Clayface by Shawn Crystal
4 Comments - 170 Views - 7 Likes
Artwork Details
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DescriptionIn honor of last week's CAF live and INKPULP: CYAN reaching its' second kickstarter stretch goal, I thought now would be the perfect time to post this to CAF.For those who’ve been following Shawn Crystal’s work on Instagram or tuning into his podcast, it’s incredibly gratifying to see him finally getting the recognition he’s long deserved. As I mentioned in my Mr. Freeze write-up, if you’re ever lucky enough to attend a show where Shawn also is, do yourself a favor and stop by. You’ll be blown away by how he interacts with everyone—genuinely warm, gracious, and always thrilled when someone takes interest in his work. He’ll stop mid-sketch just to share a moment with a fan. That same energy radiates through his Instagram, where he consistently engages with his community. He’s a true asset to the original art community. When we started talking about the second piece in the "Villains series", I tossed out a few character ideas. The moment I said Clayface, I could see the wheels start spinning. Like a mad scientist, Shawn began rattling off color palettes, highlights, and shadow tones—none of which made sense to me at the time, but his excitement was infectious. This piece, which I commissioned for NYCC 2023, marks my fourth from Shawn. And he absolutely knocked it out of the park. In true Inkpulp fashion, what we get is a vivid, kinetic, and grotesquely beautiful re-imagining of Clayface. The line-work is fluid and sinewy, full of motion—perfect for a character who’s constantly shifting, oozing, and barely holding his form together. The electric oranges and toxic greens clash violently, while cooler blues create contrast. Your eye is immediately drawn to that burning, sun-like eye at the center. The devil is in the details, and this piece is pure hell. Clayface has always been one of Batman’s more tragic rogues (especially in Batman: The Animated Series), and that pathos is alive here. His facial expression is part snarl, part grin, possibly hinting to the instability and madness of Basil Karlo. I'd like to think there is a soul trapped being those glowing eyes and shifting shell. It’s unsettling and mesmerizing at the same time. I know it’s a cliché, but photos really don’t do this one justice. When I saw it in person at the show, I was stunned. Then Shawn told me it wasn’t even finished yet—he still had a few final touches to add which demonstrates his attention to detail and commitment to the craft. If you get a chance, check out the Inkpulp podcast. I'll also link the kickstarter below as well. https://www.youtube.com/@inkpulp https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/inkpulp/inkpulp-cyan/posts Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Daeh Bew 
Member Since 2019
Posted on 6/19/2025
Definitely my favorite of the Crystal pieces you own. Crazy how despite using every color of the rainbow in different sections, he's able to make a truly cohesive painting. Congrats!
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
Posted on 6/19/2025
The vibrant hues and the facial structure are hot like unsettled magma! From hot to cool, the color gradients are superb!
Kavi H
Member Since 2018
Posted on 6/19/2025
Awesome Clayface, So cool! the evolving colors throughout make for a vibrant piece which is tough to say about most Clayface illustrations. Fantastic stuff.
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