BrianMcLachlan
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BrianMcLachlan
@brianmcl.com
2.6K followers 2K following 4.5K posts
Website: http://brianmcl.com
COMPLETE THE QUEST: http://bit.ly/3xLnMp7
Comic Tutorial Videos: http://bit.ly/3EvX8CX
shop: http://brianmcl.threadless.com
Author of Spruce Street Squad in Owl Magazine
he/him demi/ace
#KidLitArt #TTRPG
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brianmcl.com
BrianMcLachlan @brianmcl.com · Jul 4
Intro Post: I'm the cartoonist of Complete the Quest: The Poisonous Library, the 1st RPG graphic novel & Draw out the Story: Ten Secrets to Creating Your Own Comics. I also write Owl Magazines' monthly Spruce Street Squad comic, and have cartooned for Nickelodeon, The Nib, the New Yorker and more.
The cover of Complete the Quest: The Poisonous LIbrary. A yellow dragon person in purple robes stands back to back with a black woman who is a sun priest as they battle magenta throny tentacles. In the background they are aided by a short green flowerkin rouge, a flying bird-suited druid, and two blue-haired dwarves. They are in a dark grey cave with blue and purple crystals. A blurb reads "Part comic, part game, all joyous adventure - Ryan North" The cover of Draw Out the Story: Ten Secrets to Creating Your Own Comics by Brian McLachlan. The cover features a dragon, battling heroes, a burglar, a rocket ship guitar, a talking pine tree, two kid pirates, a dog chasing a cat (both in airplanes), a barfing cloud and a hand holding a pencil that's a magic wand.
Reposted by BrianMcLachlan
deswalsh.bsky.social
Get into the habit sharing and engaging with others art as often as you can. You care far less about having something new to show by simply highlighting the work of others and makes being online far more relaxing. At least that’s how I find it as a result of how I conduct my self on here.
grimwilkins.bsky.social Grim Wilkins @grimwilkins.bsky.social · 6h
This is a pretty common one, but

Don't treat your fellow artists like competition.

Not only is it just awesome getting to participate in art communities, but people are more likely to throw jobs your way if they think you would do the same for them 🤝
galileogb.bsky.social 🦎Galileo 🍉 @galileogb.bsky.social · 1d
ARTISTS: quote with some random art advice!!
January 12, 2026 at 10:56 PM
brianmcl.com
“Show me what comic you loved when you were 13, and that's all I need to know about you.”
stand up comic, George Carlin
January 12, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Reposted by BrianMcLachlan
cheryllynneaton.bsky.social
Three projects America desperately needs to push back ever so slightly on the copaganda onslaught:

1) Law & Order: Internal Affairs
2) Serpico
3) Untitled city government procedural
January 12, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Reposted by BrianMcLachlan
byelacey.bsky.social
do not work with xel. do not let xel touch your intellectual property or your money. she should not be in the webcomics industry or any industry, quite frankly
January 12, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Reposted by BrianMcLachlan
byelacey.bsky.social
please take the time to read august's entire thread, i'm quoting the relevant screenshots outlining what came to be known as "the car story"
skullamity.bsky.social August Brown @skullamity.bsky.social · 10h
These screencaps are from the last open meeting the Guild had with Hive staff. I left hiveworks not long after this, because it seemed important to get out before the tech staff quit and there was nobody to offboard us. Here are multiple staff members acknowledging that this did happen! (part one)
Screencaps from a discord meeting. Hive Staff A: Isa went to school for artist management, but not specifically for accounting/bookkeeping. I forget what sher exact degree was in. She did have some experience through previous jobs. it was a role she stepped into because there was no one else at the time because of how badly the funds were misappropriated for our first few kickstarters. Yes, we know the car story. Unfortunately, I have lived through it. Hive Staff B: I did NOT know the car story, and as I told Meg Syv, I wanted to scream blood when I found out. Hive Staff A: I had managed to block it from my memory. Non-guild hive artist: hoo boy August: I unfortunately had not. Hive Staff A: That was in the days before we had a warehouse. We were fulfilling Kickstarters from (identifying info cut). I was furious when I found out and so was Isa. It was that incident that led to Isa taking over financials. Non-Guild Hive artist: I remember the fury clearly (and somewhat fondly) ((because there was someone to be furious. good to have [thumbs up emoji])) Hive Staff A (direct reply to August): I think too many things have happened since then both here and elsewhere. Alli Shaw: 1. Could we trouble you to list what happened with the car story from your perspective? I feel like it's relevant to add context for the current situation. Especially if that's what made Isa step into her role. Hive Staff B: From the way she herself explains, it, Xel was under a frankly dumb assumption that she earned some of that money from Yamino's Kickstarter because of a stipend Yamino was being paid under at the time. Hive Staff A (direct reply to Alli Shaw): So our first kickstarters were the first Sister Claire, Go Get A Roomie and August's comic, The End. From what I remember, Xel believed that the proceeds at the end of those kickstarters belonged to her, not to the artists. August: which, to be clear, was a thing she never said to ANY of us, in any capacity. Hive staff A: No. And Isa and I didn't know either. Xel used that money to buy a car, which was used and then was later sold to someone else. Isa was furious because of this and that's the point she took over financials from Xel and ran them until early this year. August: So from my end, I was sending messages being like "hey I need some of the kickstarter money to pay for the books, I need to ship these books out now" and the responses I was getting were basically along the lines of "ohh uhh we can't give it to you all at once, so only ship like 20 books or less per week and we'll send you the money you spent, after you ship them!" and it was so, so sketchy but we were so worn out by then we just wanted it to be over Hive Staff A: I had no clue about that, August. I am so sorry. Shay: Important to note that misappropriation of funds contributed for a specific purpose is known as "breach of trust," which is extremely illegal in Canada at least. American law may differ somewhat but I suspect there is an equivalent there. Hive Staff A: To be clear, this was all back in what....2014? Meaghan (direct reply to August): Fuck me, that's revolting
January 12, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Reposted by BrianMcLachlan
adammakesttrpg.bsky.social
I know #ttrpg classes are meant to lean into popular #fantasy tropes, but they always felt like character restrictions.

So our game's progress is based on carried items (e.g. sword) or innate traits (e.g. ice magic). Have a look, and click Notify Me On Launch!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/gno...
Coming soon: Twelve Realms RPG
An original fantasy tabletop roleplaying game and a realms-spanning campaign setting
www.kickstarter.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Reposted by BrianMcLachlan
mengxuanli.bsky.social
wip🚢
January 12, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Reposted by BrianMcLachlan
halifaxexaminer.ca
The ethically challenged Evan Solomon and Mark Carney power dance may lead to the end of Canada
Morning File by @timbousquet.bsky.social
The ethically challenged Evan Solomon and Mark Carney power dance may lead to the end of Canada - Halifax Examiner
Do we really think that a Canadian government that can't find the moral clarity to act against a child abuse platform will resist a multi-pronged American assault on Canadian sovereignty?
www.halifaxexaminer.ca
January 12, 2026 at 2:55 PM
brianmcl.com
Free Iran in Graffiti Alley
#Toronto #Graffiti #StreetArt
Ok a black wall, an image of an iconic red figure falling backwards, its head the Islamic symbol from the center of the flag. White lettering says free Iran downfall and something in Farsi. Can't make out the signature
January 12, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Reposted by BrianMcLachlan
coreybrickley.bsky.social
this is making the rounds on facebook so i thought id bring it here for u m'lord
screenshot of a post i made on twitter Corey Brickley Illustration. Ju: @CoreyBrickley Seguir .. . i struggle with a brain that wants to stiffly copy whatever reference i'm using and one thing i've found helpful: 1. draw big blocky shapes over the reference 2. turn off ref and redraw big blocky shapes 3. draw in figure with big blocky shapes overlaid Traducir post photo of model posing as an elegant elf woman that ive blocked out with a chunky red brush in a separate window ive redrawn the red blocks, then have drawn details over the red blocks, using the photo+red transparency as reference final doodle of the figure drawing without the red blocking
January 24, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Reposted by BrianMcLachlan
scoobtoobins.bsky.social
Pictures from a hike over the weekend.
Llanferres, north Wales
January 12, 2026 at 8:26 AM
Reposted by BrianMcLachlan
edentimm.bsky.social
I emailed my MP, consider emailing yours as well
Hello, As I'm sure you're well aware, X/Twitter has an AI software called Grok that is being used to create child sexual abuse material, which is criminal in Canada https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/section-163.1.html As well as create sexually explicit material of women that those women have not consented to. While deepfakes don't fall under the crime of revenge porn in Canada(https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-46/section-162.1.html), our minister of AI, Evan Solomon, said Canada is looking toward introducing bill C-16 to include deepfakes as publication of intimate images without consent. I've attached his tweet for posterity. I had hoped this was Canada taking a staunch stance against the extreme sexual abuse being committed by Grok and its users, but unfortunately Evan Solomon goes on to say Canada is not looking to ban X. Considering how harsh of a stance the Canadian Government took on tiktok, and banned it from government devices, it is a horrible double standard to not take the same stance on the app that is creating child porn in mass amounts. Are our government workers so reliant on an American app that they will ignore justice and child safety? It's disgusting and shameful for elected officials continue to post official statements on the very same website that freely creates and shares sexual violence of children. As a tax paying citizen and a voter in this country, I should not have to wade through sexual abuse to see what my Government is saying on world events. Please speak up for our most vulnerable citizens and demand x be banned from government devices, at the very least. Thank you for you time, consideration, and hard work looking out for your constituents. Eden Timm
January 11, 2026 at 10:56 PM
Reposted by BrianMcLachlan
jasonthorne.bsky.social
Lace fence by Rotterdam-based artist collective Demakersvan at Ethennonnhawahstihnen Park in North York, Toronto.
A snow-covered landscape features a decorative chain link fence with a leaf pattern, in front of several modern high-rise buildings. The sky is overcast, adding to the winter atmosphere. A snow-covered landscape features a decorative chain link fence with a leaf pattern, in front of several modern high-rise buildings. The sky is overcast, adding to the winter atmosphere.
January 11, 2026 at 1:08 PM
brianmcl.com
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGCM...
January 11, 2026 at 9:49 PM
Reposted by BrianMcLachlan
alexbozikovic.bsky.social
My column: The Therme mess goes to the Supreme Court of Canada.

www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Ford asked for trouble with Ontario Place. The Supreme Court may give it to him
The Ontario government accommodated a foreign company by throwing out the rulebook
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 11, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Reposted by BrianMcLachlan
arrianna-planey.bsky.social
Also applies to "traffic."
carolinaforward.bsky.social Carolina Forward @carolinaforward.bsky.social · 1d
This is a cartoon about housing.
January 11, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Reposted by BrianMcLachlan
ryannorth.ca
Me and @jasonloo.bsky.social are putting on a SPECIAL EVENT with the Hamilton Public Library where we'll be discussing COMICS and WRITING and will sign all your books too! January 29th, 7pm, at the Westdale Branch - hope to see you there!

events.hpl.ca/event/15155197
Ryan North and Jason Loo discuss their work with Marvel Comics and more. Attend a live reading and conversation with authors Ryan North and Jason Loo, who discuss their work with Marvel Comics and more. The 45-minute conversation is followed by a 15-minute question and answer period. Check out the HPL catalogue to borrow the book before the event. Ryan North is the New York Times-bestselling author of Romeo and/or Juliet and To Be or Not To Be. He's the creator of Dinosaur Comics and the Eisner Award-winning writer of Adventure Time, Jughead, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl and Fantastic Four for Marvel Comics, and he has a master's in computational linguistics from the University of Toronto. Jason Loo is a Toronto-based cartoonist, who has written and drawn for Marvel Comics and independent publishing. His artistic work on AFTERLIFT with co-creator/writer Chip Zdarsky for Comixology Originals earned the digital comic series an Eisner Award, as well as a nomination for a Harvey Award and a Joe Shuster Award. His works include The Pitiful Human-Lizard, Dazzler, Werewolf by Night, Spider-Boy, and Star Wars. AGE GROUP: | Adults (18+) | EVENT TYPE: | Books and Writing |
January 11, 2026 at 5:57 PM
brianmcl.com
Killer thread for artists looking for reference
kmfao.bsky.social Dracula Enthusiast @kmfao.bsky.social · Jan 17
If we're not sharing resources with each other, wtf are we sharing? Feelings? I don't think so!

Here's a thread of where I get my 1980-present fashion references without slogging through AI

🧵
kmfao.bsky.social Dracula Enthusiast @kmfao.bsky.social · Jan 17
I've been working on a comic set in 1991 for 2 years, I will give you every single non AI clothes reference you need 😂 catalogues, magazines, runway, street fashion, yearbooks, menswear, womenswear, I am here for you fam
January 11, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Reposted by BrianMcLachlan
danielgwilson.bsky.social
@inkskratch.com you might like this video. Talking about the socio-political aspects of 80s and 90s Hong Kong action films . www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsmJ...
How Hong Kong Action Films Resisted Colonialism
YouTube video by Erudite Critic
www.youtube.com
January 11, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Reposted by BrianMcLachlan
thejenya.bsky.social
As a player and as a GM for EUphoria, there is no finer group of people dedicated to making sure you have a great game in a safe setting combined with extremely high production values and attention to detail! Run your damn game! Apply to play, don’t spend time worrying!
euphoriaap.bsky.social EUphoria Actual Plays @euphoriaap.bsky.social · 1d
You're a GM based in Europe, you identify as a woman or femme, and you have an AP you'd love to run.

We're looking for stories to tell this March - stories just like yours.

It's a perfect match. Come and tell us all about it! tally.so/r/ODQxG7
Heading text reads - Calling for GMS An 80s synthwave background with, neon purple, pink, and purple grid as far as the horizon and a blazing golden sunrise with hot pink stripes. Main text reads - Looking or Women and femmes identifying with intersections of womanhood in gaming. Based in Europe. BIPOC/GLOBAL Majority. TTRPGS preferably by women and femmes other than D&D. Euphoria logo at bottom right, a round yellow frame with navy blue background, and a large shooting star made up of yellow d4s streaking from right to left, a yellow tail trailing behind. TTRPGirls logo at the bottom left, a neon blue striped triangle behind the words ttrp in blocky blue and pink font, and girls in white cursive.
January 11, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Reposted by BrianMcLachlan
infinata.bsky.social
I can’t see these guys as anything but extremely divorced dudes now.
Cobra soldier action figure card art
January 10, 2026 at 3:58 AM
Reposted by BrianMcLachlan
faitherinhicks.bsky.social
More information about the studio closure: globalnews.ca/news/1160613...
January 10, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Reposted by BrianMcLachlan
maxchavez.bsky.social
Cheesecake Factory (1995) by Jordan Mozer & Associates, a delirious 90s fantasy with elements that feel…let’s say, appropriately digestive.
Gold and brown 90s restaurant setting with large bulbous columns and rounded volumes on the ceiling. Gold and brown 90s restaurant setting with large bulbous doorframe that says “Host” and “Bar” on either side. Gold and brown 90s restaurant setting with large bulbous columns and rounded volumes on the ceiling. In front, a row of abstract Art Nouveau-style sculptural figures. Gold and brown 90s restaurant setting and a large wall opening offering a view into a bar.
January 10, 2026 at 3:41 PM
brianmcl.com
Anyone know how reputable OII is?
oliverscottcurry.bsky.social Oliver Scott Curry @oliverscottcurry.bsky.social · 2d
The "largest long-term study of brain development and child health in the United States", finds "no evidence…that screen time impacted [children's] brain function or well-being", even among "participants who had high rates of digital engagement" #smma www.oii.ox.ac.uk/news-events/...
OII | No evidence screen time is negative for children’s cognitive development and well-being: Oxford Study
In a study of nearly 12,000 children in the United States, no evidence was found to show that screen time impacted their brain function or well-being.
www.oii.ox.ac.uk
January 10, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Reposted by BrianMcLachlan
keezyyoung.bsky.social
discord is asking everybody about how they feel about AI. have at it folks
Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management
The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.
discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com
January 10, 2026 at 4:28 PM