#<< ​sorta? this became a bit of a character analysis lol

[sopuu]

Hi yes I want yo uto know that I've just been haunting your champion jesse tag bc. Holy shit. I never thought I'd ever get into the mcsm fandom but I also said that about Sonic and Yu-Gi-Oh and I got into them, so.

But ur art,,,,,, ur au,,,,,,,, I live for this kind of shit. Take a positive character and break their spirit, tear them down, make them into a dead-eyed fighter. I eat that shit like Talenti Gelato - 🖋️

yess!!!! you get it!!!!! the thing about jesse is that he’s very stubborn and determined, so it’s not easy to completely break his spirit. he’s also definitely not the type to voluntarily follow romeo’s orders and he’ll fight against him at any chance, physically or verbally. so in the au romeo never actually succeeds in turning jesse into his champion entirely (and romeo eventually learns that he can’t too). also i don’t think it’s fun if i just changed jesse into romeo’s puppet, fighting with no emotions coz that’s simply not who he is! i wanna do my best to keep his personality while also fitting the champion role into that.

but that doesn’t mean jesse hasn’t been affected emotionally- he has the tough job of constantly struggling between growing self-doubt and desperately clinging onto the hope of escaping, and i think it’s worse than giving up entirely since there’s no concrete answer to his turmoil. and if romeo can’t have jesse willingly be his champion then he’ll take advantage of this struggle and turn him into an unwilling champion.

so so glad you’re enjoying the au btw 🥹 i hope i can make it a good ride!!

[funkyspacealien]

Rabbit of the Night He'll suck the orange out of your carrots (Sketches n' processes under the break! It's a REAAAAAL long one)

I've been meaning to draw a piece that actually includes a background instead of a character standing in the void. The issue that arises is that... I just didn't have any good ideas for backgrounds, lol. Partially the issue is that I tend to design the character first, which makes it challenging to draw stuff around them. Since around the time that I made this piece was October and the big holiday was Halloween, I figured I could do something within the theme. I've been meaning to draw my character, Nosferatu, again since they have always been one of my lowkey favorites of mine.

An older piece of the character, which you can see with the others here The character was quite macabre, which made it perfect for doing something slightly spooky. The cape also gave me a great idea for making something more visually striking, as well.

My first attempt. As you can see, I tried to do a thumbnail this time so I can have a better understanding of the amount of space I have to work with. I highly recommend that you do something similar if you struggle with doing backgrounds. Though, I think I ought to make it a bit more square, lol. I had to tweak some things to fit within the standard square shape since I drew everything at a wonky angle. I was inspired by Soul Eater and Majora's Mask when it comes to the background design, especially with the moon having a prominent appearance. I knew that was a consistent thing I wanted to keep throughout the iterations. The flowing cape was heavily inspired by Spawn and the artwork of Lelouch from Code Geass

I always found it to be such a striking iconography for the characters. Despite being an inanimate piece of clothing, it adds a lot to the design. Spawn was always an intimidating dude, but having that cape overwhelms the viewer and takes up so much screen space every time he wears it helps give him more of an otherworldliness. You may not truly understand who or what is he, but you may get the vibe that he's someone with great power and importance. It's befitting of someone who is viewed as the best spawn of the devil. I find it also interesting for a character like Lelouch. Now, I never watched the show he came from, only understood the basic premise from various sources throughout my life. Pardon if my read on the character is incorrect, but to me, he's quite the scrawny guy and perhaps lacks power of his own. Despite this, he runs a rebellion and goes under the alias of "Zero". He dresses up as Zero, including the cape. With it on, his form became much more imposing yet concealed. It gives him a sense of royalty, which you might attribute to the likes of Kings or Queens. Someone with power. Sorry for that brief character analysis tangent, lol. It's just something that I thought about when creating the character of Nosferatu. I find it interesting that something so simple as a cape can help give a feeling of power. It's something that I feel everyone subconsciously think of and not realize. Back on topic, the rest of the composition I wasn't super satisfied with. I sorta lean into the "Dracula" look the character had by having the castle in the background, but I think it came off as very flat. I also thought it made things visually unclear. A bunch of things off in their own corner instead of organic guiding the viewer's eyes. I scrapped the first idea and tried to go in another direction.

I had the idea of being underneath an overpass and having buildings being lit by the moon. I don't think it was too bad of an idea, but I had trouble refining it and making it more "full", if that makes sense? This had a weird sense of emptiness and dragged the composition down for me. Perhaps if I drew the character differently and played more with the perspective, it would've been better. I went back to my original idea and checked if I could improve some things on a base level.

Originally, I had the cape go off-screen but checking my original inspiration, like various art pieces of Spawn, I noticed that the cape "ends" tend to curve back into the frame. I decided to do something similar which I think helped give the piece a sense of "flow" to it. I found that it also gives a composition more layers of depth and fills in any "empty" spaces that I had worried about before. I tilted Nosf's head a bit so they weren't just standing there stiffly as well. Sometimes it's the little things that help improve the piece than having to redo it all over again.

Finally, I just decided to make the background more on the simple side. I think I had the issue of really wanting to prove myself that I could do backgrounds that I made it way more complicated than it needed to be. It gave me the chance to make the moon much bigger, which I always meant to be a striking aspect of the piece. When drawing, I decided to forgo the "ground" that the cliffs are on since I felt it cluttered up the piece with too many colors. Now, I just got to finish it!

I should be done, right? Well, not exactly. While I think it looks nice (I'm personally proud of my use of noise filters), it just still lacks the depth that I'm looking for. Something about it is too bright and clear. I went back and experimented some more until I found a solution that made me feel stupid not realizing it before, lol. So initially, I tried to use this photo editing program called "Picsart". I used to use it a lot when I was doing digital art since I like the added filters. I eventually stopped because it would ruin the image quality. I thought they fixed that issue, but it's still the same.

It's a bit subtle in this picture, but I like to use the "vintage" filter since I like the added shadows on the sides of the images. The problem is that the quality got ruined and I'm very stubborn about keeping it in the nicest resolution possible. I decided to see if I could replicate it in my own art program. What I discovered is that I can and the solution was very simple, lol. First I drew a square with a solid color on a new layer-

Then I used the "Gaussian Blur" Filter-

I turned down the opacity, set the blending to "burn" and overlaid it on the artwork, which gave the depth I was looking for!

I gave the head some slight shading too since the filter unintentionally gave it to their ears. Good call since I think that helped with the Halloween atmosphere I was intending.

[twstoric]

just read a lot of your 👁👄👁👌 quality conversations and some writing in general. every time I came across a dom!s/o I was like hahaha I could never be like that cuz I’m a HARD SUBMISSIVE BOTTOM WHO’S CLUELESS AND INEXPERIENCED IN THE WORLD OF ROMANCE AND NAUGHTY TIMES AND CAN’T PICK UP ON FLIRTING FOR SHIT. any advances from the boys that weren’t explicit would go whoosh, be it courting or horny. and when I do catch on I’d go from outgoing talkative friend/lover to shy blushing mess. degrading will be a total turn off but praise? sign me the fuck up

that said, which boys do you think would be the best and worst match for people like me? here’s a few I think would be great

Rook drinks respect and praise juice. he’s willing to take things slow, easing you into the grove, respecting boundaries, praising for doing good

Malleus gives off vibes of adoration and he’d definitely be into cherishing his lover. praise kink both ways man

Lilia, wait hear me out. I don’t think he’d be into daddy kinks cough Silver Malleus cough cough but definitely game to take things slow like Rook with the patience of a saint.

Jamil’s good at reading people and highkey gives off soft lover vibes. dealing with Kalim’s shenanigans basically 24/7 trained him to (usually) have the patience of a saint like Lila

Silver gets it from Lilia cuz he’s a soft boi in general

This seems really fun to do! but since i'm not all too familiar with match making this would be my take on it! (i'll try analyzing the boys you mentioned a bit!)

your personality sounds really fun! as a bottom and someone inexperienced in intimate intimacy then someone with a few tricks up their sleeves will def be a good match for you! let's start with the boys you've mentioned:

- Rook is definitely a go to for someone who needs a partner that's patient and he doesn't mind teaching new things to them! if you want someone that would show you the world of maturity, then he's definitely the guy! though i won't really suggest him to someone who's easily flustered-- it would just rile him up and though it's innocent teasing it might be a bit overwhelming with how often he'll do it

- Malleus...! he might arguably be as clueless about intimacy if you ask me! though he knows how to treasure someone, i imagine he's just doing what feels right and just sorta going with it if things are going smoothly. he gives off the vibe of someone who would say something perverted without much thought and then being confused why his partner is flustered so if you can handle his once in awhile offhanded remarks about *ahem* going all the way dp style then malleus will be good for you lol

- i agree on Lilia not really having a daddy kink (arguably so!) as he would strike me as someone with the patience of a guardian rather than an authoritive figure the role comes in. with that said! he's definitely the ultra ranked #1 partner you should go to when first exploring kinks and all that! he would be very patient and kind and i think he has one of the best praise game in the whole twst cast sksksk

- Jamil!! Ultra!!! Super!!!! Duper!!!! Lover!!!!!!!! yes, he's extra patient and hella comunacative. i think it's become a habit of his to voice his thoughts since someone /kalim/ needs to be told things straigtforwardly rather than vaguely. if you're super shy on senseual intimacy then Jamil is definitely perfect! he won't go overboard with the teasing and he's rather understanding of his partner's needs and most of all: he's able to communicate that—that type of partner would be great for you, i believe!

- Silver the best boi but he might be even more clueless than Malleus when it comes to doing anything remotely affectionate *cries* though i believe he's super patient with his partner but the thing is, Silver gives me the vibe of someone with little to no experience so it's more like the both of you are discovering your enjoyments rather than just him guiding you along y'know~

asdlakds this became super long but i really like character analysis thingies lol and i hope this managed to convince you i am also very much invested in the cute subs department huehue

[spaceorphan18]

Finding Kurt Hummel: Frenemies

Masterpost

5x09: Frenemies

Back from Christmas - with an episode that’s pretty good! Even if we have to deal with the BTS Lea/Naya feud until the rest of the season.  Surprisingly, while he’s the C-plot in this episode, there’s not really that much Kurt.  But at least we get to spend some time with Adam Lambert, always a bonus, and they remember Klaine is an actual thing.  Woo! 

Diabolical Plans

So - Kurt doesn’t arrive until a quarter of the way into the episode.  But when he does - he’s chatting with Blaine over the phone.  (Um, how many times a day does Kurt call Blaine while he’s at school? I get the impression that whenever Kurt goes into crisis mode about anything - his first reaction is to call Blaine about it.)  

Anyway, Kurt’s freaking out because Elliott said “my band” in an newspaper article instead of Kurt’s band.  Mostly, this is all for comedy of the show - but, yeah you can see where Mr.-Controls-Everything would be worried about someone taking over, especially since he’s had insecurities relating to Elliott since ep. 4.  

Blaine, however, thinks Kurt’s being silly (cause he is), but also gives him some, um, interesting advice? OMG Blaine?  Don’t talk to the person and figure out everything like a normal person, just pretend to be their friend until you can pounce.  I can’t even imagine them when they get to be adults... 

Yes, there’s a continuity error - Kurt doesn’t have his ring.  And my really deep analysis of this is... It’s a continuity error.  Idk - Production began to get lazy about some things and I just chalk this up to being one of them. 

Meanwhile, Rachel is busy being a star, and Santana is busy pouting about it, and neither has time for Kurt’s band - but that’s fine because he’s more fun hanging out with Elliott anyway.  

Also - don’t Rachel and Kurt ever go to school anymore? It’s clearly in the middle of the day if Blaine is at school.   Does the show even remember they’re at NYADA? 

Kelliott

Oh, I just adore this scene.  Kurt’s pretending to be nice so that he can figure out what Elliott’s plans are.  And he’s just so bad at being covert that it’s hilarious.  Oh Kurt, I do kinda question your abilities as an actor, but you are the most adorable.  

The amount of awkward faces Kurt makes in this scene are priceless.  He digs in, getting to know Elliott a little better, which is nice, and still tragic that Adam Lambert didn’t stick around because his chemistry with the cast is fantastic.  Kurt is the least subtle person on the planet and Elliott knows this -- and ups the ante at every turn.  I know some people think that maybe Kurt was imagining some of Elliott’s answers, but I think Elliott knew exactly what was going on and was playing with Kurt.    He totally takes control of the conversation - pushing Kurt out of his element, and hence they both end up at a guitar shop, even if that clearly isn’t Kurt’s cup of tea.  

Oh, and cucumber sandwiches Kurt? Nice touch.  

I love when they enter the guitar shop - and Kurt is clearly confused, especially after the guy says not to touch the axes, and Kurt has no idea which ones those are.  

However, it doesn’t take long fro them to get warmed up in the place.  They break  Into A Little Thing Called Love --which is, plain and simple, a rock song to show off Adam Lambert.  But also -- it let’s Kurt dial up the sex appeal.  I mean damn.  I love it.  It’s really fantastic to see Kurt so clearly much more comfortable in his skin.    Usually Kurt songs have some sort of element of deep emotion to them.  But this one -- really is nothing more than having a lot of fun.  And it’s nice to see Kurt relax for a moment and enjoy himself.  Especially when he’s hanging off the rafters and feeling at home on the stripper pole.  

Meanwhile, Kurt still retains his awkward, dorky self.  Hard rock isn’t Kurt’s forte at all - but the whole thing is fun.  And how much fun did Chris have shooting this? My answer is all the fun. 

My only complaint is that they never let Kurt and Blaine be this sexy/flirty in an performance together --- though American Boy was close.  (And no - I don’t really count BICO because that was something different.)  

Trouble at the Loft

Way later that night - Kurt’s finding out how much better Elliott really is, because his only other two friends in all of New York are fighting over the same part.  And Kurt’s actually being diplomatic, and letting Rachel know that being an understudy doesn’t mean Santana is out to get Rachel.  

Ug.  I’m not going to even touch this plot line, because there are a lot of things wrong with it -- most of which stem from the fact that neither Rachel or Santana are the characters they were in season 2 anymore, and this plot line feels awkward at best, and awful at worst. 

At least Kurt gets to stay out of it, mostly, even if he’s a bystander for most of this argument. 

Non-Frenemies or, you know, Friends

Okay - so here’s the thing about this episode.  In plot A you have friends, who've become enemies for a while with Tina and Artie.  And with Rachel and Santana you had enemies who became friends for a while.  But Kurt and Elliott have a different dynamic all together - and it’s a little refreshing actually?  If I have one issue about Glee’s friendships is that a majority of them have a level of competition to them -- actually all the f/f friendships do, and a lot of the m/f friends, and even some of the m/m ones - though those are usually the best handled. 

But here’s my thing - Elliott cuts through Kurt’s bullshit pretty easily.  And his message is clear and healthy.  Look, they’re two gay men - who are not crazy, trying to get in each other’s pants, or trying to rival each other for the spot light.  They’re just....friends.  And it’s one reason I find Elliott so refreshing on the show - he adds levelheadedness to this clearly overdramatic bunch.  But it also speaks to the fact that, yeah, two gay men can have a friendship and it’s just that.  

But also - I find it sad that the show never finds a way to let two women have a friendship like this (Rachel and Mercedes eventually get there - but after a long time of having competition be underneath the friendship.)  

Which leads me to the selfie.  Alone - this is cute and a bit throw away.  And I wouldn’t have thought anything of it if Becky didn’t push it into Blaine’s face a little later into the episode.  

Even though, yes, I agree, chemistry - there’s nothing within this episode that suggests anything else is going on other than friendship.  And it almost goes out of its way to prove that -- hey, friendship can be cool and awesome and doesn’t have to come in-between relationships.  So it’s sorta makes me eye-roll that they even give Blaine a flicker of insecurity (which will take many episodes to even pay off).  

Klaine was gonna have issues enough without the added jealousy stuff.  So why bother show?  

Btw - Kurt’s facebook says ‘my new best friend’ as the caption.  I kinda chalk that up to Kurt being a little Lea Michele with his friendships - and everyone is his new best friend, lol.  Meanwhile - how many posts do we not see labeled - my fiance...  

Also, pancake face? That’s a weak one, Becky ;) 

Trouble in the Loft II

Kurt plays diplomat once again between Santana and Rachel -- and Kurt lands some interesting and fair points.  They’ve all grown up, and Rachel’s being kinda unfair about everything.  Kurt really just wants to order pizza and talk things over -- like a rational adult.  But no - Rachel would rather storm out dramatically.  **sigh** Oh Kurt -- you’re far from perfect, but man is your maturity levels higher than either of these two.  

I feel ya kiddo - this drama is too ridiculous.