Berserkir

This is Berserkir, the music album cover created for Munknörr's new single. Later animated for Youtube.
Beyond the visual impact of the dangerous atmosphere, there was a concept I wanted to explore and focus on: the transformation of the Berserkir entering the state of trance; the instant when the warrior abandons protection, restraint and order of the civilized man.

It is the most important aspect in the composition: the Berserkr letting go of his shield (since it stands for protection, control and self-preservation). By dropping it, he is symbolically abandoning those things. This is the central metaphor of the artwork. He is choosing to surrender, at will, to something more primal: the destructive frenzy of the beast within. Ready to begin wielding dual axes; accepting the consequences. It's a very powerful moment that enriches the narrative of the painting's storytelling.

I picked an intense red palette to depict a sense of danger for what is about to be unleashed. And I wanted this piece to convey suspense before the battle even begins. A landscape consumed by fire, a warrior standing at the edge of transformation as the shield is already left behind.

From the beginning of the artwork, I painted everything in separate layers in Photoshop. Dozens of individual elements, allowing me to
then animate the scene layer by layer. Thinking about creating a realistic sense of depth while keeping the artistic vibe.