Keely Mikkelsen
LightNews LightNews
banner
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
Keely Mikkelsen
@keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
570 followers 180 following 200 posts
Comics, Color Design, BG Paint, Visdev | Current: Illustrator @ PlayQ | Prev: The Sunflower Club, Digital, Nike SNKRS | CSUF ‘21

✨Open for work!✨

Portfolio | Socials | Shop: https://linktr.ee/KeelyMikkelsen
Contact: keelymik@gmail.com

🍉
Posts Replies Media Videos
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
See you at Lightbox! I’ll be there Saturday. Honestly I’m feeling very employed (and tired, on account of being employed) so I’m mostly going to see friends and enjoy art this year.

#lightbox #lightboxexpo
Cartoony self-portrait, with a lightbox logo in the upper left. I’m wearing a graphic tea of Will Wood’s song “Vampire Reference in a Minor Key” - a vampire sits and says “if anybody needs me I’ll be in my coffin.” I’m wearing a black and white squiggle abstract floral unbuttoned collared shirt over it. I have some pink round hippie glasses, a pink mini sketchbook, a pen in my hand, and pencils in my shirt pocket.
October 25, 2025 at 5:20 AM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
If you see this, post a redhead

FINALLY!! Dante’s time to shine ✨

#art #vampire #comics
Digital drawing of Dante (left), a tall vampire man with long ginger hair, slouching, hands in pockets, and Simon (right), a shorter, stouter man with salt and pepper hair and a curled mustache. Dante wears black drawstring shorts, black socks, black earphones around his neck, a black T-Shirt with a drawing of a vampire saying the Will Wood lyric “if anybody needs me I’ll be in my coffin.” Simon wears a green shirt with a Legend of Zelda symbol on it, khaki cargo shorts, brown Birkenstocks, an eyebrow piercing, and small hoop earring. A young vampire man with large bat wings on his back, long ginger hair, a red cape, and a shiny gold chestplate flies through the air of a burning old European city. He looks determined, eyeing something offscreen.
August 9, 2025 at 6:26 PM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
Breaking news: Dante experiences a moment of happiness

Color comp for an upcoming moment in my script 💛 Sometimes I need to jot down sketches like this as memos alongside my script so I don’t forget the tone & motifs I wanna use in the visuals of a scene. #webcomic #vampire #thecostoflivingcomic
Digital painting - closeup shot of a vampire looking off to the side, with a small genuine smile. His face is mostly in a cool blue shadow, but the back of his neck is lit from the warmth of the lanterns at an outdoor festival.
August 9, 2025 at 6:11 PM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
Friend of mine requested the boys in modern casual clothes so of course I needed to oblige ⚰️⚔️🩸 #vampire #zeldashirt #originalcharacter #webcomics #art #thecostoflivingcomic
Digital drawing of a Dante (left), a tall vampire man with long ginger hair, slouching, hands in pockets and Simon (right), a shorter, stouter man with salt and pepper hair and a curled mustache. Dante wears black drawstring shorts, black socks, black earphones around his neck, a black T-Shirt with a drawing of a vampire saying the Will Wood lyric “if anybody needs me I’ll be in my coffin.” Simon wears a green shirt with a Legend of Zelda symbol on it, khaki cargo shorts, brown Birkenstocks, an eyebrow piercing, and small hoop earring.
August 6, 2025 at 5:14 AM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
Comic practice & hypotheticals :) I love giving Dante big ol’ bat wings, but I still have to see how it would come up in the canon. #vampire #webcomic #originalcharacter
A young vampire man with large bat wings on his back, long ginger hair, a red cape, and a shiny gold chestplate flies through the air of a burning old European city. He looks determined, eyeing something offscreen.
July 17, 2025 at 7:10 PM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
Words of wisdom from my BJJ coach that I will now be applying to all aspects of my life 🥋 #brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsu #autobiocomic #art #doodle #sketch
Cartoon of me laying in the BJJ mat saying “Why is this the hardest thing I’ve ever done???” while my coach stands over me and says “Because you keep telling yourself it’s scary!”
July 12, 2025 at 2:48 AM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
Dante is a bounty-hunting vampire trying to afford rent, doing all he can to run away from his old life.

But between a budding friendship with a goody-two-shoes knight, the rising threat of monster hunters, and the incessant whispers of Dante’s Sire in his ear, it’s getting harder to stay hidden.
A colored digital sketch page featuring a few busts of a scowling vampire in sunglasses, and a side view of the vampire and a knight staring daggers at each other, arms crossed. A comic cover with a vampire carrying a coffin backpack. A red moon is behind him. Title text at the top reads “The Cost of Living.” Author’s name at the bottom reads “Keely Mikkelsen.” Colored digital sketch. Scene on a fiery red backdrop. A large vampire with a body of black smoke and an ancient Roman helm obscuring his face smiles at offscreen destruction. A more human-like vampire, Dante, scowls with a feral expression at something off screen. His white shirt is messy and half-untucked, with blood splattered across the sleeves and frilled collar.
July 10, 2025 at 5:32 AM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
(CW:🩸) Dante Style Experiments! I like using a lot of styles, so I’m seeing how I might be able to combine different things I like into one style. I’m excited to see how it affects the final look of the comic 👀
.
.
.
#thecostoflivingcomic #digitalpainting #illustration #vampire #originalcharacter
Digital painterly style depicting a vampire looking back over his shoulder, baring his teeth. His eyes reflect like a cat, and long orange hair hangs messy over his face. He has two small scars on the side of his hand. Digital painterly style with sketchy white outlines and sketchy red depictions of blood. A vampire looking back over his shoulder, baring his teeth. His eyes reflect like a cat, and long orange hair hangs messy over his face. He has two small scars on the side of his hand. Black canvas, only using scratchy white outlines and sketchy red depictions of blood. A vampire looking back over his shoulder, baring his teeth. Long hair hangs messy over his face. He has two small scars on the side of his hand.
July 5, 2025 at 4:50 PM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
Learning combat for my comic is, uh… going well

(Jk I actually love BJJ most days, and I’ve improved a lot since I started 6 months ago! But takedown day leaves me so sore 😩)
Silly doodle of a blue belt in my BJJ class obliterating me with a double-leg takedown as a catch air in my last pain-free moments before slamming the ground.
July 1, 2025 at 5:38 PM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
Another work #ootd for a warmup! Got to revisit my old Gallery Assistant days to help sell at our shows this summer. Excited to get back to comic writing now though :)
.
There’s suncatchers so we have nice office rainbows in the afternoon. 🌈
.
.
.
#selfportrait #doodle #autobio
Self portrait digital sketch. Wearing a business casual gray blazer and pants, holding a laptop under one arm and coffee mug in the other. Wearing shiny silver oxfords, and rainbow lights shine on a blank wall behind me.
June 28, 2025 at 8:08 PM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
Little self-portrait at my office :) I’ve been working part-time in marketing at an art school for about a year and a half and I really enjoy it. It’s been very chill, and I feel lucky to have this + freelance as the animation industry sorts itself out.
#selfportrait #ootd #autobio #doodle #sketch
Sketchy, colorful digital self portrait. I sit at my desk looking out the window to a Stellar’s Jay perched on a red Adirondack chair.
June 26, 2025 at 6:13 PM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
Something tells me this might not be their hay cart…

#thecostoflivingcomic #originalcharacter #myoc #ocart #sketch
Sketch of two friends hitching a ride on the back of a fast-moving hay cart. The stout knight on the left holds on for dear life, and the tall vampire on the right smiles and enjoys the thrill.
June 23, 2025 at 3:01 PM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
What if Dante eventually wears his gloves less and his sunglasses less and keeps his hair down more to show he’s becoming more open and doesn’t care what others think of him… hmmmmm…. #ocart #myoc #fantasy #webcomic #vampire #thecostoflivingcomic #art
Colored digital sketch of vampire man with tattered black and red bat wings, long ginger hair, a gold armor chest plate, and all-black outfit strikes a defensive pose, looking up to some off-screen threat above him.
June 20, 2025 at 8:15 PM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
I don’t draw Branch too often since I’m working more on The Cost of Living these days but I still like the world building around this dude and wanna expand on his story someday #originalcharacter #ocart #myoc #art
Drawing of a slender gas mask creature in an all-black military-style uniform, cape blowing in the wind - he holds a cutlass in front of himself defensively. Background is hazy clouds of orange and yellow.
June 19, 2025 at 2:37 AM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
Had a nice sendoff dinner in my grandparents’ backyard before the new buyer moves in. Spent nearly everyday after school here as a kid ❤️ (this basic uniball pen is so buttery to draw with actually) #pleinair #inksketch #sketchbook
Pen sketch of a gazebo in a lush backyard. The gazebo is reflected in wavy lines on the surface of a pool. Pen sketch of an elegant light on a chain, hanging in front of a wall of jasmine.
June 8, 2025 at 8:10 PM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
Single-layer cooldown painting to help me practice, since I’ve been getting more into traditional acrylics lately.

Feat. Dante because he consumes my brain.
.
.
.
#thecostoflivingcomic #vampire #digitalpainting #ocart #procreate
Painterly digital art of a vampire character on an orange background, using only midtone to light values, holding a hand against a wall, streaking some blood behind him. He wears round sunglasses, a red cape, and fancy black and white clothes.
June 7, 2025 at 3:53 AM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
I forgot I did these Quincy sketches! Her design/vibe still feels like it’s missing some last puzzle piece but it’s getting there. #thecostoflivingcomic #monsterhunter #vampirehunter #myoc #art #webcomic #graphicnovel
Digital sketch page of a young, serious-looking monster hunter woman. She wears an all-black, clean, uniform-style coat and a wide-brimmed hat. She carries 2 silver daggers across her back, 1 wooden stake tied to her belt, and wears a cross necklace. There are 4 grayscale busts with serious expressions, 1 color bust with a snarky grin, and 1 grayscale full body sketch in the center of the page.
May 31, 2025 at 6:45 PM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
Been playing Virgil as my Baldur’s Gate 3 Tav on a multiplayer file with friends! He’s a Level 5 Tempest Cleric, and he may have to LOOK human but he’s still a warforged in my heart ⚡️
.
.
#baldursgate3 #baldursgate3fanart #dungeonsanddragons
Digital art of a human fantasy cleric. He wears silver plate armor and a purple cape. He has messy shoulder-length black hair and a scowl on his face. He holds spiked shield in his left hand, and a glowing staff over his right shoulder, with lightning crackling off of it. The background is a simple purple backdrop with a ground plane, and the cleric’s cast shadow.
May 25, 2025 at 8:10 PM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
Decided to throw some more paint on this Dante. This isn’t a spoiler cause it’s just a for-funsies hypothetical. A lot of my ideas start as “this would be fun let’s try it” and then weaving the ones that actually make sense into the plot

#thecostoflivingcomic #vampire #gothart #illustration #art
An illustration of a vampire in all-black attire and long wispy ginger hair, floating, face half-shaded, and glowing red eye gazing at the viewer, raises a hand to command a horde of bats.
May 3, 2025 at 1:57 AM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
Important script notes
A sketch of a vampire in a tavern giving a cheeky grin at his human friend - the word “Annoying” sits in the air by the vampire’s head, with an arrow pointing to him.
April 29, 2025 at 12:15 AM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
Did my civic duty today 🫡
5 star review for Hellaween book 1 5 star review for Hellaween: Spellbent
April 28, 2025 at 8:54 PM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
I’m once again tabling at Comic Con Revolution in Ontario, CA again in a few weeks!! Find me and my homie @amatusart.bsky.social at table G17! I’ll be bringing some freebie Dantes again :)

#comicconrevolution #ccr #artistalley #convention
Title says: Comic Con Revolution (Ontario CA) on sale now May 17-18 2025 - I’m Tabling. Cartoon self portrait says: Find me at able G17. Artist Alley map with G17 circled. It is near the back entrance of the exhibit hall in Ontario Convention Center near “Banner 3”
April 28, 2025 at 5:33 PM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
A week-long celebration of my favorite comic? Don’t mind if I do 👀 Here’s my fav Miles for #hellaweenweek Day 2!
.
Hellaween by @dinolich.bsky.social
.
.
.
#hellaween #hellaweenfanart #vampire #graphicnovel
A vampire kid in a Hawaiian shirt, sipping blood from a paper cup, holds a skateboard and floats in front of a crescent moon. Hellaween Fan Week list of prompts for 7 days. The day 2 prompt is “Draw your favorite monster character.”
April 26, 2025 at 6:58 AM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
Bonus screenshots for how they appear in game!
Collectible card screenshot in game. Card is titled “Sneak Attack.” Treasure Hunter runs from Ali and Louie’s snowball barrage. Collectible card screenshot in game. Card is titled “Snow Wall.” Treasure Hunter catches Louie and Ali in their hideout, snowballs at the ready. Collectible card screenshot in game. Card is titled “Bear Hug.” Treasure Hunter hugs a friendly polar bear. Collectible card screenshot in game. Card is titled “Snow Strike.” Snowballs sail over a snow wall.
April 23, 2025 at 2:56 PM
keelymikkelsen.bsky.social
Got permission to share some of my work on Treasure Party! ❄️ These were the first pieces I painted when I started in October.

Treasure Party is a Match 3 mobile game, and I help illustrate the collectible cards in game.

Layout & Art Direction: Mike Morris

#illustration #digitalpainting
Snowball fight! Treasure Hunter girl in winter clothes, and her Shiba Inu, smile and run away from a barrage of snowballs from Ali and Lucky Louie. Treasure Hunter catches Ali and Lucky Louie in their snow wall hideout, aiming snowballs at them. Treasure Hunter in a fuzzy pink jacket hugs a friendly polar bear. Snowballs fly over a snow wall. The wall has two flags at the top, a four leaf clover for Lucky Louie and a magic lamp for Ali.
April 23, 2025 at 2:53 PM