These two pieces are concept art for a comic series featuring a band of three termites, Kirk, Gunlik, and Tik-Tik (the Sawdust Crusaders), exploring the world around them and searching for a new home/food supply for their clan. On their first journey into an unknown house, they're spotted by a human who then calls an exterminator on them. This is no ordinary exterminator though, and their looking to create a series of robotic ants for the specific purpose of wiping out all termites. The first of these robotic ants, M3CH-4NT-001 (pronounced "Mech Ant") causes the Sawdust Crusaders trouble in the first issue, with subsequent models getting stronger and more plentiful as the series continues.

This piece features Kirk, one of the main protagonists of the series, sitting on a tree branch enjoying a delicious lunch; the tree bark of the very tree he's sitting on. Originally, this piece was a photograph with a paper cut out sitting on the tree. I wanted to capture the vibe of one of those physical multimedia pieces, where they have art of characters in real places. However, with the updated visuals in this drawing with the clearer expression and the obvious ripping of the tree, the completely digital piece is more effective in telling the story I wanted to.

The photograph was also a sketch of sorts. It was a map-out of what the digital piece would eventually morph into with time.

This illustration shows M3CH-4NT-001 targeting Kirk, who was on his way to take cover from the imminent threat. Tik-Tik, being a flying termite and the fastest of the Sawdust Crusaders, reaches back to help Kirk escape. At this point though, it's already too late. It's fight or die.

Another remake, this time of an old marker piece. Originally, most of the colors were used because they worked well for establishing tone and to keep the piece easy to read. The purple helmet reflection in the original was because I happened to have the most purple markers. But now, the colors red, purple, and black were chosen to depict evil, as these mechanical ants are the primary antagonist of the series, and an unfeeling killing machine. The dark background in the digital remake was used to not completely obscure the outline of the M3CH-4NT, but to still create a dark and threatening aura. The blue hue was inspired by the original, and to make the purple and red glows stand out to the audience.

The original piece can be found below.