I've just entered the second act of the ARC Knights novel project, though I'm still trying to work out the look I want for the main character, Ellie Khaliko, aka Dame Sahara. Every ARC Knight has their own design aesthetic, though I still haven't quite been able to nail that aesthetic myself when sketching her out. It all sounds so much cooler in the text of the story... XD Nevertheless, this sketch at least got me back on my sketchpad for some much-needed practice. I love how Ellie's been developing in this story. Her character concept began as inspiration from various fighting animes and mangas, but when I began the narrative, even I was surprised by how complex her story soon became as I delved into her motivations for enlisting in the Knighthood Order. Even after reaching the highest echelons of honor her society is able to grant, which is the title of ARC Knight itself, she's still plagued by self-doubt and the personal horrors she continues to suppress in the recesses of her mind, desperate to make up for the mistakes she made in the past. The idea of exploring psychological trauma in the context of a guardian figure has always fascinated me, and I see that theme continuously recurring in the plot with every refinement I make.

In the meantime, I gotta work on her armor design and make it a bit more unique. ARC Knights are designed to be larger-than-life heroes, after all!

Dame Sahara © Aelius