Multisize Protectors - Reyna & Zen Val Sky'za

Story blurb written by FatesLover:

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Val had been training vigorously in the mountains by her lonesome for a while now; practicing shadow fencing in order to keep her body fit and nimble even such a massive size. After a couple of hours of non-stop training, she finally set her blade's tip down in the ground to take a break.

"My, how impressive! Your technique is wonderful as always Val!" A familiar voice echoes in her mind, and the titanic warrior feels a gaze upon her from above. Up, up and up, she looked to see the visage of a new, but familiar goddess. Reyna, Goddess of Divinity as she was called, was watching her. "Though, I do recommend using the blade to block more, as it's more appropriate for your blade than parrying." She adds on.

Val chuckles slightly at this. Reyna had a habit of visiting her world unexpectedly, and always enjoyed surprising her. Though, this is the first time the Sky Warrior has heard training tips from her. "I take that to mean you've trained with blades before?" She asks the Goddess above.

"Oh yes! In fact, here, let me show you my most trusted blade, Anathema." She says and summons into her hand an equally massive greatsword. The blade hummed with magic, Val could see that, as if the sword itself was alive. Not only that, but the pommel of the blade rested a planet, protected by all changes in atmosphere and movement. "The planet within the pommel is my homeworld, Rivelon. I keep it close so that I may always remember my reasons for ascending, and never give in to the temptation of power." She explains, with smile.

"Well, tis a fine blade, and a powerful protective spell over it. I would like to ask, would you care to spar with me? I feel we could both learn much from each other's styles of combat." Val muses, and also proposes.

Reyna smiles, holding Anathema in a ready fighting stance. "I agree! Just give me a moment to shrink. It wouldn't be fair to fight you at this size!" She says with glee.

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A very intense commission for FatesLover of their character Reyna looming over my Sky Form Shaymin Val Sky’za in Zen form!

Something I take enormous pride in doing is planetary space objects. I spent a lot of time watching high quality dedicated space artists back in the day on DeviantArt so I developed a certain expectation of how they look. I almost never see a furry artist do them quite that way.

So for an opportunity to use planets as decoration or accessories for macro characters is a wonderful excuse to put those themes to work. >///>

The story is cute in that for how large Val Sky’za’s sword is in Zen form, she really could just use the blunt side as a shield. >w> I liked that detail.

Reyna herself was an adventure to illustrate as I did more experimentation textures particularly on the armor and her face.

The big challenge I face is as an artist could be rooted back to a Bob Ross saying. You got to know when to quit or you could “work a painting to death.” That in and of itself is a talent to develop: Know when to quit without giving up the important qualities.

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Done as a sketch on paper, scanned in, and painted in Photoshop CS5.