Greetings, art-loving hivers, especially to all those illustrators browsing the corners of our hive. For my part, I'm here today with my entry for the weekly @splinterlands contest, featuring a new digital illustration featuring my Deep Delver fan art, which I hope you like as much as I do.

Creating this illustration has been a deeply enriching process, as much or more so than the previous ones, both technically and creatively. I used Inkscape as my main tool, taking advantage of its vector capabilities to bring to life a reinterpretation of the character Deep Delver, a card from the Splinterlands game, but with a completely different twist: younger, more peaceful, and with the signature style of The Simpsons.

The process began with the basic sketch, where I drew the main lines using simple geometric shapes. I began by building the body structure with circles and ovals to define the head, torso, and limbs. This stage is crucial, as it allows me to establish proportions and postures without compromising the fluidity of the design. In this case, I opted for a relaxed, standing posture with a slight incline that conveys curiosity and serenity, in contrast to the combat-like stance that characterizes the original Deep Delver.

Once the sketch was defined, I moved on to the final lines. I used the Bezier path tool to outline the contours, ensuring the curves were smooth and the angles maintained the rounded aesthetic typical of the Simpsons style. Here, it was important to simplify some details of the card's original design, such as the accessories and armor, to adapt them to a more youthful and cartoonish version.

The next step was filling in the flat colors. I chose a vibrant yet harmonious palette: yellow skin to maintain the Simpsons identity, turquoise hair for a fresh and distinctive touch, and clothing in shades of purple and brown that evoke the original character's aesthetic without replicating it. The belt, boots, and weapon were simplified, while maintaining key elements like the silver buckle and the crossbow design, which now looks less threatening and more like an exploration tool.

Once the colors were applied, I worked on the shadow and light effects. Inkscape allows for soft shadows by duplicating shapes and using transparency. I used this technique to give depth to the boots, belt, and hair, while maintaining the simplicity of the cartoon style. I also applied soft blur filters to the shadows to avoid harsh edges, which helps maintain the friendly and approachable aesthetic.

The background was another key element, a somewhat dark or underground setting like the original card. I opted for a gradient of purple tones with zigzag patterns, which add dynamism without distracting from the character. This background also reinforces the more peaceful and youthful atmosphere I wanted to convey.

As for the character Deep Delver, in Splinterlands he's presented as a deep-sea explorer, with a somber, mature, and combat-ready aesthetic. My version retains the explorer's essence but transforms him into a curious young man, perhaps in his first steps as an adventurer. The crossbow is still present, but now looks more like a tool than a weapon. His face, with large eyes and a friendly expression, conveys openness and empathy, moving away from the mystery and aggression of the original.

The Simpsons style was key to this transformation. By adopting his exaggerated proportions, flat colors, and simple yet expressive facial expressions, I made the character feel more relatable, more human in his vulnerability and enthusiasm. This change in style also allowed me to reinterpret the character's role: he is no longer a lone warrior, but a young man who could be part of a lighter story, perhaps an adventure in Springfield or a school mission.

In short, this illustration represents an exercise in visual and narrative reinterpretation. Through Inkscape, I was able to explore sketching, color, shading, and composition techniques that allowed me to transform a dark and complex character into a more approachable, peaceful, and youthful figure. It demonstrates how digital art can be a powerful tool for redefining characters and creating new stories, more aligned with values such as empathy, curiosity, and peace.

Illustrative Steps

Deep Delver is a character from the @splinterlands card, which I used as a reference to create my own version. This card can be found in the in-game market.