Art by DollceDrawsAfterDark

DollceDrawsAfterDark - Zoro In Shibari 1

 I'm always extolling the virtue of simplicity in bondage art and that principle seems even more appropriate when the bondage being depicted is itself extremely complex. That shown here seems to be geared here to a suspension arrangement which requires proper body support since a failure would discomfort binder and bound alike. The loose arm restraint here allows for a certain amount of self control and protection but would be an irritating tease of freedom to most men.

DollceDrawsAfterDark - Zoro In Shibari 2

This companion study has a similar 'hands up' arrangement but with much less freedom. Sweat drips from him as he strains against it. This character, Zoro, has demonic eyes and a long scar across his torso which gives him a dangerous, other-worldly air, even in restraint.

Sanji - Blow The Cook

Sanji is a softer character with unruly, blond hair, he likes to cook and sometimes cross-dress.

Sanji in oversized shirt

He has a daring, unconventional sense of style.

But it does not obscure his sexuality.

Sanji in Bondage

Given those qualities, being tied up, plugged and groped seems a particularly perverse misfortune for him. That seems to be reflected in the blush that has suffused his face. The wrist bondage here seems tokenistic but his hands are raised above his head too offering what appears to be an invitation to sample his body. Of course, it's possible there may be a restraining tether attached to the harness at the back that forces him to hold them this way. 

In another artist's hands this image would be filled with writhing tentacles, eager to take advantage of their mesmerised prey. As it is however, Sanji merely has to contend with a couple of groping hands.

These disembodied hands are a recent innovation in fetish art which I don't really 'get'. I suppose they might represent many things - the imaginings of himself or of someone who desires him from afar, a magical assault, an attempt to represent what he feels during a bondage scene or simply a practical way of preventing the assailant from obscuring our view. All good stuff but it simply doesn't work for me, it just seems too reminiscent of 'Thing' and quite unreal, particularly as his body isn't really reacting to them.

Sanji - The Hanged Man

According to the artist, Sanji's innermost being is that of the willing victim, 

characterised by this image by the Tarot card of 'The Hanged Man'. 

Notice his somewhat feminine collar.

I think those red loops are knots by the way, not scissors 

or perhaps it's a deliberate ambiguity.

Zoro tied and kissed

This is a more interesting angle on bondage for me. 

The stronger character tied up and worshipped by his adoring friend.

 

 It illustrates the fundamental ambiguity of bondage, that a bound man can be punished with pain or explored and loved and even sexually used by his captor and whether he likes it or not, he can do virtually nothing to prevent it.

Zoro and his vibrator.

This artist explores the nature of men in a wide-ranging way. 

Zoro is shown as a adventurous man in the non-sexual sense but also one able to explore his sexuality.

Here he is wearing frilly, skimpy knickers and enjoying the buzz of a vibrating dildo, in private.

Zoro dons a G-string

He can even be persuaded to wear a girlie, pink G-string in public, 

even though it plainly runs counter to his his natural instincts. 

He might be reassured if he could see how sexy it looks.

 

I find this simple image of growth and self-discovery very charming.

~

 

You can follow the adventures of Zoro and Sanji at the links below.

As you might have guessed, it's not predominately male and gender ambiguity abounds.

DollceDraws@Twitter
DollceDraws @Tumblr