Merry Christmas to you and your family! I was blessed with the opportunity to illustrate a personal commission for someone to give to their sister as a gift. How special to see an illustrated version of yourself alongside a fictional character from your favorite video game? Commissions are open year round!
This game world is taken from King's Quest, a narrative driven video game where you play as Graham as he embarks on an adventure to become a knight and eventually, king. The original game was developed in 1984 and released in a series of chapters. The series was rebooted in 2015 with modern graphics and ditched the point and click gameplay in favor of a player controlled avatar.
The Wire Frame
It was requested that the two characters in the scene would reference a very specific moment in the game. When Graham first meets Achaka the knight in the caves, it is here where Achaka teaches the player how to properly shoot a bow and arrow. Graham is seen attempting to shoot an arrow with a rope attached in order to proceed further down the cave.
The Sketch
Instead of illustrating Graham, the game protagonist, the commission was to instead have the client's sister take his place as this was to be a Christmas gift to her. Achaka is a favorite character and it would be so magical to have them illustrated side by side. The sister is even wearing Graham's cape and tunic.
The Line Art
Because this is a Christmas themed illustration, the rope attached to the arrow was replaced by a string of decorative lights, the kind that you often see decorating the exterior of houses. A few changes from the sketch to the lineart include closing the sister's mouth and having Achaka's right hand resting on her shoulder.
The Flat Colors
The scene where Achaka teaches Graham about archery takes place underground, but the client requested that I make the background take place in the village where there is a large tree in the town square. The rooftops are covered in snow and the tree is decorated with Christmas ornaments. It's a very festive scene.
The Finished Illustration
This commission was very special, not only to me by also for the client who will present it to her sister as a gift. I really hope that she enjoys it. I mailed her a 11" x 17" poster print of this illustration, which will look fantastic framed and hung on a wall. Merry Christmas to her, her family, and to everyone who reads and finds this post inspirational!
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