solunos

[solunos]

Sketchbook: Morning Routine

Original pen and ink drawing under cut.

Trying out colouring digitally my traditional drawings. Like, just giving it a pop of colour here and there, and adjusting some proportions. I also did this for my Kinich drawing, and I think I’ll need more practice and confidence before adding even more colour.

Baizhu just chilling out, watering his plants, sipping his warm tea, and Changsheng still sleeping the morning away. I drew this before even reading his Good Morning voice line, so imagine my pleasant surprise when I found out that he does drink tea before breakfast. I don’t know if he canonically has plants he takes care of, but he does give me that vibe.

Anyways, I’m off exploring Natlan’s new locations! I’mma hunt down the new local legends and speed run getting that name card.

[solunos]

Sketchbook: Iridescent Rain

The title’s a reference to one of Xingqiu’s many identities. And the redesign is inspired by the animation “The Divine Inquiry”. I was having a hard time thinking of what to draw for Xingqiu, only to remember wuxia and xianxia novels, so bam! Travelling cultivator Xingqiu.

[solunos]

Sketchbook: Thoma’s Hobby

Inspired by two of his voice-overs; one where he’s interested in seeing a tanuki, and how he likes reading stories about shapeshifting Yōkai. A kasa-obake isn’t exactly a shapeshifting Yōkai, but it is also referencing the event sword weapon from the yokai event, so yeah.

In relation to Yōkai, my favourite anime of all time is Natsume Yuujinchou, so I hope this evokes the same feel for you guys. Thoma’s voice lines about Yōkai particularly reminds me of Taki’s grandfather’s own passion, and that’s what really drove me to create this drawing.

Also, as a challenge, while this is done with pencil sketching, the inking is all done with a brush pen. That’s why the window frames are a bit hit-or-miss, hehe.

[solunos]

Sketchbook: Bennett’s Companion

There is one big reason why Yumkasaur.

It is (currently, other than a Qucusaur) that can save Bennett out of most situations should he go exploring in Natlan.

Because cliffs. Sheer cliffs. Before Xilonen, I have had many falls… so many deaths to falling with no stamina and not enough reaction time for a plunge attack.

So, in case Benny accidentally walked off a cliff or something, his Yumkasaur buddy will grapple him to safety.

Or, like in my drawing, cushioning him safely should he fall.

Also, if Yumkasaur is like Yoshi, that would make Bennett Mario. Do with that as you will.

[solunos]

Sketchbook: Teatime

Arlecchino and her (daughter) Lynette having tea.

Ps, the tea’s from Wriothesley as an apology gift after…ya know.

Also, copic markers are not my wheelhouse. I am wincing at every blotchy area I can see… my sketchbook paper didn’t pass the bleed test either. It was a good thing nothing important was behind this page in particular.

[solunos]

Just a last minute addition. Edits done digitally.

Sketchbook: Kinich’s Birthday message

This came to me like a brain worm that will NOT leave until it comes to visual form. And since I got some new liner pens and brush pen… It’s no longer Inktober, but I wanted to try them out.

“Oh, that one looks interesting. Go on Ajaw.”

“KINICH! Don’t you DARE-!”

Plus, here’re more sketches using those pens.

[solunos]

Sketchbook: Kinich’s Birthday message

This came to me like a brain worm that will NOT leave until it comes to visual form. And since I got some new liner pens and brush pen… It’s no longer Inktober, but I wanted to try them out.

“Oh, that one looks interesting. Go on Ajaw.”

“KINICH! Don’t you DARE-!”

Plus, here’re more sketches using those pens.

[solunos]

Sketchbook: Night at Lambad’s Tavern

I am very late, and this one was stressing me out, so I decided that I needed to stop fussing over more details and just get it posted. Thus, have a boys’ night out.

More explanation (like, a lot, because this was a PROCESS) and close up images under the cut.

Out of all the regions, Sumeru has one of my most favourite architectural designs, especially inside the buildings. The floral motifs and intricate wooden carvings just tickle the maximalist part of my brain. So when I saw this bar area on the second floor of Lambad’s Tavern, I knew I just had to put in the Sumeru boys having a drink together while hanging out.

Coming up with who’s present and where they are sitting is…um, let’s just say eventful. I know the original 4ggravate has to be there, but who else? Wanderer? I imagine he just scoffs at the idea of hanging out with the others, plus he doesn’t have that same close friendship as the four.

So the only other candidate left was Sethos. And considering the voice line he has for Kaveh and Alhaitham…

Yup, he’s (technically) the third wheel to the group. He’s more invested in keeping an eye on Kaveh and Alhaitham, instead of getting dragged further in to Cyno’s TCG rambles that Tighnari is currently lending an ear to.

TL;DR, Kaveh drinking the night away, with Alhaitham badgering him for one thing or another, Sethos watching in fascination like it’s a soap opera, while Cyno and Tighnari are in their own corner with TCG on the brain.

Also, happy birthday Nahida! Currently doing her event and waiting for her weapon banner to drop. I already have her at C2, so going for her weapon as a birthday gift. Might do art, but not sure; this one tired me out bad.

[solunos]

Sketchbook: Harvisptokhm and Simurgh

This is my interpretation of the Simurgh from Genshin Impact. We never see them in-game, so this is just my headcanon of what they might look like.

In Genshin lore, they were formed from a shard of Khvarena from Nabu Malikata, that was then transformed into a bird by Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.

And from the Simurgh, when its form shattered into motes of Khvarena as it dove into the Amrita pool, the Pari were born. It really speaks to the Simurgh myth of ‘being made from many birds’. So, due to the connection to Pari, I made the Simurgh share visual similarities with them. Think Simurgh as a bigger and more elaborate version of a Pari.

[solunos]

Sketchbook: Tighnari and Karkata

We’re still on the Sumeru train (and we will continue to be on that train until Nahida’s birthday has come and passed, because she’s my favourite Archon and I love her to bits).

Ahem.

I know I said I wanted to draw Karkata. And I technically did. But listen, I was planning to draw Karkata awake…until I discovered that if you did Tighnari’s story quest before Sumeru Archon quest where he got struck by lightning, instead of resting on the floor, he sits on Karkata.

Mind. Blown.

And inspiration triggered. So, here we have a quiet moment where Tighnari’s just reading out loud a book, with Karkata actually listening even though they’re in their box form. I was particularly inspired to do this greenish-yellow lighting streaming through the glass walls of Pardis Dhyai, and the plants are from acrylic to get some differences in colours.

[solunos]

Sketchbook: Collei and Tighnari at Pardis Dhyai

After Cyno, I had to follow up with Collei and Tighnari. The two of them are at Pardis Dhyai, with Tighnari lecturing about Henna Berries and Collei taking notes diligently.

I wanted to draw Karkata too, but I ask you this. Is Karkata small enough to only reach waist height, or are they large enough to tower over Collei? I always thought it was the former, but…Faruzan’s hangout ending speaks otherwise.

Might draw Karkata later either way. I love that mechanical crab to bits.

And also, the reference image for the background is here:

I drew Collei and Tighnari first. That’s all I’ll say on the matter.

[solunos]

Sketchbook: Cyno

I am definitely one of those people who saw Cyno, made connections between Xiao and Razor combined, and just hit the pull button. I mean come on; the electro canine/wolf motif, the mask during the elemental burst, the polearm. Do you see it now?

Either way, during the last photo event with Paimon, I got inspired by a pretty nice shot I got of Cyno walking in the desert, and this spread was born. Inspirations and process images below the cut.

These are the photos that first started it all. Along with the first two I took from Paimon’s photo event, I also took some shots of the inside of Aaru Village’s chief’s house, and collaged/smashed bits and pieces to my liking (because I thought the place was too bare for my maximalist liking).

And these are my process photos. Only these two; cause I’m lazy :P.

[solunos]

Sketchbook: Scenes from Sumeru

On the occasion of us going back to Sumeru for 5.1, have the Sumeru Adventurer’s Guild point (with a rare moment when Katheryne is currently out), and the giant Ruin Guard at Devantaka Mountain. Plus, additional Aranaras from Varuna Gatha below the cut!

Who’s your favourite Aranara? I got too many to name…

[solunos]

Sketchbook: Scenes from Chenyu Vale

Jademouth

Under the jade ring

Lies a cave hidden from sight

Follow the spirit

Chiwang Peak

King of earth awaits

Wild beast of air and water

Returns to nature

[solunos]

Sketchbook: Scenes from Teyvat and Solaris-III

Been practicing backgrounds by redrawing screenshots using acrylic and gouache. So many details but so worth it.

[solunos]

Happy birthday, Razor!

Inspired by his birthday mail with the flaming flower stamens.

Interesting is that while Razor has a voice line about Barbara, she doesn’t have one for him. Which is honestly a shame, since in Barbara’s hangout event, she hides from her fans in Wolvendom, and she could have befriended Razor then with Razor helping her avoid her fans *coughAlbertcough*. This art is mostly my interpretation of what their relationship is like based on Razor’s voice line, and how I thought he gathered those flaming flower stamens in the first place.

The answer is brute force.

Razor just using his gloved hands and claymore to cut them off.

And that’s why he’s currently seeing Barbara; to apply hydro element to the stamens so that they can be used and getting healed at the same time.

[solunos]

Razor headcanons (not to be taken as hard facts; I just like the idea of Razor having more familial relations after the weinlesefest event)

Bennett - technically older than Razor by a year or so, but outside of human emotions and understanding, Razor is the big brother. Bennett teaches Razor more about humans and emotions, while Razor is the one who looks after Bennett during his adventures (or misadventures, knowing Bennett’s luck).

Rosaria - I headcanon that after Razor learned about Rosaria’s connection with Varka after the event, he would often visit her, greeting her whenever he saw her, maybe going on patrols together in Springvale, and fighting together. Rosaria is like the cool big sister, and the one Razor would go to whenever he wanted a hunting buddy of sorts, or needed to help deal with poachers. Rosaria herself, I headcanon to be protective of Razor as well.

(Plus, Bennett and Rosaria are two of the party members I used with Razor, before Bennett graduated with his sixth constellation)