There is something deeply satisfying about painting a summer piece that feels full of warmth, personality and a little bit of chaos, and Hot Goblin Summer absolutely delivered on that.
This illustration is a playful fantasy beach scene built around one very confident goblin enjoying her day in the sun. She is front and centre in a bright pink bikini, oversized sun hat and heart-shaped sunglasses, looking every bit like she owns the whole beach. I wanted the main figure to feel glamorous, fun and self-assured, but also grounded and real. That is why I made a point of including details like stretch marks, body hair and tan lines. These are the kinds of things real bodies have, and I wanted them to be part of the piece without apology. They are not there to make a statement in a heavy-handed way, but simply to let the character exist as she is.
Although the goblin is the focus, a lot of the fun in this artwork comes from the smaller stories happening around her.
In the background, there is a fairy and a tiefling in the middle of what looks like a full-on beachside altercation. Whether it is a proper fight or just the sort of dramatic holiday disagreement that fantasy folk seem especially prone to is open to interpretation. Either way, they felt like the perfect bit of ridiculous background energy.
Off to one side, a drow is clearly checking out the goblin, while the firbolg next to him is completely unbothered and fast asleep. I really liked that contrast. One character is invested in the scene, and the other is simply having a nap and living their best life. It adds to that relaxed summer atmosphere while still keeping the piece full of little character moments.
Then there is the elf teasing another gnome with an ice cream, which might be one of my favourite details in the whole image. It is such a small thing, but it gives the impression that this beach is full of ongoing stories, jokes and relationships. I always enjoy adding those sorts of details because they reward people for taking a second look.
For me, that is one of the best parts of creating scenes like this. At first glance, it is a colourful fantasy beach illustration with a striking central figure. But the longer you look, the more tiny moments you notice. It becomes less like a single portrait and more like a snapshot from a very strange and lively summer afternoon.
Hot Goblin Summer will be available as a print soon, so if you would like a bit of bold fantasy sunshine on your wall, keep an eye out.
And if you enjoy this sort of characterful, expressive artwork, my commissions are also open. I love creating fantasy characters, scenes and illustrations filled with personality, so if you would like something of your own, feel free to get in touch