Conjure Brief:

Create a Conjure based on lucid dreaming, with a strong emphasis on matter creation.
- Creating an object in their hands?
- Sculpting something?
Utilise pink or purple as the accent colour, as pinks and purples are more associated with fantastical concepts, and, by extension, dreams.
Potentially include elements of corruption/glitchy effects to emphasise the power of this Conjure.
Focal point is the object of creation.

Sketches and Ideas

Creating Imperium

1. I began by blocking in the hand positions, then beginning to work on the ball in the centre. I started out by experimenting with ‘dots’ that would look as though they were connecting together, as though the ball was being ‘assembled’. I decided I didn’t like this so much however, as it made the focal point a bit messy.

I began by blocking in the hand positions, then beginning to work on the ball in the centre. I started out by experimenting with ‘dots’ that would look as though they were connecting together, as though the ball was being ‘assembled’. I decided I didn’t like this so much however, as it made the focal point a bit messy.

2. I ended up opting for a ball inspired by a celestial object, like a planet or black hole. The focal point is much cleaner now. I added some rim lighting to one side to add some contrast and suggest once again that the ball is being assembled, one side being more ‘assembled’ than the other.

I ended up opting for a ball inspired by a celestial object, like a planet or black hole. The focal point is much cleaner now. I added some rim lighting to one side to add some contrast and suggest once again that the ball is being assembled, one side being more ‘assembled’ than the other.

3. I then started work on an accretion disk, as though energy was being pulled into the ball, further highlighting the ‘assembly’ concept from before.

I then started work on an accretion disk, as though energy was being pulled into the ball, further highlighting the ‘assembly’ concept from before.

4. To liven up the piece a bit, I added some glitchy movement to the background that spirals around the ball, framing it nicely and adding some much needed chaos.

To liven up the piece a bit, I added some glitchy movement to the background that spirals around the ball, framing it nicely and adding some much needed chaos.

5. I saw that the piece was not aligned particularly well with the available space on the card design, so I moved it up, as shown on the next card.

I saw that the piece was not aligned particularly well with the available space on the card design, so I moved it up, as shown on the next card.

6. I continued to refine the background to really sell the focal point and to emphasise Imperium’s power.

I continued to refine the background to really sell the focal point and to emphasise Imperium’s power.

Final Default Artwork

I added a bit more colour to the background of the piece, just to help it pop out a bit more. I didn’t feel the need to make any changes in Photoshop either, as I felt it looked solid in its current state. I do think the outer edges look a bit empty and could maybe do with a bit more content, maybe some more defined glitchy shapes, but I can come back to that another time.

Lifeline Protocol

1. I ended up deciding on a Lifeline inspired by one of the sketches, in which Imperium is creating an entire planet. I felt like this was a logical step up from the standard art. I decided to showcase Imperium destroying the planet however, to really emphasise a different side to Imperium.

I ended up deciding on a Lifeline inspired by one of the sketches, in which Imperium is creating an entire planet. I felt like this was a logical step up from the standard art. I decided to showcase Imperium destroying the planet however, to really emphasise a different side to Imperium.

2. Adding some rim lighting to add contrast, this lets the pink cracks shine more vividly.

Adding some rim lighting to add contrast, this lets the pink cracks shine more vividly.

I wasn’t happy with where the piece was going, so I had a bit of a rethink. I decided that destruction wasn’t really in Imperium’s nature, and that creation seemed more in line with him, thus I went back to the idea of creating a planet. I feel more confident in being able to make a good looking piece using this concept, too. I started with some loose, messy strokes to make the planet look like a gas giant. I opted for pink, to highlight how Imperium is creating a planet though his own powerr.

4. Adding some shadows to the planet, and refining the gaseous shapes.

Adding some shadows to the planet, and refining the gaseous shapes.

5. Adding some rim lighting, and cleaning up the edges.

Adding some rim lighting, and cleaning up the edges.

6. Adding a wireframe to showcase how Imperium is creating this planet in digital space, assembling the model before applying the texture, so to speak.

Adding a wireframe to showcase how Imperium is creating this planet in digital space, assembling the model before applying the texture, so to speak.

7. Adding some atmospherics in the form of stars and giant gas clouds, to add a sense of scale and evoke space just that bit more. It also looks much cooler.

Adding some atmospherics in the form of stars and giant gas clouds, to add a sense of scale and evoke space just that bit more. It also looks much cooler.

8. I then added some additional depth and glitchyness to the background to really make it pop. I upped the lighting around the planet too, to add a bit of chaos, which I think adds to how this piece aims to showcase Imperium’s immense power. I also added the wireframe over the whole planet, but used a mask to make it less pronounced on the shadowy part of the planet.

I then added some additional depth and glitchyness to the background to really make it pop. I upped the lighting around the planet too, to add a bit of chaos, which I think adds to how this piece aims to showcase Imperium’s immense power. I also added the wireframe over the whole planet, but used a mask to make it less pronounced on the shadowy part of the planet.