Dark Shadows

For the line art contest. [link] The theme is Halloween or Mushrooms. I did a little of both. I started by drawing Koji Digitally, just because I wanted to draw Koji. (I have a larger version of just him too) I drew the scenery traditionally, because I was originally going to do a basic concept sketch traditionally, but I got carried away with the idea sketch and decided that it had to be used as the final rather than do all that work over again. So this is already a mixed media piece. Hope you enjoy.

Layered version has character separate and the foreground, if you wish to color, is as always optional.

The villagers were frightened to venture that way, but Koji was, as always fearless as he left town. After all, he thought, people these days are very superstitious, and even if there is something out there, it is most likely nothing I can't handle. But as he drew further and further into the darkness, he felt the ever growing impression of some kind of evil presence growing stronger.

If he was a reasonable sort of person, he might have turned back, but Koji was never such a person. Drawn by the darkness, he ventured forward. He could smell the burning odor of a demon, but all he could see was forest. Trees every which way. This confused him, as the energy was very intense, it had to be a very powerful apparition, but why couldn't he see it? Just then, he felt something coming from behind him. Quicker than a flash of lightning, his sword was drawn, and he went into feral form. Spinning, he sliced the head of a small snake-like imp's head clean off. His movement was so swift that the creature still had the hungry look on its severed head.

More such creatures of the deep were coming from the right, so, drawn by the oddity of this sight and the smell of death coming from that direction, he carefully made his way. Why could he not yet see the demon? But just as he wondered this, he saw something that made the hair on his tail stand on end. One of the trees was moving... its claw-like branches reaching in his direction. Somehow, the demon had taken possession of a tree, and in so doing, bound itself to this world. cleaver trick, he thought.

"Show yourself, creature of the abyss, I have come to banish you back to your realm," he commanded in an unwavering voice.

A reply came from the tree, as a shrieking wail that pieced his hears leaving him momentarily dazed. This was followed by a deep voice that sounded hollow and heartless. "I have never tasted the blood of a Tiger Kin, I shall render your flesh from your bones with great delight, come closer kitty, and let me show you your grave," it beckoned.

Koji started to summon some light energy, sensing that this was not just any demon. "Perhaps banishment is too good for this one," He whispered to himself. And as the tree turned its horrific form to look at its enemy, Koji smiled. "It is time for you to meat meet Death. Come, let's play."


Happy Halloween everyone, I hope at least one person feels brave enough to color this.

Koji's colors can be viewed by browsing my gallery, look for the dark haired pretty boy samurai ^_^ and of course, you may chose to color him in any way you like.