A study into a few different ways I draw areolas. Transcribed from original post.
Now, I draw areolas in all shapes and sizes (trending towards big) but a few different styles have emerged over time here
These don't all have internal 'rules' the way eyelashes do -- certain things might be conjured up, but I don't have any fast contingencies on them and I'll draw the same character with different styles over different pics quite often
Plain is one I don't use often -- when it's a conscious choice it usually means less focus on nudity/eroticism. There's subtlety to it, but usually it's just because it's a quick black and white doodle that didn't bother to draw areolas
Full Circle is a pretty quick, perfunctory lookin areola, again usually B&W pics and not generally meant to be as much a focus on the erotic
Bumpy is a much more detailed variant with way more intended eroticism and I'll often use it on girls with less traditionally 'ideal' bodies to emphasize both the natural and alluring imperfections of the naked body and, often, a bit of excitement from the gal in question
Hatched is a recent style that really grew out post-tablet, and mostly in regards to Zootopia content. If it's a pic of a naked Pack Street girl, she'll probably be sporting these. It's generally meant to suggest a rosy- or earthy-colored glow against light fuzz or fur, thus the non-solid design. I like this one for being a little understated and natural, especially with anthro gals. Usually, there's no visible nipple bump, and the areola says enough by itself. But the visible variant is there, carrying a slightly different connotation. Usually more embarrassing (for visibility) or more aroused (for erect nipples) but also works on non-furry girls, typically used to suggest ruddy color/texture more than other black and white variants.
Onto the ones that use color/layering:
Subtle is one I'll again mostly use when not over-emphasizing the sexuality of nudity, or for a girl who's got a really soft complexion or understated nude.
Solid is probably the most common standard. Use in any situation.
Splotchy, like it's black and white counterpart Bumpy, is meant to match real imperfections and possibly arousal, and is something I draw much more likely (and more pronounced) the bigger the areola gets.
Sleek is just a bit of added lewdity, good for really smooth-skinned girls, lizards and the like most of all. But if I add highlights, it's usually in the form of
Shiny, which is probably my most common one for more comprehensive pics, focusing on texture and explicit detail more than the rest.
Of course, these can all mix and match. You can have a Bumpy areola that still has solid color. You can have a Splotchy areola with Shiny highlights. You can get a set that's Hatched but also given its own distinct color highlight as well.
Areolas come in many varieties, it's worth enjoying them all.
Anyway this has been another weird behind the scenes insight into my tiny artistic decisions re:character design and expression
Now, I draw areolas in all shapes and sizes (trending towards big) but a few different styles have emerged over time here
These don't all have internal 'rules' the way eyelashes do -- certain things might be conjured up, but I don't have any fast contingencies on them and I'll draw the same character with different styles over different pics quite often
Plain is one I don't use often -- when it's a conscious choice it usually means less focus on nudity/eroticism. There's subtlety to it, but usually it's just because it's a quick black and white doodle that didn't bother to draw areolas
Full Circle is a pretty quick, perfunctory lookin areola, again usually B&W pics and not generally meant to be as much a focus on the erotic
Bumpy is a much more detailed variant with way more intended eroticism and I'll often use it on girls with less traditionally 'ideal' bodies to emphasize both the natural and alluring imperfections of the naked body and, often, a bit of excitement from the gal in question
Hatched is a recent style that really grew out post-tablet, and mostly in regards to Zootopia content. If it's a pic of a naked Pack Street girl, she'll probably be sporting these. It's generally meant to suggest a rosy- or earthy-colored glow against light fuzz or fur, thus the non-solid design. I like this one for being a little understated and natural, especially with anthro gals. Usually, there's no visible nipple bump, and the areola says enough by itself. But the visible variant is there, carrying a slightly different connotation. Usually more embarrassing (for visibility) or more aroused (for erect nipples) but also works on non-furry girls, typically used to suggest ruddy color/texture more than other black and white variants.
Onto the ones that use color/layering:
Subtle is one I'll again mostly use when not over-emphasizing the sexuality of nudity, or for a girl who's got a really soft complexion or understated nude.
Solid is probably the most common standard. Use in any situation.
Splotchy, like it's black and white counterpart Bumpy, is meant to match real imperfections and possibly arousal, and is something I draw much more likely (and more pronounced) the bigger the areola gets.
Sleek is just a bit of added lewdity, good for really smooth-skinned girls, lizards and the like most of all. But if I add highlights, it's usually in the form of
Shiny, which is probably my most common one for more comprehensive pics, focusing on texture and explicit detail more than the rest.
Of course, these can all mix and match. You can have a Bumpy areola that still has solid color. You can have a Splotchy areola with Shiny highlights. You can get a set that's Hatched but also given its own distinct color highlight as well.
Areolas come in many varieties, it's worth enjoying them all.
Anyway this has been another weird behind the scenes insight into my tiny artistic decisions re:character design and expression
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