Tristan Elwell
@tristanelwell.bsky.social
Artist/Illustrator/Educator
Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize Winner, Hugo Loser
I make pictures of spooky girls and cute cats
https://linktr.ee/Tristan.Elwell
Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize Winner, Hugo Loser
I make pictures of spooky girls and cute cats
https://linktr.ee/Tristan.Elwell
Pinned
I just found out that somebody is posting really hateful, racist emails spoofing my website email address. This is public notice that if anybody gets something heinous purporting to be from me, with an email address @ my website URL, I most definitely did not send it.
Reposted by Tristan Elwell
Every DCD album is a collection of flawlessness. There are - to ME - some weaker songs, but they're all wonderful on a spectrum of joy.
THIS is my favorite from Spleen and Ideal, because the Siren, the Prophetess, the Oracle - Lisa Gerrard - absolutely tears a hole in my heart with her voice.
THIS is my favorite from Spleen and Ideal, because the Siren, the Prophetess, the Oracle - Lisa Gerrard - absolutely tears a hole in my heart with her voice.
November 25, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Every DCD album is a collection of flawlessness. There are - to ME - some weaker songs, but they're all wonderful on a spectrum of joy.
THIS is my favorite from Spleen and Ideal, because the Siren, the Prophetess, the Oracle - Lisa Gerrard - absolutely tears a hole in my heart with her voice.
THIS is my favorite from Spleen and Ideal, because the Siren, the Prophetess, the Oracle - Lisa Gerrard - absolutely tears a hole in my heart with her voice.
How shocking, that computer programs, made by computer programmers, should be halfway decent at computer programming. If LLMs were as incompetent in their creators' area of expertise as they are at EVERYTHING ELSE, they never would have seen the light of day.
"LLM search results are even worse."
it depends on the subject
I work with computer programming, and LLMs are very reliable in this field ... also, it's possible to learn *a lot* with LLMs
it depends on the subject
I work with computer programming, and LLMs are very reliable in this field ... also, it's possible to learn *a lot* with LLMs
November 25, 2025 at 5:07 PM
How shocking, that computer programs, made by computer programmers, should be halfway decent at computer programming. If LLMs were as incompetent in their creators' area of expertise as they are at EVERYTHING ELSE, they never would have seen the light of day.
Knowing things is a curse and makes life uncomfortable. Lots of people would rather not deal with it.
This is also how I judge the History Channel. If it’s about a topic I know, I spot at least one lie per minute watching the History Channel, so it’s horrifying to think how many lies I’d be swallowing without knowing it if I watched about a topic I don’t know.
LLM search results are even worse.
LLM search results are even worse.
Saw an interesting piece of advice recently: ask the AI search engines for an answer in a field in which you are very knowledgeable.
The results will make it clear just how much they get wrong, and how brazen they are about it.
Now, apply that to every subject in which you are NOT an expert.
The results will make it clear just how much they get wrong, and how brazen they are about it.
Now, apply that to every subject in which you are NOT an expert.
November 25, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Knowing things is a curse and makes life uncomfortable. Lots of people would rather not deal with it.
Reposted by Tristan Elwell
Using “looks almost final” placeholders will also force your project in a more generic direction. Non-artists will get attached to the generic slop placeholder and if you try to exchange it with something more interesting they’ll say it feels bad and force you back to the generic option.
Stop using AI for placeholder assets.
Use sketches. Use lorem ipsum. Use bright pink materials. Use programmer art for fucks sake, literally anything else.
If your studio is using AI even for temp, even if they think they've covered their tracks, SPEAK UP because people WILL FIND IT
Use sketches. Use lorem ipsum. Use bright pink materials. Use programmer art for fucks sake, literally anything else.
If your studio is using AI even for temp, even if they think they've covered their tracks, SPEAK UP because people WILL FIND IT
November 25, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Using “looks almost final” placeholders will also force your project in a more generic direction. Non-artists will get attached to the generic slop placeholder and if you try to exchange it with something more interesting they’ll say it feels bad and force you back to the generic option.
I have to defend my peers and say there’s still amazing cover work out there if you look for it. But none of us are Jean-Léon Huens!
I have said before and will say again that it is such a loss that we no longer get covers of this caliber for fantasy books.
This art is by Jean-Léon Huens. These covers are for the Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander. They lit my imagination on fire as a kid.
This art is by Jean-Léon Huens. These covers are for the Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander. They lit my imagination on fire as a kid.
November 25, 2025 at 2:37 PM
I have to defend my peers and say there’s still amazing cover work out there if you look for it. But none of us are Jean-Léon Huens!
Reposted by Tristan Elwell
TRUMP [after spending 5 minutes with Zohran]: surplus value, it’s a very wonderful thing, very wonderful, and they’re stealing it. Can you believe that?
We’re going to be looking very strongly at the bourgeoisie, what they’re up to
We’re going to be looking very strongly at the bourgeoisie, what they’re up to
November 21, 2025 at 9:25 PM
TRUMP [after spending 5 minutes with Zohran]: surplus value, it’s a very wonderful thing, very wonderful, and they’re stealing it. Can you believe that?
We’re going to be looking very strongly at the bourgeoisie, what they’re up to
We’re going to be looking very strongly at the bourgeoisie, what they’re up to
Predestination
November 22, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Predestination
Reposted by Tristan Elwell
Here's the cover illustration I did of 'The Bloodweaver' by @cnkuster.bsky.social , for Podium Publishing!
Out June 2026!
Out June 2026!
November 22, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Here's the cover illustration I did of 'The Bloodweaver' by @cnkuster.bsky.social , for Podium Publishing!
Out June 2026!
Out June 2026!
Cosigned
You can make art.
The biggest step isn't getting good at art, it's being willing to make art that doesn't match the idea of "good art" in your head.
Making a lot of imperfect art is an essential step toward making perfect art; a counterproductive goal you shouldn't have anyway.
Just make art.
The biggest step isn't getting good at art, it's being willing to make art that doesn't match the idea of "good art" in your head.
Making a lot of imperfect art is an essential step toward making perfect art; a counterproductive goal you shouldn't have anyway.
Just make art.
November 22, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Cosigned
Reposted by Tristan Elwell
November 21, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Reposted by Tristan Elwell
#BoxOfBooks day!
From Subterranean Press, Constituent Service by John Scalzi.
It's the rollicking adventures of a community liaison person in a city ward filled with alien immigrants. Great jacket art by Tristan Elwell. Unguents anyone?
@subpress.bsky.social @scalzi.com @tristanelwell.bsky.social
From Subterranean Press, Constituent Service by John Scalzi.
It's the rollicking adventures of a community liaison person in a city ward filled with alien immigrants. Great jacket art by Tristan Elwell. Unguents anyone?
@subpress.bsky.social @scalzi.com @tristanelwell.bsky.social
November 21, 2025 at 2:44 PM
#BoxOfBooks day!
From Subterranean Press, Constituent Service by John Scalzi.
It's the rollicking adventures of a community liaison person in a city ward filled with alien immigrants. Great jacket art by Tristan Elwell. Unguents anyone?
@subpress.bsky.social @scalzi.com @tristanelwell.bsky.social
From Subterranean Press, Constituent Service by John Scalzi.
It's the rollicking adventures of a community liaison person in a city ward filled with alien immigrants. Great jacket art by Tristan Elwell. Unguents anyone?
@subpress.bsky.social @scalzi.com @tristanelwell.bsky.social
I just pulled this off the shelves for reference, anybody else have a copy?
This was the book that introduced me to Virgil Finlay and Hannes Bok.
This was the book that introduced me to Virgil Finlay and Hannes Bok.
November 21, 2025 at 5:08 AM
I just pulled this off the shelves for reference, anybody else have a copy?
This was the book that introduced me to Virgil Finlay and Hannes Bok.
This was the book that introduced me to Virgil Finlay and Hannes Bok.
Reposted by Tristan Elwell
When I arrive at the party
November 19, 2025 at 5:53 AM
When I arrive at the party
Reposted by Tristan Elwell
“Worried that people will think you’re an uncultured boob? Buy my critique of capitalism for only $100,000 (guaranteed to appreciate)!”
November 19, 2025 at 4:53 PM
“Worried that people will think you’re an uncultured boob? Buy my critique of capitalism for only $100,000 (guaranteed to appreciate)!”
Hmmmm...
Process — Jeffrey R. McDonald
www.jeffreyrmcdonald.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Hmmmm...
Fuck Andres Serrano forever.
Artist Andres Serrano Discussed Trump in Emails With Jeffrey Epstein
Epstein also weighed in on the provenance of “Salvator Mundi” in a newly released trove of documents that sheds light on his art world connections.
hyperallergic.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Fuck Andres Serrano forever.
Little did we know at the time it would be the last great newspaper strip.
Bill Watterson’s “Calvin and Hobbes” first appeared 40 years ago, on November 18, 1985. Here’s the first week of dailies:
November 18, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Little did we know at the time it would be the last great newspaper strip.
word
man searching for reference is a pain now
November 18, 2025 at 4:09 AM
word
Reposted by Tristan Elwell
The reason why most women my age couldn't care less if Bill Clinton goes down with the ship is that we were teens & young women when the Anita Hill and Monica Lewinsky scandals happened. It's rotten to the core. All the way down. Your "lost" era is not ours.
November 16, 2025 at 1:41 PM
The reason why most women my age couldn't care less if Bill Clinton goes down with the ship is that we were teens & young women when the Anita Hill and Monica Lewinsky scandals happened. It's rotten to the core. All the way down. Your "lost" era is not ours.
Reposted by Tristan Elwell
“The Dream of the Fisherman’s Wife” (2021)
Ink, gold leaf, and hydrangea petals on cream paper.
My homage to Hokusai’s iconic print, now included in the upcoming exhibition “Japanese Fantasies in the Time of Félicien Rops” at the Félicien Rops Museum in 2025–2026.
Honored to be part of it.
Ink, gold leaf, and hydrangea petals on cream paper.
My homage to Hokusai’s iconic print, now included in the upcoming exhibition “Japanese Fantasies in the Time of Félicien Rops” at the Félicien Rops Museum in 2025–2026.
Honored to be part of it.
November 16, 2025 at 5:43 PM
“The Dream of the Fisherman’s Wife” (2021)
Ink, gold leaf, and hydrangea petals on cream paper.
My homage to Hokusai’s iconic print, now included in the upcoming exhibition “Japanese Fantasies in the Time of Félicien Rops” at the Félicien Rops Museum in 2025–2026.
Honored to be part of it.
Ink, gold leaf, and hydrangea petals on cream paper.
My homage to Hokusai’s iconic print, now included in the upcoming exhibition “Japanese Fantasies in the Time of Félicien Rops” at the Félicien Rops Museum in 2025–2026.
Honored to be part of it.
Reposted by Tristan Elwell
When people IRL keep showing me ai garbage when I explicitly say I dont support or want to see ai trash, its like they lack any awareness of what they're even looking at.
You are looking at;
-Stolen Labor
-Environmetal damage
-Wasted Resources
-Slop with no heart or effort
You are looking at;
-Stolen Labor
-Environmetal damage
-Wasted Resources
-Slop with no heart or effort
November 14, 2025 at 11:17 PM
When people IRL keep showing me ai garbage when I explicitly say I dont support or want to see ai trash, its like they lack any awareness of what they're even looking at.
You are looking at;
-Stolen Labor
-Environmetal damage
-Wasted Resources
-Slop with no heart or effort
You are looking at;
-Stolen Labor
-Environmetal damage
-Wasted Resources
-Slop with no heart or effort
Reposted by Tristan Elwell
(throwing open my window) you there, boy, what day is this?
Goodness me, I stayed up late reading and it’s already Partially Muscled Skeleton Screaming by the Perimeter Fence Day. Hope you’ve all been good this year!
November 14, 2025 at 2:52 PM
(throwing open my window) you there, boy, what day is this?
Same thing.
I think most artists hit a point where they’re like, well if I can’t be the best artist, I shall be the most ME artist.
November 14, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Same thing.
Reposted by Tristan Elwell
