About this artwork

This was my submission for the 2024 2D character design competition. Ayanna is a coastal 'ninjaret' or pickpocket who steals from dodgy merchants to finance an underground uprising against the many slave traders and organized crime in Zanzibar. Her real name is known to the few she helps get by. Everyone else calls her 'coconut head' on account of her hairstyle. Really enjoyed the creation pipeline and exploration. Had a bit of trouble keeping the character on model but thankfully all was well