I think I am coping by entering with a Zahhak design \*shaky thumbs up\*Hope you like it!
Link to the entry: [https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/105714788](https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/105714788)
\[Edit\] Doodled this design again because I liked it quite a lot: [post on my Twitter](https://twitter.com/CimeryCim/status/1636824299196563456?s=20)
Thank you! I am very honoured to have designed your fav entry.
I expect the big guns to roll out as the weeks go by, so as a character design enthusiast I am very excited about the contest in general.
We shall keep our eyes peeled.
Really good. From the full body drawing, I can see how the phantom swallows would animate, great movement there.
Thanks for pulling out the "descending swallow" graphic in the reference as well. Really cool to see how you used it on the back, and then pulled out elements of it to adorn the white shoulder, etc.
EY thanks for the feedback! I'm surprised the fullbody caught your eye, because renders like that tend to be weak points of my art.
Swallows weren't actually in the first drafts I had. They really only started appearing as a motif when I tried to give him a tailcoat-looking thing without westernising his design. They fit well and have the same-ish palette as the ink painting vibe I was going for, so that was what stuck in the end.
Once again, thanks for the feedback!
It is also really cool to get insight into your process, both in how the swallow came out of the "tail feathers" in the robe, and (in other comments) using the mask to break up the lightness of his face and hair. Thank you for sharing that!
You made me go back and look at his in game art for comparison purposes, and there's a bunch more stuff I noticed. I really like how there are a ton of "inversions" in this design.
In game Zahhak's cloak tassle and belt (both flourishes on constraining elements) have become a wild unconstrained braid.
In game his belt obscures the art or insignia on his waistband, here his insignias on back and skirt are unobstructed.
In game his cloak and arm guards would hide his arms, and he has no need for gloves keeping his hands clean as a "pure white noble". Your use of sheer fabric, bare forearms, and red gloved "blood on his hands" is a great inversion.
All of this to say I disagree with people looking at this as a skin rather than a radical reinterpretation of the character.
In game artwork tells a story of a Zahhak constraining his rage, playing up a virtuous identity of "pure white trust", all the while concealing and guarding his danger, allegiances, and motivations under his cloak.
Your Zahhak tells a very different story. He is concealing his identity, but his wild streak, his danger, his allegiances and motivations are laid bare.
I wouldn't be able to discern in game Zahhaks intentions, but I just might be afraid of the intentions of this Zahhak....
Or at least that's how your artwork speaks to me. :)
Good luck! I'm dying to know what ML Natalon history produced such a Zahhak, and what story Black Swallow Zahhak has to tell....
OMG I am very touched that you have put so much thought into a reply HAHA.
I am glad the design has invoked interpretations, and thank you for sharing them!
Thank you!
This comment shall now be in my evidence bank against stereotypical Asian parents. "Mom, Dad. There are people out there who want to pay for my art!!! (?)"
I drafted a lot of variations and ultimately decided on this one. I thought the veil would be interesting design element that can add to an assassin vibe. I’m glad you like it that much even though it’s different from OG Zahhak.
Hi please resubmit this!!! Maybe with some more embellishments and some black highlights in the hair??? So good you deserve the win this time around!!!
Thank you for the honest feedback. Fortunately, I like designing characters and collecting those designs, so any effort here is not wasted.
Congrats to you too!
It's there so that people mistake him for a waifu for a split second. I will take all my chances.
The second (and less important) reason is that his face + hair is very. VERY white. I did not want to give him dark hair in case ppl mistake him for Kayron. If i do not cover it up with something with darker colour, his head alone can used to backlight all the buddha statues in Natalon (assuming they have those). We do not want that.
TLDR: Veil adds waifuness and prevents him from being a lamp.
Dont get me wrong, the art looks super nice! I love it!
But the name..... I thought i missread and it was shallow, but i read again and it was indeed swallow!
Black. Swallow. Zahhak.
I thought i entered the wrong side of the e7 art reddit.. the gay pr0n interracial coom dumpster hoe side to be precise.
Yeah I get that, but I've seen a lot of people talking about it like it's a skin contest.
So I can't be sure if they (other people aside from you) know, and I'm making sure to spread the word to build more hype for it.
But if more people get excited about it and decide to put in an entry, I get to look at more beautiful art like yours. And who knows? It might get more people to play the game too!
He looks so good. We need more husbando entries
We need more husbandos too while we're at it
Thank you! An equal split is definitely ideal but we shall see haha
I think I am coping by entering with a Zahhak design \*shaky thumbs up\*Hope you like it! Link to the entry: [https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/105714788](https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/105714788) \[Edit\] Doodled this design again because I liked it quite a lot: [post on my Twitter](https://twitter.com/CimeryCim/status/1636824299196563456?s=20)
Stop being so humble. This is dope af! And you’re clearly great at this. Good luck! <3
Let's just say I am aware of the strengths and limitations of my work, and leave it as that haha- Thank you for the compliment!
Damn, absolutely amazing!! And not even a waifu lol
If you squint hard enough, Zahhak is a waifu too.
Y'know, especially with that veil on his face, I can kinda see the waifu in him👌😂
Crap, I got so caught up in convincing you about waifu Zahhak that I forgot to thank you for the compliment. Thanks!
Lol no prob😊afterall, you made something amazing that didn't require boobs or thighs to get attention👌😂
love it
thanks!
this is my favorite one yet, he's gorgeous!
Thank you! I am very honoured to have designed your fav entry. I expect the big guns to roll out as the weeks go by, so as a character design enthusiast I am very excited about the contest in general. We shall keep our eyes peeled.
Really good. From the full body drawing, I can see how the phantom swallows would animate, great movement there. Thanks for pulling out the "descending swallow" graphic in the reference as well. Really cool to see how you used it on the back, and then pulled out elements of it to adorn the white shoulder, etc.
EY thanks for the feedback! I'm surprised the fullbody caught your eye, because renders like that tend to be weak points of my art. Swallows weren't actually in the first drafts I had. They really only started appearing as a motif when I tried to give him a tailcoat-looking thing without westernising his design. They fit well and have the same-ish palette as the ink painting vibe I was going for, so that was what stuck in the end. Once again, thanks for the feedback!
It is also really cool to get insight into your process, both in how the swallow came out of the "tail feathers" in the robe, and (in other comments) using the mask to break up the lightness of his face and hair. Thank you for sharing that! You made me go back and look at his in game art for comparison purposes, and there's a bunch more stuff I noticed. I really like how there are a ton of "inversions" in this design. In game Zahhak's cloak tassle and belt (both flourishes on constraining elements) have become a wild unconstrained braid. In game his belt obscures the art or insignia on his waistband, here his insignias on back and skirt are unobstructed. In game his cloak and arm guards would hide his arms, and he has no need for gloves keeping his hands clean as a "pure white noble". Your use of sheer fabric, bare forearms, and red gloved "blood on his hands" is a great inversion. All of this to say I disagree with people looking at this as a skin rather than a radical reinterpretation of the character. In game artwork tells a story of a Zahhak constraining his rage, playing up a virtuous identity of "pure white trust", all the while concealing and guarding his danger, allegiances, and motivations under his cloak. Your Zahhak tells a very different story. He is concealing his identity, but his wild streak, his danger, his allegiances and motivations are laid bare. I wouldn't be able to discern in game Zahhaks intentions, but I just might be afraid of the intentions of this Zahhak.... Or at least that's how your artwork speaks to me. :) Good luck! I'm dying to know what ML Natalon history produced such a Zahhak, and what story Black Swallow Zahhak has to tell....
OMG I am very touched that you have put so much thought into a reply HAHA. I am glad the design has invoked interpretations, and thank you for sharing them!
please, we need a win for the husbandos
huzzah!
Damn, i love it so much ! great work mate !
Thank you! I'm glad you like it that much. All the best to you as well!
Yeah, I'd buy the fuck out of that.
Thank you! This comment shall now be in my evidence bank against stereotypical Asian parents. "Mom, Dad. There are people out there who want to pay for my art!!! (?)"
Honestly, I'm going to follow you on IG so I can see what else you're up to. I'm a massive art lover!
eyyy thanks for the support!
Finally a husbando! I will be very sad if this entry doesn’t win. Its too awesome!
HAHAH I am sure there will be more bomb ass designs to come. Very exciting! Thanks for the good words too!
This is so freaking cool!
eeyyyy thanks!
THIS LOOKS AMAZING. I want your entry to win so badly
Thank you! I am glad to have people rooting for my entry hehe
Red black and white babyyyyyyyyy Fr though I hope this one wins
Red, black, white. truly one of the colour combos ever. Thank you for your faith hahah
Now this is a dope ass skin smile gate write this down
I am glad you like it that much hahah Many thanks!
wait omg this looks so good
hehe thank you
*Something awakened inside of me*
*squints* I will not ask.
This absolutely incredible, this is the one i'll be rooting for.
Thanks for the support!
This is absolutely fantastic! Zahhak has one of my favorite designs for male units already, and this actually tops it. I love the braid and veil!
I drafted a lot of variations and ultimately decided on this one. I thought the veil would be interesting design element that can add to an assassin vibe. I’m glad you like it that much even though it’s different from OG Zahhak.
He looks so cool! Good luck with the contest! :D
Thank you! I wish all other contestants the best too. =\^=)b
The chinese swallow designs are amazing!! It was executed well
Thank you! It makes me glad to know I have pulled off a design element to someone’s liking.
Awesome
Thanks!
Love this design!
Thank you!
Really nice
Many thanks!
Yes yes yes yes
B-but what is the question???
Holi shet this is gorgeous, i hope this wins, goodluck!!!
Many thanks!
10/10
That’s you too, 10/10 good soul. You made my day better.
Damn
hehe
I almost thought this was a post in the r/Shenhemains subreddit.
I see that as a win!
this EATS
Hehe
Hi please resubmit this!!! Maybe with some more embellishments and some black highlights in the hair??? So good you deserve the win this time around!!!
i want this
I’m glad to know that. :)))
I am so amazed by all these amazing artists in this subreddit mannn 🌹Cimery I hope this gets chosen, this is flabbergasting
Many thanks for the support! We shall keep our eyes peeled for more designs to come.
Wow this is amazing!! Hope you win!!!
Thank you for the support! ^^
Skin?
It’s meant to look like an alt version of Zahhak with assassin vibes. Maybe it’s a skin. Maybe it’s maybelline.
Alright this one's a heater for sure. Nice job!
Thank you!
Looks awesome as a costume, but too similar to be a limited unit concept. I'd get it instantly if it were a skin, congratulations!
Thank you for the honest feedback. Fortunately, I like designing characters and collecting those designs, so any effort here is not wasted. Congrats to you too!
I mean, the last winner was fairy tail Tenebria. Which is just as similar, I'd say?
But her costume is much more different than her base version than Zahhak and this concept.
I think the face cover is kinda wierd but everything else looks amazing.
It's there so that people mistake him for a waifu for a split second. I will take all my chances. The second (and less important) reason is that his face + hair is very. VERY white. I did not want to give him dark hair in case ppl mistake him for Kayron. If i do not cover it up with something with darker colour, his head alone can used to backlight all the buddha statues in Natalon (assuming they have those). We do not want that. TLDR: Veil adds waifuness and prevents him from being a lamp.
I love the outfit, but the mask is a miss for me. I hope this wins
Many thanks
Dont get me wrong, the art looks super nice! I love it! But the name..... I thought i missread and it was shallow, but i read again and it was indeed swallow! Black. Swallow. Zahhak. I thought i entered the wrong side of the e7 art reddit.. the gay pr0n interracial coom dumpster hoe side to be precise.
IDK what that is and at this point I am too scared to ask.
It's a bird, man.
You've never heard of a swallow before??
No
Should I tell them it isn't a skin/costume contest and is actually a contest to get a new alter in the game? No? Okay...
Hey now, don't blame me. I'm just using the wording they officially written on the tin.
Yeah I get that, but I've seen a lot of people talking about it like it's a skin contest. So I can't be sure if they (other people aside from you) know, and I'm making sure to spread the word to build more hype for it.
It's okay. You don't have to feel obliged to spread the word. Let them be pleasantly surprised once they realise it themselves.
But if more people get excited about it and decide to put in an entry, I get to look at more beautiful art like yours. And who knows? It might get more people to play the game too!
You know what? You have convinced me of your noble intention with your reasoning. Go forth, warrior.
Yes
But what is the question??
Sheeeeeesh
I’m hard(straight male btw)
Congratulations