Runaway Princess #22 Waddling Wasteland

I recently bought two illustration books by Simon Stålenhag, and they’ve been incredibly inspiring. But neither I nor my princess share that kind of melancholic tone—even in a rusty wasteland. The rubber ducks were intentionally rendered in bold colors to inject a sense of playfulness into an otherwise obsolete and broken world. I added detail to the background robots but softened their contrast to avoid distraction. Each of their hollow sockets was sealed with button-like covers that double as flashlight windows—pursuing the princess just as she’s about to escape. My favorite part is the reflection effect on the old-fashioned sidecar; it gives the composition a touch of realism. This is the second time I’ve drawn this particular outfit—I love the contrast between the structured leather corselet and the flowing chiffon skirt. But stepping back to the core idea: does a wasteland have to be foggy and desaturated? Must bleakness always be muted?