Aphollum - The Strategos of Elysium

The inspiration for this character comes from a song and Greek mythology. As a mythology enthusiast, I wanted to create a character connected to that world of heroes and gods, a realm filled with battles and mysticism. The song is about daily struggles in our modern society, highlighting the importance of emotional health and its impact on our lives. While listening to the song, I imagined a god or hero whose life was perfect and simple. However, after an invasion of his world, he becomes aware of the harsh realities around him, and his once-ideal existence is shattered.

Hardware:
I used the Wacom Intuos S CTL-4100 graphic tablet. I chose this tablet because it is easy to set up and use. The pen is lightweight and feels like a real pen. Additionally, the tablet's surface is smooth, allowing for effortless drawing, and it provides a natural feel similar to that of paper.

Software:
I used Krita, an open-source drawing software because it has a lot of tools specific for drawing, it is very versatile and a good choice if you want free software with a large variety of brushes and canvas.
For sketch, poses, and final concept I used the standard canvas dimension 2480x3508 pixels, with a resolution of 300 pixels/inch and a color depth of 8-bit integer/channel.

I started by collecting references about heroic figures in Greek mythology and armor pieces from that era.

I start to create the initial sketch using this brushes:

- Pencil Hard
- Basic drawing Krita brush

After that, I created the mood board and color palette. I chose the colors to reflect the character's friendliness and heroism while creating a harmonious look with the mythical garden of Elysium.

Then, I began to draw him in various poses with different elements to contrast with his actions.

For the final concept, I had several ideas. One idea features the hero standing in front of a statue reminiscent of the Greek Acropolis, symbolizing his role as a protector. Another idea involves depicting a section of Elysium in the background, with the hero posed to suggest protection, emphasizing his commitment to safeguarding what he holds dear.

After taking a break, I finalized my concept: being perceived as a hero is crucial for how people view him. He needs to embrace the qualities of a hero in the eyes of every citizen, prompting a painter to want to immortalize his figure in a painting.
This background suggest that the Elysium is an evergreen land.

For this I used:
- Pencil Hard 
- Paint Brush - WaterC Spread WideArea
- Paint Brush - WaterC Spread
- Filling tool
- Blender Blur

I took this contest as motivation to start digital drawing and to challenge myself to bring my ideas to life. I wanted to materialize my concepts through both the story and the actual artwork. I had a lot of fun during this process and learned a great deal along the way.