(Process) P2!Bakugou & Deku

Here's the step by step process on my latest commission piece for patron bestwishes2u!

For those unfamiliar with the AU, the p2!AU is a stablished AU in the fandom in which the main characters have swapped color palettes and personalities; the changed color palettes reminisces of when both players choose the same character in a fighting game so the second player has alternate colors - hence the P2. Bakugou has dark blue hair, bright blue eyes and is a crybaby in this AU.

1. Thumbnailing - The original concept proposed by the client was of Deku standing and leaning down, offering his hand to a crying P2!Bakugou. I suggested that Deku is crouching to eye level with him instead, to oppose how canon!Bakugou first perceived him when Deku offered his hand - he's not looking down on him, but on the same eye level. I had the ground be tilted so he'd be slightly lower, even.

2. Sketching & lighting/shadows -  I liked the idea of having them sit under a tree for dramatic lighting and shadow - wanted the sky to look brighter, and the midground elements to be shadowed. I extended the top of the canvas a little bit too cause I thought the composition would look better.

3. Cleaning up lines & testing palettes - went with a bright daylight cool palette! Used a blue shade for the shadows and yellow for the highlights of the sunlight hitting in between the tree leaves. Also tried having the clouds on the background frame Deku and Bakugou together.

4. Background painting & flat colors - I'm quite proud of how the sky came out and surprisingly that was one of the easiest and most pleasing parts! Custom brushes from Clip Studio help a LOT. I made the flat colors with little influence of the ambience since I'd cover most of it with shadows.

5. Shading, highlighting & final touches - used a custom brush from CSP in Multiply mode for the tree leaves effect, and another brush for the lighting effects in Add (Glow) mode. I tinted Bakugou with dark blue and Deku with bright yellow both in Overlay mode to make a slight contrast - Deku being the one who shines brightly like a hero, and Bakugou being cast in shadows. Also, made sure to highlight Deku's gentle expression and hand, while Bakugou is mostly hidden in shadows - except only for his eyes, hinting at a spark of hope, and the tip of his fingers, like his want to accept Deku's hand. Finally, I blurred the tall grass on the foreground a little bit to give focus to the midground elements.

I still have a LOT to learn about scenarios and composition but I feel like I'm improving little by little!