Bristleboar α

WE'VE FINALLY DONE IT! DAY 31! WE'VE FINISHED AN ART CHALLENGE ON TIME THIS YEAR! 🤯😱🎉

The savage Bristleboar α is another boss monster our protagonists will encounter in the Aether at some point. I first doodled this before when I made the original Bristleboar post days ago.

Good lord. With this posted, this effectively marks the end of a month-long journey. I can also confidently say that, for the first time in all the years I've been doing these art challenges, I have finally finished a self-imposed art challenge without allowing it to stretch a single day further for whatever reason.

I'll have a follow-up post to this last one to wrap up the art challenge properly in the next few days. For now, allow me to bask in the dopamine coming from the knowledge that I persevered and saw an art challenge to its completion... On time, for once. 😎

Sabergriff

Oh god, we've made it to Day 30... 😩 It's been a long time coming, guys! Just one more to go! 🎇

I am still rather conflicted with this monster's name; I spent a great deal of time trying to figure out what I should name it, and even then just Sabergriff doesn't seem to cut it. Nonetheless, I'll be calling it that for now, and perhaps later on I'll have a better name to christen this beast with.

Knight's Vow

OH MY GOD, doesn't this just look something straight out of a webtoon?? 😱

Today's entry isn't something for my bestiary this time! We feature the Valkyrie knight Emeline reaffirming her sworn oath to her liege and to her people. I didn't want to linger too heavily on this so I can maintain the course of my art challenge and end on time this year. But HOO BOY HOT DAMN seeing this scene does get me pretty hyped about trying to make the Aether and Radisrol into a graphic novel ✨

Aer Slimes

HOLY SHIT WE'VE ALMOST CAUGHT UP! 😱

I actually didn't want to make this sheet for the Aer Slimes because it felt like a really half-assed entry. All I had to do was make these circles and blobs, add a few details here and there, and call it a day. It didn't sit well with me to create something that wasn't as complex as other anatomy pieces or my maps.

I decided to do it anyway though because it's the first monster featured in my bestiary and it bothered me that it didn't have a character sheet of its own yet. And despite how simple the design is, it is technically still content for my fantasy story...

Sporepuff

Here's the Sporepuff for Day 27! Its growth stages are from right to left, for those who weren't sure. 😋

I had another monster called a Misty Spirit in mind when I first started this piece. It was supposed to look similar to the Pilsbury dough boy, but it would have some wavy hair and the whole body would be in this faded blue and white gradient. Then I became indecisive about if I wanted to make this into a Misty Spirit or use what I had to design a Sporepuff instead. I clearly chose the latter. 😝

The Misty Spirit will get its own design someday, just not today. 😅

Patchwork

I'm slowly catching up to those missed days, guys. 😰

Here's a demon monster for the bestiary! Its original name was Little Devil, but I decided that was too braindead basic for me. Patchwork sounds much nicer. It contrasts so well with its malicious nature too. 😊

Earthshaker

Day 25! The Earthshaker is one of the boss monsters Etherei and Zephyr encounter in the Aethersphere. He's a real big boye, ain't he?

Argentosaurus

Oh, finally, a monster that looks anything but harmless compared to the last three. 😂

I'm really enjoying all these monster entries. It's a really good way to get comfortable drawing animals and various body types. 😌 It's also fun when I add each page into my monster bestiary in Campfire Pro; whenever I click on one monster's name, their reference sheet just pops up like a Pokédex entry and it's just really cool to see. 😆

Sky Eels

Introducing Sky Eels! They look a little derpy, don't they? They're just the type of easy meal Swoopers like... Until the birds get fried because they didn't kill their prey fast enough to stop their defensive electrical discharging. ⚡

Swooper

Still more monsters for Day 22 👀

Swoopers are the Pidgeys and Starlys of the Aether. On a regular day you'll find them in flocks flying across the Cloudsea.

Cloudhares

For Day 21, we have another monster from the Aethersphere! These Cloudhares are cute yet cautious creatures. Even though they can fight back against their attackers, they will normally choose to avoid conflict and flee from threats as much as possible.

Oh, boy. We're reaching that point in the challenge when my number of missed days are starting to increase 😰 But I must persevere ✨

Zephyr (2022) - Concept 2

Another poster for Day 20, featuring Zephyr with a slightly modified design from her old design from January.

I'm much more satisfied with her design here. I reverted the pauldron's material from a leather to metal. The boots are definitely much better than the old ones; they look like actual boots this time and I put in effort in drawing the laces. Her design now looks much more balanced, thanks mostly to the brown part I added on her top.

I've reached the point where I feel wholly comfortable with her current design enough that I don't want to change anything any time soon. I'd even be perfectly content with this being her final design moving forward.

Bristleboars

Oh, we're back to the old format again. Except today we feature a monster!

Bristleboars are like your regular boar but it gores much worse and shoots needles. Steer clear when you see one!

Ashwood Forest - Area Map

Another overhead map? Let's go, y'all. 😎

This is a map of the Ashwood Forest, directly connected to the village of Plume. It's a pretty simple and straightforward area; if the story was to be developed as a game, this forest would be the first dungeon the player would end up going to for their first quest.

Otherworldly Travelers

Now, wouldn't this make for a good cover for, say, a manga volume? 😏

I made sketches of these two several years ago with almost the exact same composition: Etherei with his sword in front like that and Zephyr standing behind him, back turned to the viewer and peering over her shoulder (or looking from the side) while the Sanguine manifests from her fists and left eye.

Needless to say, it's another one of those I-can't-believe-I-can-finally-see-this-shit-in-digital art pieces. 😋

Plume - Town Map

Breaking away again from my usual format, I feature this top-down town map of the village of Plume in the Aethersphere. This is the first village Etherei and Zephyr go to following their fateful meeting on one of the floating islands southwest of the village.

I feel much better about this piece compared to the one yesterday... Good grief.

I'm also giddy about those tiny map icons I made for various places 🧭

Tower of Ascension

The Tower of Ascension is a relic of a time long past. Once a site of worship to the Exalted, it is said to have been where the first Aetherians descended to the world of Radisrol. This first descent would mark the beginning of the most prosperous time in history for both worlds: the Golden Age of Radisrol.

Following the Cataclysm, this very same tower would be where fleeing Aetherians sought refuge from the enraged Radisrolians, who had shunned them for inadvertently releasing the Shadow Flux into the world. The Aetherians retreated back to their lands in the skies above, never again returning to the land below.

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For day 15, I made this not-so-serious attempt at a landscape. I'm actually not particularly happy with this painting, mainly because of the shape of the tower. I think I'll have to eventually come back to this at some point and do it again when I'm not so time-pressured.

Female Wyrmidon Anatomy

Goddamn, this one took a lot longer than I would have hoped 😩 But it's finished! For day 14, we have female Wyrmidon anatomy, featuring Viresco. Seeing her in this form is so good 😍

This Emerald form is Viresco's base Wyrmidon form, and therefore doesn't have any particular affinity to the Aether elements. It does, though, lean more towards the Terra element because of her poison abilities.

Aether Elements

What's a fantasy world without magic, amirite?

For Day 13 we have something relatively simple: symbols of each of the four Aether Elements! Each of the elements specialize in a particular kind of secondary trait in addition to their main type of magic.

They are called Aether Elements because during the Golden Age of Radisrol--when the Aetherians first descended from the firmament and made first contact with the Radisrolians--the Aetherians brought with them the knowledge of how to wield these elements. Collectively, magics and skills classified under these elements are referred to as Aether Arts.

Male Wyrmidon Anatomy

We're back doing anatomy for Day 12 and we have this model of a male Wyrmidon 🐉

Wyrmidons are half-human, half dragons from the continent of Altana. They can transform into mighty dragons in addition to this base Wyrmidon form. I will feature those various forms in future posts. 😎

This was meant to be a character from the story but I eventually settled for just leaving this as a nameless NPC. Perhaps I'll give this model a name later on.

Crivalese Cuisine

Crivalese Cuisine has arrived for Day 11! Crivalis in the Aether and Radisrol is a snowy, arctic continent, and very little grows in the frigid climate. Nonetheless, they have their own fair share of culinary culture, though not as refined as that of Rodfalk's. Below lists a description of each item:

• Smørrebrød

Open-faced sandwich featuring a variety of fish, vegetables, eggs and others on a piece of rye bread.

• Roasted Mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms are skewered and roasted over a campfire.

• Frost Bee Honey

Honey harvested from Frost Bees. Only commonly produced in Raevkirk and is difficult to find further into Crivalis.

• Gravlax

A massive salmon fillet covered in rock salt collected from the Agate Coast, dill herbs, and powdered crystals of hardened Frost Bee Honey. The fillet is left to air dry for five days before consumption. Served in individual slices.

• Mushroom Stew

Minced mushrooms boiled in Crivalese sheep milk or soup stock and seasoned.

• Bearcicle Stew

Stew made from the meat and bones of a Bearcicle. Because Bearcicle meat is naturally frozen, it needs to be boiled for several hours before it can be properly eaten. Oftentimes among tribesmen, this dish is made with other members of the community to save time and resources.

• Baked Sweet Potatoes

Clay oven baked potatoes either eaten by itself or paired with most Crivalese cuisine.

• Smoked Rubian Herring

A smoked herring caught from Lake Rubius. In recent times, the herring has become extremely difficult to find.

• Cod Jerky

Salt-cured cod strips left to air dry for a week. Used as a travel ration by most Crivalese tribesmen.

• Skathost

A creamy cheese with an orange rind made with Skathi sheep's milk.

• Skathi Lamb Leg

Salt and pepper-rubbed Skathi lamb legs smoked for 8-10 hours. Best smoked over burning oak or maple wood. Served with roasted garlic, mushrooms, and potatoes.

• Swordfish Steak

A huge grilled steak from the blue Selken swordfish. The swordfish itself can only be found in the waters of the Tailfin Ice Floes.

• Crivalis' Finest

Mead made from the crystal clear waters of Lake Saphira, winterberries from the Emer Forest, and Frost Bee Honey from the village of Raevkirk. Sweet but dry.

• Rembrandt's Pride

Brewed beer made from hardy hops that grow in the outskirts of Rembrandt. This hearty beverage is distributed throughout the villages and settlements throughout Crivalis.

Crivalese Tribal Crests

For Day 10, I feature the crests of each of the five tribes of Crivalis. Each tribe represents a specific animal and embodies the values each tribe upholds. Much like the Luxor, they feature these crests onto woven banners that hang on poles all around their settlements.

The Ber Tribe is represented by a bear, who embodies brute strength and fortitude.

The Raev Tribe is represented by a fox, who embodies swiftness and cunningness.

The Wulf Tribe is represented by a wolf, who embodies ferocity and bravery.

The Selkie Tribe is represented by a seal, who embodies intellect and adaptability.

The Jorr Tribe is represented by a boar, who embodies determination and tenacity.

Valkyrie Anatomy

For day 9, I attempt to catch up to my missed day of Conceptober and feature Valkyrie anatomy! Today's featured model is Emeline, a member of the Queen's Chosen: a squad of four elite Valkyrie warriors personally handpicked by the Valkyrie Queen herself.

I'd say their anatomy is pretty straightforward. 😋

Rodfalkian Culinary Delights

For Day 8 (though, again, late), we have this list of featured dishes and beverages from Rodfalk! Below is a list detailing each food item:

• Stuffed Milkfish

Traditional Rukhan dish. Caught milkfish are sliced open and their guts are removed. The fish is seasoned with salt inside and out before being stuffed with onions and tomatoes. The fish is then grilled.

• Aquilean Breakfast

A simple breakfast meal of honey or maple toast slices, sunny-side up eggs, ham, bacon, and a side of fruit jam.

• Panna Cotta

A gelatinous dessert dish made with milk, sugar and Slime Jelly. Sometimes infused with fruits or even coffee.

• Thothus Curry

An aromatic curry filled with various spices and often cooked with Camello meat. Often paired with flatbread or rice pilaf.

• Deviled Eggs

Boiled eggs are halved and their hardened yolks are collected and mixed into a mayonnaise to become a viscous paste. This paste is then piped into the halved egg whites, chilled using Aquan Arts, and served dusted with paprika.

• Griffenroast

A stuffed turkey seasoned with crushed pepper and herbs, and slow-roasted on a spit for several hours. Often served with mashed potatoes and cranberries, and is a staple at every household during a festival.

• Rosemary Lamb Chops

Lamb chops baked with rosemary and garlic in a clay pot.

• Sweet-Toothed Boar

Roasted boar meat covered in a sweet-savory glaze made with sugar, garlic, onions, and stock made with boar bones.

• Emu Drumsticks

A massive, roasted emu leg. Distinctly gamey and somewhat difficult to chew.

• Clam Chowder

A creamy soup dish made with clams, celery, milk and carrots. The clams are harvested off the coast of Peregrine.

• Eggs Benedict

Poached egg on a brioche bun with a slice of ham or bacon.

• Mussels Peregrine

Fresh mussels baked with small chunks of cheese and butter, dusted with parsley shavings.

• Serine Brew

Beer brewed from hops grown in the farmlands of Serine. This is the most commonly-produced beer throughout Rodfalk.

• Vin de Garde

Grapes harvested from the Altair vineyards were processed to make this signature Rodfalkian wine, which comes in white, red, and rosé. These wines are full-bodied and the reds have a particularly strong smell. These wines are widely distributed althroughout the continent.

• Venerentia

A light, crisp lager first brewed by Valkyrian Church devouts who grew their hops along the mountainsides of the Peregrine Pass. This eventually became a huge hit in Peregrine, eventually making its way to becoming a staple at Aquilean and Griffenberg bars. The lager was eventually named Venerentia, as the cultists initially offered this as a drink to their venerated Valkyries during their religious gatherings.

Restoratives

Journeying across the Aether and Radisrol can become perilous. Make sure you're well-stocked up for your next adventure! Here is a list of restorative items and their uses.

• Herb - Restores 10% HP.
• Potion - Restores 25% HP.
• Antidote - Cleanses poison from your body.
• Hi-Potion - Restores 50% HP.
• Mega Potion - Restores 75% HP.
• Elixir - Fully restores HP and MP.
• Frost Bee Honey - Restores 50% HP and cleanses status conditions.
• Mana Shard - Restores 25% MP.
• Mana Crystal - Restores 50% MP.
• Eye Drops - Removes blindness.
• Eterna's Mercy - Revives a downed ally.
• Softener - Removes stun, paralysis, and petrification.
• Panacea - Removes all status conditions.
• Relaxant - Removes berserk.
• Throat Syrup - Removes silence.
• Omamori - Using this on a single character will allow them to endure the next fatal strike they receive.
• Tent - Set up camp for the night. Restores HP and MP on the World Map.
• Igusa no Mizu - Pure, clear water. Restores the HP and MP of all party members, and cleanses all status conditions.

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Today, we have something with a little more color 👀 Here are restorative items from the Aether and Radisrol! Featuring just one of these didn't sit well with me so I featured them all together.

Female Ehn'Gu Anatomy

For day 6, I feature female Ehn'Gu anatomy, the model being Aiko, a kunoichi who fought beside Takakura when they were younger.

Honestly, I should just create nothing but anatomy sheets for the entirety of Conceptober. 😂 They're so relaxing and easy to make since there's a load less brainstorming involved in the process, unlike architecture. Of course I'd like to feature other things, though...

Male Ehn'Gu Anatomy

For day 5, we have another as-of-yet unfeatured character, the Ehn'Gu Takakura, mentioned previously as being Viresco's stepfather.

There'll be a lot more characters to be featured thanks to these anatomy sheets I'm making for the non-human races 😄 But first I need to really keep up with my schedule before I end up being two days late for a submission or something again 😩

Argentine Architecture

Today (although late by 2 hours or so 😅), I feature some structures iconic of the floating continent of Argent. Blue and white-painted homes and wind turbines are what define the continent's unique architecture.

Female Enerhija Anatomy

Much like humans, there are apparent distinctions between male and female Enerhija. While males have bulker and sturdier bodies, females have slender limbs, curvier hips, and thicker thighs. In fact, their limbs better resemble that of human females', though their hands, wrists and feet are much smaller.

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It's day 3 of Conceptober! As mentioned yesterday, we're featuring the anatomy of female Enerhija today. The model for this one is Etherei's sister, Hailey, whom I've yet to feature in any content save for this one. 👀 She'll have her day in a proper standalone piece at some point. ✌

Male Enerhija Anatomy

The Enerhija are beings made of pure energy created by Helio, the Essence of Will amongst the Pantheon of Exalted. They developed to become akin to shorter humans, but with a few notable differences, the most obvious of which being their colorful hair and large, glowing eyes. Males are easy to spot with their enlarged forearms and calves.

Despite their short stature, the Enerhija are--much like humans--versatile, adaptable, and formidable in battle, capable of taking on various professions and becoming reliable warriors.

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It's day 2 of Conceptober! Today we get a brief glimpse into the general anatomy of male Enerhija, with my OC Etherei as the model. Tomorrow I will be featuring the female Enerhija next!

Conceptober 2022

Ladies and gents, the month has turned and it is once more October. As my friend Lotus would sing on his band's song called Soul Travel, it's that tiiiiiiiiiiime again:

As is the tradition I uphold every October, I will once again engage myself with an art challenge! For the past two years I did the Digitober art challenge, which was me creating one digital piece per day to force myself to learn more of digital art and to become accustomed to working on a digital canvas. Clearly, the approach has worked: Photoshop has since then become my main medium of generating art and content; it continues to be to this day, and I have learned and still continue to learn so many techniques which have helped me generate paintings I never thought possible in the past.

That said, doing another Digitober art challenge feels redundant. This year I want to change it up a notch by giving the challenge more purpose. I will be focused on creating one sheet of concept art per day for my original fantasy story, The Aether and Radisrol. Then I will take an element from that sheet and color it, and this colored piece will be my entry for the day. I have decided to call this challenge Conceptober 2022, and my aim is by the end of it, I will be more motivated to work on my story and flesh it out.

As usual, I will be tagging all Conceptober posts and you can check out all the entries using the tag #Conceptober 2022, which you can actually find under the Crossover Map.

Will I actually get all days of October this year and have something posted each day? I sure hope so, but the thought of it definitely excites me. 😂 Here's to a productive month of arting! 🧃

-Zip