Pounce!

This is "Pounce" a young cer'rin, a species also known as the "predatory unicorn". However, cer'rin are not technically unicorns, because although it is true that they have only one antler, this splits as they mature and the number of prongs indicate the age of the buck. Another anatomical oddity is that the cer'rin is unique amongst mammals in that its front and rear legs appear mismatched - with large paws on the front feet and hoofs on the hind. This makes him especially fast and agile as he races through his forested home, hunting rabbits and small deer. Cer'rin have also been known to hunt in pairs and in this manner can bring down prey as large as an boar.

The antlers are only present in males of the species and are used during courtship displays. Males will lock their antlers together, and then wrestle, clawing at each other with their talons. These fights are terribly bloody - because it is quite difficult to break the lock until one of the participants dies. It is then consumed by its victor.

Pounce was first created way back in 2005:

Here is a very early conceptualisation of a predatory unicorn.

And here he is as an anatomically challenged calf.

And an "original species" art card.

And last but far, far from least is this amazing rendition drawn by the extremely talented Rose Moonfeather:

Dangit, looking at this one just makes me want to throw out mine and start all over again. I hate talent-envy. I suffer from it far too often...

The Enchanted Forest - Inked Stage

At present I am hosting a swap with the theme "The Enchanted Forest". Now, it has become traditional for me to send out additional cards to players, particularly those that send a bonus hostess card for me. This means generally for swaps I host I shall create around a dozen cards. Not usually too much problem, but this theme had foxed me a bit - especially coupled with the fact that I am rather enjoying working on larger pieces this year.

And thus I decided to create 9 cards as parts of a single image:

The black lines are not currently a part of the image, but do show approximately where the outlines of each card will be. From looking at this, I think the bat one needs something to balance it on the bottom right, and thus will remedy that.

Now, for the story behind this piece...
Well, there isn't one, not really - but ages and ages ago I particupated in a swap entitled "the Deep Dark Woods" which was an awesome theme but rather spoiled for me by the fact that the Host never sent out returns and therefore must have kept all the cards. Anyhow, for that I created a series of images - a witch's house, a giant spider, a strange gliding creature and some giant sundews. Some of these images were inspired by those cards, although the gliding creature has been replaced with a pair of grimalkyn. Which is interesting, because I thought my Grim was unique in his world. Oh well! Not sure what the deerlike creature is. Or the lizard-gryphon.

If anyone wishes to make up a story about a little anthro-mouse that lives in a gingerbread house and has befriened all the wild animals (including giant katydids), please let me know.

I shall post more up here as I begin colouring it.

Dragons and firebirds

Two more images for the "Hogwarts Owl Deliveries" Swap on ATCs for All.

As a Ravenclaw student in my final year, I have been undergoing quite a lot of field research. My journeys have taken me to the hinterlands of eastern Europe, specifically Romania, where I was lucky enough to witness two unique creatures in the wild.

The first is the legendary firebird, the Phoenix. A native of Africa and the Middle East, it appears that this bird has been blown afield on its migratory route and found itself in the Carpathian mountains instead. We observed him for several days as he restocked his fuel, before watching him depart south. I hope he arrives safely.

This fierce chap is the Hungarian Horntail. One of the most fierce dragons of all, this particular specimen had been recently terrorising a small Romanian village - specifically by eating their lifestock. It was our task to track him down and stun him with curses so that he could be safely transported into new territory farther from human habitation. He is weakened here, having had his fire -breath nullified and thus we were permitted to get near enough to capture this image. Shortly after he crashed to the ground, asleep, and could be safely transported deeper into the mountains.

"Who's that? Who's there?"

This elegant unicorn has just kneeled down to take a drink when she has been disturbed. She's eyeing you up, trying to decide if she should run away, or if you're not safe.

She measures 6x4 inches and was made for the Hogwart's Owl Delivery Swap on AFA. My idea - to design bestiary style images and text for each of the participants in my group. I think I shall design the back up like a postcard and write about the "research" taken on the unicorn.

As you may notice, my unicorns are antelope, not horses.

Maui Vs Te Ika

Maui uses his special fish-hook to land the great fish that formed the North Island of New Zealand. That's true folks - whilst the South Island is a (slightly rocking) kayak, the North Island is a great dead fish.

As you can see, there is some friendly rivalry between North and South! I'm a mainlander, born and raised.

Of course, the North Islanders also consider themselves maindlanders...

Anyway, a maxicard style piece I rustled up for a chap in Kuwait, who probably doesn't want it (he's a stamp collector), but hey - I'm getting my art into Kuwait!