Final Submission
SUPPORTING MATERIAL
Design Progression
Link to an animation of my progress from sketch to finished artwork:
(Click the thumbnail for the full-size animation)
Link to full-resolution finished artwork
Description
I was inspired to make this Fairy Seahorse design by imagining it as a "Protector of Atlantis". I pulled from many references to seahorses (water), armored warhorses (defensive) and also racehorses (fast) to come up with the basic body shape and pose. The colorful wings are based on the shells of
Calico Scallops, which have naturally beautiful pink, orange, and red patterns that I think go great with the colorful fairy look I am going for with this design.
I really liked playing with the connotations and contradictions associated with seahorses for this design. In the real world, seahorses are known for being very slow and fragile creatures. But actual horses, like racehorses and warhorses that I was using for inspiration, are the complete opposite -- they are very fast and sturdy! I like how the real pokemon game sometimes plays with contradictions, like making Accelgor one of the fastest pokemon in the dex, even though it is based on a snail, which is synonymous with slowness. So this Atlantean seahorse design continues in that line of fun contradictory imagery and inspiration.
I've enjoyed making this design and using it as an experiment in making 3D models to help with the posing and proportions, and also using a more painterly art technique. The end result is intentionally a very detailed artwork, that isn't quite as "cartoony" as my normal style. I hope you like it!
