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Design & Behind-the-Scenes
Step-by-Step Creative Processes
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Introduction
If you're in the Unstable Games Discord Server, you've probably seen some of my work already! I posted my first "fanart" in the Twisted Cryptids channel (#twisted-words) in October of 2025. The Wendigo quickly became of interest, and I was honoured to have the Unstable Games Wiki manager, Shicala, reach out to post them on the site. The Wendigo (and other cryptids I've made) can be found HERE.
A question I get a lot is... how did/do you make the cards? And I've only ever given a short answer; for the Twisted Cryptids cards, I took the Official Print and Play Additional Characters PDF (Kraken, Kelpie, and Drop Bear) to make an overlay of the cards and get the character tarot card and playing card sizes. From there, I sketched the cryptids onto the cards, added line art and base colours... then, shaded until I matched the art style used by the official cards.
But this is such a vague answer for those looking to recreate what I did! So, find below an in-depth walkthrough of my creative process. I hope this thoroughly answers any questions you may have.
**I will be primarily focusing on my Twisted Cryptid cards for this post!
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From Idea to Printable: My Design Process | Starting Off
It all starts with an idea! It's critical to make jot notes and sketches - but keep them together! For my Twisted Cryptids cards, I knew I wanted to create Canadian cryptids that were not yet added into the official game. So, I designed unofficial add-ons.
I began my journey with an idea, various Pinterest boards, and endless tabs of research. The concept is to be researched first. What is a Wendigo? Whereabouts in Canada does the folklore originate? What is the most common interpretation/visual representation of the cryptid? I made some notes and used these to help design the final character. The Pinterest boards gave me visual assistance and inspiration.
For a personal touch, I knew I wanted to make the Wendigo more feminine and not as horrific as the cryptid is commonly depicted. So, instead of bloodied fur, I used pink highlights and details (like marks on the forearms and a glowing eye). I still included the iconic features - such as a deer skull and an exposed ribcage... but also added personal touches; like eyelashes and a heart-shaped nose cavity.
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How I Design Fan Expansions
First off, card sizes are critical for me. If someone is going to print my work to add to their games, I want the cards to fit in as seamlessly as possible. For my Wendigo/Thunderbird/Caddy cards, I took a ruler and physically measured the components of my own copy of the game (tarot cards, playing cards, meeples). I used Adobe Photoshop to draw these cards. I drew the cards in a A4 Letter paper size (8.5" x 11") with a DPI of 300, so I had some wiggle room for resizing without compromising the resolution of the PNG.
Once the sketch is done, I'll boost my smoothing up to 80-100%, to reduce jitter/shaky line art. Once the line art is done, I create various new layers BELOW the line art layer in a group for base colours. I'll then clipping mask 3 layers on top of the colours file: one for solid colour shading (to match the UG art style), one for regular shading (set to multiply), and one for highlights/lighting (set to screen). Adjust opacity layers for the multiply/screen layer accordingly depending on personal preference! I usually keep it between 65-95%.
Once the art is done, I'll rearrange the cards on the canvas to line up for printing. Card fronts will typically be in the rightmost LOWER corner, card backs will be in the rightmost UPPER corner. Make sure your card backs are flipped and upside-down for printing. You'll flip along the LONG edge for printing. Ideally, the prints will line up if done properly!
When I am content with the final look, I'll export as a PNG (transparent background. I draw with a "background layer" of a solid white block/sheet, and I'll remove/hide it while exporting). Then, I'll order and import them into Adobe Acrobat for creating a PDF.
Then, I'll upload my files somewhere to be printed by my fellow fans! I don't use watermarks so the cards will fit in, again, as seamlessly as possible - though I ask my work be credited properly if posted elsewhere. Even on the Wiki page, I am credited as "Em L." (my in-real-life name).
While my expertise comes with hand-drawing, I must admit, I have ZERO idea how to 3D model ANYTHING. Special thanks to AMUN246 (Brandon Muñoz) for modelling the meeples (and hiding spot tokens) for me! His designs are featured on the card backs and as STL files for 3D printing. You can find his work HERE.
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Balancing Custom Cards Without Breaking the Game
This is the most difficult part. My entire goal revolves around seamlessly fitting the characters into the game. Therefore, balancing is critical. I don't want to make the character overpowered, or lesser than the other cards.
I took a while scanning the pre-existing cards for the game; Bigfoot, Jackalope, Loveland Frog, Mothman, Lizard Person, Jersey Devil, Nessie, Chupacabra, Deathworm, and Yeti... the most common feature was action 1 human and action 2 humans/draw 1-2. So, I made this the formula for my cards: manipulating humans! I noticed with the cards, however, extracting and scaring were more common for the "2 humans." Likely because these don't TYPICALLY place humans onto your hiding site. Therefore, I did my best to strategically lay out the cryptid powers in such a way they were not overpowered, but could hold a lot of power if strategically used; like the other cryptids.
I think, overall, the Wendigo, Thunderbird, and Caddy fit rather well into the official game. Let me know if you agree or disagree!
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Art Style Breakdown of Unstable Games / Teeturtle
Unstable Games / Teeturtle have a very distinct art style. While cute and simplistic at a glance, I promise you, there are (literal) LAYERS to pulling a part each graphic design; the line art, the base colours, and most importantly... shading. Characters are still images, therefore you need to meet a distinct criteria... namely, a unique character design that is appealing to look at, a balanced/sensible colour palette, and - critically - "rounded" bodies and CLEAN line art. If you were to take an Teeturtle Graphic T-shirt design, lower the opacity, and draw over it with simplistic shapes, I'd say roughly 90% of that will be circles.
My art tips for breaking down the style is simple:
- Include a "line of action"... this will determine which way your character flows. (This will be extremely helpful for overlapping and determining which parts are "closer to the screen.")
- When sketching, start with the head. Draw a secondary "line of action" for the arms. (This will make your pose more dynamic!)
- Your first sketch will be VERY messy. This is okay. Create shapes, then go over again to make the character more prominent.
- When applying line art, make sure you keep the thickness consistent. Closer to the screen, make the lines thicker. Further from the screen, make the lines thinner. Unstable Games / Teeturtle line art is, for the most part, the same thickness throughout. So make these changes SUBTLE.
- Base colours are solid - shading is what will add depth. Keep shading simple... make sure it is under the line art layer, too!
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Other Expansions | Notes
While my ideas for other expansions (namely those for Here to Slay, Casting Shadows, Command of Nature, Mystic Moon, and Here to Slay DUNGEONS) are simply concept sketches in my notebooks at the moment, I still plan on completing and posting them. The process for each expansion idea is basically the same as posted above; research, sketches, style-breakdowns, etc.
Mystic Moon, I've noticed, is one of the first Unstable Games / Teeturtle art styles to have NO prominent line art (solid colours create the illusion of lines/shapes). This one has been a bit more of a challenge to replicate. Although, overall, I think I like the line-less style a tad better! It keeps the iconic cartoony style, but modernizes it a tad. That being said, I think the line art is also rather charming. Both work for this company's style well.
Takeaways: Study the style you want to replicate BEFORE drawing. Take images, try to recreate them. Before you try your own characters in a style, especially if new to drawing digitally, break down an image/character into shapes.
I hope to get these done ASAP - but, hey, follow me along for the journey, yeah? I'll make more posts as they develop.
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It really is a fun project and hobby, being an artist. I am able to take my ideas and slap them onto paper - making them a reality. I am honoured to be sharing my creative journey with fellow fans.
Chaos Control stands to be a creative spot for me - providing additional user-made add-ons, resources, and possibly some homebrewed mechanics into the future. Of course, official games will be reviewed in future posts.
I hope I can continue sharing my silly little world with you. I appreciate everyone who reads my posts!
If you have further questions about the design process, let me know in the comments. I will reply!
Until next time!
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do you do commissions?
- A: No, not typically. I'm happy to arrange something, though. I recently picked up my first commission!
Q: Where can I find the Wendigo/Thunderbird/Caddy cards?
- A: Here! Though, Caddy (as of 2026/03/31) is not currently uploaded. He is still in the works!
Q: Are you an art student?
- A: No, I'm a psychology major! I had dreams of working as a concept artist for a company for video games (or even board games!), but I did not make the program and decided to pivot to the backup plan. I still draw in my free time. (I am an Arts & Culture Specialist High-Skills Major from high school, though!)
Q: What inspires you?
- A: As cheesy as it is to say - I create these expansions for the community. I am driven by the fact my art can be enjoyed and distributed to those who intend on using it for the games! Of course, I draw for pleasure, too. I think seeing happy faces and smiles is my biggest motivator! So thank you to those who download and print my expansions!
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