From the depths of an enchanted forest emerges a young sorceress with a hypnotic gaze and an imposing presence. Her long hair falls like a silver waterfall, rippling with every breath of the magical wind that surrounds her. Her large, mysterious eyes shine with an intense violet hue, as if holding ancient secrets that only the chosen few can decipher.
Dressed in a sensual gown that combines elegance and power, her attire reveals part of her torso, adorned with runic symbols that illuminate when she casts spells. The deep blue and gold of her clothing evoke the serenity of water and the firmness of the earth, elements she masters with mastery. Around her, circles of runic energy float like living constellations, while her left hand summons streams of water that dance among green leaves, and her right hand channels the earthly force that vibrates from the ground.
Although she is shown only at the waist, her bearing conveys an ancestral strength. She is not just awa magician: she is a guardian of the elements, an alchemist of emotions, a warrior of harmony. Her presence is a perfect balance of beauty, wisdom, and power.
This is my entry in the weekly art contest hosted by @splinterlands. I decided to reinterpret the Rune Arcanist card character in an anime style, fusing magical and futuristic elements with an aesthetic that highlights feminine elegance and power. This illustration represents not only a visual adaptation, but also a creative exploration of what this character could be in an alternate universe.
My version of Rune Arcanist is an elite sorceress, keeper of arcane secrets and master of elemental energy. Her long, silver hair flows like a river of moonlight, and her pointed ears reveal her elven heritage. She wears a form-fitting gown in shades of black and gold, intricately detailed with ancient runes and magical circuitry. In her left hand, she holds a glowing blue energy sphere, a symbol of her mastery over water magic and occult knowledge. Her expression conveys confidence, wisdom, and a hint of defiance, as if ready to face any adversary.
While I was inspired by the original Rune Arcanist card, I wanted to give it a more stylized and narrative twist. Instead of a static figure, my version has a dynamic stance, with her right hand raised in a conjuring gesture. The outfit was redesigned to accentuate the silhouette and add gold details that contrast with the mystical background. I also incorporated a black crown with blue accents, which doesn't appear on the original card, as a symbol of her rank and connection to celestial forces. Additionally, her left arm is wrapped in a liquid, translucent energy, representing her merging with the elements.
I did the initial sketch by hand, although it's not shown in the image, focusing on proportion and facial expression. I wanted to capture a mix of serenity and power, so I focused especially on the eyes and the position of the hands. Once the basic design was defined, I digitized it and began working in Inkscape, where I refined the contours and adjusted the details of the suit and accessories.
The color palette focuses on dark, metallic tones such as deep black for the costume, shimmering gold for the details, and electric blue for the magical effects. The silver hair provides contrast and luminosity, while the blue-green gradient background reinforces the magical atmosphere. I chose these colors to convey mystery, power, and sophistication, maintaining the essence of the original character but adapting it to a more anime-like aesthetic.
Using Inkscape's tools, I was able to add several effects that enriched the illustration. I used blur filters to create the glow of the magic sphere, and transparency layers to simulate the liquid energy of the left arm. I also used vector strokes to precisely define the contours and shadow effects to give the character depth. The background gradient was created with the mesh tool, allowing for a smooth transition between tones and an immersive feel.
The style I used is a mix of modern anime and fantasy digital art. I wanted Rune Arcanist to have an imposing yet elegant presence, with details that invite you to imagine its story beyond the original card.
Illustrative Steps
Rune Arcanist in its original version of the card, which I used as a reference to create my drawing version; this card can be found in the game market.
The program used for the illustration has been Inkscape.
100% original content from @giocondina
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
