Retro scenecore

Lately, I've been completely obsessed with diving deeper into the worlds of scenecore and kidcore, especially as I work on new character designs! It's been so much fun exploring these aesthetics, and I wanted to share a bit more about what makes them so unique and how I approach incorporating them into my art. For those curious about scenecore, it’s a vibrant, internet-born aesthetic that really takes inspiration from the early 2000s scene subculture but cranks up the digital, maximalist energy. Think bold, clashing colors, neon accents, and lots of digital art influences. When I'm drawing scenecore characters, I always imagine them in outfits that are a riot of bright colors – often pinks, purples, electric blues, and lime greens, much like the palette I used for those character sketches you might have seen! Accessories are key too: chunky jewelry, bandanas, and anything that screams 'personalized and loud.' The art style itself often incorporates elements like glitch effects, pixel art, and even retro computer desktop vibes, which I love playing with in my digital creations. It’s all about expressing yourself in the most eye-popping way possible. Then we have kidcore, which my girlfriend totally rocks! This style is all about embracing childhood nostalgia and innocence, but with a playful, often ironic twist. It’s filled with primary colors, cartoon characters, nostalgic toys, and a general air of whimsical fun. For kidcore outfits, I picture bright, comfy clothes, maybe a green shirt with some playful vine patterns or overalls adorned with patches. It's less about matching and more about curating a collection of happy, childlike elements. The simplicity and joy of kidcore make it a fantastic contrast when paired with something like scenecore in an art piece, creating a really dynamic visual story. A common question I hear is, what's the difference between scene and scenecore? It can be confusing! From my perspective, the original 'scene' subculture from the 2000s was more focused on music, fashion, and social gatherings, with a distinct emo/punk influence in its styling – think teased hair, skinny jeans, band tees, and heavy eyeliner. Scenecore, on the other hand, is generally seen as its internet-era evolution. It leans heavily into digital art, meme culture, and a more exaggerated, almost cartoonish version of the bright colors and patterns. While scene might have worn a band tee, scenecore would pair it with rainbow zebra print leggings and a glitch art background. It’s less about a specific music genre and more about a visual, digital aesthetic. My art often reflects this distinction, using elements like those rainbow zebra print backgrounds from the OCR to really emphasize the digital, almost surreal quality of scenecore. When I’m creating scenecore characters or designing scenecore outfits, I start by thinking about a character’s personality. Are they rebellious? Playful? A bit chaotic? This helps me pick their color palette – usually 3-4 super bright, clashing colors. Then I layer on textures and patterns: stripes, polka dots, animal prints, and even pixelated elements. For accessories, I go for oversized glasses, studded belts, and lots of bangles. My recent sketches, especially the ones I drafted in 'Paint' programs on a retro desktop emulator, were all about experimenting with these ideas. It's truly a creative playground, and I can't wait to explore more scenecore and kidcore art styles in my upcoming projects!