Standing in Attention by StefanFilms

So, I bought this art book illustrated by some Japanese dude named Yoshiyuki Sadamoto. as it turned out, he was the character designer to one of my favorite animes ever. And it came in really handy when I needed reference for this illustration.

I started this drawing while supervising kids at my local church. (That's how I generally get most of my drawings started.) I really wanted to pay extra attention to the detail on the head of the subject and spend time exploring all of its nooks and crannies.

I thought of adding the two characters in the foreground for a size reference. But adding along the bottom of the frame works effectively in making the giant head seem large and overwhelming.

Silhouetting the human characters helped mask details that I did not want to get into, as I had already spent several days on the giant figure already. So most of what they need to convey is expressed in their postures.

The adult figure on the left seems more relaxed, and almost proud. Her slight turn towards the adolescent figure on the right, who is the pilot of the mecha figure, makes it seem that this affection is directed towards him, rather than upon herself.

Whereas the silhouetted figures look cool, I thought it wouldn't put so much emphasis upon the characters. They almost seem to stand out TOO MUCH against the giant figure, which is SUPPOSED to be the center of attention. Another thing it does is make the human characters appear flat against the shaded mecha head in the back.

This is a piece that I will be experimenting on digital color shading later on. So maybe after that the giant mecha head will stand out as I feel it needs to. Until then, enjoy!