#early development sketches

[askthemedbay]

If First Aid is a cassetticon, who is his carrier/boom box mech?

While he doesn’t have speakers like Soundwave, he’s still got a nice docking space, if I do say so myself!

(OOC: Below the cut are some sketches I did while figuring out how I wanted to design them for my au, I love getting asks like this lol!!)

[solargeist]

grian and his watcher studies

[brotherscain]

when they ask you how you’re doing and you have to say you’re fine but you’re actually holding back tears thinking about how sam and dean are canonical, heaven-appointed soulmates

[seasicksilver]

nnd RWBYxTrigun AU. I’m so serious about this

[zponds]

My Sketch of Woot (the OG main protagonist of Disney’s Dinosaur)

Here is my full body sketch of the original main protagonist from Disney’s Dinosaur; Woot the Styracosaurus. Woot was the original protagonist from the original 1986 concept and script by Phil Tippett and Paul Verhoeven. In their original version, the story had a darker and more violent tone and was told in the style of a nature documentary.

Now as for my sketch of Woot, he’s different from other Styracosaurs as he has a bigger and thicker horn and is 30 feet long (while other styracosaurs are up to 25 feet long).

[casart]

hi I love LOVE your art it’s always so pretty and nice and the style is amazing top to bottom.

I was wondering what your art process is like if you don’t mind me asking?

Thank you kindly!! I appreciate you taking the time to leave such a sweet msg, made me smile (*´∀`*) ~☆

As for art process I think I’m a bit disorganised ^^;; usually my pieces focus on some kinda lighting or expression/movement. I’m a fan of symbolism whether overtly or more covert (types of flowers used, placement of piercings, colours, body language etc.) so I like including those when I can

Usually my inspiration will come from what I want the focal point to be first; like an item, an outfit, an emotion etc. From there I mess around w poses w the idea of where the light will be coming from as I like adding glow wherever I can uwu My sketches are extremely messy lol but I find that’s the way for me at least to get the fluidity I’m trying for. If I focus too much on proper posing my art becomes stiff, so I like to be messy and loopy and then pick whatever lines stand out strongest amongst the scribbles to outline lol

Poses and expressions are often the longest part for me, but once I’m satisfied colouring is easy. From the sketch to final, usually the mouth, hands and eyes changed at least six times;;;

For colouring; I’m very much partial to limited colours in pieces. One character usually has a palette of six or less colours that are repeated throughout the piece. The overlay gradient I typically add gives the illusion of different shades, but yet a lot of my pieces are less than ten colours whole. To pick palettes, I rely on [split] complementary and analogous colours.

I hope this makes sense! Sometimes I also just draw dumb doodles that are so hideous I hide them in shame but eventually will attempt a redraw months later. Sometimes that pause/art block/frustration w current skill level is also necessary part of the process (๑¯ω¯๑)

[aanaya-art]

One of the character designs for the enemies in my video game. The setting is in the 1900’s so expect some snazzy rich folk.

The game is based on Topsy the Elephant

[runawayfuture]

concept art for my AU where the church lets House Gautier hold on to the dragon sign in case they didn't have a kid with a Crest and so Miklan doesn't get kicked out and he loves his little brother and everything is Fine Actually

[captain-amadeus]

Oh yippee bloom au update sketches cw slight skin bareness and scars

[teampbnj]

We're ready to show the public we're working on a visual novel!! we started reworking our game in ren'py :D

The story's done so now all we have to do is to put all the bells and whistles into the script !!

[oh-gh0st]

anyways u guys are so lucky i have a 18/movie design for shinrei already

[thewriteadviceforwriters]

Why Writers Don't Finish Writing Their Stories, and How to Fix It

Hello fellow writers and storytellers,

The journey of writing a story is an exhilarating adventure, but it's not without its share of obstacles. Many of us have embarked on a creative endeavor, only to find ourselves mired in the struggle to finish what we started. In this blog post, I'll unravel the common reasons why writers don't finish their stories and explore practical strategies to overcome these hurdles and reignite the flame of creativity.

The Perils of Unfinished Stories

As writers, we often find ourselves in the throes of unfinished tales, grappling with the intricate web of characters, plots, and themes. There are several reasons why the ink dries up and the story remains untold. Let's shine a light on the familiar adversaries that stand between us and the triumphant completion of our narratives:

1. Lack of Planning:

Some of us brazenly dive into our stories without a clear roadmap, resulting in uncertainty about the direction of the plot and the fate of our characters. The lack of a solid plan can lead us astray, leaving our stories wandering in the wilderness of aimlessness.

2. Self-Doubt and Perfectionism:

Ah, the relentless whispers of self-doubt and the siren call of perfectionism! These twin adversaries can cast a shadow over our creative vision, compelling us to endlessly revise and perfect the early chapters, trapping us in a whirlpool of perpetual edits.

3. Time Management:

Balancing the demands of daily life with the ardor of writing can be akin to walking a tightrope. The struggle to find consistent time for our craft often leaves our stories languishing in prolonged periods of inactivity, longing for the touch of our pen.

4. Writer's Block:

The mighty barrier that even the most intrepid writers encounter. Writer's block can be an insurmountable mountain, leaving us stranded in the valleys of creative drought, unable to breathe life into new ideas and narratives.

5. Lack of Motivation:

The flame that once burned brightly can flicker and wane over time, leaving us adrift in the murky waters of disillusionment. The initial excitement for our stories diminishes, making it arduous to stay committed to the crafting process.

6. Fear of Failure or Success:

The twin specters that haunt many writers' dreams. The apprehension of rejection and the unsettling prospect of life-altering success can tether us to the shores of hesitation, preventing us from reaching the shores of completion.

7. Criticism and Feedback Anxiety:

The looming dread of judgment casts a long shadow over our creative endeavors. The mere thought of receiving criticism or feedback, whether from peers or potential readers, can cast a cloud over our storytelling pursuits.

8. Plotting Challenges:

Crafting a cohesive and engaging plot is akin to navigating a labyrinth without a map. Faced with hurdles in connecting story elements, we may find ourselves lost in a maze of plot holes and unresolved threads.

9. Character Development Struggles:

Breathing life into multi-dimensional, relatable characters is a complex art. The intricate process of character development can become a quagmire, ensnaring us in the challenge of creating personas that drive the story forward. (Part one of Character Development Series)

10. Life Events and Distractions:

Unexpected events in our personal lives can cast ripples on our writing routines, interrupting the flow of our creativity and causing a loss of momentum.

Rallying Against the Odds: Strategies for Success

Now that we've confronted the adversaries that threaten to stall our storytelling odysseys, let's arm ourselves with strategies to conquer these barriers and reignite the flames of our creativity.

Embrace the Power of Planning:

A clear roadmap illuminates the path ahead. Arm yourself with outlines, character sketches, and plot maps to pave the way for your story's journey.

Vanquish Self-Doubt with Action:

Silence the voices of doubt with the power of progress. Embrace the imperfect beauty of your early drafts, knowing that every word brings you closer to the finish line.

Mastering the Art of Time:

Carve out sacred writing time in your schedule. Whether it’s ten minutes or two hours, every moment dedicated to your craft is a step forward.

Conquering Writer's Block:

Embrace the freedom of imperfection. Write, even if the words feel like scattered puzzle pieces. The act of writing can unravel the most stubborn knots of writer's block.

Reigniting the Flame of Motivation:

Seek inspiration in the wonders of the world. Reconnect with the heart of your story, rediscovering the passion that set your creative spirit ablaze.

Reshaping Fear into Fuel:

Embrace the uncertainty as an integral part of the creative journey. Embrace the lessons within rejection and prepare for the winds of change that success may bring.

Navigating the Realm of Criticism:

Embrace feedback as a catalyst for growth. Constructive criticism is a powerful ally, shaping your story into a work of art that resonates with readers.

Weaving the Threads of Plot:

Connect the dots with fresh eyes. Step back and survey the tapestry of your plot, seeking innovative solutions to bridge the gaps and untangle the knots.

Breathing Life into Characters:

Engage with your characters as if they were old friends. Dive into their depths, unraveling their quirks, fears, and dreams, and watch as they breathe life into your story.

Navigating Life's Tempests:

Embrace the ebb and flow of life. Every pause in your writing journey is a chance to gather new experiences and perspectives, enriching your storytelling tapestry.

The Ever-Resting Pen: Harnessing the Power Within

Fellow writers, the journey of completing a story is filled with peaks and valleys, each offering us the opportunity to sharpen our resolve and unleash our creative potential. As we stand at the crossroads, staring at the canvas of unfinished tales, let's rally against the odds, armed with the power of purpose, passion, and perseverance.

Let the ink flow once more, breathing life into tales left untold, and watch as your stories triumphantly reach their long-awaited conclusion. You possess the power to conquer the adversaries that stand in your way, and within you lies the essence of untold narratives waiting to unfurl onto the page.

Here's to the journey that lies ahead, the stories waiting to be written, and the unyielding spirit of creativity that thrives within each of us.

Warm regards and unwavering encouragement, Ren T.

[jettpack]

Some early development paintings I did for the opening of Across the Spiderverse. This was early 2020, before vulture had been designed, beige the style had been developed, before a lot of stuff. Included some sketches and alts here too.

[honeekyuu]

talk too much. [suna rintarou x reader]

eight. stick hand

previous || masterlist || next

a/n. SUNA RINTAROU POV FOR THE FUCKING WIN

warnings: swearing, a LOT of kms jokes

✗ !!! minors do not interact !!! ✗

✗ !!! ignore timestamps !!! ✗

Rintarou stares down at his phone, bouncing his knee anxiously while he chews on his lip. You’d gone offline four minutes ago, asking him to give you ‘just a second’. He doesn’t know what that means, and it scares him. 

He’s sitting in the kitchen of his tiny studio apartment, charcoal sticks scattered haphazardly on the table in front of him and several sheets of sketch paper trapped under his elbows while he glares nervously down at his phone. His skin is dusted with black carbon, and the rough sketches of you – the way he sees you in his memory, in the space behind his eyes that drifts often to you throughout the day – stare up at him from the paper.

He’s worried he’s crossed a line. He’d been a little rash, frustrated with the way you’d spoken about yourself, the way you’d avoided speaking about yourself. He’d just wanted you to see. To understand that he means what he says and he’s never once spoken without meaning. That when he calls you beautiful, what he really means is that every picture you send makes him want to bury his face in his hands and scream – because he’s overwhelmed with the need to touch you and hold you. To know you, to be in your space and in your way, because you make him feel nervous in ways he’s never felt before.

“Fuck,” he sighs, running dirty fingers through his bangs and pushing them out of his face. The time ticks past another minute, and regret forms a pit in his stomach. His knee bounces with increased irritation. He must have fucked up.

And then you call.

His phone lights up in his hand, screen flashing with ‘Incoming call from Pretty Girl’. 

“Oh, shit-” Rintarou drops his phone on the table, standing quickly and stumbling over the legs of the chair as he backs away.

He’s never spoken to you on the phone before. He’s sent the occasional voice note, and he’s heard your voice in the same way, but it’s never been this. He’s too scared to do it like this.

He shouldn’t be – he’s never been as comfortable around someone as he is around you. He’s been begging to see you, to meet you. He’d even called you, too, just a few days ago when you’d sent him the pictures of yourself. But he’d done it without thinking, too busy freaking out over the development in his friendship with you to even consider that talking on the phone – hearing your voice – might be too much for him.

He’s scared to fall for you. Scared because he already has. He doesn’t know how to be good for you, how to be someone you can trust with anything. You still fight to accept the things he says to you, and he worries sometimes that it’s because he’s not good enough at convincing you. At showing you that you’re all he wants. 

He’s scared that he’s falling too fast, that he’s going to fall alone. That it’s too early to think that you’re perfect – because he knows that you’re flawed, but God, he thinks you might just be perfect for him. But he’d be insane to give into that thought. It’s only been six weeks.

It’s only been six weeks, and he’s completely hopeless.

He doesn’t know if he can answer your call.

It goes to voicemail. He regrets not answering it.

You text.

‘please pick up, suna’

He’d do anything you say.

Hopeless.

His phone flashes with the incoming call again. He picks it up with a shaky breath and presses it to his ear.

“Hello?” His voice sounds gravelly in his own ears, rough with underuse after spending all day home alone. There’s quiet on the other end, quiet that lasts long enough to make his stomach twist. “Y/n?” 

“Hi,” you breathe. “Hi, Suna.”

Falling in love is painful, he thinks.

“Hi, pretty girl,” he whispers, entirely alone in his apartment. Entirely incapable of speaking any louder than this. “Whatcha doin’?”

“Walking to my next class,” you say, and Rintarou hears the splash of cars passing in the background. 

“Still raining?”

“Pouring.”

He swallows. “You didn’t have to call. I don’t want to interrupt your day.”

Another pause. His stomach turns and flips anxiously. He runs his fingers through his bangs again and chews on his lip.

“I wanted to talk to you.”

He breathes out a laugh, the air shaky as it leaves his lungs. “In that case, I’m perfectly happy to interrupt your day.” When you laugh, soft and gentle in his ear, he takes a very firm seat on his couch, knees close to giving out. “God, you have a pretty laugh. That’s no fair.”

“You’re so stupid, Suna.” 

“Yeah,” he says, propping his elbows up on his knees and smiling down at nothing. “You kind of have that effect on me.”

“Did you really draw those for me?” you ask, and he hears the quiet beep of the crosswalk behind you. 

“Got the charcoal fingers to prove it,” he says, smile widening when you laugh breathily.

“They were really pretty.”

“That’s because you’re really pretty.”

You inhale sharply. He waits for you to reject his words.

“You really think that?”

His heart surges with hope, and he clings to it. “With every fiber of my being, Y/n. You’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.” You swallow audibly and make a sound like you’re going to deflect the compliment, but he doesn’t let you. He pushes, because he doesn’t know when he’ll get this chance again. One where you might just hear him. “You’re so pretty it makes me nervous. I’m literally nauseous right now. I’m almost terrified to meet you in person – that’s how pretty you are.”

“No one’s ever thought that before.”

“I think that,” he says, urging you to listen. “I do, Y/n. I’ve thought it from the very beginning.” You’re further from the street now, he notices — the sounds of traffic have faded. He glances at the time. He only has five minutes left with you. “Are you at your next class?”

“Mhm,” you mumble. “Math building.” And then you take a breath, pausing for a moment before speaking. He does his best not to panic about the time ticking away. “You might get bored of me, Suna. You might find another girl.”

A prettier girl, is what you mean. He hears it in the silence. 

“I told you,” he says, scrubbing his brow with one knuckle. “There’s only one girl for me.”

“It might be too soon to say that.”

He laughs, shaking his head. “Yeah. I know. I know it’s soon, but I also know how I feel, so I don’t know what else to say.” By the time he's done, his voice is nothing more than a whisper again. He'd lost his confidence. He's too nervous.

You stay quiet, and his knee starts to bounce again. He’s worried you’ll hang up. That you won’t address the words that had just come out of his mouth.

“I know how I feel, too.”

The air is pushed from Rintarou’s lungs in one blow to the chest. The butterflies he’d been trying to tamper down are back, rushing through his blood and his veins and making his skin prickle with sweat. He laughs once, and then he keeps laughing – delirious and disbelieving, because he’s never once been this lucky in his entire life.

“You mean that, pretty girl?” he says through his insanity, the question bubbling out of his mouth while he cards his fingers roughly into his hair and tugs hard at his roots. Harder, until it hurts, just to check that he’s not dreaming.

“I’m not gonna stop being difficult and frustrating,” you say, as if that could ever drive him away. “I’m doing my best, but it’s not gonna be pretty.”

“Everything about you is pretty,” he argues, grinning wide when you giggle on the other end of the line. “And I already know that. I already know that I might never be able to convince you to feel differently about yourself.” He shakes his head, still smiling. “But I’m not ever gonna stop telling you how I feel about you. And to me, you’re-”

“The prettiest thing you’ve ever seen – I know,” you say, your eye-roll obvious even through the phone. “Keep it up, and I might just start to believe you.”

Rintarou jumps up, throwing his fist and screaming silently to himself. Like an idiot, he cheers to no one. Because that’s what he is for you, over and over again, willingly and gratefully. An idiot, one who falls fast and hard and with all his feelings, hoping you’ll do anything and everything with them.

Idiocy’s starting to feel a little like falling in love.

i'm here again, talkin' myself out of // my own happiness

talk too much [renee rapp].

[littlebatgames]

How to make a powerful, hot vampire you still want to hug

Hi tumblr! I'm Cyrus Nemati, creative director at Little Bat Games, and a voice actor you might know from games likes Hades (I did the really secure guy and the really insecure guy).

We're closing in on the release of our debut title, Vampire Therapist, and based on tumblr's response in the past, I think you might be interested in seeing our creative process.

Andromachos is our 3000-year-old vampire mentor you'll meet early in Vampire Therapist. He's a complicated character: he was an assassin and warrior for most of his 3000 years, but a personal crisis put him on a voyage of self-discovery in the 1800s. Therapy never existed in his time, but as it developed, so did he. We needed a character who expressed wisdom and strength, but also gentleness and compassion. And of course, he's a vampire in a sexy vampire game. He needed to look like a Mediterranean dream.

This was our initial sketch of Andromachos by art director Ruth Bosch (https://x.com/rthbosch). As you can see, he's already oozing confident vampire energy, and he clearly has the wisdom of 3000 years. This is someone you want as your therapist. Vampire Therapist is a game with specific needs, and a certain lightheartedness is one of them. This Andromachos is very much grounded in reality, and just might be *too* realistically sexy.

This was @nomnomroko's first test render for Andromachos before joining the team. Right away, she understood the *figure* of Andromachos and poise of a man who has lived for 3000 years, but this was a more villainous (albeit super hot character). We toned him down shortly after, and brought back in some of the more grounded humanity from Ruth's initial sketch. You can make fan art of this version, though, we won't mind. This version might come back if we ever do a prequel!

Here's his toned down version, already much closer to the Andromachos we see in the final game. He's lost none of his power, but is already the welcoming presence we needed to have in Vampire Therapist.

Body language is also a key aspect of our game. In a game about therapy, we are mostly sitting, so the ways we can express emotion and intention are more subtle. You can already see the strength of Andromachos's character here.

Which takes us to our final rendering!

I love Andromachos. Or Andy, as more familiar folk call him. And I think you will, too. To me, he's a perfect synthesis between Ruth's initial rendering and Sybille's test that fits the comedic, warm, and very human tone of our game.

You can check out our game on Steam and GOG, and your wishlists will make algorithms happy. As you know, everything is algorithms! Help us make Vampire Therapist 2?

Steam:

And GOG:

[raguiras]

TWST Olympics AU #1

Part 1: Heartshackle trio designs!

Reblogs are hella appreciated!! I'm likely shadowbanned 😭

As the Olympic Games are officially starting in a week, I decided to finally sketch some of the designs for my Twisted Wonderland Olympics AU! Next up are Riddle, Trey and Cater.

Everything about the AU below!

AU rules

Feel free to add your own OCs to this AU!

Fan content is obviously allowed! Just tag me in it, please.

AU summary

This is a magicless AU where all of the TWST characters are Olympic athletes in the real world. Some win medals, some barely qualify — but all of them live in the Olympic village. The students are aged up here (usually early to late twenties) while the faculty members have no set age and work as sports reporters.

♤ Character introductions ♤

ACE TRAPPOLA — A 21-year-old Italian prodigy basketball player. He's considered to be his team's ace (pun intended) and is great at tricking his opponents, making tons of baskets for the Italian team, and efficiently assisting his teammates.

DEUCE SPADE — A 21-year-old Japanese track and field athlete competing in various smaller disciplines falling under the "track and field" term. He's extremely average at most things other than sprints, often ends up in the bottom 3, and is secretly incredibly insecure about not being the best at anything.

ALLEN ALAGONA (YUU) — A 21-year-old Japanese-Italian gold-winning figure skater competing for his current home country, Ireland, along with his best friend and sports partner Alcestris. He gave up on his original dream — becoming a musician — and is now working hard to be the best male figure skater in the world, hoping to kickstart a career as a musician later on.

♤ Relationships ♤

ACE & DEUCE — Their friendship originally started when Ace posted a picture of himself watching a sprint competition while Deuce made a grimace in the background, causing the photo to go viral and become a meme. Deuce originally DMed Ace to take the picture down and got teased for it, but this teasing slowly developed into a friendship. While they get along well, Deuce is secretly a bit jealous of Ace for pretty much being a prodigy.

ACE & ALLEN (YUU) — Ace is a fan of Allen and views him as a fellow gold medalist. Being open-minded and "eager" to make new connections, Ace simply DMed Allen one day and the two became unlikely friends. Nowadays, Ace also functions as a matchmaker, being the only person to know just how much Deuce likes Allen...

DEUCE & ALLEN (YUU) — Deuce knows Allen as the most famous figure skater in the world and is absolutely stunned by both his appearance and humbleness. The two accidentally meet at a coffee shop during the games one day, decide to have a drink together, and strike up a conversation. Deuce is fanboying on the inside and trying to hide his surprise that Allen genuinely recognizes such an average athlete as him. Allen, however, already knows Deuce due to closely following all Japanese competitions, and has also noticed how incredibly ambitious Deuce is. Knowing Deuce's pain of carrying other people's hopes and never being the best at anything all too well from his teen years, Allen wants to get to know him better... and what starts off as mutual admiration and a celebrity crush on Deuce's side develops into full-blown love.

♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤

If this post/AU ends up being well-received, I'll introduce Riddle, Trey and Cater next!

♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤

More about the Deuce x Allen ship in the canon lore:

part 1 // part 2 // part 3

Friends who participated in the original AU development some months ago 🫶

@althea-and-alcestris @miss-atena @vanrouge13 @spookyavenuestreet @heyhellohihowareyou @nyx-of-night