Software used: Photoshop, Wacom Cintiq 13HD
Inktober 52 - Week One Prompt - Wild.
2022 The Year of the Tiger. The year of the tiger is meant to bring big changes, risk-taking, and adventure.
2022 The Year of the Tiger. The year of the tiger is meant to bring big changes, risk-taking, and adventure.
Inktober 52 - Week Two Prompt - Decay.
I wish flowers lived longer than they did. Although their fleetingness is probably why we appreciate them more.
When I visited Japan it was during Hanami (sakura viewing festival), where people celebrate the blossoming cherry trees as a sign of the arrival of spring, and a time of renewal. Due to their short blooming season, cherry blossoms also symbolise the transience of life, a major theme in Buddhism. For similar reasons, cherry blossoms are also associated with Samurai, who often led short lives.
When I visited Japan it was during Hanami (sakura viewing festival), where people celebrate the blossoming cherry trees as a sign of the arrival of spring, and a time of renewal. Due to their short blooming season, cherry blossoms also symbolise the transience of life, a major theme in Buddhism. For similar reasons, cherry blossoms are also associated with Samurai, who often led short lives.
Inktober52 - Week Three Prompt - Stripes.
Another tiger! As a kid, I was obsessed with tigers. I didn’t have many toys - instead, I would ask for paper and make my own, so that I could make up stories and characters that were in my head. Whenever one ripped, I would use tape as a kind of bandage and say they got injured in battle.
For this illustration, I wanted to add a few Filipino elements like the salakot and filipiniana, since I didn’t have Filipino children’s books growing up.
Another tiger! As a kid, I was obsessed with tigers. I didn’t have many toys - instead, I would ask for paper and make my own, so that I could make up stories and characters that were in my head. Whenever one ripped, I would use tape as a kind of bandage and say they got injured in battle.
For this illustration, I wanted to add a few Filipino elements like the salakot and filipiniana, since I didn’t have Filipino children’s books growing up.
Inktober52 - Week Four Prompt - Frog.
A little preserved froggie in a jar ☻︎♡︎ I saw this little guy at the Natural History Museum and just had to draw them at some point.
A little preserved froggie in a jar ☻︎♡︎ I saw this little guy at the Natural History Museum and just had to draw them at some point.
Inktober52 - Week Five Prompt - Squash.
Pumpkin/winter squash korokke (kabocha korokke) is maybe one of my top 3 favourite foods. It pairs really well with Japanese curry or red bean paste.
Pumpkin/winter squash korokke (kabocha korokke) is maybe one of my top 3 favourite foods. It pairs really well with Japanese curry or red bean paste.
Inktober52 - Week Six Prompt - Micro.
Seemed appropriate. #covid
Seemed appropriate. #covid
Inktober52 - Week Seven Prompt - Tiger.
A little maneki neko (fortune/beckoning cat). 🌸
I love how this turned out. I’ve already drawn a few tigers for Lunar New Year and previous prompts, so I thought I’d do something a little different. I’ve always loved traditional tattoos and their connections to the past and our ancestors, and am hoping to get some batok (traditional Filipino hand-tapped tattoos) one day myself.
Tattooing in Japan was finally decriminalised in 2020, and although there’s still a stigma and association with the criminal world - we have a duty to protect traditional crafts from dying out.
A little maneki neko (fortune/beckoning cat). 🌸
I love how this turned out. I’ve already drawn a few tigers for Lunar New Year and previous prompts, so I thought I’d do something a little different. I’ve always loved traditional tattoos and their connections to the past and our ancestors, and am hoping to get some batok (traditional Filipino hand-tapped tattoos) one day myself.
Tattooing in Japan was finally decriminalised in 2020, and although there’s still a stigma and association with the criminal world - we have a duty to protect traditional crafts from dying out.
Inktober52 - Week Eight Prompt - Spot.
Didn’t know what to draw for this one, until a ladybird flew into my kitchen. Fun fact - ladybirds are actually vicious predators that can eat 100 aphids a day.
Didn’t know what to draw for this one, until a ladybird flew into my kitchen. Fun fact - ladybirds are actually vicious predators that can eat 100 aphids a day.
Inktober52 - Week Nine Prompt - Direction.
Today I finally learnt how to use a sextant! Kinda. I need more practice. As a kid, my dad was really into sailing, and would tell me stories about pirates and buried treasure. So when a friend told me they had one and could teach me, I got really excited.
A sextant is an instrument used for determining the angle between the horizon and a celestial body such as the Sun, the Moon, or a star, used in celestial navigation to determine latitude and longitude.
It’s worth noting, don’t look directly at the sun through it without filters. You’ll burn your retina and have to wear an eyepatch like a real pirate.
Today I finally learnt how to use a sextant! Kinda. I need more practice. As a kid, my dad was really into sailing, and would tell me stories about pirates and buried treasure. So when a friend told me they had one and could teach me, I got really excited.
A sextant is an instrument used for determining the angle between the horizon and a celestial body such as the Sun, the Moon, or a star, used in celestial navigation to determine latitude and longitude.
It’s worth noting, don’t look directly at the sun through it without filters. You’ll burn your retina and have to wear an eyepatch like a real pirate.
Inktober52 - Week Ten Prompt - Flight.
Ironically this week I finalised my travel/flight plans to the Philippines (for September).
For every order on my @Etsy store (VanessaMountainArt), I include a little origami paper crane so this illustration felt fitting. In Japanese culture, cranes are considered a national treasure, representing happiness, good fortune, and longevity. In mythology, it’s said they live up to 1,000 years.
When I visited Hiroshima in 2017, I saw a wall displaying the true story of 'Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes’. Sadako Sasaki was just two years old when the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. She survived the explosion with seemingly no injuries, however, at the age of eleven, she developed leukemia due to radiation poisoning.
Whilst in hospital a friend told her that if she folded one thousand paper cranes she would be healed. Despite becoming ever weaker Sadako never gave up hope, and in the end, folded more than her goal. However, at the age of 12, she succumbed to her illness. The 1,000 paper cranes apparently buried alongside her.
She is a lasting symbol of peace and the consequences of war. I hope in these trying times people are still able to remember their humanity and be kind to one another.
Ironically this week I finalised my travel/flight plans to the Philippines (for September).
For every order on my @Etsy store (VanessaMountainArt), I include a little origami paper crane so this illustration felt fitting. In Japanese culture, cranes are considered a national treasure, representing happiness, good fortune, and longevity. In mythology, it’s said they live up to 1,000 years.
When I visited Hiroshima in 2017, I saw a wall displaying the true story of 'Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes’. Sadako Sasaki was just two years old when the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. She survived the explosion with seemingly no injuries, however, at the age of eleven, she developed leukemia due to radiation poisoning.
Whilst in hospital a friend told her that if she folded one thousand paper cranes she would be healed. Despite becoming ever weaker Sadako never gave up hope, and in the end, folded more than her goal. However, at the age of 12, she succumbed to her illness. The 1,000 paper cranes apparently buried alongside her.
She is a lasting symbol of peace and the consequences of war. I hope in these trying times people are still able to remember their humanity and be kind to one another.
Inktober52 - Week Eleven Prompt - Lush.
There’s something really calming about wildflowers. It’s finally spring and I can’t wait to go exploring the British countryside again.Also, the best part of being an adult is growing out of hayfever.
There’s something really calming about wildflowers. It’s finally spring and I can’t wait to go exploring the British countryside again.Also, the best part of being an adult is growing out of hayfever.
Inktober52 - Week Twelve Prompt - Break.
I actually misread this as "broke". But tbf my coin purse did break.
I actually misread this as "broke". But tbf my coin purse did break.
Inktober52 - Week Thirteen Prompt - Bottle.
Oops, this one took a little longer than expected. But I’m happy with how it came out.
I can’t really swim, but I love looking at sea creatures - they come in all sorts of weird and wonderful shapes. I hope this little guy is happy in their little bottle house.
Oops, this one took a little longer than expected. But I’m happy with how it came out.
I can’t really swim, but I love looking at sea creatures - they come in all sorts of weird and wonderful shapes. I hope this little guy is happy in their little bottle house.
Inktober52 - Week Fourteen Prompt - Eye.
I’m a little bit of a history nerd, so this was quite a fun prompt for me. I decided to test out a new illustration style.
In the 18th century, it became a popular trend spanning nearly four decades for lovers to exchange brooches, lockets, and pendants decorated with a single-eye portrait - essentially representing “love at first sight”. It also kept the person's identity obscured and a mystery, which was also part of the allure.
It apparently became popular after the Prince of Wales (King George IV of England) commissioned a miniature portrait of one of his eyes to send to his lover Maria Firtzherbert; a catholic, twice-widowed commoner. Under then British law, their union would never have been allowed. Despite this, she reciprocated with her own eye portrait, and the two were secretly married a month later.
Although the king later abandoned Maria for a more legitimate marriage, he requested to be buried with her eye miniature placed directly over his heart upon his death. Forever being under her watchful gaze.
In the 18th century, it became a popular trend spanning nearly four decades for lovers to exchange brooches, lockets, and pendants decorated with a single-eye portrait - essentially representing “love at first sight”. It also kept the person's identity obscured and a mystery, which was also part of the allure.
It apparently became popular after the Prince of Wales (King George IV of England) commissioned a miniature portrait of one of his eyes to send to his lover Maria Firtzherbert; a catholic, twice-widowed commoner. Under then British law, their union would never have been allowed. Despite this, she reciprocated with her own eye portrait, and the two were secretly married a month later.
Although the king later abandoned Maria for a more legitimate marriage, he requested to be buried with her eye miniature placed directly over his heart upon his death. Forever being under her watchful gaze.
Inktober52 - Week Fifteen Prompt - Camo.
I used to watch a lot of nature documentaries growing up, one term I learnt and loved was “aggressive mimicry”. Where an insect or animal physically disguises itself as something else (usually harmless).
In this case, the orchid mantis mimics an orchid flower. Orchid mantises are typically found in tropical rainforests across Southeast Asia; Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Philippines, and Indonesia, as well as the Western Ghats of India.
They camouflage themselves to deceive potential predators, as well as to help catch insect prey.
In this case, the orchid mantis mimics an orchid flower. Orchid mantises are typically found in tropical rainforests across Southeast Asia; Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Philippines, and Indonesia, as well as the Western Ghats of India.
They camouflage themselves to deceive potential predators, as well as to help catch insect prey.
Inktober52 - Week Sixteen Prompt - Sci-Fi
I’m absolutely obsessed with the designs for the robot Geisha in Ghost in the Shell. They reminded me a lot of the Clockwork Droids in Doctor Who that I’d seen growing up.
I think that was definitely a core memory that made me interested in animatronics and how things worked. I just wish I had more of an engineery brain to understand it all.
The craftsmanship of @wetaworkshop and attention to detail still to this day blows me away.
ETSY - Black/White & Colour art prints of this are available on my ETSY store in A5 & A4 sizes, as well as normal and holographic stickers.
I’m absolutely obsessed with the designs for the robot Geisha in Ghost in the Shell. They reminded me a lot of the Clockwork Droids in Doctor Who that I’d seen growing up.
I think that was definitely a core memory that made me interested in animatronics and how things worked. I just wish I had more of an engineery brain to understand it all.
The craftsmanship of @wetaworkshop and attention to detail still to this day blows me away.
ETSY - Black/White & Colour art prints of this are available on my ETSY store in A5 & A4 sizes, as well as normal and holographic stickers.
Inktober52 - Week Sixteen Prompt - Sci-Fi
Colour variation.
ETSY - Black/White & Colour art prints of this are available on my ETSY store in A5 & A4 sizes, as well as normal and holographic stickers.
Colour variation.
ETSY - Black/White & Colour art prints of this are available on my ETSY store in A5 & A4 sizes, as well as normal and holographic stickers.
Inktober52 - Week Seventeen Prompt - Dino.
More dinosaurs! 🦖Compsognathus are one of my favourite dinosaurs species. Their name comes from the Greek “kompsos” meaning “elegant, refined or dainty” which is adorable because they were only about 29cm tall.
More dinosaurs! 🦖Compsognathus are one of my favourite dinosaurs species. Their name comes from the Greek “kompsos” meaning “elegant, refined or dainty” which is adorable because they were only about 29cm tall.
Inktober52 - Week Eighteen Prompt - World.
@gorillaz - Demon Days was the first album I ever bought. I love the world and lore they’ve created since then, to the point where I used to spend hours and hours on their interactive Kong Studios and Plastic Beach websites instead of studying.
@gorillaz - Demon Days was the first album I ever bought. I love the world and lore they’ve created since then, to the point where I used to spend hours and hours on their interactive Kong Studios and Plastic Beach websites instead of studying.
Inktober52 - Week Nineteen Prompt - Origin.
This is a difficult prompt. Recently I’ve been trying to research more into Filipino folklore and mythology. This is the origin story of the first man and woman.
In this version of Filipino mythology, in the beginning, there was only the sea and sky. Bathala (God) sent a bird named Manaul - who flew between the two with no place to rest.
Tired of continuously flying, Manaul thought to create a quarrel between the sea and the sky. Flying upwards, the bird said to the sky: “The sea said it wishes to rise and submerge you with water.” The sky said: “If it does so, I will hurl rocks and islands. I will drop into the sea so many rocks and islands, that there will be too little space for its waves to rise and drown me.” Which is what happened.
The bird was then able to land upon solid ground. As it rested, a length of bamboo with two nodes washed upon the shore, hitting the bird. Manaul, angry that anything should strike it, pecked at it, splitting the bamboo. From one node stepped out a man, Malakas “strong” and from the other stepped a woman - Maganda “beautiful”.
This is a difficult prompt. Recently I’ve been trying to research more into Filipino folklore and mythology. This is the origin story of the first man and woman.
In this version of Filipino mythology, in the beginning, there was only the sea and sky. Bathala (God) sent a bird named Manaul - who flew between the two with no place to rest.
Tired of continuously flying, Manaul thought to create a quarrel between the sea and the sky. Flying upwards, the bird said to the sky: “The sea said it wishes to rise and submerge you with water.” The sky said: “If it does so, I will hurl rocks and islands. I will drop into the sea so many rocks and islands, that there will be too little space for its waves to rise and drown me.” Which is what happened.
The bird was then able to land upon solid ground. As it rested, a length of bamboo with two nodes washed upon the shore, hitting the bird. Manaul, angry that anything should strike it, pecked at it, splitting the bamboo. From one node stepped out a man, Malakas “strong” and from the other stepped a woman - Maganda “beautiful”.
Inktober52 - Week Twenty Prompt - Ship.
I’ve drawn so many ships in the last two years, I’m a little burnt out. My dad used to have a little galleon in a bottle, I might try and make one and some point. I haven’t made a model in years.
I’ve drawn so many ships in the last two years, I’m a little burnt out. My dad used to have a little galleon in a bottle, I might try and make one and some point. I haven’t made a model in years.
Inktober52 - Week Twenty-One Prompt - Flower.
I’m so happy I no longer have hayfever.
I can frolic freely ~
I’m so happy I no longer have hayfever.
I can frolic freely ~
Inktober52 - Week Twenty-Two Prompt - Mouse.
Rattenkönig. When I was younger my dad's brother used to have a massive collection of mice in cages. On the rare occasions, I would visit I got to hold and play with them. They have tiny little clawy hands.
A “Rat King” is a collection of rats whose tails are intertwined and bound together, often stuck with tree sap or other substances. The original German term rattenkönig, translated literally into English “rat king” and in French - roi des rats. Although originally it was a word to describe people who lived off of others.
A “Rat King” is a collection of rats whose tails are intertwined and bound together, often stuck with tree sap or other substances. The original German term rattenkönig, translated literally into English “rat king” and in French - roi des rats. Although originally it was a word to describe people who lived off of others.
Inktober52 - Week Twenty-Three Prompt - Mountain.
I thought it would be cool to take on a less literal approach to this prompt. Given my surname, I could have just drawn myself tbf.
In many belief systems - the world is carried on the back of a turtle. Ranging from the Hindu god Vishnu’s second avatar, Kurma - a great turtle upon which a mountain is balanced, to China’s giant turtle named Ao - where the creator goddess cut the legs off a cosmic turtle and uses them to prop up the heavens, to some North American and Canadian indigenous folklores where the Earth was created as soil piled onto the back of a great sea turtle. - Many indigenous tribes still refer to the continent as ‘Turtle Island’.
Inktober52 - Week Twenty-Four Prompt - Racer
Beep beep. Little bit of nostalgia.
Beep beep. Little bit of nostalgia.
Inktober52 - Week Twenty-Five Prompt - Crowd
Public transport is the worst. This illustration was inspired by my trip to Japan 5 years ago.
Inktober52 - Week Twenty-Six Prompt - Terrain
Contour topography maps! My mom comes from the Filipino island of Leyte. To get to our village it takes a 4-hour ferry (night ferry is 6-7 hours) from Cebu island and an hour and 30-minute drive through the mountains.
Inktober52 - Week Twenty-Seven Prompt - Flag
🇬🇧🇵🇭 Also decided to add our national flowers, an English rose and a Filipino sampaguita (jasmine).
If you wanna get specific British & Irish 44.5%, French & German 5.7%, Filipino & Austronesian 49.6%, Trace Ancestry 0.2% (@23andme )
If you wanna get specific British & Irish 44.5%, French & German 5.7%, Filipino & Austronesian 49.6%, Trace Ancestry 0.2% (@23andme )
Inktober52 - Week Twenty-Eight Prompt - Space
Nothing to see here just “a single mom who works two jobs, who loves her kids and never stops, with gentle hands and a heart of a fighter…” a UFO riiiider.
Inktober52 - Week Twenty-Nine Prompt - Bird
My dad used to own a Brazilian blue and gold macaw parrot called Flint (bought in 1980). We decided to give them to a sanctuary when I was about 4 years old (1999). One of the more memorable stories was when Flint flew into the kitchen and landed on top of the fridge - knocking off a glass fruit bowl (wedding gift), smashing it.
They also really didn't like my mom and were very territorial around my dad. So in the end my mom said "it's either me or the parrot". 🦜
Inktober52 - Thirty Prompt - Celtic
This is the first time I’ve ever illustrated using an iPad / @procreate but I think it went well. I really like looking at ornately decorated things, including weapons. 🗡
Inktober52 - Thirty-One Prompt - Robot
One of my friends works as a robot technician at a university. I once got to test out a new control algorithm that makes it easier for robot operators working in nuclear clean up/decommissioning to control the robots with software/ai assistance. @kukarobotics_uk
Also, second test using @procreate I think I’m getting the hang of it. The gestures are taking a while to get used to.
Inktober52 - Thirty-Two Prompt - Wood
This week's prompt was “wewd” so I had to draw @bobbydukearts - go check them out on YouTube! I think out of everything he’s made the rhinoceros beetle is my favourite.
Inktober52 - Thirty-Three Prompt - Map
Originally I was going to draw a treasure map… but then House of the Dragon happened.
Inktober52 - Thirty-Four Prompt - One Line
希 - Hope.
希 - Hope.
Inktober52 - Thirty-Five Prompt - Armour
Female warriors aren’t talked about a lot in history. Their stories often overshadowed or minimised to suit patriarchal society.
Whilst studying Japanese sword fighting I’ve developed a lot more respect for the strength, dexterity and flexibility needed to fight - on top of wearing multiple layers of armour and weaponry.
Inktober52 - Thirty-Six Prompt - Artemis
Inktober52 - Thirty-Seven Prompt - Punch
Inktober52 - Thirty-Eight Prompt - Teeth
Inktober52 - Thirty-Nine Prompt - Time
Inktober52 - Forty Prompt - Bouquet
Inktober52 - Forty-One Prompt - Kind
Inktober52 - Forty-Two Prompt - Bluff
Inktober52 - Forty-Three Prompt - Snack
Inktober52 - Forty-Four Prompt - Build
Inktober52 - Forty-Five Prompt - Scarf
Inktober52 - Forty-Six Prompt - Dream
Inktober52 - Forty-Seven Prompt - Gobble
Inktober52 - Forty-Eight Prompt - Star
Inktober52 - Forty-Nine Prompt - Graffiti
Inktober52 - Fifty Prompt - Combo
Inktober52 - Fifty-One Prompt - Victorian
Inktober52 - Fifty-Two Prompt - Myth
