James A. Baldwin’s writing challenged, lifted, and inspired. He breathed life into subjects most avoided, and wrote with an unmatched resolve.

We have always looked to the stars. We see the past, present, and future there. Their silent symphony stirs the inner mysteries within us all. Thank you to model Rik from Instagram for the pose reference.

“Sing the song of children, and honor the prayers of the elders. Root yourself into the earth, for we belong to her.” I had an intention for this drawing, but it went out the window immediately when the model arrived for the session. This image was so pressing to create.

“Even Hermes can pause” Returning to colored pencils for this drawing, and again finding them unwieldy but enjoyable. I was able to define different plains of the body using colors alone which feels like progress.

Sometimes, a drawing turns out just like I want it too—but strangely I don’t have the words to explain why I love it. The tone is simply “correct” in a way I feel rather than understand. Model is Vivastra Life from Instagram.

Pause. Embrace the moment of awe and pleasure. The moment with self, with nature, and with the whole universe.

Tieflings are perhaps a modern mythological creature; a being of human and fiendish decent. To me, they represent our shadow self, the part of us we hide from. Healing is integrating ourselves, expressing gratitude and love for who we truly are. Special thanks to @tjposes.bsky.social for the pose.

I recently had a request for a Mermaid. I don’t often draw the female figure. I had a lot of fun helping this siren find her underwater groove.

“Melancholy” Other than Mr Tumnus, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a sad satyr. But when I saw the pose, I felt he needed to be shared. The model is referenced on my Instagram.

“As above, so below” I have always been drawn to the constellation of Orion. It became my first tattoo. When I saw this pose from @modelrik.bsky.social I knew I wanted to reference it with my love for satyrs. Thank you friend.

Nature spirits have been coming forward for me recently, and I fully enjoyed drawing the delightful @lavender_morningstar from Instagram as one of the fairy folk.

Okay—I’ll admit that I’ve been on a merman kick for a while. But here is another before I move on to my other fantasy beings waiting to be drawn. Model is referenced on my Instagram page.

“Then along came Zeus” I hope @mikeparismodel.bsky.social will not mind that I gave him a rough beard. But really, can there be a Zeus without one?

We are always drawn to stories of love that wins despite the odds. I think we all crave that quiet, understood bliss of simply being with one we love, feeling their presence—and their touch. Thank you to @hadrien-mtl.bsky.social and Felix for this pose. I’m still figuring out colored pencil.

As I continue to revisit older projects, trying to tempt inspiration to return, I decided to play with colored pencil again. Thanks to @casperasmus from Instagram for the pose reference

Quietly, and without notice, inspiration seemed to just vanish. For weeks now I’ve been staring at blank paper, or worse—watched my lines become awkward and foreign—as though they were not my own. So I returned to an older project while I waited its return. “Milo of Croton” by Edme Dumont.

Some of you know that for the past year and a half I have been learning energy healing, like Reiki. This is a bit dramatic, but it is what it feels like internally for me when the Blue Dragon energy shows up in a healing session.

Communication is so much more than our words, the tone of our voice, or even our facial expression. Our bodies say so much. Thank you to @thomazz6789 from Instagram for modeling.

While I will always value technique and form—I want my art to display more than academic skill. I’m looking for a real moment decorated in the magic of fantasy. “The glance” between models @hadrien-mtl.bsky.social and Felix-qbc from insta, radiates a story. Thanks for posing you two.

Every time I tried to post this drawing, I noticed a small edit i wanted to make first. After multiple time, I realized this would be one of those drawings I never felt was finished. I do love the fuzzy hair textures of @julienfrost.bsky.social Thanks for posing!

Portraiture is such a challenge for one’s skill, expression, and creativity. Either the drawing looks like the person or it doesn’t. It is either showing an element of their character—or it lacks soul. I am grateful to @konstantinmariov from Instagram for this photo reference.

Sometimes a tree will just call to you, if you listen closely. Model @thomas_btin from Instagram captured a classical pose with an enormous tree in an enchanted moment, and I had to illustrate it.

“A handful of starlight” The truth is—as an amateur artist I’m still trying to find my “voice.” It isn’t enough to simply draw representational art—I want express a sense of wonder. I really enjoyed being able to draw @kramer.evans. Thank you for the expressive pose.

There is something delicious about that first, morning stretch. It’s a quiet, crackle of life along your spine—soft and tangible like the scent of freshly brewed coffee. Thank you to model @sharon1995.03 from Instagram for the pose.

I have been fortunate to have been asked to draw many people over time—but this is the first time an animal has requested my services. Meet Tucker, a handsome horse who wanted to give his favorite human a gift and used spirit communication pass the message along. Merry Christmas everyone!

Of course it will always love drawing mythical beings—but I equally love quite moments of ordinary life. Thank you to @aalto-richie.bsky.social for the pose reference. I appreciate working with you.

I admit that when I first began to draw, I believed I needed big, dramatic poses to make compelling art. I have since realized the impact of subtlety. Sometimes, it’s the curve of an eyebrow, or the line of the mouth that catches your eye. Model is referenced on Instagram.

Stepping away from my typical fantasy inspiration, because sometimes you gotta draw a guy in a ball cap. As I finished this—I suddenly remembered when feet felt very difficult to draw. Thank you to the anonymous model for a great pose.

I was asked recently what qualities I look for in a male model—and truthfully I didn’t have an answer. There are many qualities I like, about many body types. Beyond this, I can say I am strongly attracted to a model’s energy. Thank you to @malesubject4art.bsky.social for the great vibes, and pose.

Foreshortening has always been a challenge for me, but I was happy with the progress in this drawing. I told model Hadrian_mtl from Instagram that I was going to draw him in a mountain stream—but there was something rich about the velvet cushions I had to draw.

I don’t know why I don’t use toned paper more often. I really enjoy working with highlights and shadow. A special thanks to @jaregarcia.bsky.social for providing such a delightful pose. I appreciate you.

Current WIP. Still working on building the shapes and finding the proportions.

“Druid’s reveal” Sometimes it’s a simple pose that invites the imagination to play. I’m grateful to @nudistjeff.bsky.social who provides excellent modeling resources to artists.

There is always something compelling about being in nature. There was something engaging with this pose I saw from @coffeeandcloves.bsky.social and l had to draw it.

Some people have certain assets that naturally incline them to certain mythological creatures. I think you might agree that @knightlymassage.bsky.social makes for an excellent satyr.

Months ago I had the inspiration to draw a tree spirit emerging from his tree. Unfortunately I couldn’t work out the pose with a model and so the project was shelved. It kept dancing around in my head. So I gave it a try anyway. Im happy with how it turned out.

It has come to my attention that I haven’t been living up to my channel’s name recently. That’s partly because I haven’t seen poses that inspired my fantasy side. But 📸 @paulmadeley.bsky.social captured a moment with models @intercityart.bsky.social and @therealgrahamgrey.bsky.social and it sings.

It’s time to draw satyrs again

Sometimes I get the chance to draw a model who prefers to remain anonymous—and it works out well for us both. It’s a chance to practice modeling in a safe environment for him, and a chance for me to draw a tall, fit man. 👌

I gave myself a challenge drawing my portrait every October. Partly as a fun way to document my aging process, partly as a way to see my art style evolve over time.

I believe that working with a model is a collaborative experience, one that allows for both parties to create something they enjoy. As always, I’m grateful to @sheron1995.03 (from Instagram) for helping to create this drawing.

“The Offering” Model @mathiasnat.bsky.social presented me with a unique pose that inspired this scene. Who do you think is the god?

Originally, the model was holding a phone. But—come on, the pose just begged for a cane. What dance move comes next?

One of the cool parts about my hobby is getting to see people’s bodies change over time. When an anonymous model got a tattoo, I had to try drawing it. Thanks friend!

Sneak peek: Putting some final touches on tomorrow’s post.

I have always appreciated the expressive qualities @biglittlelinesart.bsky.social brings to modeling.

“Come on in” Thank you to the model @kar_lodelmondo from Instagram. I really enjoyed working on the textures in this piece.

Sometimes, I wonder if my will ever be confident drawing hands. I still find them fascinating—and I’m almost compelled to keep drawing them. But each position, gesture, and slight variation seems to change the basic structure completely.

Sometimes the simplest pose can evoke plenty of presence and emotion. Drama can be found even in the quietest of moments. Thank you to @modelrik.bsky.social for the reference.

It has been a pleasure to work with models consistently over time, like @mikeparismodel.bsky.social. I appreciate working with talented people who can hold poses and expressions so well.