Kinda nervous posting my art for the first time, especially with all you talented folk here!
I’m finally finishing up my interpretation of a snow na’vi! 🥹
I was inspired by the Inuit people through their tribal markings, though I’ve tried to do research, I can’t seem to find any specific, clear meaning as it varies between tribes.
I had decided to make their skin dark in colour, like polar bears, to attract heat and warmth. They have a few more bioluminescent markings than other na’vi tribes that seem to glow even when their terrain is pure snow, as it may be their only light source, and their connection to Eywa is deeply rooted within the ice. I had originally decided to make their noses smaller than ususal as to refrain frostbite, but decided against it. Their noses are still on the smaller side, but I didn’t want to give them too many human characteristics. They have very large, dark eyes to prevent sun blindness and to help navigate in the dark, which also have the human equivalent of monolids for the same reason. Their lips are also small to minimise heat distribution. They have long, thick lashes, as to block snow from their eyes, similar in nature to camels. This also relates to their hair, which is straight, thick, and dark. Their ears are pointed outward, with extra skin covering their ear canal to help hear predators and distant calls.
I had tried to make their patterns and markings more snowflake inspired, yet darker and larger than the regular na’vi. Their average face paint is just black around the eye and nose, taking inspiration from cheetahs and reducing glare by focusing the light away from their eyes. This may be subject to change, especially for war paints.
I plan to make a full body version, where they store excess fat in their thighs, breasts, stomach, arms and cheeks. The plan is for them to have their main breathing source coming from above the collarbone, and for them to have different physical attributes, such as the Ometikaya verse the Metikayina.
