Graveler! Pokemon One a Day!

The Rock Pokemon

Rock Type

Deep in the jungles, you and your fellow archeologists stumble upon an area that has been hidden by the thick trees, vines and stalks.  This area is untouched, and you clear the way to reveal a temple, a small one at that, that has preserved artifacts that you cannot believe are in such fantastic condition.  One of the relics is small, and fits in your hand.  

Carved into the stone is…Graveler?  Yes, it must be!  Four arms, round rugged body…It is the rock pokemon that researchers have come to pay respects in filling in the gap of the mysteries of many of the world’s historical heritage sites.  

Welcome to today’s Pokemon One a Day illustration, featuring Graveler!  This design is one I am very proud of, both in the aestheric end result as well as the background story and detailing.  I pictured creating a style that was made by ancient civilizations, being inspired by Aztec, Mayan, and Incan art.  I mixed and matched their artistic preferences with my own, and slowly built up Graveler.  At first, it was going to be very simple and feature the Pokemon drawn in the style, but soon it grew bigger into having the Pokemon featured in a rock cut out, and then a giant clay/stone slab with art etched into it, and then the slab cracked and inhabitted by moss to give it a very storied feel that really pushed the passage of time.  

How I imagine the role of ancient Gravelers were as one man construction crews.  They were trained and used to help build many monuments and structures that even our modern day architects with state of the art tools and equipment have no idea how it was done.  Graveler’s, being rock pokemon and sturdy, with 4 arms were leagues more efficient.  Easter Island Statues, Stone Henge, Pyramids…Now you know how they were put up!  

When civilizations expanded and set out into the world, two new cultures would meet and trade Gravelers as a sign of peace and respect.  Only the best of Graveler’s who helped cultivate the civilization were offered as peace treaties, and when the Graveler’s would return with their new masters back to their original homes, the changes in the environment, and new minerals ingested would trigger an evolution into Golem.    

So there you go!  One of my personal favorites of the series thus far - a freshly excavated Graveler artifact that will likely go to a museum.  I hope you enjoy the art, the backstory, and the thought that went into the process.  See you tomorrow!

-Bonny

+ Pokemon One a Day is a series illustrated and curated by Bonny John in an effort to represent the the first generation of characters from the world wide phenomenon that is known as Pokemon.  The idea is simple - to draw and share one new Pokemon a day (weekends off!) until every Pokemon from the set is completed.  This project is an exploration of fine art styles for learning and leisurely purposes.  

+ Links to my YouTube, FB, Twitter, DeviantART, and Tumblr can be found on my official websitewww.bonnyjohn.com/contact

+Reblog on Tumblr: bonnyjohn.tumblr.com/post/7400…