Greetings fellow artists! This is my entry for @splinterlands' weekly art contest. It's a festive reinterpretation of the character Gobson Sniper, and I couldn't be more excited to share the result. At this time of year, when everything is filled with color, sparkle, and joy, I felt that the Christmas spirit could breathe new life into the original goblin archer. His base design, with that dynamic stance and intense expression, inspired me to imagine what he would be like if we took him to a Christmas fantasy world, full of light, sweetness, and magic. Thus, this charming and cheerful version of Gobson Sniper was born, transformed into an anime-style Christmas elf.

From the first stroke, I knew I wanted to preserve the essence of the character: his energy, his archer's stance ready to fire, and that determined attitude. But I also wanted him to convey something completely different: joy, tenderness, and festive spirit. So I started by redrawing her proportions, softening her features to bring them closer to an anime style, with big, bright eyes, rosy cheeks, and a wide smile that radiates happiness. Her pointed ears remained, but now adorned with little golden bells that jingle with every movement, as if announcing her arrival with Christmas music.

The sketching process was a mix of technique and emotion, so I redrew the original pose, maintaining the tension of the bow and arrow, but changing the weapon to a giant candy cane, which retains the shape of a bow but adds that playful and sweet touch. I wanted the character to feel active, as if in the middle of some Christmas mischief, ready to launch an arrow of joy. The green cape that flows behind him gives him movement and depth, as if he were in the thick of the action.

As for the color palette, I opted for vibrant and warm tones that evoke Christmas: deep reds, bright greens, soft whites, and touches of gold. The elf's pale green skin contrasts beautifully with his red and white outfit, creating a visual harmony that highlights his festive nature. The large, bright blue eyes are the emotional center of the drawing: they reflect wonder, curiosity, and a spark of magic. Every color was chosen intentionally, seeking to convey joy and warmth.

For the finishing touches, I used soft filters that enhance the highlights and give the whole thing a velvety texture. The shadows are delicate, without being dramatic, and the reflections in the eyes and on the edges of the hat and clothing provide that "Christmas light" effect I wanted. The background, with its wavy pattern in shades of green and blue, suggests a magical atmosphere without distracting from the character. It's as if Gobson were in an enchanted forest, surrounded by invisible lights and snowflakes.

Compared to the original Gobson Sniper, this Christmas elf is a complete metamorphosis. The base character has a darker aesthetic, with red eyes, a serious expression, and a barbed bow that suggests danger. My version, on the other hand, is a celebration of joy and fantasy that retains the archer's stance and role but transforms him into a messenger of happiness. It's as if Gobson has been invited to a parallel dimension where Christmas reigns, and he adapts with enthusiasm and style.

The style I chose for this reinterpretation is distinctly anime, with soft lines, adorable proportions, and striking expressiveness. I love how this approach allows emotions to be conveyed powerfully, and how every detail, from the curve of the eyebrows to the sparkle on the pom-poms, contributes to telling a story. This Gobson doesn't just shoot arrows; he shoots smiles, hope, and Christmas spirit.

Creating this piece has been a deeply rewarding process because it allowed me to combine my love for digital art, my passion for fantasy characters, and my desire to share joy during this special time of year. I hope that those who see this Christmas Gobson Sniper feel the magic I wanted to capture, and that it reminds them that even the most serious characters can shine brightly when given a touch of color, love, and creativity.

Illustrative Steps

Gobson Sniper in her original version of the card from the game @splinterlands, which I chose to create my illustrated version; this can be found in the game's market.