Ouroboros

Welcome to the harsh Jungles of Ourubia. The lore of this world is equally amazing and dangerous. Are you brave enough to read it?

This fantastical mutated world forms part of the inhabitant's homes.

I created an underground jungle where all living beings have been mutated by the irradiated underground rivers. My main inspiration came from a mixture of both jungle ecosystems and underwater critters. I used sea slugs to make some of the mushrooms and foliage feel more unique, and roots and vines to connect the world.

The buildings are a combination of beetles, snail shells, and mushrooms. Clay and fungal wood is the main material used to combine all these aspects through platforms, doorways, and support beams. I also loved the idea of trees that can grow on the giant mushrooms and used as interior supports for the buildings.

I loved playing around with bright colors and shapes that both give a sense of serenity and danger. Just because something is dangerous, doesn't mean it can't be beautiful.

My process for designing the environments:

First I block out the main composition and shape language in Zbrush, or through greyscale thumbnailing. Then I plan out the rest of the design and color schemes through photo bashing. Once I was happy with the composition, lighting, and color scheme, I blended everything through overpainting. 

Finally, it is time to meet the rulers of the living jungle. There are many different and interesting faces, but one thing remains constant. They are as dangerous as the world they live in.

My main inspiration was reptiles and insects. Combining the agile look of a reptile with the hardy exoskeleton of an insect created the tough but stealthy appearance I was looking for.

I also wanted my characters to appear as if they would blend into their environment effortlessly. Instead of giving them camouflaged armor, I thought it would be cool to have flora and fungi in their environment grow on their bodies. For example, grass as hair, a mossy main, or shoulder mushroom.

I focused more on shape language for these character designs. All three characters focus on three different personalities. Silthera needed to appear as a friendly, hard-working individual. Stinger, as a ruthless guard dog, and Ssilneo the knighted underdog, both dangerous and caring.

My process for designing characters.

As a start, I create multiple greyscale silhouettes to choose from. Once I have the base decided, I either do a photoshop sketch or Zbrush sketch of the character. Next, I refine the design with line art, then add lighting and shadows. Using filters and gradient maps, I then decide on my color scheme from the multiple color variations I have created. Finally I render out the design.

We reached the end of this dangerous and thrilling adventure. Have you become one with the jungle and embraced the teachings of the great serpent Ouroboros? Or are you blinded by fear of the jungle's power?

Thank you for reading through my submission. I came a long way as an artist, and I'm still improving. Learning is an ongoing process, and I'm determined to become the best artist I can be. Challenges improve us.

This industry became a passion in my life, and I feel grateful for every step I take.