Doodling Pokémon

I have seen some amazing card arts lately in the Pokémon world. Not just the art on the cards, which has been absolutely incredible, but my social media feeds have been alight with all kinds of epic creative art pieces using Pokémon cards as a media. One of my favorite styles I have seen is where different artists use energy cards as simple canvases. Someone mentioned they used acrylic paint pens so I was quick to order myself my own set off Amazon. I got the Artistro 36 set found HERE (affiliate link). Next day shipping to attempt to fulfill my art dreams? Say less!

Now, bearing in mind that I have never in my life used an acrylic paint pen. In fact, I had no idea they were even a THING. I also have not drawn creatures in… quite a few years. Which is precisely why I loved the idea so much of using energy cards as tiny canvases. What better way to start the new year than with a new desire for creating something? One of the main sticking points I have with new artistic endeavors is the sheer overwhelm of trying to take that very first step. But there was no such hesitation with an energy card. I have HUNDREDS if not THOUSANDS of them. I handle them all the time. I get more energy with every pack I rip. They cost like 2 cents if I need to buy more. There was zero worry in my mind that I was going to “ruin” anything. Instead, I was going to create something!

My original concept was to paint a cute, happy, Leafeon, eagerly gripping an energy ball, while his tail curled up from underneath. That… is not exactly what I ended up rendering. Hopefully, this is not an omen for how 2026 will go because I created a hilarious FNAF-style Leafeon that appears to have crawled forth from some unnamed swamp. Muddy colors? Check. Vague idea of anatomy? Double check. My only reference was a sticker sheet from a Prismatic Leafeon mini-tin and my memory… not the best idea for accuracy. However, I had an absolute blast playing around and I ended up with a piece I enjoyed.

I had silly fun. Sure, this is absolutely a tool that I that I definitely need practice with. But that’s okay! I carefully dated and sleeved my Leafeon and popped him in an entirely new page in my card binder. I hope to gradually fill this binder with my painted Pokémon one card at a time, one day at a time. Leafeon only took me maybe twenty minutes from start to finish. He’s more a doodle than a grand artwork, which is exactly what I want in my life. A little doable doodle that adds a bit of unexpected joy at the end of the day. I can’t wait to see what the binder looks like by the end of the year.

If you have any new creative adventures for 2026, pop them in the comments down below! I’d love to hear what cool things are going to be made.