skekla

[skekla]

SkekTember 2024, prompt 4: Fear 👇(Story below!)

The pristine mounted Karrabah skull wobbled for less than a second, and then it flew violently upwards.

~"THRA, NO-!!!" Shrieked the Collector, as the wooden base that had held the skull in a support for an impressive display landed on the floor with a loud thump.

Jeren, his personal assistant, had slipped. One of his feet had met something-perhaps a crawlie, it could've been a woopy- and the result was disastrous.

~"I am so sorry, Master!...please, don't be mad at me!...I swear I did not mean to...!" pleaded the Gelfling, sitting on the floor with the skull's jaw cradled in his arms.

SkekLach didn't seem to notice him or hear his torpid appologies. He stood frozen in place, with his head held in his hands in utter horror.

~"My Karrabah!...My beautiful Karrabah!" He roared, entranced by the sight of one of the prized objects of his collection laying broken on the ground.

Jeren had always been afraid of his Master. He had only come to serve in the Castle so to follow his older brother, Fel, who had always dreamed of such future.

In that moment, Jeren wished he had stayed back home, in Namopo Valley, to keep a small flock of mounders or help with harvests...

~"Gelfling! Fix it! Fix it, IMMEDIATELY!" Thundered skekLach, trembling in shock.

Jeren looked back at him. The Skeksis wasn't actually angry. He was scared. He hadn't imagined that someone as big and powerful as a Skeksis could feel fear!

This realisation soothed him, and with a soft ~"I'm on it, Master", he got back to work.

*DISCLAIMER*

This art challenge is not official or sponsored by the JHC. SkekTember is just a small, fun thing created by a fan, for fans.

Artwork may be shared on Instagram Stories but not be used or redistributed elsewhere without written consent.

Artwork © @skekla

SkekTember challenge created by skekla_art

All publically recognizeable canon The Dark Crystal characters, designs, settings and situations TM & © Jim Henson / Brian Froud/Universal studios/ The Jim Henson Company

(No commercial use or copyright infringement are intended)

[skekla]

Just look at them! I love @zurelazuli 's take on skekSa, and the others are just as precious!

Some more previews of the Skeksis in the game (top left is an interpretation of skekSa based on how she was described in the book rather than the more well known coverart + some inspiration from skekCru, the Mariner design from TDC manga Legends). Ignore the weird pastel coloured backgrounds, I chose them at random while inking thes birbs so as not to get eyestrain from a white screen. Progress is slow but going well, only three Skeksis remain to be coloured in now. Feeling a bit conflicted about whether I can use official soundtrack music or not (there is another older TDC fangame (maybe two) that did and didn't have a copyright problem). I will probably need to start seeking out copyright free music just to be on the safe side <_<u

[skekla]

Commission for laurelsherwo on Instagram! This was such a pleasure to work on. 😊

[skekla]

SkekMar the Taxidermist as a revenge for Nell_of_Destruction 💀

How could I not draw at least one Skeksis for AF 🫡

[skekla]

Thanks @stinging-metal , @reikiajakoiranruohoja , @zurelazuli , @ben-the-hyena , @ladystormcrow , @scientistservant ,@teunip , @satin-stardust, @an-indecisive-mess, @11monsterman , @thenewnio , @knightlyanxiety , @xianimoon , @mixterglacia , @bluesballerina , @ender--slime , @missterfear13 , @lunadragon , @djinarocks , @locksnek , @othermonstersland , @xenoteeth3 , @90sdiablo , @alter02 , @purple-fox-for-luck , @void-within , @onthefore-front , @jewellapoole , @wanna-read-comics , @skekdris , @krabkave , @shodyod , @regalbois , @rebeccakim96 , @pockettron3000 , @kalopsiavian , @burbujita-arts , @lidasilivonchic , @molly-gru , @goodbyeolepaint , @moogle890 , @arts-butthound , @mariaartistgamer , @lenahinotori , @thethirdstageofdeath , @greyslurp , @cat-hermit , @valteirathekeeper , @askgermaine , @raunipagainsteveryone , @damien-verdugo-art , and everyone who’s helped me get to 100 reblogs!

SkekTember 2024, prompt 3: Sadness. 👇(Story below!)

~"What's wrong, Master?"

Nari furrowed her brow. That was the third time she asked, yet the Treasurer remained silent, almost absent, his pale eyes staring at some undefined spot beyond the table.

~"Master..." she insisted, softly, ~"Is it your head again?..."

The Skeksis Lord, usually imposing with his tall bearing and his bejeweled robes, produced a miserable hiss and looked pointedly aside, unwilling to acknowledge his suffering.

~"It is, then. Please, let me help. Is there anything I can do for you? Perhaps the Lord Scientist might have some kind of tea or brew that might-"

SkekShod's hissing grew louder at this, and two urgent words erupted from his beak; ~"Not...him!"

~"Why not, Master? He is the one who might have something that can ease your pain. I have seen the scar once, when the podlings were tying your headkerchief on place...I know it hurts. It has to. Please, let me help."

The Treasurer huffed, his eyes looking awkwardly back at the Gelfling who sat beside him. He knew that she could somehow guess how sad and miserable he felt some days, when the old injury stung and ached and he couldn't find his words so to put a full sentence together.

~"Alright", he muttered, stuttering ~"Don't...don't tell him..."

Nari nodded in agreement.

~"I will tell him that the tea is for me, Master. Please, just wait. I will be back in a moment!"

SkekShod watched her rush away, and pressed his hand even harder against his temple.

*DISCLAIMER*

This art challenge is not official or sponsored by the JHC. SkekTember is just a small, fun thing created by a fan, for fans.

Artwork may be shared on Instagram Stories but not be used or redistributed elsewhere without written consent.

Artwork © @skekla

SkekTember challenge created by @skekla

All publically recognizeable canon The Dark Crystal characters, designs, settings and situations TM & © Jim Henson / Brian Froud/Universal studios/ The Jim Henson Company

(No commercial use or copyright infringement are intended)

[skekla]

SkekTember 2024, prompt 3: Sadness. 👇(Story below!)

~"What's wrong, Master?"

Nari furrowed her brow. That was the third time she asked, yet the Treasurer remained silent, almost absent, his pale eyes staring at some undefined spot beyond the table.

~"Master..." she insisted, softly, ~"Is it your head again?..."

The Skeksis Lord, usually imposing with his tall bearing and his bejeweled robes, produced a miserable hiss and looked pointedly aside, unwilling to acknowledge his suffering.

~"It is, then. Please, let me help. Is there anything I can do for you? Perhaps the Lord Scientist might have some kind of tea or brew that might-"

SkekShod's hissing grew louder at this, and two urgent words erupted from his beak; ~"Not...him!"

~"Why not, Master? He is the one who might have something that can ease your pain. I have seen the scar once, when the podlings were tying your headkerchief on place...I know it hurts. It has to. Please, let me help."

The Treasurer huffed, his eyes looking awkwardly back at the Gelfling who sat beside him. He knew that she could somehow guess how sad and miserable he felt some days, when the old injury stung and ached and he couldn't find his words so to put a full sentence together.

~"Alright", he muttered, stuttering ~"Don't...don't tell him..."

Nari nodded in agreement.

~"I will tell him that the tea is for me, Master. Please, just wait. I will be back in a moment!"

SkekShod watched her rush away, and pressed his hand even harder against his temple.

*DISCLAIMER*

This art challenge is not official or sponsored by the JHC. SkekTember is just a small, fun thing created by a fan, for fans.

Artwork may be shared on Instagram Stories but not be used or redistributed elsewhere without written consent.

Artwork © @skekla

SkekTember challenge created by @skekla

All publically recognizeable canon The Dark Crystal characters, designs, settings and situations TM & © Jim Henson / Brian Froud/Universal studios/ The Jim Henson Company

(No commercial use or copyright infringement are intended)

[skekla]

Some really amazing Gelfling art by @noriretherford

Baby vapra sisters, being nice for once?

instagram | twitter | portfolio website

[skekla]

Awesome Gelfling art (+a hilarious little fizzgig) by @teunip

Gelftober Day 13: Changing Season

It's Autumn and Ory is in charge of the fallen leaves. Bonn the Fizzgig is there to help, but playing around seems to be much more fun 🤭

[skekla]

SkekTember 2024, prompt 2: Anxiety 👇(read story below!)

~"Please don't apply so much pressure, Gelfling! Remember you're making ink, not churning butter!", tutted the Illustrator, staring at her assistant who was sitting on a small pillow, using a pestle to grind coal powder, tree-gum and water into a thick, black substance.

~"I'm not pressing it that hard, Master! I promise!", huffed the Gelfling, smashing the pestle into the mortar with even more enthusiasm.

~"Ink-making is a delicate task. It requires a firm yet gentle hand. You will ruin it if you keep doing that." The Illustrator was starting to anxiously wring her hands.

~"It's these pesky crumbs in the coal powder that make it so complicated...I need them to dissolve but they won't...", replied the Gelfling matter-of-factly.

SkekLa's eyes widened.

~"CRUMBS? Wait, are there crumbs in the powder? Let me see that!" said the Skeksis, leaning forward to glare at the mixture as the Gelfling, stubbornly, kept struggling to crush something with the pestle.

~"Kirie, STOP! That's an ORDER!"

The Gelfling's ears perked up at the mention of her name, and she finally stopped working.

~"Why are you so upset, Master?"

SkekLa's eyes were round and crazed, one of her trembling hands pressed to her temple as she replied in dismay; ~"I have work to finish. I needed that ink right now, and it's ruined...Oh well. Strain off the crumbs.That will do, hopefully. That will do."

*DISCLAIMER*

This art challenge is not official or sponsored by the JHC. SkekTember is just a small, fun thing created by a fan, for fans.

Artwork may not be used or redistributed elsewhere without written consent.

Artwork © @skekla

SkekTember challenge created by skekla_art

All publically recognizeable canon The Dark Crystal characters, designs, settings and situations TM & © Jim Henson / Brian Froud/Universal studios/ The Jim Henson Company

(No commercial use or copyright infringement are intended)

[skekla]

An amazing game sprite for skekNa, by my friend @zurelazuli

SkekNa's sprites are now complete, here's a few of them. Out of all the Skeksis to appear in the game, he is the charactest you LEAST want to see smiling; it probably means an game over state is near.

Small thing I want to mention now: not all of the Skeksis will be major characters. We will be including 12-14 of them, all of which you will be able to interact with, but only 5 will have game routes. SkekNa is not a major Skeksis, but his opinion of you will influence the others, and vice versa.

Also, we're probably not going to manage the original plan to release the preview for the first part of the game this month. I am going to tentatively suggest it will be late October now.

[skekla]

Beautiful urSkek design with their hair/energy coronnas drawn as lightning.

Still dicking around with UrSkek redesign ideas -- right now trying to come up with different alternatives for the 'hair' that don't look like ramen ^^ So this one is (obviously) more in a lightning-ish theme, but some of the other ideas in the mix are more sparkly/magic looking, and I need to try at least one kind of cyber themed look...

[skekla]

I would have loved to see this moment in canon. And I will never not lament the fact that this is not how things got written.

Glad to have this cathartic snippet here!

if SkekSil had had enough

Skekso: “To the baths, Chamberlain”

SkekSil: “….No. No no no NO! Look around! THIS what skeksis are? THIS?! Piss on walls like whourfs, kill EVERY guard for feast? Prove gelfling RIGHT, make revolt WORSE. But Emperor not care, Emperor want essence -now-, yes?”

SkekSo:“grrChamberlain…”

SkekSil:“Well Emperor HAS it! All Essence Emperor wants. But no empire left, no subjects, no lands, just castle. Price of Essence? All Chamberlain DID for Emperor, all dust. If Emperor not want Chamberlain around, Chamberlain is GONE walks off”

SkekSo:“Get back here you-”

SkekSil:“Eat Sog, Spithead!”

[skekla]

SkekTember 2024, prompt 1-Happiness👇

~"Oh, well done! These are really delicious, Tistra!" , Said the Gourmand, stuffing yet another triangle-shaped, creamy pastry in his mouth.

~"Thank you, Mylord", Replied the Gelfling cook, radiant with pride.

~"I knew that this combination of flavours would be spectacular!"

~"Dillorkin seed bread, Nebrie's milk cream, sweetsap and redberries with a sprinkle of bark-spice. You are the inquestionable Master creator of recipes, Mylord!"

The Gourmand bellowed with hearthy laughter.

~"That, I am! And you; you did a fine job at recreating my recipe! I think I have the perfect name for this new dessert, too..." he murmured, thoughtful, considering the new piece of pastry he had just taken from his assistant's basket, "since these made me smile after just the first bite..."

~"How are you going to call them, Mylord?"

~"Happiness!"

*DISCLAIMER*

This art challenge is not official or sponsored by the JHC. SkekTember is just a small, fun thing created by a fan, for fans.

Artwork and snippet © @skekla

SkekTember challenge created by @skekla

All publically recognizeable canon The Dark Crystal characters, designs, settings and situations TM & © Jim Henson / Brian Froud/Universal studios/ The Jim Henson Company

(No commercial use or copyright infringement are intended)

[skekla]

Reposting the introductory page to last year's SkekTember, so my next posts will make more sense! Curious to see the entire series of art I made for SkekTember 2024? Would you like to join the event this year?

Comment and let me know your thoughts!

DISCLAIMER*

This art challenge is not official or sponsored by the JHC. SkekTember is a small, fun thing created by a fan, for fans.

Artwork may not be used or redistributed elsewhere without written consent.

Artwork © SkekLa

All publically recognizeable canon The Dark Crystal characters, designs, settings and situations TM & © Jim Henson / Brian Froud/Universal studios/ The Jim Henson Company

(No commercial use or copyright infringement are intended)

[skekla]

More game art by my friend @zurelazuli

SkekOk's avatars for the game are now complete (here are a few of his expressions, there are ten in total). All the other Skeksis have now been inked too, so its just a matter of colouring them in now.

[skekla]

Very much this. I don't think I could have expressed it better!

Honestly part of the problem with this obsession with only consuming unproblematic fiction is that people are less likely to acknowledge when something is harmful. If you so much as say hey this one joke in this one episode was offensive fans will write you an essay on why it wasn’t. Because they’ve created a world view where this is basically accusing them of being a bad person who has committed an unforgivable sin.

[skekla]

Here's a small ink sketch of Kirie, a Gelfling character I created to serve as skekLa's personal assistant. Her tasks included diligently grinding dried ingredients with a stone pestle and mixing them with egg white and tree gum to produce the fine inks and paints used by the Skeksis Illustrator in her craft.

Hardworking and gentle by nature, Kirie led a fairly content life as a worker in the Great Library of the Skeksis' castle. However, she had an oddly unsettling smile—often perceived as sinister, though she was completely unaware of it—which occasionally made her master uneasy.

Curious to learn more about Kirie?

Feel free to ask in the comments—I'd be happy to share more about her character in future uploads!

Remember I'm ✨️open for commissions!✨️ Please DM me if you're interested.

✨️If you like my artwork, please comment and reblog to help my art be found by more people✨️

I own the copyright to all art, images and posts submitted to my Tumblr page.

I don't consent to the use of this artwork to train generative AI models.

*DISCLAIMER*

Artwork may not be used or redistributed outside of this platform without written consent.

Artwork © @skekla

Kirie © @skekla

All publically recognizeable canon The Dark Crystal characters, designs, settings and situations TM & © Jim Henson / Brian Froud/Universal studios/ The Jim Henson Company

(Fan art. No commercial use or copyright infringement are intended)