"I hear the sea, it roars/and I want out of here." - Coeur de Pirate, "Our Love"
For #quins1kdtiys: ol' reliable couture art meets a proper model in "And That's All We Are".
(Writeup under the cut, as usual. Minor Dragons Rising part 2 spoilers there, by the by, but you'll see them coming. I'll let you know.)
Congratulations on 1k, @quintastiic! I hope this does that milestone some justice.
I've done Skybound couture work before; I've done Nya analysis before. Somehow, I have never blended them, and this DTIYS gave me the perfect chance to try that out.
For the first time in my fashion fanart history, I'm not using a boilerplate mannequin - I got my hands on one of those IKEA artist figurines and decided, well, if there's any time to try and draw someone, let's start with a favorite. I'm not hiding behind a standard template here.
For the most part, this is a simple urban riff on Nya's Skybound gi: a black velvet vest and fingerless gloves over a crimson blouse, paired with bright combat boots and flared jeans. A durable ensemble, I like to believe this base of blended aesthetic represents what Nya spends the first five seasons building herself up to be: well, herself. She scrapped a mech and her own role together - and built a legacy in the process. In one way, that's all she is: everything she's crafted so far.
Overtaking the outfit, though, is a cropped leather jacket with a sheer train designed to resemble waves.
It doesn't match the base at all - it glows. It floats. It almost seems alive with motion and light, but at the same time, it's a weight on her shoulders that makes her conspicuous among her teammates. It's a dilemma that plagues her throughout Skybound and beyond - can she make herself work with her powers? Does she want to? In another way, that's all she is: her powers? Or not?
Bridging the gap between the wave jacket and the base ensemble is an element inspired by Nya's monologue to Jay about being friends - and nothing else.
That, of course, is the friendship bracelet inspired chain belt, adorned with four venom-shaded charms:
Closest to Nya herself is another symbol of her powers, and the way she has to reform herself to solve the problems at hand: a simple water droplet, a symbol of life turned into one of risk with the venom-green tint.
On the next layer down, something more classically Claire's jewelry rack bracelet set: a lightning bolt with a tiny heart, representing Nya's evolving relationship with Jay throughout the season. Although I find it important to analyze Nya as her own character in the context of Skybound, it is important to acknowledge Jay's influence, and that's what this is for.
(Partial Dragons Rising part 2 spoilers in this one!) Dangling as far away from Nya as she can get it, but apparently trying to climb back up close to her of its own accord, is a twelve-pointed sun motif that appears in the second half of Dragons Rising to - without getting too spoilery - indicate a curse on the bearer and mark them for inevitable suffering and eventual death. In Skybound and beyond, Nya narrowly evades this fate; the symbol overtakes both of her gloves here, representing her struggle and the hand motif I adore in the season. However, she does eventually escape - and wears it dangling loosely, even casually, from her belt, almost like a trophy.
Hidden beneath the jacket and attached to a belt loop for easy access, like a tool, hangs a charm modeled after the flask of venom used in episode 61. This is resilience, almost to a fault, and a bittersweet reminder of the events of the erased timeline - they go to such lengths to keep the venom, and for what end? Nya's eventual death - and their victory. And everything that comes with that.
The charms round out the trifecta of all she is during Skybound: the circumstances, mortal or not, that shape her actions and determine her destiny.
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Woooo aaa uh I did this on my phone and had to stop twice because it overheated and the sketchbook app glitched 馃槶
I wanted to do @quintastiic dtiys but I鈥檓 very stuck on armor and then I remembered my crossover fic and here we are uh if you didn鈥檛 want crossovers feel free to ignore this or tell me to remove the tags but I wanted to at least give credit for the gorgeous inspiration
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My contribution to the @quintastiic dtiys! So sorry for posting at the ungodly hours of the night, but I couldn't wait! I've been doing all the art today. So much.
This turned out a lot better than I expected. Idk why she's so pissed. I hate using markers, but felt it would be best color wise considering the pencils I have and the requirements. I did less shading on this one, but I don't feel like it needs it. The lights could be better, overall I'm really feeling this one. Have a nice day, love you 鉂わ笍
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