Esp3ria's Art

Hello again !

@just-s0me-stranger asked another question about one of my works (thank you!), so get ready for another long post!

In "New duty", i wanted to illustrate one of the first night of Astarion as a new spawn of Cazador. As stated in the game, he had to capture preys for Cazador, attracting them with his charms and physique.

The place is crowded, people gathered. This is the Elfsong tavern during the night.

(The ref just to give more context; he's against this pillar)

Astarion wears a beautiful silk top, open at the front. He waits elegantly, leaning against a pillar, his head slightly turned towards the light, his hands on his belt, his body language expressing confidence.

His demeanor contrasts sharply with his facial expression; sadness is etched in his eyes. He doesn't want to be there. All of this is new to him, and he can't yet completely hide his true feelings. I tried to make his expression subtle.

His head is turned on the side, toward the lighting source, perhaps still hoping that he can escape one day.

Even if it's a less complicated piece, every details have their importance. So, here's what i tried to show through the composition/lighting/colors:

Hope: the lighting on him is warm, while everything around him is in cold tones.

Obligation: He has to be beautiful to attract attention, and for that, he needs to be visible. His silk shirt is ideal for this dimly lit tavern, thanks to its texture which perfectly reflects the light.

Loneliness/Disorientation: Everything around him seems cold, people blurred. This reveals his deep emotions in the face of what he is now forced to do.

Attraction: We can have the impression that we're seeing through the eyes of someone that looks at Astarion for the first time.

People are drawn to the brilliance of his clothes, to his overall beauty. After a moment, they finally perceive his expression, the sadness in his eyes, and at the end the title of the piece.

I managed to fool many of you with this, and i'm glad, because it was the whole point of this painting

Thank you again for this question, and I hope you enjoyed reading this post!

•Faerzress•

After 60+ hours, I am so happy to bring you here this illustration! It was such a challenge, as I started it from a simple gesture drawing made with mannequins (so no proper anatomy picture to take information from!) It started as an anatomy study, then it developed into something more complex! It caused me a burnout, I almost gave up one or two times, but now I am so happy with the result! Hope you like it as well! 💕

On Patreon you can find a small yapping about the process! 😌💕

This is such a tragic admission.

CW: abuse.

At first you think he’s just making a statement about the décor, and so does Minthara. But her little banter, which is supposed to remind him to focus on the dangers ahead, makes him reveal what’s behind his original statement. It’s not just the appearance of the place that reminds him of Cazador’s palace, but the threatening atmosphere.  

He seems to take it lightly, and deflates it, but of course, it’s not that simple. When you think about it, anything he would do in Cazador’s palace could have led to a violent reaction. Not only from Cazador himself, but also from Godey or even his siblings.

In a home where abuse is constant, he evolved in an environment in which nothing was safe. One single step, one single word could lead to excruciating pain and humiliation.

The fact that he so consciously compares such dangerous places to the place that was “his home” for so long is heartbreaking.

"Drowning"

A little tender kiss from our favorite vampire 🦇

My first spicy art, full version available on Bluesky 💜

•Grumpy Cat•

He’s judging YOU! 🫵🏻😠

Redrawing of an old illustration I made one year ago! 💕

[Full res and more versions on Patreon for free members!]