_{Between tides and intrigue. Where magic flows like the current}

Hey, Splinterfam! 🙌 Today, I’m bringing you one of my most curious and unique fan arts yet: Saltwater Mage, a character inspired by the mysterious cecaelia—those half-human, half-octopus creatures that are part of the Splinterlands world.

I’ve always been fascinated by designs with tentacles 🐙 because they convey something both unsettling and majestic at the same time. But I’ll confess something: I get so lazy painting suckers 🤣. That’s why, in this fan art, I decided to add suckers to only one tentacle and made the others smooth, hiding them from view. It’s a small detail, but I think it helps maintain the character’s visual strength without spending hours obsessing over tiny circles.

🌊 SALTWATER MAGE: BETWEEN THE SEA AND POLITICS

According to the official lore, most cecaelia live in small nomadic groups along the coast. However, some have sworn allegiance to the Kingdom of Mar Toren, where politics, law, and ambitions intertwine like invisible currents.

Saltwater Mages are part of that elite: amphibious beings with humanoid torsos and tentacled limbs, capable of adapting both to power games in royal courts and the turbulent waters of the wild northeast.

Their skin changes color and texture, allowing them to camouflage and observe in silence. This ability, combined with years of magical discipline, makes them key players in the Council of One Hundred. There, the shrewdest delegates rely on them to gather intelligence, prevent sabotage, and execute strategic plans requiring absolute discretion.

Saltwater Mage represents not only the union of biology and magic but also the willingness to serve causes beyond individual interests. They are both spy and guardian, observer and executor.

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⏰ CREATIVE PROCESS

✏️ Phase 1: Sketch & Lineart

In this first stage, I defined the character’s overall silhouette. I wanted to emphasize the elegance and fluidity of their tentacles while keeping the firm posture of a mage.

I experimented with several positions until I found a pose that conveyed mystery—as if they were about to cast a spell while still maintaining an air of stealth. That’s where the idea of showing suckers on only one tentacle came from: enough to suggest realism without overcrowding the design.

🎨 Phase 2: Gray Scale

Once again, I turned to gray shading to define the volume of the character. Since she had so many tentacles, this allowed me to define their texture and make them look cylindrical without worrying about coloring just yet. I also took the opportunity to define the texture of the armor and the little fabric covering the tentacles.

🌗 Phase 3: Building a Beautiful and Dangerous Face

Using Multiply and Hard Light blending modes, I added color to the tentacles. Then, I filled the mage's silhouette with a whitish color to create the layer where I would paint her skin. Right there, I started sketching her face, achieving that eager and defiant look by blending the construction lines of her face with the brushstrokes that gave volume and definition to her features. I also worked on her hair right away, though the braid ended up looking a bit weird.

🌟 Phase 4: Magic, Final Effects, and Finishing Touches

The final phase was the most satisfying: adding the magical effects and the definitive atmosphere. I incorporated subtle highlights on the tentacles, an aquatic glow around the character, and fine-tuned the skin gradients.

What I love most about the final result is how the character conveys that balance between discretion and power. Saltwater Mage isn’t a spellcaster seeking the spotlight in battle—they’re someone who, from the shadows, ensures that Mar Toren’s plans unfold flawlessly

Enjoy the GIF (Fair warning: the file's a bit heavy, so patience appreciated! 😉

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Did you like this character?
Tell me in the comments! 👇

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