Xeth Aleph-Null

In the creation of Xeth's splash art, it was important to capture not only his appearance but his complex personality. Each iteration aimed to reflect his story, power, and the duality of his character. After multiple attempts, I refined his design to better fit these aspects. This journey was started as soon as Xeth was created on September 2023. However, it wasn't until January 2024 when I'm satisfied with the design.

1st Attempt: Finding the Right Tone

These designs were discarded due to personality mismatch.

• Concept: I initially envisioned Xeth in more casual, laid-back poses, but this didn't convey the intensity and purpose of his character.
• Reason for Scrapping: The design felt too soft and did not reflect the darker, more driven nature of Xeth. Lack of artistic skill and preservation.

2nd Attempt: Too Similar to Aventurine

This attempt felt too derivative.

• Concept: Xeth was sitting on a sofa, crossing his legs on a glass table.
• Reason for Scrapping: I realized the composition was too similar to Aventurine's splash art. I needed something more unique that captured Xeth’s individuality and powerful aura.

4th Attempt: Focus on the Backside

This attempt was discarded due to the focus on the wrong elements.

• Concept: This version showed Xeth’s back to highlight the intricate details of his jacket.
• Reason for Scrapping: While the jacket design is important, most of Xeth’s key details—his facial expressions, posture, and the energy he exudes—are all located at the front. Not to mention, his claw were not visible.  This attempt, as well as the third, felt too similar to Arlecchino's splash art.

5th Attempt: Finding Balance

This is where the breakthrough happened.

• Concept: A front-facing design that balances personality, power, and the unique aspects of his appearance.
• Why It Works: This version fully encapsulates Xeth’s character: his enigmatic presence, his calculated intensity, and his connection to power. The character art alone took 55 hours over a span of 8 days.