Splinterlands art contest...Possessed Puppet.

Hello everyone.. How are you today ?

My latest artistic endeavor was a deeply immersive and rewarding process, culminating in a detailed graphite drawing created for the prestigious Splinterlands Art Contest on the Hive blockchain. The subject of my piece was the haunting and intriguing character of the Possessed Puppet, a figure brimming with narrative potential and dark charm from the Splinterlands universe. I was driven to capture its eerie essence not through digital means, but through the traditional, tactile medium of pencil on paper, a choice that demands patience and a intimate connection with the materials.

The foundation for this project was a standard A4 sheet of paper. While some may see this as a limitation, I find the A4 format to be a perfect canvas for focused, intricate work. It provides enough space to develop significant detail while maintaining an intimacy that larger formats can sometimes lose. The entire composition was meticulously hand-drawn, relying on careful observation and a steady hand to translate the digital avatar of the Possessed Puppet into a tangible, analog artwork.

The true soul of this piece lies in the tools employed: a range of graphite pencils of varying grades. I specifically utilized HB, 6B, and 8B pencils, each selected for its unique properties and role in building the image's depth and texture. This strategic selection is crucial for moving beyond a simple sketch and into the realm of a fully realized drawing with a dynamic tonal range.

The process began with a light, precise outline using the HB pencil. Known for its firmness and ability to produce clean, sharp lines, the HB grade was ideal for establishing the fundamental structure, proportions, and key features of the Possessed Puppet without committing too heavily to dark marks too early. This stage was about mapping the anatomy of the puppet—the joints of its limbs, the empty sockets of its eyes, the sinister curl of its carved mouth—ensuring a solid and accurate framework upon which everything else would be built.

Once the blueprint was in place, I transitioned to the richer, darker pencils to introduce form and drama. The 6B pencil became my workhorse for developing the mid-tones and initial shadows. Its softer core lays down graphite smoothly and generously, allowing me to block in larger areas of darkness and begin defining the puppet’s three-dimensional shape. I used it to sculpt the folds of its costume, to suggest the grime and wear of its wooden body, and to create the foundational values that separate light from shadow.

For the deepest, most profound blacks and the most intense contrasts, I turned to the 8B pencil. This ultra-soft grade is essential for achieving the dramatic impact that a character like the Possessed Puppet demands. With the 8B, I plunged the deepest crevices into near-blackness, sharpened the outlines to enhance its graphic quality, and added those final, critical accents that make the image pop from the paper. It was used to darken the hollow eyes, making them seem truly bottomless and possessed, and to add weight and solidity to the darkest parts of the figure, creating a striking visual anchor.

The steps by images:

This meticulous process, from the initial HB sketch to the final 8B accents, was not a quick undertaking. It required intense concentration and a deliberate, layered approach. In total, I invested approximately three hours of focused work. This time was spent not just in applying graphite, but in constantly evaluating the balance of light and shadow, refining details, and ensuring that every stroke served the overall atmosphere of the piece. The goal was to do more than just replicate the Possessed Puppet; it was to imbue it with a sense of life (or unlife) and a tangible presence on the page, capturing the eerie spirit that makes it such a beloved character in the Splinterlands game.

I am incredibly proud of the final result and excited to submit this hand-drawn tribute to the Splinterlands Art Contest on Hive. It represents a fusion of my passion for traditional art techniques and the captivating fantasy world that continues to inspire creators. ❤️❤️❤️