One more work to archive here! This is a Tier 2: “Watercolor-style” commissioned painting from 2024.
Below are a few process sheets from this commission (with client name omitted, as since this was from a while ago, I cannot quite recall whether this commissioner wished to remain anonymous).
Commission for Skylark finished for this past Valentine’s Day, as a surprise gift for their partner! Above is the mesmer virtuoso, “Tarcisio Chiavetta,” who is Damedarosa’s character! (Names mentioned here with permission.)
Above and below are detail crops.
Process sheets below!
For this piece, we began with a general range for the budget. I was given a fair bit of artistic freedom, and I offered to draw a series of thumbnail during the initial sketches, across a range of complexities within their budget. This way, the client could choose the idea which both appealed to them most, and matched their desired budget. The original sheet lists quotes underneath each thumbnail idea, which I’ve omitted here for the client’s privacy.
First-round revision after the sketch idea was chosen.
Here is blocking out the background more before the painting stage began.
And here is the finished piece once more! This illustration has two versions – a “mesmeric magic” version at the top of the post, and this version above which places the focus more on Tarcisco’s figure.
Thanks so much again to Skylark for this commission!
March 4, 2026
A “Surprise Me!” (or “skeb-style”) commission finished last month in January. This is a commission type I haven’t really done before, but I’ve been interested in trying. Thank you again to the commissioner for asking me to draw it for them!
Sometimes also called “skeb-style” commissions, because these are a commission type which to my understanding, first became popularized in Japan.
What I like about these is that they offer more flexibility for both the artist and the client. In exchange for more artistic freedom for the artist, the client enjoys a lower rate. This works best for artwork where the client is open to being surprised by the final art – for clients with a specific vision in mind, or who are more comfortable giving feedback during work-in-progress steps, this commission type isn’t the best fit.
But for those who enjoy being surprised, this can be wonderfully satisfying for both the artist and commissioner! :D
A few more process images below, and then I’ll post an overview about this commission type:
General aspects about “surprise me” commissions:
I’m considering adding these as listed commission type at some point. In the meantime, if this interests you, feel free to contact me and I can put together a custom order for you.
I can finally show this commission! :D
I wanted to also show a few detail close-ups; I’ll update this post at a later point, when I have time to crop and export those!
For now, two three WIP process pages are below. Some text is omitted, as aside from Achyrd, the rest of the characters for this one wish to remain anonymous!
January 15, 2026
Ever wondered where those gorgeous prints you see in artist alley conventions are printed? Or do you have commissioned artwork you’d like printed for your personal use, but wondered where to print them? I was always curious about this – and a few years ago, I learned a little more about it!
These are adapted from two email replies I wrote a while ago for previous commissioners, who wished to print the art I painted for them afterward. I’d been considered formatting those emails into a post for this blog, because I found the info helpful both for myself, and to to share when occasionally people ask printing-related questions. Now’s as good a time as ever!
As I wrote these both over a year ago now, if you notice any out-of-date info, please feel free to comment or let me know somewhere. I’d be more than happy to keep this post updated!
For the US, I recommend these two printers. :D To my understanding, these are among the most popular used by artists for artist alley conventions.
The original for this section was written July 10, 2024, and I did some formatting for the blog here today. I checked that links still work, but keep the date in mind for when this was written, compared to when you’re reading this. It’s possible some of what I wrote here is out-of-date, since it’s a year later now. On the other hand, I’ve known these two printers have been among the most popular ones used for artist alley conventions for years, and my impression is they are fairly stable platforms given their longevity.
For the EU, I asked a few people, and was recommended these two printers!
The original for this section was written July 25, 2022, with some formatting edits today. Again, keep in mind the date the info here was written compared to when you are reading this, in case anything has become out-of-date.
That’s the summary! I hope it might be helpful to someone. If you have feedback or suggestions for this post (or questions about printing), again feel free to comment or let me know wherever you see me active. Happy to keep it updated!
A hearty thanks to Bou & Dali for taking these wonderful photographs, and for their permission to share them here with you!
Updated December 5, 2025: Added the “Local Printers” section after receiving helpful feedback!