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The-Ez β€” James Byron Concept - March 2015

#byron #james #mansion #sketch #victorian #valiard
Published: 2015-03-25 13:52:44 +0000 UTC; Views: 8771; Favourites: 241; Downloads: 58
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Description So this is a character really only a couple of you will already know. It's Mr James Byron, the extremely marriageable deceased estates lawyer!

I know he doesn't look exactly as he's described in the book, but that description was always meant to be an off-the-cuff placeholder.

My brother (who is also a practicing lawyer) helped me a ton with these drawings. He even Googled actors with me and chose the character's colour scheme. He kept telling me to go as grey as I possibly could, because working in deceased estates is such a grim and boring occupation. My brother rarely takes any interest in my art, so it was nice having him around for this one.

So! ValiardΒ readers! What do you guys think? Does Mr Byron meet or break your expectations? And how do you think he measures up visually against my other male characters?

Any input at all would be very welcome!!! Because the next thing I'll be drawing is Ruth and Byron together, so I need to get him right!

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Comments: 55

missaquaitaine [2015-03-31 20:51:27 +0000 UTC]

Totally broke my expectations, but in a good way. I like this better than what my imagination came up with, lol.

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RaychelLeFay [2015-03-29 05:01:03 +0000 UTC]

I love his smile!Β  Great job!

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CGheartbreak [2015-03-27 05:37:11 +0000 UTC]

If very marriageable is code for really good looking then he is very marriageable indeed! I'm actually super glad you went with the grey because I just read the other day that back in the Victorian Era it was customary for lawyers, doctors, and the like to wear dark grey wool coats to give an air of professionalism. It makes my inner nerd very happy, so thank you! PS I looked at a drawing of Mr. Byron and one of Ruth side by side and they look adorable together.

As for how he compares, he's a good departure from the overall similar build you have going on with Theodore, Gangfield, and Lord Joshua. Not that I'm complaining about the similarity (far from it actually) It's just something I noticed. A lot of male characters (including my own) are drawn with that very body type though, so no worries.

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The-Ez In reply to CGheartbreak [2015-03-27 06:21:42 +0000 UTC]

OMIGOSH! YOU MEAN MY BROTHER WAS RIGHT ABOUT THE GREYS?!?!?!?! I didn't even know about that! Just goes to show, no matter what you do, there's always something new and exciting to learn every day! Thanks so much for sharing that fun fact. I'mma tell my brother as soon as I see him again.

And I'm with you on the body types. I'm having all my days trying to do variations, but going too far from that "baseline ideal" just irks people. "His head is too big" or "His waist is too small" yadda yadda. Sigh. So I've decided to stop pretending like I can pull any of it off and I've gone back to the standard headlengths and everything that goes with it. Basically back to square one.

Sorry. Mini-rant. But yes! What a joy to have a character with a very different body type! I mean, like, actually drawing him is tons of fun!

I can't thank you enough for your kind words! BIG HUGS!!!!

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CGheartbreak In reply to The-Ez [2015-03-29 06:27:48 +0000 UTC]

I'm a student working towards becoming a character designer (though you wouldn't know it from the stuff I have posted lol) and I heard some good advice. Love your characters, because you might be the only one who does.

You are super talented, so please keep branching out and testing the boundaries of your abilities! If you don't your talent won't continue to grow and to be honest you won't have as much fun!

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ShadowCatPawprints [2015-03-26 22:58:49 +0000 UTC]

Love it!!

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The-Ez In reply to ShadowCatPawprints [2015-03-27 06:15:44 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!!!

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JordanBachmeier [2015-03-26 17:22:24 +0000 UTC]

How do you do this style? Do you draw it traditionally and then colour it in photoshop?

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The-Ez In reply to JordanBachmeier [2015-03-26 17:31:51 +0000 UTC]

Yes! Exactly that!

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bpollyack [2015-03-26 16:48:19 +0000 UTC]

I love everything about him except his hair:\\
I was picturing it a bit less puffy lol!!
but this is really great!
I personally feel that it is better to draw the characters before you introduce them in the story because then the readers already have a picture of what you had in mind
But that's just my opinion !!
LOVE YOUR STORY
can't wait for chapter 12 !! <3

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The-Ez In reply to bpollyack [2015-03-27 06:15:36 +0000 UTC]

Aw, no, you think his hair's too puffy? I think it's too shiny. But my brother insisted that all lawyers should have shiny hair. Hahahah!

I wish I had the time to do a visual design of every character before writing them, but I just don't have that kind of time on my hands. The most important thing is the text β€” once the first manuscript is done, the other stuff can come later.

I can only thank you a thousand times for reading my story, dear! I'm so happy to know you're enjoying it. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

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bpollyack In reply to The-Ez [2015-03-27 23:43:57 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, time can be a problem
But thank you for taking the time to read my comment and give a thoughtful answer!!
I think you're doing a fantastic job!!
keep it up!! Β  Β 

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tasiams [2015-03-26 15:56:54 +0000 UTC]

I pictured him like this!

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The-Ez In reply to tasiams [2015-03-27 06:11:22 +0000 UTC]

NO WAYS! REALLY? That's so cool! Almost nobody pictured him like this at all.

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tanyasm10 [2015-03-26 06:32:32 +0000 UTC]

The funny thing is, just yesterday as I was reading chapter 11 I was wondering what on earth Mr Byron looked like drawn and was going to ask you if you had any sketches lying around of him somewhere. He's adorable. Although, I must admit he lacks a certain...je ne sais quoi that one other male of your male characters possesses *coughcough*Gangfield*coughcough*

Nevertheless, I love him all the same XD

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The-Ez In reply to tanyasm10 [2015-03-27 06:10:58 +0000 UTC]

PSH! Of course Mr Byron can't be cooler than Gangfield PSH! But as long as you like him, I know I'm doing something right!

Thanks so much!

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Mighty-Hetz [2015-03-26 03:43:30 +0000 UTC]

Well he has a friendly looking smile. And he does look rather average as compared to the rouge-ish charm of a certain magic user.

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The-Ez In reply to Mighty-Hetz [2015-03-26 08:50:26 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, psh, he can't rival Gangfield. I just needed Byron to be handsome enough. Like, if you had to choose between lifelong, lonely spinsterhood and marrying Byron, you'd be like, "He'll do."

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Mighty-Hetz In reply to The-Ez [2015-03-27 02:29:40 +0000 UTC]

Well of course he's no rival for Gangfield. And you used that "he'll do" statement a few comments ago. Did you just copy and paste that reply? Β 

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The-Ez In reply to Mighty-Hetz [2015-03-27 06:09:28 +0000 UTC]

No, I don't copy-paste comments. It's just the exact phrase I had in mind while designing the character, so I can type it up at will. You have to admit, it's darn fitting.

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Mighty-Hetz In reply to The-Ez [2015-03-28 01:43:15 +0000 UTC]

Lol, true it does fit.

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Rovanna [2015-03-26 01:19:29 +0000 UTC]

AH the dimples! I reckon he looks cuddly.

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The-Ez In reply to Rovanna [2015-03-26 08:48:43 +0000 UTC]

CUDDLY IS GOOD! Thank you!

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GreaseZelda [2015-03-26 00:33:09 +0000 UTC]

I did not expect him so...plump. haha. But in all honesty, I didn't really imagine him much, I just vaguely pictured a regular guy. I remember seeing a small drawing of him you included in a sketch dump and from then on, I still didn't imagine him like that. haha.

NO! He and Ruth do not make a good married couple. ONLY HER AND THEO! hahaha!

He has such a wide smile that reminds me of...someone...I just don't know who. Most likely someone famous, but I don't knoooow. I mean, you did google actors and stuff, probably one of them. hehe.

Anyway, WE FINALLY GET TO MEET MR. ELIGIBLE BACHELOR! Haha!

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The-Ez In reply to GreaseZelda [2015-03-26 08:48:31 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, I needed him to be big. Otherwise there's the risk of him having a similar silhouette to Gangfield or Theodore, which is character design suicide.

As for the smile, my brother and I Googled a ton of actors and stock photos alike. It was one of those "I'll know the smile I want when I see it" scenarios. So we scrolled and scrolled and scrolled. Eventually I realised what I wanted was a top-teeth-only, straight, wide grin. I drew it up and, if you ask me, it ended up looking rather like Prince Naveen's smile. So that might very well be what you're thinking of!

Thanks so much for giving your input! Like, you know your opinion means the world to me! If you think this design works, then I'll go with it!

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GreaseZelda In reply to The-Ez [2015-03-26 17:52:48 +0000 UTC]

Yeah. That's true. Can't have him looking the same as his competitor. It's a good contrast! He looks like a big cuddly bear! Hahaha

OMG. That's probably who he reminded me of! Naveen! Wide grin, dimples, and all! Hahaha
Prince Naveen might not be a real person, but he's famous, so...I was still on the right track. Hahaha

You outta draw Ruth next to Mr. Byron, just to see if they read right. Like, if they look good together. I mean, they HAVE to at least make decent couple together.

NO!

Actually! They don't have to look right together! It will show contrast on how she belongs with Theeeooooo!!!! Hahahha

But still, you outta draw them together. Like, just them. Foooorrr exaaaammpleeee....that one scene in the recent chapter. Granted her face was flooded, but I think it could work. Haha
Only you know if it would.

Always glad to help! I'm just happy my opinion matters! Haha

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The-Ez In reply to GreaseZelda [2015-03-26 19:59:38 +0000 UTC]

I couldn't agree with you more! Β I'm very keen to draw Ruth and Byron together. I'm only speculating so far, but I actually think they'll make a super cute couple.Β Β 

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GreaseZelda In reply to The-Ez [2015-03-26 23:52:01 +0000 UTC]

Hahaha! Yeah. Maybe have them stare at one another in profile views; him with the same kind smile with her a little flushed and embarrassed. I don't know, that's how I'm imagining it. hahaha

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kyo4kusanagi [2015-03-25 23:50:46 +0000 UTC]

Coolie~

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The-Ez In reply to kyo4kusanagi [2015-03-26 08:40:15 +0000 UTC]

Thanks, dear! If you like him, then I'm happy!

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kyo4kusanagi In reply to The-Ez [2015-03-27 01:36:15 +0000 UTC]

YAYYYYYYY I AM BEING APPRECIATED

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thereina [2015-03-25 19:38:29 +0000 UTC]

I still have his old design in mind but this version is quite nice too he looks a little less like a teddy bear but more like a lawyer ( not that a lawyer is immediatly noticeable on the street but i understand myself ) i feel this is gonna be confusing so just know he looks great i wanna poke his cheeks !

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The-Ez In reply to thereina [2015-03-25 20:55:44 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, I went a little edgier with his design here. I needed him to be more borderline handsome β€” not terribly handsome, just borderline. Like, if you had to choose between marrying Byron and being a spinster for the rest of your life, you'd be like, "Yep, he'll do."

Just as long as you approve, Lulu!

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thereina In reply to The-Ez [2015-03-25 21:03:55 +0000 UTC]

I do !Β  Β 

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RazorXSketch [2015-03-25 18:36:09 +0000 UTC]

I though he'd be a little thinner, but then again it does make him more humble (if that's how I should say it). So yeah, he looks really good right here. Β Awesome work!

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The-Ez In reply to RazorXSketch [2015-03-25 20:59:00 +0000 UTC]

NO WAYS! He's big and burly like a strongman! Okay, not AS burly, but still.

Thanks so much! I'm so glad you like him!!!!

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dreaminglagoon [2015-03-25 16:48:42 +0000 UTC]

I swear I pictured him with a mustache for some reason haha!

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The-Ez In reply to dreaminglagoon [2015-03-25 16:58:46 +0000 UTC]

That's because I wish with my entire being I could give him a mustache... but I'm scared that would make too threatening to younger readers.

Ugh I wish I could give ALL my male characters lovely, waxed-up, Victorian mustaches! Β 

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Dfbzeppy [2015-03-25 16:11:13 +0000 UTC]

Oooh ive been waiting for this! The colour scheme is just how I pictured it! He looks great!

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The-Ez In reply to Dfbzeppy [2015-03-25 20:57:58 +0000 UTC]

That's great news! It means a ton that you like him!!!

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TheNorthernWriter [2015-03-25 15:50:18 +0000 UTC]

I thought for a moment you meant an estates lawyer who happened to be deceased. Then I realised you didn't, and my crest fell.

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The-Ez In reply to TheNorthernWriter [2015-03-25 20:57:40 +0000 UTC]

Omigosh, I had to call my brother to read your comment, and lemme tell you, we both laughed and laughed! Thanks for that!!!!!

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TheNorthernWriter In reply to The-Ez [2015-03-25 22:32:27 +0000 UTC]

I live to serveΒ  Β 

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StaciaJoy [2015-03-25 15:11:08 +0000 UTC]

To be honest, I grinned in an adorkable way just seeing the thumbnail of him, without even knowing he's extremely marriageable.

So, in other words, I approve.Β 

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The-Ez In reply to StaciaJoy [2015-03-25 20:57:09 +0000 UTC]

That is the biggest compliment EVER! Thank you VERY much!!!

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geekgirl8 [2015-03-25 14:33:01 +0000 UTC]

waaaaah what a cutie! ;v;

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The-Ez In reply to geekgirl8 [2015-03-25 20:56:47 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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SandrOops [2015-03-25 14:31:00 +0000 UTC]

Awesome!! He looks really awesome!! Great job as always!!

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The-Ez In reply to SandrOops [2015-03-25 20:56:39 +0000 UTC]

THANK YOU!

And I'm with thereina on this one β€” that is the cutest clapping bunny!!!

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SandrOops In reply to The-Ez [2015-03-26 14:56:11 +0000 UTC]

Haha of course!! Yaay he's just too cute!!

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