Maiden Gray - Mila Sprite, I Need a Plot Shovel For These Plot Holes

Within the few hours that I'm actually able to draw, I'm hard at work on finishing up the lineart for Mila's sprite:

 

There are still some clothes and expressions left to line.

Coloring it will be a whole 'nother bucket of worms, however, since my coloring talent is absolutely abysmal -- if there are any super talented color-ers out there who wanna give it a shot, please do -- but I'll try my darndest. Maybe watch a couple of speed-paint videos. Review a shit ton of Pixiv tutorials. Study other artist's works closely. That sort of thing.

I've been thinking hard about MG's plotline, too, and I'm not sure if I should ditch my current plot or add more bullshit to the plot I have, since I've noticed I've got a couple of plotholes that need fillin'. I'll think of ways to resolve them, but if I can't resolve them, then I might have to go with Plan B, which is also known as Plan Infinitely-More-Bullshit-And-Time-Fuckery.

Probably Maybe Patreon

After a lot of careful consideration about what's infront of me and what I'm capable of in this moment, I'm currently taking steps towards setting up a Patreon for those who might want to donate maybe a buck or two towards LADYproject and future projects, and towards the purchase of a new tablet for me so I can spend 24/7 on the sprite work and CGs instead of only a few hours per week.

I just need to get some confirmation, get some bank stuff sorted out, that sort of thing, and then I'll probably have it up and running. I don't know if anyone's even remotely interested in this sort of thing, but it's worth a shot, I suppose.

And in place of any real updates, I'll give you more Maiden Gray art, the next two of the set I posted a while ago, Riviera and Nathaniel.

MAIDEN GRAY - Misc. Art Post

In which I bring you doodles in hopes it quells the desire for progress updates. Here's two of an ongoing set, Mila and Spike (I don't think I've revealed Spike's design yet), to which there'll be more. I plan to do all of the G.O, the twins, and the antagonists of MG as little things to work on when I get burnt out on writing or drawing official art.

I still don't understand how to color shit right.
Perhaps I should release them as keychains/stickers eventually? I'm getting too far ahead of myself, someone cut me down.

BLU - Marcus Concept Art

Two posts. One day. On a roll.

I've been sketching around and adjusting our bara megane protag a bit, and decided that since he's a pure NEET neckbeard, he needs to be kinda flabby but not ripped. It's kinda difficult.

I sketched up a quicky for his body type.

Probably too tall. Arms are babby-like. And I certainly hope none of you are foot fetishists.

But it's the general gist of it. Since, regrettably, I'm going to have to cut Dan (the soccer playing openly gay chub) out of the plan as far as I can tell, I wanted to fill that chub gap somehow.

I've still got a lot of practice to go as far as drawing males are concerned. It's pretty damn important. For girlier guys a la the standart otomege male, it's not that bad, but for more manly types, things get rocky because I step out of my comfort zone. But it's fine, because I need to do that to improve as an artist.

I can only get better, right? Final product will definitely be my best. I won't stop trying until I get it right.

(Very) Early MG Concept Pieces, BLU update

A lot of the first images I created when designing characters are done on paper. Most of those images, I'd rather save for the art book that I plan to release if the game goes big. But there are a few pieces done on my computer that I'm able to give you a glimpse at.

A very early piece of Mila. It contains most of her core design, however, the art style and her hair have since changed.

Slightly more recent. Mila with her sword (which has been revamped as of now).  The style is closer to the one I plan on sticking with, but it looks more rounded and short? Also comes with color palette, which is still in use.

Anyway, I'm currently working on the actual sprites. I plan to get Mila and Nathaniel's done first, and then move on.

I'm still considering the Kickstarter. I'm borrowing someone's tablet right now, but I don't have it 24/7, so my art windows are small. A nice larger tablet would definitely be nice and right up my alley, but I don't really have thousands of dollars to shed.

Regardless.

As well, a small BLU update for those who follow this blog -- I'll be waiting around for about another week/ as of today, five days, for correspondence from my team. That'll be two weeks-ish for them to have seen my Skype update, the pastebin and the doc. If by that time I don't get any word from them (Skype shows me they haven't been online for months, the latest being two months ago), I'll start to take the project over on my own shoulders and get my ass in gear.

The things that I'll aim to do if I end up being the one-man team:

•  reinstate full bara modo
• bring back bara megane protag
• cut down the main love interests to two (b-but muh illusion of choice)
• jiggle with the plot a teensy bit to make it a bit fluffier
• slap the R18 warning back on it

Amongst other things. I think I've got more wiggle room in some areas being alone, but not so much in other areas, for example, the cut-back on routes. It's pretty daunting making a full 4 routes on my own, and I'll be the first to admit that BL games aren't really my bag, but I still want to attempt something. And I don't think one of the routes was working out too well/ it was getting too Tumblrish. We all know we don't want that.

More updates to follow in the coming days/weeks/months/years. That good stuff. 

09/05 - Maiden Gray Concept Art, Sword Update

I decided to redo Mila's sword, since it seemed a little bit clunky, and because I'm not entirely sure she could wield it properly.

The new sword retains a similar handle scheme, but the blade itself is a lot more refined. It's not as "buster sword" styled as the old one.

I made a quick mock-up in Blender as a proper reference, since weapon sketching isn't my strong point:

 

Sword on it's side, not refined; the blade bit is really rough and blocky.

Visual of the handle/grip/whathaveyou. There's a latch of sorts that isn't displayed too well here because I'm not great with Blender's render function.

 
The sword as it is now has a lot more depth and thought to it. I might UV texture it later on, but I'm terrible with UV maps.

Mila is meant to carry a larger-than-normal sword with her, it's her "thing", you might say, but she's still a woman and she does have her limits. She's not overly muscular, so we're stretching it right now, but I like to think that her Pact gives her extra strength as well. I might add something to her design so that she has a sheathe on her back, or something to that extent.

05/05 - Maiden Gray Concept Art

Another bit of art of another dateable boy and part of your squad, Xodus.

  

Like I mentioned in another post, Xodus has breathing problems and skin problems so he wears the mask pretty much 24/7. I do adore Xodus's design a lot so far, but my only issue with him is that people might look at him and think that he's a rip off of Clear from DMMD because of the mask. Certainly, the mask might play a part, but I can honestly guarantee that he's genuinely fucked up under that mask.

29/04 - Maiden Gray Concept Art

A bit of Nathaniel art today. It's the quick'n'dirty sketch'n'color version. To be refined.

As well, I wanted to talk a bit about game music, particularly OP/ED themes. I'd love to have a personalized OP/ED for the game, but I'm not a jack of all trades in that regard. I'm tone deaf and can't read music. Therefore I'd have to get someone else to compose for me. I was thinking that eventually I'd shell out the money to get someone to write and record a song in maybe Italian. That will come eventually, I guess. No need to worry about it now, but it's nice to think about.

22/04 - Maiden Gray Concept Art

Two posts today, oh wow.

Today's concept art is a pair of doctors in the Capital (the largest city in the country), Dr. Zen and Dr. Nil.

They're minor characters who work closely with the government, and as far as anyone knows, the only people who know how to reverse the Pact making process.

21/04 - Maiden Gray Concept, Info

Today I started to properly line out the sword, but then I figured out that drawing swords is difficult work.

Therefore, I`m thinking I might render it in Blender instead as it appears to be the easiest way I can flesh out my weapon ideas. Might need to do a bit more sword research as well, I wanted one edge to be serrated so that you could catch other blades on it and the other one to be smooth and sharp, to, well, slice with.

As well, a bit of insider info on Maiden Gray. There are currently five routes planned. Four routes will get two ends, as far as I can see. And no end will be good. There are no good endings. Only suffering and subtle suffering, in many delicious flavors. Do you want some crushed peanuts on that suffering?

20/04 - HOOD Concept Upload

A rough SD doodle of Ribbon, MC of HOOD. You can see that she's kind of influenced by Red Riding Hood, as is intentional. She's also Dollmaster #8, the youngest.

20/04 - Maiden Gray Concept Upload

Concept art of the MC, Mila Jonas. The sword isn't drawn well, but I plan to draw it out in detail in a different sketch. It's only a placeholder for now. 

Character fact: Mila is the captain/leader of the G.O, and the only female on the squad. She doesn't like guns, so she fights with a large sword instead. How does she lift it? Extensive training/pact magic bullshit.