Mezzo-Piano

 

"Mezzo-Piano"
Key illustration

“You believe we’re incapable of love?”
“Not at all. I’m just lamenting that we weren’t given any purpose for love... as they had been.”

I inked this one probably a good month ago, but lost the motivation to finish it due to ongoing events in the world, at the moment. But, enough time with nothing to do will even reawaken motivation out of sheer boredom, apparently?
I'd been wanting to do an illustration for Grey and Heart for some time now, but finally got the layout in mind probably late January, iirc. I had something more fierce for Grey, originally, but decided to make him more calm while still showing a hint of his bestial physiology. Heart's pose was one that underwent a few different trials before landing on this one to balance and frame the piece.
Colors were pretty much decided to keep them in line with Oni's red under-lighting. Though, I admittedly almost messed up Heart's arm hosiery as I first colored it the same as the red bits. Thankfully, making it a darker color was doable and fixed it in a clutch.

April 7, 2020
Sakura Pigma pens, pencils, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, and POSCA paint pens
on 14x17" smooth bristol stock.

Fated Sword Dual Balance ©Studio OZKai

Fiction

"Fiction"
Key illustration

"To stop the unending bloodshed, four gods gave up their lives as offering to end the conflict. They gave mankind the ability of free will, as well as the entire world of Ogelna, to live on as they saw fit. 
And as symbols of their sincerity, gave to man the three Fated Swords."

Another new key art, this one for Requiem, Gaf's resident fortune teller and errand giver to Terra. This was an interesting piece that actually went through a few revisions before heading to the ink phase. A lot of weird angles and proportional fixes plagued this piece up til then, as well.
Her outfit is probably among the most gaudy in terms of details and colors used, and that definitely translated to this piece, but it seems to balance well.
The pages floating about were interesting to do, and some of the pages even have intentional text.

February 23, 2020
Sakura Pigma pens, pencils, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, and POSCA paint pens
on 14x17" smooth bristol stock.

Fated Sword Dual Balance ©Studio OZKai

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.

Tifa -LIMIT-

"Tifa -LIMIT-"

Been a while since I've done fan art stuff, eh?
I figure with Final Fantasy VII Remake just around the corner (somehow wasn't lost to the dancing crabs) it'd be a good time to do some art for the roster's redesigns, of which Tifa's was definitely the most anticipated — and most divisive — by the fans. (Personally, I think it's perfect.)
This was a bit of a test to see if I could carry over my own style to other properties, and I think this is a note of success on that front. Also, pushing myself on more dynamic posing and even motion, as is seen on the kicking left foot.
The colors follow the same way I've been doing my own characters, with no-frills coloring with deep shades being subdued with light lavender over a hatched pencil base layer.

September 1, 2019
Sakura Pigma pens, pencil, Prismacolor Markers, charcoal pencils, and POSCA paint pens
on 9x12" smooth bristol stock.

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

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

Libra

"Libra"
Key illustration

For this illustration, I wanted to achieve a good balance without 1:1 symmetry. It's sort of a precursor to Terra's duality, which is something major within the story, both thematically and within the events, themselves.
I tried my best to set this up so that if you blocked half of the picture on either side, you'd get a completely different feeling picture, without it feeling too jarring in the middle. Balancing the different tones of the same colors was a challenge, to say the least.

February 3, 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

Maestro and Muse

"Maestro and Muse"
Key illustration

For whatever reason, these two are my favorite characters to draw, so I decided to do a key piece featuring them.
I wanted to have a very dynamic sense of flow with Rhapsody's hair and cape, but herself looking stoic and solemn. I decided to do her staff fully aligned rather than alternating the wings as I felt it would mess with the composition.
To make sure Nocturne didn't stand out too much, I wanted him to appear faded, even distant, so I had to go with lighter colors for his usually black outfit.

February 1, 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

Mash

Mash
______________________________

Member of Il Inno di Morte, a quiet and large spriggan. 
Half of his body is composed of natural root and stone, and he carries the ability to shape it and extend it to his will, making him adept at both offense and defense.

Mash
Age: ??? / Height: 7' 9" / Weight: 348 lbs.
Birth Date: April 19 / Zodiac: Aries / Blood Type: AB
VI: Christopher Sabat

______________________________

[Illustration Info]

Mash (Ver.2019)

Once again, I've made changes to this one's design, but I think the differences between this and the 2017 version are ultimately subtle. His color palette has come together better, and I think this will be where I leave it. He definitely looks like the absolute unit I intended him to be, so that's a plus.

His background of the wilting tree goes hand-in-hand with his spriggan nature, but also lends to his own character nature, as well.
 
January 7, 2019

Micron pens, Sakura Pigma pens, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, gel pens, and POSCA paint pens
 on 14x17" smooth bristol stock.
 
Fated Sword Dual Balance ©Studio OZKai

Switch

Switch
______________________________

Member of Il Inno di Morte, a wiry kobold. 
Quite insane, his fighting style is difficult to counter due to his swift agility. 
He often agitates his fellow comrades with his hair-trigger tongue and actions.

Switch
Age: ??? / Height: 6' 6" / Weight: 210 lbs.
Birth Date: April 12 / Zodiac: Aries / Blood Type: O
VI: Steven Blum

______________________________

[Illustration Info]

Switch (Ver.2019)

Switch is one of two where I used the pose from the 2017 version verbatim, with just changing the lineart styling and cleaning up some of the angles. Though, unintentionally, I changed th color of his skin to an almost greenish grey instead of the ghost grey it was prior. However, I accepted it after the fact because this puts it closer to how I had it on my very first draft in 2004.

His background is, admittedly, less subtle than the other Il Inno di Morte members, simply because... I couldn't think of anything else for him. His character is complete, in therms of plotting and story arc, but that's just kinda how he stands in my mind.
 
January 6, 2019

Micron pens, Sakura Pigma pens, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, gel pens, and POSCA paint pens
 on 14x17" smooth bristol stock.
 
Fated Sword Dual Balance ©Studio OZKai

Heart

Heart
______________________________

Member of Il Inno di Morte, a seductive succubus. 
Her abilities have the capability of affecting the psyches of conscious men and women, keeping them from being able to fight, to completely removing their will to.

Heart
Age: ??? / Height: 5' 10" / Weight: 128 lbs.
Birth Date: September 7 / Zodiac: Virgo / Blood Type: O
VI: Laura Bailey

______________________________

[Illustration Info]

Heart (Ver.2019)

Aside form the new style and slight proportional changes, Heart is exactly the same, design-wise. I did want to make the mesh parts more apparent, so I did those in pencil over the markers to give them a distinct texture.
Her pose and her hair posed a good challenge, but the mist emanating off of her was even more so. Mostly because my light lavender marker was dying, but I had to finish it, so I just went back to using it every 20 minutes as the tip regained pigment.
 
January 2, 2019

Micron pens, Sakura Pigma pens, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, gel pens, and POSCA paint pens
 on 14x17" smooth bristol stock.
 
Fated Sword Dual Balance ©Studio OZKai

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.