Lonely Prayer

"Lonely Prayer"
Key illustration

"Should we ever part, look up at the moon. I shall always watch you from it...” 
The words echo ceaselessly through Rhapsody's memories, as they're the last words she heard from her mother before she disappeared 4 years ago...
This illustration was a massive overhaul of a redo that I had been inspired to do, and only the second TRUE full illustration I've done for the story. Rhapsody has a fascination with Lyuna, the moon of Ogelna, and thus join into a major focal point.
Her color palette compliments the nighttime setting beautifully, but provided quite the challenge to make look natural in the darkened tints and tones of the moonlight. Her staff was also, as usual, a pain to do, but the glow on the tree from the orb was the major payoff of having it in shot.

August 6, 2019
Pencils, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, charcoal pencils, gel pens, POSCA paint pens, and chalk pastels
on 14x17" smooth bristol stock.

Fated Sword Dual Balance ©Studio OZKai

Zephyrus

Zephyrus
______________________________

The sullen widow. Wielding a sword he found in tragedy's wake, he recklessly vows to avenge his fallen lover, no matter the cost.

Zephyrus Tulrric
Age: 20 / Height: 5' 6" / Weight: 166 lbs.
Birth Date: December 27 / Zodiac: Capricorn / Blood Type: O
VI: Yuri Lowenthal

______________________________

[Illustration Info]

Zephyrus (Ver.2019)

This was one of the characters I've not touched since 2006, and while the general feel of the character is the same, a lot has changed, especially in how he fits in the narrative. I had considered some pretty drastic changes for his look but actually ended up pretty close to how he began, only with his expression and attitude different (and name).
The colors were pretty set since my first iteration, and I'm glad I was able to keep with them here. His weapon (or weapons, depending on how you wish to interpret it) had rough drafts from forever ago but finally got true form here. It's an ambitious weapon that I'm going to wish I never designed like that. lol
 
July 23, 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

Omnia

Omnia
______________________________

The Grand Pillar of Ogelna. After watching for time immemorial, she wishes to see the wrongs of her past, and of history, finally set right.

Omnia
Age: N/A / Height: 5' 11" / Weight: 139 lbs.
Birth Date: ??? / Zodiac: ??? / Blood Type: ???
VI: ???

______________________________

[Illustration Info]

Omnia (Ver.2019)

This is one that received a full re-conceptualization back in 2010, but only saw a turnaround draft. Even then, this is a pretty drastic change from what I had then, even. I tried very hard to give her an otherworldly beauty, something that came off as sensual yet mysterious. Her color palette ended up being similar to her OLD design back from the early drafts when she went by the name "Eden." It's a bit more green than I anticipated, but I don't feel it off-putting, and actually think despite its gaudiness, the color flow is actually quite balanced.
 
July 21, 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

You Must be Exhausted...

"You Must be Exhausted..."
(Mother 3)

A piece I did for Mother 3 after watching Vinny Vinesauce's stream for the game.
That ending was such a gut punch.

I also did a version with lyrics from Red Vox's "Cemetery Window."

March 2, 2019
Sakura Pigma pens, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, and POSCA paint pens
on 9x12" smooth bristol stock.

"Sleep Pushing Down On Me"

March 2, 2019
Text added via Photoshop Elements 7.0

Run to the End of the World

"Run to the End of the World"
(Xenogears / redraw)

A redraw of a sketch by Xenogears character designer Kunihiko Tanaka, with complete color composition by myself.
Tanaka's original sketch can be found on his Day Visions blog here.

February 12, 2019
pencils, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, gel pens, chalk pastels, and POSCA paint pens
on 9x12" smooth bristol stock.

Wrath

"Wrath"
Key illustration

To counter the illustration for Elysium, I did this one with some minor opposing factors. Aside from just facing left (her right), the sword is held up, and her face is angled down; though her free hand is still open, though in a more powerful expressive position.
The colors again take from the theme set up by Terra's piece, and use pink as the base shade. This may have been even more difficult than Elysiums simply because of Oni's leather-like cloves and boots, plus her raven colored hair.

February 9, 2019
Sakura Pigma pens, pencils, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, charcoal pencils, gel pens, POSCA paint pens, and chalk pastels
on 14x17" smooth bristol stock.

Fated Sword Dual Balance ©Studio OZKai

Grace

"Grace"
Key illustration

Deciding on the visual theming for this series of pieces, I finally came up with ones for the other two main characters, starting with Elysium. Her face took a little work in the early stages to get right, but once there, everything else just kinda flowed together. Even her sword posed little problems.
I tried to go off the theme set by Terra's illustration and do her base shading in blue, though most of her outfit's colors are darker tones that Terra's or Rhapsody's, so it was tough to work with. I ended up using chalk pastels at the end to give back some of the blue highlights.

February 8, 2019
Sakura Pigma pens, pencils, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, charcoal pencils, gel pens, POSCA paint pens, and chalk pastels
on 14x17" smooth bristol stock.

Fated Sword Dual Balance ©Studio OZKai