The day has finally come, @QueenB.
Today is yet another birthday for Denize the dragon. But it is also a more definitive time for me to step away from making art of her forever, especially when I'm taking this time to transition to making artwork of a new original sea serpent character who's not part of Candy Crush, but is definitely inspired by Denize.
There is so much I want to show you as I turn the page and begin a new chapter in my art journey, so bear with me now.
First, let's have a look at a few additional models of Denize that I think look a few steps better than what I've made so far.
This one emphasizes her serpentine body, and is an upgrade of my "snaky remake" of her more than a year ago.
And this picture attempts to hew closer to what she would fully look like in the game.
And I also drew a picture of her doing her spellbinding "den pose", in which she goes down on all fours (which is quite difficult and uncomfortable for her to do due to her slim arms) and flexes her long, long, thorny body. I also designed several variations, including one that shows her skeleton through an X-ray!
Here are some pictures of other artists who have tried depicting Denize.
SpicyNoodleArt, a professional serpentine creature artist, turned in these two beauties in art trades I made with them:
Here is KingSusiePen_KSP24's take on Denize:
And this is KillerTurtle99's take on the dragoness.
Creature fusion artist 4LeggyKaiArt5656 combined Denize with Mistral from The Tiger's Apprentice and Sisu from Raya and the Last Dragon. Denize's tail, barbels, arms, eyes and neck frills are preserved, as well as brass fasteners from the game's paper doll aesthetic.
DotCompetitive9974 even tried their best to make some 2D clay art of Denize as well:
An unknown artist also showcased Denize at a beach party with other Candy Crush Saga characters.
Artist rockstarcrossing also depicted Denize in her lake.
There's also a DrawDoo about how to draw Denize in her lake.
Which one was the best?
What I've always loved about Denize is that she's a Chinese dragon, and basically a giant snake with arms and legs. She looks like a terrifying man-eater with many spikes down her spine and jagged jaws, yet she wouldn't want to eat anyone for lunch.
And now, at last, here's where I've imagined Denize going next for vacation now that it's summertime.
Of all the places in the world she could go to relax and have a vacation, Italy's Amalfi Coast turns out to be a spot she loves. It is rich with lemons, and here she is sipping away fresh lemonade squeezed from the local lemons for a drink like none other after a nice, refreshing swim in the sea. The lemons and warm climate easily make Amalfi a great choice for a home away from home for Izzy!
Sue, my new original sea serpent character, drops by to say hi.
And soon enough, Denize's family and friends also join her, to make this summer gathering merrier. (Olivia the octopus, Milly the mermaid, Didi, Archie the Toffee Turtle, Tiffi and Mr. Dragon, from left to right. They can all swim, alright!)
This is where I will last see her and her friends. Farewell, Denize. I will dearly miss you. You have been a beloved character in this game to make art about. But I cannot go on another year with you. Everything has to end. One chapter must close. And so, I move on with Sue. Your spirit will live on in her and-
-awwwww, what a cute last little picture of a newborn Denize peeking out of her chocolate egg two centuries ago! Oh, wait, let's throw in a vintage-colored sepia filter of the moment she was born because this happened over 200 years ago:
Ok, seriously, byeee…
