Earlier this week I came across Romeck_ Art's channel on youtube they are a professional illustrator and designer. They uploaded this video documenting their process of designing a cow-like creature called a Mludhuz. Though not a full on tutorial, its a well documented close-up into designing a unique critter with commentary. I would definitely recommend giving their vid and channel a look.
Reminded me I haven't done any creature designing of my own in a while so this guy was born. He's not finished yet, but I've got his basic look down enough to share.
Process and wips under the cut
Basic Idea:
alligator snapping turtles
(loosly) narwhal / whale like
salt water or fresh water
easygoing lumbering giant
could kill easily but would most likely run away
Sketch and base shading
Everything is loose and proportions aren't correct. I'm not concerned with accuracy at this stage, my focus is on nailing down the basic form im going for. Shading is soft to lock down values, parts that are further away are lighter, closer parts are darker, that sort of thing. The texture is minimal and will be used as a foundation for scales, spikes, and other details later on. All of the shading is beneath the sketch layer.
Texture and correcting the pose
At this stage I merge the sketch and base together. I'll blend the sketch layer into the softer values already established and start blotting in more detail on top. First by sketching the square scales on the limbs and adding paneling to the shell and underbelly.
I made a custom brush for the square scales that made my life easier:
I also changed the leg placement and squished in the dino's torso. I decided I didn't really like the snakelike appearance the sketched shell had. With his hind legs more bulky and the turtle shell more round he seemed closer to the tortoise look I was going for.
More touch up work and color
To pull the values together I move to a separate layer and go over the ref with a soft circle brush. I'll add the highlights and darker shadows with black and white. Then use multiply, screen, and overlay to get the effect that I want.
Color is added with the color layer mode. Ill keep the colors muted and grey for most of the base only adding saturated values where I know I want them. In this case the horns, crest, beak, and tail are most saturated, added color to attract a mate maybe?
