The Thorned Vow 🌹
Character design: André Grandier
First of all, I want to clarify that this is not my fanfic; it belongs to @mk8-fic-writer .I just wanted to create this illustration because I'm loving the story so much! Personally, this is one of my favorite RoV fanfics, so I highly recommend it👌✨️
Now, let's talk: MONSIEUR GRANDIER IS HERE AAAAAA🔥👀
I'm so happy because I finished this illustration right after the new update of 'The Thorned Vow' AAAAA, so now we have a visual of how André looks in this fic! 💖✨
First of all: the uniform. OMG 🔥👀 This guy is so handsome, it's honestly unfair if you ask me, hahahah! When I first started reading this fic (around chapter 5, I think), I was so curious about how they would look. In this story, while Oscar is the Commander of the Royal Guard, André is the Commander of the French Guard. Even though he’s married to Oscar, his rank doesn’t change—he’s married to a noble, but he isn't one himself. Because of that, his uniform is less adorned compared to Oscar’s.
Beyond the uniform, drawing André himself was a challenge since I find it a bit hard to draw men. Taking inspiration from Alain’s design in 'The Glory of Napoleon'—this is my final design!
Since I have both of them in uniform now, I wanted to do a side-by-side comparison. So, here is this beautiful couple! Of course, André is taller than Oscar, even though she’s tall herself! But since her boots have heels, the height difference is less noticeable here than it would be in their casual clothes. ✨
Speaking of his casual clothes, to be honest, I'm not entirely sure if I can call this my own design since it’s basically André’s outfit from the canon manga and movie. Even though I’m not a big fan of the anime, I have to admit the look is iconic, especially from the chapter where they spend their first and only night together (manga and movie version). For this concept, I just added a belt and changed his shoes.
Before showing the comparison of them together, I want to show you how they probably looked in one of my favorite chapters—Chapter 13—when they finally declared their love for each other! Hehe. After reading it, I had this crazy idea to draw the entire scene, but when I started, I had so much trouble sticking to one style. That’s the main reason I decided to create these concept arts! So, here they are! 🥹💖
After André played the drama queen and left the Jarjayes Manor—thinking Oscar was still in love with Fersen—and Oscar found out he was gone, she almost lost her mind! She even tried to mount her horse despite being injured! Her family finally brought her to where he was working, leading to the most beautiful and hilarious declaration of love. That’s why André is in uniform while Oscar is in a dress. However, after the incident in Chapter 12, she needs to recover and has to wear dresses for a while, which is why she’s still wearing one in Chapter 17. But since André wears casual clothes in this chapter too... 👀 this is likely how they looked at that festival!
Reading the chapter and the description of the dress, I loved the change. Both dresses were originally white in my mind, but the second one—which was the inspiration for Oscar’s dress in Chapter 17 (I'm still so honored, girl! 🥹)—was blue. I think that change is perfect since the first one was already white! So, once I have time to finally paint this render, the color will definitely be blue. 🩵
And last but certainly not least, all these designs were made with love. I really wanted to draw André before his haircut, and I honestly couldn't believe I was drawing the same character!
I don’t even know where to start, but thank God Dianne took those scissors and cut his hair! 💅✂️ (Talking about the fanfic, of course). The change is INSANE! I can assure you that the body and face are exactly the same in all of these drawings—even in Oscar’s concept art. I only changed the clothes, since Oscar and André’s original designs obviously aren't mine; they belong entirely to Riyoko Ikeda. I just draw them in different outfits because it’s fun, hahahah! ✨ But it’s amazing how much a person can change because of something as simple as a haircut. I have to say, for me, André looks so much better with short hair, so: good job, Dianne! 💁♀️
With all the designs finished, I can finally start working on that scene again! I don't want to give away any more spoilers, but it takes place in Chapter 13 👀. These took me longer than I expected—sometimes imposter syndrome is hard to deal with, especially when no matter how much I try, the drawing just doesn't feel right. But I'm doing my best! 💁♀️💖
Thank you again for the recent update @mk8-fic-writer I hope you like these drawings as much as I'm loving your fics, and of course, I hope you're doing well! 🥰✨
What do you think? Let me know in the comments, I would be happy to read your thoughts! 👀✨
