Inktober 2025 – Day 22 : Button
“Button” is such a harmless word. It implies fastening a shirt, a small detail, or perhaps something “cute as a button.” But in the realm of dark art, even the smallest details can scream. For Day 22, I wanted to subvert that cuteness and turn a functional object into a focal point of horror.
I created this character to embody the feeling of a manic asylum attendant or a twisted orderly. The silhouette is rigid—tall, thin, and stretched—but the energy is chaotic. I wanted him to look like he’s trying very hard to appear polite with those clasped hands, while his eyes betray absolute madness.
The prompt, “Button,” is realized in the fasteners of his smock. Instead of plastic discs, his coat is held together by three grinning skulls. It’s a small detail that tells you everything you need to know about his “profession.” If those buttons ever pop open, I don’t think anything good will come out.
I stuck to a strict limited palette for this one. The heavy use of red on the striped sleeves, neck, and socks gives him a carnival-punk aesthetic, contrasting sharply with the clinical white of the coat. The red eyes lock onto the viewer, ensuring you can’t look away. It’s a blend of Tim Burton-esque whimsy and genuine unease.
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