Someone told me about the cryptid/folklore of the Yule Cat and I just had to it! The first thing that popped into my head was the shape of these trees. I wanted a border where a thick evergreen-type tree breaks outside the outline border.

I then wanted to have a sense of environment and add a path and area that makes it seem like its not just an incased place; but a place that feels lived in and real (without breaking my usual “snapshot” of how I like to have my creatures/characters living in).

I then had to add housing for this northern Scandinavian town, and I wanted 2 homes to try and capture a town while also making it seem like you’re peering into a snow globe or something similar. I also had to add a child just finishing a snowman (before it looks up to see its demise).

For the final version of the inking/sketch phase, I had to add my main character/creature. I started by putting a standard cat shape and giving it its iconic belled collar. Then adding it amongst the trees to give a sense of its size and ominous form!

I then started adding my color and rendering it to fit the vibe and presence that I wanted to go for. I wanted it to feel like a town just going about their business, then a gigantic cat sneaking up without anyone knowing.

I then added more shading and refined the background trees to feel out more of the vibe I was going for!

I then colored and rendered in my big cute kitty! I ended up going with a standard black cat over the lores Maine Coon because the dark grey fluff didn’t look the way i wanted it to look, so I changed it to allow for the cat to retain its ominous presence and give it a luring threat. The thought of a giant child eating cat sneaking through the trees to come for your children is terrifying.

I then finished up the sky and moon to further establish that unnerving spooky vibe of the entire situation. A child going outside at night to make a snowman, unknowing that within the dark woods a giant cat awaits to pounce and devour!

Now i finish up the final touches and add my signature white outline and dark background. I felt this one gave my vision of the Yule Cat, but still managed to keep it lighthearted and cute!