5 - snake
vision/concept, influences, work in progress pictures
Written April 15th, covering art from Jun 22nd - Jul 11th, 2021
CONCEPT
Ok, i think the concepts for the sinosphere creatures are a lil more straightforward because i didn't incorporate as much symbology and focused on the creatures themselves. As a herpetological fan and a future snake caretaker, it was really important to me what KIND of snake I featured. I wanted to highlight one that was specifically Taiwanese, and ended up going with a Taiwanese Coral Snake, which is endemic to Taiwan.
At the time, I wanted to emphasize the unique and distinct ecosystem of Taiwan. Looking back, after 4ish years of thinking more about my family's journey as immigrants and settlers, I may have selected a snake more endemic to china that thrives in multiple places (since my family are not indigenous to taiwan!).
INFLUENCES
I researched images of Taiwanese coral snakes and similar snakes. I would say i was hugely influenced by being a weird snake kid. I had a small kingsnake (imitators of poisonous coral snakes!) as a child, and painting this snake really reminded me how excited and fascinated i am by snake subsistence and reproductive patterns!
Thank you to this site SNAKES OF TAIWAN for having all this info in english!!
I really wanted to get all of the snake anatomy correct! Later, as an adult snake owner, I learned that a "healthy" shed is in a single piece, and wouldn't have the lil tail piece fall off like I illustrated. But oh well! Visually, it looked great haha.
PROCESS PHOTOS
Working on the rats and snake at the same time.
base layers down, ready for details
Video of me painting on the scales, which wasn't the most mathematical, biologically accurate, or consistent thing i've ever done. But I do think the visual effect turned out great!
I was so relieved to be done with the scales!!
KEY MEMORIES
Less than a year after painting this, I adopted my snake, Akamāta, from the Chicago Herpetological Society. :) Aka is my beautiful, anxious familiar!!!
The person I interacted with from the Chicago Herp Society was very helpful and gave me Aka and their tank for free! I would highly recommend adopting from them!!!
