Val 🌱 working on my end of year sketchbook
@pine-niidles.bsky.social
Ni, Val, or Pine (they/them)
Digital Shop: https://pine-niidles.itch.io/
Links: pineniidles.carrd.co
Open for freelance! ✉️valermogilev@gmail.com
Digital Shop: https://pine-niidles.itch.io/
Links: pineniidles.carrd.co
Open for freelance! ✉️valermogilev@gmail.com
Reposted by Val 🌱 working on my end of year sketchbook
you can still get past year pdfs from my itch (please take advantage of the free copies, they're there to be used <3)
itch.io/c/3970499/my...
itch.io/c/3970499/my...
November 23, 2025 at 10:03 PM
you can still get past year pdfs from my itch (please take advantage of the free copies, they're there to be used <3)
itch.io/c/3970499/my...
itch.io/c/3970499/my...
ofc mints! anytime
December 7, 2025 at 7:34 PM
ofc mints! anytime
mhm actually I will bookmark this topic to do a blogpost about sometime next year with more examples and notes
December 7, 2025 at 7:29 PM
mhm actually I will bookmark this topic to do a blogpost about sometime next year with more examples and notes
I hope that makes sense :o! I'll probably have a different way of doing things in another half year as I draw more borders and keep studying how other people do it so I guess my other answer is 'with a LOT of references'
December 7, 2025 at 7:17 PM
I hope that makes sense :o! I'll probably have a different way of doing things in another half year as I draw more borders and keep studying how other people do it so I guess my other answer is 'with a LOT of references'
for other ppl's I try and deduce the character's vibes to pull some kind of imagery from, usually based off their profession. if they use magic I'll probably incorporate that. worst case I pick a plant that'll look good next to their design or do some fun swirls. I've not had complaints so far
December 7, 2025 at 7:17 PM
for other ppl's I try and deduce the character's vibes to pull some kind of imagery from, usually based off their profession. if they use magic I'll probably incorporate that. worst case I pick a plant that'll look good next to their design or do some fun swirls. I've not had complaints so far
as how I pick the items within the border it depends if I'm drawing my own ocs or other people's. For mine, when I make ocs I try and have a clear idea of what visual symbolism I associate with them, so I grab from that + toss in some flowers and sparkles.
December 7, 2025 at 7:17 PM
as how I pick the items within the border it depends if I'm drawing my own ocs or other people's. For mine, when I make ocs I try and have a clear idea of what visual symbolism I associate with them, so I grab from that + toss in some flowers and sparkles.
Lately I've also been trying to intertwine and overlap items within the borders as much as possible ⭐
For colors I don't think too hard about it? For the background I pick a color which is either similar or different to the colors most or least used in the image and then the rest follows
For colors I don't think too hard about it? For the background I pick a color which is either similar or different to the colors most or least used in the image and then the rest follows
December 7, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Lately I've also been trying to intertwine and overlap items within the borders as much as possible ⭐
For colors I don't think too hard about it? For the background I pick a color which is either similar or different to the colors most or least used in the image and then the rest follows
For colors I don't think too hard about it? For the background I pick a color which is either similar or different to the colors most or least used in the image and then the rest follows
I make sure to have small items and big items, detailed sections and flat sections, thin lines and thick lines, ect. my earlier borders have a bunch of equally sized & spaced items filling them which is a fine look but I think more dynamic borders suit my art better most of the time
December 7, 2025 at 7:17 PM
I make sure to have small items and big items, detailed sections and flat sections, thin lines and thick lines, ect. my earlier borders have a bunch of equally sized & spaced items filling them which is a fine look but I think more dynamic borders suit my art better most of the time
my start process with pretty much all of these is setting up a symmetry ruler so both halves mirror each other. I think asymmetrical borders can be fun but I do them as an exception rather than a rule. after that I try to keep in mind a balance of busy sections and calm sections
December 7, 2025 at 7:17 PM
my start process with pretty much all of these is setting up a symmetry ruler so both halves mirror each other. I think asymmetrical borders can be fun but I do them as an exception rather than a rule. after that I try to keep in mind a balance of busy sections and calm sections
it's not at all limited to art nouveau, that's just how it sticks in my mind. Illuminated manuscripts fall under this category too
December 7, 2025 at 7:17 PM
it's not at all limited to art nouveau, that's just how it sticks in my mind. Illuminated manuscripts fall under this category too
"art nouveau" is where the border doesn't have items inside it but rather itself is decorative, looping and swirling creating windows through which we can see the art. if there are items in the border they are intertwined inside it.
December 7, 2025 at 7:17 PM
"art nouveau" is where the border doesn't have items inside it but rather itself is decorative, looping and swirling creating windows through which we can see the art. if there are items in the border they are intertwined inside it.
the "most often seen" the way I mostly see people doing borders which tends to be a solid band, with no sections, outlining a drawing, with items inside that overlap and intermingle. I think it's a beautiful way to do borders & it's what I started with though without as much intermingling
December 7, 2025 at 7:17 PM
the "most often seen" the way I mostly see people doing borders which tends to be a solid band, with no sections, outlining a drawing, with items inside that overlap and intermingle. I think it's a beautiful way to do borders & it's what I started with though without as much intermingling
I've never actually drawn that kind of border but it's stuck in my mind due to childhood fairytale books leaving a huge impression and is what I'm inspired by anytime I give my borders their own interior sections
December 7, 2025 at 7:17 PM
I've never actually drawn that kind of border but it's stuck in my mind due to childhood fairytale books leaving a huge impression and is what I'm inspired by anytime I give my borders their own interior sections
in "ivan biblin" style the border is divided into sections, some of whom have their own borders. each section tends to be pretty clean with only one or two items in it, drawn very flatly, and those items having very little overlap between each other.
December 7, 2025 at 7:17 PM
in "ivan biblin" style the border is divided into sections, some of whom have their own borders. each section tends to be pretty clean with only one or two items in it, drawn very flatly, and those items having very little overlap between each other.
In "photocard style" the border is comprised of overlapping items whose edges directly touch the edge of the art (or with a small outline following the shape of the items). I try to either give the edge lots of bumps or place them in a way where together they form a clean shape
December 7, 2025 at 7:17 PM
In "photocard style" the border is comprised of overlapping items whose edges directly touch the edge of the art (or with a small outline following the shape of the items). I try to either give the edge lots of bumps or place them in a way where together they form a clean shape
in my mind there are 4 "types" of borders I mainly draw by categorized by the outer edge of the border and how it interacts with the art & how the items inside the border interact with each other
December 7, 2025 at 7:17 PM
in my mind there are 4 "types" of borders I mainly draw by categorized by the outer edge of the border and how it interacts with the art & how the items inside the border interact with each other
oh like how I choose what to draw in the borders or how I design the layout?
December 7, 2025 at 6:04 PM
oh like how I choose what to draw in the borders or how I design the layout?
yeyyy that's the last set of lines! I'll post the finished versions and tag people as I color these 😊
December 7, 2025 at 6:02 PM
yeyyy that's the last set of lines! I'll post the finished versions and tag people as I color these 😊
I guess I considering 'some progress' to be like 5 sentences worth/thumbnail sketches so it's less than it sounds :o I've been mostly doing the read comics "task" and it's nice 😌✨
December 7, 2025 at 5:42 PM
I guess I considering 'some progress' to be like 5 sentences worth/thumbnail sketches so it's less than it sounds :o I've been mostly doing the read comics "task" and it's nice 😌✨
I've had soooo many busy weekends recently it's nice to have a chill sunday 💗
December 7, 2025 at 10:37 AM
I've had soooo many busy weekends recently it's nice to have a chill sunday 💗