Realistic Pokemon: Combining Digital with Traditional Methods

I have decided that as part of the project, I would like to look at designs that challenge the normal pre-conceptions of how a creature would look. This notion has come about from looking at Pokemon, with its stylish designs and interesting categorising choices. I have been inspired by the likes of artists who create realistic Pokemon, such as R.J. Palmer and Jamie Flack, for some time now. Below are examples of the respective works of the two artists.

I have decided that I would like to take forward a number of the dragon-type Pokemon to which I can attempt to apply real world anatomy and add to the growing trend that is realistic Pokemon. It is also an intention to not look at or study the works of the aforementioned artists whilst creating the designs for this project, lest their designs heavily influence or even be copied to some extent in the concepts being produced.


I created a list of dragon-type Pokemon that I might see to fully realising. I have two groups currently that I have been working on; the first group features Axew, its secondary evolution Haxorus and Bagon. Below are the initial sketches as well as pieces done using Copic markers and one that I have taken into the digital realm and used Photoshop to attempt to enhance it.

Axew original design taken from Pokemon

Fraxure original design taken from Pokemon

Bagon original design taken from Pokemon

Axew and Fraxure sketched concepts

Fraxure and Haxorus sketched and rendered concepts

Axew revised concepts

Bagon sketched and rendered concepts

The concept of Bagon above was taken into Photoshop to try different techniques on it to hopefully improve it further than where it stands with just the Copic markers alone. As shown below, a background has been added to give more of a sense of environment. The aim was to create a sort of icy tundra with the wind swirling snow around and the pale sun gleaming through the gloom. Bagon itself also has had areas darkened and other parts lightened to help up the contrast in colour. I think the outcome is alright, but I have so much to learn when it comes to the digital realm; it's hard to know when to stop with an image before it becomes a case of muddying around and not improving it in any way.

Bagon concept taken into Photoshop

Conflict scene and further Axew concepts

Bagon anatomy concepts

I decided to create a small sketched conflict between the fully evolved form of Axew, Haxorus, and the fully evolved form of Bagon, Salamence. This was just for a bit of fun rather than to take the ideas forward.

Conflict between fully grown Salamence and Haxorus

The next set of dragon-type Pokemon features Deino, Zweiolous, Hydreigon and Dragonite. I have chosen the Deino evolutionary line for its dark lore and interesting designs, whilst Dragonite was specifically chosen to create an opposing force; a typical good versus evil scenario. Using reference, Deino’s design was based off of a rhino; the better to give it real world anatomy and ground it in the eyes of the viewer to being a believable creature. As with the first set of dragons, this set too began with rough concepts, but also features the use of Photoshop to create tonal images to make it easier when it comes to rendering pieces using the Copic markers.

Deino original design taken from Pokemon

Zweilous original design taken from Pokemon

Hydreigon original design taken from Pokemon

Dragonite original design taken from Pokemon

Deino sketched concept

Deino sketched concepts

Taking the bottom Deino concept shown above, I scanned it in and opened it in Photoshop with the aim of creating a grey-scale tonal piece that could potentially be used to aid when colouring in with the markers. This is because it can sometimes be difficult to know exactly where to place the colours and how dark to make them in certain areas. With a reference like this, the process becomes a lot simpler as the base work has been done for me. 

Deino tonal piece using Photoshop

Zweilous sketched concepts

As with the Deino image, so too did the two Zweilous concepts shown above recieve the same tonal treatment.

Zweilous tonal piece using Photoshop

Zweilous tonal piece using Photoshop

Hydreigon sketched concept

This Hydreigon sketch too was given a tonal version. This also helped balance out which parts of the form would be light and dark, regardless of the actual light and shadows cast upon and by it. As can be seen, it was my intention to make the feathers dark, following in suit of the original anime design.

Hydreigon tonal piece using Photoshop

Hydreigon rendered piece using Copic markers

Dragonite sketched concepts