HELL SIDE

"HELL SIDE"
Key illustration

This will provide a 2-page chapter cover spread for the second section of Volume Two.
This piece, like HEAVEN SIDE, was a challenge for many reasons. One, of course, is the more up-front subject, but also the semi-realistic style, the pencil lineart, softer shades, and most importantly, the wings. The blood cry was also interesting to do, and I think I kinda mucked it up a bit in regards to the stream running along her cheek...
I completed the traditional portion of this art quite some time ago, however due to the subject matter, taking it to scan at a public facility was a bit nerve racking.
The background base admittedly uses a couple stock photos that I heavily manipulated and retooled because I had an earlier attempt at doing a fire effect in an illustration prior and the final look wasn't up to par for something this size, as well as to feel similar to HEAVEN SIDE's approach.

February 2, 2019
Colored pencils, Prismacolor Markers, and POSCA paint pens
on 14x17" smooth bristol stock.
Background digitally created and added via Photoshop Elements 7

Fated Sword Dual Balance ©Studio OZKai

HEAVEN SIDE

"HEAVEN SIDE"
Key illustration

This will provide a 2-page chapter cover spread for the first section of Volume Two.
This piece was a challenge for many reasons. One, of course, is the more up-front subject, but also the semi-realistic style, the pencil lineart, softer shades, and most importantly, the wings, which I used several real-life references to make look as believably real as possible while not standing out too much from the stylized nature of mine.
I completed the traditional portion of this art quite some time ago, however due to the subject matter, taking it to scan at a public facility was a bit nerve racking.
The background base admittedly uses a stock photo that I heavily manipulated and retooled because I had no confidence doing such dense cloud coloring on an already complicated piece.

February 1, 2019
Colored pencils, Prismacolor Markers, and POSCA paint pens
on 14x17" smooth bristol stock.
Background digitally created and added via Photoshop Elements 7

Fated Sword Dual Balance ©Studio OZKai

Lingering

"Lingering"
Key illustration

"I looked into your eyes, and all I saw was my own weakness.  And your sapphire eyes saw everything— Crystal clear.
I just wanted to be stronger. To be worthy of your love. To protect you.  Like you protected me.
Can you… Can you grant me your strength… One last time? …"

The first new key illustration in a while, I can't talk about too many specifics for this one from a story perspective. Just know there's a lot of reasons for the composition that translate to metaphors of their place in the story.
Since my other pieces from this line used either blue or pink undertones, I figured these two are removed enough from their connections to merit their own unique look.

January 30, 2020
Sakura Pigma pens, pencils, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, and POSCA paint pens
on 14x17" smooth bristol stock.

Fated Sword Dual Balance ©Studio OZKai

A New War

"A New War"
(Mobile Suit Gundam series / Commission/Gift art)

Possibly my most ambitious illustration, and doubly so for a commission, I really tried to go for styles that suited each unit's contemporary look from their native series, but joining them together in a similar shading technique; using chalk pastels and colored pencils to simulate an airbrushed look. Getting the colors on each suit to reflect their on-screen palettes was challenging, but pays off well and it makes sure each one is distinct from one another.
This was originally commissioned as a 9x12" piece, however I had fears I would not be able to do it near justice at that size and opted to do the larger size myself. The client was a good sport with me and ran with whatever I had in mind, and I am extremely thankful for his rolling with my indecisiveness during this process.

January 21, 2020
Sakura Pigma pens, pencils, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, charcoal pencils, gel pens, POSCA paint pens, and chalk pastels
on 14x17" smooth bristol stock.

Deceitful Empress

"Deceitful Empress"
Mobile Suit Z Gundam / Commission/for Mobile Suit Breakdown

This was my final piece for 2019, but being a commission, I had to wait for them to publicly unveil it first. This is one they wanted me to keep my own personal stylings but using the villainous Haman Karn and her signature mobile suit, the AMX-004 Qubeley.
It took some work to get their poses to work with one another, especially with the Qubeley's unique geometry, but I think its perspective does its menacing presence justice.

You can find their official post on their patreon here!

December 9, 2019
Sakura Pigma pens, pencils, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, charcoal pencils, and POSCA paint pens
on 9x12" smooth bristol stock.

Mist

Mist
______________________________

"Quit playing around, Surge..." 
The aloof woman can vary the density of her body, and to serve the Black Phoenix, she'll use her powerful fists against all who oppose them.

Mist
Age: ??? / Height: 5'6" / Weight: 158 lbs.
Birth Date: February 15 / Zodiac: Aquarius / Blood Type: AB
VI: Kira Buckland

______________________________

[Illustration Info]

Mist

A companion character to Surge, a sibling in fact, Mist will first appear near the climax of book two. Like Surge, she is another brawler-type fighter, but she can control the density of her body's consistency, meaning she can either be condensed like a diamond or thinned out to almost a vapor. She uses the former to deliver strong, heavy-hitting attacks, and can use the latter as evasive maneuvers.
I based her appearance as an homage to WWE's Asuka, though mostly with the hair coloring, and I designed the outfit to kinda flow with Surge's style. Her colors are considerably more muted compared to her brother's, though it still contains a few brights to keep it from looking completely drab.
I was a bit worried with the hair at first, but after getting the colors on the skirting, it balances out pretty well, I believe.
 
October 17, 2019 
Micron pens, Sakura Pigma pens, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, and POSCA paint pens
on 14x17" smooth bristol stock.
 
Fated Sword Dual Balance ©Studio OZKai

Surge

Surge
______________________________

"Humans are all so humorously fragile — they're nothing but a spark to my luminescence." 
With manipulation of atmospheric pressure in his possession, the arrogant man aligns himself with the winged shadow looming over Ogelna.

Surge
Age: ??? / Height: 6'2" / Weight: 212 lbs.
Birth Date: April 30 / Zodiac: Taurus / Blood Type: AB
VI: Stefan Martello

______________________________

[Illustration Info]

Surge 

A new character I developed on the fly who will make his appearance toward the end of book two, along with his sister, Mist. I realized I sorta had all my cards on the table after book one, and I needed to add new players to keep the story from getting too linear, plus for further world building. It doesn't stop with these, either, I've got a good deal of new faces in the works as the story unfolds further. I developed these two to be villains that truly work in tandem, and Surge in particular has powers over atmospheric pressure, allowing him to manipulate wind and even lightning. 
For his design, I decidedly took some inspiration from Shinsuke Nakamura of WWE fame, but definitely tilted it toward something that works withing the otherworldly confines of Ogelna. Getting the colors to work with both the regular master light source and the electricity was interesting, and a bit bold. Aside from just plotting out the shading with markers, I also used chalk pastels to create the overall luminescence which I took an eraser to "chisel" in the shape, and completed the effect with the white POSCA paint pen. 
I hope as the story progresses this becomes a character you love to hate (lol).
 
October 17, 2019 
Micron pens, Sakura Pigma pens, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, chalk pastels, and POSCA paint pens
on 14x17" smooth bristol stock.
 
Fated Sword Dual Balance ©Studio OZKai