From Dream to Print: How a Magical Creature Comes to Life

Have you ever wondered how a fantasy animal art print is born? Behind every magical creature in my shop lies a story — a spark of imagination, layers of color and emotion, and finally, a piece of wall art ready to bring wonder into someone’s home.

Each art print in my shop is more than just a digital illustration — it's a mixed media collage, carefully crafted on my iPad using Procreate. I blend textures, line drawings, painterly strokes, and hand-drawn elements into one cohesive image. This layered process allows me to shape a fantasy world in my own signature style: detailed, emotional, and filled with subtle magic.

Digital art is my medium — it’s where I imagine, create, and finish every piece. With Procreate as my canvas, I bring together many visual influences into one enchanted scene: part painting, part drawing, part dream.

In this post, I’ll take you behind the scenes of how a magical creature is born — from the first spark of inspiration to the finished fantasy art print that arrives in your hands.

✨ Step 1: The Spark of Imagination

My inspiration often begins with a fantasy thought — a magical feeling that takes the shape of an animal in my mind. It's not just what the creature is, but how it feels. Is it gentle and wise? Playful and mysterious? I let that emotion guide the vision.

From there, I start searching for the right reference: a real animal with a pose or expression that matches the feeling I want to capture. I might look at dozens of photos until one clicks — something in the eyes, the tilt of the head, the flow of the body. That becomes the foundation for the magical creature I’m about to create.

🎨 Step 2: Building the World Around the Creature

Once I’ve found the right pose and expression, I begin imagining the world around the creature. Where does it live? What kind of magical realm does it belong to? Is it gliding through a dreamlike desert at twilight, swimming in an enchanted underwater kingdom, or wandering through a quiet forest under a glowing moon?

This is where the storytelling begins. I think about the atmosphere — is it night or day? Soft or bold? And most importantly: what kind of magic exists in this place?

Color plays a big role in how I tell that story. I love working within a single color palette, using many tints and shades of one dominant hue. That way, the creature stands out as the heart of the artwork, surrounded by a world that enhances its presence without overwhelming it.

🖌️ Step 3: Bringing the Magic to Life

Once the environment is shaped, I begin unifying the scene — blending creature and world into one magical whole. I enhance the animal with brush strokes, subtle textures, and intricate details that give it life and presence.

The final step is my favorite: adding the magical elements that express the emotion behind the piece. I often draw fine linework by hand — detailed illustrations that form meaningful parts of the composition. These are usually botanical elements like enchanted leaves, vines, or flowers, grounding the scene in a sense of natural wonder.

And of course… no magic is complete without a touch of shimmering dust. A gentle swirl, a soft sparkle — as if something ancient and unseen is breathing through the artwork.

One of the journeys from imagination till art print

To show you what that process looks like, I’ve created a timelapse video of my magical whale illustration. In just a few seconds, you can see hours of creation unfold — from the first sketch to the final sparkles of magical dust. Watch below:

🌟 Stay Connected & Discover More Magic

If you enjoyed seeing how my fantasy creatures come to life, I’d love to connect with you!✨ Follow me on Instagram @louisahunsinger_art for more behind-the-scenes videos, new art drops, and glimpses into my magical world. 🛒

Curious to bring one of these creatures into your home? Take a look at my fantasy animal art print shop — where each print is ready to add a little wonder to your walls.

Thank you for being part of this creative journey 💫