riverdarling

[riverdarling]

I noticed something while working on some quick character sketches - a sudden uncertainty.

I normally start off with a quick sketch; the bare minimum that captures the essence of what I'm trying to convey… and then it begins. I push the idea and develop it until at some point I lean back and realise there's something teetering on being lost.

When I surface like this I've learnt to review the original sketch and pull it back through. With digital work I'll transpose it on a low opacity. So I rounded things out, made the beak derpier and simplified the anthropomorphism on the wings.

Some things just don't translate to their intended purpose, and that's okay. As much as I love the sketch, it won't fit my intended purpose of being an easily readable children's character. You can honour your initial instincts - but as gimmicky as it is; sometimes you've just got to trust the process. It knew it needed more and that's why I pushed the concept. If you have a tendency to overwork - like me - keeping the sketch or a photograph of the underpainting beside you is a great tool especially if you take regular breaks to freshen up your eye.

So, here's a little preview of something I've wanted to work on for quite some time now. I'm really lucky to finally have the time to figure out this nervous little guy and the stories he has to tell 💕

[riverdarling]

Mami

[riverdarling]

guys i got free food for being gay tonight and the receipt literally says “fellow lesbians” on it this is gay privilege

[riverdarling]

River Darling. A snapshot 😂

[riverdarling]

"If you must kill me, do it with respect," said the cockatrice. "Look me in the eye, coward."

[riverdarling]

Commissioned pet portraits so far! Drawing ink 🎨✨️

[riverdarling]

Speedy wood pigeon studies! Such underrated birds... just because their colours are so pretty and subtle 😭 I tried ink pencils for the first time wet-on-wet with finger smudging and over painting with water💧 I'm planning to do a few ducks ofc 👀 Theb make some repeating patterns for fabric! So loose and fun 💕

[riverdarling]

Speedy wood pigeon studies! Such underrated birds... just because their colours are so pretty and subtle 😭 I tried ink pencils for the first time wet-on-wet with finger smudging and over painting with water💧 I'm planning to do a few ducks ofc 👀 Theb make some repeating patterns for fabric! So loose and fun 💕

[riverdarling]

Weird art is how I unwind... better out than in 🤣

[riverdarling]

A hatch of gorgeous bug-eyed cryptic mantids!

[riverdarling]

MSA Cure Guide

I’ve seen so many rumors circulate about how MSA isn’t curable, how MSA is something that is absolutely a Furby owner’s nightmare. Have you wanted a cure for your exhausted little friend, but not even known where to start?

I have the guide for you. Most of this is rehashed from Furbytech’s MSA cure guide but since it’s not easily found (it took me several days of searching ‘MSA’ to even come close to a redirection post) I figured I’d make something accessible, or spread the information.

Let’s get right into it, shall we?

Step one: Skin and de-shell your Furby.

I’m not going to go into how to skin your Furby here.

Step two: Locate the tilt sensor.

The tilt sensor is what makes the rattling sound inside your Furby, the mechanism that wakes them up! When this is dirty, that is the most common cause for MSA. MSA, as far as I know, is a programmed response to dirty sensors. Cleaning the back and stomach sensors is recommended as well when following this.

Step three: Pry that sucker open.

The sensor is generally easy to open, don’t be afraid to remove the hot glue sticking the metal piece to the cap, that makes it easier to leverage out. Be careful with the metal pieces inside! There are two parts to pull out once the cap is undone.

Step four: Remove and polish.

The tilt sensor ball must be taken out to polish. This can be done with tweezers or your hands, it doesn’t really matter. Polish the ball and the metal discs with a Q-Tip or cotton ball. (one disc is hanging by a wire outside of the sensor cylinder, one still inside the cylinder. The ball bounces between each one to create the tilt disturbance.)

Step six: Replace all parts by following these steps in reverse.

No need to hot glue or fasten the materials in unless you feel like it’s necessary. Test your Furby before putting it back together, just to make sure their MSA is gone. If you try this method and it does not work, again clean all of the sensors. Something more could be wrong, or it could be that some fibers of your Q-Tip or cotton ball are stuck to the sensors! Be very careful with your materials, but this should work otherwise.

Best of luck to you and your sleepy Furbies! Normal sleepiness is 1-3 times of the Furby saying they’re going to sleep again. 8-15 times of the Me Sleep Again is more of the area where you would use this method. If this does not work, please contact me either via reblog with details, or shoot me an ask. I will be glad to help!

[riverdarling]

A Soup appreciation post!

[riverdarling]

A commission of the gorgeous Daisy with her beautiful soft eyes 🌈🐾

[riverdarling]

A merman character design, making him an absolute baddie <3 And a bit of writing! "The old sailor glances aside and considers his answer, tapping ash and wiping smudges from the bowl of his pipe. He answers hesitantly, running a hand thickened by decades of ropework over his course, greying beard; ‘It’s not the females you need to watch out for. They’d dash your head on the rocks the second you’re in the foam… They’ve no interest in you.’ His tired eyes study a callous on the side of his thumb as his graveled voice softens to a murmur; ‘It’s the males… They’ve sung to the women harvesting oysters since I was a lad…’

‘Alistair!’ The bartender appears, polishing rag pausing inside a glass as he warns; ‘Don’t be filling the girls' head with stories.’"

[riverdarling]

I painted a tawny owl!

[riverdarling]

[riverdarling]

Interrupting your morning feed with a fluffy chicken held in the air.