Hey dear friends.. how are you today ?
Art has always been a powerful medium to bring fantasy characters to life, and as a fan of Splinterlands, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to participate in the Splinterlands Art Contest on Hive. For my submission, I chose to illustrate the hauntingly captivating Wailing Wraith, a spectral figure that exudes both mystery and menace. This piece was meticulously crafted using traditional tools—an A4 sheet and graphite pencils (HB and 8B)—and took approximately two hours to complete. Below, I’ll walk you through my creative process, the challenges I faced, and why I believe hand-drawn art still holds a unique charm in the digital age.
Choosing the Subject: Why the Wailing Wraith?
The Wailing Wraith is one of the most visually striking monsters in Splinterlands. Its ghostly form, tattered robes, and eerie aura make it a perfect candidate for a detailed pencil portrait. I wanted to emphasize its spectral nature while maintaining the dark, shadowy aesthetic that defines the Splinterlands universe. The contrast between light and dark values in pencil shading allowed me to achieve this effect beautifully.
Materials and Tools
Since I prefer traditional art for its tactile feel, I opted for:
- A4-sized paper: A versatile medium that offers enough space for intricate details while remaining manageable for shading.
- HB pencil: Ideal for sketching initial outlines and lighter shading.
- 8B pencil: Essential for deep shadows, enhancing the Wraith’s haunting presence.
Unlike digital art, where mistakes can be undone with a click, traditional pencil art requires precision and patience. Every stroke had to be deliberate, especially when working on finer details like the Wraith’s hollow eyes and flowing, tattered garments.
The steps :
The Artistic Process
Initial Sketch (30 minutes)
I began with a light HB pencil sketch, mapping out the Wailing Wraith’s pose and proportions. Since the creature is depicted floating, I focused on creating a dynamic composition that conveyed movement. The wraith’s elongated fingers and billowing robes were carefully outlined to ensure anatomical accuracy while maintaining an otherworldly feel.Refining Details (45 minutes)
Once the basic structure was in place, I deepened the outlines and added finer details—creases in the fabric, the skeletal structure beneath the ghostly form, and the eerie glow around its silhouette. This stage required a steady hand, as overworking the paper with too many corrections could damage its texture.Shading and Depth (45 minutes)
Here, the 8B pencil came into play. I layered shadows to create a three-dimensional effect, paying special attention to:- Light source: Imagining a dim, ambient glow from below to cast dramatic upward shadows.
- Texture: Using cross-hatching to differentiate between the Wraith’s ethereal body and its ragged clothing.
- Contrast: Making the darkest areas (like the hollow eye sockets) nearly black to intensify the ghostly appearance.
Challenges Faced
- Smudging: Graphite is notoriously messy. I had to constantly adjust my hand placement to avoid smearing the shading.
- Achieving Depth: Without color, I relied solely on value contrast to make the Wraith “pop” from the page.
- Time Management: Since I worked in a single sitting, maintaining consistency in shading was crucial.
Why Traditional Art Still Matters
In an era dominated by digital illustrations, hand-drawn art carries a unique authenticity. The imperfections—subtle variations in line weight, the texture of the paper, the organic blending of graphite—add character to the piece. Moreover, the tactile experience of pencil on paper is irreplaceable.
Final Thoughts
This two-hour journey of sketching and shading was both challenging and rewarding. I hope my rendition of the Wailing Wraith resonates with fellow Splinterlands fans and showcases the beauty of traditional art. Whether or not I win the contest, I’m proud of this piece and excited to contribute to the vibrant Splinterlands community on Hive.
Thank you for reading, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on my artwork!