Jano, Guardian of the Cave of Bad Dreams
Also made him in 3D! https://www.artstation.com/artwork/XnO2G3
Jano from Rayman 2! Had an issue and lost lots of hours of progress at some point, but went back and refined this even more.
Jano guards the Cave of Bad Dreams (beautifully named). When Rayman seeks the Elixir of Life to save his friend, Jano tests him with a series of trials, and he disguises his last one as a gift. He offers his immense treasure. Should Rayman accept, he finds himself stranded on an island, with a huge belly and a small pile of gold, for an instant Game Over. If he denies, he is congratulated and offered the Elixir.
Reminds me of The Tale of the Three Brothers from Harry Potter, as death there also offers gifts that doom those who take them. Unlike with devilish offers, these gifts are optional and not part of a deal.
Left hand isn't 'anatomically correct', but who cares about that when you're handed free money!
Lower contrast version with reddish hat on the left, black and white on the right.
Older janos. Bottom left was 6000 wide because, naturally, more pixels = better image.
Initial sketches and process. Second one at the bottom is the version before I lost progress. Had rendered coins etc and did it all again.
Extra Colors