I don’t think this is too bad for a first ‘proper’ attempt at digital art, so I wanted to share! I did cheat by going over a previous piece, but a form of practice is a form of practice lmao? I’m gonna play around with a whole bunch of stuff, learn more, and maybe settle on a style that suits me best, but yeah. :’)
Heyyyy I get to post these so imma post them now before I forget~!
My pages for the @starscourgezine! I had a lot of fun painting these and doing textures for like…everything yeah. Plus I just?? Really love hobo trash villains and putting Ardyn out of that atrocity that is his fucking outfit.
I’ll post the postcards I did as well, tomorrow maybe but IDK SINCE ONES PRETTY RACY DONT WANNA GET FLAGGED LOL.
Our first pre-order was so successful we’re doing another run, so check it out if you’d like! Details at @starscourgezine
Imagine that you are tasked with fetching the chancellor from his chambers.
“Tasked” was not the correct word you would use. Rather you were moreso opted out by your slow reaction time and forced to do this as everyone else in the meeting was quick to volunteer NOT to do anything that involved Chancellor Izunia. It was not wholly unusual for him to be late to meetings. If anything, he seemed to thrive on being, as he would put it, “fashionably late”, but today’s gathering required all high ranking officials of the empire to attend. And that is how you found yourself in front of the double doors of his chambers within the massive imperial palace. Supposedly, he has not left his rooms from this morning suggesting he is sleeping in. Or perhaps in the middle of some secret, nefarious plotting, you thought.
With a heavy sigh, you lifted your hand and knocked.
You: “Chancellor Izunia. Your presence is required in the war room.”
No sound. You try again to be sure.
You: “Chancellor? Are you there?”
Again. Nothing. Perhaps the tip was mistaken and he really did leave to go about his business for the day. Perhaps word of the demand of his attention reached his ears and you somehow passed him. Going with the latter, you turned to return to the meeting when you hear an unmistakable sound of rummaging behind the doors, followed with a loud thump!
Is he there afterall? What was that sound?
Your ears picked up a pained groan from within the room and your combative instincts kicked in. Bracing yourself, you forced your way inside the chancellor’s place shoulders first, the doors giving way from the impact. Once in, you dashed towards his sleeping quarters where you believed you heard the sound emanate from and readied your stance.
You: “Chancellor Izunia-!”
Are you hurt? Who dares attack you? What is going on? You wanted to say either of these questions but was stunned silent at the sight of what appears to be a bundled mess at the foot of the massive bed before you. Something large was squirming inside the blanket, before you can approach it, you see a familiar burgundy-haired head peek out. He freed one of this hands to rub against the side of his temple, where you assumed was the side that received the bulk of the fall.
Fall… Did this grown man fall off his bed?! You could not help but laugh at the situation, how such a childish thing can be pulled off by one of the most irritatingly sophisticated and eloquent individuals of Niflheim was beyond you. The sound made him take notice of your presence, his sleepy eyes focusing in on your form.
Ardyn: “Ah, it’s you. What are you doing here?”
You: “To fetch you. Emperor Aldercapt has demanded your attendance.”
Ardyn: “Is that so? Then I suppose we mustn’t keep his majesty waiting any longer.”
You: “Indeed. I will stay in the waiting room while you get ready.”
As you turned heel to do so, his honeyed voice stops you.
Ardyn: “Wait. If you may be so kind, I require your assistance.”
Your brow quirks curiously.
You: “Of course. What is it that you need?”
Ardyn: “I seem to have put myself in a bind. Literally. And cannot get free.”
It took a moment to process these words. At first you did not understand until you were watching Ardyn Izunia wiggling within his sheets, only his head and his hand can be seen. Everything else… Ohhh. Not only did this grown man fall of his bed….but now he’s stuck inside his own blanket.
If you were not in such a hurry to return to the meeting, you would have died laughing. You were laughing now as you approached him and tried to undo the mess he’s in.
You: “Of all the things you wrap yourself in. Literally.”
Ardyn: “You are a saint, I am forever in your debt.”
You: “Raise my salary?”
Ardyn: “My debt to you isn’t that high.”
You: “Ha! Now, hold still… Wait, how did this knot-“
Ardyn: “Your guess is as good as mine.”
You: “Nngh. There! And now this one… Got it! Try moving.”
At your command, the chancellor rises to his feet. His towering form standing impressively before you. For a politician he has a broad frame, you mused. Satisfied that he can use his legs, he now shuffles his arms within the sheet. And with a small shrug, the sheets fall from his shoulders.
His bare shoulders.
His bare chest.
His bare…
BY THE ASTRALS, HE’S NAKED!
You were nearly shocked senseless at the sheer sight of his apparently cut form. You couldn’t shriek, your mouth hung agape, unaware of everything else around you save for him although it almost felt like you were drooling. You probably were. Ardyn was entirely pleased at the effect his body had on you and approaches you boldly, doing nothing to uphold propriety and modesty. His golden eyes slowly skim across your face and form, a ravenous smile and a click of his teeth breaks your focused daze. It was too late, you were caught and somehow you felt like he was not the one trapped here this entire time.
I don’t think this is too bad for a first ‘proper’ attempt at digital art, so I wanted to share! I did cheat by going over a previous piece, but a form of practice is a form of practice lmao? I’m gonna play around with a whole bunch of stuff, learn more, and maybe settle on a style that suits me best, but yeah. :’)
Toad's Cave 