Hey all hivers.. miss you alot. š„°ā¤ļø
It's been a long time since i post something about the contest..
I recently participated in the Splinterlands Art Contest hosted on Hive, where I submitted my original character design, "Aquatus." The entire process, from the initial sketch to the final touches, was both challenging and rewarding. For this project, I used Autodesk Sketchbook, a digital art software that offers a wide range of brushes and tools perfect for bringing fantasy characters to life.
My drawing steps .. hope you enjoy watching all the steps : š
The Orginal card :
The Drawing Process
Creating Aquatus took me approximately two and a half hours of focused work. I began by sketching the basic outline, paying close attention to the characterās proportions and dynamic pose. Since Splinterlands features a unique fantasy aesthetic, I wanted my design to align with the gameās style while also adding my own creative flair.
Using layers in Sketchbook, I refined the sketch, gradually adding details such as armor textures, flowing water elements (to match Aquatusās aquatic theme), and intricate shading. One of the most time-consuming aspects was perfecting the lighting to give the character a sense of depth and dimension. I experimented with different brush strokes to achieve a balance between a hand-drawn feel and a polished digital finish.
Final Adjustments in Photo Editing Software
Once the illustration was complete in Sketchbook, I moved to photo editing software (such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom) to enhance the final output. The goal was to make the colors more vibrant and the shadows more defined. I adjusted the saturation to make the blues and greens pop, reinforcing the watery theme of the character. Additionally, I fine-tuned the contrast and shadows to give the artwork a more dramatic and professional look.
This step was crucial because small adjustments in color balance and lighting can significantly impact the overall mood of the piece. Since Splinterlands has a rich, bold art style, I wanted to ensure that Aquatus would stand out in the contest while staying true to the gameās visual identity.
Why I Chose This Approach
Digital art allows for incredible flexibility, and using Sketchbook for the initial drawing gave me the freedom to experiment without limitations. The ability to undo strokes, work in layers, and adjust opacity made the process smoother. However, I believe that post-processing in photo editing software is just as important as the drawing itself. It helps unify the colors, correct minor imperfections, and enhance the artworkās overall appeal.
Participating in the Splinterlands Art Contest
The Splinterlands Art Contest on Hive is a fantastic opportunity for artists to showcase their skills and engage with a community of fellow creators and gamers. I wanted my submission to reflect both my personal style and the essence of Splinterlandsā fantasy universe. Designing Aquatus was an exciting challenge, and Iām proud of how the character turned out.
Lessons Learned and Future Improvements
This project taught me the importance of time management in digital art. While two and a half hours might seem like a short time for some artists, working efficiently under a self-imposed deadline helped me stay focused. In the future, I might spend more time on background elements or additional details to make the piece even more immersive.
Overall, creating Aquatus was a fulfilling experience, and I look forward to participating in more art contests within the Hive and Splinterlands communities. The combination of Sketchbook for drawing and photo editing tools for refinements proved to be an effective workflow, and Iād highly recommend it to other digital artists.
Thanks for reading dear friends.... ā¤ļøā¤ļø
Drawing by : #mrzeus
Aquatus looks amazing! Love the details and the use of Autodesk Sketchbook! Good luck in the contest! šØāØ
Thanks a lot for your support.. Glad that you liked it. ā¤ļøā¤ļø
Thanks for sharing! - @cieliss
