Grimblade's OC (The Music Video) Song: Barren Gates - Devil [NCS Release]

Warning Flashing lights

Introduction:

Art trades are a great way for artists to collaborate and have fun by drawing for each other. I recently dipped my toes into this world through a Discord server that has a dedicated art trade section. That’s where I stumbled across Grimblade’s thread—and well, the rest is history! They offered several characters to choose from, and I couldn’t resist their edgy-looking cat OC. In return, I offered up an early concept design of my gamer girl persona, Gigi, for Grimblade to draw. They finished their half of the trade super fast, while I, true to form, took forever and a half. I felt pretty bad for being so slow, but I was determined to do it justice.

Process:

I started out traditionally with some thumbnail sketches to explore facial expressions and poses. Once I settled on my favorite pose, I created a full-page sketch of the character in that position. From there, I moved into the digital stage, where the real work began.

Challenges:

I’m still getting used to using 3D mannequins to help with pose reference and proportions, and I definitely struggled a bit. Posing the mannequin’s hand around a juice box was unexpectedly tricky! Another hiccup: I completely forgot to include the scars from my original traditional sketch when I started the digital version—super frustrating, since they would’ve been fun to draw. Lighting was also a challenge. I didn't get the contrast between light and dark that I was aiming for, so more lighting studies are definitely in my future. All in all, it took me about a month to finish this piece. I really don’t like making people wait, and it's frustrating feeling like I draw so slowly.

Accomplishments:

Despite the struggles, I’m proud of what I achieved with this artwork. I had fun adding rim lighting, a speech bubble, blood effects, and a border to tie it all together. Most importantly, I completed my very first art trade—something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time!

Final Thoughts:

This first art trade pushed me out of my comfort zone, but the end result turned out even better than I expected. I learned a lot about my process and where I can improve, especially when it comes to lighting and efficiency. I’m already gearing up for my next trade—and I can’t wait to keep learning and growing!

🎬 Video Editing Reel | VFX • Text Effects • SFX • Recaps • Voice Acting

Step into my world of dynamic storytelling and high-impact visuals. This reel showcases my skills across multiple disciplines—visual effects (VFX), text animations, sound design, recap editing, and voice acting—all blended together to create immersive, engaging content.

From cinematic transitions and expressive typography to punchy sound cues and compelling narration, each clip reflects my dedication to crafting content that not only looks great but feels unforgettable.

Whether you need a powerful recap, a polished highlight reel, or creative video content with personality—I’ve got you covered.

🎧 Headphones recommended for the full experience!

📩 Let’s collaborate! For inquiries or custom work, feel free to reach out.