Art Post: Radiation Absorption

What is it with these little nations and getting their hands on nuclear technology? Seriously, every day they are rattling their sabers at one another and then threatening to nuke their opponents off the face of the Earth? Whatever, at least you can find a healthy source of power when you need it. Each of their tests is a buffet of the sweetest energy to your system. And, best of all, it is the coolest not-looking-at-the-giant-explosion moment anyone will ever see.




Radiation Absorption was one of the most entertaining works of my recent art to create. I had the idea of a power card with the hero defiantly not looking as a giant explosion went off behind him. The quintessential hero moment from any explosive action movie. So, I created the art and it took longer than expected, but I loved the results. Then came the "what is this power?" Funny as it might have been to create a power called, "Not looking at huge explosion" it is a bit too silly and isn't really a power. Looking at the image I got the idea that this person has no fear of the catastrophic explosion going off near him, the outflow of wind is already moving his glorious cape but he doesn't care. Why would he hold no fear? Because the energy doesn't hurt him, it helps him. He won't be burnt, he'll recharge. This gave me the idea for the title and text of this card.

About the art: The color and shadow balance on this one was key. First for the colors, I went with a hot and dark palate. This card emits heat, warm reds, oranges, yellows, contrasted starkly by blacks and deep dark oranges. The heroes suit is also red, connecting him to the energy more. His cape being soft blue helps cool the image down a bit and since the cape is the only part reacting to the explosion, it's cold touch enhances the motion. Then came the shading. I wanted the brightness to reflect on this power. The explosion is cut with hard dark shadows, so the hero would also need the same hard shadows. This not only is logical in the situation, it gives the character the edgy stoic appearance of awesomeness. To help bring out the brightness of the background, I put a shadow cast inside the cape that is visible through the other side. You see his arm all the wall up to nearly his shoulder, through the cape.

I hope you enjoy the art and the card, now go and recharge yourself. However I recommend a cup of coffee or tea, not nuclear detonation.