Crouching Shepherdess

Seventh Sanctum's Class Act Contest - Entry #1
Generator: Humorous Fantasy Class
Result: Shepherd / Martial Artist

Being the shepherd of a flock of sheep can be a difficult and dangerous profession, which is why the few, the brave, the shepherds must have the skills to defend the defenseless and ward off the malicious. Not only must they be experts in the use of such tools as the shepherd's staff and slings but also must be proficient in hand-to-hand combat. The world, after all, is a dangerous place, especially for naive sheep.

Meet Antia, a shepherdess from a long line of highly renown shepherds-martial artists. In her family, the children begin their intense training at the tender age of seven, and only when they have proven they can protect their flock from all kinds of evil -- from wolves, bears, lions, dragons, pouchers, thieves, bandits, and the local, greedy overlord -- are they given the title "shepherd" or "shepherdess" and entrusted to watch the flocks alone.

Antia takes her profession extremely seriously, and even during the hours of calm, she practices her skills as the grazing sheep she is responsible for lazily look on.

This picture was a total blast to sketch and color. I hope you like!

Original Sketch

Ink Art 1.3, Paintshop Pro 7

© Jacquelyn Fisher. 25 November 2007.