Cute vs. Dark - 'Apocalypse' Concept (Process + Voiceover)

Hey everyone, today I want to speak about Apocalypse, my last illustration. The process was chaotic. I was looking for animal references, focusing on something different. I found bunny pictures, they look cute. But a cute bunny wasn't enough. I wanted something more in contrast. I thought angry bunnies would be fun, they're cute but opposite in energy. I searched for the three angriest bunnies. They seem real, not photoshopped, which is better. I prefer inspiration from reality.

Unsure about characterization, I listed professions related to jumping. Cheerleaders came up. I hadn't drawn cheerleaders before, so it was a good opportunity. I focused on facial expressions and gestures, considering different perspectives. I looked up cheerleader references, noting their athleticism and flexibility.

But cheerleaders being angry wasn't deep enough. I wanted to add something extra. Zombies or apocalypse zombies seemed fitting, especially with cheerleaders. It relates to teenagers and horror, like in movies and Stranger Things. I integrated the zombie aspect, showing a dark side. The middle cheerleader was bitten, another lost an eye, and one has a bruise. They're survivors in an apocalyptic situation.

I thought about naming them mad leaders or angry leaders, but apocalypse sums it up. They're surviving a catastrophic event. I used cheerleader uniform references, keeping the design simple with touches of red and pink. Simplicity helps balance multiple characters. Extra props set the scene for a horror teenager movie.

If you enjoy the process, check the full video. I added color dodge and saturation for effects, and pixelate filters and sharpen for a cinematic style. Questions are welcome in the comments or DM on Patreon. Join our Discord challenge. Thank you for your support

Full Lenght Process Video: https://youtu.be/1-mjCB6gBrc