Hello! I've been slacking on updates here mostly because I've been busy... Before I get to the August issue, here's the XMACX Monthly covers you missed out on! You can click on them to read these past issues.
And now that you're all caught up on past issues, you can read the current issue on XMACX Monthly's new home here or below:
Wow! What a cover! There’s a big ol’ fish across Basil’s lap!
Okay... I confess. I just wanted to draw Basil in a bucket hat. In any case, welcome welcome welcome to August! I can’t believe there’s only four whole months left in 2024! And I can’t wait for the heat to let up. I’m being steamed like a pork bun out here!
For lil scholar Ari, August used to mark the end of summer and the start of a new school year. It was an exciting time! We’d scramble to the beaches to get our beach-fix in, and go school-supply shopping. Or shopping in general, really. Had to buy cool new outfits and a new backpack, right? Gotta start the new school year fresh! Now, however, August marks the start of Flu Season, which means work will start to get busy real quick lol…
Nothing much honestly. Just me prepping for Citrus Con and continuing to put Froot Basket White together.
Currently working with a composer for some original music! I’m so excited for some cafe vibes whilst enjoying some scrumptious pastries with Sutoro! Also I received some voiced lines so I’ll be going through them and adding them into the game! They already sound so great! eeeee~
Other than that, I’ve slowly been working on the art assets — the sprites and event CGs. Here’s a better look at the new character that we’ll be getting to know over the course of Froot Basket White, the Angel Azrael! I want them to feel ethereal and beautiful, so I gave them very complex beaded jewelry.
I’ve also started writing Beau’s episode. I can’t wait to tell you more about it! But first I’d like you all to experience Sutoro’s route. Maybe it’ll give you an idea of what I’m going for with this project.
Finally, I got more food art from Flor! Look at these cute turtle melon pan! So adorable! I’m so so happy with how they turned out!
Basil is one of the love interests from my otome game and dating sim, After-Party Chemistry (APC), and also the male lead in my comic, Basil Marina! It’s been a while since I’ve drawn him. I’ve missed him… APC and Basil Marina have both been on hiatus. You can read about that here. But today, we’re getting reacquainted with Basil!
In a relatively recent tweet, I claimed that I would’ve made Basil the true love interest for the player character, Marina in APC. They have a lot in common and have really good chemistry and tension together. Just thinking about what a great couple they’d be makes me want to revisit APC immediately right now! But I’m pacing myself. I’m relaxing. Chillin’.
I often think about picking After-Party Chemistry back up and making Basil and Marina childhood friends. They have such good… chemistry…..
And if I absolutely had to pick a canon or true love interest for Marina, it’d probably be Basil.
Also pls enjoy prom night Basil lol pic.twitter.com/qojsCa9My2
— 🍍ARI B. CHILLIN' (@xxmissarichanxx) June 30, 2024
Anyway, Basil is a bitter, sassy, and snarky asshole. He’s the tsundere archetype and probably the only megane character I’ve drawn consistently over the past ten years. I promise he’s lovable though. If you can get past his ice-cold meanie exterior, he can be sweet in his own way… He loves the ocean, he loves fishing, and he loves fish and marine life in general. The fish he’s depicted holding in the cover art isn’t his favorite fish. In truth, I don’t know what kind of fish it is. It’s just a generic one I drew… BUT Basil’s favorite fish are butterfly fish. They come in all sorts of fun, bright colors!
For CitrusCon this year, my shop will be offering free shipping to con-goers! As
I mentioned last month, I didn’t budget my time or money well enough to make any new merch, so I won’t have any cool new physical stuff to sell. My previous inventory will be up! I’m also considering opening exclusive Your-Character-Here (YCH) commissions. I’ll be working on some samples this month, but I’m thinking it’ll be something simple, like cute lil chibis. Since it’s a BL convention, I was thinking of offering cute couple (and maybe throuple) options.
In any case, I’ve closed my shop to prep for it. I’ll be taking an inventory and updating some of the photos and stuff. I bought a lightbox so I can maybe take nicer-looking photos? We’ll see how it goes.
Last month, I impulsively took part in O2A2 (Only One of Any Asset) Jam 2024 and completed and submitted a visual novel in 2 days! Momotarou is a micro-visual novel where the titular character has some words with a demon. I made a new game page on this site where you can play on your browser, OR you can play (or download) on the original Itch page!
Some time this month, I’ll be writing a post-mortem on the Itch page sharing my thoughts and ideas on creating this project.
It’s no secret that I’ve been having a tough time finding motivation to draw. I’m not exactly sure what it is, but I don’t want to force myself to be a content machine anymore. I’ve been doing my best to get back into it. I’m not exactly drawing every day, but when I can, I’ve been stealing away time to doodle Kaimana here and there. He brings me so much joy~
Anyway, after Citrus Con, I’ll continue to take things easy. I hope you will too!
Big Love,
xxAri
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