🐕🌾 Verdant Guardian of the Open Plains — Protector of the Grazing Fields
🧭 Overview
Verdant Guardian of the Open Plains — Protector of the Grazing Fields is part of an ongoing series of Settlers of Catan–inspired hex tile artworks, where each environment is represented by a dog breed that embodies the spirit of the land.
This piece focuses on the plains resource, interpreted through a Border Collie—a breed known for its intelligence, discipline, and deep connection to open grazing environments. The goal of the series is to transform familiar board game elements into narrative-driven visual pieces, where each tile becomes a self-contained world with its own guardian.
🎨 Process & Materials
This artwork was created using a layered mixed media approach:
Acrylic paint pens (POSCA)
Stuart Semple Super Base
White 2.0 acrylic paint
Protective mattify membrane coat
After completing the physical piece, the image was digitally refined using Snapseed and Procreate to enhance clarity, contrast, and overall presentation.
🎥 Process Video
https://youtube.com/shorts/W8a-H580aws
📝 Blog Post
Read the full story behind this piece:
https://www.theartisticshepherdart.com/blog/blog_posts/verdant-guardian-of-the-open-plains-protector-of-the-grazing-fields
🛍️ Prints
🌿 Series Context
This piece is part of a larger collection exploring:
Dog breeds as symbolic guardians
Landscapes tied to resource-based environments
A fusion of traditional media and digital refinement
Narrative-driven board game reinterpretation
Each tile contributes to a unified world—one where environment, function, and character intersect.
