Sullivan The Crusader Redesign: An OC Art Journey

Hey everyone! I'm so stoked to finally share the redrawn version of my original character, Sullivan the Crusader! It’s been a while since I first introduced him, and my art style has evolved quite a bit since then. So, I thought it was time to give him a fresh new look that truly captures his essence. Get ready to dive deep into the world of Sullivan, his background, his motivations, and the artistic journey I took to bring him back to life. Creating original characters is one of my favorite aspects of being an artist. It's like being a world-builder, crafting not just a visual design, but also a whole history, personality, and set of motivations for a character. Sullivan is particularly special to me because he embodies a lot of the themes I love to explore in my art: honor, duty, and the struggle between light and darkness. He's a character with a strong moral compass, but he's not without his flaws, which makes him relatable and, hopefully, engaging. The initial design of Sullivan was good for its time, but looking back, I felt it was missing some key elements. His armor felt a bit generic, and his facial features didn't quite convey the depth of his character. I wanted to add more detail and personality to his design, making him stand out and tell his story at a glance. The process of redrawing Sullivan was a journey of rediscovery. I started by revisiting his original backstory and personality traits. I wanted to make sure the new design was faithful to his core character while also pushing him in new directions. I spent hours sketching different armor designs, experimenting with facial expressions, and thinking about the kind of weaponry he would wield. It was important to me that every element of his design had a purpose and contributed to his overall narrative. One of the biggest challenges was balancing the classic crusader aesthetic with a more unique and modern twist. I wanted him to look like he belonged in a world of knights and chivalry, but also feel fresh and relevant to a contemporary audience. This involved a lot of research into historical armor, as well as inspiration from fantasy and science fiction designs.

The Evolution of Sullivan's Design

Let's talk about the nitty-gritty details of Sullivan's redesign. One of the first things I tackled was his armor. In the original design, it was fairly standard plate armor, which is cool, but it didn't really say much about Sullivan himself. I wanted something that reflected his personality and his history. So, I started sketching out different ideas, incorporating elements of both historical and fantasy armor. I ended up with a design that features a mix of polished steel and weathered leather, giving him a battle-worn but still noble appearance. The pauldrons, or shoulder armor, are particularly important in this new design. They're larger and more ornate than in the original, featuring intricate carvings that hint at his past and his beliefs. I also added some subtle details, like small engravings on his gauntlets and breastplate, which add to his overall mystique. The helmet was another area I wanted to improve. The original helmet was a fairly standard great helm, which is iconic, but it obscures the character's face. I wanted to find a way to show Sullivan's face while still providing protection. I ended up going with a helmet that has a more open design, with a visor that can be raised or lowered. This allows you to see his eyes and get a sense of his expression, which is crucial for conveying his emotions and personality. Underneath the armor, I wanted to give Sullivan a more distinctive silhouette. In the original design, he was just wearing a simple tunic, which didn't really add much to his character. In the redraw, I gave him a long, flowing cloak that adds a sense of drama and movement to his design. The cloak is also practical, providing him with warmth and protection from the elements. I chose a deep blue color for the cloak, which contrasts nicely with the silver of his armor and adds a touch of regal flair. Color is a powerful tool in character design, and I wanted to use it to its full potential with Sullivan.

Diving Deep into Sullivan's Backstory

So, you might be wondering, who exactly is Sullivan the Crusader? What’s his deal? Well, let me tell you a bit about his backstory. Sullivan is a knight from a fallen kingdom, a land once known for its chivalry and honor. But through betrayal and darkness, his kingdom fell, leaving Sullivan as one of the last remnants of its noble past. He carries the weight of this legacy on his shoulders, driving him to fight for justice and protect the innocent. He's not just a warrior; he's a symbol of hope in a world shrouded in shadows. Sullivan's motivations are deeply rooted in his past. He witnessed the corruption and treachery that led to his kingdom's downfall, and he vowed to never let such darkness prevail again. He's driven by a strong sense of justice and a desire to restore the values that his kingdom once stood for. But he's not naive; he knows the world is a complicated place, and that good and evil are not always black and white. This internal conflict is a key part of his character, making him more than just a heroic knight in shining armor. One of the things that makes Sullivan unique is his connection to a sacred order. This order was dedicated to protecting the realm from supernatural threats and upholding the ancient code of chivalry. Sullivan is one of the last members of this order, and he carries the burden of its traditions and responsibilities. This connection to the past gives him access to certain powers and abilities, but it also places him in the crosshairs of powerful enemies who seek to destroy the order and its legacy. Sullivan's journey is one of redemption and self-discovery. He's constantly grappling with his past, trying to reconcile his ideals with the harsh realities of the world. He's not perfect; he makes mistakes, and he sometimes struggles with doubt and despair. But his unwavering commitment to his cause and his deep sense of empathy for others ultimately define him as a hero. He is the epitome of a crusader, a warrior for the light.

The Artistic Process and Techniques Used

Now, let’s get into the artistic side of things! For the redrawing process, I used a combination of digital and traditional techniques. I started with a series of rough sketches, just exploring different poses and armor designs. This is where I really let my creativity flow, trying out different ideas without worrying too much about the details. Once I had a pose and design I was happy with, I moved on to the line art. This is where I start to refine the drawing, adding in all the details and making sure the anatomy is correct. I used a digital art program for this stage, which allows me to easily zoom in and make precise adjustments. Line art is crucial for a good drawing, as it forms the foundation for the rest of the piece. I like to use a variety of line weights to add depth and interest to the drawing. Thicker lines can be used to define the outline of the character, while thinner lines can be used for details within the figure. Once the line art was complete, I moved on to the coloring stage. This is where I really bring the character to life, adding in all the hues and shades that give him his personality. I used a combination of flat colors and shading to create depth and dimension. I also experimented with different color palettes, trying to find the perfect balance between his heroic and battle-worn aspects. For Sullivan's armor, I used a lot of metallic shades, blending silvers and grays to create a realistic metal texture. I also added some subtle highlights and shadows to make the armor look shiny and reflective. For his cloak, I used a deep blue color with some subtle shading to create folds and wrinkles. I wanted the cloak to look like it was made of a heavy, luxurious fabric, so I paid close attention to the way the light interacted with the material. One of the techniques I used to add depth to the drawing was atmospheric perspective. This involves making the colors and details in the background slightly less intense than those in the foreground. This creates the illusion of depth and makes the character stand out more. I also used some subtle blurring effects to soften the edges of the background and further enhance the sense of depth.

Final Thoughts and Future Plans for Sullivan

So, there you have it – the redrawn version of Sullivan the Crusader! I’m super happy with how he turned out, and I feel like this new design truly captures the essence of his character. It’s been a long journey, but seeing him come to life in this way makes it all worth it. What do you guys think? I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback on the new design! One of the things I’m most excited about is exploring Sullivan’s story further. I have so many ideas for adventures he could go on, enemies he could face, and allies he could make. I’m thinking about creating a series of illustrations that tell different chapters of his story, showing him in action, exploring his past, and developing his relationships with other characters. I also have some ideas for a comic book or graphic novel featuring Sullivan. I think his story would be really compelling in a longer format, allowing me to delve deeper into his world and his motivations. I’m still in the early stages of planning, but I’m really excited about the possibilities. In the meantime, I’ll be sharing more artwork of Sullivan on my social media channels, so be sure to follow me if you want to stay up-to-date on his adventures. I’m also open to commissions, so if you have a character you’d like me to draw, feel free to reach out! Thank you all for your support and encouragement. It means the world to me to be able to share my art with you, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Sullivan and his journey. Stay tuned for more! Remember to always let your creativity soar and never stop creating the characters and stories that inspire you! The world needs more heroes, and maybe, just maybe, Sullivan is one of them. Keep creating, keep dreaming, and keep believing in the power of storytelling! Cheers, everyone!