Belgimon
This was a project to design collectable monsters, similar to franchises as Pokémon and Digimon, but based on Belgian culture. I also challenged myself to try and recreate the early Pokémon art of Sugimori. The reason I put it on hold is because I found it rather difficult to draw more animal-like creatures, as the Pralingo line shows.
The way I created those: I made line art in Inkscape, used one of its filters to create that pseudo-sketchy outline. Then I used GIMP to color them in.
Slurg
This is a slug in the shape of the phrygian cap. It's of course strongly associated with the French Revolution, which had a lasting impact on this region. But in the white color of Slurg, it's mostly known as the hat of the Smurfs. The name of course combines Smurf and Slug.
Snainicola
Evolves from Slurg.
The slug has become a snail. And its shell is a bishop's hat, in the colors associated with Saint Nicholas. Snainicola even has a sort of moustache to evoke Nick's beard.
The name mixes Saint Nicolas (the French spelling) with the word snail.
Cuberdome
This one is based on the Cuberdon candy as described on my Belgian food page, and its name reflects that. He's basically a cuberdon with feet and two syrup or gummy drop eyes.
Oculard
Based on the Eye of Providence as seen in typical old Flemish home decorations saying "God sees me, we don't curse here". He's metallized since I am combining it with the concept of security cameras, which have been appearing more and more in Belgium.
The name combines "Ocular" (of or relating to the eye) and "Guard".
Atomirot
Evolves from Oculard. Several of them have joined together, truly becoming all-seeing. The religious imagery of the Eye of Providence has been shifted to the Jewish sefirot, though the pattern the Oculards have formed follows the Belgian monument known as the Atomium.
The name simply combines atomium and sefirot.
Pralingo
It's a praline (a type of Belgian chocolate) turned into a little critter.
Pranileon
Evolves from Pralingo.
It's turning into a lion! Not only am I referring the heraldic Belgian lions (of Brabant and of Flanders), but also one of our largest chocolate chains: Leonidas (named after the Spartan king).
Miscellaneous
I wanted to sort the monsters in thematical categories, the design of which I based on the energy cards from the Pokémon TCG. This is one design I finished:
