New mythical microbe

It's always a thrill to stumble upon something truly unique in nature, even if it's just in my imagination! When I started sketching out this 'Echinacaan Ericphyoid - S.032', I really wanted to capture that feeling of scientific discovery mixed with pure fantasy. I often get asked about my process for creating these mythical creatures, and it really comes down to a blend of careful observation and letting my mind wander. For anyone interested in creating their own fantastical 'microbe notes', I've found that starting with a real-world inspiration, like the texture of an Echinacea blossom or the intricate patterns of a real mite, can provide a fantastic jumping-off point. From there, I let my imagination fill in the blanks. What if a creature only had six legs instead of eight? What kind of personality would it have? This particular specimen, for example, developed a wonderfully curious nature, always picking things up it encountered. Documenting these observations in a 'field notes page' helps bring them to life, even if they're purely fictional. I love illustrating how a 'small creature on a cone flower' might look, and then zooming in to show details like the 'reddish, six-legged microbe on a spiky flower', giving it a sense of scientific authenticity. Bringing a 'cute, round specimen holding a flower' to life visually is another exciting part of the process. It's about more than just drawing; it's about character design. How do you make a creature feel both alien and endearing? Thinking about how these unique designs could translate into different artistic mediums is also really fun. Imagine designing creatures for a fantasy game or a story – the possibilities are endless! The goal is to make something so distinctive and charming that it could inspire its own little universe, perhaps even a unique character design that sparks joy, much like how beloved characters from books inspire artistic interpretations in other forms. It's all about sharing a piece of your imaginative world with others, inviting them to explore the wonder alongside you.