HiveComb

Hello (to anyone reading)👋

It’s been quiet on my end for the past few days. After finishing my final papers on Monday, I went off-grid to recharge and finally get some proper sleep. It’s been refreshing, to say the least.

On Wednesday, the creative spark hit me again (felt a bit like Merlin conjuring up some magic 😂), and I decided to jump back into drawing. This piece is special because it represents a shift for me: I wanted to seriously explore costume design.

The Character: Ayanmo
MeetAyanmo—a name that means "Fate" or "Destiny" in Yoruba. This character was born out of a nostalgic place. Years ago, I was an avid reader of "Ireti" by Comic Republic Nig. Ltd. The influence of those stories stayed with me. When I started sketching, I almost named her "Bidemi" (Ireti’s alter ego), but I caught myself and decided to build something original from that inspiration.

Design Choices & Evolution
My initial goal was to see how far I could push my costume design skills.I originally envisioned a different color palette and protective gear, but I felt pulled in a new direction.

· Color: I switched to a bold pink theme to make her stand out.
· Silhouette: I opted for a skirt and glasses to give her a distinct, intellectual-meets-heroic+playful vibe.
· Armor: I removed the arm plate/guard to simplify the design and focus on the flow of the costume.

Tools & Process

· Software: Ibis Paint X
· Brushes: Airbrush for soft gradients, Felt Pen (Hard) for clean line work.
· Base: I used a pre-existing figure trace from Ibis Paint X as a foundation to concentrate entirely on the outfit and rendering.

I’ve attached the timelapse gif below—it’s always fun to see how a sketch comes to life.

I’m excited to be back and sharing this with you all. Let me know what you think of Ayanmo! It’s always a pleasure creating

Cheers!