XS: Perhaps a Hero

Traditional art because I only tinted the lineart. All Micron pen and black prismacolor marker.

This is my entry for s contest. I wanted to draw something Guan-Chase for it, but I wanted to challenge myself and draw it without Chase. It's also a picture that represents a point earlier on in the story, and foreshadowing. Her fanfic is so very loverly written

All symbolism, even the colors. The patterns around Guan tell a bit of a story that's hard to explain on the internet, but I'll try. The flames are obvious, but they are accented by floating, flying bold black dots(ashes) representing the fact that he is unable to grasp his element, though it surrounds him. the spear isn' his official spear, but a heavy counterbalance of reversed Earth (the blade above) and space (the strangely deep counterweight at the bottom) representing his akward stance and confusion coupled with his sense of duty that grow up even as he does. The heart and dripping blood/water foreshadow his destiny of having to give up Chase no matter what choices are made, and bubbles with the water symbol are hidden beneath black and grey wings at Guan's shoulder... I forgot what those ones specifically meant, but I'll remember later. The wings themselves are just my Souleaters, my personal motif, but they come out of his shadow/outline and at key points of the spears, some portraying strength, and others, shattering weaknesses that all humans have.

Holy CRIPES, This took me a couple of weeks, and then just five minutes to photoshop the colors. it was a lot of fun to do.

Guan (c) Christi Hui etc.
beginning of the End concept (c)