that
come out on like mass producedmerchandise that are ugly as
hell?
David Hernandez (02:14):
yeah, I do.
And they look kind of weird.
GrunesDragon (02:16):
You really can't mess up.
David Hernandez (02:18):
I got to ask you this.
So what is it like with dragonPokemon?
Like, do you have any likeparticular favorites that remind
you of a dragon?
Are there's any that you justlike are completely turned off
by?
GrunesDragon (02:27):
there are some I beleive Fridgebax.
I don't know how much I need toexplain.
Fridgebax does not appeal to medesign wise.
It is an ugly little bugger.
I'm sorry.
I know it is not a dragon type,but uh, screw everything.
I like pirated Pokemon the Movie2000 when I was a teenager and
that permanently changed mybrain chemistry.
David Hernandez (02:49):
really, why?
GrunesDragon (02:50):
Something about Lugia's just elegance and
character and the way it wasanimated.
And later on, the same thinghappened when I had the
opportunity to see, the Zoroarkmovie.
David Hernandez (03:01):
Oh, was that also a pirated movie, I assume?
GrunesDragon (03:03):
Oh, yeah, for a while I was not allowed access
to any form of mainstream media.
So when I got some freedom as ateenager in sort of a different
household, I just went hamwatching all of the stuff that
appealed to me.
David Hernandez (03:15):
It's like I have like 10 years of media I
have to catch up to, I gottastart now!
GrunesDragon (03:21):
I still kind of live under a rock when it comes
to mainstream media, but thereare some things that I
definitely wanted to catch upon.
David Hernandez (03:27):
Hey, I remember when I pirated, what was it,
Dragon Ball Evolution?
I felt like I wanted my moneyback, ha, sometimes it's not
always the best thing.
GrunesDragon (03:35):
Yeah.
David Hernandez (03:35):
But so you said you don't like Frigidbacks.
What are some that you do like,Dragon wise?
GrunesDragon (03:40):
I've been warming up to more of them.
My taste in Pokemon has beenevolving over time, which I
suppose makes sense.
Her her her evolving.
Uh,
David Hernandez (03:48):
Pun! Hmm.
GrunesDragon (03:49):
yes fantastic I've started to be get more attached
to grandpa, which is curiousbecause I just didn't like it
for the longest time I thoughtits face looked stupid and to be
fair.
I think its face still kind oflooks stupid But i'm as i've
drawn it a couple of times foruh, people's characters or for
fusions i've It's fluffiness hasstarted to appeal to me.
David Hernandez (04:11):
so, you know, you talk about, you know,
pirating Pokemon 2000.
Was that like your firstexperience into the Pokemon or
was it even before that?
GrunesDragon (04:18):
My first experience into Pokemon, and
this is a really weird story andI don't know why I remember
this, was I was on the schoolbus and someone left, like, one
of those kids magazines lyingaround.
I don't remember which one.
and it had an advertisement forPlatinum on the back.
And for some reason they gaveMaylene a Houndoom.
I don't know why they gaveMaylene a Houndoom.
(04:38):
You know, the way advertisingmaterial can just be really
inaccurate with Pokemonsometimes.
and I remember looking at allthe designs on that cover and
going, I don't care for any ofthe humans and Houndoom is the
only Pokemon on this cover thatI'm liking the look of.
And then proceeded to not haveany more exposure to Pokemon
other than like the internet,until the Black and White era.
David Hernandez (04:57):
so black and white was mainly your first, I
guess, quote unquote games intothe Pokemon franchise.
GrunesDragon (05:02):
My first Pokemon game that I got to actually
play, other than playing throughmost of a ROM of Black and White
when it came out, was my friendlent me her cartridge of Y, and
I would play it at high school,and I would go and hide in
closet in the art room and justplay Pokemon Y.
Our art our art teacher was sochill that he's just like I
shouldn't be allowing this buti've said something to you
(05:24):
technically So i'm just gonnaleave you be
David Hernandez (05:27):
but why are you hiding in the closet though?
If you're not hiding from theteacher.
GrunesDragon (05:30):
Then I don't know just to be alone with my game
David Hernandez (05:32):
Okay.
Okay.
That makes more sense is I canimagine the teacher opening the
doors like What are you doinghere?
Are you just playing Pokemon?
Okay, keep going.
I got it.
Like you just like you're tryingto
GrunesDragon (05:42):
you're supposed to be doing artwork, but you know
as long as you get yourassignment in I don't care
David Hernandez (05:46):
and I'm assuming this is still you
couldn't like have likemainstream media at home and you
were still Restricted I guess soyou're kind of having to keep it
away from the parents and allthat.
GrunesDragon (05:54):
not at that time, but I was still in the habit of
Focusing on things other than memode at home So going to school
that would be like the placewhere I do the fun things
David Hernandez (06:04):
Will you and your friends like talk about
Pokemon, you know once you startplaying in everything like that
Like how deep did you get intothe fandom initially?
GrunesDragon (06:10):
Into the fandom?
Not very much initially.
I had a lot going on at thattime, I would eventually end up
joining the Poki Ask Vlogcommunity, which is still going
strong from what I hear, whichI'm amazed by, because that is
primarily on Tumblr and Tumblrhas been some shit.
David Hernandez (06:25):
Oh, it's been through a lot, my God.
Tumblr's barely a resemblance ofwhat it used to be.
GrunesDragon (06:29):
Yeah, but it is making a bit of a comeback with
the looks over at the dumpsterfire far to my right of where
Twitter used to be.
David Hernandez (06:37):
Hey, these dumpster fires have feelings,
okay?
These trubbishes, they matter,okay?
So don't call it
GrunesDragon (06:42):
Stop setting garbodors on fire.
Stop cruelty
David Hernandez (06:46):
The madness, the madness!
GrunesDragon (06:48):
Yeah, Tumblr is making a bit of a comeback and
back in the day when it wasfirst sort of booming I ended up
starting a couple of pokemon Ocask blogs and that was a great
way to be interacting withpeople With a common interest I
was following Iris Chroma, Ibelieve that's still her
username.
I was following Iris who thenwent by Tia, Sort of a widely
(07:09):
followed very cool pokemonartist though.
She has transitioned to doingmostly contract work anyway at
the time I was following her andshe started a pokemon creatives
chat in 2016 And that was ainitially a skype group but
quickly transitioned to adiscord server just for pokemon
artists to get together and befriends and show off each
other's work and i've made somelifelong friends from then
David Hernandez (07:32):
I guess, It would be in a way like a discord
channel nowadays to where y'alljust post art and y'all just
like oh but like oh this isamazing and y'all's own art kind
of thing.
GrunesDragon (07:40):
Yeah, and also just socialize in general,
pokemon creatives chat, uhitself shut down 2018
David Hernandez (07:48):
Aww,
GrunesDragon (07:49):
But uh sort of in an emergency We don't want to
lose everybody some of themembers put together a second
server that we are into this day
David Hernandez (07:57):
When it comes to art, did you start drawing
when you
GrunesDragon (08:03):
I've been drawing since I was a tiny child and I
started taking it seriouslySometime around middle school, I
guess I had a lot stuff going onin my life that meant that I was
just kind of spaced out all thetime I wasn't Learning as much
from school as I should havebeen and I wasn't even in school
for some periods so I didn'treally have a chance to get good
(08:23):
at anything in particular Butdrawing was the one thing I was
always doing, even when I wasbeing discouraged.
David Hernandez (08:29):
Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.
I'm glad that you stuck with itthough.
A lot of people, I don't know,get knocked down cause you know,
they get told their art's notgood enough or it won't amount
to anything.
You know, it's kind of, it'srough living the artist's life.
GrunesDragon (08:40):
Yeah.
Drawing was the one thing Icould always just go sit down
and do.
And, props to my grandma who wasalways like showering me in art
supplies because she's anabstract artist herself.
David Hernandez (08:50):
Oh, so it runs in the family.
GrunesDragon (08:52):
I suppose so.
David Hernandez (08:53):
Do you remember what you used to draw growing
up?
Like, were they just like,cartoons?
Or
GrunesDragon (08:58):
I was a wolf and horse child.
David Hernandez (09:00):
A wolf and horse child?
Okay,
GrunesDragon (09:01):
Like you've ever run into like a horse child,
who's like, so into horses thatthey'll like pretend to run like
a horse and stuff, that was me.
David Hernandez (09:08):
I've met a child that's so into horses he
dresses up on them.
So, it's just kind ofrefreshing.
ha ha ha ha
GrunesDragon (09:15):
I think that was partially what drew me to
Pokemon in the first place.
growing up, I always had more ofa sense of empathy with real
life animals and also cartoonanimals, more of a sense of
empathy with critters than anyhumans whatsoever.
Uh,
David Hernandez (09:30):
feel that, yeah.
Pokemon
GrunesDragon (09:33):
Pokemon and especially, seeing how Lugia was
depicted in the movie 2000, justlike, yep, I fricking love
Pokemon.
David Hernandez (09:41):
2000 just solidified your kind of interest
in the franchise at that point.
GrunesDragon (09:45):
Absolutely.
David Hernandez (09:46):
when it comes to Pokemon Y.
What do you remember?
Like, do you remember like thisplot?
Like, what do you, what did youenjoy about playing that game?
GrunesDragon (09:53):
hmm I recently replayed it and was hit sort of
differently still good But whatI remember being hit the by the
most uh at the time Was the thebeautiful world song at the end
David Hernandez (10:05):
Oh my gosh.
GrunesDragon (10:06):
how it goes on with the multi language lyrics
floating up on the screen andjust the fantastic music and
immaculate aesthetic at somepoints and then I the the
beautiful world song was whereit really killed me with pokemon
y I love that so much
David Hernandez (10:20):
I know.
I was just listening to it earlytoday.
Actually small world.
GrunesDragon (10:24):
It's kind of, like, Kiseki is a bit
repetitive, but it's really hardto beat.
David Hernandez (10:28):
It is it's like one of them songs that it
repeats over and over But it'sso good that you really don't
mind it if that makes sense Didyou get into the anime?
GrunesDragon (10:38):
I never really got into the anime.
I wasn't really a TV watcher,and I, you know, it would have
been kind of difficult up untilI was an adult for me to even
access the Pokemon but I didcontinue picking the games I
remember I Think I had droppedout of school At that point I
got in the car with mygrandmother Went to go pick up
sun and moon booted up moon inthe car and the title screen
(11:00):
music made me cry in like thepassenger seat of our honda
element
David Hernandez (11:05):
what was it just the tune of it or just
GrunesDragon (11:07):
I don't know something about just the epic
swell of it and the chorus ofvoices singing Something about
that tune just like immediatelymade me cry
David Hernandez (11:15):
Was gonna say on top of you know being kind of
an emotional shift from youdropping out of high school
that's kind of a I don't know ifit's a high or a low, it's kind
of a unique rollercoaster
GrunesDragon (11:24):
Yeah, I was just, I was just, I was very strained,
and I was getting by, and a newPokemon game was out, and I was,
it was truly a sense of like,oh, I'm, I'm cracking open
something that's full of unknownbrand new wonders.
David Hernandez (11:36):
This is like a new, a start over, it sounds
like almost.
GrunesDragon (11:40):
Could be! I don't remember that much about the
Ultra games, other than like,oh, that was cool, they messed
up the story, but the gameplayis fun.
I got to play Sword and Shieldfor the first time when I first
met, the person I would move inwith and end up dating.
David Hernandez (11:54):
Aw, that's, that's awesome.
GrunesDragon (11:56):
remember it was when we were first getting to
know each other.
They came from a couple statesaway to visit, and we were both
grinding out trying to shinyhunt a shiny Nickit for them.
David Hernandez (12:05):
So y'all both met through, Pokemon?
Bye.
GrunesDragon (12:07):
Yeah, we had spoken through the Pokemon chat
that we had both been in foryears at that
David Hernandez (12:12):
mean.
Yeah, I know.
GrunesDragon (12:22):
both of us were not fond of the raids in Sword
and Shield.
They were very slow.
David Hernandez (12:27):
regular ones.
GrunesDragon (12:32):
very slow in Sword and Shield.
I remember sometimes I wouldliterally be falling asleep
trying to finish a raid.
Yeah.
David Hernandez (12:42):
Do you prefer them now in Scarlet and Violet?
GrunesDragon (12:46):
Yes.
As glitchy as they can be,because Scarlet and Violet, the
raids feel great in this game.
David Hernandez (12:52):
it's been night and day because I tried going
back to play Pokemon Swordbecause I started with Shield
And it just felt so weird, itfelt like in spite of the
criticisms Scarlet and Violethave received I actually enjoy
the way it, like, feels playingthat game Compared to Sword and
Shield for some reason
GrunesDragon (13:09):
Yeah, that's understandable.
I think, Sword and Shield hasmore of a tight aesthetic sort
of thing going on, but reallyneeded improvement in gameplay
and the plot being only halfdone.
David Hernandez (13:20):
Yeah, I don't know, I didn't like the plot too
much to be honest.
It just, that's what turned meoff to it.
It's not bad, it just wasn't thebest.
GrunesDragon (13:27):
I could see what it was going for something,
something sort of likecapitalism and exploiting things
and sort of adulthood andresponsibility.
It was going for something cool,but they didn't finish it for
some reason.
David Hernandez (13:39):
especially like, I didn't like the term the
mayor made.
Because I actually felt like heshould have been a good guy.
I didn't really understand hehad to be the antagonist.
GrunesDragon (13:47):
I yeah, I the moment when I officially
couldn't with Sword and Shield'sstory anymore when it was, when
it was like, you're in a tunnel,there's a Pokemon rampaging
outside, you don't get to see itor deal with it, go away, you're
just a kid.
We didn't even animate any ofthis for the player to look at,
it's just a thing that'shappening in text.
just like, okay, what the hellis going on with the plot?
David Hernandez (14:08):
you know, what about the story for Pokemon
Scarlet and Violet?
Did you enjoy that more?
GrunesDragon (14:12):
So, Scarlet and Violet did something to my
brain.
I, you know, never reallyattached to human characters.
I don't know what it was aboutit.
It's just been a quirk of mine.
Until Scarlet and Violet.
Something about, just all of theplot lines going on there.
something about those particularcharacters, just explosion of
thinking about these charactersand liking these characters.
(14:34):
I think character writing didchange significantly, between
Sword and Shield and Scarveye.
David Hernandez (14:40):
Which part of Scarlet and Violet did you kind
of identify with or kind of,related to?
GrunesDragon (14:44):
I mean, all of the plot lines are emotionally
compelling to me, and I thinkthere's a lot of things where
the characters are doing athing, but you can detect sort
of a, an undercurrent to it.
Like, the whole Nimona wants youto complete the, Pokemon League
thing.
It's just like, oh yeah, I amyour rival now, I am adopting
you.
But there is enough dialogue tosuggest that Nimona is kind of a
weird eccentric person and islonely because no one likes
(15:05):
being around her.
There's a lot of relativelysubtle for Pokemon stuff like
that going on with almost all ofthe characters and that's
something I really liked.
David Hernandez (15:14):
yeah, cause really all three characters,
they could honestly be outcastin a way.
Cause you said Nimona, she'svery hyper competitive, you
know, you got, Penny where shewas, trying to defeat the forces
she created with, Team Star.
And then the tragic story of,Arven basically both his parents
not giving a crap for the guy.
They both kind of had their ownlike outcast story in a way, and
(15:34):
then separated from the school.
So it's kind of relatable forsome people who've maybe been
down that road, you know?
Yeah, for
GrunesDragon (15:40):
Yeah, for sure.
There's a lot of sort of hiddensadness in Scaravai and
something about that just wokemy brain up.
David Hernandez (15:46):
I was curious, you know, since we're still on
Pokemon, do you have a favoritePokemon at all?
GrunesDragon (15:50):
Zoroark.
It has to be Zoroark.
There are a lot of Pokemon thatI would exalt as being amazing
Pokemon, but it really has to beZoroark.
David Hernandez (15:58):
Ooh, how come that one.
GrunesDragon (15:59):
The way it was animated and depicted in Master
of Illusions really got to me.
It is, it is elegant, it iscool, like it stores its babies
in its mane and it just sort oftucks them in there.
The artwork is lovable andbadass and elegant and I just
love it overall.
David Hernandez (16:16):
I'm not gonna lie, I was actually expecting a
dragon type Pokemon.
I'm really, I'm reallypleasantly surprised, if
GrunesDragon (16:21):
Well, I've accidentally started a tradition
for I don't know how long atthis point of drawing at least
one mega Rayquaza every year.
David Hernandez (16:28):
out of accident or on purpose?
GrunesDragon (16:30):
It kind of happened on accident.
David Hernandez (16:32):
what led to the first one?
GrunesDragon (16:33):
probably just looking at its design and its
majestic tassels and trying todo my best to do justice by
that.
And I still think I haven'tsucceeded
David Hernandez (16:41):
I mean, I think that's always the struggle of
every artist, right?
You never feel like it's donewell enough because, you know,
we're the strongest critique,
GrunesDragon (16:47):
for sure.
David Hernandez (16:48):
I know for me, you know, when I do a podcast,
I'll edit it for like hours uponhours.
And I still, even afterfinishing, I'm like, there's
still problems with it.
And no matter how much, youknow, you edit it, eventually
you just have to release it atsome point.
Or in this case, when you drawit, you got to just eventually
what you've done is the best youcould
GrunesDragon (17:02):
Yeah, absolutely.
It's just like, well, until thenext time I try this.
David Hernandez (17:53):
Since we're on the topic with art, you know,
this is a podcast where, youknow, your art and, you know,
your world of Pokemon kind ofcollide.
I did some research on yourartwork and I kind of want to
touch on some of the artworkyou've done and the inspiration
behind it.
You know, what led to youdrawing it?
so I'm only gonna go through ahandful I mean I could be here
all day if we try to go throughall of them first one of course,
the one is of course the Lugiaone, which is seems like it was
(18:16):
inspired from Pokemon the movie2000 It's called the song has
given me strength.
Is that basically kind of whereit was inspired from?
GrunesDragon (18:22):
Yes, okay, now that, I was gonna say, which
Logia one?
But yes, that was, I got animage in my head for trying to
do something with sort of thegrey and the clouds and doing a
little bit of a rainbow y effecton it, uh, and wanted to see if
I could pull that off, I got anidea in my head for a drawing I
wanted to try and do that wouldreally have to be done digitally
(18:43):
of Just sort of the way thatimage is composed with the gray
Sort of the gray thing overallwith a little bit of a rainbow
effect that and trying toreflect the feeling of lugia's
song and how its function is inthe movie of just being you
know, Beaten down, battled down,and rising because of this
music.
sort of a heartful feeling thatI was trying to depict, and also
(19:06):
testing what I could do in termsof what I could draw.
David Hernandez (19:09):
The next one we'll touch on is Sylveon's
fairy tale.
It's the one where Sylveon'skind of like battling a dragon
with the castle.
I don't know if, Huh?
GrunesDragon (19:18):
Just, I'm excited to hear that you found that one.
A, because it's old, and B,because it's a piece I'm still
kind of excited about.
David Hernandez (19:25):
It's a great one.
Cause I don't know if you'veever played it.
It reminded me of a wind wakerand gave me those vibes of like
somebody telling an ancienttale.
And it's like a image ofsomebody like this person went
to go slay the dragon kind ofthing.
If that makes sense.
GrunesDragon (19:38):
That makes me very happy to hear.
I have played Wind Waker,although I didn't necessarily
make that mental connectionuntil now.
It's one of the major driversfor my style.
but yes, I saw Sylveon's dexentry in Shield.
that something something at onepoint Sylveon repelled a
dreadful dragon Pokémon.
I was thinking okay, the worddreadful in pokemon is almost
(20:00):
always associated with ghosttypes and we have a new ghost
type dragon so that's probablywhat it was and I was just
trying to sort of Depict whatthat dex entry could have been
talking about because it soundedvery badass and cool.
(20:29):
Yeah Yeah, it's the worddreadful was a tip off It was
probably talking about ghostpokemon because pokemon has sort
of repetitive language when itcomes to certain types.
David Hernandez (20:39):
the only other one I could have been would
maybe be, uh, Giratina, but eventhen that's back in Sinnoh.
It's kind of a you picked a goodchoice.
GrunesDragon (20:46):
Yay, thank you
David Hernandez (20:48):
The next one I want to talk about is the one
called Illuminating Arcanine.
And I just love the colorcontrast between, you dark, it's
the, uh, human arcanine.
You got the dark red and theblack with the blue behind it.
And again, it ties back to, Iguess, since you were inspired
by Wind Waker, it gave me moreof those vibes as well.
It's just, I don't know, it'sjust a very good depiction of
it.
GrunesDragon (21:09):
yeah, so that was, I'm going through like a very
faint, uh, sort of medievalweeaboo phase at the moment.
Uh, and I've, you know, I'vebeen looking at a lot of images
of old Renaissance paintings andtapestries and stuff as I've
been sleeping, just because thatis sort of what's on the
background of the music that I'mplaying.
I got the idea for the Rapidash,which is the partner piece to
(21:30):
that one.
And I wanted to make it sort ofa duo, like you could almost
hang this on either side of athrone or something.
So I did the Arcanine to go withthat.
Uh, and that is all watercolorin case you could not tell.
David Hernandez (21:43):
I will be honest, I'm not that detailed.
I just like good drawings.
I'm don't know, I can't tell thedifference.
So don't, you're giving me toomuch credit.
I just like looking at stuff.
GrunesDragon (21:53):
Oh, yeah getting the colors getting the colors
good in watercolor is achallenge because you can't go
back and you can't go lighter
David Hernandez (22:02):
So you have to really commit to it whenever you
draw to it.
Because once it's
GrunesDragon (22:05):
Yeah, I just have to keep throwing on layers and
eventually get it, right?
I
David Hernandez (22:09):
Now you said that you weren't, you know,
you're currently going throughinspiration of medieval art or
Renaissance art.
You know, is that primarily yourmotivation right now?
And what is some of yourinspiration from some of your
past art that's led you to kindof where you are now?
GrunesDragon (22:22):
I think i'm going through sort of a medieval
regalia slight phase justbecause it is fun and fancy and
pleasant on the eyes Idownloaded a brush pack That's
full of sort of pattern brushesand I can't stop playing with
those and it's becoming aproblem in terms of art style
inspiration overall Okami.
David Hernandez (22:40):
Oh, I love that
GrunesDragon (22:42):
Yes.
you know what Okami is.
David Hernandez (22:44):
if you have not played a real quick, if you have
not played Okami, it's on theWii or you can bootleg it,
whichever, you know, let's justbe honest.
We've all pirated at some point.
You
GrunesDragon (22:53):
Okami HD was re yeah.
Okami HD was re released on PCand switch.
David Hernandez (23:01):
There you go.
You don't have to be, you don'thave to break the law.
You can just get on your PC.
I'm assuming stream and get onthe switch.
You play the game.
Such a good game.
I first
GrunesDragon (23:10):
I first played it on Wii and it was it was really
funny The TV was like on eitherside of the TV were a couple of
windows So if you know howWiimotes work during certain
times of the day my Wiimotewould just not work anymore And
I couldn't draw a circle Becausethe Wiimote works with like two
infrared lights on either sideof like a sensor bar and that's
(23:31):
how it detects the position Soat certain times a day the sun
would be in the windows and myWiimote would stop working
David Hernandez (23:36):
oh my gosh.
Struggle will be sometimes.
GrunesDragon (23:38):
I'd honestly say the switch is the best console
to play Okami on The resolutionis obviously better and the
motion controls work fantastic.
David Hernandez (23:47):
that was the, I was gonna say the, I remember
playing on the, we, the biggestissue I had was the controls,
because sometimes, and I didn'teven have the sun, it was just
not responsive.
And, you know, uh, when youbattle in that game, it's kind
of important.
So definitely would recommend itSwitch if you have one.
GrunesDragon (24:00):
I'm drawing a circle.
What wrong with you?
David Hernandez (24:03):
Work, dang Well, you work, dang it! I'm
gonna throw you at the TV! Well,Groon, I got one last drawing I
want to touch on.
It's my favorite one that you'vedone.
And, like I said, it was hardfor me to pick one, but it's
actually the one, it's calledthe Grand Migration.
And it's the one with all theVivillons, and then I think
it's, it's either Ponytail orRapidash.
(24:24):
It's got like one in its mouth.
GrunesDragon (24:26):
Yeah, there's there's like one butterfly
bothering the ponytail
David Hernandez (24:29):
and it's actually Poke, it's the Pokeball
Vivillon, which is great.
GrunesDragon (24:32):
Yeah, and there's like a Floette in corner like
oh, this is cool, and there isone Butterfree hidden in the
piece
David Hernandez (24:39):
Oh my gosh, don't tell me that.
I didn't even see theButterfree.
I just
GrunesDragon (24:41):
one Butterfree in all the Vivillon
David Hernandez (24:43):
Oh, I see it.
Okay.
Okay.
I just assumed they're allVivillon.
Oh, wow.
GrunesDragon (24:48):
Yeah, that piece was also watercolour.
I did it when I was strugglingwith seasonal depression, and I
just wanted to draw somethingexuberantly pretty and spring
themed and joyful, which issomething I keep returning to.
I have a few pieces in sort ofthis spring set.
I'd say that was definitely theone with the most effort,
painting all those Vivillon.
David Hernandez (25:08):
They're all different colors.
None of them are the same andit's not digital.
So you said it's watercolor,right?
GrunesDragon (25:13):
Yeah, every pattern of Vivillon is there at
least once, I believe.
And you know, whenever there'ssort of that, all Vivillon have
very geometric designs, right?
So I put down a layer of colorand then I'd have to wait for it
to dry completely.
So I'd go to a differentVivillon and put down a layer of
color and have to wait for thatone dry, rinse and repeat until
I've been sitting at my desk for10 hours.
David Hernandez (25:32):
Oh my gosh.
The thing artists go through.
Okay.
This is, this is, they'rededicated.
This is what I'm telling you.
GrunesDragon (25:38):
I really enjoyed making that piece and I'm still
proud of it and I am so glad,it's making me so happy that
someone recognizes it.
David Hernandez (25:45):
GrunesDragon, I got one last question to close
out this podcast.
GrunesDragon (25:49):
Pokemon!
David Hernandez (25:50):
Of course it's a Pokemon question.
So, if somebody was going tocome battle you, six on six
Pokemon battle, what six Pokemonare you bringing?
GrunesDragon (26:01):
I have Pokemon that I've carried through the
games that I'm attached to, sothose are gonna be my first
picks.
It would be Luxray.
I sort of have a Luxray thatI've named in honor of one that
I lost in a Nuzlocke.
it's sort of in my mind,obviously you can't do this in
the game, but this Luxray iswhite because he was revived in
the flower fields.
so Luxray, just reliable goatfriend through many different
(26:25):
games.
Extremely, extremely good friendin Platinum.
My Shiny Zoroark, who I huntedfor in ORAS.
I, I believe that was one ofthose where it was under the
table in high school.
I was Shiny hunting with the DexNav in Alpha Sapphire.
David Hernandez (26:39):
Okay.
GrunesDragon (26:40):
Sorry, I just have good memories with my Pokemon.
David Hernandez (26:42):
No, I love it.
This is great.
First, you're hiding in thecloset.
Now you've, uh, upgraded to thetable.
This is getting, this is gettingbetter.
GrunesDragon (26:50):
Math class first thing in the morning.
I'm not doing math class firstthing in the morning.
I'm playing Pokemon.
my mega, my mega Altaria, whichI'm crying because they got rid
of the move return, which washer signature move.
David Hernandez (27:03):
No.
Yeah.
GrunesDragon (27:04):
saying if there were a Pokemon battle happening
right now, she has returned.
I don't care about cannon.
David Hernandez (27:08):
Hey, no judgment here.
It still has return.
GrunesDragon (27:11):
yeah, they got rid of Return, but Altaria had
Pixelate, and the best set atthe time was to run Mega
Altaria, with Return on it,which is basically 255 power
Fairy type move.
David Hernandez (27:21):
All right.
It's halfway.
You got three.
GrunesDragon (27:24):
Alright, I have Luxray, Zoroark, Altaria.
Honestly, Glimora.
I have come to like Glimora alot.
David Hernandez (27:29):
Oh, yes.
That's a good one.
GrunesDragon (27:31):
It It's pretty, and it's a little bit
understated, and mechanically,it is fun to play.
Ah, shoot.
I guess my Gen 4 love is showinghere because Star Raptor.
Star Raptor is strong andreliable.
I love Star Raptor.
great to use in a battle.
David Hernandez (27:46):
oh, yeah, you can't go wrong with it.
GrunesDragon (27:47):
I'm trying to think.
I think my sixth Pokemon wouldbe some sort of troll Pokemon,
like prankster, whimsicott,
David Hernandez (27:53):
Oh Okay.
GrunesDragon (27:54):
some sort Pokemon.
You would get really sick ofseeing who keeps annoying you
and slowly taking down yourteam.
David Hernandez (28:01):
That brings your ability
GrunesDragon (28:02):
That is, that is my favorite, tactic Just
annoyance.
Pokemon,
David Hernandez (28:06):
My gosh a person after my own heart.
I used to always spam doubleteam back when I was younger
deep
GrunesDragon (28:11):
uh, yes.
David Hernandez (28:11):
still do.
Yep
GrunesDragon (28:13):
Double team sets are annoying are so annoying
David Hernandez (28:16):
They are.
I try not to use them anymore,but temptation
GrunesDragon (28:19):
Yeah,
David Hernandez (28:19):
there.
GrunesDragon (28:20):
for sure
David Hernandez (28:21):
GrunesDragon, thank you for coming on the
podcast.
If people want to check out yourart, if they want to connect
with you, where can they go?
By all means, please plug away.
GrunesDragon (28:30):
you can look for me at grunes dragon g r u n e s
dragon on blue sky I have anartful which is sort of my
portfolio That gets updatedevery once in a while.
It's intended to be a sort ofThe ultimate, you know, uh,
where I put everything you canalso follow Grun's Dragon on
Tumblr.
The blog wasn't active for awhile, but it's active again.
(28:51):
And I have some really old artin the archive there.
And you can also find me onInPrint.
I used to have more shop frontsand eventually downsized to just
InPrint.
So if you're looking for,Pokemon art prints, I have them.
I have those and I have someother stuff.
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