Welcome to my blog.
Hello friends, I hope you're all well. This time, I'm here to bring you another lovingly drawn drawing for the Poketober challenge. Today, the word for it is arctic. That's why I wanted to choose an Ice-type Pokémon to be in the Arctic. And who better than one well-prepared for that intense cold? It's a Pokémon I first encountered in its Ground-type form in Kanto, and I really liked its design. However, its Alolan version is incredibly fascinating due to its combination of Ice and Steel, which gives it resistance to many Pokémon types, but is weak against common types like Fire and Fighting. Sandshrew was introduced in the seventh generation, being the Alolan regional form of Sandshrew.
Sandshrew in its Alolan form is a Pokémon that represents adaptation and resilience. Unlike its Ground-type form, the Alolan Sandshrew is an Ice/Steel-type Pokémon, making it well-prepared to survive in extreme conditions. Its body is covered by an ice-hard shell, and its demeanor is more reserved, more cautious. In my illustration, I wanted to capture that essence, not just as a Pokémon that inhabits the cold, but as one that embraces and accompanies it through its life.
The color palette I used here is primarily blue, white, and silver tones, resembling ice, snow, and steel. Sandshrew's body is painted in a light blue with darker shades of shadow. The plates on its shell have defined edges, with a metallic sheen that demonstrates hardness and protection.
But it's not all cold. In the sky, an aurora borealis can be seen, made up of blue, violet, and a bit of white. This aurora not only brings beauty but also adds something extra to the landscape, highlighting the Arctic. It's as if the Arctic world were alive.
The sun's reflection on the horizon, with warm tones like orange and gold, breaks the cold of the Arctic, adding warmth. This contrast between the coldness of the environment and the warmth of the light creates a relaxing atmosphere, where the Pokémon is not alone, but in communion with its surroundings.
The background shows snow-capped mountains, frozen water, and an ice shelf where Sandshrew stands. The mountains are painted with soft strokes, showing distance and grandeur. The frozen water reflects part of the sky, adding depth to the background.
The northern lights are the most important element of the background. Their undulating shapes and soft colors match the coldness of the ice and the calmness of the Pokémon.
The sky has a mix of dark and light tones, showing that the scene takes place at dawn. This time of day is important because it represents a new beginning, change, and evolution. And that is precisely what Alolan Sandshrew represents in my illustration: a Pokémon that has evolved to survive, but also to show what it's made of.
The style I chose is simple anime, with clean lines and flat but well-defined colors. I didn't want to overload the image with too many details, but rather focus on the importance of the Pokémon and the background in question. Sandshrew's eyes are drawn with a calm, almost immutable expression. It's not in combat, nor fleeing. It's simply present, observing its surroundings, being part of them.
The Pokémon's posture is firm but relaxed. It stands on the ice, its claws slightly open, as if feeling the cold beneath its paws. Its body is slightly leaning forward, demonstrating curiosity or attention. This type of expressiveness is very common in anime, where characters communicate a lot with very subtle body language.
Overall, the image conveys calm, beauty, and connection. Sandshrew isn't alone in the Arctic; he's at home. The northern lights, the ice, the mountains, and the sky form an environment that doesn't threaten him, but embraces him. It's a Pokémon that is where it belongs in the world, and that place is cold, yes, but also full of light.
Step by step
Illustration created using Medibang Paint Pro software
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