Tessera
Folgen

Dippy💜

@dippyschtick.bsky.social

♋️/3️⃣1️⃣/💍solestratego💍 love me some Lady Hips and Dorito Chips💜Here to share art whether it be mine or my friends’

121 Posts245 Follower73 Folgt
Dippy💜@dippyschtick.bsky.social · 2mo ago

the Don’t Take it Personally “advice”only applies when the situation is out of your control or the action/reaction is unreasonable. It doesn’t apply when you’re being mocked and/or teased; they’re just telling you that so they don’t have to take accountability for treating you poorly

Sole@solestratego.bsky.social · 2mo ago

And with these final three cards, the entire deck is revealed! The characters representing the jokers are one ally and one enemy in Aftermath, both refusing to comply with the normal structure of their societies. And the final card... Check alt text for more details!

The black Joker is represented by Corren. Corren is a unique, strange case for a Star Courier - unlike the rest of the species, Corren retains independent thought does not always comply to the orders of the Smilers. Depending on his mood, he may outright contradict them or act against them. Worse still, Corren is mentally unhinged and often lashes out in fits of rage, killing anyone nearby, whether friend or foe. Courier medics have deduced that due to his inability to fully submit to his Smiler leadership, he is left in a constant state of cognitive dissonance. His independent mind thrashes against his Courier need to conform and obey. The state has left Corren agitated, to say the least. This situation concerns Omni, but not to the degree that he would be deemed "defective". Corren is a useful tool, an unleashed beast who cannot seem to escape Omni's thrall, yet can go completely off the rails. Due to this instability, he can openly break deals Smilers made in the past, which a Smiler cannot do, even through ordering Star Couriers to do so. In the end, Corren is a deadly, highly skilled Courier who the Smilers can barely contain. Used as an assassin to sate his bloodlust, you can safely assume that if he's in the same location as you, your best move is to get away. Fast.The red Joker is represented by Glade, an "Originbot". During the Centrarian Empire, the Origin-Class Delivery Automaton, or "Originbot" as the Centrarians call them, were the ever-reliable delivery service of colony supplies. Originbots make use of a short-range instant teleportation technology embedded in their left eye to warp to a location by making eye contact with the destination and blinking. Galleons are famously difficult to land on a planet due to their girth, and cargo has a nasty habit of being damaged when galleons attempt to do so. Originbots solved this issue by allowing the ship to remain in orbit as the bots blinked back and forth, dropping their payload at transit stations for eventual transport to the colonies themselves. All of this was done with a friendly, welcoming painted face and a chipper attitude that never failed to charm the Centrarian customers. The Aftermath resulted in the destruction of nearly every single originbot, just like any other piece of Centrarian tech. Colonies were abandoned as galleons rusted and fell to the planets below. The empire fell as the people were returned to the stone age. It's no wonder the Star Couriers were as welcomed as they were - the Centrarians were itching to have back any convenience they could, and the Couriers were ready to provide. Glade, however, was a rare exception. Deep in the core of Spire at the time of the Aftermath, he survived its destruction with minimal damage. All that was fried was his brain, which rewired itself in time. Glade's quirkiness is shown through his obsession with painting, his admiration of Centrarian fashion, and his one true love, Persephone, the gramophone he was delivering when the Aftermath occurred. One day, perhaps his teleport function will be repaired, and with it he can finally travel the universe with his darling. Perhaps one day.The Ascended Queen of Spades is represented by the Matriarch. A special card that can either replace the Queen of Spades or be integrated as a fifth, unique queen, the Ascended Queen of Spades can form new card combinations in select games and in most ways acts identically to the other queens. The Matriarch is the result of a myriad of specific conditions that are all met as Cardi's natural curiosity of Centrarians matures into affection. A foreign concept to a Smiler, the act of love is an exciting experience for a mere drone like Cardi, a creature never meant to survive more than the day she existed. Far in the future, with the integration of the Centrarian genome into her body, Cardi manages to give birth to a child with a Centrarian - a brand new Smiler. And with that revelation, long-forgotten biological switches are activated. Cardi grows larger in size and proportion by the day, her visage becoming less like a Smiler and more bestial as her body takes on traits of each Centrarian sub-species she assimilates, gaining all the powers associated with them. With each change, more new children are added to the hive. After several years, her body dwarves even the largest Centrarian city. The newly-crowned Matriarch finally achieved what she had so long hoped for: a way to save her people. And that savior was herself. As Cardi's mind melds with the Matriarchal presence that is fighting to subsume her, her consciousness continues to evolve, exponentially growing to match the needs of her rapidly expanding hive. But such power is intoxicating - and with every day, despite her best efforts, the love that started it all feels more distant. Less significant. Too small. Unless Cardi can be pulled out of the Matriarch, unless she can be reminded of what truly matters, she will birth a new homeworld. And the result will be glorious - and terrible.
Sole@solestratego.bsky.social · 2mo ago

And finally, the last suit: spades! The spades are represented by the Smilers, the main antagonists of Aftermath and the leadership behind the Star Couriers. Check the alt text to learn more about 'em!

The Ace of Spades is the most immediately iconic card in any playing card deck. Because of that, it was important it was immediately recognizable, even moreso than the other three aces. That also meant I needed to aim for a more immediate interpretation to the design, as well. The spade itself appears to be melting - Smilers' bodies are made entirely of crude oil and this is a fun callout to that. It also gives an unsettling feeling compared to the other, cleaner aces. This is a suit that represents a deconstruction of the norm, an old world that is literally melting away. In the flourishes, you can see a few subtle callouts - near the bottom, you can see linework on either side that calls to mind a smiling mouth as it melts, a motif that is repeated at the top of center. The main focus of either side of the spade are the multiple orbs circling around each other towards a central point - a nod to the fact that the Smilers' home planet no longer exists and all that remains in its place is a black hole.Militari is the Head Engineer of the Star Couriers, and is the main force behind the construction of the Special Delivery Automaton. Vain, narcissistic, and gaudy, Militari rarely has time beyond his obsessions and himself. That does not mean, however, that Militari's showboating is unearned. He is a master technician who can memorize the mechanical layout of nearly any machine in mere minutes, possesses the capacity to reproduce it or innovate on a design quickly, and has the pure, raw strength of a running freight train through his oil flesh, which can harden to solid rock and creates a material even bullets cannot pierce. Militari, like the other Smilers, was created to serve a temporary purpose to the Smiler Homeworld hive mind - to guard the Smiler delegate Cardi to meet the Centrarian vessel that roamed near the planet and to keep the dignitary's vessel in top condition throughout the meeting. Afterwards, he was supposed to meld back into the Smiler homeworld, his consciousness lost to the collective as he returns to Her biomass. Things obviously did not proceed as planned. With Omni and the Star Couriers, Militari has found new purpose and a new chance to prove his physical and mental superiority - this time over the Centrarians, a "lesser" species who needs to learn their lesson.The Queen of Spades is represented by Cardi, the Smiler's navigator and Chief Diplomat of the Star Couriers. Cardi was sent by the hive mind to speak to the Centrarians upon first contact. After the disaster that followed, she and her brothers, the only ones not on the surface of the planet, were the species' sole survivors. Cardi's hive-gifted ability is reading empathic and physical topology. Through merely viewing a surrounding area, she can instantly analyze and record a planet's geography. This power extends to space travel, as well, allowing their vessel the Silver Shield to travel safely through any environment. Cardi's abilities transfer to diplomacy, as well - when speaking to others, she has the innate ability to read the their emotions and temperament, knowing exactly which way to direct a conversation to garner the outcome she most desires. This has allowed the Star Couriers to establish their bases on many Centrarian colonies without conflict, much to Cardi's joy; the Smiler's curious nature compels her to learn about Centrarian biology, society, and philosophy. Cardi is determined to find a way to save the Smiler species from extinction - she would give nearly anything to do so. Omni has learned that the solution may be the "Creator Sword," a Centrarian relic which will grant the holder's wish. Cardi has warily come to terms with the fact that she will have to trust Omni on faith alone - her abilities cannot seem to pierce the veil that looms over him.The King of Spades is represented by Omni, leader of the Smilers. In a life that feels eons ago, Omni served as the medical aid for the diplomatic envoy which also included Cardi and Militari. Able to immediately address any critical injury no matter the biology of the target, his assistance was not only for his Smiler brethren, but possibly for the strangers they were meeting, a sign of good will from the Smiler species. With the destruction of their planet, Omni made a choice for the worst. Someone who is dead cannot be "healed", no matter how much you try to make it so. The result of Omni's attempt to revive his species was the relocation of their minds - once spread across a hive mind that was billions strong - into his own. Now, the voice of those who died that day scream in his ear, filling his every waking moment with their cacophony of voices, all expressing their thoughts at the same time. If Smilers needed to sleep, Omni wouldn't. The last command of the hive mind before Her death was to smile and to be truthful - to present a friendly outlook to the strange species they had encountered. With Her demise, the laws cannot be broken. Omni does not wish to smile any longer, and he does not wish to present a "positive outlook" to those who destroyed his people. The voices within him do not cry to be saved. They cry to be avenged. And through the Star Couriers, Omni may finally find a way to silence the discord within. Through one species' death, another may finally find peace.
Sole@solestratego.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Suit Three: Clubs! The clubs are represented by the Star Couriers, an organization of mysterious void-like creatures that have been appearing on Centrarian colonies offering parcel delivery services. What are they? Where did they come from? Alt text for card descriptions!

The ace of clubs is indicative of the Star Couriers' obvious contrast in design sensibilities compared to the Centrarians. The Star Couriers enjoy flat design work that "gets the job done" - the sun in the background with the various lines represent the hundreds of trade lanes the Couriers have established to transport goods across the galaxy. From the center, the club "sprouts" from the ground much like how a sapling emerges from its seed - a symbol of rebirth that is contrasted by the intricate design within the shape that gives it a look like a satellite dish, a signal sent deep into space. To the Centrarians, the logo of the Star Couriers is symbolic of a rebirth of civilization after their societal collapse, a reconnection of ties long lost, and a cold efficiency that was once so familiar when Centrarian galleons roamed the stars. And they would be correct, for the most part. The Couriers would disagree on whose society is being reborn.The Jack of Clubs is represented by the Star Courier soldier. Star Couriers all have a similar look from one another, though their size and shape may differ - their entire body is a black void with two bright, pupil-less eyes peering out from the darkness. Couriers are efficient in an almost clinical manner. Though they are all capable of limited independent thought, if one looks from afar one would see how all the Couriers have a habit of acting at the same time as one another. No one has ever seen a Courier youth - yet their numbers still grow day after day on planets they have settled upon. One thing everyone can agree on is that the Courier is good at what it does. Whether it's delivering a package across the stars or enacting their will upon Centrarian populations.The Star Courier "Special Delivery" Automata is an entirely mechanical, coal-powered automaton that excels in both heavy construction and destruction projects, representing the queen of clubs. Equipped with infrared sights, pneumatic crushing claws, and a flamethrower produced by expelling internal combustion, the Special Delivery is your all-in-one solution for burning away refuse, clearing troublesome debris, and lifting heavy loads on and off cargo ships for transport. Lead Engineer Militari painstakingly crafts each automaton by hand to his own design specifications, refusing to automate the process in any way. His design aesthetic shines through in their golden armor and tailpipes, as well as their refusal to accept orders from anyone but himself and those he approves.Representing the King of Clubs, the King's Guard are the largest, most elite Star Couriers of the entire species. The King's Guards are a sect of the Couriers that are tasked with the important responsibility of the entire organization: protecting and aiding the VIP leadership, the Smilers. Secondary responsibilities include dealing justice in the name of the Couriers, including executing dissenting Centrarians who dare to threaten the company's operations. King's Guard are trained to levels comparable, and perhaps excelling, those found in the Centrarian Empire's old military academies. The regimen required for a Courier to reach the lofty ranks of a King's Guard is intense, often resulting in 75-80% casualties by the time the training is complete. Those that remain are the cream of the crop - warriors who would lay down their lives at any moment for their Smiler overlords.
Sole@solestratego.bsky.social · 3mo ago

For the past two months I've been designing an OC playing card deck. Now that the decks are ordered, I want to drip feed you guys the art! FIRST UP: HEARTS. This suit was centered around the main protagonists, the crew of the CCN Patriarch. Check their alt text for design/character explanations!

The ace of hearts - symbolically, this ace represents the Patriarch crew, and more specifically Shade's, goals and ideals. An idealized column material, representing Shade's fondness for history, forms a heart lined with waving, seeded grass - the plains outside Shade's home in Thunder Fields. The sword stabbing through the heart are the three pieces of the "Creator" sword, which is the artifact the crew wishes to find in the story. Tying the design together is Shade's blind eye in the middle - perhaps indicative of how he is blind to the struggles of such a monumental task.Slide as the Jack of Hearts spins his twin revolvers. He's street ruffian and thief who robs and kills in Center City, Centraria. By attempting to rob Shade, he is unwittingly thrown into an adventure far larger than him. His blunt attitude and "shoot first ask questions later" energy often bounces off of Shade's more relaxed, analytical nature.Athena represents the Queen of Hearts. As a giant Centrarian, Athena is larger and more powerful than other sub-species; she's more than earned her role as a gladiator on the Centrarian colony of Medium. After a chaotic first encounter with Slide, Athena chases him onto the Patriarch - and the rest is history.The King of Hearts is Shade Terran, the main character of Aftermath. A history teacher living on the origin planet of the Centrarian Empire, Centraria, his family has a long history of adventure and invention. His ship, the CCN Patriarch, is a prototype galleon that his grandfather designed as a basis for all future imperial ships. As one of the last functional vessels after the collapse of the empire, Shade has a rare opportunity to be among the first to rediscover the galaxy post-Aftermath. Shade has quite a large set of shoes to fill, and thus far he's (in his mind) squandered it at a desk. Now, he's ready to take the Patriarch out for a flight and finally earn the Terran name.
Dippy💜@dippyschtick.bsky.social · 7mo ago

I drew less than 20 images in 2025, which is an all time low for me; although, I was more focused on making physical stuff (embroidery and painting). May 2026 be the year where my doodle bug comes back 🤞

Dippy💜@dippyschtick.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Theres something about drawing each individual chain link that gives it weight that a pattern brush cant replicate Though I will never fault someone for using a pattern brush cuz THIS SCHIT HARD

BassCannon v.3.3.0@scion-xb-custom.bsky.social · last yr.

/"All Your Pain..." (part vent art, part me being intoxicated, part me listening to a song like 20+ times while intoxicated... unfortunately I'm not at the moment but when I first sketched it ..yeah... anyways, more of this creature and his emotional whiplash of a song...) #sleeptoken

"Fall into your eyes like a grave. Bury me to the sound of your name" (in case anyone was wondering...) Black and white pic of Vessel gradually being surrounded by a black, tar-like void full of many eyes. He doesn't seem to mind it much... -- well besides me being extremely upset, slightly toasty, and trying to figure out the secrets of the south side of the universe when I was sketching this, I was also listening to that song on repeat for a while. then the sketch happened. wasn't gonna work on it that much or post it (cause i def was ok leaving him nude), but I kept looking at it and I needed more distractions... note: would not recommend or risk drinking or smoking while very upset. you might have a bad time and that's no fun... :c
Dippy💜@dippyschtick.bsky.social · last yr.

Correct me if Clip does have this setting, but something that has bothered me for decades about art programs is that there’s no paint drop-off irl your brush will eventually run out of paint and you have to resupply it, I want to make my digital brush do the same (ie you have to restart the stroke)