#I mean their color scheme complementary

[one-eyed-kings-blog]

This 'might' be a hot take but I think Hideyoshi Nagachika and Touka Kirishima would have been a very cute couple.

[karabell]

Color Theory in Cinderella Boy

There’s some silly stuff happening with colors, and in this probably brainrot post, I will be using my art brain to over analyze the heck outta this (for those who are interested, though I find it fascinating!)

**This post includes a scene from todays new ep (53), so make sure you read that first!**

So, I first stumbled upon this discovery sorta by accident. I use Clip Studio Paint for my artwork, and I often end up with an average to 30-50 layers per drawing, and thankfully Clip Studio has an option to color-code your layers to make things more manageable.

For my CB drawings, I defaulted to using green for Chase, purple for Buddy, and blue for Deacon. It made sense to me, because of the casts ‘default’ outfits feature these colors:

We can also see these colors in some book outfits:

Chase’s green outfit in We Need to Talk About Buddy, Deacons shirt in Beach Boys, and the blue accents in All That Glitters

What I noticed though, was that these aren’t the only colors they are seen in, and in fact, out of all the other colors, two in particular stand out

Specifically, pink for Chase, and orange for Deacon

Something to note is that these colors are nearly perfect complementary colors to each other. Even Prunella seems to have this theme, with her red hair and green shirt.

Now, it is generally good for character design for outfits to have good complementary colors to make them stand out, but me thinks that Punko went even further with this.

The thing is, Buddy really only has purple in his color scheme (unless out count every shade of gray and black).

We see him in some other colors, but mainly it’s purple:

Like, a lot of purple.

(Other examples include Toffee Break, Beach boys, Sick Day, etc)

Pretty much all but two of Buddy’s ten outfits have included some element of purple.

But then again, up until recently, he’s only been a villain. A foil to Chase. The black and purple suited him, for a while, because he was only ‘evil’. (This also leads me to believe that future Ex Libris members will also wear black in their outfits to fit on theme. In Dreams by Day, a presumably Ex Libris worker is wearing a black shirt).

But now? It’s Buddy’s story too. He is becoming a protagonist. And that means getting a new color, possibly one that compliments purple.

And what color flowers bloomed when Chase saved him?

Yellow.

This is leading me to believe that Buddy will have a major character shift at the end of season 1 / beginning of season 2, where yellow is included in his outfit colors. And maybe, S2 will feature Buddy’s story more as he becomes a protagonist ‘,:3

TL;DR: Colors are important to CB characters, and Buddy is gonna be a protagonist soon.

I’ve actually been forming this theory of mine since like, the beginning of October, and the amount of serotonin that filled my brain when I saw those flowers, and seeing that my theories may be true could literally flood a city.

Thank u for reading :D

[gnawe]

hi can i ask what helped you to get so good at shapes and colours :o i love the atmosphere ur arts have

wow, thank you! that means a lot to me esp bc i've been trying to improve those areas in my art so i'm glad it comes across 🫶

i approach shape from a more graphic than painterly viewpoint (i can't escape graphic design even when i draw 🥲) so i think about shape in terms of functionality and readability. i really recommend looking into design theory, i liked sinix's videos about this when i was first learning about how to drawe.

my main strategy to create good shapes comes from working strictly in black and white. this makes you focus solely on trimming down the main values in your piece and creating more expressive and readable silhouettes. i love comic art, so when i do this i go heavy on shadows and sharp contrast but thats also just my taste. also when doing this i prefer lasso tool over brushes so you have no choice but to create shapes not lines. either way, limiting your drawing to a couple values will tell you right away what shapes are reading correctly and which need more work.

as for color, the main tips i have are to be aware of contrast and pick intuitively. once your values are in place you can pretty much do anything! i start by picking a main few colors i think overall represent the tone i want to portray in the piece (melancholy, joy, etc) these are totally up to personal interpretation. imo the majority of impactful color schemes are just variations on complementary duos. after i pick the colors i know i want to use for sure, i let the color wheel dictate the rest of my palette.

i also found being mindful of color vibration actually helped me pick better colors. its basically when colors next to each other are too similar in value and creates this haloing effect thats difficult to look at, you see it a lot with super saturated hues. when doing digital art, it happens more subtly and noticing when to up the contrast while picking colors has helped me understand color better.

also experiment with layer modes! if your values are right in your blocking stage you can gradient map that sucker and use it as an overlay to create more fun color combinations. when you work in rgb the world is your oyster

thanks for asking! heres a process gif that will probably explain this better than i have

[stereopticons]

On This Day in Schitt's Creek: March 25

2019

camera shy [david/patrick, E, 6,960] by @wild-aloof-rebel

“You two are the face of Rose Apothecary, David,” Alexis says in that breezy way that means she thinks he’s being deliberately obtuse. “And putting a face with the name personalizes your brand and helps build an emotional bond that increases customer loyalty.” “Did you choke on a textbook?” Alexis thinks that making videos of David and Patrick talking about how they met is somehow going to help the store. David thinks he'd rather throw up.

Imagine a world like this [david/patrick, T, 678] by schittsgeek

Spoiler warning: this is set post Season 5 Episode 11 credit roll It's super cheesy and was written while listening to Imagine by Ariana Grande on repeat if you want the full experience.

My Sweet Boy [david/patrick, T, 1,682] by @stargatewars

**SPOILERS FOR MEET THE PARENTS - S05E11** Marcy thinks about her son, Patrick, his past and his future, after finding out about his relationship with David.

2020

cause there is no guarantee that this life is easy [david/patrick, G, 2,116] by lucianowriter

Patrick Brewer is upset. Marriage is supposed to be a team effort. So why does he feel like he's being left behind? Set directly after 6x12.

Decision [david/patrick, G, 611] by ThighsLikeTreeTrunks

Patrick thinks about moving to New York.

Five Roads Home [david/patrick, M, 2,133] by @whetherwoman

Five different choices David and Patrick might make.

grow where you're planted [david/patrick, G, 637] by patrickbrewer

David steps closer and holds out a hand. Patrick finally looks up at him, brown eyes wide and sad in the pale moonlight. He hesitates, and David sighs. “You know I’m not going to come down there and get grass stains on my outfit. My mom already made me kneel on the dirty motel floor today. Please?” Despite everything, Patrick lets out a soft laugh, shaking his head as he takes David’s hand.

Just Let Me Adore You [david/patrick, G, 1,569] by pennilesspoet

They need to talk about New York.

oh the wonders of confidence and a suit [stevie/ruth, T, 505] by @hullomoon [*editors note: this is the first stevie/ruth fic!]

Stevie gets to know Ruth

we found love (right where we are) [david/patrick, NR, 1,609] by @banesapothecary

Patrick knows that look all too well. It’s a look that says David is expecting the worst case scenario; a look that expects an end.

you're the only one i'll ever know [david/patrick, E, 1,893] by thegrayness

David comes home after a long day and Patrick helps him relax.

you're the sweetest thing [david/patrick, NR, 6,805] by @maxbegone

Patrick would choose David over everything else. It will always be David. Or, a series of moments where Patrick realizes how much David means to him.

2021

do you know me better than i know myself? [david/patrick, T, 1,550] by budd

David has a reluctant conversation with Patrick after he finds out he's seeing a therapist. Title from "Better" by Ben Platt

Find Your Bliss [david/patrick, M, 5,054] by @trueillusion82

The third sign, which David nearly tripped over, said, Come on in and let your stress and anxiety melt away, with an arrow pointing toward the door of a rather nondescript looking business whose logo featured a lotus flower in a calming shade of aquamarine. The small waiting area he could see through the front window appeared to be decorated in complementary shades of blue, white, and gray, with soft lighting and plush chairs. The whole space just looked… inviting. And warm, despite the coolness of the color scheme. His curiosity already piqued, he stepped back to peer up at the teal awning overhead, the front edge of which featured a swoopy font spelling out the name of the business: Utopia. While the sentiment was certainly intriguing, it told David absolutely nothing about what this business actually was -- aside from something that he could probably use, if the claims on their signs were anywhere near correct.

Guyana [twyla/oc, T, 300] by Rosey_Peach

If the World Was Ending [david/patrick, M, 8,524] by TheBasilRathbone

After Rachel's sudden appearance in town, David asks for some space to unpack what's happened. Patrick gives it to him. Two years later, David is back in New York, and his life only seems to be coming apart at the seams. And then, lonely and afraid and on the brink of disaster, there's a knock on the door of his basement apartment.

Make It Better [david/patrick, T, 12,462] by @agoodpersonrose

Marcy knows now that the Patrick she knew, the Patrick she raised, is different to the man she sees now. But seeing the evidence of this change so clearly in front of her is more than a little jarring. OR, five things Marcy Brewer learns about her son on his first visit back to the the family home, and one thing that stays the same.

Shiny [stevie & johnny, G, 1,172] by Brokencheese

Stevie hadn’t ever really done the ‘play’ thing when she was little. Her mom was seemingly always busy or angry for one reason to indulge anything she might want to try and it was all Stevie could do to not get in her way. Her house was chaotic and so often full of screaming cousins and hungover aunts and uncles who smelled bad and said bad words. There was always someone else to look after, someone’s nose to wipe, someone’s needs to care about over her own. She didn’t resent it- it’s just how things were. **After arranging one heck of a bachelor party for David and Patrick, Stevie has some feelings she needs to work through.

2022

[podfic] and by tomorrow i'll be on my way [david/patrick, T, podfic] by @hullomoon

In real life David and Patrick wouldn't want to be in the same room as the other, online however they're close friends. or a You've Got Mail AU [podfic of and by tomorrow I'll be on my way]

a glimpse of relief [david/patrick, T, 1,171] by wiccamoody

Patrick is having a boring night at the Wobbly Elm. Enter David, done with everything and maybe just what Patrick needs.

Can you imagine? [david/patrick, T, 621] by snorkel_maiden

Patrick finds something new and unexpected on the internet.

I'm surprised (that you've never been told before) [david/patrick, T, 32,646] by @beaiola

When his friend Ted asks Patrick for a favour, he knows it isn't the type of thing he should agree to. After all, asking out a guy so your friend can date his sister isn't the most morally sound of choices. But Ted's his best friend. And he's been crazy about Alexis Rose since the first time he saw her. It helps that the brother is David Rose and David Rose is... intriguing. Even if he seems to want nothing to do with Patrick. 10 Things I Hate About You AU

Once More with Feeling [david/patrick, T, 5,107] by @jettestar

When a musical spell is cast over the residents of Schitt's Creek, Patrick the Vampire Slayer and his friends are forced to reveal truths and feelings that they have carefully kept hidden to each other.

Room [david/patrick, NR, 955] by @tyfinn

David needs a place to get away...

Selling Schitt's Creek [alexis/twyla, T, 4,547] by @sarahlevys @lilythesilly @nerdframed @typewritess

The elite agents at The Butani Group sell the rural Ontario life to buyers in the Schitt’s Creek and greater Elmdale area. Relationships are everything, and that often means major drama. Inspired by the Netflix series, Selling Sunset.

Sensory friendly [david/patrick, G, 1,100] by lesbiantism

A comment from a customer sends David on a journey of self discovery

teenage dirtbag(s) [stevie/ruth, T, 6,055] by @treepyful

"I think her name is Noelle." "Hm?" Stevie grunted around her slushie straw, tipping her head at David in question. "The new girl," he clarified, and Stevie tore her eyes away from the unfolding scene in front of her to give him an affronted look. "I heard someone call her that yesterday." "Why would I care what some asshole prep's name is?" Stevie stirred her slushie aggressively – she'd taken a chance on the cafeteria's new flavour and was not impressed. David snorted. "I don't know, maybe because you've been staring at her like a starving dog." Stevie flipped him the bird and stole a french fry from his tray. ** A sapphic Schitt's Creek High School AU of Teenage Dirtbag.

Two Tears in a Bucket [david/patrick, E, 24,023] by HowOldAreWe

“Well, I guess it’s just like my mama always said. ‘Two tears in a bucket. Motherfuck it.’”- The Lady Chablis Patrick Brewer is in Savannah for three days, covering David Rose's legendary Ides of March Gala. At least, that's the plan until he finds himself entangled in a messy murder investigation and head over heels for the man who pulled the trigger.

wish i was the moon tonight [david/patrick, T, 7,102] by @stereopticons

David begrudgingly accepts that if there’s no option for pharmaceutical intervention, maybe this stupid Calm app is his best next choice. Ted never needs to know that David took his suggestion. He skips over the guided meditation options; he tried meditation in New York and found it impossible to not engage with every thought that crossed his mind. The sleep stories, though, sound not promising, exactly, but reasonable enough. David suffers from insomnia after moving to Schitt's Creek and turns to the sleep stories on Calm to help him fall asleep. Brewer's Baseball History is the only thing that helps, but what happens when the voice behind those stories shows up in town?

2023

Cherry Blossoms and Apologies [david & stevie, T, 779] by @tyfinn

Stevie has a surprise for David.

Just One Night [david/patrick, E, 9,842] by swift_wind

Patrick bites the bullet, and swipes his finger across the screen. *Matched* Oh fuck. ———— Patrick just needs one night, one hookup, to test a theory he has about himself. A dating app seems the most efficient method…right?

We're Not Doing Pooch [david/patrick, T, 2,851] by @wearpersistencewell

When two of David and Patrick's friends are faced with a difficult decision, David steps in. Because he is a good person. Or, David and Patrick adopt a dog.

Stats:

No fanworks for 2017, 2018, or 2024 2019: 3 fics/9,320 words 2020: 9 fics/18,078 words 2021: 6 fics/29,062 words 2022: 11 fanworks (10 fics, 1 podfic)/83,444 words 2023: 3 fics/13,472 words Total: 32 fanworks (31 fics, 1 podfic)/153,376 words

[normalperson04]

fish in a sink || acrylic on 16x20 canvas panel

for class i had an assignment to paint my alter ego, whatever that means, and i ended up painting this

sometimes i feel like im suffocating in an environment in which i could hypothetically survive, and i dont think im alone in that feeling

i tried to do a split complementary color scheme of purple, cyan, and orange, but i dont think the orange really worked. probably shouldnt have used burnt sienna as a replacement for mixing orange

fish close ups

[empipi]

Little MC doodle i did for @psychopomp-enthusiast Blade x Reader fic To Mourn The Living

I rlly like philosophy and hidden meanings in art so let me yap

SO:

The colors: I chose a seafoam-ish green for the hair for a few reasons: 1. MCs ties to the ocean being a Vidyadhara(i felt that the scene where MC and Blade were underwater just screamed that this was their hair color)

2. Seafoam symbolism kinda parallels the MCs personality: that being a soothing figure in the eyes of the Stellaron Hunters. The color is known to relax, invigorate, is known to cleans the soul-- all things I feel that the MC does to Blade. The color is also tied to insecurity, in which I feel correlates with the MC with their environment.

3. Whats the complementary color of red? Green. I feel like MC and Blade are FOIL characters, and the color scheme kinda adds to it.

We will talk about the pink in a second.

The design:

Aside from the obvious Vidyadhara traits-- design tied to the sea and all that. I felt that orchids suit the MC very well. I chose orchids because of the quote Confucius says, "The orchids grow in the deep valleys, even though no one is there to admire them. They release their fragrant smell even though no one may be there to appreciate it. No matter what happens, they act like righteous men, strong and noble."--- I feel like this is self explanatory to the MCs lore. Orchids, specifically pink orchids represent gentle care and love.

Anyways,

fanfic make brain go brrrrr thank you psychopomp for the delicious meal.

[dicenete]

Hey, I'm rambling about IkePri again

Okay, I just need to get these thoughts I have about Gilbert von Obsidian out because I enjoy predicting stuff and overthinking design and narrative choices even tho they might not be right. :P But there really isn't that much predicting other than me overthinking about narrative and design choices. This time there will be most likely spoilers of Gilbert's route so far, and route of Clavis and some thoughts I have just gathered while playing the game in general. I try to put these thoughts in cohesive order, but well... I don't know if I can really, because I just need to get these out of my head. These are my thoughts, ramblings and opinions. Feel free to form your own and certainly disagree with me! I apologize about the lack of art in this post. I'm busy with work currently so no fanart for a while. I'm also not native English speaker, so there might be grammatical errors and such. Sorry about that. Everything under the cut.

To start with Ikemen Prince is a romance visual novel first and foremost. That doesn't mean it can't be deep (and it certainly has been deeper than I initially expect, which left me positively surprised). I suppose there is somesort of thematic vibe that there is no prince whose ideals are the main thesis of the game itself. But that also kinda leaves that fact there is no huge catharsis regarding the world and it's state. Everything so far has been left quite open. And the more I have learned about lore of the world, I really feel like anti-monarchist here xd Clavis really sold me the idea for real. Or atleast throw away the absolute monarchy. That's where I think things should go, but that's my own belief. (really, the last king of Rhodolite... He umm... I have some opinions.) Chevalier and Gilbert First things first: I don't hate or dislike Chevalier as a character. There are just some things that give me Deus Ex Machina feels. But I know it is what they are going for with him. This genius that so far ahead of everyone that it is so alien concept to rest of the people. And well that is a very hard concept to pull off without being a genius yourself as a writer. Or that is what I feel like. But what I do love is what the writers are doing with him and Gilbert in thematic sense! (Hence why Chev x Gilbert sounds so juicy to me)

I really took steps to the deep end as I started to think about why I have enjoyed Gilbert's route or was interested in his story to begin with, but have little interest in trying Chev's one. Because they are so similar but they really aren't.

How I would describe it is that where as Clavis is the complementary to Chev, the purple to his yellow, the emotionality vs rationality, the heart vs the brain, Gilbert is more like right brain to Chev's left brain. If it makes sense like that xd Their color schemes are harmonious. Not opposite. Almost like how Nokto and Licht's color schemes are harmonious with each others.

(Nokto (Blue + white + gold) vs Licht (Blue + black + gold)) Not to mention that their names clearly are meant to mean light and dark. (Licht: variant for light, Nokto: comes form latin nox or noctis, meaning night = dark) But that is a rambling for another time.) Both their crests are tigers. White and black tiger. Chev's color scheme is White + gold and black. Whereas Gilbert's is Black + gold and white. But then the overall color that game devs use to signal about the characters baffles me a bit. Gold/Yellow vs Black/dark red. They don't seem to have too much connection or that of which comes to my mind quickly and without digging deeper. (because I believe that if you dig deep enough, you have digged yourself into a trap of overthinking about things. (Justifying things because you want to justify them, which I'm not big fan of. And sometimes things don't need meaning and we have to live with that. As much as it pains my overthinker brain.)) But here is my impressions about Gilbert so far. I'm at the point where MC has left the Clavis's party (I loved it btw). Gilbert really does give me toxic INFJ villain feels, but let's not get too hang up on terms such as that. But he is someone who is driven forth by his own ideals and desire to change the world better. He, like Clavis, seems to cloak himself in this idea that he is the villain and is okay, even happy, to take that role. He is the one who, like Chevalier, has thrown away emotional attachment out of the window (or so they say) unlike Clavis who makes his choices based more on emotion rather than rational thinking. Maybe that's why I like Clavis and Gilbert, they push MC out of their black and white thinking. That things are not so easy peezy as "choose a right king and everyone will be happy". There will always be someone who is mad about it. That's why I really loved the scene with Gilbert with the orphaned kids and the Clavis's party. He seems to enjoy the company of children (who are not morally corrupted or tainted) and he really empathically listens to those who are angry. He believes in the idea that "no one remembers what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel". (A quote with debatable origin, people say that it was coined by Maya Angelou. But I really love this quote, because I think it is the truth.) Gilbert isn't trying to rationalize against someone's choices with pure intellect. He uses empathy to guide him to the most rational outcome in that emotional scope. But he also uses this to manipulate people with fear. He uses fear extensively and he does it actively. Where as I feel like Chev just has that aura about him automatically. Hence my next thought: Action vs Stasis!

Gilbert and Clavis are action oriented. They shake the gameboard, they make the first moves. Gilbert probably more than Clavis. They both want change. Is it change for the better, we will see, I still haven't finished Gilbert's route but he really gives me this "I'm willing to become the greatest threat so that people unite to defeat me." or "I will conquer all so there will no longer be wars.". Chev, on the other hand, symbolizes stasis. His goal is to keep the kingdom of Rhodolite going. That's his duty and he is willing to take it. (even tho we can debate if that is something he really really believes in or even thinks about that much. I feel like it is out of obligation rather than of personal ideal. But alas, I have not played Chev's route yet.) Chev is reactive rather than proactive. He waits for the opponent to make the first move and reacts accordingly. (I'm not saying he is not reactive once game is on. More like "if there was not threat to deal with, he wouldn't create one".)

Chev doesn't care what you think about him. Gilbert does. He might seem like he doesn't but he is really there to prove a point. (I will pick up his dislike for lying later >.>) Chev is not. Chev knows that his way is the right way for him and that is enough for him. Chev also actively makes a "gettaway plan" for himself in Clavis. He knows that Clavis is the final thread that keeps him from going overboard because he understand that he has to be blind for "individual people" aspect to be a good ruler. Gilbert probably understands this about himself too, but he is trying to prove a point. So he needs to go overboard. Because masses of people need absolutes to react to. If it is something banal, it won't do. His evil actions need to shake the very foundation of ideas. The people have to face those things head on and see it for themselves. They cannot be sheltered. Gilbert gives me the vibes that he is willing to sacrifice himself not for the kingdom, but for the betterment of all mankind. He is happy to become the villain #1 if that means that other people will rise and take down the corrupted Obsidian or the corrupted idea. I would say that he is Lawful Good going on about things like Lawful Evil.

Gilbert asking questions means that he wants you to think, he wants to challenge your opinions and how you look at the world. Same as Clavis. They yearn for change. They want to change the world. Where as Chev wants to maintain things as they are. Chev "If it is not broken, we don't need to fix it" Michel. Where as Clavis and Gilbert want to improve the system. They are idealistic. Gilbert and lying

This is something very interesting. At first I thought that he was all "I dislike when people lie to me." but he really is "I dislike lying in all its forms." And he does say that he doesn't lie. And I'm starting to believe that is really the case. All the things he says are true. But because how other people see him, they are suspicious anyway. Like MC is. Like we all probably are when we start the route and think "So what is your trauma, baby girl?" When he is unsure or knows that he shouldn't say the thing he really thinks or that is true, he will deflect or give a very vague response. Which makes me quite happy to replay his route at somepoint with this in mind. In conclusion: Welcome to my TED talk, with no head or tail, just me overthinking about things about a otome gacha game. If you read this far, thank you for your time. Remember, if I ramble about it, it just means that I'm invested. Have a good day~

[becauseimanicequeen]

Another reason I'm hooked on The Rebound (besides what I noted yesterday) is that they're giving me contrasting colors.

And not just dark and light (contrasting values):

But in orange and blue as well (contrasting/complementary colors):

This is my shit. Not only because I love color, but also because I love it when two (or more) very different characters contrast and complement each other (which the contrasting/complementary colors usually are an indication of).

And then add some Frank into the mix...

I mean... Add some green into the mix, and I know (do I?) that Atom will have a finger in the growth of the main relationship. (Or be envious/jealous if he wants to go down that route.)

Had Ryu been purple instead of blue (making a triadic color scheme), I would've lost my shit and shouted about poly (but I won't). Since Ryu is blue, I'm slightly less crazy about this (no, I'm not).

But, one thing is for sure, Atom will play a big part.

No, I'm not talking about him being shirtless and gorgeous and showing off that tattoo and the muscles, did I mention the muscles... (Oh, lord! Frank, you're distracting me!)

I'm talking about the colors. I'm talking about the orange, blue, and green being in one frame (even though there is a bit of distance between the green and the orange and blue).

Did I say I wouldn't talk about poly?

Well, I lied!

Give them to me! All three of them! Right now! (Even though I know poly won't happen.)

(Btw, where's the green in this frame?! I feel slighted, lol.)

It seems that Golf is all about the contrasts right now (this + Wandee Goodday) and it's giving me life (besides a shirtless Frank... I mean, I'm only human).

[aspoonofsugar]

Hi! Do you have an analysis of hell greastest dad? Do you think it's worth analizing?

Hi!

Yes, I think Hell's Greatest Dad says a lot about Lucifer and Alastor. In particular, I would call it a "set-up song" in how it sets up:

Lucifer and Alastor's foiling

Lucifer's arc in the episode Dad Beat Dad

Alastor's arc (or at least it does some preparatory work)

Future plot-points through foreshadowing

In short, it isn't a song, which pays off immediately and it isn't the thematic heart of the episode (More Than Anything is). Still, it works very well by introducing ideas and conflicts that are postponed. Just like Lucifer and Alastor's rivalry isn't solved because of Mimzy's arrival:

Before I start analyzing the song, here are some metas I am gonna reference in this post:

Alastor and Lucifer's foiling

More Than Anything

An analysis of Alastor

An analysis of Lucifer

LUCIFER AND ALASTOR'S FOILING: DAD LIKE ME

Hell's Greatest Dad is inspired by Aladdin's Friend Like Me.

Some examples:

At the same time, it is a twist on the classic Disney song in two ways:

Lucifer is the geenie advertising his selling points, but Alastor, another geenie, comes and picks a fight (1/2)

The two geenies offer different and complementary things (2/2)

LUCIFER AND ALASTOR'S FOILING 1/2: LIGHT AND SHADOW

Lucifer and Alastor have opposite motifs:

Lucifer has a light motif, as his name means shining one and his powers use light

Alastor has a shadow motif, as his shadow moves on its own and his abilities employ shadows

This imagery ties with jungian symbolism. According to Jung:

The light is the persona, the mask one wears. It is the part of the self a person shows to others. It is what is out in the open and it is often an ideal image.

The shadow is what's hidden and repressed. It is the part of the self the person is unaware of or ignores. It is often what one dislikes about themselves.

Throughout Hell's Greatest Dad, Lucifer and Alastor's conflicting motifs clash with each other.

Lucifer is surrouned by gold (light):

Alastor has a purple background (shadow):

Similarly, Lucifer tries to put off a mask of perfection and power:

Lucifer: Haha! Looks like you could use some help From the Big Boss of Hell himself Check out Daddy's glowing reviews on Yelp Lucifer Muppets: "Five Stars!" "Flawless!" "Greater than great!"

Lucifer shows Charlie his stellar reviews on Yelp, but the ones praising him are Lucifer-puppets. So, the reviews are from puppet accounts and an attempt to look better than what he is.

Alastor instead fights back by using Lucifer's hidden fears and insecurities:

Alastor: I'm truly honored that we've built such a bond Charlie: Awww! Alastor: You're like the child that I wish that I had Lucifer: Uh, what? Alastor: I care for you just like a daughter I spawned Lucifer: Hold on now! Alastor: It's a little funny You could almost call me Dad!

Alastor weaponizes his bond with Charlie against Lucifer. He exagerates his own contributions to the Hazbin Hotel and the closeness he has with Charlie.

At its root, both Lucifer and Alastor don't want to admit they are projecting something on the other.

On the one hand Lucifer doesn't want to face his shortcomings as a father, which Alastor brings to the surface:

Alastor: Sadly, there are times a birth parent is a dud

On the other hand Alastor doesn't want to admit he is envious of Lucifer's powers and freedom (as this episode reveals, Alastor is on a leash):

Lucifer: Who needs a busboy now that you've got the chef?

None of the two can fully overwhelm the other because neither is ready to face himself. This is why the song ends with the unexpected arrival of another character:

t's me! It's me! Mimzzzyyyyyyy!

Mimzy's color scheme in the song is purple, like Alastor's. That is because she herself is linked to the shadow. Specifically, she is linked to Alastor's own shadow.

To what he is hiding, like his past:

Mimzy: Oh yeah, we go way back, ran in the same circles when we were alive. You know, this one used to frequent the club where I used to perform. He's the only one I knew who could pound whiskey like a sailor then keep up with me on the dance floor!

To what he is repressing, like his need for validation and attention:

Husk: You and I both know Mimzy only shows up when she needs something. That bitch is trouble, and who knows what kind of demon she fucked with to come running to you this time? Alastor: it's nothing I can't handle. Don't worry Husker. Who in their right mind would cross me?

In short, Lucifer tries to get Charlie's praise and is mocked for it by Alastor. Still, Alastor himself shares a bond with Mimzy, where he uses his powers to satisfy her requests in exchange of respect. So, Mimzy takes over Alastor's song like Alastor inserts himself in Lucifer's:

Alastor: Can you butt out of my song? Lucifer: Your song? I started this! Alastor: I'm singing it, I'll finish it! Lucifer: OH, YOU TACKY PIECE OF—! Mimzy: It's me! Yes, it's me! I know you were all waiting for me!

To summarize: Lucifer wears a persona> Alastor steps in as Lucifer's shadow > Mimzy arrives to play Alastor's shadow.

LUCIFER AND ALASTOR'S FOILING 2/2: WANT (HEART) VS NEED (MIND)

Lucifer shows all the impossible and fantastical things he could give Charlie. According to him, he could even twist reality for her:

I'll rig the game for you because I'm the ref! Champagne fountains Caviar mountains That's just to start!

Alastor reminds Charlie of all the down-to-earth things he does for her everyday:

Alastor: I'm your guy, your day-to-day Your chum, your steadfast hotelier Remember when I fixed that clog today?

Lucifer is the want, whereas Alastor is the need. The Devil is the ideal, while the Radio Demon is reality. Both their approaches are needed in Charlie's quest. She has to dream big, but she has also to be pragmatic and face reality.

She needs both mind (Alastor):

Alastor: They say when you're looking for assistance It's smart to pick the path of least resistance

And heart (Lucifer):

Lucifer: Others say that in your needy hour There's no substitute for pure angelic power!

So, Lucifer and Alastor can fight all they want, but in the end they are both needed by Charlie:

Lucifer is linked to dreams and ideals. He is the legacy Charlie inherits and the biological family she wants to re-connect with. Finally, he is Charlie's guide to Heaven, as he sets up her meeting with Sera and Emily.

Alastor is linked to fear and the unknown. He is the ally Charlie finds by herself and the found family she chooses. Finally, he is Charlie's guide in Hell, as he introduces her to Rosie and helps her inspire the cannibals.

LUCIFER: DEVIL AND ANGEL

Lucifer's arc in Dad Beat Dad can be summarized by juxtaposing Hell's Greatest Dad with More Than Anything.

Hell's Greatest Dad focuses on how Lucifer is the "Big Boss of Hell himself":

The lyrics reference pacts with the devils, pentagrams and sacrificial lambs:

Oh, with the punch of a pentagram I wap-bam-boom, alakazam Usually, I charge a sacrificial lamb But you get the family rate (thanks dad!)

And the music plays homage to The Devil Went Down to Georgia, with Lucifer playing the Devil's famous golden fiddle:

At the same time, Lucifer is very self-centered throughout the whole song:

He keeps self-duplicating, as he himself sings how great he is. This ties with the fact he is trying to project an image of power and confidence. He is hiding under a metaphorical rug all his insecurities and flaws. He is repressing the shadow.

However, Charlie doesn't really want the Devil. She needs the Fallen Angel. It is this side of Lucifer that comes out in More Than Anything:

This song explores Lucifer's past as an angel and the pain of his fall. All things he tries to hide out of shame. Still, he shares them with Charlie together with his most genuine self. By doing so, he acts selflessly and puts Charlie's needs and wishes above his own. He puts his daughter at the centre of the scene:

Lucifer shows Charlie his shadow, which actually makes his light stronger:

In Dad Beat Dad Lucifer goes from Hell's Greater Dad, where he is linked to fire and demonic symbolism, to More Than Anything, where he is characterized by light and angelic imagery. From want (Champagne fountains, caviar mountains) to need (I'll support your dream whatever lies in store).

ALASTOR: GROUNDWORK

Alastor's part in Hell's Greatest Dad is similar to his role in Stayed Gone. Both times, a powerful demon is singing his song, only for Alastor to come and throw off their groove. Still, there are some differences:

In Stayed Gone, Vox is focused on Alastor to the point his whole performance is a cry for attention from the Radio Demon. Alastor in fact has central stage, as Vox sings about him and to him. In Hell's Greatest Dad instead Alastor is an afterthought. Lucifer is singing to Charlie with some occasional backhanded insult to the Radio Demon. Basically, in the first song Vox is looking for attention. In the second, it is Alastor himself, who wants to be looked at:

In Stayed Gone Alastor easily takes control of the song and by the end he dominates it. In Hell's Greatest Dad Alastor fails to do the same. Not only Lucifer puts up a fight, but by the end Mimzy arrives and steals the stage. This difference mirrors Alastor's spiral throughout the season. He starts wearing a mask of control, but slowly he reveals himself as controlled. This progression is shown in his songs. He dominates Stayed Gone, he fails to take over Hell's Greatest Dad and he loses his control in the Finale:

At the same time, both Stayed Gone and Hell's Greatest Dad set up important plot-points in Alastor's arc. On the one hand Vox's song implies him and Alastor have some unfinished business. On the other hand Lucifer's song foreshadows some deeper conflict going on between Alastor and the King of Hell. What is more, the song frames the Devil and the Radio Demon as intertwined characters.

This last point is made clear by both Dad Beat Dad and Hell's Greatest Dad referencing the Pilot multiple times.

1-Hell's Greatest Dad references Inside of Every Demon is a Lost Cause in three ways:

Alastor changes the surroundings by using neon lights, like in the Pilot

Alastor dances with Charlie in the same spot they dance in the Pilot

Lucifer summons a slot machine, like Alastor does in the Pilot

2-Both in Dad Beat Dad and in the Pilot, Alastor is trying to win Charlie's favor and to steal her away from a loved one. In the Pilot he does so with Vaggie, whereas in the episode, he gets in Lucifer's way.

3-Both the Pilot and Dad Beat Dad have a character explain Alastor's backstory:

Vaggie: He began to topple Overlords who have been dominant for centuries. That kind of raw power had never been harnessed by a mortal soul before. Then, he broadcast his carnage all throughout Hell just so everyone could witness his ability. Sinners started calling him "The Radio Demon" (as lazy as that is). Many have speculated what unimaginable force enabled him to rival our world's most ancient and destructive evils.

Mimzy: He appeared in Hell suddenly, making a splash quicker than anyone had ever seen. At first, people wanted to dismiss him. but soon, overlords started going missing, and not small ones neither. We're talking heavy. hitters. No one knew what happened to 'em, until these strange radio broadcasts started going out. All you could hear were screams. Every time an overlord went missing, there'd be a new voice screaming in the broadcast! That's when Alastor revealed himself as the radio demon, and anyone that would mess with him…  well, let's just say, his broadcasts never lacked new voices.

Why are there so many connections between the two episodes? It is to cement Lucifer and Alastor's foiling. For example, it is telling Alastor gets major focus in Lucifer's debut episode. Not only that, but all these calls back reveal their bond has been prepared and foreshadowed since the pilot:

Alastor looks at the Morningstar Family's portrait and narrows his eyes in the Pilot.

This is why the Pilot itself is full of phrases Alastor says that are given to Lucifer in the series proper:

Alastor: Well, I'm starved! Who wants some Jambalaya?

Lucifer: Sooo.... Who's up for pancakes?

Alastor: Yes, sir! This is the start of some real changes down here! The game is set! Now… Stay tuned. Hahaha…!

Lucifer: Come on, little lady, why the frown? In the last 10,000 years You're the first one to change this town!

Alastor: After all, the world is a stage and the stage is a world of entertainment.

Lucifer: The stage is wrecked, the crowd is gone But by God, Charlie! The show, it must go on!

Basically, the Radio Demon and the Devil are incredibly similar, to the point that they convey the same ideas in opposite ways. In particular, the Pilot tells us what their shared arc is gonna be:

Alastor: Hahaha, why does anyone do anything? Sheer, absolute boredom! I've lacked inspiration for decades. My work became mundane, lacking focus, aimless! I've come to crave a new form of entertainment! Hahaha!

Alastor and Lucifer are at their root two artists who are uninspired and find new drive (for different reasons) in Charlie's big lofty dream. The ways they will approach this journey and where their foiling will go is left to be seen.

FORESHADOWING

Hell's Greatest Dad has some foreshadowing for The Show Must Go On:

This frame and Lucifer's line about him charging sacrificial lambs for his help hint at how the final battle is gonna go. Dazzle, who plays the sacrificial lamb in the song, dies, which frees Lucifer from his pact with Heaven. As a matter of fact Lute kills a Hellborn, which goes against the rules, so Lucifer intervenes and saves his daughter. In short, Lucifer helps Charlie in exchange for Dazzle's life.

Here it is everything I can think of when it comes to this song! I hope you like it :) and thank you for the ask!

[honeycreammilkshake]

SUKUITA is so good I hate when Gege keeps interrupting yuji development! I also don't want Gege to give Sukuna a pathetic humiliating death just to please the obnoxious gojo fans. I wanted to see sukuna past and Yuji to see it as well

Personally I want both of them to survive and Sukuna to learn about love

Hi, anon! Sorry for the late reply.

I definitely want both Sukuna and Yuuji to survive together, somehow. They're both such opposite extremes, but I think Gege's hinting at the possibility they can coexist and even balance each other out. He's referenced them being being yin and yang by their different color schemes (Sukuna dressed in white and Yuuji often in black) and he's even mentioned the concept of Manichaeism — or the dualism of two very different concepts. Gege's approach to this seems to take a more monistic point of view, which suggests that things are more alike than they seem. There's also that scene in the Culling Game arc where Kenjaku claims that so long as Yuuji and Sukuna keep coexisting, there won't be an end to the "cycle of curses" — which I take to mean that neither can really exist without each other at this point, and if they are separated, it could potentially altar the flow/balance of cursed energy and spirits as we've seen it.

Sadly, Yuuji's story and self-development is usually offset by other characters, who take up more of the focus. One interesting thing I'd like to point out, though, is that of all the people Yuuji's ever met, Sukuna is the only one he's confided in the most. No one has ever gotten to see Yuuji so open — he literally told Sukuna his whole life story and preceded to extend an offer of mercy to the King of Curses himself, all in a very personal setting that is just the two of them.

The fact that Yuuji really is invested in teaching Sukuna how to love and even wants a potential peaceful outcome for Sukuna too — even though he's killed so many of the people Yuuji cared about — just goes to show me that if anyone can "save" Sukuna, it's Yuuji.

After all, the brat has done a lot more damage to Sukuna's ego and self-absorbed philosophy than anyone else ever has. Sukuna has been changed by his experiences with Yuuji, perhaps not so obviously but still it shows. Which makes me think that if Yuuji can manage to get Sukuna to tell his side of the story, the both of them might just have a chance at resolving this without having to destroy each other.

Another sukuita fanatic pointed out to me that the official art where Sukuna has the Mahoraga's wheel behind his head like a halo could be a potential reference to enlightenment. If that's the case, then the symbolism of the wheel (which represents "perfect cycles") along with the association of haloes with enlightenment could very well mean that Yuuji and Sukuna can find a way to coexist together at the very end. As I pointed out earlier, the references to them being like yin and yang means that sometimes these traits blend together. If Yuuji manages to teach Sukuna how to love, then he's successfully merged these two elements together.

Yin and yang both exist in each other even though they're essentially opposites, because they can be complementary or even parts of the same whole. This suggests that Yuuji and Sukuna, while seeming to be polar opposites (good vs evil) on the surface, are actually far more interconnected and dependent on each other than you might think.

I think that if Sukuna does get to show his story to Yuuji and explain all that led to him becoming the King of Curses, Yuuji will see how, despite being very different in their philosophy, they've experienced many of the same hardships and challenges. Their approach to this is radically different, but is much more complicated than simply being extreme opposites. Through this, maybe both of them will come to an "enlightened" understanding of how they can continue to exist together.

I hope that makes sense! I'm really new at writing meta, so I'm just throwing different ideas (usually from those who write better than me) and my own research all together.

Overall, I definitely agree with you. Gege has shown investment in Sukuna as a character, and I'm hoping he doesn't give in to fan influence to abandon the progress he's made so far.

Sukuna and Yuuji have by far the most interesting dynamic of them all (at least in my opinion) so an ending that focuses on them is only natural seeing as how everything began with them too.

[bubblyernie]

Tasty Wretch color keys, very nice!! Would you say it's a split complementary, or a broken color key? Or a secret third thing?

(Ftr one of my profs describes broken color key as analogous and something from the other side of the color wheel but I have a different professor who disagrees with the name "broken color key" lol)

Eeee thank you thank you!! I’m so so so excited to talk about this (and actually, I go into the colour choice I use in the final book, which I’ll release not too long from now :3 so if u want to look into that when it’s out, by all means)

I didn’t really focus on colour schemes in like a theory kinda sense when I was picking (which may be to my detriment or qualification or whatever, but I’ve just been going off instinct for so long when it comes to design, it felt right), it’s more like I went in with my mind set on a general mood and tone, then going scene by scene design + brand colours. So it’s hard to say I’m one or the other with both? I guess what your prof calls a broken colour scheme is the closest to what I did for these keys, with the accent colour being teal and the rest being warm.

The colours of red yellow and teal are the ones the original comic focused on, they represent like fear anger and like an unnatural state, with purple used for detailing but I got rid of that (purple) for this version of the project. I also had a lot more orange this time round just to give it some atmosphere, so yeah, I’ll cast my vote to the broken colour scheme.

[the-nysh]

VOLUME 30 COVER CAME OUT AND OH MY GOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHD!!!!!

Oho yes, NOW we're talking!! Finally, it's about time for those long-anticipated Garou themed covers!

Woo woo~ very pleased Murata went for the most obvious plot relevant character event this vol (as opposed to his rather tertiary or outright random scenes lately, deliberately avoiding anything Garou-related til now, so I have to resist the urge to swipe Saitama off the page like an afterthought butting in where he doesn't belong - ahem, I'll elect to simply ignore him there) with Bang confronting his past mistakes and regrets through Garou mirroring those worst parts of himself that Bang wishes to reform in his attempt to awaken him...as Master vs Disciple, where it's the Master's responsibility to take charge and care for what he's emotionally neglected to notice about what's become of his student~ Good thematic shit right there!

Which also means that yesss we finally get to see the official color scheme for Garou's 'volcanic' form! *__* Not just red but glowing molten gold and shiny obsidian violet! (gold and violet - one of the best complementary color pairs imo!) Meaning he runs physically hotter than if the 'energy lines' were simply red~ Which happens to match the purple of his clothing up til now and even the gold of his eyes, whee~ I'm sure the colorists/fanartists will have a field day getting this long-speculated look finally confirmed.

So great stuff; both for the important character relevancy and dramatic visual presentation. I expect this cover to remain one of my favorites!

[llycaons]

ch79: sitting under the shadow of the cross

they even have inversely colored GLOVES oh I'm sick. sure purple and green would look good but you have GOT to make sure the saturation and tone matches. dark purple and light green just looks sickly! and nothing beats a classic black/white complementary color scheme!!! also 'another fated battle' :D guys guys they're literally in love with each otherrrr

I think in my last lb I talked about how verge probably thinks dante is very naive and ethically bankrupt for staying with the church, and likewise dante probably sees verge as naive and impractical and unjust for killing people who could have been support for priest and the other kids. and dante sees what he does as necessary and practical, and genuinely has faith even though he probably struggles with what the church does and supports. their worldviews are so at odds even tho verge still has faith too...

well shit dante, what's killing off demon lords one at a time doing? arguably verge is working for WAY more systemic change than that

don't quite know what to make of this or why dante gets so mad...my best guess is that this is maybe another dig at how he stayed w the church even tho it was homophobic/corrupt and became another priest that supports a shitty system and strayed from the person he used to be/lost himself. young dante was honestly kind of cool, if a bit ignorant. and dante's like OOHHH YOU ASSHOLE YOU KNOW THAT'S MY SORE SPOT. like he literally looks like he's about to cry in that panel.

I have GOT to wonder about his disconnect from his own sexuality. he seems to recognize his feelings in the present day and doesn't consider them wrong, he's just very private about them. it must be so lonely...I'm sure he hasn't told anyone else. he doesn't have any friends. and they'd ALL be catholic priests anyway. man needs to go to a gay bar...if even just to find friends. please. and he does get upset when verge pushes on that button...there's a reason he's not out to anyone and I'm sure he has some turmoil about it and about being a priest....man...no wonder verge called the boy 'nothing like dante' when he saw him being earnest. he probably thinks dante's completely denying himself by staying w the church, that he's insincere. not to make everything about them being gay but so much about their relationship and role in the story is literally explained by the fact that they're gay so I DO think that's it for a lot of this

anyway. verge just loves to torment him huh. but also dante just defended what were literally a bunch of sexual abusers and people who exploited the poor so. deserved. if verge dug into a few of his old wounds, dante probably dug into a few of his too. and when verge gets angry, he smiles more and gets meaner and more cutting. I don't think we've seen him actually...visibly angry like we've seen other characters. and its funny to accuse dante of not being earnest when verge is being so fake half the time. and when char doesn't even seem to know he's gay. but maybe that's not on him maybe she just can't pick up on hints

HE BEAT UP THREE OTHER KIDS WHO TRIED TO ATTACK HIM...I love him. like nope, not turning the other cheek today! THREE of him! I'm so proud!

I looked at the italian translation and he calls Nicholas 'Vecchio' which just means 'old guy'. I like 'gramps' a lot bc it matches dante's casual tone and light disrespect, but I don't think this is his actual grandpa

I wonder if verge harbored a hope that this dante who fought back against these bullies would want to come with him and keep fighting...and instead he stayed and joined them :(

why does he look genuinely concerned? why is dante his favorite??? what happened to these rumors????? how did his perception of dante change between now and 2018????

the noise I just made....they're all so babey. and here's verge!!! I've seen speculation that his original name was 'beato' bc it would match dante's as the literary beatrice's matches the literary dante's. but that seems a little circular to me. if verge's name already matched dante's, it seems a little redundant to change it, narratively speaking. I don't think we'll ever get his real name, or that we really need it like we need the priest's. dante never using it is kind of interesting...I wonder if he literally can't. maybe it's gone forever from everyone's memories since it was erased from the book of life

they stay up late talking bc they're best best friends and...maybe....

hey verge why are you reading anyway. rude. he always crossed his legs like that tho huh

💀💀💀

verge looks exactly the same which is really fucked up like he stopped aging at THIS age didn't he. he can't be more than like....15?it's hard to tell with this style but I think he looks younger and smaller than priest and leah. dante looks like such a baby tho. I think he wouldn't be so confused about what was happening later if he was older. maybe they're both 13, then? dante acts like it. and I have to assume they're around the same age

trembles violently. the way he can TELL dante's upset and he almost certainly knows why

EVEN THOUGH HE'S GAY!!!!!!!!

this is such a gorgeous panel and then I FORGOT THEY HIT US WITH LEVITICUS 20:13...god dante just looks so miserable in this panel, this poor little kid. the shadow of the cross separating them....each in their own little squares of light....oughhh

WHIMPERS. like they are if not ex bfs ex SOMETHINGS...ex maybes or almosts....they are insane about each other both because they're each other's best friend from a young age (and probably the most normal/best part of each other's lives atp) and also bc they're probably each other's first and only romantic love....

and then in comes the fucking catholic church. I don't mean in the chapter I mean in their relationship in general. but they also do come into this chapter. I hope verge tracked these people down once he became a witch and murdered all of them. I'm not really pro-revenge fantasy in general but he literally does do that to corrupt priests so. why not

this is the most alarmed we see him in this whole flashback, and one of the few times he's this startled in the whole manga. he's not expecting them. it's not that time yet. he thought he had a few more hours with dante. he's not only startled, but maybe scared too

verge doesn't even get the dignity of even the veneer of control here. this man comes whenever he wants to, ignoring the previously-established agreement, and verge has to go. he can't very well say no. he needs the money. despite doing this work 'voluntarily', verge has very little power here. as an adult I wonder if verge is very particular about being in charge for this reason

still, he's able to protect dante. he doesn't want this man even looking at him

fucking hell...he's so small...he's just a little kid. and dante is really baffled. I wonder when he connects the dots....it's not that hard to figure it out. I wonder if we'll see him realize and if that's what leads to the confrontation with nicholas, or if he doesn't realize until after verge leaves....fucked up either way

this image literally makes me ILL it is so poignant and so well-done and so clear...the image of this child with a man's hand on his back I literally feel like I'm looking at lolita covers again ah!!!! dante probably has this image imprinted in his mind's and thinks about it CONSTANTLY. he cannot be 15 years old I definitely think he's like 12-13

do we think that dark spot on his left shoulder blade is anything or just a shadow

end flashback. holy SHIT. can you imagine following this manga for two years going 'haha these two are insane and also obsessed with each other I wonder why' and then you're hit with canon gay dante experiencing violent homophobia and child sex worker verge who were implied to be childhood sweethearts in the SAME flashback. the chapter isn't even fucking over! INSANE. INSANE WRITING CHOICES HERE

why the fuck is DANIEL in my danverge chapter. char can be there tho she's earned it

she looks so menacing for being mostly nakey <3

EYE want to know manon's quill power...

when mammon talked about 'fighting like men' I think he meant more in the chauvinistic way where you establish your superiority through physical violence and claim your defeated opponent's friends and loved ones as property if you win, these two are just having a little tussle <3

[yararts]

Hey! I want you to know never doubt it, your art is FAN-TASTIC 👀 and it deserves all the praise it can get! 💖✨️❤️

How do you come up with your designs for the characters? Diego in particular; how did you come up with the design or the color scheme and the like! Seems a complicated process of thought!

Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words, it means a lot!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Oh gosh, there's a bit to unpack here, but I'll try not to drag it! Diego is an interesting choice, not many people ask me about him, you are very attentive stranger! It's kind of funny because when I first created him he had a simple antagonistic role, mainly because I didn’t have much experience with character design or storytelling at the time. Both him and my skills are still growing.

When designing a character, I start by exploring their personality, background, and role in the story. So now I aimed to capture Diego's inner qualities and flaws, as well as how his environment and relationships influence him. From his pose, to the way he carries himself, his expressions, the silhouette of his body e.t.c. all of that must hint to the viewer who is is as a person.

For instance Diego has mostly the role of an archer in the rebellion, so he should have well-developed upper arms and shoulders. However, given his stealthy and cunning nature, I imagined him to be toned and athletic rather than overly muscular despite being a warrior. Additionally, Diego has a subtle 'posh' vibe to him even when he's being erratic, which I try to show through small details like elegant movements or the gestures of his hands.

After deciding his body structure I move over to all the other details that add to his character. For example I also wanted his clothes to balance his personality with his role in a rebellion, so they are a bit more elegant for a rebel, reflecting his slightly vain nature, but I also tried to portray them as practical. Everything he wears has a purpose, whether it’s for mobility, stealth, or durability in battle. The elegance in his attire is subtle, maybe in the cut of his tunic or the way his boots are laced, but it’s there, showing that he’s someone who cares about how he presents himself. Now that I think about it Diego is pretty much like an elf ranger 😆

As far as his colors go, one of the first things I knew I wanted for Diego was red hair. Even though it’s a bit cliché, I felt it symbolized the fiery aggression he carries inside. As his character developed, the red hair came to represent not just aggression, but also his passion, determination, and his intense need to prove himself (feelings he often keeps hidden). The color also reflects how he loves fiercely, sometimes to the point of self-destruction. I focused on keeping his hair red and built the color scheme around it because having that one fixed detail made the rest of the design process easier for me.

After that I used complementary and softer colors such as greens and earthly browns to highlight his outfit, eyes e.t.c.

It can definitely seem daunting to create something from scratch, I always try to go back to basics so things don't turn into a rumble in my head. For example, when I'm choosing color schemes for either characters or environments I tend to just look back at color theory, and I know that might seem dull, but it’s incredibly important and useful for understanding how colors interact and complement each other (just like it is important to understand anatomy for drawing figures).

I won’t dive into the technical details since there are plenty of online tutorials, but one reference I highly recommend is James Gurney’s book Color and Light. It’s been a game-changer for me and it's a tool I frequently return to when I feel stuck in my coloring process:

Palette generators are also useful resources:

https://color.adobe.com/create/color-wheel

Even stuff like character creator and dress-up games can be surprisingly effective for inspiration and kick starting a base for character designs and color schemes if you are feeling stuck. Some of our most beloved original characters started from this, combined with the techniques I mentioned above. For example, Dilla was initially created by @katerinaaqu using one of these games (left). I then drew her and fleshed out her body structure and tailored her appearance to better fit her personality and physical descriptions, as we both envisioned her (right) :

With this I also must point out that the development of Diego and the entirety of Chronicles of Metamoor was a team effort. My friend @katerinaaqu, an awesome writer who collaborates with me on this project, played a big role in shaping these characters. Her detailed descriptions, stories, and insights were very important to bring them all to life ❤️

I think this is all for now. I apologize if this explanation was a bit general, but if you (or anyone else) have more questions about Diego’s design or any of our other characters, or even just any general question feel free to ask! Your support and interest in my art and our story mean a lot to me, thank you so much! ❤️🌹

[chaosisinsane]

guys I discovered something cool about Micchy and Ike's designs!! (it's probably very obvious)

Ike's design is made of the RYB color system (red, yellow and blue) + the green bandana

while Micaiah's follows the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) color system + white!! which colors are also considered secondary of the RGB system (red, green and blue), whiiich is similar to Ike's (ike also has his green bandana but idk if it counts)

chart I found on google so that everyone can understand what I mean:

+ a better palette for the CMYK system because the one in the chart is kinda eh, plus the yellow there is wrong

primary colors are usually used on main characters, superheros and on characters in a show meant for kids.

I like that they decided to use primary colors on both of them!! I also really liked the "twist" on using CMYK for Micaiah!

it's like, they're both the main characters of their respective games, they could've made both of them with the same color scheme or the complementary one (VERY often used for the antagonist or the sidekick of the protagonist) but they just decided that no, BOTH of them are primary and they also need to be distinguished for their design and color scheme!

idk I find it very cool, I really like details like these!

[tacomasterstudios]

Since the TETOCU designs are, in my opinion, kinda bad, I thought I’d go about redesigning the characters. Starting with my favorite character, Dressy.

Original here, ripped straight from the model sheets:

focused on value and contrast especially because these things are important

those things on her wrist kinda throw off the visual heirarchy and don’t really do anything, so i got rid of them

meanwhile, I don’t know why they gave her robe short sleeves, so I made em long- and had them end where her wristbands used to. Clever!

Pearls and strings have black outlines instead of colored ones, and the freckles are black. All in the name of BOOK ACCURACY

NEW COLOR SCHEME. Goodbye grey and brown, why would a hippie wear those colors anyway? I liked the complementary split between the orange of her hair and the blue of her headband, but as the new primary color scheme, I altered it a bit. Now it’s a SPLIT complementary scheme with blue, a more yellow-ish orange for the hair (turning her from a ginger to strawberry blonde), and a new addition- PURPLE. Also thinking with color MEANINGS here- orange is enthusiastic and spontaneous, while blue is calm and deep. The new purple adds an air of mystery (spoiler alert, Dressy is going to be taking on a lot of Erica’s traits, like being an enigma- though she’s not going to be a carbon copy, thank god), while also complementing the meaning of the other colors- purple and orange are both creative colors (fitting for someone who loves to sing and dance), and purple and blue both communicate wisdom (I was thinking this Dressy would also take Erica’s place as the boys’ big sister/mentor figure, though unlike Erica, she has her own flaws and eccentricities that keep her from being a Mary Sue).

Tried to emulate the show’s style of shadows and highlights (though ironically I didn’t just copy the shadows and highlights on the original picture… maybe I should have)

Made her shoes blue SPECIFICALLY as a reference to Elvis Presley’s “Blue Suede Shoes”. You know, because she likes music and stuff.

Valve’s Dota 2 character design write up was a big help:

As was this video, which also references the Dota 2 write up and was the primarily inspiration on looking into the TETOCU designs and finding out just how bad they were.