#my current style uses more of a mix of soft and cell shading

[lumilasi]

I guess I'm done with mermay for this year huh.

Anyway, I recently watched some playthroughs of Hades 2 (and 1) and I really loved the character illustrations they had, so I wanted to try and sort of take inspiration from the style, and see what I can learn from it.

I decided to draw Helias for this experiment, as he needed a design upgrade anyway. I have few other characters on the drawing list too that I'd like to utilize for this.

(I'm imagining Helias is speaking to the kids of my story's main fam, Hitomi and Ichirou, in that bottom fake screenshot. Shaell is their 'Deity/King' as their family are Soul Eaters, although only Helias refers to him by his first name, he's mainly known as Amaros)

I left the BG for the last one simple as I currently had no proper ideas for it.

(ALSO. I can't believe it took me almost 10 years to realize that Helias' name came from a greek myth. I LEGIT forgot about Helios being a thing, I did not give my boy a similar name on purpose I swear)

[lightandfellowship]

I actually find the topic of "Nomura's evolving art style as he takes on more and more responsibility at Square (and subsequently has less time to Do Stuff)" really fascinating.

Like, If you compare his art from the KH1-DDD era to his current day art, I think there's a noticable difference to his approach: how many steps there are in his art process, how he chooses to finish a piece, and the shift from a clean digital style to a more organic traditional one.

He used to use very clean, black lineart; bold colors; and more instances of defined/hard shading for that digital, almost cell-shaded or vector kinda look. Nowadays he goes for a more sketchy + watercolor style with pencil lineart, broad washes of faded color, and color shading that's a bit more blended and simplified in places (relying more on the pencil shading to create distinct shadows), with the hard edges more often reserved for scattered, bright highlights. (He's made art like this in the past eras too, such as the KH main menu arts which all have a watercolor quality to them, but the lineart was a bit more defined then and less sketchy, and thus slightly different from his current stuff.)

I think the Dark Road key art is a very good example of his current art style. The sketchy, almost brown lineart. The watercolor quality that emerges where two colors meet and overlap. A little desaturated and earthy. Color shading that's very broad, soft, and loose, with sharp highlights here and there.

Both styles have their merits (I personally love this sketchy era of his), but I think it's pretty likely that he adopted this as his "main" art style in order to adapt to time crunch. He doesn't need to do time-consuming lineart and precise shading anymore; he can use the original sketch as the lineart instead. Heck, he can fill in a bunch of the shading via pencil during this sketching phase to save even more time, and then can paint in a more watercolor-y kind of way that allows him to color in quicker, broader strokes.

And then there's the occasional art mistake that has become a bit more frequent in recent years, by my estimation. Which I imagine, again, is due to running out of time to notice/fix those mistakes. Things like Ephemer's arms being a bit too long in this UX art, the Kingdom Key being slightly off-model in this anniversary art, or the ears on this Mickey Mouse symbol being two different sizes on this Utada album art.

(Which isn't to say that he hasn't made art mistakes in the previous eras, for example he initially got the colors of Riku's shirt mixed up in the Re:CoM cover art before fixing it, but I still think the mistakes were a bit less frequent back then.)

And like, hey. I draw, too. Amatuerishly, but I do. I don't blame Nomura for possibly needing to change his approach to making art in order to meet deadlines, nor do I blame him for these little art mistakes that ended up falling through the cracks. I imagine he simply doesn't have the time anymore now that his job has shifted from (primarily) being a character designer/illustrator to (primarily) being a director of multiple, simultaneous projects. Or maybe I'm totally wrong about this and his art evolution had nothing to do with time crunch, who knows. I think his current art style is gorgeous either way!

Anyway, I just think this is an interesting example of someone taking their art and adapting it to a difficult and highly limiting situation, experimenting with new things and finding the means to still make art even when you have less time to do. Also a great example that professionals are human and will make mistakes even in professional products, and it's not the end of the world, it just happens. If you ever obsess over a mistake in your art...maybe take solace in knowing that it happens to everyone. Even people who have been in their field for a very long time.

[heheheku]

heyy! first, you are the first personw ho made me realize Gale and Astarion go really well with each other! Second, I adore the way you render! To me, it seems like a mix of soft cell shading x painting (eg. refering to your artwork of astarion and Gale where you have said "Cringelord and Cringegod"). Im finding my style currently and really aim for something like yours !! Do you perhaps have a speedpaint of your rendering, or an explanation on how you do it with blending etc or brushes? I AORE your style !! </3

Oh thank you!!🤲❤️

I haven't saved speedpaints for a long time, so, unfortunately, I have nothing to show. But in general, my painting process is pretty standard: a linework (or more like a clean sketch), a layer of flat colors underneath, then a layer on multiply with shadows and a layer on blend/soft light (depending on the mood) with lights. And finally, on a new layer, I correct all sorts of little things and draw in the details, finalizing the work. The last stage is what gives this feeling of graphic painting.

Lately I’ve been using mostly standart procreate brushes; for a drawing of a the cringecouple I also used the one called “Elliptical Sketch” from Caio Yo’s "Soft Lines and Textures Brush” pack

Hope it helps! :>

[gumnut-logic]

We’ll Be Home For Christmas 5.2 (Bit 3)

From here | Bit 1 | Bit 2 | Bit 3

Aaand here we have the little bit of Virgil/Kayo in this fic.

This is the end of 5.2, but not the end of the story. I’ll be starting 5.3 shortly.

This fic is my @tagsecretsanta​ fic for 2019 and it is for @scattergraph​ Getting closer to the end, I promise. Still a few things to cover. I hope you’re still enjoying it :D Many thanks to @scribbles97​ and @vegetacide​ for their reading of this when I get confused and wibbly.

Warnings: V/K, family fluff.

-o-o-o-

Virgil spent the rest of the morning sitting on that couch enjoying his family. Of course, the conversation did drift into areas of less pleasantness. Penelope assured them that the Polominka guy would never be able to hurt any wildlife again.

Her phrasing was closer to ‘never be able to visit a bathroom unsupervised’, but the meaning was the same. WASP had the craft responsible impounded and John had given them the frequency needed to veto the cloaking system they were using for the nets.

Gordon’s expression as he listed the areas of the planet caught up in this was colder than the icecaps. Mel and Sam’s could only be described by non-terrestrial objects.

It didn’t get cold enough on Earth.

But for the most part, the discussion kept away from work and Virgil revelled in having his family so close and so relaxed.

Well, mostly relaxed.

He didn’t miss the furtive looks in his direction every now and again and the complete lack of mention of the elephant...really, the whales...in the room.

He refused to acknowledge it.

Lunch was another buffet, this one consisting of almost every Christmas food imaginable. Kayo was the director of this meal. Virgil had no idea how she had kept Grandma out of the kitchen, but with a mix of catered dishes from the mainland and a few choices of her own, it was a wondrous spread.

Virgil took to the food with gusto, despite having only recently downed his late breakfast. Christmas Day was not a day for considered eating. Christmas Day was for pure enjoyment of food and family and he had every intention of doing exactly that.

Of course, so much carbohydrate and heavy foods, topped off by a rare indulgence of alcohol, did what they always did and the whole family ended up lounging like a bunch of dopey sea lions. Lady Penelope did it with style, but Mel fell asleep on Scott’s shoulder and Sam snuggled up with Liam on the balcony. Virgil had yet to work out whether the pair were asleep and staying upright due to certain laws of physics or if they were awake and just enjoying the moment.

None of his business anyway.

At some point he turned in his seat to find Kayo beside him. He sent her a soporific smile followed by a yawn. If he flushed at her grin, he was ignoring it.

“How are you feeling?”

“‘M fine.”

She snorted. “I can see that.”

A gentle poke to his chest and he looked down to realise he was still wearing Gordon’s t-shirt.

He grunted. Maybe he could buy his fish brother a t-shirt in return. But what to put on it was beyond his current brain capacity. Instead, he found himself staring at Kay’s knees.

They were nice knees. His eyes automatically broke down the subtle shades of light and dark and idly sketched out how he would go about drawing her legs.

It took him a whole several seconds to realise what he was doing, realise Kay knew exactly what he was doing, and realise she was smiling at him.

Every blood cell in his body dropped what it was doing and rushed to his head.

That only made her smile more.

“I know I don’t wear a dress very often, but I would have thought you had seen my knees before, Virgil.”

“Uh...” Nope, no excuses are available at this time. Please try again later. “Sorry.”

The sound of her laughter was both wonderful and mortifying.

He shifted where he sat. It was suddenly very hot inside. Perhaps he should go for a walk.

He shuffled to the edge of the sofa and moved to push himself to his feet, only to be stopped by a slim hand.

It forced him to look at her.

And he couldn’t help staring.

God, she was beautiful.

He swallowed the thought and put it down to the day, the dinner and the fact he was recovering from surgery. Yes, that was it.

It had nothing to do with that summer dress, her collarbone, the fact she had her hair down...

He blinked. She had her hair down.

Kay never had her hair down.

“You have your hair down.”

She frowned a little. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

He didn’t acknowledge the question. Instead his eyes tracked the soft waves of her dark hair, once again breaking apart tones, listing the colours he would need, the palette, the gentle green of her eyes...

“Virgil?”

There was a sound to create that exact colour.

He whispered it under his breath.

A hand touched his cheek and he startled. Those musical eyes were staring at him worriedly. “Virgil, speak to me.”

“Don’t go.”

It was her turn to blink. “Excuse me?”

“Uh...” Words. He needed words. A hum grew in his throat and he had to swallow it. “On the mission...in January.”

Her frown grew puzzled. “Why?”

“Because I don’t want you to.” The words tumbled from his mouth, uncensored.

She stared at him a moment as if trying to process what he was saying. “It’s important, Virgil. We have a lead on one of the Chaos Crew’s supply lines. If we can cripple it, we can prevent some of the damage they do.”

He swallowed and looked away, his head suddenly buzzing. It was her job. That was all.

“Virgil?” She reached out and touched him. He had to force himself not to flinch. “What’s wrong?”

It was definitely too hot in here now. And to top it all off, John, the physically closest of his brothers must have picked up vibes or something, because now he was frowning at Virgil from their father’s desk, copper eyebrows concerned. No doubt Virgil would be asked about his health any second.

“Nothing.” He stood up, thigh muscles working where his abdomen couldn’t. The sudden change in altitude combined with that extra glass of beer earlier thwarted any smooth escape he could have made. The world spun for a moment, just enough for him to stumble slightly.

Kay caught his arm, his name on her lips yet again.

“Why don’t you want me to go?”

Again, he was forced to look at her and those green eyes pierced him through. “Uh…” Because of Rigby. Because of self-doubt. Because of…fear. “Because…”

Her hand cupped his cheek and suddenly her lips were on his, ever so soft. Fleeting. Smiling. Whispering. Her breath was warm against his cheek as her arms draped around his neck. “I will come back, you know.” Her eyes sparkled up at him and her smile widened.

Words failed him.

That smile became a grin, an impish one.

“H…how do you do that?” His hands tentatively reached out to her waist, wanting to draw her in. “How do you know?”

She tilted her head to one side. “I’ve known you a long time, Virgil Tracy.” Her hand touched his cheek again and her expression turned fond. “You’re an open book.” A curl of her lips. “And an enticing read.”

“Uh…” But she was kissing him again and his brain short circuited.

“Oh, god, it is about time.”

Her lips slipped from his. “Watch it, Fish.”

She didn’t let go of him.

In Virgil’s peripheral vision, Gordon held up his hands. “Okay, okay. Just glad to see you got tighty-whities out of his closet.”

That prodded Virgil and he glared at his brother. “Gordon!”

Of course, looking away from Kay made him remember exactly where he was.

Oh, shit.

John was smiling at him from their dad’s desk.

Scott was grinning as he lay back on his lounger, Mel curled up asleep under one arm. His eyes glittered in the sunlight from the glass above.

Gordon had apparently come up for a drink refill, having been paddling about in the pool with Penny and Alan. Fortunately, Sam and Liam were facing the ocean and hadn’t noticed the focus of attention. Grandma, Parker, Brains and Elspeth were nowhere to be seen, but no doubt the word would spread.

The word.

He looked down at Kay. What was the word?

“Kay?”

“I think we need to talk. Don’t you?”

Words escaped him again and it must have shown on his face because Kayo laughed and drew him close, resting her head on his shoulder. “Don’t worry, I can read a little more.”

He wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her hair.

Oh.

God.

-o-o-o-

End Day Five, Part Two