Timelapse: Drawing a Fantasy Bone Axe🪓💀

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/cb5589_ffdf05281f49431c98fb360edff74dbd/360p/mp4/file.mp4

Fantasy Bone Axe -Acrylic Markers

There are weapons of steel, and then there are weapons of story. For this drawing, I wanted to create something that felt ancient, culturally specific, and morally complex. The spark came from two powerful sources: the real-world aesthetics of traditional African weaponry and the relentless, tribal fury of Evan Winter's epic novel, The Rage of Dragons.

In the book, society is built on a rigid caste system and a culture of glorious, often devastating, warfare. I imagined a warrior culture within that world, one seen as "savage" or "corrupted" through the eyes of their enemies. Their nobility isn't expressed in polished steel, but in bone and bronze—materials that speak to a deep, primal connection with the land and the great beasts they conquer.

This bone axe is a relic of that culture. Its form is heavily inspired by the elegant, brutal shapes of African throwing axes and iklwas, reimagined for a fantasy context. The bronze bindings and ferrule suggest a masterful metalworking tradition, while the massive, weathered axe head, carved from the femur of a creature far larger than a man, tells a story of raw, earned power.

A Personal Challenge: First Time with Acrylic Markers

Bringing this vision to life presented a perfect opportunity for a personal first: my first time working with acrylic markers. I wanted a medium that could mimic the opaque, chalky texture of bone and the bright, warm gleam of bronze in a way my usual inks couldn't.

It was a learning process! The bold opacity was perfect for layering highlights on the bone and making the bronze elements pop against the page. I embraced the texture of the markers to create a rough, organic feel, building up cracks and weathering to make the axe look like a veteran of countless battles. It was a fantastic challenge that pushed my traditional art skills in a new direction.

From Inspiration to Artifact

The timelapse you see is more than just a drawing process; it's the visual creation of a culture's identity. Every line of the carving, every patch of weathering, was drawn while listening to the The Rage of Dragons Audio Book, immersing myself in the world that inspired it.

This axe isn't just a weapon; it's a symbol of a people misunderstood, a culture forged in conflict and tradition. I hope it sparks your imagination as much as it did mine. Peace.✌🏾

What kind of warrior do you see wielding this axe? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

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