Merry Xmas 2018

"Merry Xmas 2018"
(Original)

I don't often do holiday themed pics, but for some reason, this year made me want to. It also gave me a reason to use my characters again, and further flex my newfound style.
I first did this piece a s a quick "ink sketch" a couple days prior, but something wouldn't let me just settle with that. So I redid the piece on a larger scale and made it full color. Making sure the face and height differences between Rhapsody (left) and Elysium (right) were another challenge for myself. Not a tough one, necessarily, but something I need to make sure I can do consistently in the future.
For the final, I did add some digital effects just for the sake of not letting the text seem so stark with the traditional art.

The raw piece and the original sketch can be found below.

December 27, 2018
Micron pens, Sakura Pigma pens, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, gel pens, and POSCA paint pens
 on 14x17" smooth bristol stock.
Background/foreground effects and text done digitally via Photoshop Elements 7.0

"Merry Xmas 2018" (traditional piece)

"Merry Xmas 2018" (original ink sketch)

December 24, 2018
Micron pens
on 8.5x11" cardstock
Background text done digitally via Photoshop Elements 7.0

Fated Sword Dual Balance ©Studio OZKai

Halcyon Days

"Halcyon Days"
(Animal Crossing/Gift art)

This one was part of a secret project I was doing for Christmas gifts for a few friends this year. However, due to time and creativity walls, this was the only one that saw production.
My friends here are fans of Animal Crossing, pumping unknown amount of time into the last installment, New Leaf. I decided to put them into the world that brings them joy, along with their favorite villagers, Bob, Avery, and K.K. I balanced their designs with normal proportions with AC human facial features.
Despite the size of this one (14x18"), coloring did not take as long as I anticipated, doing most of it within two sittings.
The other pieces I had in mind for my other friends may see the light of day, someday, but it definitely won't be in time for this Christmas, lol

December 2, 2018
Micron pens, Sakura Pigma pens, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, gel pens, and POSCA paint pens
on 14x17" smooth bristol stock.