#(inspirations)

The waves crash into me

@hybridcrows Thanks!

I'm not really good at explaining my methods and I don't really know much theory so it's hard to explain but-

The most important stuff is framing, colour contrast, rule of thirds and guiding the viewer's eyeline. Note that I'm not a professional, my work is NOT all that haha so do your own research on these principles!

Nil and Cap are framed in the center, brightest colours to draw attention. The way Cap and the other illagers are posed also kind of make a 'circle' surrounding Nil (especially the ones on the right are kind of diagonal), to make them seem more imposing, and draws attention to their target: Nil.

The pillager patrol is framed almost in the center as well, Nil and Polly on either side, following the rule of thirds here pretty closely. The difference in colour contrast helps seperate the foreground (Nil n Polly) and the mid/background with the patrol, creates distance.

The patrol is 'cornered' by Nil and Polly, but not surrounded. Polyl and Nil aren't posed particularly imposing, but having them much larger and on either side (and obviously considering the context) puts them in visual power.

Good eye! For those unaware, my latest Bestiary piece is inspired by Lampsilis mussels, which, have evolved a fleshy lure that looks just like a small fish. They shake it around to attract bigger fish, then release a bunch of larvae into their face. The larvae dig into their gills and live there for a while, both feeding and hitching a ride to a new location. This is a super effective strategy for freshwater mussels that has evolved several times independently!

Yusuke Nakano who did the art for Zelda 64’s games was a big inspiration when I started drawing.

Masaki Kajishima who was the lead art director for Tenchi Muyo got me more into the anime style faces, hair, expression and colors

And

Naoki Saito, lead art director for Dragalia Lost, inspired me in outfits, posing and themes

The main practice of doing cleaner looking exaggeration styles was already studying anatomy and then figuring out what can make a seamless transition to the exaggerated parts instead of immediately jumping from normal to BIG

Like Sana for example her torso and hips begins to widen slowly when you get to the legs to give a more natural looking build for the big legs, and to also give them the right spacing on her skeletal structure to run, swim and jump; then also giving stronger and bigger calves to balance the leg size out.

Cyana for her chest, it can be harder to notice for obvious reasons like her hair and chest, she has a wider shoulder width and upper torso, which albeit isn’t necessarily vital for a cosmic spirit to do since they don’t have like bones or muscles to worry about, aesthetically it just looks nicer.

Heck it also applies to non exaggerated characters, but use exaggerated items instead, like Acai, she has broader shoulders to confidently hold the big ass sword she uses across her shoulder.

So the question you gotta ask next time you draw exaggerated designs is can you seamlessly make a transition from what’s “normal” to what’s “big”

Now