HOME | DD

Description

I usually don't post con commishes here (I usually put them on my Instagram), but this commission from Comi-Conway last week is one I'm more and more proud of the more I look at it. The person was going around commissioning other artists to follow the simple prompt - a kappa, the imp-like creature of Japanese folklore. I was absolutely on board with this idea, since the idea challenged most if not all the artists to draw something they've rarely - if ever - drawn before. To paraphrase, while everyone else usually commissions a Superman or Wonder Woman, this person wanted something different.

Looking through the sketchbook at what the other artists had done, I wanted to avoid being repetitive with my sketch. Not that THEY were, I just wanted to avoid doing something already done. I looked up some pics and got out my own sketchbook to doodle an idea or two when right away it clicked - I went for a Brian Froud/Jim Henson aesthetic. Like it'd be one of the goblins you'd see in LABYRINTH or something.

I might have to do more art of this li'l yokai in the near future, or even come up with other kappa designs. I really liked making this sketch.

*Note - I know the kappa is known for the "bowl" (or "sara") on its head, but I found a few pics depicting it with more of a bald spot while looking up references for ideas and went with that. I dunno, maybe the scalp pops off and reveals the sara (seriously, that wouldn't be the weirdest thing, given the lore). Same with the feet being more humanoid than aquatic. Chalk it up to artistic license, I guess. *shrug*

Description

I usually don't post con commishes here (I usually put them on my Instagram), but this commission from Comi-Conway last week is one I'm more and more proud of the more I look at it. The person was going around commissioning other artists to follow the simple prompt - a kappa, the imp-like creature of Japanese folklore. I was absolutely on board with this idea, since the idea challenged most if not all the artists to draw something they've rarely - if ever - drawn before. To paraphrase, while everyone else usually commissions a Superman or Wonder Woman, this person wanted something different.

Looking through the sketchbook at what the other artists had done, I wanted to avoid being repetitive with my sketch. Not that THEY were, I just wanted to avoid doing something already done. I looked up some pics and got out my own sketchbook to doodle an idea or two when right away it clicked - I went for a Brian Froud/Jim Henson aesthetic. Like it'd be one of the goblins you'd see in LABYRINTH or something.

I might have to do more art of this li'l yokai in the near future, or even come up with other kappa designs. I really liked making this sketch.

*Note - I know the kappa is known for the "bowl" (or "sara") on its head, but I found a few pics depicting it with more of a bald spot while looking up references for ideas and went with that. I dunno, maybe the scalp pops off and reveals the sara (seriously, that wouldn't be the weirdest thing, given the lore). Same with the feet being more humanoid than aquatic. Chalk it up to artistic license, I guess. *shrug*