2025-06-02 23:22:33 ¶ ●

digital fan art of Essek Thelyss and Caleb Widogast from Critical Role, depicted in alternative universe designs as merfolk.

they're lounging on a rocky shore in the light of the golden hour, the still blue sky reflected on the layered surface of flat limestone, with just a bit of the sea and pink horizon visible in the background.

Caleb is light-skinned and is depicted with a long brownish tail, which has short spiky fins edged with brigher orange. it's lighter in the front and darker in the back, with wavy stripes reminiscent of mackerel. similar stripes, but fainter, are running up his arms and back. he has very long dark auburn hair in a braid, with a few light pearls decorating it, and a full beard; both his head hair and facial hair are tinged slightly green, as if growing algae. there are reddish gills on the sides of his ribcage, and he's carrying a pouch strapped tightly around his shoulders.

Essek has light lavender skin and short curly hair; his iridescent white tail is inspired by the spiny fins of the lionfish, the soft ends of them cascading down in the air. he has gills in his sides as well, and his pointed ears, forearms and hands are tinged a darker purple color. he is wearing a white decorative mantle that is hugging his neck and flaring out over his shoulders, its lace-like design similar to the geometric shapes of the venus's flower basket. around his hips, there is a double strand of silver oyster shells.

Caleb is sitting down, his tail stretching out in front of him, while Essek is lying on his side next to Caleb, propping himself up on one elbow. Caleb is holding one of his hands in front of his face, and Essek is reaching up to lay a gentle hand on Caleb's forearm, kissing the back of Caleb's hand. they are both smiling softly, with their eyes locked and half-closed.

finally finished my mermay shadowgast picture, which took a while and was all sorts of fun to work on 💜🧡

initially inspired by a vintage photograph (under the read more!); i took one look at it and thought yep this one needs to be turned into shadowgast merfolk

a black and white vintage photograph of two people lounging under a tree.

2025-06-05 20:02:30 ¶ ●

digital painting of a person sitting down on the floor and looking at someone off-camera with a slight smile; the high angle is emphasizing his relaxed posture. he has pale olive-toned skin, long and fine dark hair in a braid and dark eyes; he appears to be short and slender. he is dressed in a white shirt with red geometric embroidery along the sleeves, a blue-green vest and cuffed pants, with his feet bare. underneath him is a patterned tasseled rug, and there are a few books strewn around; he is also holding one up and open, as if he was reading it just a moment ago. a brown viol is lying next to him, the strings gleaming in the late afternoon sun, and behind him, in the background, is a chair with a blue embroidered coat thrown over the back.

commission for @shadyorcnpc, their bard Caspar Maessen from a homebrew-extended Curse of Strahd campaign! thank you for this wonderful opportunity to work not only on a lovely character, but also a really fun environment 💜

2025-06-07 20:13:35 ¶ ●

digital thighs-up portrait of a person sitting next to a window and reading a book. she appears to be a young adult, is slender and short, and has pale skin and bright ginger red hair in thick loose curls. she is dressed in long flowing scarlet robes; the hems of the long fitted sleeves and the low v-neck are decorated with gold embroidery. there is a tattoo of a constellation on her sternum, shaped like an hourglass. she is wearing large rounded glasses, and is slightly bent over a book she is holding in her lap, the fingers of her right hand splayed delicately over the pages. a potted plant with golden leaves is visible next to her on the windowsill, and the muted teal background with a suggestion of pillows behind her makes her sunny, brightly lit red and orange silhouette stand out.

commission for @orangesodafrog, her human conjuration wizard Agatha Tealand! thank you for commissioning me ❤️

2025-06-09 7:09:26 ¶ ●

digital hips-up portrait of a half-orc. he appears to be a young adult, is muscular and fat, and has grayish green skin, curly brown hair in a mullet, some short stubble over his jaw, and prominent lower tusks. he has a few light-colored scars going diagonally over his nose, as well as several scars over his whole body; the tip of his one visible pointed ear is missing. he's dressed in a white shirt with its sleeves rolled up, and blue overalls. there is a cord around his neck, and he is clutching a lily pendant hanging off of it with both hands, inspecting one of the bent petals with a sad, pensive expression. the background behind him is blue, adding to the melancholic mood.

commission for @strifeyy-y, his character j'gar lunan (jay apostrophe gar, like the fish 🤭). loved working on this guy, thank you for commissioning me 💜

2025-06-09 20:31:43 ¶ ●

commissions open!

a narrow banner made of one of my paintings, featuring a table with food, books and a sheet of parchment on it. only the arms of the two people sitting at the table are visible, and there is a mischievous kitty cat peeking from underneath the edge of the table.

june commissions are here! if you’d like to commission me, send your brief to zm.ss.cm (at) gmail.com 💜 don’t forget to check out my commission info! it’s been updated with my handy List of All The Stuff/References I Need To Start Working on a Commission (which i hope will be helpful for folks that are not sure how to write the initial email!)

2025-06-10 21:24:43 ¶ ●

digital hips-up portrait of a tiefling, holding an olive branch in her hands. she appears to be a young adult, is tall and slender, and has pale blue-gray skin, black curly hair, and black lyre-shaped horns. she is wearing a wine-red dress, mostly hidden underneath a brass cuirass with a relief of Medusa's head on it. there is a dark sea foam green veil covering her head behind her horns and draping down over her shoulders and arms. the olive branch that she is delicately holding up with her hands forks into two at chest level, framing her face; the branch on the right is healthy and green, while the one on the left is charred and shriveled. the tiefling's piercing all-black eyes are watching the viewer with a severe expression.

commission for @birdie-told-me, her tiefling tempest cleric Faustine! there’s nothing that delights me more than getting to figure out some fun symbolism to include in a character’s portrait 🫒 thank you for commissioning me 💜

2025-06-10 21:34:00 ¶ ● ⬈

zmeess:

2025-06-11 20:55:19 ¶ ●

ALT

headshot commission for @sirgavvainet, his draconic changeling Adrastus! thank you for commissioning me 💜

2025-06-18 22:13:58 ¶ ●

digital sketch of Essek Thelyss from Critical Role, who is a drow with short wavy hair and is dressed in warm winter clothes. he is looking over his left shoulder, extending his left arm and casting a dark-colored lightning bolt. his pointed ears are perked up, and he has a confident smile on, which is just slightly hidden by the fluffy fur collar of his cloak.

a little Essek casting lightning bolt i drew a while back! referenced from an in-game screenshot where he looked very flourish-y and pleased with himself (presumably because it actually worked 🤭)

2025-06-19 21:12:41 ¶ ● ⬈

zmeess:

2025-06-20 20:33:12 ¶ ●

digital hips-up portrait of a dark elf. she appears to be a young adult, is slender, has a grayish-purple skin tone and mostly white salt-and-pepper hair, gathered up in a low ponytail that is thrown over her shoulder and cascades down her chest. she has golden kintsugi-like scars running down one side of her face; the eye on that side is golden, while the other one is dark red. she is dressed in form-fitting black clothing with some lighter stitching around the neckline and hems, and a dagger sheath attached to her belt. she is sitting up straight, looking right at the viewer with an impassive face. she is holding a dagger in a reverse grip in front of her chest so that it is pointing straight down. her other hand, slightly bloodstained, is at the bottom of the blade, delicately framing it.

commission for @cailleachan, their drow phantom rogue/ranger Miz'ri! thank you for commissioning me 💜

2025-06-25 20:54:11 ¶ ● ⬈

zmeess:

2025-06-28 21:30:07 ¶ ●

ALT

commission for @henrydavidthrowrug, her sun elf oath of devotion paladin! thank you for commissioning me 🧡