This was done with oil pastels in a technique known as Sgrafitto, as part of a 100 day challenge on Instagram. I scratched the black paint off with a chop stick. Worked like a treat, so I'm planning a bigger piece with that technique.
My favorite way to eliminate the often paralyzing fear of "ruining" "good" paper is to just paint on any and all junk mail that comes into my house. Higher end catalogs are great for this, they don't use slick, thin paper (and even that gets used in collage or as a desk cover for other projects) and they're already bound for you. Just add marks! Carry it with you. Scan the pages you like. Cut it up later for making other art. It's "just" junk mail, so there is literally no pressure. I have HUNDREDS of these type of things and I run across them all the time, forgotten, in some old backpack or purse or drawer and it's a treasure to look through them again, and add new marks, paints and words.
The raven familiar sat atop Florien's head making a mess of his braids. Weaving herself a new nest, she pulled a long strand free from a loooping braid her gleaming beak tucking it into a place that she deemed appropriate. She watched the snowy landscape alert to danger as she worked.
the mist hung heavy over scion's sound its waters lapping at the boats at the dock. Florien paced anxiously waiting to greet his betrothed. He had not slept an anxious knot curling in his stomach. If marrying Emory 'Lyrander' Lorelei was necessary for improving the future of Rekkenmark it is what he would do. He mustered a nervous smile sweeping into a chivalrous bow when Kukta cawed from her perch. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance Miss Lorelei. He extended a hand to help her down from the riverboat doing his best to ignore the mistrustful expression on her face.
A series of drawings I did digitally developing Florien ir'Litvin as a character as well as a little scene featuring him and Enna ir'Olar --- The whistling of the blizzard outside dropped into a lull as a gleaming gold chalice was passed between the Seekers. Candles winked out one at a time, dropping the temple into a pervasive gloom. Enna and Florien drank deeply, crimson lingering on their lips. Senses overwhelmed with magic, they leaned against each other. They could feel each other's heart thrumming unsteadily in their chest as they were gifted with a clarity that only their blood could bring. Together they knew they could face anything the year would bring.
