L.K. Blackham

Ffffinished! Still experimenting with different lighting techniques and stuff to better streamline my comicking process. This one turned out a little dark, but that's kind of the point so I'm not mad. Coming up with random book titles to inhabit this wacky magical world of mine was both really fun and really frustrating. I take world building waaaay too seriously, I need to loosen up a bit. BTW, the dude featured here is a character from my fantasy comic that I'm working on, A Slayer of Beasts. Hopefully gonna be producing more for that alongside Phantom in the coming months. Gaaaah, I'm so excited. #comic #comics #webcomics #webcomic #illustration #illustrations #illustrationart #illustrationartist #illustratorsoninstagram #illustratorsontumblr #art #artist #artistsoninstagram #artistsontumblr #oc #characterdevelopment #magicallibrarianman https://www.instagram.com/p/ByYjG4JgFAM/?igshid=1ur9mx41ygrgm

Working on a thing. This is going to be a much bigger full color illustration eventually, this is just hashing out some shadows. Getting back into arting, slowly but surely. :) #digitalart #digitalartist #photoshop #photoshopart #art #artist #artistsontumblr #artistsoninstagram #illustration #illustrations #illustrationart #illustrationartist #illustrators #illustratorsoninstagram #workingprogress #wip #comics #comicsartist #webcomics https://www.instagram.com/p/ByHA-YJA-e3/?igshid=zk7k8cotyfbb

Experimenting with simplifying my coloring process for comics. I'm working on a full-color dark(ish) fantasy comic in addition to Phantom, and I'd rather avoid spending 10+ hours on each page, but I also want it to look good, soooo... Yeah. Working on that. Speaking of which, Phantom will start updating again fairly soonishly, methinks. Hopefully. Provided I feel up to it. :) Have a great weekend. #digitalart #digitalartist #conceptart #conceptartist #characterdesign #characterdevelopment #comics #comic #webcomic #workinprogress #wip https://www.instagram.com/p/BxoCMHwFuOY/?igshid=lov8tkw1ny9l

Decided it was time for a new profile pic that was more representative of my personality. Or, um, something like that. Feeling considerably better! Still going to take it easy for a while, but the transition back on to medication is going much more smoothly then I expected. For once. I'm trying not to jinx it, though, so maybe I should shut up now. Hope you're having a good week! If not - <=====[ •______• ]=====> cyber hugs. #digitalart #digitalartist #digitalillustration #illustration #illustrators #illustratorsoninstagram #illustratorsontumblr #illustrationart #illustrationartist #selfportrait #eyebleedingcolors #neon #art #artist #artistsoninstagram #artistsontumblr https://www.instagram.com/p/BxagakjF3Gx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=9l9v3whty1zb

He really really really really wants to go outside. Not to pee or anything. He just wants to be outside. Because dog. Heya, it's been a while, just wanted to drop a post here real quick. I'm getting back on medication and it's been..... Fun. Real fun. Going through the "trial and error" phase of anxiety meds is by far one of the worst parts of the process ("I'm finally getting help, yay!! But wait, no, still feel like I'm dying. Crap. Time to start over.") It actually hasn't been so terrible so far (certainly not as awful as some people's experiences have been) , but it's still pretty grueling, and it's taking up pretty much all my time and attention. I'll do my best to post off and on as much as I can as I undergo this process, but I'm probably not gonna be posting much for the next month. But keep checking back! I might surprise you. :) Thank you so much to everyone who's been checking up on me, it really means a lot. Anxiety sucks, but it WILL NOT kill you (although it certainly feels like it's TRYING super hard). Remember that! Anyways, best wishes! And thanks for all the support. I'll be back. :D #cuteanimals #cutedogs #dogs #dogsofinstagram #mywiddlechiweenie #art #artist #artistsontumblr #artistsoninstagram #anxiety #anxietyrelief #mentalhealth #mentalillness #everythingisgoingtobeokay💜 #getthehelpyouneed #youarenotalone https://www.instagram.com/p/BxTkMq1FinO/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=iglyxbmtww37

Chuggin' along. Decided it was time to update the design of my current D&D character. Sorta. Her name's Nykah, and she's a tiefling bard who was born and raised on another plane of existence by her demonic parent, who has chosen to live on this mortal plane instead because it has cakes (my brother is the DM and he dug up some Planescape manuals for our campaign.) I decided to go more old school Baldur's Gate with her style and make her demonic features a bit more subtle. Not that there's anything wrong with horns and tales, I just like the simpler interpretation a little better. Which reminds me, I need to finish BGll someday.....HMMM..... #digitalart #digitalartist #digitalillustration #digitalpainting #painting #drawing #illustration #illustrationart #illustrations #illustrators #illustratorsoninstagram #illustratorsontumblr #art #artist #artistsoninstagram #artistsontumblr #dnd #dndcharacter #dndcharacterart #dndcharacterdesign https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwx516lFeas/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1sm8e6j0abpd8

phantomretelling.smackjeeves.com Page 58 is posted! Sorry for the wonky image, Instagram size settings get weird in the multiple images setting for some reason. Also, I know this is the third time in like a week that I've mentioned my Ko-fi page, but I suddenly had this image of workaholic coffee-addict Erik and had an almighty need to draw it. No pressure, not trying to beg, just letting people know. I'm done pushing for now, promise. This was more for the cartoon than anything else. If you ARE interested in donating, though, check out my bio! I don't actually drink coffee myself (how I've survived as a working adult I couldn't tell you), but I'm a sucker for delicious coffee shop baked goods. #illustration #illustrationart #illustrationartist #illustrators #illustratorsoninstagram #illustratorsontumblr #art #artists #artist #artistsoninstagram #artistsontumblr #digitalart #digitalartist #watercolors #watercolorartist #comics #comic #webcomic #cartoons #workaholics #phantomoftheopera #phantomoftheoperaretelling #phantomoftheoperacomic #phantomoftheoperaart https://www.instagram.com/p/BwshrItFWU-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=159hug81l5o94

phantomretelling.smackjeeves.com Tired me should never be allowed to do Instagram posts. Apologies to my friends and family. Also, this page is just a transition, so I'll have another page posted tomorrow! Yay! #INAPPROPRO #comics #comic #webcomic #art #artist #artists #artistsoninstagram #artistsontumblr #illustration #illustrations #illustrationart #illustrationartist #illustrators #illustratorsoninstagram #illustratorsontumblr #phantomoftheopera #phantomoftheoperaretelling #phantomoftheoperacomic https://www.instagram.com/p/BwdtcgcFRuX/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=oekeugg8td4o

phantomretelling.smackjeeves.com Finally, the end of the scene. Notes to myself: This scene was fascinating and very educational to both write and illustrate. I recognize in myself a tendency to avoid drama and conflict even in my writing! I am going to stick with this scene as-is, but reading it again, I can see my own insecurities in the cracks, and my own emotional restraint in the dialogue and characters. Which just doesn't FIT in a story like Phantom, even a retelling! I keep saying how much I'm actually enjoying this project, but it's not just because it's fun (because it isn't always) - it's because it's challenging me to step out of my comfort zone and think about things I usually never do, and pushing me to improve and do better. And that is my rambly reflection for today, thank you for listening, have a pleasant evening. #comics #webcomic #comicsartist #webcomics #illustration #illustrationart #illustrations #illustrationartist #illustrators #illustratorsoninstagram #illustratorsontumblr #art #artist #artistsoninstagram #artistsontumblr #watetcolorart #watercolors #watercolorpainting #phantomoftheopera #phantomoftheoperaart #phantomoftheoperacomic #phantomoftheoperaretelling https://www.instagram.com/p/BwWMVWsFfDb/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=bdr2qj3k8rxy

phantomretelling.smackjeeves.com Finally back in track. Working on this both stresses me out and relieves my stress. After this past week, though, it's definitely more the latter. #art #artist #artistsoninstagram #artistsontumblr #illustration #illustrations #illustrators #illustrationart #illustrationartist #illustratorsoninstagram #illustratorsontumblr #comics #comicsartist #webcomics #watercolor #watercolorart #watercolorartist #drawing #painting #phantomoftheopera #phantomoftheoperaart #phantomoftheoperacomic https://www.instagram.com/p/BwLcoaHFM1-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15zfthezv33zv

Okay, had to stop at 9 pm, so here's progress for today! I love drawing profiles. #drawing #sketching #wip #workingprogress #painting #paintingwip #illustration #illustrations #illustrationart #illustrationartist #illustrators #illustratorsoninstagram #illustratorsontumblr #art #artist #artistsontumblr #artistsoninstagram #comics #comicsartist #phantomoftheopera #phantomoftheoperaart #phantomoftheoperacomic https://www.instagram.com/p/BwJKDxkBP8s/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1s3zex6r9gj58

This week has been a doozy. But, again, I am fine, just had a particularly bad episode that I am now recovering from. WARNING: I AM GOING TO GET HONEST ALL UP IN HERE Panic attacks are not easy to talk about. At all. So often, the response is either "What are you so scared of?" or "Oh, you just had a moment of panic, we all do, you're fine." No, here's what's happening inside my head when I have panic attacks: my brain, which has wacky wiring and poorly regulated chemicals the likes of which the FDA would be appalled by, actually convinces me that I am dying. Like, literally. I am dying. And I really really really don't want to die. So, of course, I panic. But then I don't die. But then my brain still thinks I'm dying. And it turns into a horror movie feedback loop that is really really difficult to stop. Because it isn't a stomachache or the flu - this is my own brain, actively using my own thoughts and feelings against me. And it is really freaking hard to fight your own brain. You're trying to think rational, calm thoughts to balance out the distorted, delusional ones, but then they all start bleeding together and it's so hard to separate fear from reality. I've learned, through years of therapy, medication, and personal reflection, how to manage my poor monster brain, and most of the time it's fine. Still very anxious, but not out of control. But sometimes, I get really stressed out, big changes come and disrupt things, and all the fear I've been carefully sidestepping suddenly gets a lot bigger and harder to miss, and then it all suddenly avalanches at the slightest, most ridiculous trigger. So then I panic. And then we're here, three days later, with me very awkwardly but frankly talking about it. Man, it feels great. At any rate, I'm gonna be back with more Phantom soon - like, tomorrow! I am very excited to keep going with the story. And I'm also very excited to be able to sleep again. Life is amazing. No irony. #cartoon #comics #mentalillness #mentalhealth #oopsanothermentalillnessrant #anxiety #panicattack #sickness #andhealth #love #drawing #sketchbook https://www.instagram.com/p/BwGSNPTFGfV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1rv2ysq0ngoqq

I totally wasted the opportunity to put flowers in his beard, what is WRONG with me It's been very winter- y for April down here and I'm daydreaming about our summer peaches. My family has a peach tree right by our house that grows these bright red peaches that we've never been able to positively identify, apart from "the most delicious peaches ever", so whenever I think of summer, or...warmth.. I think of those peaches. And also bearded Rennaissance dudes wearing flower crowns, apparently. Mm. So good. #watercolors #watercolorpainting #watetcolorart #watercolorartist #gouache #gouachepainting #mixedmediapainting #painting #portrait #art #artist #artistsoninstagram #artistsontumblr #illustrator #illustrators #illustration #illustrationart #illustrationartist #illustratorsoninstagram #illustratorsontumblr #peaches #springwhereareyou https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv7-MitlN_T/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=7bf0j23rp9nj

phantomretelling.smackjeeves.com AND Artistsnclients.com/people/lkblackham Heeeey! I'm, like, actually doing commissions now! I'm so proud of myself. Too proud. Anyway, I honestly haven't worked through artistsnclients before, so I have no idea how good it is as of yet - but it seemed like the easiest way to manage my slots and prices without going crazy while I also work on my other projects and Life Stuff, so I hope it works! Have an awesome weekend! #illustration #illustrations #illustrationart #illustrationartist #illustrator #illustratorsoninstagram #illustrationontumblr #art #artist #artistsoninstagram #artistsontumblr #comics #comicsartist #webcomic #phantomoftheopera #phantomoftheoperacomic #phantomoftheoperaart #commissionsopen #artcomissions https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv5swR8lQp_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ttwcxiqxkdm

phantomretelling.smackjeeves.com I'm realizing that the current scene I'm illustrating for this comic don't exactly make for much variety in sneak peak images. The story is actually interesting, I swear. At least, I hope it is..... #illustration #illustrationart #illustrationartist #illustratorsoninstagram #illustratorsontumblr #illustrators #art #artist #artistsoninstagram #artistsontumblr #webcomics #comics #comicsartist #phantomoftheopera #phantomoftheoperaart #phantomoftheoperacomic #watercolors #watercolorart #watercolorartist #watercolorcomics https://www.instagram.com/p/BvvChWWFx4j/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1np4b8gdrecwn

No Phantom today due to grad school applications, but recently unearthed these ideas I once had for prints and thought they were very timely reminders. When my mind starts going a million miles per hour and my anxiety starts getting out of control, all I can really do is just stop and let it run its course - not try and outrun it, or ignore it, but stop and let it go through me. Once you accept it for what it is - an illness - it's much easier to bear. Doesn't make it go away, doesn't "cure" your brain, but it does give you some control over how you manage it. I still have low points where I can't sleep or eat, and talking to people absolutely terrifies me, and I still have that really weird eye phobia, but I know what's causing it, and I manage it like I manage any other physical illness: stop. Look inside yourself. Pay attention to your symptoms. And rest. And those are my rambling, sleep-deprived reflections for the day, thank you for reading. #drawing #painting #digitalart #digitalartist #digitalpainting #art #artist #artistsoninstagram #artistsontumblr #illustration #illustrations #illustrationart #illustrationartist #illustratorsoninstagram #illustratorsontumblr #anxiety #anxietyrelief #depression #mentalhealth #mentalillness https://www.instagram.com/p/BvngCbilDVe/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1f6ugwlnvwzb4

phantomretelling.smackjeeves.com The conversation continues. And gets more awkward. Like a socially anxious mudslide. #ink #inkart #painting #drawing #watercolor #watercolors #watercolorpainting #watercolorart #watercolorartist #watercolorcomics #illustration #illustrationart #illustrationartist #illustrator #illustratorsoninstagram #illustratorsontumblr #art #artists #artist #artistsoninstagram #artistsontumblr #comics #comic #webcomic #phantomoftheopera #phantomoftheoperaart #phantomoftheoperacomic #phantomoftheoperaau https://www.instagram.com/p/BviWDQ6l1RC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=456f9akky0az