This started life as a sketch of coiled snakes, but developed into a continuation of the style of my 'Colossal Debut' illustration, and became a much bigger and more interesting scene heavily inspired by Tin Tin and Indiana Jones.

In various Asian religious traditions, the Nagas (Sanskrit: “serpent”) are mythical semi-divine beings, half human and half cobra. A female Naga is called a Nagi, or a Nagini. They live in Patala, an underworld filled with magnificent palaces, groves and lakes, beautifully embellished with precious jewels and gems.

There's lots to find in this scene:

• 11 snakes

• 8 spiders

• A King Cobra

• Blue snake eye gem

• 2 Keys