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

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

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

Rhapsody

Rhapsody

______________________________

A young refugee from the destroyed city of Judah, she was separated from her family and found by Elysium. While raised as a mage, her mother disappeared too soon into her training, leaving her confidence and potential untapped.

Rhapsody Orpheus
Age: 17 / Height: 5’ 2” / Weight: 122 lbs.
Birth Date: March 16 / Zodiac: Pisces / Blood Type: B
VI: Stephanie Sheh

______________________________

[Illustration Info]

Rhapsody (Ver.2018)

This one was one of the hardest, though most rewarding of my recent redesigns. Something I was having a huge issue with prior with her was keeping her youthful cuteness intact, and instead accidentally giving her more of mature and sexy vibe... I didn't like that, and I certainly didn't want that. I fixed her proportions considerably, especially her face and eyes, and gave her outfit a lot of new frills and details... Almost too many details. (lol)
The color scheme isn't changed too much from the prior version, but with the added details, some new colors came into the mix that honestly bring everything together nicely. Her staff is the most complex thing I've designed, and I think I have a love/hate relationship with it...
But, this girl's a prominent character as the story progresses, and I want her to look the part!
 
June 14, 2018
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

[Dual Balance] Rhapsody

[Dual Balance] Rhapsody 
(Original Character)

Key character illustration for my story "Fated Sword Dual Balance."

A young refugee from the destroyed city of Judah, she was separated from her family and ended up in the forest where Elysium now camps. While raised as a mage, Rhapsody's mother disappeared too soon into her training, her confidence and potential still not fully tapped.

November 16, 2017
Sakura Pigma pens, Copic Multiliner, Prismacolor Markers, and gel pens
on 8.5x11" cardstock.
(*faded enlarged version and text added digitally via Photoshop Elements)

Fated Sword Dual Balance ©2017 Studio OZKai