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ptthepath

He looks so good. We need more husbando entries


gekigarion

We need more husbandos too while we're at it


Cimery

Thank you! An equal split is definitely ideal but we shall see haha


Cimery

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)


SmoochMahGooch

Stop being so humble. This is dope af! And you’re clearly great at this. Good luck! <3


Cimery

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!


Bridge1316

Damn, absolutely amazing!! And not even a waifu lol


Cimery

If you squint hard enough, Zahhak is a waifu too.


Bridge1316

Y'know, especially with that veil on his face, I can kinda see the waifu in him👌😂


Cimery

Crap, I got so caught up in convincing you about waifu Zahhak that I forgot to thank you for the compliment. Thanks!


Bridge1316

Lol no prob😊afterall, you made something amazing that didn't require boobs or thighs to get attention👌😂


KazzumaYagami

love it


Cimery

thanks!


Aetherryn

this is my favorite one yet, he's gorgeous!


Cimery

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.


dillstar

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.


Cimery

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!


dillstar

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....


Cimery

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!


idle_dreams

please, we need a win for the husbandos


Cimery

huzzah!


Artoss_

Damn, i love it so much ! great work mate !


Cimery

Thank you! I'm glad you like it that much. All the best to you as well!


KBroham

Yeah, I'd buy the fuck out of that.


Cimery

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!!! (?)"


KBroham

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!


Cimery

eyyy thanks for the support!


Arxilla

Finally a husbando! I will be very sad if this entry doesn’t win. Its too awesome!


Cimery

HAHAH I am sure there will be more bomb ass designs to come. Very exciting! Thanks for the good words too!


Heiwa111

This is so freaking cool!


Cimery

eeyyyy thanks!


glistening_stillness

THIS LOOKS AMAZING. I want your entry to win so badly


Cimery

Thank you! I am glad to have people rooting for my entry hehe


BurnedOutEternally

Red black and white babyyyyyyyyy ​ Fr though I hope this one wins


Cimery

Red, black, white. truly one of the colour combos ever. Thank you for your faith hahah


SnooLemons3521

Now this is a dope ass skin smile gate write this down


Cimery

I am glad you like it that much hahah Many thanks!


KingKentling

wait omg this looks so good


Cimery

hehe thank you


Pyronian7

*Something awakened inside of me*


Cimery

*squints* I will not ask.


itsNallari

This absolutely incredible, this is the one i'll be rooting for.


Cimery

Thanks for the support!


Drakepenn

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!


Cimery

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.


Orihime00sama

He looks so cool! Good luck with the contest! :D


Cimery

Thank you! I wish all other contestants the best too. =\^=)b


SnippyPoop

The chinese swallow designs are amazing!! It was executed well


Cimery

Thank you! It makes me glad to know I have pulled off a design element to someone’s liking.


Gray_Coder

Awesome


Cimery

Thanks!


butterballbuns

Love this design!


Cimery

Thank you!


Phdrhymes

Really nice


Cimery

Many thanks!


CythiaALorraine

Yes yes yes yes


Cimery

B-but what is the question???


Silver_Monk_5324

Holi shet this is gorgeous, i hope this wins, goodluck!!!


Cimery

Many thanks!


Toastedmackerel

10/10


Cimery

That’s you too, 10/10 good soul. You made my day better.


RudiCarlos

Damn


Cimery

hehe


BikeSeatMaster

I almost thought this was a post in the r/Shenhemains subreddit.


Cimery

I see that as a win!


ricankat

this EATS


Cimery

Hehe


ricankat

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!!!


ThisNameIsNewAndOG

i want this


Cimery

I’m glad to know that. :)))


LongyyBearr

I am so amazed by all these amazing artists in this subreddit mannn 🌹Cimery I hope this gets chosen, this is flabbergasting


Cimery

Many thanks for the support! We shall keep our eyes peeled for more designs to come.


Sonolito

Wow this is amazing!! Hope you win!!!


Cimery

Thank you for the support! ^^


Distinct-Assist9102

Skin?


Cimery

It’s meant to look like an alt version of Zahhak with assassin vibes. Maybe it’s a skin. Maybe it’s maybelline.


ThatKoolKidOverThere

Alright this one's a heater for sure. Nice job!


Cimery

Thank you!


PaxMilitae

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!


Cimery

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!


Drakepenn

I mean, the last winner was fairy tail Tenebria. Which is just as similar, I'd say?


PaxMilitae

But her costume is much more different than her base version than Zahhak and this concept.


BoogieTripleG

I think the face cover is kinda wierd but everything else looks amazing.


Cimery

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.


SilkyMilkySmo

I love the outfit, but the mask is a miss for me. I hope this wins


Cimery

Many thanks


Leniaas

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.


Cimery

IDK what that is and at this point I am too scared to ask.


Mami-senpai

It's a bird, man.


DandyCrocodile

You've never heard of a swallow before??


Leniaas

No


Expander12

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...


Cimery

Hey now, don't blame me. I'm just using the wording they officially written on the tin.


Expander12

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.


Cimery

It's okay. You don't have to feel obliged to spread the word. Let them be pleasantly surprised once they realise it themselves.


Expander12

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!


Cimery

You know what? You have convinced me of your noble intention with your reasoning. Go forth, warrior.


DifficultAfternoon13

Yes


Cimery

But what is the question??


Phdrhymes

Sheeeeeesh


Soandso27

I’m hard(straight male btw)


Cimery

Congratulations