Authentic Art made by Human Hands

Back in college, I dabbled a bit with digital art. That was more than 15 years ago, the world was different then and so were the programs used by digital artists.

I never got into it nearly as much as some people did, I grew up somewhat under the poverty line, we didn't have that kind of money to be throwing at expensive electronics and highly priced programs. The days of photoshop and Sai. I had friends who had the tools and they were kind enough to let me explore.

Now it's been a decade ans a half later, the programs are new and electronics are somewhat obtainable to me, with some planning and budgeting of course because I live WAY below the poverty line now. I am disabled and all I have is what I get on a month to month basis. But, I finally managed to get my hands on a decent iPad (ugh) and I had bought Procrete. I knew nothing of the programs and only had what little skills I knew when I started to dip my toes into the world of digital art.

It took me a week to just get used to the pen and gliding it on a screen than on paper. My lines were shaky and I hated how pixelated it looked when I was zoomed in. I'm obsessed with smooth, crisp lines and digital art is anything but that when up close. I spent another week just practicing the brush strokes and even got a book that helps break everything down for an ole dinosaur like me haha

It was another two and half weeks before I completed THIS picture. It's very basic and definitely not what I know I'll eventually be capable of with more practice but I had felt so accomplished with this and proud as I had been exploring the effects the program offered while I put together this picture.

For the first time since their creation, Nightmare and his Prince are in a picture together and the size comparison is correct. I've always struggled with conveying that on paper and with Procreate, it allows me to make that accurate without losing all the details I've put into the character

This was the very first picture I did in 2026. I had gotten brand new alcohol markers, a new mechanical pencil and new fine liners. I still love how much more vibrant these markers had been compared to my previous set, figured Rue was a great subject to start the year off with because he'd been such an inspiration for 2025

If you're sensing a theme here with The Sandman, you might be correct

This was one of my most emotional pieces and I struggled to get through it but I was determined to finish it because I wanted to do a Christmas themed piece but the holiday is difficult for me as someone very close to me passed away a day afterward and I miss her very, very much. It's been 9 years, this year will make a whole decade. Goodness, it's crazy how just changes from 2016 to 2026.

I chose Nightmare because he is misunderstood by many but the few who do see him are sure to include him and that makes him happy. He had never been given gifts by others or included in mortal holidays.

This was another one I didn't get the outline for beforehand and it's also the first draft/design of Sandy's human form (for when he's on Earth because some humans may struggle to accept a 9 foot tsll anthro feline chimera looking deity)

Spooky season 2025 started off with a picture of the deity of nightmares who yes, is named Nightmare. He is also Sandy's twin brother, the pair tasked to watch over the realms of sleep

I partially regret not having an outline of this one and only a colored version but I remember this one well and I put tears into this one. I was also proud of it but it did stress me out because I was inking as I went, coloring as I inked.

The beginnings of when I got the idea to make a coloring book and began taking pictures of the before and after. I know coloring does tend to shadow over the details I put into each piece but I believe they are both beautiful in their own rights. The details add depth to the colors while black and white reminds you that there is always a gray and it's never as cut and dry as it seems.