Jeanne D' Arc, the Silvershield Valkyrie

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Final xxx.jpg







Sources and Materials

Below are the materials I used in this art.


Materials Pen Pencil Eraser.png


Materials Colored Pencil.png






Introduction

I wanted to try a new armored character. The armored theme in Splinterlands is Silvershields so I want to make something that complements but does not overlap. I remembered a game from Playstation 1 days called, "Valkyrie Profile" and thought a Silvershield Valkyrie would be good for the theme.

With that as my intro, let me introduce Jeanne D' Arc, the Silvershield Valkyrie.







Step 1 Draft


Step 1 Draft.jpg

My first idea is someone holding a sword down with their eyes closed with a guardian angrl or goddess or something giving their blessing. This my initial idea for this week's art.







Step 2 Full Draft

Step 2 Full Draft.jpg

During this step, I mostly laid out the foundation and have a vision on how it would end. You can see it but it can still have minor changes along the way.







Step 3 Ink


Step 3 Ink.jpg

Using my Dong-A My Gel Black, I did the inking part to finalize the drawing. Inking is an important step for me to allow laying down the colors without messing up the drawing.

In digital art, this part is called, "Line Art" stage.







Step 4 Hair and Skin


Step 4 Hair and Skin.jpg

I always wanted a blonde character and thought this is a good idea to do one. I made a braid or lock on the left side while bundled hair on the right just to show the hair color.

A simple laid down hair would be fine but it's too simple. That's why I took an extra mile for Jeanne D' Arc.

Skin is colored with peach for base and orange for shadows.







Step 5 Sword


Step 7 Sword.JPG

The sword is done with a simple cross-like blade and shaft. I added a sun like symbol that I was used by other Splinterlands Silvershield characters. I think this is an emblem of some sort so I added it.







Step 6 Armor

Step 5 Armor.jpg

The armor is composed of 2 layers, the plate mail, which is the solid outer one, and the chain mail, which is that criss-crossed one.

The Plate Mail is the hard ones that protects you from everything. I made it with white uncolored spots accompanied by gray shadows from my Mongol #2 pencil.


Step 5b Chainmail.jpg

The chainmail, in reality, is composed of woven metals. This is normally added inside the armors like how people use bulletproof vests inside the vests.

Using chainmail makes the Silvershield Valkyrie more protected while showing a but of skin, at the same time, for a bit sexiness.







Step 7 Goddess


Step 6 Goddess.jpg

The human like figure at the back is the Goddess protecting Jeanne. I added this because Valkyries are said to come from the heaven to collect souls of fallen warriors. It eould be weird if there's no divine being or protection provided while doing her mission.

There are two versions of this. I made one with the eyes closed at the beginning.


Step 6b Goddess with pen highlights.jpg

But then, I decided to put a blindfold to her. Blindfold is a sign of fairness in the symbol of Justice, which fits how pure our lovely maiden's heart is.







Step 8 Effects and Emblem


Step 8 effects and emblem.jpg

The effects I am telling you is the glow. Both the Valkyrie and Goddess posses a Yellow glow to represent that the Valkyrie is getting her power from the said Goddess.


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The Emblem or shield-like symbol behind the Goddess is a representation of the Silvershields. Just like what I put above, it is a shield with cross in the middle that can be found on Jeanne's armor and sun-like symbol that can also be found in the Silvershield Valkyrie's sword.

Both the cross and the sun can be found in a handful of silvershields. I added those to add the connection.







Step 9 Background


Step 9 Background.jpg

The background might look easy and rushed but it was actually decided when I was drawing the Silvershield Valkyrie.

There are variety of weapons on the floor representing each warriors who fell in battle and their weapon of choice. This is an important scene or part that connects the lore and is directly related to thr Valkyrie's mission.




Author's Notes


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Valkyries are messengers of God. Their main purpose is to gather souls and guide the competent warriors to heaven to help for the final battle of the Gods, which is also popularly known as the legendary battle "Ragnarok".

Jeanne D' Arc acts as a guide for these warriors and collects their souls if they fell in battle. Silvershield has a lot of warriors that are masters of their own weapons. This is a good place for the Valkyrie to find and collect the souls of those who would turn the tides of battle when the world ends.




Disclaimer

  1. This post is an entry for Splinterland's art contest.
  2. Other sources that I do not own are cited under their respective photos. Photos and drawings without cited sources are mine and made for this post.
If I seem to forget to cite other sources, this would be unintentional. Please leave it on the comments below to be added in the post. Thanks

If you're interested in playing the game, support me by registering using my referral link here



Have Fun Drawing!



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15 comments
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Thanks for this shiny & holy warrior, @konaqua, as well as for the detailed step-by-step explanation!

Your choice of mixing a catholic icon / heroine with a pagan spiritual background (Jeanne being protected by a Freya and Odin's emissary) is spot on - after all, Jeanne can be interpreted as a witch, a feminine caretaker for her people, guiding them towards freedom - even if I guess that some monotheist folks could be shocked by such an association ;-)

Kudos!!!

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Hehe. I'm glad you like it. I think the original is named "Joanne of Arc" from those that I read but she really suits as the maiden Valkyrie and guide for the warrior's souls.

I'm really happy someone can relate to what I was planning to do or say as the story of the art work.

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You're welcome!! 🙃

Yes, "Joanne" is the ancient version of "Jeanne" (which is actually a Pagan name, just like "John" in English). Jeanne d'Arc is considered today as the savior of the French nation and praised for her deeds against the English occupation.

By the way, is there any possibility that the Splinterlands Team would select your character for a future cards collection?

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I honestly didn't know that Jeanne D Arc was a real accepted name. I thought it was just wordplay used by different artists.

Yes, there's always that possibility that the team might use my idea, or if fortunate, the drawing itself. The winner of the contest though doesn't get their artwork turned into a card but make it as an nft for sale instead.

But I would like it if the Splinterlands team add my card into their game. That's my end goal for joining their contests.

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You did well drawing this!
So niceee!
I especially like the meaning behind the blindfold.
Great work!

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Thank you and I'm happy you didn't only check the step by step but also read my thought process. I appreciate it.

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I think that's what most artists like, right? 😉

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As long as people liked the finished product, I'm happy with that. But reading the article as well gives me an extra energy to make the next one better, both drawing and in writing.

Thanks again. ❤️

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Ohh now I totally understand!
I also feel the same way, though I'm not an artist. 😅
Hope to see your next one!

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Verny nice and nicely explained! Thanks for sharing!

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Thank you for both checking my art and reading the content.

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