SA : Read a book today!
Some books that I really enjoyed recently:
- The Palaces of the Crow by Ray Nayler
- On the Calculation of Volume I
by Solvej Balle
- Dark Reading Matter by Jasper
Fforde
- Don't Sleep, There Are Snakes: Life and Language in the Amazonian Jungle by Daniel
Everett
- Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold by Ellen O'Connell
- Happy Hour by Ed Steed
What about you, which books have you enjoyed?
Been some time since I touched the pencil. It wasn't easy to get back to drawing, since I was also distracted by the internet for some time. Lots of things went through my head, while I was out on a trip. Just drew whatever I felt like drawing, and this came alongside some reflections:
I have been stuck on fixing this character concept for a very long time, trying to box it within a classification. Bird, wyvern, dragon, shadow, whatever- I came to a point today, where I felt that it really doesn't matter anymore. This is that sort of character who can be everything.
I spent the entire afternoon trying to arrange all the little ideas and features, following true to creative intuition. Smashing together many of my previous character designs, this appeared. A masked and unnamed figure (???) with traits from many of my previous works.
An avian / draconic / spiritual shapeshifter has always been something with me all this time, even when I tried to create a sona years back (finding it meaningless). True to its nature, it has few lively features except its eyes and requires a mask to display additional signs of life.
Its clear that this character is basically a symbolic self-expression. It wasn't easy to seperate myself from my introjective tendencies, which easily distorts my concept of this figure (took weeks to untangle). Once the confusions loosen, it reappears with noticeably familiar features.
The scribble above still has some room for rearrangement, just limited by the irreversible nature of pencil drawing. The grey markings were too dark, and the feet might look better staying white. The pale golden underbody markings, were actually a surprise.
This delicate digital illustration captures the quiet charm of a hazel dormouse, portrayed with soft textures and warm, natural tones. Every fine hair and subtle contour has been carefully rendered, bringing a lifelike sense of warmth and vulnerability to this enchanting woodland mammal. The dormouse’s glossy, expressive eyes and gentle posture invite the viewer into its secretive world, hidden among hedgerows and ancient woodlands. Created using digital drawing apps, this piece blends realism with a tender, almost storybook quality — a celebration of one of Britain’s most beloved yet rarely seen native species.
A delicate, hand-drawn study of the Blue Liverflower (Hepatica), capturing the first signs of spring. This design features breezy blue petals, energetic linework, and a minimalist vase, blending a classic botanical feel with a modern, sketchy illustrative style. Perfect for those who love the quiet beauty of forest wildflowers and cottagecore-inspired art.
A cow thinks he can jump over the moon, so he's leapt and employed wings to succeed. Moral of the story: Believe in yourself. If you believe you will succeed, the chances are very likely you will.
I spilled a little paint on this leather scrap so I figured why not paint something on it? It’s kinda hard bringing a ‘possum to life on paper because they’re so silly and dumb in a cute sort of way, I think I managed to capture this guy’s personality alright..
A 30 minute sketch of a screwdriver. Done on printer paper using only a mechanical pencil. A highlighter for a splash of color and a Kleenex for shading.
This was an inspiration to a title I saw on a music cover, so I decided to draw it and it turned out great. Lava Reef is my favorite zone in Sonic 3 and Mania and I’m really happy that I actually got to draw it. Sonic belongs to Sega
This piece critiques the modern tendency to hide identity behind brands and consumerism.
* Visual Focus: The mask is partially obscured by a fitted baseball cap, with the bill pulled down to cover one eye. The cap itself is a symbol of brand identity and fast-fashion culture. The uncovered eye retains an unsettling, almost mechanical gaze.
* Symbolism:
* The Cap: Represents the societal practice of hiding behind brands and allowing consumerism to dictate self-worth and block out unwanted truths. The act of seeing is deliberately curtailed.
* The Mask: Emphasizes that the consumer identity is often a façade-a manufactured mask that prevents others from truly
"seeing" the individual, while simultaneously restricting the individual's full sight of the world.
"Nowhere Fast" is a compelling still life that blends mundane domesticity with surreal, slightly ominous undertones. The scene is anchored by a wooden table where a spilled glass, a pack of matches, and an ashtray with a smoldering cigarette suggest a moment of interrupted pause or quiet, long-term stagnation. Dominating the foreground is an oversized, weathered cigarette carton boldly labeled "WARNING", its subtle but unsettling presence hinting at a consumption that leads nowhere.
In the background, a vintage RCA television set displays a stylized amanita mushroom, a recurring symbolic motif that adds a layer of psychedelia and altered perception to the otherwise drab setting. The earthy, muted color palette and soft lighting create a feeling of weary introspection, capturing a sense of being perpetually stuck in a cycle. The piece masterfully uses everyday objects to explore themes of vice, time, and the quiet, slow march toward an uncertain destination.
