This was my second collaboration with YOSTAR, who initially reached out via email after being impressed by my artwork on social media. For this illustration, they requested the character Mlynar from their mobile game Arknights, as he was the featured character for their event An Obscure Wanderer. YOSTAR requested the depiction of Mlynar walking down a long staircase at night while reading newspaper, with a stretched shadow behind him. The client asked for Mlynar's former self, a golden knight with a sword, to be illustrated at the tip of the shadow, symbolizing the character's departure from his past ideals.
After researching the character dynamics and story environment, I determined that Victorian buildings with modern elements would best suit the piece. I then created six concept art options with various compositions for Yostar to choose from.
Yostar selected Composition 1A and requested that the knight figure be enlarged to resemble its scale in 1B, which I adjusted accordingly. I then began refining the sketch, adding more detail to both the character and the background.
After submitting the first refined sketch, Yostar requested a modification to the knight figure in the background. They asked me to include another character from the story, who was once a friend of Mlynar but drifted apart due to conflicting beliefs. I made the necessary adjustments based on the new character references they provided, along with some minor edits to the length of Mlynar's ears.
After receiving approval for the sketch, I proceeded to color the illustration, ensuring the palette reflected a slightly gloomy yet resolute mood. I used high contrast in the lighting to emphasize Mlynar while depicting his departure from his old friend and old beliefs.
After submitting the colored piece, Yostar requested two minor adjustments to the main character: a wider waistline and longer hair. I made these edits accordingly, and Yostar was satisfied with the final outcome. The illustration was subsequently posted on their official website and various social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, and Weibo.
✳If you are interested in reading more walkthroughs of my creation process, take a look at my collaboration with Miku Expo!