Chibi Goldenheart and Nimona in Oscars 2024 outfits.

3/16/2024. No pencil underdrawings. Platinum Preppy fountain pen, using Noodler's Ink. Colored with Copic markers and ShinHan Art Touch markers. Clean up with white-out and digitally in Krita.

I was rushing to draw, 6 minutes before midnight, so I could still say I restarted my daily drawings on the 16th. So I had no plans, and just started drawing without thinking. The Magical March drawing challenge is still going on this month, so I originally was going to draw Ballister as a "magical boy"/"maho shonen". I ended up basing it on the outfit that Ballister's actor Riz Ahmed wore to the 2024 Oscars. But then I got lazy and ended up not adding all the embellishments to make it a "magical boy" outfit. Apparently, I wasn't lazy enough to not draw 2 other characters though. lol I got the buttons and coat front wrong on Ambrosius, and I was drawing directly in pen, so I couldn't fix it. But Ambrosius's outfit is based on what his actor Eugene Lee Yang wore to the 2024 Oscars. Nimona's outfit is based on what ND Stevenson wore to the 2024 Oscars.

Tried to get back into drawing yesterday (1.14.2024). I've been feeling bad, that unlike my past 2 fandoms, my latest fandom hasn't got me drawing daily and excessively yet. But I usually get a drawing burnout during winters, and i haven't figured out how to draw these new characters yet. Time to start practicing.

1.22.2024. More doodles and a redraw sketch. Trying to get back into drawing.

I like to think that one of the reasons Ballister forgave Ambrosius, was that Ballister realized that he had turned on Nimona, in the same way that Ambrosius had turned on him. Despite everything they'd been through together, Ballister still turned on Nimona. I think after realizing how easily he had done that, it would have been easier to understand how Ambrosius could have equally been filled with doubt towards him, despite everything that they had been through together. It would've been easier to have some understanding for Ambrosius and maybe want to give him a second chance, in the same way Ballister wished for a second chance with Nimona.

Remember when the fandom had a big discussion about Ballister holding his sword by the blade? And we all wondered how he could touch the lighted part of it, if it presumedly was some kind of cauterizing-laser part of the sword?

Well, if holding a European broadsword by the blade is as common a fighting technique, as this video explains, then it's possible that the Knights were all given gloves that could cancel or were impervious to the "laser" part of their swords. It would be reasonable to issue every Knight, specially protective gloves as part of their standard equipment. That way, the Institute wouldn't have to limit the types of sword-fighting styles that they could be taught.

Though I still like everyone else's idea of the swords having an on/off switch for the cauterizing-laser panel. That still makes sense to have an extra safety, even with specially protective gloves. Especially when a sword is not in use.

I noticed some dialogue from the Nimona movie, and now I'm wondering if Ambrosius was bullied by the other Institute kids in his class. And did Ballister and Ambrosius end up so close, partially because they were ostracized together?

During that scene with the knights surveying the collapsed statues, Todd declares "This is his fault!" And then other knights joined in with Todd, to gang up on Ambrosius. You can hear them almost booing Ambrosius, while agreeing with Todd. The one clear "Tell him, Todd!" gets subtitled. But you can also hear "Yeah, that's right, Todd."

It sounded like all the other knights in Ambrosius's class were eagerly waiting for any excuse to attack him. Really sinks in the pressure Ambrosius felt to conform. They probably hated him because of the special treatment he gets as the direct descendent of Gloreth. Even in that very scene, the Director gives him special treatment, instantly giving him command of the mission to arrest Ballister, as soon as Ambrosius expresses interest in leading the mission. She even cites "We have a descendent of Gloreth to lead us!" Even though Todd was much more enthusiastic and probably reflected more of the same motivations/sentiments as the Director, she still chose the descendent of Gloreth.

Now it becomes clearer why Ballister and Ambrosius became close: They may have both been ostracized by the rest of their class, and only really had each other.

(Instagram post by the official storyboard artist estebravo mentions that Ambrosius and Bal met as children and agreed to go to school together, but I mean their likely mutual ostracization probably brought them even closer, since they would have been isolated together, from the rest of the class. https://www.instagram.com/p/CvK56M3vCEo/)

Ballister gets ostracized because he was the one commoner, "intruding" upon a space filled with the nobility class. Ambrosius gets ostracized because, as the descendent of Gloreth, he was always going to get special treatment. And considering Ambrosius's lack of motivation to become a knight (citing estebravo's storyboards that were cut from the final movie), the rest of the class probably hated him even more. Ambrosius probably didn't have to work as hard as Ballister, to prove he was worth taking up his spot in the Institute class, but Ambrosius would have had to work hard to make the special treatment he was likely given, probably seem more earned. After all, if his skill could justify his special treatment, almost or as much as his status as Gloreth's descendent, then the rest of the class probably would have to admit it was at least partially valid.

That probably wouldn't stop the bullying, but it would probably stop the bullying from being overt, constant, or from as many classmates. They'd at least hesitate before sabotaging his equipment or something. Or they'd worry about the consequences of getting caught going after the Director's "golden student". Maybe it'd be enough to get half of the would-be bullies to chicken out.

On the other hand, if they couldn't take out their frustrations on Ambrosius, it just might make them take it out onto Ballister even more, since he was the more "acceptable" target. I wonder how often that gave Ambrosius a guilt trip, or motivated him to beat them up in return. Imagine little Ambrosius having another parent-teacher conference in the Director's office because he keeps getting into fights, "disgracing Gloreth's legacy", and disappointing his parents, who I assume are very invested in their pride as Gloreth's descendants. No wonder Ballister has to hold Ambrosius back from defending him in the movie. Not just because Ballister cares about Ambrosius getting into trouble, but also because the ones Ambrosius beats up, probably come back to bully Ballister even harder for it. It's a bad cycle, that I'm sure they learn to navigate better as they grow older. Unfortunate they act like they have to placate it, even during that "locker room" scene.

I've heard some reaction videos call Ambrosius his class's number two knight, after Ballister. But if they're referring to ranking by skill level, I realized, do we ever actually hear the movie state Ambrosius's skill ranking, compared to his classmates? We know Ballister was number one, and he worked harder than everyone else. But I like the idea that Ambrosius would have also worked hard to make his special treatment seem justified. Maybe not just to keep off the bullying, but maybe also to prove it to himself. Maybe with Ballister's personal training being so demonstrably effective, Ambrosius would have asked Ballister to help him train, get tips, or just spar together a lot. If Ambrosius trained most often with Ballister, then I could believe Ambrosius as the second most skilled knight in his class.

“For the longest time we had been figuring out exactly where Ballister and Goldenloin were in their relationship at the beginning of the film. For a few iterations of this scene, this had been the moment where they they first showed signs of affection towards each other, but for most iterations, this was one of the few displays of affection between them on screen. I was so surprised to see in the final film they went with a version where their relationship is well established and clear as day - it works so much better for the story! From the boards to the final renders, you can see how the space between them is compressed and how much more intimate their interactions are. It’s clear the filmmakers knew how important it was to sell their relationship from the get-go and infuse this scene with as much personality so that the audience immediately roots for them. Props to @itsnickbruno @troyquane @savethepretzelstand !!! That moment where Ballister leans on G’s shoulder really brought me to tears.💛🖤”—@estebravo on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/CuSVFE8PRJ7/).

I wish so much for Cinema Therapy to do a "Couples Therapy" episode for Ballister and Ambrosius. ;o; I just want to hear a professional couples therapist analysis say Goldenheart is going to work it out and be okay. I mean, we already know, but I just want to hear it validated. lol

Honestly, the scene I keep thinking about lately, is the gag when Ballister is sarcastically yelling to Nimona about murdering everyone, then Ambrosius walks in. Thinking about it too seriously, is just full of so much angst. x_x;

I mean, Ambrosius is probably still in too much shock over the Queen's assassination AND the fact that he instinctively cut off Bal's arm. And in the meantime, everyone's probably been filling his head with doubts about Bal. No matter how much he loved him, that much doubt all around him, would have found a weak spot to start effecting his head. And as we see in his internal monologue later, he was getting spun around with confusion and uncertainty. He probably started entertaining the possibility---however slight---that maybe Bal could have assassinated the Queen on purpose? And the entire time he's fighting that doubt and all the voices from people around him, saying the same thing, he walks in, and Ballister is yelling about MURDERING EVERYONE. "So was Bal's persona up until this point all a lie?" Ballister instantly changes demeanor as soon as he notices Ambrosius. "Was he always pretending to be one way, while actually being another way when Ambrosius wasn't looking?" And then Nimona starts calling him Bal's "nemesis"! "Is that what Bal's been calling him behind his back??? Did he actually hate every moment they were together? Were all the times they cuddled a lie???" There's just so much doubt and angst flooding into Ambrosius's face during that scene. I can't stop thinking about it. o_o

Faebruary 2024, day 15. Chibi Ambrosius and Ballister fairies picked a pomegranate.

2/16/2024. Pencil underdrawing. Inked linwork with Stabilo 88 pens, Kuretake Zig Clean Color Real Brush pen, and Copic Multiliner 0.25. Colored with Copic markers, ShinHanArt Touch markers, Copic Multiliner BS, and Platinum Preppy fountain pen using Noodler's Ink. Corrections made digitally with Krita.

References for Ballister's wings: "Black Heart" butterfly

References for Ambrosius's wings: "Wallace's golden birdwing" butterfly"

References for pomegranate: https://www.herzindagi.com/diet-nutrition/pomegranate-recipes-benefits-article-221381 https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Pomegranate/Helen-Elaine-Lee/9781982171902

Every Faebruary, I draw chibi butterfly fairies of my current OTPs. This year, it's Goldenheart.

Unsure how Ballister would get his cybernetic arm in this AU. So I skipped the whole subject by not drawing it.

Faebruary 2024, day 14. Chibi Ambrosius and Ballister fairies.

2/15/2024. Platinum Preppy fountain pen, using Noodler's Ink. Colored with Copic markers and ShinHanArt Touch markers. Corrections and assembly made digitally with Krita.

References for Ballister's wings: "Black Heart" butterfly

References for Ambrosius's wings: "Wallace's golden birdwing" butterfly"

References for flower (my photo): https://nidailylife.tumblr.com/post/742424384394887168/2152024-backyard-walk-souvenirs-flower

Every Faebruary, I draw chibi butterfly fairies of my current OTPs. This year, it's Goldenheart.

Unsure how Ballister would get his cybernetic arm in this AU. So I skipped the whole subject by not drawing it.

Faebruary 2024, days 10-11. Chibi Ambrosius and Ballister fairies.

Every Faebruary, I draw chibi butterfly fairies of my current OTPs. This year, it's Goldenheart.

This time, I've chosen real life butterfly wings to base theirs off of, instead of making up my own designs. Because Ballister's comic book name is "Blackheart", I'm basing his wings off the "Uranothauma nubifer" or "black heart" butterfly. Ambrosius Goldenloin's wings are based on the "Wallace's golden birdwing" butterfly, because that was the first butterfly with the word "golden" in its name that appeared in Google search.

I was unsure about adding Ballister's cybernetic arm. How would a fairy get a tiny cybernetic arm? Does their hidden fairy society in the woods, have a whole system of technological equipment and supplies? Does a human use magnifying glass spectacles and miniature cybernetics to make a tiny robot arm for him??? So I skipped the whole subject by not drawing his robot arm.

2/11-12/2024. No pencil underdrawings. Platinum Preppy fountain pen, using Noodler's Ink. Colored with Copic markers and ShinHanArt Touch markers. Some corrections made with white-out and digitally with Krita.

Until 4 days ago, I was severely out of practice with drawing. So I completely forgot how to draw sideways chibi faces. Next time, they'll have noses. …Or maybe I kind of like this style; I'm not sure yet.

Ambrosius's skin tone looks much paler after scanning. I think I'll try a darker marker ink next time.

Ok, Goldenheart fandom. Tell me:

Who serenades who at karaoke?

Who is better at it?

Who turns into a helpless puddle of goo-goo eyes while the other sings?

Or is it a fallacy for me to not assume the answer to all those questions is "both of them"?

Cinema Therapy is asking for Netflix movie recommendations. Now is the time to comment Nimona.

We may get that Couples Therapy for Goldenheart yet.

Here's the specific episode where they mentioned asking for movie recommendations:

Chibi Ballister, Nimona, and Ambrosius as belated Easter bunnies.

3/31/2024 - 4/1/2024. Platinum Preppy fountain ben, using Noodler's Ink. No pencil underdrawings, so fixes with white-out and digitally with Krita. Colored with Copic markers and ShinHanArt Touch marker.

I was going for an "Alice in Wonderland" White Rabbit look for their Easter Bunny outfits.