jekyll-doodles

[jekyll-doodles]

🖍

[jekyll-doodles]

Angel Animals || Kofi | Threadless | Redbubble | Instagram | DeviantArt || Do not edit, trace, or repost!

A little collage of some animals with "angel" in the name: sunangel, sea angel, angel shark, angel tern, and an angelfish. Stickers/Magnets on redbubble

[jekyll-doodles]

I get that you’re trying to come from a good place of acknowledging the show’s history of black and/or queer antagonists, but it just seems like you’ve subconsciously absorbed the idea that black stex antagonists are *deliberately* so, whereas black ensemble characters are *coincidentally* so and therefore it doesn’t matter what you do with their race? The other non-white characters act as an antidote to the issues with Slick’s blackness - do you not think you’re problematising her further by singling her out? Plus how do you confront the black-coded elements of Lumber’s character such as jam skating and his part in the blues?

"...the idea that black stex antagonists are deliberately so, whereas black ensemble characters are coincidentally so and therefore it doesn’t matter what you do with their race?

The problem in this line of questioning is that neither you nor I can prove that Lumber being played by a black actor was intentional or not. And as it stands, it has little consequence either way because he is a minor character.

Slick's debut choice, intentional or not, could have consequence, since she is a major character.*

"Plus how do you confront the black-coded elements of Lumber’s character such as jam skating and his part in the blues?"

Those elements are from the Rockies/Hoppers and Dustin, the characters this one replaces. They are recycling previous ticks and parts for this rewrite. The harmonica solo typically belongs to Dustin, a character who's mostly been played by white actors. As for the choreography, the rockies/hoppers have been played by a wide range of people. While these elements have roots, it doesn't seem influence who plays them.

Its a different can of reasons I'm not fond of the rewrite, as these New Characters don't have anything new about them besides name and costume.

*To clarify my concern with Slick:

The show that's putting on a emphasis being more modern and how oil is bad and gross, and those that are affiliated with oil are bad and untrustworthy (Greaseball is the main bully, Slick recklessly endangers everyone (with lumber and porter's help too) by sabotaging the race for money), has their debut choice for the "Assertive, self-willed, two-faced" Oil Character be a black woman.

In conjunction with the "better fuel source" being a white guy, this feels like a poor choice, hopefully done unintentionally of course, that could perpetuate certain stereotypes. I could be wrong of course, as I have stated.

"The other non-white characters act as an antidote to the issues with Slick’s blackness-"

Do they? Let me ask you this: who supports our protagonist?

The coaches don't. Greaseball, Slick, Electra (and the components) certainly don't. Lumber and Porter don't, they help Slick. The other racers don't.

The only characters on Rusty's side is Momma and Hydra. Momma, who's character could be misconstrued as being a stereotype, especially when Rusty is played by a white actor, enters the race to prove steam is still relevant when Rusty backs out, and Hydra who is trying to get himself a spotlight as a fuel source.

---

Some colleagues of mine (who are more versed in these topics) have advised me that your questioning may be in bad faith. I do not believe your questioning to be in bad faith. However, this back and forth is beginning to feel like it's going nowhere and has strayed away from your original question. If my original answer was satisfactory, I suggest perhaps reaching out to others with more knowledge on this topic of discussion for insight.

[jekyll-doodles]

I get that you’re trying to come from a good place of acknowledging the show’s history of black and/or queer antagonists, but it just seems like you’ve subconsciously absorbed the idea that black stex antagonists are *deliberately* so, whereas black ensemble characters are *coincidentally* so and therefore it doesn’t matter what you do with their race? The other non-white characters act as an antidote to the issues with Slick’s blackness - do you not think you’re problematising her further by singling her out? Plus how do you confront the black-coded elements of Lumber’s character such as jam skating and his part in the blues?

"...the idea that black stex antagonists are deliberately so, whereas black ensemble characters are coincidentally so and therefore it doesn’t matter what you do with their race?

The problem in this line of questioning is that neither you nor I can prove that Lumber being played by a black actor was intentional or not. And as it stands, it has little consequence either way because he is a minor character.

Slick's debut choice, intentional or not, could have consequence, since she is a major character.*

"Plus how do you confront the black-coded elements of Lumber’s character such as jam skating and his part in the blues?"

Those elements are from the Rockies/Hoppers and Dustin, the characters this one replaces. They are recycling previous ticks and parts for this rewrite. The harmonica solo typically belongs to Dustin, a character who's mostly been played by white actors. As for the choreography, the rockies/hoppers have been played by a wide range of people. While these elements have roots, it doesn't seem influence who plays them.

Its a different can of reasons I'm not fond of the rewrite, as these New Characters don't have anything new about them besides name and costume.

*To clarify my concern with Slick:

The show that's putting on a emphasis being more modern and how oil is bad and gross, and those that are affiliated with oil are bad and untrustworthy (Greaseball is the main bully, Slick recklessly endangers everyone (with lumber and porter's help too) by sabotaging the race for money), has their debut choice for the "Assertive, self-willed, two-faced" Oil Character be a black woman.

In conjunction with the "better fuel source" being a white guy, this feels like a poor choice, hopefully done unintentionally of course, that could perpetuate certain stereotypes. I could be wrong of course, as I have stated.

"The other non-white characters act as an antidote to the issues with Slick’s blackness-"

Do they? Let me ask you this: who supports our protagonist?

The coaches don't. Greaseball, Slick, Electra (and the components) certainly don't. Lumber and Porter don't, they help Slick. The other racers don't.

The only characters on Rusty's side is Momma and Hydra. Momma, who's character could be misconstrued as being a stereotype, especially when Rusty is played by a white actor, enters the race to prove steam is still relevant when Rusty backs out, and Hydra who is trying to get himself a spotlight as a fuel source.

---

Some colleagues of mine (who are more versed in these topics) have advised me that your questioning may be in bad faith. I do not believe your questioning to be in bad faith. However, this back and forth is beginning to feel like it's going nowhere and has strayed away from your original question. If my original answer was satisfactory, I suggest perhaps reaching out to others with more knowledge on this topic of discussion for insight.

[jekyll-doodles]

I appreciate the insight into how you landed on skin tones by combining references - but don’t you think your statement that Slick *is* a black woman despite having non-black covers directly contradicts your claim that Lumber *isn’t* also black because of his covers? What does his character lose by being black?

Before this goes further, lets state the obvious: these characters are trains. None have any racial background and can be played by any person. While the show has potential for racial and class allegories, it is first and foremost a musical about trains in a child's dream. Though it is common for audiences to form an attachment to the first portrayals of characters, it does not strictly mean that the character is the same as the actor (unless implied/stated in show.)

My previous statement is that just because one actor whom plays him is black, doesn't make this train character (who has and will be played by a variety of people, should the show run well enough to last.) black too. He is, as stated above, a train with no racial background. Anyone can/could play him.

I never said, nor implied, that "his character lost something by being black". That would be absurd, and extremely racist.

This may contradict with my view of how Slick is presented, if the characters were of the same level of relevance. And frankly, they're not. Lumber is a freight ensemble character, while Slick is one of the main 3 antagonists. More so, she's the "updated" version of the most violent one (Greaseball is a bully antagonist, and Electra is a rival antagonist, but Caboose was/is a villain.) And, this iteration of the character follows the 2018 Bochum update, having the sabotage and betrayal be motivated by money/greed.

That feels like a poor first choice, imo. Not saying it definitively is, or that black actors can't play villains, but this show has a history of slip ups. I could be uneasy over nothing.

[jekyll-doodles]

Curious about your Lumber redesign being white/light skinned?

Valid concern. But its because I used a collage of references for the character, and I ballparked a skin tone from that.

The redesigns are focused on the costumes, and not the actors. It would be hard to cover the wide range of people who could, can, and will play these characters. Any resembles or lack thereof to current actors is just the blending of references.

I do understand the problem with whitewashing a character that is or is suppose to be black/other ethnicity. However, this production (and others before it) doesn't seem to have their ethnicities be integral to the show (as evident by his covers.)

That is to say, just because the current actor for him is black, doesn't mean Lumber is.

Also, given my tendency to draw these characters Different nearly every time, it's not like he'll stay that skin tone/gender.

[jekyll-doodles]

Wembley redesign, Freight || Kofi | Threadless | Redbubble | Instagram | DeviantArt ||

once again, I don't think the Wembley designs are bad per se but they don't exactly give Train. Any questions about certain changes, feel free to ask. I couldn't go over all of it here, because its just. A lot.

[jekyll-doodles]

Can we have more before doodles? :3

i'm taking a hammer to some fuel train cars right now,

but I'm not opposed to hearing some more suggestion ideas for the Before.

[jekyll-doodles]

I forgot to put this in your sketch suggestions but I wanted to put a suggestion where Albedo and Citrinitas meet their baby for the first time.

do you mean like after saving Alagadda,

or like. when he was born?

either way i mean. very tearfully joyous occasion.

[jekyll-doodles]

More Before || Kofi | Threadless | Redbubble | Instagram | DeviantArt ||

plus some suggested doodles from @peace0ut-004 and @tiredillustratorposts

[jekyll-doodles]

This has never been asked before right?? If so I would like to see Albedo and Citrinitas dancing together if you have the time 😊

I can keep it in mind, sure. Im not working on anything in particular rn. Mainly just doodling. So maybe that'll pop up if i decide to upload them.

[jekyll-doodles]

Pink Robin || Kofi | Threadless | Redbubble | Instagram | DeviantArt || Do not edit, trace, or repost!

sticker/magnets on redbubble and threadless 🐦

[jekyll-doodles]

3,7 and 8 please

3. your favorite piece(s)?

7. easiest thing for you to draw?

8. thing you struggle to draw?

These all pretty much have the same answer : I don't know.

It's too hard to pick a favorite, and what's easy or difficult to draw changes. As of right now I suppose easiest would be Beans (like this), and most difficult is Perspective.

[jekyll-doodles]

❄Addagala❄

❄ 💠 ❄ | 💠 🎭 💠 | ❄ 💠 ❄

Stimboard for my mirror realm of scp-2264

[jekyll-doodles]

10, 11, and 12

10. how do you deal with artblock?

Badly lol. I have it right now with a side of burn out and depression 🙃. What usually helps me is either taking a break from drawing, or working on a different hobby, drawing something different/new or doing a study, etc. Lately the go-to is playing videos games with my friends :3

11. do you listen to anything while drawing?

Mostly music, sometimes a podcast (Distractible or Go! My Favorite Sports Team), sometimes Explanation videos on horror movies/games/books.

12. describe your process while drawing

I'm not sure how to describe this outside of the basics : rough sketch -> clean sketch -> line -> color -> value -> extra. Little breaks sprinkled throughout like getting up to stretch, get a snack or drink, etc.

[jekyll-doodles]

this is for number 5!!!

5. how would you describe your art style?

Varied, I guess. I use the style I think fits the subject matter. A friend of mine once mentioned its very soft-looking.

[jekyll-doodles]

4, for the artist ask game :)

4. piece you wish got more love?

I don't have any one piece in mind, but any piece that had a lot of effort put into it getting little attention vs a silly doodle getting lots is. always a little discouraging, but to be expected sometimes.

That's why its really important that you make art for Yourself first.