
Finding a key in a dungeon, in this case a very old and decrepit dungeon, usually means there is a door/container/object that the key can be used for nearby. However, when one doesn't have a map, and the key in of itself doesn't have many clues to what, or where, it is used, can be a problem. Add to that the threat of monsters, guards, traps, and whatever else one may come across to be a danger in these sorts of places, that can quickly make things even worse.
I originally started this picture as a random doodle during a conversation, but ended up taking a reference photo and trying to make the sketch into something more substantial. From there I played around more with the pose and after a good bit of a struggle, I actually managed to make the pose contain a full body for once.
I was not sure what she was going to have in her hands for a long time, and had been bouncing around ideas for a possible background, or no background at all. When I did decide to make a background, I was already working in Photoshop coloring the character. I'm not very good with creating line art in PS so I tried to make a few things using just colors. Even with
vdisco 's help, I could not get the results the way I wanted.
So in the end I decided to go back to Manga Studio and start an independent background that I would try to import into PS behind the original picture. I did use a reference drawing to help me create a good dungeon sort of background though. The actual background drawing I made is much bigger, but I think the current position worked out well enough. That and it also gave me a lot less to color in the end, hehheh.
I tried to make her not stand out too much from the background, though to an extent I still feel like she looks like she has just been placed on top of a backdrop. Though I don't think it is incredibly obvious. When I tried to make her blend into the background even more, her colors got to be too dark for the image I was trying to create.
I know the anatomy is a bit off, as well as the perspective, but I feel like the picture came out well enough that I can let it slide. But in the future, I will need to be more aware of such mistakes.
I have to give credit to
vdisco for help with various parts of the anatomy, the pose, and help trying to make a background in PS when I was trying it that way, and to
farx for tips throughout, including trying to figure out what she was holding and what to do with the legs.
I hope you all enjoy it, I know it's been a few days since my last submission.
Edit: Thanks to a comment, I was reminded that the key she's holding is supposed to be a mock of the Legend of Zelda Boss Key. In the midst of writing everything else down, forgot to mention that. Kudos for those that recognized it though.
I originally started this picture as a random doodle during a conversation, but ended up taking a reference photo and trying to make the sketch into something more substantial. From there I played around more with the pose and after a good bit of a struggle, I actually managed to make the pose contain a full body for once.
I was not sure what she was going to have in her hands for a long time, and had been bouncing around ideas for a possible background, or no background at all. When I did decide to make a background, I was already working in Photoshop coloring the character. I'm not very good with creating line art in PS so I tried to make a few things using just colors. Even with

So in the end I decided to go back to Manga Studio and start an independent background that I would try to import into PS behind the original picture. I did use a reference drawing to help me create a good dungeon sort of background though. The actual background drawing I made is much bigger, but I think the current position worked out well enough. That and it also gave me a lot less to color in the end, hehheh.
I tried to make her not stand out too much from the background, though to an extent I still feel like she looks like she has just been placed on top of a backdrop. Though I don't think it is incredibly obvious. When I tried to make her blend into the background even more, her colors got to be too dark for the image I was trying to create.
I know the anatomy is a bit off, as well as the perspective, but I feel like the picture came out well enough that I can let it slide. But in the future, I will need to be more aware of such mistakes.
I have to give credit to


I hope you all enjoy it, I know it's been a few days since my last submission.
Edit: Thanks to a comment, I was reminded that the key she's holding is supposed to be a mock of the Legend of Zelda Boss Key. In the midst of writing everything else down, forgot to mention that. Kudos for those that recognized it though.
Category All / General Furry Art
Species Lion
Size 905 x 1280px
File Size 120.2 kB
Yeah, thanks for reminding me. I just put that in the submission information now. It's supposed to be a spoof of the Legend of Zelda Key. Originally I thought I might try a mock of a LoZ dungeon too, but decided against it in the end.
But yes, it looks a lot like it for a good reason.
But yes, it looks a lot like it for a good reason.
Oh? I might make it into a larger picture or series in the future. I know that I have a much more lavish plot line for this character in my head, but I am still waiting for my artistic or writing abilities to develop enough to be able to represent those ideas appropriately. But glad you like how the submission came out and her design, I appreciate it.
You've uploaded something new! Huzza! Anyway, that paragraph of story was kind of good, reminded me of the sort of thing that'd be said in a Series of Unfortunate Event book. The pic itself reminded me more of Oblivion than Zelda. Still marvellous pic, love her clothes and love the background too! An all round excellent picture.
"What are you doing, Leone? Keys don't come with instructions; all keys have universal instructions! Step 1: Insert the dungeon's found key into any chest or door. Step 2: Turn the key... Step...3...Unlock...and...gehh...
WHO MAKES A KEY THAT CAN'T FIT INTO ANY DOOR'S LOCK?!?"
For what you did, the background worked pretty well and it was only when I took the time to analyze the picture in segments that I saw how she stood out. The shading worked out pretty well, as did the lighting. There's really not much that I can complain about, except how the lower segment of her tail seems to appear out of the fold in her cape. (Nitpicking: shouldn't the fold-line in the cape's cloth flow fully down to the bottom of the cape?)
All in all, 'tis a fine piece of work indeed; each piece works together in near-perfect harmony. The selling point for me on this pic? Her expression of puzzlement at the key
WHO MAKES A KEY THAT CAN'T FIT INTO ANY DOOR'S LOCK?!?"
For what you did, the background worked pretty well and it was only when I took the time to analyze the picture in segments that I saw how she stood out. The shading worked out pretty well, as did the lighting. There's really not much that I can complain about, except how the lower segment of her tail seems to appear out of the fold in her cape. (Nitpicking: shouldn't the fold-line in the cape's cloth flow fully down to the bottom of the cape?)
All in all, 'tis a fine piece of work indeed; each piece works together in near-perfect harmony. The selling point for me on this pic? Her expression of puzzlement at the key
Hehheh
And oh? Well glad she didn't pop out right away then, and that you like the shading effects.
As for the tail and cape, that broken segment is actually a Photo shop error or a mistake in how I shaded it. Her tail is supposed to be running along the cloth, not going in and out of it or anything like that. As for the cloth folds, which fold line are you talking about exactly?
Either way, glad you like it, thanks.
And oh? Well glad she didn't pop out right away then, and that you like the shading effects.
As for the tail and cape, that broken segment is actually a Photo shop error or a mistake in how I shaded it. Her tail is supposed to be running along the cloth, not going in and out of it or anything like that. As for the cloth folds, which fold line are you talking about exactly?
Either way, glad you like it, thanks.
Each of the three fold-lines around the knee area stops before flowing down fully to the edge of the cape. I was thinking 'Since the cape is kind of like a curtain of sorts, shouldn't the fold effect have a line to reference that?'
As it stands, the cape looks to stiff towards the bottom. I can see where you tried to give it some free-ish-ness (Is that even a term?) by making a small wave along the entire bottom edge; moving forward, perhaps you can try to make the ripple effect a bit more pronounced?
Again, this was just a nitpick that I had; thanks for taking the time to reply!
As it stands, the cape looks to stiff towards the bottom. I can see where you tried to give it some free-ish-ness (Is that even a term?) by making a small wave along the entire bottom edge; moving forward, perhaps you can try to make the ripple effect a bit more pronounced?
Again, this was just a nitpick that I had; thanks for taking the time to reply!
Sorry about the delay, I've been pulled away by some offline matters.
Anyway, I see your point. I used to try the curtain look a while back, and might play around with it in the future. I agree that it would be more accurate. To a certain extent I'm still trying to decide on the kind of fabric that the cape should be made out of, which might have some effect on how it will fold. I feel too many folds and it will look too much like a curtain and not as combat oriented as I would like it to be.
But yes, I'll try to pay more attention to that in the future, thanks for the input.
Anyway, I see your point. I used to try the curtain look a while back, and might play around with it in the future. I agree that it would be more accurate. To a certain extent I'm still trying to decide on the kind of fabric that the cape should be made out of, which might have some effect on how it will fold. I feel too many folds and it will look too much like a curtain and not as combat oriented as I would like it to be.
But yes, I'll try to pay more attention to that in the future, thanks for the input.
Comments