eizeudeX

General symbolism and details:

1.The bats! This will make more sense as we add more portaits to our little Oakhurst gallery, I promise.

Broadly speaking the two bats symbolise the difference between humans and vampires, as well as the discrepancies between members. The aktive bat [the one on top of the frame] represents the vampires, and the passive bat [the one on the bottom] representing the humans.

At this stage Avid is obviously represented as a human, though the eyes of his bat are open because he knows vampires do, indeed, exist. Residents of oakhurst not knowing of, or simply not believing in vampires, will have it's eyes remaining closed.

2.Their belt buckle and accessories!

Like their earrings, the belt buckle is crafted in the shape of a cross as to further ward off evil. Please note that all his jewelery and accessories made out of metal are made out of silver as additional protection against vampires.

3.Garlic and other wards!

Not a lot I have to yap about here. I just wanted to point out how pretty the garlic turned out in the end (after quite the battle, I tell you!). Avid being Avid can't simply exist without some garlic nearby, making them not only quite undesirable by vampire standarts but also a saving grace for about any stew that needs some added pazzaz!

Other noteable modes of defence are the silver-tipped arrows and the cross shaped stake he chooses to carry with him. We will all gloss over the fact I did not draw a bow, it is simply out of frame somewhere. Trust!

The four horsemen of character representation:

Every character portrait will be accompanied by four icons representing them, their past, and their personality. For Avid they are:

1.A stake, shaped like a cross. A protective weapon and a ward against vampires. Avid is not hunting the vampires in cold blood, first an foremost they are trying to protect themself, their loved ones, as well as the residents of Oakhurst, and the rest of humanity.

2.Bandages. If I am not mistaken, which might very well be proven wrong the next episode I watch, the primary purpose of the bandages wrapped around Avid's neck is to protect them from vampire bites. Though, admittedly, my first thought was him being bandaged as result of some sort of disease...

3.Bulbs of garlic. Another ward against vampires, marking the big 3 complete (I am not counting silver, as he is already covered in silver as is-)

4.An eye reflecting a vampire-turned-bat. An obvious nod to their backstory. It captures not only the moment he witnessed his friend turn into a vampire and attack him, but also reflects on their loss, literally and physically cutting through their form. The sorrow and survivors guilt attatching themself to his soul like tears staining his cheeks forever are also included, as a treat!

This is to say that, while they are undoubtedly traumatised and quite possibly scared of what could happen to themself and the damage he will have to cause, Avid is determinend. His brow is set, he is locked in as can be. They lost one person already, and damn it, I know they will try to make sure noone else will be torn from their humanity and turned into some bloodthirsty beast.

Adding the timelapse was RIDICULOUSLY easy for this, so I REALLY don't underatand why it didn't want the Renbo bg one??

I reckon the file size was too big, but that is just?? Not reasonable at all. Maybe it's just the universes vendetta against me in all things technology 😮‍💨🫠

Anyway, my epic struggle:

Drawing obscured facial features is like being beat over the head with a bat carved from my personal shortcomings.

(Also not cleaning up my lines like I usually do,it's perfect the way it is, TRUST.)

I could be locked in a box for 24 hours and still find things to yapp about this drawing alone, so I really gotta pull myself together to not just go off the rails here-

But, first things first, here are the closeups of the men of the hour:

And now to the fun bit, my yapping!!!

I could spend literal hours talking about this drawing in particular, let alone Ren or Mumbo themselves!! So imma try and lock in enough to still keep this somewhat precise and structured!!

(Because I am known for doing exactly that-)

Ehem!! Starting off strong with my dearest Mumbo!

I was really concerned that he would look too bland or not detailed enough next to ren while doing the lineart for this drawing.

Like, really, really loosing my mind while drawing!!

(Once I find out what I have to sacrifice for Tumblr to accept my video file I will post the timelapse, promise!! It is such a fun watch!!)

I am so glad that coloring in his eye shadow and hair really made everything come out so cute!! I lost so many years stressing over him that I wouldn´t be surprised if I were to get grey hairs coming in, heueheuheu!!

For my favorite thing about him in this drawing... I must say I am quite torn here-

I could just say that I like his pretty eyes the most, but I think the real answer would be the way they are able to convey his joy and adoration so softly.

[to the surprise of literally no one... My social media profiles are so overrun with drawings of this bafoon of a man that I resemble the Lizzo-Fanaccount-Meme more than anything sane atp-]

A little fun fact before we talk about the diggity-dog himself!! I originally gave Mumbos nose shading, but just??? Didn´t like the way it turned out in the end. Below is the original version.

Am I crazy or does something just look... off with that? Does anyone even preffer this alt version?? Oh, the mysteries of the universe-

TALKING ABOUT the universe, lets talk about it´s center- REN!!!

This absolute sweetheart of a man, a living bundle of joy and relentless motivation, the drive to keep pushing through no matter what life throws at you!!

I adore him to bits!! So ya´ll can IMAGINE how happy I am that my affection for him literally seeped through into this art! There is noone that could look at this and not see that they were drawn with so much love!!

This Ren might honestly just be the best thing I have ever drawn, hands down!! There is not a single thing that I don´t like about it, its unreal!!

But, once again, my favorite thing about him has to be his expression. That smile is bright enough to almost be counted as blinding!! (especially considering how uncomfortable I usually am with drawing openend mouthed expressions- We are actually improving here, cyberdogs!!!)

The other details I added are also so dear to my heart.

I took extra care in making his canine features, his fangs, the fluffiest ears and the cutest paw pads, look like I imaginend them. Slowly but surely they are less and less daunting to draw, yayyy!!

And of course I cannot forget about his gloves with his insignia and the hair pins. ESPECIALLY the hair pins!! They are my greatest weakness, besides those two, at least.

[You could honestly trap me cartoon style using hair clips as bait, not even joking-]

Well then. I think this is as good a place as any to stopp my wayyy too long rant about this.

It is my birthday today though, and I am stuck in the worst seminar known to mankind from 8am- 8 pm today AND tomorrow. I can have some yapping as a treat, ok?

I oh so foolishly started this drawing with Ren, unknowing that I would lock in and make him so pretty !???

Which I am happy about, elated really!! He is very dear to me and a big comfort, so to be able to draw him like I pictured it in my head is awesomesauce, don´t get me wrong!

It´s just... In comparison Mumbo looks kinda...

Bland?

Not bad per se, I still think he is really cute!! He just can´t really compare to Ren atp...

I honestly hope that once I give him his eye shadow and fill in that magnificent mustache of his (grey hair and all [early onset graying Mumbo, my beloved]) that he looks just as good and detailed as the diggity-dog himself.

Like promised here are the closeups (read: isolated parts) :

This strawpage commision was a true godsend for me regaining motivation to get out of my slump-

It also made me think of other possible cute pairings out there!! I would say that I engage with a fair amount of "rarepairs", and find so much joy in drawing rarer ships for people who ask me, but still I get absolutely astounded by more and more ship possibilities I never even considered!!!

[Really makes me wanna do a list of rarer ships I stumble upon, just so I can engage with the content and catch a glimpse in their relationship appeal! Ahhhhh, the dream!]

Man, being a multishipper really is awesomesauce!!

Anyway, looks like I´ve gotta rewatch Empires for the first time in forever and start Season 2! There is no way I just... Can´t do this now, especially after spending the better part of 10 hours on Katherine fanart!!!