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Ms_Owly

@msowly.bsky.social

So I’m posting an art-fail. I just deleted a rant (about genAi & perfect sketchbooks), but instead I want to focus on what I learned.

I think I’ll abandon this sketch, but I’m still keen to learn more about oil pastels!

If you’re curious I wrote about my observations after the alt text description

An oil pastel sketch of a lake surrounded by trees at night.

1) my pastels are old. The light colours simply don’t layer on top of dark (i might spend some time trying to revive them)
2) I’m also using too much product in the early stages, so there is nothing for the more detailed layers to grip. However, I’m using that much because they won’t spread. This may again be an age thing.
3) I’m not sure (technique-wise) how to be more detailed with essentially chunky oily cylinders.

January 17, 2026 at 4:23 AM

Reposted by Ms_Owly

Lëspreüh

@lespreuh.bsky.social

Mornin'

Dessin noir et blanc dans un petit carnet représentant une maison de style victorien d'où s'échappent une multitude d'escaliers tortueux et de branches d'arbres. Une sombre créature cachée derrière semble nous saluer de son tentacule

January 16, 2026 at 5:08 AM

Reposted by Ms_Owly

🌿viktor aleksander🌿🏳️‍⚧️top surgery recovery!🏳️‍⚧️

@nooskadraws.bsky.social

🌿 more links! 🌿

🛒 nooskaart.etsy.com
☕ ko-fi.com/nooska
🌸 nooskadraws.gumroad.com

(i'm currently unable to take on work as i'm recovering from top surgery (!!!) so any and all shares and support are so appreciated, thank you!) 🏳️‍⚧️

A digital illustration of a purple, green, and grey-blue themed bookshelf. The book shelf is filled with old tomes, Victorian inspired knick-knacks such as keys, teacups, candles, and a flask of a potion. On one of the shelves there is a framed picture of an anatomical human heart, along with a skull resting on a stack of books. On another shelf, there is a bust of Diana the Greek goddess.

A digital illustration of a spooky bookshelf. It has 5 shelves. It is coloured with red, green, yellow, and specks of orange and blue.
Shelf 1: green books decorated with flowers. A frame portrait of a Victorian gentleman with glowing white eyes. A sage smudge stick. Bones. Candles. Wooden box. A cloche with a mummified fairy inside. Leaning books with bones on them.
Shelf 2: Books with floral and teeth details. Candles. Jackalope skull. A cauldron with belladonna growing from it. Green books with Roman numerals. Red books with floral details. Candles. A rowan berry garland.
Shelf 3: Two dark green books with witchy symbols on them. A flask of red liquid. 3 red books with leaf details. A jar of bone runes marked with pagan symbols. A black crystal ball. A horseshoe. A locked wooden box with candles melted into it on top. A book with a skull symbol.
Shelf 4: 3 green books decorated with the shapes of different leaves. 2 thinner green books. 3 flasks of different coloured liquid. 2 small jars of crushed herbs on top of a wooden box. A sprig of rosemary. A rowan cross and berry charm. 3 green books. A small brown suitcase.
Shelf 5: 5 books with different patterns on the spine: eyes, roses, plum blossom, a bone, and leaves. A cauldron with green smoke twisting out of it. A sprig of rosemary. A motar and pestle. 2 green books. A bundle of herbs.

January 13, 2026 at 11:28 AM

Reposted by Ms_Owly

Sky Burkson

@skyburkson.bsky.social

it is done
almost a year later Paper Chrono Trigger is done
proper photo session this weekend
made from bristol paper, cardstock, sketchbook paper, toilet paper, & matboard
(Also bit of clear resin, colored gel, LED strip, & microLEDs)

January 16, 2026 at 2:05 PM

Ms_Owly

@msowly.bsky.social

I was cleaning yesterday and found a 25(ish) year old set of oil pastels that I had never used. I typically work with water media (watercolour, gouache), so this was… this was a thing! In my work I find I can be timid with how much paint I use, this wanted me to be heavy, which was really neat!

An oil pastel drawing of a weird fluffy cloud in a blue sky. At the bottom of the image there are some dense green bushes with the occasional pink/red flower.

I don’t think my plants look great, but I don’t know why the oils wouldn’t layer? Wrong paper? Are they too old? Is my technique wrong?

January 16, 2026 at 4:15 PM

Reposted by Ms_Owly

shafer brown

@shaferbrown.com

Ace of Cups | Custom Tarot Card (2023)

Ace of Cups | 2023 limited color tarot commission

In a stone garden, an outstretched hand holds an overflowing goblet. A Chickadee takes a bath in its radiance. new beginnings, awakenings, fulfillment spring eternal.

January 15, 2026 at 3:06 PM

Reposted by Ms_Owly

Mary Gillis

@marygillis.bsky.social

Edgar Allan Poe really ruined it for anyone who just wants to show their bitter enemy something cool in a catacomb.

October 21, 2023 at 4:03 PM

Ms_Owly

@msowly.bsky.social

Why do I lie to myself?
“Melissa. This time we won’t be using *that* much water. You can use a nice lightweight mixed media paper… it will be fiiiiine!” 🤦🏻‍♀️

But it is nice to experiment! It’s not like this was going to be fine art, more a longish-sketchbook-page. I’ll paint the tree tomorrow. Maybe.

The original sketch of a tree done in ink.

Ink drawing of a tree bathed in an acrylic ink to tone the background. I have some ideas on how I’d like to try this in future, but it requires more water and at *this* stage I was still being water conscious re. This paper. 4 pm Melissa is way smarter than 9 pm Melissa. Just saying.

Mixed media drawing of a tree. Ink drawing, ink toning, acrylic gouache sky.

I decided to try to do a gentle wet-in-wet wash because I thought a) I’d like the red peeking through in the sky and b) I’d do a nice gradation of blue and white. Instead I present… a mess!

January 14, 2026 at 5:32 AM

Ms_Owly

@msowly.bsky.social

I think I’m too tired for this tonight. My plan was: simple sketch of a tree done in ink. Then acrylic ink to tone paper. Then gouache to develop the tree.

But now I keep 2nd guessing between like… a red/yellow tone w/green leaves, or a bluey-purple tone and red/autumn leaves.

And is it too basic?

An extremely basic sketch of a tree done in ink.

January 13, 2026 at 5:55 AM

Ms_Owly

@msowly.bsky.social

That’s better.
One of my inner critics.
She only wants what is best for you, and knows you could achieve anything if you only tried harder.
#Gouache #NoAI #TraditionalArt

An inner critic. She has a tiny waist and giant smile and only wants what is best for you.

She only wants to help! If you’re interested She has several opinions on where you could have tried harder. And also what to do in future. And also where you practically failed in the past. I mean. Not at anything important. Only your career. And the state of your home. And your hair. And your weight. And health. And your finances. And a few life choices. But she’s just being helpful! Encouraging you to do better… and differently!

January 10, 2026 at 8:56 PM

Ms_Owly

@msowly.bsky.social

WIP problems I am trying to solve:
- I prefer the proportions of the pencil sketch, especially neck/smile/shape…not sure I can fix that?
- the mouth/teeth need to be more of a focal point, but when I paint them the whole area looks too soft and blobby. How can I highlight without outlining in black?

Gouache painting of wasp waisted woman with a cruel smile standing atop a to do list.

Pencil sketch of woman with wasp-waist and awful smile

January 10, 2026 at 8:29 PM

Ms_Owly

@msowly.bsky.social

Now I’m second guessing… watercolour vs. Gouache?! And I probably should have sketched lighter. And and and.

Pencil sketch of an inner critic. She has a viscous smile, a tiny waist, and waspish skirt. She is standing on a giant to do list. She is surrounded by green washi tape.

January 10, 2026 at 3:06 AM

Ms_Owly

@msowly.bsky.social

I was asked to draw my inner critic. But… which one? I’m tempted to develop and paint these. #RoughSketch #Pencil

This sketch has a woman with a messy bun, tiny waist, and terrifying grin. You just know she has nothing nice to say.

This sketch has another woman with a scary smile, like a skeleton playing dress up. She’s holding the longest to do/should do list

This one is really unkempt and kinda oozing into an even larger form. Just miserable.

This is the actual sketch page of all three previously described inner critics.

January 10, 2026 at 1:42 AM

Reposted by Ms_Owly

Kaitlund - Accepting Private and commercial Illustration work

@kaitlund.bsky.social

"Ruinous Obsession"

The Last Unicorn - I'm obsessed

January 8, 2026 at 1:25 AM

Ms_Owly

@msowly.bsky.social

So, I decided to get a new fitness shackle for this new year. Maybe I’ll be a new me? Either way It’s gloriously yellow! Look at the pretty colour!

My arm on a cream furry blanket. I have a complex tattoo and a yellow band on my new Fitbit.

January 7, 2026 at 8:09 PM

Ms_Owly

@msowly.bsky.social

Gosh I hate it when medical-phone-appointments are late. I get so anxious about them leading up to the time, and then that panic increases for every moment they’re late. Is it my fault? Was I supposed to do something? What if I messed up?! *fuss fuss*

a cartoon fox wearing a hat and a collar

Alt: a cartoon fox wearing a hat and a collar paced anxiously back and forth.

media.tenor.com

January 7, 2026 at 7:09 PM

Reposted by Ms_Owly

anikeru.bsky.social

@anikeru.bsky.social

December 10, 2025 at 7:32 PM

Ms_Owly

@msowly.bsky.social

Things to do today:

- Stretch
- Set up new Fitbit
- Laundry
- Draw (or paint?) my inner critics
- Redo a wreath
- General post-guest-cleaning

January 6, 2026 at 7:25 PM

Reposted by Ms_Owly

jae is tired of this shit🩸✨

@naladraws.com

PORTFOLIO TIPS FOR ILLUSTRATORS

I am an art director who has probably seen close to 1000 portfolios, many great, but many...not 😔

This is a doc I wrote featuring tips and tricks for how to make a better art portfolio site. Feel free to share with anyone who may find this useful <3 #art

Portfolio Tips for Illustrators by Nala J. Wu

Portfolio tips for Illustrators Written by Nala J. Wu (@naladraws) | they/them As an art director (AD) and longtime professional illustrator— I’ve probably looked at nearly a thousand art portfolios. ...

docs.google.com

January 4, 2026 at 9:53 PM

Reposted by Ms_Owly

Eli Minaya

@badking.bsky.social

a favorite of mine

January 5, 2026 at 4:49 PM

Ms_Owly

@msowly.bsky.social

I was drawing terrified faces (you know, for souls coins in a D&D game, as one does). I looked to google for reference, didn’t pay attention, realized I grabbed an AI shot. Got grouchy… but then remembered I have a face and my phone is also a camera. Problem. Solved. #Procreate #DigitalArt #NoAI

One side of the Soul Coins I designed for a Decent into Avernus campaign. Created in Procreate.

A selfie where I felt my hair looked particularly nice. I am wearing a Jurassic Park shirt. I do not look terrified here… I just like this picture.

January 4, 2026 at 7:32 PM

Reposted by Ms_Owly

Aidan

@aidanscanlan.bsky.social

Uhm…

NYT crossword puzzle. Highlighted clue is “it’s in your jeans” . Highlighted answer is “_eni_”

January 4, 2026 at 5:41 AM

Ms_Owly

@msowly.bsky.social

I don’t have a lot of New Years traditions, but I did make a Lemon Pig for luck and good fortune in the new year. #LemonPig #NewYears

I truly hope we all get a wondrous 2026! More art! More friendship! More love in all its forms!

Close up of my Lemon Pig. He is on a table runner with moons and leaves, sitting beside a bat-tower-candle holder and a large candle.

Table setting with lemon pig, bat-tower-candle, large candle, mouse king holding two tealights, and fresh flowers on a pretty table runner.

January 1, 2026 at 3:56 AM

Ms_Owly

@msowly.bsky.social

Weird weather in Vancouver today! It was sunny, except one large cloud came to sit on the high rises downtown. BUT one building was tall enough to break through the clouds and shone like a sci-fi beacon. I wish I had the time to draw it properly, but I did snap a few pics!