03-03-2024 |10 Minute Drawing

Watch MJ draw Grand Beast of Earth version 4 in this 10 minute drawing session.

#artist #mjmunoz #fantasy #monster #storyovereverything

What do you think of the results?

Look out for a 10 Minute Writing video next!

Watch the process below!

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Combining Creature Features to Craft My Earth Guardian Kaiju Design

Rewritten from transcript by Claude (https://www.anthropic.com)

As a fantasy creator, I find inspiration for my worldbuilding in the most unlikely places – including the car during family road trips! In this impromptu 10-minute drawing session from February 3rd, 2024, I enlisted my kids as collaborators and cameramen to help brainstorm the anatomy of my Earth Guardian Kaiju.

The challenge? Fusing features from multiple land-based animals into one cohesive chimeric creature that embodies the essence of the earth itself. After bouncing ideas around, we settled on a solid foundation: a sturdy bull body anchored by elephant-like legs for stability and power.

For the front limbs, we opted for lion paws to convey a regal ferocity befitting an elemental guardian. Up top, a wise turtle head surveys the scene, potentially armored by a matching shell if I’m feeling extra defensive. And bringing up the rear? A crocodilian tail to inject some ancient reptilian energy.

Now, the hide is where I’m still hedging. Do I clad this beast in furry patches, leathery elephant skin, armadillo-esque scales or a rhino-like roughness? The texture will definitely impact the overall vibe, so I want to mull it over before committing.

But beyond the fun of playing mix-and-match with animal attributes, this drawing session unlocked a key design principle for my entire series of guardian kaijus. Each one will be a mashup of creatures native to their designated element – air, water, fire and in this case, earth.

By grounding my giants in the recognizable features of their home turf, I can create an instant symbolic connection for readers. Plus, it’s just a blast to imagine what a jumbo hybrid of a lion, bull, turtle and elephant would actually look like roaming a fantasy landscape!

What do you think of the earth guardian’s creature components so far? Which animals would you throw into the anatomical blender? I’m always down to jam on monster design, so hit me with your wildest suggestions in the comments. Collaboration is the spice of creative life!

If you want to keep up with more of my fantasy worldbuilding and artistic experiments, be sure to subscribe to my channel. I’m committed to sharing new behind-the-scenes videos every week as I craft realms full of magic and wonder. Let’s dream up the impossible together.

And if you’re craving an even deeper dive into my storytelling process and inspirations, swing by my website. I’ve got a ton of blogs, artwork and free fiction to keep you enchanted until our next car ride brainstorm sesh. Happy creating, fellow dreamers!