rose bleeds red.
book one of the rbr duology
Rose Bleeds Red was inspired by an old sketch I made back in 2009. I found it tucked away in a folder of unfinished work, and when I pulled it out for a design study, it unexpectedly sparked an entire concept rooted in Japanese folklore and their interpretations of witchcraft.
This is a vampire series—but not like the ones you’ve seen before. I wanted to take a different approach.
Set in a contemporary world, the duology blends modern fashion—seen in Rose’s styling—with dark, moody tones that hint at its core themes: witchcraft, blood, and the monstrous beauty of the unknown.
Concept
The moment Rose was created, I knew she was of Japanese descent. Originally, the story was set in the 1900s—a classic, gothic vampire backdrop. But everything changed when I envisioned the main love interest, Jordin Fox. His presence shifted the setting into a modern, contemporary world.
Curious about the presence of witches and vampires in Japanese folklore, I began researching—and discovered that they do exist, just differently. Kitsune—mythical fox spirits often tied to witches—share traits with vampires and sometimes serve as their familiars or agents. That idea fascinated me, and it became the foundation for how witchcraft and vampirism are explored in the story.
Character Design
Jordin and Rose are bound by fate—a witch and the fox spirit who serves her. Their connection begins with reluctant admiration—only to realize too late that they should’ve kept their distance.
Jordin, a half-vampire, blends into the human world while remaining tethered to the vampire gang he’s reluctant to serve. His design reflects that conflict: modern and reserved.
Rose, in contrast, is designed with understated beauty and quiet maturity. Her visual aesthetic reflects her heritage and inner strength: clean silhouettes, and semi-formal attire. They hide her sharp wit and sass.
Rose’s look is inspired by this photo. Actress/model unknown.
concept art
Original sketch from 2009. Using it for a redesign study evolved the personal drawing into a story’s lead character.
Merchandise
These pin designs aren’t tied directly to the story, but I thought they’d make a fun addition to include alongside it. The fictional pin company, Fox & Rose, established in 1873, is a subtle nod to Jordin’s half-vampire heritage—even if he isn’t actually that old in the current setting of the novel.
I created the designs using Affinity Designer during a weekend ski trip to Jasper in 2022.