Apian Epaulette (commission)

Many months ago I was commissioned (again) to make a series of Discord server icons. This is the same client who previously commissioned such gems as Enraptured Athoracophoridae and Erudite Australopithecus, so I knew I was going to be in for something interesting. Just like last time, I was given a list of phrases whose words started with E and A, then asked to illustrate them. I was given minimal direction other than the occasional explanation when I asked what some of the words meant.

This is the first one I drew, back in late March. Apian means “pertaining to bees,” and an epaulette is a kind of clothing worn on the shoulder with tassels that’s often used to show one’s military rank. Conveniently, many military epaulettes and many bees have black and yellow stripes, so an apian epaulette really is a match made in heaven.

If you’re curious what rank this shows, it is that of a Royal Navy Captain.