This is a fake screenshot created to emulate the feel of old VHS/TV cartoons from the 80s, featuring my characters Mel and Mark, having a humorous interaction inside Mark’s presidential mansion.
Mark’s entertaining, honest and morally grey but silly personality clashing with Mel’s realistic, pessimistic and judgy demeanor are what makes this artwork memorable and fun to look at.
The style of the old cartoon emulation was directly inspired by Randie, @that_tea_child on Instagram! She had been very fascinated by old 80s-90s stuff too, and explored fake screenshots in her art a lot. I really liked what she did, and I tried to make my own fake screenshots in my own style after watching her for a while.
She is also a good friend of mine, despite us being a bit distant these days due to us not being on the same platform to talk anymore. I hope she is doing well!
Facts about this piece
- The mansion in which the scene is set is called Mark’s Mansion, but it’s actually Hans’ Mansion. Hans is the democrator of Dogean Republic, the nation where Mark and Mel live, and that’s his presidential mansion.
- The framed painting in the fake screenshot is a 2024 drawing I made of Mark using his helium bending powers. It’s titled Mark Flying 2024, and it’s a recreation of one of the first-ever drawings of Mark as a gas person to have ever existed.
- The blue panel on top of the coffee table in the background is a hologram projector stand, where small to medium-sized holograms would usually be projected from, like magazines, voice or video calls and other portable media. Mark would enjoy using it while relaxing on the couch.
- Mel is shirtless, not because he is warm or feeling feisty, but because he feels uncomfortable when clothed, as he doesn’t like the sensory feeling of fabric rubbing and getting stuck on the keys on his body.
- Mark is not mid-jump in the fake screenshot. He is floating, and it’s something he can do carelessly without thinking about it, as it’s part of his gas person nature.
- “And I ate all the balloons!” is not just a gag line, but it’s describing part of Mark’s gas person diet, where he will literally consume helium as his main source of energy, and rubber as an extra treat and source of nutrients his body needs.