Welcome to my blog.

Hello, Hivers, good day. I know it's been a while since I've posted any drawings to this lovely community, but I've had some issues that have made it difficult to be here. Putting that aside, today I'm here to present my new illustration for the weekly contest by @Splinterlands. This time, I wanted to use Iza the Fanged for my version of her.

Here's the story of the character. In the villages near the Azmare jungle, rumors circulate about Iza the Fanged, a creature that doesn't attack with its fangs, but rather uses the jungle environment to trap its victims. It's said that it takes its prey to a deep cave, where it decides whether they will be its food or its entertainment. Although many consider it a story to scare children, disappearances continue year after year.

Iza enjoys its reputation, although it clarifies that it doesn't feed on children. It doesn't remember its origin, only that it was born with the heart of a snake and grew up surrounded by trees covered in snakes. She moves stealthily through the jungle, enveloped in earth mana that allows her to control vines, thorns, and trees. She needs no weapons; she is the jungle itself.

She has a predilection for luring men, observing them from a distance before ensnaring them with her vines and dragging them to her lair. Her cave is hidden among bushes and plants, decorated with human bones and vegetation. The entrance resembles the gaping mouth of a serpent.

One night, the sounds of the jungle intensify as a body is dragged by the vines toward the cave. Inside, a figure with serpentine eyes and sharp fangs appears. Iza awakens the man with caresses and seduces him with sweet words before immobilizing him with her vines. Surrounded by bones and red stains, the man can barely react as she bites him, paralyzing him and slowly devouring him, painlessly, while other bodies are dragged toward the same fate that befell that man.

The color palette I chose revolves around dark tones, with very few light ones. Her white skin stands out against the nighttime background, adding to her presence as the central figure. Her short, black hair with white highlights maintains the original design, though this time it's slightly shorter, but styled with volume, which adds dynamism to the pose.

The outfit, in dark brown tones with a rustic fabric and leather texture, evokes a connection to the jungle. Gold details like the bracelet and brooch on her chest add an elegant touch. The green of the background and the snake accompanying her complements the scene.

The background is a jungle under the moon, with sky, stars, and dense vegetation. The full moon not only provides light but also complements her wild form. The soft shadows and bluish tones of the sky contrast with the dark vegetation, creating an atmosphere of danger.

The presence of the snake, perched behind Iza, not only makes Iza's connection to snakes clear, but also confirms that she is one of them and that she is connected to her surroundings. It's as if the jungle itself accompanies her. This detail directly connects to her original story, where it is said that the jungle acts as an extension of her will.

The outfit Iza wears in this version is daring, but it matches her character and what she says in the story. The brown leather top reveals her abdomen and shoulders, showcasing strength and sensuality. The skirt with a slit further enhances her beauty; she is ready to seduce the unfortunate soul who falls into her trap.

This design doesn't seek to sexualize a character as good as Iza, but rather to show power through posture and clothing.

The anime style allows me to create facial expressiveness. Her smile, her snake-like eyes, and her confident posture convey more than a thousand words. Here, Iza isn't in the middle of a battle or hidden among the vegetation; she's posing, displaying her beauty.

In Splinterlands, Iza the Fanged appears as a more savage creature, with a more gymnast-like stance, and no background. Her role is clear: a stealthy assassin who strikes from the shadows. The official artwork features muted colors and a background with at least a few splashes of color.

My version, however, creates a different Iza the Fanged, one who retains her key features like pale skin, short hair, and predatory nature, but transforms her into a visually appealing woman who connects more with the viewer. Here, Iza reveals her beauty to her victim, then captures them and takes them away, never to be seen again.

Step by step

Iza the Fangs in its original card version, which I used as a guide to create my own illustrated version. It can be found in the @splinterlands game market.

Thank you