♡SPQR♡

My bsky: @lapithai.art

My art site: Lapithai.art

Sled dog project tumblr: @ilionproject

INCITATUS, Caligula's racehorse

Hello!!! Thank you so much for your interest Q_Q It seriously means so much to me that you have been following the project for so long! Unfortunately I'm not open to new members right now. I have thought about opening them up publicly, but since I'm the only one running the show, it's just a little too much for my plate. I also already have 3 dogs (including one of my own) in queue to be posted, and that's already taking me so long now. So at the moment, any recruitment you see on the website is for immersion purposes only since Ilion is essentially like an ARG, but without the G u_u

However, if you still want to make a sled dog that could fit in the Ilion world as a rival or friend (or unrelated to Ilion), then I encourage it 100%. I find it really endearing when people tell me that they're inspired to create because of my project, so pleaseee show me if you end up making a dog! I want to seeeee!! you can always DM me on twitter or bsky ^,^b

Actually, as I was writing this, I decided to put together a small imgur gallery of what I ask of new members: Here This is a very basic guideline for the design process. It gets a lot more complex if you're a member, but since this is for funsies, you don't gotta worry about any of that.

I am going to put an ooc FAQ on the website eventually (you can see it by clicking the "Version xyz" at the bottom of the screen for updates).

Anyways, I will reblog this onto the Ilion project tumblr too!!!! Which is right here @ilionproject

Thank you for this request! I spent all night and day designing Petrarch. It was challenging, but I'm satisfied with the outcome. I'll post a proper drawing once I semi-finalize the art!! But here's a little something with them ^,^

Waaaa thank you so much!!! I really appreciate your kind words :,,3 I'm so close to finishing the first part of the game, I can almost taste it... I'm sorry for not showing much progress. I work better when I just don't show anyone anything (something about getting validation and then it messing with my motivation to continue).

But here's very small sneak peek ^_^b

Thank youuuu!! You're so sweet!!!

I don't have any good recommendations for Roman gods and goddesses, unfortunately... I think one of the best ways to deep dive is to go on wikipedia and then check out the sources of each page, or to even just read the articles. Wikipedia is sooo fun to look through. Don't let your school teachers make you feel bad about using it. Endless amounts of fixations have been born and cultivated through wikipedia!!

But I think Roman religion is 1000% worth looking into! Despite all the redundant jokes about them copying the Greeks, it was unique in its own way and they had hundreds of obscure gods. Here's one that I drew for the year of the ox.

Also thank you again!! I have so many different kinds of interests outside of ancient history, and It's fun to use art as a way to express it. I'm trying to be less shy about it and to embrace the things I love and trying to get better about sharing it too. But if you mean things that *aren't* drawing. I've been learning RPG maker, and I've improved so much since last year. I can't wait to show my divine comedy game. I plan on releasing part 1 soon!!! Please look forward to it!! Also I've been getting better at running this past year, even though I hate it with a passion... I want to build my stamina!! My daily life is literally running in the morning and then working on art stuffs or sleeping.

Thank you T_T *1 million heart emojis here* I really appreciate it!! Honestly, I don't have much more else to say about my general process. It's just the usual designing characters with elements that I love. I like to mix it up every now and then too.

I'd love to see the designs you have too if you're willing to share!!

Just wanted to ask about your process when it comes to creating personifications of things. Your character designs are really detailed and inspiring!

Hello! Thank you so much, I'm happy you think so T_T

It really varies depending on what I personify! Sometimes I draw a design on the first try, and other times I am drafting 100 versions until I come up with something I like.

For Romans, each one is so different. If there's a description about them then I'll take inspiration from that. If there's nothing, then I will go based on their background/personality/vibes, whatever I can work with. Sometimes I'll close my eyes and they come to me like the ghost of Christmas. There are many designs where I've drafted them on the notes app on my phone and it's like an abstract painting because I'm rushing to get the idea down before it runs away.

There's designs where I try to stick more with realism, and other times where I just do whatever I want (that's why some of them have more modern inspired clothes). Cause sometimes, for example, when I try to stick too close to reality, I feel like the design is stale...So I'll go back to the drawing board and decide to have a little more fun and be less strict, and then I come up with something I love.

I think Maecenas is a good example of this. The OG design that I was drafting felt off...Even when looking at Roman and Etruscan patterns and clothing, I just couldn't get it right. But then I was like "I kinda wanna give her cowboy style boots and a romper instead of just a normal tunic..Oh, and some leather!" Then the idea of those western/texas style clothing began to float around in my mind's eye (I don't know the term for that style, but my irl friend loves it downnn). Also, the opposite happens too. I create a design too out-there, and I'm unhappy with it, so I go to more realistic sources!!

Sorry, this is such a long answer. I think tl;dr I just design what I like. In the end, it's an anime girl that's catered to my taste with elements that I love. I want to create designs that *I* love, and if people love them too then that's a bonus!!!!! I think everyone should adopt that when designing, actually.