This is the classic example of an idea that has gone too far, started with a very quick sketch while I was stuck in another project, and eventually became something much bigger. The general idea was "what if there was a planet/dimension where the Grim Reapers came, and they had to train to win their skills" so I imagined a kind of Agoge as training, when they are young they are isolated from their society and have to survive on their own until they reach adulthood. Varnos is near the end of this journey, his medallion and the mark on his arm were given to him at birth, being brands that represent his family, they shine everytime he enters in combat.

The first sketch and some variations

After I have made the 3D version of the character I made this sketch as a guide to myself for the tone of the scene

I was struggling with the mark on his arm, at the end I remembered the original project I was stuck and use it for the medallion and the mark.

Some blendshapes I created for the head.

The medallion, the sword and the mark on his arm(without glow) in detail

Some ideas that didn't worked as it should on the final product