There’s something undeniably fitting about placing a Belgian Malinois in the heart of the forest.

In my custom Settlers of Catan hex series, each resource is represented by a specific type of dog—and for the forest, only the most alert and capable breeds belong there. The Belgian Malinois stands as a natural sentinel: intelligent, focused, and always ready. Known for its loyalty, trainability, and protective instincts, this breed has long been trusted in roles ranging from police work to search and rescue, making it one of the most dependable working dogs in the world .

That same energy and vigilance is what I wanted to capture in Forestbound Sentinel—a piece that doesn’t just show a dog in a forest, but a guardian of it.

From Raw Hex to Refined Print

This piece began as a physical hex tile, built from the ground up using materials that emphasize contrast and bold structure.

I started with Stuart Semple Super Base and White 2.0 acrylic paint to create a high-contrast foundation. From there, I used POSCA acrylic paint pens to define the Malinois—bringing out sharp edges, expressive highlights, and that unmistakable focused gaze.

Once the painting was complete, the hex was sealed with a protective mattifying membrane coat varnish—the final traditional step that preserved the texture and locked the piece in place.

Only after that did the transformation begin.

Using Snapseed and Procreate, I converted the physical artwork into a polished digital print—enhancing clarity while staying true to the original brushwork and structure. The goal wasn’t to change the piece, but to translate it faithfully into a format that could live beyond the original hex.

Why the Malinois Belongs to the Forest

In your typical Catan board, the forest is a source of lumber—raw material, structure, and growth.

But in this series, I wanted each resource to feel alive.

The Belgian Malinois represents more than just a dog placed on a background—it represents awareness, discipline, and protection. These dogs are known for their intelligence, agility, and ability to assess situations with precision, making them exceptional guardians .

That makes them the perfect embodiment of the forest:

• Always alert
• Deeply rooted in purpose
• Ready to act when needed

This isn’t just terrain—it’s territory.

Watch the Process

Want to see how this piece came together?

🎥 You can watch the full YouTube Short here

Bring the Guardian Home

If this piece speaks to you—whether you’re a fan of Belgian Malinois, board games, or bold acrylic work—you can view the print here:

🛒 Shop the print