Maneki Neko Cat
The Maneki-Neko (or lucky/fortune cat) is pretty well known as a good luck charm and talisman in China, Japan, and many other countries and cultures as well. This illustration is in a character style I call Franks and Beans. The style is part of a character and creature development project that I've been working on for some time now that will eventually culminate in a more fluidly illustrated comic series.
This sample includes the non-stylized path linework, along with the etched shadowing and highlights (created by two simple patterns encapsulated within masked shapes), with stylized brush paths. The full-color design includes the linework, patterned shadow and highlights, plus a bottom layering of simple colors. There are many more characters in this style to come, so keep a look out for them soon.
See the original hand drawn sketch here.
