Final Submission
Backstory
This dragon generates bioelectricity and conducts it through its skeleton, which is made of copper. Since its skeleton acts as an organic electric coil, it allows the dragon to create all sorts of electromagnetic effects. Not the least of which, it allows the dragon to electrolevitate (ie. Magnet Rise), which is its preferred means of movement. By undulating its body while generating a magnetic levitation field, this dragon is able to "slither" through the air with great speed and agility. The dragon's personal magnetic field also ionizes the air around its body, creating a protective shield of ionized particles which disrupts the effects of certain attacks used against the dragon (ie. ionized particle shield = Shield Dust).
The spikes on its back and claws are also made of copper, and can be used to conduct electricity as well, most often when launching electrical attacks at enemies from a distance. The spikes and claws are very sharp and can be used for cutting and slashing attacks. The dragon's tail has a constant electrical arc leaping between two copper electrodes at the tip. It's long prehensile tail can be used as a taser, to deliver powerful shocks to enemies upon contact.
This dragon is rarely seen, as it prefers to frolic high in the clouds of active electrical thunderstorms. Since Kingdra are also known to come out in storms over water, this dragon is well-known for engaging in epic battles with Kingdra. It is said that such battles can turn small maritime rainstorms into devastating thunderous monsoons.
Artistic Inspiration
My main stylistic theme was to make a dragon with heavy serpentine influences. I didn't want to make it an outright "snake", but I wanted it to be long and lithe, with sleek curves. Serpent dragons are quite common in mythology, but not as prevalent in Pokemon. Rayquaza is the best example of a serpent dragon in Pokemon. Of course, Dratini and Dragonair are classic serpents, but they are preevolutions. Gyarados, Milotic, and Steelix are all serpents with Dragon moves or in the Dragon breeding group, but do not have overt Dragon typing. Many other artists were doing "bulky bipedal dinosaurs" in the Tyranitar/Aggron mold -- so I thought a serpentine dragon would be a nice alternative to that.
I wanted this dragon to fit with the general aesthetic of some of the most popular dragons in OU -- Salamence, Flygon, and Lati@s. In my opinion, all those dragons look "cool" -- particularly Flygon (who is one of my favorite pokemon BTW). So, I wanted this dragon to look "cool", as opposed to "ferocious" or "cute". I kept the design complexities to a minimum, which I think follows the theme of the dragons mentioned above. The body patterns are simple elliptical shapes, which go nicely with the serpentine body curves, and they offset the sharp angles of the spikes (which are zig-zagged like lightning bolts) and claws.
The color scheme is meant to support the Electric typing, without resorting to a cliche yellow -- which is already WAY overdone amongst electric types. Orange hasn't been used much amongst electrics, with only Raichu and Rotom as existing examples. Orange also compliments the whole "copper" backstory and metal elements, but I experimented with reds as well. Ultimately, this picture of an Amazon tree boa convinced me that orange could work perfectly with a serpentine dragon too.
Design Progress
Early Sketch
Final Sketch
Alternate Coloring
Thanks to everyone who has given me feedback, suggestions, and support. I've had lots of fun working on this design. The art field for this CAP is the strongest I've ever seen, and I'm sure the winning design will be fantastic. Congratulations and good luck to all the CAP artists who have contributed to CAP 8!
Main Design
Supporting Material
Supporting Material
Backstory
This dragon generates bioelectricity and conducts it through its skeleton, which is made of copper. Since its skeleton acts as an organic electric coil, it allows the dragon to create all sorts of electromagnetic effects. Not the least of which, it allows the dragon to electrolevitate (ie. Magnet Rise), which is its preferred means of movement. By undulating its body while generating a magnetic levitation field, this dragon is able to "slither" through the air with great speed and agility. The dragon's personal magnetic field also ionizes the air around its body, creating a protective shield of ionized particles which disrupts the effects of certain attacks used against the dragon (ie. ionized particle shield = Shield Dust).
The spikes on its back and claws are also made of copper, and can be used to conduct electricity as well, most often when launching electrical attacks at enemies from a distance. The spikes and claws are very sharp and can be used for cutting and slashing attacks. The dragon's tail has a constant electrical arc leaping between two copper electrodes at the tip. It's long prehensile tail can be used as a taser, to deliver powerful shocks to enemies upon contact.
This dragon is rarely seen, as it prefers to frolic high in the clouds of active electrical thunderstorms. Since Kingdra are also known to come out in storms over water, this dragon is well-known for engaging in epic battles with Kingdra. It is said that such battles can turn small maritime rainstorms into devastating thunderous monsoons.
Artistic Inspiration
My main stylistic theme was to make a dragon with heavy serpentine influences. I didn't want to make it an outright "snake", but I wanted it to be long and lithe, with sleek curves. Serpent dragons are quite common in mythology, but not as prevalent in Pokemon. Rayquaza is the best example of a serpent dragon in Pokemon. Of course, Dratini and Dragonair are classic serpents, but they are preevolutions. Gyarados, Milotic, and Steelix are all serpents with Dragon moves or in the Dragon breeding group, but do not have overt Dragon typing. Many other artists were doing "bulky bipedal dinosaurs" in the Tyranitar/Aggron mold -- so I thought a serpentine dragon would be a nice alternative to that.
I wanted this dragon to fit with the general aesthetic of some of the most popular dragons in OU -- Salamence, Flygon, and Lati@s. In my opinion, all those dragons look "cool" -- particularly Flygon (who is one of my favorite pokemon BTW). So, I wanted this dragon to look "cool", as opposed to "ferocious" or "cute". I kept the design complexities to a minimum, which I think follows the theme of the dragons mentioned above. The body patterns are simple elliptical shapes, which go nicely with the serpentine body curves, and they offset the sharp angles of the spikes (which are zig-zagged like lightning bolts) and claws.
The color scheme is meant to support the Electric typing, without resorting to a cliche yellow -- which is already WAY overdone amongst electric types. Orange hasn't been used much amongst electrics, with only Raichu and Rotom as existing examples. Orange also compliments the whole "copper" backstory and metal elements, but I experimented with reds as well. Ultimately, this picture of an Amazon tree boa convinced me that orange could work perfectly with a serpentine dragon too.
Design Progress
Early Sketch
Final Sketch
Alternate Coloring
Thanks to everyone who has given me feedback, suggestions, and support. I've had lots of fun working on this design. The art field for this CAP is the strongest I've ever seen, and I'm sure the winning design will be fantastic. Congratulations and good luck to all the CAP artists who have contributed to CAP 8!