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Description
So I came across a neat video about "carving" an illustration in a digital art program, and I decided to try my hand at it. To give an idea what I mean by "carving", it's essentially using a mixture of the lasso and fill tools to cut and color shapes from later after layer to create an abstract work. It's similar to traditional ink screening.

It was quite the interesting exercise, something I'd like to try for a much more detailed work. It's great for more abstract pictures, especially covers.

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Lore:
Within the colonized territory for humanity on the Deltan planet of Aurora, there are only two cities: the first is Calberi, the port city where all ships land and fly from between Aurora and other worlds; the other is Moresatta, the shining jewel and human industrial/cultural capital for human colonized Aurora. These two cities sit in separate regions, with hundreds upon hundreds of miles between them - with many of that going through open terrain that is surrounded by canyons, mountain ridges, and deserts.

To solve this issue, the UROE (United Republic of Earth) commissioned a great project: The Black Road

One long stretch of road, running between Calberi and Moresatta. It was built to be the fastest route, using minimal curves so as to avoid loss of time and momentum. It would allow any speeding vehicle to accelerate at high speeds, moving straight to and fro between the two cities. This road was celebrated as a momentous victory for the UROE and her colonies. A way to promote trade, improving efficiency, and provide a safe means for travel.

And so it did... for a time.
With the rising costs of the cities, many colonists found it much easier to settle smaller villages that ran alongside the Black Road. The costs to create it was great, but the UROE provided the bare minimum. They utilized forced labor with a maximum security prison that was populated with over millions of violent offenders. Said prison would eventually fail, when a routine inspection accidentally let loose all prisoners - thereby creating the terrible Raider problems that plague the Road. The construction of the Road was also a point of contention with natives, who were greatly offended with its construction and led to conflicts that soon grew into the War of Aurora between the UROE, the Deltan clans, and the Kronian Empire.

Now the Black Road is a symbol, of the UROE's negligence and the dangers of Aurora. The government has never created any form of security on the road, making it virtually lawless. On the Road, murder and violence is rampant. Slavery is open. The Raiders do whatever they wish, and only militias like the Crimson Crosses and the Black Road Guard can fight back.

When you travel by the Black Road, it is best to drive fast. Never stop. Never slow down. Else you will fall prey to the many dangers that call it home.

Description
So I came across a neat video about "carving" an illustration in a digital art program, and I decided to try my hand at it. To give an idea what I mean by "carving", it's essentially using a mixture of the lasso and fill tools to cut and color shapes from later after layer to create an abstract work. It's similar to traditional ink screening.

It was quite the interesting exercise, something I'd like to try for a much more detailed work. It's great for more abstract pictures, especially covers.

------

Lore:
Within the colonized territory for humanity on the Deltan planet of Aurora, there are only two cities: the first is Calberi, the port city where all ships land and fly from between Aurora and other worlds; the other is Moresatta, the shining jewel and human industrial/cultural capital for human colonized Aurora. These two cities sit in separate regions, with hundreds upon hundreds of miles between them - with many of that going through open terrain that is surrounded by canyons, mountain ridges, and deserts.

To solve this issue, the UROE (United Republic of Earth) commissioned a great project: The Black Road

One long stretch of road, running between Calberi and Moresatta. It was built to be the fastest route, using minimal curves so as to avoid loss of time and momentum. It would allow any speeding vehicle to accelerate at high speeds, moving straight to and fro between the two cities. This road was celebrated as a momentous victory for the UROE and her colonies. A way to promote trade, improving efficiency, and provide a safe means for travel.

And so it did... for a time.
With the rising costs of the cities, many colonists found it much easier to settle smaller villages that ran alongside the Black Road. The costs to create it was great, but the UROE provided the bare minimum. They utilized forced labor with a maximum security prison that was populated with over millions of violent offenders. Said prison would eventually fail, when a routine inspection accidentally let loose all prisoners - thereby creating the terrible Raider problems that plague the Road. The construction of the Road was also a point of contention with natives, who were greatly offended with its construction and led to conflicts that soon grew into the War of Aurora between the UROE, the Deltan clans, and the Kronian Empire.

Now the Black Road is a symbol, of the UROE's negligence and the dangers of Aurora. The government has never created any form of security on the road, making it virtually lawless. On the Road, murder and violence is rampant. Slavery is open. The Raiders do whatever they wish, and only militias like the Crimson Crosses and the Black Road Guard can fight back.

When you travel by the Black Road, it is best to drive fast. Never stop. Never slow down. Else you will fall prey to the many dangers that call it home.