There’s something timeless about a herding dog standing watch over open land—and that’s exactly the spirit I wanted to capture in Pasturebound Shepherd. This piece brings a Shetland Sheepdog into the world of Settlers of Catan, representing the Sheep/Pasture hex—a place of growth, life, and quiet vigilance.

The Sheltie felt like the perfect fit for this tile. Known for their intelligence and instinct, they embody the role of a true pasture guardian. In this piece, I leaned into that idea—placing the dog front and center against a vibrant green grid background that mirrors the structure of the Catan board while still feeling alive and natural.

From Blank Hex to Pasture Guardian 🎨

Like many of my Catan hex pieces, this artwork started with a physical surface and built up layer by layer.

I used Stuart Semple Super Base to create a strong foundation, followed by White 2.0 acrylic paint to push the brightness and contrast of the piece. Once the base was set, I brought in POSCA acrylic paint pens to define the Sheltie’s features—focusing on bold lines and expressive shapes to give it personality.

The final traditional step was applying a protective mattifying membrane coat varnish, which helps preserve the piece while giving it that smooth, non-reflective finish.

From there, I transitioned into digital—editing the image in Snapseed and Procreate to sharpen details, balance colors, and prepare it for print.

Watch the Process 🎥

Here’s a look at how Pasturebound Shepherd came together from start to finish

Bring the Pasture Home 🖼️

👉If you’re a fan of Catan, herding dogs, or just love artwork that blends storytelling with bold design, this piece is available as a print here