Who doesn’t want to be cozy? Lots of plants, a big snuggly bed, and room for all my random knickknacks are all I need! I created this illustration to play with isometric drawings, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. I really enjoyed making the desk—figuring out all those curved pieces provided a unique challenge.
Plant Friend is a game all about taking care of a cute little plant creature. Give verbal encouragement, lots of sunlight, and little head pats to keep your friend happy and healthy. The longer you last, the more points you earn!
Originally a final exam for an alternate controller class, Plant Friend expanded into a full-on passion project. I am the sole developer of the game. I wrote the game’s code, composed the music, created all the art and animations, and even programmed and hooked up the controller!
This game is played with a custom-built controller using a teensy 2.0. Players will find three buttons on the controller that they must hold down to activate the other inputs. Talking into the microphone allows players to compliment their new friend. Shining a flashlight over the photo-sensor gives your plant plenty of healthy sunlight. Last but not least, waving a hand over the distance sensor lets players give their plant pets! Activating any of these sensors triggers the Teensy to convert them into keyboard inputs, allowing for a truly unique gameplay experience.
In 2019, I presented at the PixelPop show floor, a local game expo. While at my booth, I got to see players enjoy my game up close. I loved how every player got immersed in my game— I heard more “I love you”s directed to my game in two days than I could ever imagine! All in all, it’s been a joy to experiment with Plant Friend and see how much enjoyment it brings to others.
Overgrown graveyards have always had a vibe to them— they’re equal parts eerie and beautiful. In one of the D&D campaigns I’m in, graveyards are a reoccurring setting. Inspired, I decided to make this illustration of my character standing right in the middle of those evergoing fields.
Not all necromancers are evil! Some just don’t think medical testing on the living is super ethical. This is Alvar, the local weirdo doctor who can make a tonic for whatever ails you (as long as you’re ok waiting a peculiar amount of time). He’s a jovial man who wants the best for everyone.
One of my favorite things to draw is armor. I love figuring out how every piece fits together and tells you about the wearer. I wanted to design a supporting character who would serve as both a companion and a quest giver. I started with a few sketches, trying to get a knight that looks unique and approachable. I settled on my third design with the perfect balance of stern but casual. After a few face sketches to find his personality, I started on my final piece!
I’ve always loved lineless art— there’s just something about how graphic they look. For this project, I focused on clean shapes and a strong silhouette. Once I got Sora’s body blocked in, I used watercolor brushes to add texture and shading.
I’ve loved fantasy and magical girls my entire life— why not combine them? Ottie is a young knight with a lucky clover motif and magical girl sensibilities. Armed with a flowery ax, a big poofy dress, and the power of friendship, there’s nothing she can’t do!
Imagine a man so toxic that poisonous plants literally grew off of him. This character emerged from that exact prompt! My client wanted an archfey villain who had dominion over poison. Outside of color pallets and a flower motif, my client trusted me to design this character however I wanted. We created Lorhallian, a wicked man who would rip off and wear the fairy wings of his warlocks who disappointed him.
This is a preview of an upcoming comic I’m working on, tentatively named Raz. Named after one of the three main characters, Raz follows Raz, Guela, and Yafe, three young dark elves exploring the surface world for the first time. The comic is a coming of age story for the three siblings as they try and figure out how the surface world works, who they are, what they want to do with their newfound freedom, and what it truly means to be part of a family. These are just the first few pages, setting up the dramatic exit from the Underdark into the sun. I have plans to expand on this comic— look forward to seeing more of Raz, Guela, and Yafe soon!