First part of the new comic in progress. I think it covers about 20 or 25 percent of the comic, but it felt like more: these pages have probably the most complex panels of the story. (One hopes!) I tried several approaches to ink and toning, and some of it still has room to improve, I think. This is when Patreon support, instead of an editorial deadline for instance, feels priceless. I felt like I was able to take some time to aim right with the drawing style for the comic, even going through some rough spots with health, and technical issues with my drawing tablet. During the next weeks, I expect to be sharing with you regular updates of this new story in the making.

Now that this is en route, I’ll also be working on the final batch of the fairies! Expect some goblinesque news on your email soon, those who applied for the Fairy portraits.

Once more, many thanks for your patience and kind support.

Juan.

Trolls in the woods, a gnome in the garden.

I’m working on a couple of portraits that were requested in the past weeks, which will be out over the next few days. I also got some new asks over the weekend, and I think these will be finished during the first half of November. If you haven’t asked for yours, I will be receiving new portraits asks until this November 1. As usual, we’ll make the Halloween vibes persist for some time in the Secret Knots quarters.

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In other news: progress on the new comic has been much slower than I’d like to, I’m afraid, mostly because of health issues, and also a bit of complications with my drawing equipment. About a week ago, I went through a new covid contagion, with the subsequent exhaustion and some mild after effects. Today I had a positive medical check in that sense, so I hope to regain some energy to move forward with creative projects soon. (And also, solve the technical problems I’ve been having with my drawing tablet). All this to say that I expect to be back on track in November, just… slowly. I’ll be very cautious with health, of course. I appreciate a lot your patience and support, and look forward to start sharing parts of this new story as soon as they are done.

Juan S.

This time, portraits of a pixie, a faun, and a puck.

In other news, over the next days there’ll also be a progress update on a new comic, which has been delayed after a couple of false starts.

Thanks!

Juan

“Fairies, black, grey, green, and white,
You moonshine revellers and shades of night”
(Shakespeare, The Merry Wives of Windsor)

It’s time for a new round of October thematic portraits, and now it’s the turn of Fairy Creatures of legend and folk lore.

For those new to this Patreon reward, you can check out in this collection portraits of previous calls. The reward will be available to all patrons, and Earthquake Critic (10+) patrons get to ask for special customizations. As usual, feel free to edit your pledge for a month in order to get customizations.

Character Classes.

I had to make big generalizations with the theme, having so many local variants and different fantasy versions of small, mischievous creatures. It’s also a weird mix of Greek, British Isles and Nordic mythos and folklore.

Feel free to let me know if you’d want gendered features for a particular character, or to disregard that aspect entirely.

This is the basic rooster of characters available.

Customizations available to Earthquake Critic Patreon tier (10+)

A different creature: I had to let out of the basic list many variants. Let me know if you have something specific in mind, or if you’d like to mix features.

Animal companion:  If you are a small sprite, you can even appear floating around or riding them.

Specific outfit, tools, or activity.

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How it works:

To ask for your portrait, please email with the subject Fairies, including a photo reference (or remind me of a picture you’ve sent before) and your Character Class. Email address is juan@thesecretknots.com

Important: I may share some portraits to promote support to my Patreon.

Feel free to tell me if you’d like to keep them private.

I should start sending out the first portraits in about a week. I would love to be done by Halloween, but I’ll probably be drawing some portraits well into November (or even further, depending on demand).

Leave comments or questions below, and thanks!

Juan