Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Zephra

@zephra.bsky.social

2.3K followers 540 following 940 posts

Self-trained furry freelance illustrator. I try to be active and stream work over on Picarto: https://picarto.tv/Zephra Discord server: https://shor.by/csWt https://links.artbyzephra.com/my-sites Trying to be more active and love answering questions!

picarto.tv

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Reposted by Zephra

𝕮𝖆𝖓𝖎𝖘𝕬𝖑𝖇𝖚𝖘 @canisalbus.bsky.social · 3d

✦ Papaver ✦

90 1.9K 8K

Zephra @zephra.bsky.social · 17d

youtu.be/Iix-r6vs4Wo
I listen to this video a lot when working or resting, and this piece became heavily inspired during the process. The environment they're in, is exactly how I remember some fall days growing up.

Inner Spark (1111 Hz) | 1 hour handpan music | Malte Marten & Changeofcolours

YouTube video by Malte Marten Music

youtu.be

Zephra @zephra.bsky.social · 17d

There's a part of me tempted to only paint foliage mood pieces from that time period. Because every now and then there's just the perfect sunlight and breeze where everything feels dreamlike.

1 1

Zephra @zephra.bsky.social · 17d

I realized I missed this earlier, this is a really beautiful way of saying it.

I remember the same as a kid, but slowly as I got older we would take trips into WV during the peak of fall where it truly had me loving that time of year.

1 1

Zephra @zephra.bsky.social · 17d

youtu.be/QW1bifPKJic

Speedpainting for the thumbnail for anyone interested

[WIP] Speedpainting - Rjunn

YouTube video by Art By Zephra

youtu.be

Zephra @zephra.bsky.social · 17d

This was originally intended to be a digital painting, but then I kept changing things and it lost a lot of what made it interesting to me in the first place.

Hoping traditional will help me stick to the decisions I'm making, and curious to see if I can pull off that shade of blue traditionally.

2 3

Zephra @zephra.bsky.social · 17d

Feeling a bit foolish starting this project, like I've bitten off more than I can chew. This may be interesting to see how it'll turn out this week.

Pencil sketch to set up idea and make sure everything made sense/fix anatomy

#furryart #traditional

12x16 Canvas transfer with transparent wings added

Original digital painting for reference point, extended on phone to check aspect ratio

1 1 21

Zephra @zephra.bsky.social · 18d

It is kind of funny seeing the difference between them sometimes, but I end up using my phone a /lot/ to get things set up like this.

Tbh, I should draw them more

Finished version, cell shaded test - Owl Arukai design

Zephra @zephra.bsky.social · 18d

It's honestly a good idea! I just find sometimes I take a little longer to sketch where I don't have time to sit down for that.

I'm lucky that my phone has a stylus, sometimes I'll quickly doodle down something so I don't lose the idea. Expanding on this one heavily once home this week.

Renaii and water magic composition doodle idea

2 2

Zephra @zephra.bsky.social · 18d

It sucks because I'm having a good time (visiting a friend for Big Run in Splatoon this weekend), but the whole time I'm just brainstorming ideas for what I'm going to do once back home xD

1 2

Zephra @zephra.bsky.social · 18d

The worst part about being excited about doing art, is going on a trip and not being able to paint for a few days.

Looking forward to starting something new once back home! I'll be streaming traditional painting again this week

1 9

Zephra @zephra.bsky.social · 21d

Was hoping to call this done tonight, but taking some time to see if I should put in a little more detailing to fix a few things.

Really loving working in Acrylic, though!

Risc, resting in foliage holding a magical blue orb. WIP - Acrylic traditional painting

#furryart #traditional

9 41

Zephra @zephra.bsky.social · 21d

Thank you! I've really been enjoying painting it

Reposted by Zephra

Zephra @zephra.bsky.social · Jul 9

Process video: youtu.be/DgC-0W2DYvM

Great egret Sona, after plunging a blade into the earth summoning magic around themselves.

#art #furry #furryart

1 9 59

Reposted by Zephra

Zephra @zephra.bsky.social · Jul 19

Introducing a new Arukai character - Ventera
Process video: youtu.be/Q0foVTtl-F8

Plague doctor mage (Arukai species), wearing a mask that filters using magic as a power source, releasing smoke when active.

#art #furry #furryart

2 31 150

Zephra @zephra.bsky.social · 22d

Another WIP from today - have a bit to fix on their face/upper body, but hoping I can finish this tomorrow.

Really having fun getting lost in painting foliage xD

Risc, laying down in foliage enjoying a calm day

#furryart #traditional

2 7 68

Zephra @zephra.bsky.social · 22d

Current WIP - stream starting up now! Making a few adjustments when working today, before starting the next pass
picarto.tv/Zephra
www.twitch.tv/artbyzephra

Risc, resting in a sunny forest

#furryart

Zephra @zephra.bsky.social · 23d

Watercolor is great, especially when sketching with pen where it's a quicker way of adding a pop of color. But also I love being able to adjust things in a way the medium doesn't allow for.
I love seeing paintings in watercolor though, it's amazing what some people can do with the medium

Zephra @zephra.bsky.social · 23d

Letting it dry between layers is helping it remain vibrant too, otherwise the colors begin to muddle a bit xD

1 1

Zephra @zephra.bsky.social · 23d

Tbh, I feel like that's something I could struggle with too - in digital I already touch things up a lot. I think I'm going to try and keep the detail level similar to the pants in this painting where it's still detailed, but letting the lighting carry details.

1 1

Reposted by Zephra

🔱 𝔹𝔼𝔸𝕊𝕋 🔱 🔜📦MOVING📦 @beastsoul.bsky.social · 23d

Heyyy y'all so I just had to pay nearly $3k in car repairs prepping it for my move halfway across the country next week OTL

if y'all could please boost this to help sales before I need to close up shop, I'd really appreciate it ;; 🤍

5 200 330

Zephra @zephra.bsky.social · 23d

Also, thank you! I have a few gripes for what I was hoping to achieve with this vs how it's turning out, but I'm still relatively early in the process and looking forward to how it'll adjust over time xD

Zephra @zephra.bsky.social · 23d

Should be all set with a basic mix of paints though, and really loving these otherwise. Half tempted to offer traditional commissions at some point, but I want to practice a bit more before I'd feel comfortable with that.

Zephra @zephra.bsky.social · 23d

I don't ever expect to get a truly strong vibrant color out of traditional vs the digital work I do (the backlighting illuminating the colors gives it a wider range), but grabbing a vibrant light blue, orange, and 2-3 other paints so when I go to mix for painting I'm not fighting it as much.

2 1

Zephra @zephra.bsky.social · 23d

The main issue I'm coming across is keeping the same intensity of pigmentation when trying to get a lighter value. Ran into this issue with the blue in my previous test, where you can add white to get it brighter, but then it desaturates and you can't get a vibrant robins egg or teal

Dragon painting test, monotone blue - couldn't get as saturated as I hoped

#furryart

Reference image - I knew I never would get quite this blue, but I was hoping for a little more than I was able to/had to fight heavily to even get the blues I did

1 1