Nihil

 

Nihil
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"There is nothing you can do to stop the flow of time. All that exists will eventually end. Neither you, nor myself. But absolution... That is eternity's purest form. Annihilation is the greatest expression of existence." 
A being feared since genesis, his childlike visage masks his burning misanthropy.
Though gone centuries ago, his hateful legacy carries on, darkening the lives of all entangled within the rising flames of history.

Nihil
Age: ??? / Height: 4'2" / Weight: 56 lbs.
Blood Type: A
VI: Julie Ann Taylor

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[Illustration Info]

Nihil

A character whose importance will remain a mystery until later, he is one who's design had always felt off to me until this design, which clicked only a few weeks ago after being in development for 14 years now. The entire ensemble is taken from old European pallbearers, which I think matched with the stature and demeanor really sell the uncomfortable presence I wanted from him all these years.
 
June 8, 2020
Sakura Pigma pens, pencils, Prismacolor Markers, colored pencils, and POSCA paint pens
on 14x17" smooth bristol stock.
 
Fated Sword Dual Balance ©Studio OZKai

Mist

Mist
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"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

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[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
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"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

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[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

Zephyrus

Zephyrus
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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

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[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
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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: ???

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[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

Yo & Yn

Yo & Yn
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Muses of the Waking Day and Prophet of the Sleeping Night, also known as the Libra Choir.
Through the strength of their bond with one another, their souls forged a single blade, called the Libra Pentium - Otherwise known as the Dual Balance.

Yo
Age: ??? / Height: 6' 2" / Weight: 208 lbs.
Birth Date: October 2 / Zodiac: Libra / Blood Type: AB  
VI: Michael Sinterniklaas

Yn
Age: ??? / Height: 5' 4" / Weight: 118 lbs.
Birth Date: October 2 / Zodiac: Libra / Blood Type: AB 
VI: Brina Palencia

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[Illustration Info]

Yo & Yn (Ver.2019)

Pronounced like EE'OH and EE'N, these are the final two main characters for the first part of the story. Though, they probably play more support than main, their importance cannot by taken lightly.
Yn had seen sever refreshes over the last few years, however Yo weren't relatively untouched before this illustration, having an old design back in 2004. I'm actually happy I waited rather than settled on the old design, because the balance set by the two designs is perfect, I think, and definitely what I'd been waiting on to hit me for so long.
This is also the last one I'll be doing with the under-lighting, both for thematic's sake and my sanity. 
 
January 22, 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

Gehenna

Gehenna
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Muse of the Wrathful Earth, and the soul of the fated sword Helgram.
He carries the ability to suppress one's logic, essentially driving the person on pure instinct.

Gehenna
Age: ??? / Height: 6' 6" / Weight: 234 lbs.
Birth Date: April 28 / Zodiac: Taurus / Blood Type: A
VI: Richard Epcar

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[Illustration Info]

Gehenna (Ver.2019)

Another character I only conceptualized back in 2004 and roughly cleaned up in 2006, His only retaining motifs are the large tied-back hair and the chest tattoo/branding. Otherwise, many ideas I had in mind felt too bland or Akuma-like, and I wanted something more original and interesting.
I did a similar effect the his hair like Zion's, but only gradually down the ponytail rather than all of his hair, which makes it look more in the background, adding some dynamics to the perspective. I really loved the draped dougi look, with the sleeves billowing around. And the same thing with Zion continues here with the underneath master light source.
 
January 20, 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

Zion

Zion
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Muse of Heavenly Protection, and the soul of the fated sword Aegis.
Her gentle aura soothes anyone who enters her presence.

Zion
Age: ??? / Height: 5' 5" / Weight: 120 lbs.
Birth Date: August 30 / Zodiac: Virgo / Blood Type: A
VI: Trina Nishimura

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[Illustration Info]

Zion (Ver.2019)

A character that I only conceptualized back in 2004 and roughly cleaned up in 2006, I've given her a massive overhaul from those drafts. Her appearance is minor in the story, but her effects are among some of the more important ones.
I loved doing something different with her hair, making it luminescent, as well as adding a lower master light source. These things along with the flowing cloth really make this piece a different experience from the ones I've done prior.
 
January 15, 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

Requiem

Requiem
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The local fortune teller of Terra's hometown of Gaf, she is responsible for the mission to retrieve the Fated Swords for which Terra sets out on.
She exudes a mysterious air that hints at wisdom far beyond her years.

Requiem (???)
Age: ??? (Presumed 40's) / Height: 5' 9" / Weight: 137 lbs.
Birth Date: August 24 / Zodiac: Virgo / Blood Type: B
VI: Mary Elizabeth McGlynn

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[Illustration Info]

Requiem (Ver.2019)

Similar to Switch, I decided to reuse the pose from her last illustration as a base, just changing proportions and small bits to at dynamics to the image. Of course, the coloring style had changed to match all the new ones, as well.
I actually had to do this one twice, as my first attempt met a terrible fate with some stray coffee...
After a rather embarrassing fit of rage, I redrew it and colored it the same evening. It's not something I'd ever like to do again, to say the least. (lol)
 
January 12, 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

Ash

Ash
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A mysterious man with malevolent intentions, and wielder of the Black Phoenix. 
His appearance decimates the battlefield, leaving a trail of death and destruction in his wake. What is his ultimate goal, and who follows his carnage?

Ash 
Age: ??? / Height: 5' 11" / Weight: 163 lbs.
Birth Date: ??? / Zodiac: ??? / Blood Type: ???
VI: Keith Silverstein

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[Illustration Info]

Ash (Ver.2019)

This is one that has eluded me for a long time, but I'm finally happy with his design. I was definitely inspired by the whole Sunrise masked antagonist trope, but it's entire necessary to his character for many reasons, for which I can't divulge this early.
This illustration was pretty ambitious, and with the wings and orate armor, it's probably the most detailed of the character designs I've done, thus far.
 
January 12, 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

Mash

Mash
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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

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[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
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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

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[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
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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

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[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

Grey

Grey
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Leader of the devious group Il Inno di Morte, and a powerful lycanthrope. 
He is a calculated tactician, who wields strength enough to personally head his stratagems.

Grey
Age: ??? / Height: 5' 7" / Weight: 210 lbs.
Birth Date: July 25 / Zodiac: Leo / Blood Type: AB
VI: Michael Alston Bailey

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[Illustration Info]

Grey (Ver.2019)

So, it has been a few months since I started these, but as inspiration often does, it struck with a fury. But, rather than just doing a new illustration, it doubled as a chance to finally update his outfit... Something that I'd been meaning to do for ages. The color's a little jarring, but I'm getting to like it a bit more. Sorta similar to my last illustration of him, I added a background shot of his werewolf form, but matching his pose and obscured (As it, too, is being somewhat redesigned). 
 
January 1, 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

Iris

Iris

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Childhood friend of Elysium, and brilliant archer and scout. 
She shares the same hatred for the group who destroyed their hometown, and with her sight akin to an eagle, she is able to rapid-fire arrows with extreme accuracy.

Iris Loftre
Age: 20 / Height: 5’ 8” / Weight: 138 lbs.
Birth Date: February 21 / Zodiac: Pisces / Blood Type: A
VI: Tara Platt

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[Illustration Info]

Iris (Ver.2018)

Her prior design was pretty solid, however I still had problems with the illustration itself. Of course, being an archer, I added some dynamics to her piece, and tried to do so in a less-than-typical way. I still have some issues with the way her face looks, but I'm fairly certain it's more because of the way her hair is, so it may be a non-issue.
Her leather armor has some very subtle color differences that made it difficult to do without crossing colors too much. Luckily, I think I did it right, here.
 
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

Nocturne

Nocturne

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A dangerous hunter who assaults Terra early into his journey. 
Is he affiliated with the the beasts wrecking havoc across the mainland, or do his loyalties lie somewhere darker?

Nocturne (???)
Age: 19 / Height: 5’ 10” / Weight: 188 lbs.
Birth Date: December 21 / Zodiac: Sagittarius / Blood Type: A
VI: Sean Chiplock

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[Illustration Info]

Nocturne (Ver.2018)

Possibly one of the most dynamic character illustrations I've done in recent years, and this is the perfect guy for it. It was difficult differing the amount of blacks and grays adorning his outfit, but I think it all balances pretty well.
His weapons are always going to pose a challenge, especially with no three-dimensional reference to go from, so I believe it's something I'm just gonna have to get used to. (lol)
 
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

Rhapsody

Rhapsody

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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

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[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

Oni

Oni

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"Oni" is the chosen bearer of the fated sword of Wrathful Earth, Helgram.
Born with a deep hatred for the humans that betrayed her, she commands the group Il Inno di Morte, leading their search to a greater destructive power.
She will face off against Elysium and Terra, forever altering their destinies.

"Oni" Age: 19 / Height: 6’ 2” / Weight: 129 lbs.
Birth Date: December 10 / Zodiac: Sagittarius / Blood Type: A
VI: Colleen Clinkenbeard

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[Illustration Info]

Oni (Ver.2018)

And if two weren't enough, I actually managed to do a whole third illustration; second that same day. I actually made changes to her design here compared to prior iterations, including armored bracelets around her wrists and ankles, made hanging ends to her various straps, and tattered her skirt, but not in a stereotypical "goth cape" way.
Drawing her sword at that angle was hell to get right, but I think it came out dead-on.

Coloring was about the same as Elysium's, though a little more muted in shades. The leather of her gloves and boots were a bit tricky. I loved doing her hair and eyes, though. That eerie glowing pupil just seals what I want from her character for me!
Same deal with the white highlights, which were courtesy of my new POSCA paint pens.
 
June 9, 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

Elysium

Elysium

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Elysium wields the fated sword Aegis of the Heavenly Sky.
Her home city was destroyed years ago. When her refuge town is attacked, she takes up arms, leading the one-sided battle against a group destroying humanity.
When she encounters Terra, the two eventually discover just how deep the war has gone.

Elysium Fairheim
Age: 21 / Height: 5’ 5” / Weight: 131 lbs.
Birth Date: December 29 / Zodiac: Capricorn / Blood Type: B
VI: Kate Higgins

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[Illustration Info]

Elysium (Ver.2018)

Hot off the heels of the last redesign for Terra, I have the one that inspired me to do these in the first place — Elysium. I don't know why, but for such a simple character design, I've consistently had the hardest times drawing her proportionately, much less creatively.

I must say, for the first time since 2004, I am in love with how I made her look, here. The pose, the face, the sword's angle. Everything is exACTly how I envisioned them to be. The colors turned out to be a little less flat than how I did Terra, but I don't think it's distractingly different.
One thing I as able to do I couldn't as well with Terra was the highlights, which I accomplished with a new Uni POSCA white paint pen, which allowed some really amazing controllable white lines here and there, especially on the blade of the sword, as well as her eyes and earring.
 
June 9, 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

Terra

Terra
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Terra is the main protagonist and wielder of the sword Dual Balance.
A skilled swordsman and hunter for his hometown of Gaf. In his errand to locate the other two fated swords, he will stumble into a quiet war a millennia old.
Within, he will find out the truth behind its bloody past, his blade, as well as his "self."

Terra Altum
Age: 23 / Height: 5' 6" / Weight: 172 lbs.
Birth Date: September 27 / Zodiac: Libra / Blood Type: AB
VI: Chris Patton

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[Illustration Info]

Terra (Ver.2018)

I know, I just redesigned him nary a year ago, right!? 
But, something was bothering me too much about, not only how I designed him, but how I was designing the all characters in general. I felt I was over-complicating them, especially faces. I was so caught up in making things distinct character by character that they ended up over detailed, leading to an almost unintentional similarity. So, I decided to look back at my first drafts from 2004 (Yes, this has been in my head for that long...), and simplified what needed and just let the art and poise do the talking.

Another thing that helps is the size and coloring. Instead of working my usual 8.5x11" stock, I decided to use 14x17" bristol board, allowing me larger areas to better express the details, especially in his armor and clothing. And the colors I wanted to look less "anime" and more fantasy, so I subdued the shading and tried some new blending methods. 
All around, I feel it to be a vast improvement over all 3 of my prior designs of him, all while returning to the roots of my first draft.

I'm also doing a new signature specifically for my personal creations.
 
June 5, 2018

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