The Star & The Abyss (Patreon)

Technically these images are unrelated, as I like to upload my Layne pieces in groups, but they turned out to unintentionally (yet somehow still intentionally) share thematic values.

When I draw Layne, this facet of Ceran, I often find myself pairing him with entities and personifications of cosmic concepts, power, eternity, etc. Beings often chaotic and incomprehensible, sheer eldritch essences that one can't help but be entranced by to the point losing touch with reality. And yet? The concept of detaching and surrendering himself to something so much grander than he is, is both alleviating and freeing, despite the detriment such codependent self-sacrifice results in. It is hard not to romanticize the void.......buuuut, we can also simply enjoy the near literal interpretation of loving and to be loved by all there ever is and all there ever was, and then having interdimensional sexscapades as a result. We do just love monsters! I had started the sketch with the Roy Orbison lyrics back in 2022, and it only made its way back to the surface recently. I'm glad I polished it up, I still think it's charming and fits his aesthetic quite well.