If you see this, post something monochromatic #ttrpg #b&wart
Learning to draw, publishing zines. TTRPG nerd, surfing enthusiast on the central coast of CA. Follow along as I try to get my first few TTRPG books self-published! Check out my work - tallertales.games, tomlagier.itch.io, and DriveThru under Taller Tales
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If you see this, post something monochromatic #ttrpg #b&wart
This is the last interior illustration for The Belle of the Bog. It’s been a real journey and I’m a little sad to see it close. I’ve got a bit of work to do on the cover but really this is the last major art needed for the project. All that’s left is an edit pass and layout!
Drip and Drop, resident snitches of the Belle, taking a peek at a perfectly licit transaction. #learntodraw #ttrpg #osr #art #BelleOfTheBog
I'm Tom, currently writing an enchanted steamboat module for Dragonbane called the Belle of the Bog! Also a SWE by trade, following your platform closely bsky.app/profile/lagi...
I feel this so often haha. What seems like a straightforward concept turns into a whole ball of yarn! Good luck!
A few critical things are managed by this control panel in the engine room of the Belle. It’s seen better days. If only things were labeled! Second to last illustration for the book. I’m getting a bit misty! #ttrpg #osr #art #learntodraw #BelleOfTheBog
You’ll find the hooked dice on a few different things in the Belle. There might even be a way to turn the symbol to your advantage… #ttrpg #art #learntodraw #BelleOfTheBog
Proud to be the 2,637th backer 😎 on @BackerKit Crowdfunding for Vaults of Vaarn Second Edition! www.backerkit.com/c/projects/v...
A bottle of “bluet”, one of the many drinks Crusty Craig serves on the Belle. Sweet and mournful, it tastes like forgotten love on a crisp fall day. Dreadful hangover afterwards. #ttrpg #art #learntodraw #osr #BelleOfTheBog
Mother!
Finished shading it out, wish I’d gone a little easier on the lines but overall pretty happy with it. Careful what you pick! #art #ttrpg #osr #BelleOfTheBog #Dragonbane
Times are very tight and I am looking for work. All the work I can get. Illustrations, cartography, and logo work. Bring it on. Let's make your thing. #dnd #ttrpg brianfnpatterson.com/contact
Here's a free one for you Dungeon Masters out there. Normally you don't think of dwarves as a boating people, but this is totally some dwarven steampunk shit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_b...
This is so so so up my alley. Writing (well, currently illustrating) a steamboat adventure and they are SO COOL!
The Belle has quite the rooftop gardens. A fair few surprises for the canny forager. Excited to share this one, haven’t decided how I’m going to do it. #art #ttrpg #learntodraw #osr #BelleOfTheBog
The Vineheart Engine needs to push power to all corners of the Belle. This is where the ghost lanterns come in. They might not shed the most light, but it's very important that they don't get broken. #art #ttrpg #learntodraw #BelleOfTheBog #osr #Dragonbane
Spirit bottle I did at the hospital. These power the Belle, but it’s tricky to get them filled. Ol’ Billy has his ways… #ttrpg #osr #art #learntodraw #Dragonbane #BelleOfTheBog
A little downtime as I welcomed a new member of my family! Now a proud parent of 2 soon-to-be-gamers.
Calling it quits on the Leviathan Lunkhead. I love how the fish came out but ran out of steam (hah) on Ernest and the boat. Time waits for no one though, so calling it here. #ttrpg #osr #art #learntodraw #Dragonbane
Recently reminded of this Kevin Crawford AMA, and it remains everything.
Storks would like a word!
If you see this, post a knight.
Meet the Leviathan Lunkhead and Ernest. Still workshopping this one but I think I like the general composition. Going to try the watercolors again, but I think I'm going to do colors first, then lines over afterwards. #learntodraw #art #ttrpg #osr #BelleOfTheBog #Dragonbane.
Nice stippling!
I feel like it's way more effort to ask an LLM to come up with something vs "Running 15 minutes late 🫣"
I'd normally ink this guy but I honestly really like how it turned out as just a sketch, and for some pretty low-stakes spot art I think I'm going to call it good as-is. I'm particularly chuffed by how the cards turned out. #art #learntodraw #ttrpg #osr #BelleOfTheBog #Dragonbane
So please follow along if you're interested in my journey, my art, or just want to talk about Dragonbane or indie TTRPG publishing! If you're interested in running or playing the current version of the Belle, let me know and I'll get you a copy. My players loved it and I'm sure you will to. Ta!
I'm doing all the art for the Belle and I've set out an ambitious list. I've more or less started learning to illustrate from scratch this year and I'm doing all my pieces in the open, so you can see a big change from my early days. #art #learntodraw #digitalart
My big project over the last six months has been working on the #BelleOfTheBog - a full-length (80-ish pages) module for Dragonbane taking players on an enchanted steamboat for drinks, dancing, and a chance at fabulous magical prizes - if they can escape with their lives.
I started the year with a few short submissions to the #Dragonburn contest, which you can find on my @drivethrurpg.com publisher page: www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher... Please check 'em out and let me know what you think!
It's been a while since I've plugged my stuff so here's a brief recap of who I am and what I'm doing! My name is Tom and I'm working on becoming a 1-stop-shop #ttrpg designer. I'm focused on #Dragonbane right now!
Here's the art progress in a screenshot. Four months for what's done so far... feels like I've been working on this forever haha.
I'll post a full recap of where I am with the Belle book and maybe plug a few of my other things tomorrow. Been deep down the art hole for a while, time to tend to some other stuff!
All done with the bogmangler! Had fun learning a bit about the different charcoal and watercolor tools here. Will be glad to switch back from spooky boys to a few lighter scenes. #learntodraw #osr #ttrpg #Dragonbane #BelleOfTheBog
Can't forget #ttrpg #osr #Dragonbane #BelleOfTheBog #learntodraw #creepycritters
I'm happy with the lines but there's a pretty decent chance I go back and reshade, it just feels a bit too muddy to me. Maybe I can save it by touching up but not sure.
Rounding out our "people I wouldn't want to kiss" is the bogmangler. I took a pretty different approach with this one and tried to work a lot of charcoal in. I'm honestly not sure if I like the result or not but it's certainly got a vibe.
Here's the final on Ol' Billy after a bit of a tuneup Still very creepy! Happier with his mouth and hair though
Ol' Billy came out pretty spooktacular. I need to redo his mouth to make it a liiiittle less creepy and more friendly, I feel like I did a good job of that in the sketch but lost it in the shading a bit. Still, he's looking like a proper antagonist I think. #ttrpg #osr #learntodraw #Dragonbane
Ol' Billy's here to welcome you aboard the Belle. The drinks are cold and the dice are hot, come play a few hands and relax! #ttrpg #BelleOfTheBog #osr #Dragonbane #learntodraw #digitalart
some futzing and adjustment. For whatever reason, breads are really tricky for me to get to read properly
Here's Alice, spent a few days doodling but really got her all down in 1 day which I'm pretty proud about. Making some real progress here, it's satisfying blitzing through these easier illustrations and havingf them actually feel easier. #learntodraw #BelleOfTheBog #ttrpg #osr #Dragonbane
Wrapped up the breathless thrall! I dig it, my first shot at crosshatching in a while. Not sure it totally came out but I think it's a solid start. #BelleOfTheBog #learntodraw #ttrpg #osr #Dragonbane
@vaesen-rpg.bsky.social Just found one of Johan's art tutorials in "Beginners Guide to Fantasy Drawing", really cool stuff! #learntodraw #vaesen #ttrpg
Today's #PennyArcade completely sent me. www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2025/0... Sucks ducks when you can't watch all the milk commercials 😭
Love this, I'd watch the shit out of SLDQ
Just kinda sent it on the inks .. kinda dig it. sorta woodblock-y. Might take another cut because I got a bit carried away with the sloppy hatching but IDK. What do y'all think?
Some sketches for a breathless thrall. Haven't sketched on paper in a while, feels nice! I should do more of this. #learntodraw #osr #sketches #ttrpg #belleofthebog #dragonbane
Dragonbane, Twilight 2000, Pathfinder 2E, and Vaesen
Share the last four ttrp games you played. Games are too far apart to even consider them relevant.
That's a wrap on the Queen and her engineers! I love the characters in this one, especially drummer frog. It was fun figuring out some magic effects. All done with the major illustrations for the book, on to the spot art! #ttrpg #osr #learntodraw #digitalart #BelleOfTheBog
Here's the Queen flatted out. I think she still looks a bit muted but she's really going to sing once I get stuff rendered. Some stone, board, leaf textures and a few magic FX are gonna make this one pop! #ttrpg #BelleofTheBog #fantasy #learntodraw #osr #fairies
Watching the movie "Redline" and it's got me cranked to work on this podracing TTRPG joint I've had mentally cooking for a while.
Andrea Mantegna "Battle of the Sea Gods" is so so sick. Produced in 1470! #lineart #publicdomain #fantasy #ttrpg
Stumbled on this while researching the history of fantasy art. Lovely thesis from 1964 that gives a great overview of fantastical artists from 1250 to 1650. Really good stuff if you're looking for some new public domain art. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/m...
It's been a busy weekend but I still got most of the inking on Good Queen Benet done. Excited to color her and her merry crew of boat-builders. #learntodraw #osr #ttrpg #dragonbane #BelleOfTheBog
Cooking up a banger here for my last full illustration. This one has been so so fun, why do I have work and responsibilities and stuff? I just want to crush out this fabulous fairy queen and her court.
I'm really excited for my last full illustration and I want to stay focused to get Belle out the door but man if I don't have the itch to publish another short something-or-other! A quick little 5-6 page dungeon might be just the thing I need to keep spirits (and y'alls interest) high.
Tried some flatter / quicker shading and I really love how it came out. Ship it! One more full illustration to go and then it should be a much easier cruise for the rest of the art. #osr #learntodraw #ttrpg #dragonbane #BelleOfTheBog
Thanks for the kind words! It's been quite an adventure learning all this stuff, hopefully people like it when it's all compiled
Been working on my new tablet and don't have my "share a quick screenshot" workflow quite hammered out, but the Fete is coming right along. I _think_ I'm going to do a quick shading pass but I'm really happy with even just the flats, feel like I got a lot of fun character out of this one.
I think I'm going to leave the pencils pretty rough on this one and just dive right in to inks, I might even try emulating some crayons or charcoal
Second to last "hard" drawing underway, this is going to be the Fete Debenet, a mardi-gras esque festival. Trying for a busy but simplified background and some interesting characters in the foreground.
This is so sick. I just love how you're able to build up figures from clean lines, the vibe is immaculate. Here's my take on the "animals playing moody jazz" genre, maybe you'll get a kick out of it.
Listening to my favorite podcast, Between Two Cairns, featuring Yochai, @bradkerr.net and Skullboy (An update of a previous B2C image to include Skullboy) #osr #rpg #podcast
Finally done with Jumpin' Jimmy and the Gang! Excited to go back to some drawing, only 2 more "hard" illustrations and then we're coasting. #BelleOfTheBog #osr #ttrpg #learntoart
This one's a doozy, still got a couple more days to go. Still, I think it looks dope. Especially love the heron.
Rendering these guys out is going slowly, but I'm making good progress. Still a long way to go, but I really love this piece so it's all good. #BelleOfTheBog #osr #ttrpg
Glad I cleaned these lines up, pretty happy with it. Ready to render!
Wasn't sure if I wanted to ink this one but I think I'm going to. The pencils are just a bit too lose to color I think, one more pass will be good.
On the plus side, making real progress on my art list! I've just got Jumpin' Jimmy & the Goosenecks, then two more pieces in the "hard" column. From there I've got 5 "easy" and 3 "medium", and the rear cover, then we're calling it good. I think I can be done with the art in a month.
Had the finale of the first playtest of #BelleOfTheBog the other night. Was a lot of fun (aside from me spilling beer on my laptop). Definitely have a few things I want to soup up in the next draft, but still chugging through art in the meantime.
OK, voting is over so I wanted to show everyone the final version of Grug's Mug. I'm really proud of it! Very different from my other stuff. If you want a full copy, grab it on @drivethrurpg.com: www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5... #dragonbane #dragonburn #osr #ttrpg #indiepublishing
Next up for the Belle is Jumpin' Jimmy & the Goosenecks Went back and forth on whether I should draw them as animals or not but decided it was too much fun not to. Rough first couple sketches but I think it's a fun composition
looking to draw something from your favorite videogame, your rpg characters, fantasy family/pet portraits, and anything else you think would look sick as hell email me at shaferbrownillus@gmail.com for rates and timeline
It's been fun but a bit bittersweet because it's clear that I don't really have my finger on what people want to see over there. I had one good showing, but the rest have fallen flat in a disappointing way.
OK, I think Grug's Mug is the last thing I'm going to put out until Belle is done. I'm quite happy with it, but I can do so much better than what I'm showing for these Dragonburn contests and they're really eating up a lot of my time.
Drova: Forsaken Kin comes very close minus the 1st person bit.
Grugs Mug is done!! Fingers crossed for a good show in the contest. It's definitely my favorite thing I've made so far.
Grugs Mug is poppin! Got the illustration done, need to do the layout next and kinda don't know what I want to do. Half of me just wants to handwrite the whole thing but I'm not sure I could do it fast enough.
Who has print ready, zine-sized (20-70 pages) games they want to see printed? Plus One Exp and Zine Club are looking for games that are ready for print for us to keep in the pocket for Zine Club releases and to sell at Conventions like #GenCon, #PAXUnplugged, and more! If interested send a DM!
Email from free league: 🤞 It’s dragonbane related: 👀 It’s both the supplements: 👀👀👀👀👀👀 Arkand book looks massive and actually super sick: 🏰 MAGIC BOOK ADDS 5 SCHOOLS OF MAGIC????? :
I am hustlin' on this one but gotta keep up the pace, really only have 1 more day to get this illustration done. I think I'll be able to do it but it's gonna be close. I am loving how it's turning out though, even though it's a lot of work #fantasy #osr #tavern #dragonbane #dragonburn #learntodraw
Lil' sneak preview of my next submission to #dragonburn It's gonna be a real squeaker to get it done in time, only 3 more days left. It's my first time trying an isometric #dungeon map like this, and it's a lot of fun to fill in!
Trying this again. . Price varies depending on details and Colour or B&W. . . Art remains the property of the artist. Unless agreed otherwise.
Crusty Craig is done! #fantasyart #osr #crabtender #dragonbane #belleofthebog
Calling the inks done. Sidenote, I'm watching the 1984 movie Thread to get into the zone for a Twilight 2000 game and holy fuck. Bleak. Let's not do nuclear war any time soon.
Inking Mr. Craig. Last night was one of my absolute favorite playtests to date, my main group is coming up on the finale and it's going to end with a bang. I'm so excited to get this book out there y'all! I think that people are going to have a whole lot of fun with it.
Been a few days off but ready to get back to another piece. Here's a quick concept for Crusty Crag, the clumsy crab cocktaileur. #belleofthebog #dragonbane #ttrpg #osr
New #dragonbane #dragonburn just dropped! 1-2 page tavern, I've got something pretty fun planned for this one, we'll see if I can pull it off.
See also - self employed business cards. Why yes, I am a founder, owner, president, CEO, CTO, CMO, CFO, CPO, manager, senior, junior, and janitor.
Calling her done! Enjoy the view from the pilot's cabin in the Belle of the Bog. #learningart #ttrpg #osr #dragonbane
Can't get the thought of a podracing TTRPG out of my head!
Trying some new shading techniques with Mahalia, definitely some winners but I gotta figure out a better process because flatting out everything feels like way overkill for what I'm doing.
They're how she talks with the engine room. A weird sort of bat creature, she speaks in the ears and it repeats with its mouth down below.
Coral Tombs didn't do as great as I'd hoped in the contest but it was still a lot of fun to write. I put a longer version up on @drivethrurpg.com here - www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5...
red bodhisattva 🪷⚡️☭ 
