Linktober has once again come to a close, and we’ve once again collaborated with the kind folks who run the program to host a Linktober contest! An array of talented artists submitted their pieces to our DeviantArt Gallery for the raffle, and year after year I am in awe of the amount of talent that each artist exhibits! Our gallery is filled with so many creatives, from beginners to veterans, and I’m always so excited to see the works of art they share. Now I get to share them with you!
This year, Linktober artists had four different calendars filled with prompts to choose from, and they clearly displayed their love for both art and The Legend of Zelda through the works they submitted. Here are some of the amazing entries we received through our DeviantArt Gallery, including some standout pieces from the winner of our raffle! It’s always so difficult to choose which works to feature here on Zelda Universe, so I highly recommend giving the gallery a look after checking these ones out!
Prompt 1: “Bird” by LinkSwords10
For the “Bird” prompt, LinkSwords10 chose to draw Link’s trusty companion from Skyward Sword, and the result is stunning! While you can tell it’s digitally done, it has such a painterly feel to it. It’s so cinematic as well, with a unique perspective and a sense of fluid motion.
Prompt 3: “Miniature” by Sordsoru
The Minish Cap is already a great choice for this prompt, but Sordsoru truly went above and beyond with this piece! The soft colors and outlines are so appealing, and with that dynamic pose, this looks like it could be the cover of a manga! I’m not sure if it was intentional or not, but I also love how the overhead view of Link and Ezlo gives the impression that you are staring down at the duo through a magnifying glass!
Prompt 6: “Ghost” by ShootingStarBea
I know Link’s Awakening contains a lot of Mario references, so I’m happy to say that when I saw this piece by ShootingStarBea, it definitely gave me Boo vibes. I just love the parallel there! Link’s facial expression is priceless as the silly ghost behind him taunts and teases, making both characters feel so alive (which is ironic, considering one of them is a ghost).
You can also find ShootingStarBea on Twitter and Instagram.
Prompt 7: “Nightfall” by LunaAndromeda
Forget about Ganon — this stalhorse is shown to be the true calamity in this piece by LunaAndromeda! From the creature’s beady, glowing eyes to the blood red moon in the background, the chaos of a fallen Hyrule is clearly present in this beautifully drawn work of art. The artist says that this is actually part of a WIP, so if it’s this great already, the finished product will surely be spectacular!
Prompt 12: “Flying” by Webmegami
Artist Webmegami has a real talent for character art, and that talent is clearly on display in this wonderful painting of Medli! The symmetry is so aesthetically pleasing, and the golden outline makes it feel like such an important piece. The use of flat colors makes it seem like this could be a tapestry hung to honor the newly-christened sage!
You can also follow Webmegami on Twitter and Instagram.
Prompt 13: “Secret” by Chokkokat06
Exploration has always been an important part of the Zelda series, and as this piece by Chokkokat06 demonstrates, you never know what mysteries lie ahead! I love the monochromatic color scheme and the layering here; it reminds me of a lithographic print! It’s not overly complicated, and it doesn’t need to be; the sense of adventure is evident as Link and his fairy companion stare into the abyss, ready to take on whatever lies within.
Prompt 17: “Link” by EvilRobotCat
Artist EvilRobotCat took such a unique approach to the “Link” prompt. Instead of choosing just one, they chose to include multiple incarnations of our favorite hero, all of whom have wielded the Master Sword during their respective journeys. Even though you only see their hands (which are notoriously difficult for artists is draw, so props to this artist for making it look so easy), you can clearly tell which Link is which by the details included.
Prompt 21: “From Your First Zelda Game” by LordCherryPaw
If I hadn’t been told otherwise, I would have thought that this piece by LordCherryPaw was ripped straight out of The Legend of Zelda’s official manual. The lineart is absolutely stunning ,and the attention to detail, particularly on the shield, is phenomenal. Even though Link is hidden behind the bulky item, his movement and emotion are clear to see.
Prompt 21: “From Your First Zelda Game” by TetraD2
It’s probably obvious at this point that I find minimalist pieces particularly appealing, especially with the vibrant colors that TetraD2 uses! The lines are so clean as well, helping to define the pieces of the broken Triforce shard. The best thing about this piece is that the artist created a whole collage of The Wind Waker memorabilia, and this is just one tiny fragment! Just wait until you see the whole thing!
You can also follow TetraD2 on Instagram.
LINKTOBER CONTEST WINNER 2022: OUTSETEMPORIUM
Last, but certainly not least, we have a few select pieces from OutsetEmporium, this year’s winner of the Linktober Raffle!
Prompt 6: “Ghost”
Prompt 8: “Boat”
Prompt 9: “Battle”
I fell in love with all three of these works the moment I saw them. There’s such melancholy behind each of them, a sharp contrast to the adorable Koroks OutsetEmporium usually creates. The Ghost Ship from Phantom Hourglass is probably my favorite, as the vessel has always been a captivating concept, but the DS graphics could only do it so much justice. This work of art, on the other hand, looks like it could be found hanging in a museum. In fact, that goes for all three of these fantastic pieces!
You can also follow OutsetEmporium on Twitter, Instagram, and Etsy.
As previously mentioned, these were just a few of the many submissions we’ve received for this contest. This really is an exciting time of year, as our gallery is flooded with so many beautiful pieces! I would again recommend that everyone give our full gallery a glance, as there are so many talented Zelda fans who have plenty of wonderful Linktober art to share! Thank you to those who participated, and we’ll see you again next year!
