Heya, all!
I am happy to say that I got the 1st place this time. 😁 And congrats to all the winners, wohoo! 🎶 For this week, I chose Mantoid to draw.
Hmm, on another topic, how are you guys planning for the coming holiday? For my non-Christian friends, how do u want to end your 2025? I do hope you fulfilled most of your resolutions for 2025.
"A Mantoid is a skinny insect, resembling a praying mantis, about the size of a Goblin’s head. As it approaches its prey, the Mantoid may tilt its head inquisitively from side to side and rub its front legs together. The head tilting is actually an esophageal stretch as the Mantoid prepares to eat something wider than its throat. What looks like leg rubbing is actually the systematic sharpening of a thousand tiny razors, preparing them to cut through flesh like butter." more of the lore here
Art Process
- sketch and lineart
It is hard for me to imagine the anatomy of any insect. Tiny creatures with multiple legs, hehe. I cannot remember the last time I saw a real mantis (Or did I ever see one in real life?😆), and so I searched for refs from Google and Pinterest. Looking at this card, the creature has six legs. On a blank canvas, I used a blue pen to start with the sketch. I chose a pose that would be easier for me to draw. It would take a lot of time for the sketch alone if I chose a complicated angle.
- base color and initial shading
For the base color, I just wanted to be as close to the original art. I used the tool called the color picker to copy the original colors. This tool is helpful if I am not sure what the undertone of a color is. I then added another layer for the base color. I then separated the different parts so that it would be easier for me to clip another shade. I chose shades that are close to green and yellow. After finishing the subject, I moved on to the little branch. I used a dark brown color and then manually applied some textures onto it. I then added a darker brown for the shadow. I chose a brown color for the background for now.
Final Art
In the background, I drew some diagonal and straight lines for the little branches. I thought of making the leaves in different colors for contrast. Some were lighter than the other to make a depth. I was indecisive whether to keep the background not blur or blur. But, yeah, Blur won, haha! To complete the scene, I added some bokeh nuances just on the background. Though this art is simple and straightforward, I am happy to finish it today and move on to my NFT project. I wanted to at least mint four NFTs for the Christmas season. Right now I have two NFTs minted, hehe. I do really hope that I can mint for two before Christmas comes.
I had fun making this fan art! 😁
Tadaaa! I hope I imparted some knowledge through my art process! 😊 Feel free to ask anything in the comment section, and I will answer to the best of my skill!! 🥳💕
Software: Clip Studio Paint Pro
That is it for this art blog. I will see you at the next one!
📸 All photos are owned and taken by me, otherwise credited. ©️jijisaurart
💖 NFT Showroom: Chibis on Hive
🖌 Open for commissions!!! 😊
Here is the reference