Jacqueline E. McNeese

"I have no name, but Jedi like you might call me a Sith." - The Stranger

I haven't posted my artwork here on Tumblr for a while! This idea came to me a few days ago. I truly hope you like this!

How amazing was Manny Jacinto as "The Stranger"? Talk about a totally bad-ass Sith! (And a hot Sith, too!) 😉 I've been wanting to see a true Sith like that (when it comes to live action) for a loooong time! He had the best lines, too. Another favourite of mine was: "I don't make the rules, the Jedi do. And the Jedi say I can't exist. They see my face, they all die." And of course, the coldest & most cruel line was: "Was that its name?" Ah, gave me the chills!

This style of artwork is called "Crosshatching". I haven't done this art style in a long time. It was fun to create. And yes, the proportions are correct! Especially with the right arm...you wouldn't see his right bicep from that angle. I used Sakura Pigma Micron pens for the artwork. The space/starry background was done with Koi Watercolours. White highlights around The Stranger is a Sakura gel pen.

I absolutely loved The Acolyte. (And don't come at me with your hatred towards the series. Any hateful comments will be deleted & I will block you.) I loved seeing an era in the Star Wars universe that was never seen before (when it comes to live action). I'm still lamenting over the fact that freaking Disney cancelled The Acolyte. (Shame on Disney & all the toxic SW fans who did their best to destroy the series...hope your misery & hatred makes you "happy" now.) I want more Acolyte. Shoot, even Manny Jacinto himself stated that he wants a season 2 of Acolyte. Yes, YES, YES! Please! Make it happen. 🥺 There is still so much storyline that can be told. The best lightsaber fights & Jedi vs. Sith came from The Acolyte. I wanted to see more "Ohsamir", too! Darn it! And to see how a Sith trains his apprentice. I want to make an Acolyte era style of Jedi, too! Those gauntlets that the Jedi wear look so cool!

“Living a lie…it festers inside you, like poison. You have to fight for what’s in your heart.” – Dorian Pavus

I recently beat Dragon Age Inquisition for the third time! I love that game immensely: everything about it is wonderful. I chose a male Inquisitor - as a rogue - because I wanted to romance Dorian. The first time I played DAI, it was the female elf Lavellen – whom I named Zephyra – and she was a mage, and the romance with Solas was a bloody disaster & heartbreaking. (Damn you, Solas!) The second time I played as the human female Trevelyan – named Bryony (who you have seen me do two fanarts of) – a warrior, and romanced Cullen. (Cullen is so hot for a video game character…where can I find a man like that? Lol.) I hope you like this artwork!

Also: Happy Pride Month! 🌈 It’s actually a perfect time to submit this artwork. This was a lot of fun to create (a full colour piece). If you haven’t played the Dragon Age games, it is actually very LGBTQ friendly. You can make your characters gay, lesbian, or bisexual. There is even a transgender male in DAI, named Krem, who is a cool character. Bioware is open-minded, that’s for sure, so the DA series is for everybody. And omg, let me tell you that the conversations & bantering between the characters is hilarious!

⚠️Warning: Spoilers Ahead!⚠️

Dorian is quite the character…a sarcastic & witty lad. He is complex at first, especially regarding his history (how his father tried to “erase” who he truly was, when it came to his homosexuality). It was fun romancing him with Cedric (Trevelyan), who I made a rouge/assassin. So off course I had to draw my OC [male] Cedric Trevelyan with Dorian! Cedric is Dorian’s “Amatus”. I made them wear simpler outfits when I drew them, because near the end of the game, they were wearing complex armour. That stuff is hard to draw! I chose to draw Lilies by Cedric & Dorian, because if you romance Dorian, his tarot card shows him holding what looks like a Lily.

The two of them had this conversation near the end of the Trespasser DLC:

Cedric: “Whatever happens, I wouldn’t trade the years we’ve had together for anything. I love you.”

Dorian: “I knew you would break my heart, you bloody bastard.”

Lol! Awww, jeez, Dorian, just say you love my Inquisitor, too. I honestly really think that Dorian loved him, as stubborn as he was to admit it. At first I was annoyed when Dorian chose to go back to Trevinter, and I thought, “Darn you, don’t you dare pull a Solas on my Inquisitor, after all you've gone through with him!” However, after the game ends, it tells you what happens to the characters (depending on your choices). For me, the game said that Dorian’s “greatest strength lay in the lover he left in the south, but still conversed with via message crystal”, and “some claimed to have seen the Inquisitor on the streets on Minrathos on rare occasions, sneaking into the heart of Trevinter to aid his Amatus.” It made me happy to know that the Inquisitor and Dorian stayed together. I wonder if that will show up with the 4th game.

⚠️Spoilers Over!⚠️

Speaking of the 4th game, who is excited to Dragon Age: The Veilguard, to be released later this year? I watched the gameplay trailer and I am excited for it! I hope characters from DAI will be in it (so far, Varric & Solas have been shown).

Drawn with sepia Sakura Pigma Micron pens, then coloured in with a mixture of Copic Markers, Ohuhu Markers, & Zenacolor coloured pencils. White accents done with a Sakura gel pen & the gold accents were done with Golden brand acrylic paint.

Dragon Age Inquisition/Dorian Pavus/Inquisitor Trevelyan © Bioware & Electronic Arts

Artwork © of me, Jacqueline E. McNeese

"The Dragonborn & The Spellsword Mercenary”

I felt like creating a sexy piece, especially when it comes to Skyrim characters.

Because, why not?

Thanks to the Skyrim mods that were finally available on XBox Series X a few months ago (because before, there were no mods for the XBox except for PCs), I was able to experience the game in an even fuller glory. Which meant that my Dragonborn OC Katarzyna could marry her hired mercenary, the Dunmer/Dark Elf Teldryn Sero. About bloody time. I also had made sure to learn 100% Sneak & 100% Pickpocket before hiring Teldryn, that way I was able to steal his helmet and have his face visible…because why was his cool face covered up?

I had first played Skyrim back in 2014, but had stopped in March of 2015 (a couple of months before my son was born) and never beat the game. It wasn’t until November 2023 that I started the game again, but when the mods showed up a few months ago, I restarted it again because there is just way too much awesomeness added! One example: the hair! Katarzyna went from short hair to getting long, red hair! Woo-hoo!

I also wanted an excuse to practice more with anatomy & poses, as well as a different sort of lighting than the one I usually do. I didn’t want the background to be a perfectly smooth black…I purposely made it more mottled with some texture, since Katarzyna & Teldryn are not in total darkness. I imaged them in the cave where they had celebrated after getting married, where there were Dark Elf Lanterns & pretty blooming trees (yes, that’s actually in the game). I also added those glowy Torchbugs to create a more dreamy feeling to it. Katarzyna is wearing the Gauldur Amulet & the Aetherial Crown. Teldryn has a Necromancer amulet (only because it gives him more "oomph" to his magic, ha ha). I hope everyone likes this!

Drawn with Sakura Pigma Micron pens, then coloured in with a mix of Copic Markers, Ohuhu Markers, & Koi Watercolours. As usual, the scanner totally kills colours…this piece looks better in real life.

I miss this face.

Tech deserved a happy life on Pabu with his brothers & sister. Well, darn it...all the Clones deserve so much more! Why can't the Empire just clear off and let them just live their lives? Of course, we know that doesn't happen. I'm so nervous about this season of The Batch Bad...I don't want anything bad to happen to anybody! (Except Hemlock...I despise his smug face.)

I wanted to draw a super happy Tech in his casual outfit, just enjoying a beautiful day on Pabu with his handy data-pad & one of those fun-looking Pabu fruits. Pabu flowers remind me of Bougainvillea, which grow a lot in Southern California (making me reminisce about my home state). I also just wanted to draw Tech in general, as he is one of my all-time favourite Star Wars characters.

I hope everybody likes this! I enjoyed creating this piece.

Drawn with Sakura Pigma Micron pens, and then coloured in with a mix of Copic Markers & Ohuhu Markers. The clouds were done in Photoshop Elements, because I am terrible at painting clouds.

Star Wars/The Bad Batch/Tech © LucasFilm & Disney

Fanart © me, Jacqueline E. McNeese

Kanroji Misturi, The Love Hashira

I finished Kimetsu No Yaiba (Demon Slayer) season 4 recently, and I just love Misturi. She's so precious & super-kawaii, so of course I had to draw her. Also, she's one hell of a fighter. I hope to see more of her character in season 5 (whenever that will be). It was a lot of fun creating this piece. I hope everything likes this.

Thank you to everybody who has supported my artwork! I'm still trying to figure out this whole Tumblr thing after all this time. Thank you for being patient with me.

Drawn with Sakura Pigma Micron pens, then coloured in with a mix of Copic Markers, Ohuhu Markers, & Zenacolor coloured pencils.

"Konohagakure Fuyu Matsuri (Hidden Leaf Village Winter Festival)"

I felt like drawing something pretty (that had a winter theme), so here is Sakura with a little Sarada wearing their best kimonos on a winter day. I imagine Konoha must have all sorts of festivals, especially during their peaceful time period (after Naruto Shippuden and before the Boruto series). I based Sakura’s kimono on a tomesode (kimono for married women), and for Sarada, a style of kimono that a small child (girl) would wear on a special occasion.

I haven’t drawn in an anime/manga style in a while, so this was fun to create. I hope everybody likes this!

I actually haven’t watched Boruto in…well…gee…a year and a half? I’m so behind on the series. I’ve been wanting to watch Shippuden again. Last anime I recently watched was Kimetsu No Yaiba season 4.

Drawn with Sakura Pigma Micron pens, and then coloured in with a mix of Copic Markers, Ohuhu markers, and Koi Watercolours.

Sakura/Sarada/Boruto Series © Kishimoto Masashi

Fanart © Jacqueline E. McNeese (me!)

P.S. Fellow artists, do you ever hit an “Artist Block”, or just feel super unmotivated to create anything at all? That is how I have felt since March of last year. I haven’t worked on cosplay since then (when I always have made so much cosplay, since 2003) but I reached a total burn-out. Same came to artwork. I need to (and would love to) create more artwork, yet I don’t want to force myself when I feel unmotivated. I find myself gaming (Skyrim and Dragon Age Inquisition) more than creating, but I only play games when my son is visiting his father (which is usually twice a week). Even my son has reached an “art block” and unmotivated stage…he used to draw so much, non-stop. There must be something in the air. I’m also super exhausted (due to work and also having Fibromyalgia), so that contributes to being unmotivated. I need to get out of this mode…time to create more artwork and cosplay! Please send me extra energy!

“The Inquisitor And Her Commander”

As some of you may have noticed, I am a huge fan of the Dragon Age games, especially Dragon Age Inquisition. Last year, I had planned on drawing all the main [playable] characters up until Dragon Age Day (which took place on December 4th), but I just didn’t have time to draw more than three characters (the Inquisitor, Solas, & Varric…please check them out in my gallery) due to being busy with work and other things. I’ll eventually draw the other characters when I gather more motivation to do so.

For now, please enjoy this piece. I hope everybody likes this. I worked very hard on this artwork. It took longer than usual to create, due to all the small details, the poses, & the armour. (Armour is not easy to draw for me!) For those of you who are DAI fans, you may recognize the flowers: Crystal Grace on the bottom and Andraste’s Grace on the top. I know Andraste’s Grace is not in DAI, but I thought it would be pretty to add to the artwork (since it technically exists in the Thedas world).

 My OC Inquisitor is named Bryony Trevelyan. She is actually my 2nd Inquisitor character, the first one having been an elf (which I may draw someday). I had been playing DAI for the 3rd time, a few months ago, as a male character (since I wanted him to be in a romance with Dorian, so yes, my male Inquisitor is gay), but I stopped for a bit since I am playing Skyrim at the moment (with updates & mods). Anyway, back on the main subject: I drew Inquisitor Bryony Trevelyan in the Armor of the Dragon Hunter outfit (from the Jaws of Hakkon DLC), which I had altered the colours by tinting it with Veil Quartz. I based her crown from concept art for DAI. So much armour in the game! Which I love, especially since the DA games don’t give female characters the stereotypical skimpy outfits…I love that I get to make my female characters wear bad-ass armour.

Cullen Rutherford is such an adorable and slightly awkward character around my Inquisitor. I knew I had to romance him right away, because his looks are the type of man I am attracted to in real life. (I’m not going to lie…in the game, he’s hot for a video game character. Ha ha!) I’ve always enjoyed the flirting in the DA games when it comes to the relationships. The best scene was right before their first kiss, when Cullen got interrupted by a member of the Inquisition, and then got mad about it. Ha ha. I liked when my Inquisitor asked Cullen, “The day you kissed me on the battlements…how long had you wanted to do that?” And Cullen replied (with a laugh), “Longer that I should admit.” Awwwww.

I also liked the part in the Winter Palace, when all these people were flirting with Cullen, and one asked him, “Are you married, Commander?” And Cullen replied, “Not yet, but I am…already taken.” Double awwww, because a loyal man is so dreamy. :3 I actually had Bryony & Cullen get married in the last DLC. :3 They adopt a Mabari (dog), too!

I love DAI too much. :D It’s such a fun game with the most gorgeous graphics (especially on the Xbox Series X).

Drawn with Sakura Pigma Micron pens, then coloured in with a mixture of Copic Markers & Ohuhu Markers. I used Koi Watercolours for the background. White accents done with both a gel pen and white watercolour. Gold acrylic was used for the Inquisition Symbol & the lines, which the scanner absolutely murders...the gold is such a pretty, shimmery metallic in real life. The light green around my art was done in Photoshop Elements.

Dragon Age Inquisition © Bioware & Electronic Arts

Fan artwork © Jacqueline E. McNeese

"We are ridiculously awesome!" - Zevran Arainai (after winning a battle)

Happy December, loves! How are we already at the end of the year? I have felt incredibly scatter-brained this entire year, due to how fast it has been flying by. I feel as if I didn't get anything (that I had planned to do this year) done. Does anybody else feel that way? I had all these ideas in my head to drawn Dragon Age Inquisition characters every other Monday until Dragon Age Day...which was December 4th...and I did not accomplish my goal! Life catches up to you, ya now?

Zevran is absolutely delightful in Dragon Age Origins. He has no shame in what he says...zero filters with his words! Ha ha! He has the best conversations with the characters and I love his bantering. He's my favourite bisexual elf! I had decided to draw him in a heavy armour...I think it was the "Ceremonial Armour".

Some of my favourite Zevran quotes:

"Elves plant these trees to remind themselves of who they once were. And then they pee on it. Charming symbolism, really." - At the vhenadhal tree.)

"How did I get here? What happened to all those luscious wood nymphs?" - After waking up from the Sloth Demon tricking him

"Hmm... Anyone up for a little bit of naked cliffdiving? No?" - At Redcliffe

And the best one:

Zevran: Might I offer you a bit of advice, my good friend Alistair?

Alistair: I like my hair the way it is, thank you.

Zevran: Truly? As you wish... though my advice is regarding something else completely. It has to do with your recent... exertions with your fellow Grey Warden that I overheard.

Alistair: My...? Oh.

Zevran: It did seem as if you just got going when all grew quiet. You are... feeling all right, yes? Perhaps you are tired?

Alistair: We aren't talking about this, are we? Did I hit my head?

Zevran: I have some roots from home that you may chew if you need energy. As for volume, perhaps you ought to try arching your--

Alistair: Whoa! Whoa! Awkward!

Zevran: You Fereldens are so finicky. How will you ever learn how to pleasure each other unless you talk about it?

Alistair: Not listening! La la la la la!

I hope everybody likes this fan art! Notice the date on it? Yes! I drew this a year ago. Why did I not post it on Tumblr before? *Facepalm* Really though...I hope this is well received & enjoyed. This year I have felt like a failure when it comes to art, for it honestly seems like people prefer digital art over traditional art. Is this so? I love traditional art...I don't want it to die out. Even worse is that some people prefer AI "art" (more like ART THEFT!) over real artists. It can be hard to be an artist sometimes. Don't get me wrong. I love digi art, too. But often my heart yearns for more traditional artwork, as it often gets tossed aside. I feel that is one reason why I had not done well with my art on Instagram. From now on, I will only be posting art here on Tumblr. Thank you to ALL of you who have liked and shared my artwork. You mean a lot to me and I appreciate you in supporting me. PLEASE let me know if you draw Dragon Age fan art, too! I'd love to see it.

Drawn with Sakura Pigma Micron pens and then coloured in with a mix of Copics and Ohuhu markers. White accents done with a gel pen. Background was done in Photoshop Elements.

Zevran Arainai & Dragon Age Origins (c) Bioware & Electronic Arts

"Jacen has abilities. His father, Kanan Jarrus, was a Jedi." - Huyang (to Captain Carson Teva)

Happy Sunday!

My goodness, I had meant to post this sooner! I'm been so busy with work, life, and Halloween costumes, that I've been neglecting my social media accounts! I actually drew this three weeks ago.

So...when Kanan was name dropped in episode 5, I got total chills and misty eyed. Kanan Jarrus is one of my all-time favourite Star Wars characters and I <3 him so much. I absolutely LOVE how Rebels Season 5....er, I mean...Ashoka, shows the mother and son relationship of Hera and Jacen. I had thought, "Awwwww, Jacen is like his daddy!" And how he wears the pauldron like his father. So sad that Kanan never got to see his son. (Darn it, Rebels season 4! Whhhhhyyyyy?) Of course I had to draw Hera and Jacen, and since I am a mother to a son, it makes it extra special to me. Hera must be so proud of her son no matter what, but the fact that Jacen used his Force abilities to find Ahsoka is just awesome.

Ahoska went by so fast, didn't it? I absolutely loved the series (with episode 5 being the best, making me emotional, teary-eyed, and giving me goosebumps so many times). I can't wait until the next season. So much goodness!

✨️I hope everybody likes this! Please share! It always means the world to me when somebody loves my artwork enough to share it. And as always, please let me know if you also draw Star Wars fan art (as well as Dragon Age, Naruto, and Minecraft).✨️

This was drawn with Sakura Pigma Micron pens, then coloured in with a mix of Copic Markers and Ohuhu Markers. White accents done with a gel pen. I had no idea what to do for a background (I'm rubbish with backgrounds, honestly), so I used a watercolour brush in Photoshop Elements & part of an Adobe stock watercolour image. I made the "stars" with the Dodge tool. So once again, a mix of traditional & digital! I actually used to use watercolours a very long time ago. I should start using them again for backgrounds, instead of "cheating" with Photoshop.

Ahsoka series/Hera Syndulla/Jacen Syndulla © Disney/LucasFilm/Dave Filoni Fanart © Jacqueline E. McNeese

"We are the ones who guard the power. We are the middle, the beginning, and the end." - The Daughter, from the mural (Star Wars Rebels)

I've watched the season finale of Ahsoka three times now (1st was by myself, 2nd time was with my son, and the 3rd time was with my Mum). A certain scene near the end of the episode - after a realization of what it was - made me think back to two certain special episodes: one from The Clone Wars and one from Rebels. This idea came to me on Sunday (October 8) night, so I quickly sketched out The Daughter and Morai, then coloured it in on October 9 (Monday). I always found the "Mortis gods" or "The Ones" rather interesting. I've always liked characters that have a small or short appearance, yet their character is important. The Daughter is so tall in her human form: 2.13 meters (or 6'9")! 

I hope everybody likes this. Please let me know if you do Star Wars fan art (or anything sci-fi or from Dragon Age or Naruto). I'd love to see your work! Thank you to everybody who supports my art. You truly mean a lot to me. It is what keeps me going as an artist.

This was drawn with my usual mediums: Sakura Pigma Micron pens, then coloured in with a mix of Copic Markers and Ohuhu Markers. The background is acrylic paint on black posterboard. I actually cut out The Daughter & Morai from the paper I drew them on, then glued it to the painted posterboard. An interesting way to do mixed mediums, yes? The gold paint is actually metallic & shiny in real life, but sadly scanners kill colours and metallics. (Well darn, scanners sometimes kills the line art.) The actual art piece is 11.25" x 14". 

I have another Ahsoka series fan art that I created last week. I will share it next week. I had posted it on my Instagram, but Insta is horrible to so many artists (especially if you do traditional art), because the Algorithim of Doom buries your work so deep that nobody sees it. My art basically fails on Insta. So I believe that from now on, I'll only submit my artwork here on Tumblr.

Star Wars/Clone Wars/Rebels/The Daughter/Morai © Lucasfilm Animation & Disney

I took a break from drawing Dragon Age Inquisition fan art (because let's face it, it's not doing well here on Tumblr or my Instagram) and returned to Star Wars!

So, who else is totally loving Star Wars Rebels Season 5, er, I mean...Ahsoka?  

I drew this today! It was a random idea that came into my mind when I watched episode 4 (for the 2nd time on Friday) with my son. Sabine has such a cool look in the first episode and I love her darling Loth Cat. Why are Loth cats so cute? I want one! This version of Sabine would be so cool to cosplay, but I think I will pass (as much as I love her character) because I know she's going to be a super popular cosplay and I don't think I will even have time & money to make/buy it. As it is, I need to get started on my new SW cosplays for me and my son (for WonderCon next year). I have been in such a mental funk the past few months and wasn't in a cosplay mood, which was one reason I started with the DAI artwork. (I'm so obsessed with that beautiful game!)

I love, Love, LOVE seeing the Rebels characters in their live action version. So far the series has been most excellent! However, I am a wee bit sad that it is only 8 episodes total. Even so: I'm elated that we are getting this series. I can't wait to see what happens in the next episode. The two Sith look so cool, don't they?

Drawn with Sakura Pigma Micron Pens, and then coloured in with a mixture of Copic Markers & Ohuhu Markers. White accents done with a gel pen. I originally drew the city skyline but it looked like absolute rubbish (the "joy" of traditonal art...once you eff up, you can't fix it), so I edited in the city in Photoshop Elements (using a stock photo) and tweaked it a bit. The clouds are also done in Photoshop (because they are hard to draw), as well as the font. A mix of traditional and digital art! 

Please share if you like this artwork! 

Star Wars/Ahsoka Series/Sabine Wren/Loth Cat/ Lothal © Disney & Lucasfilm

Fanart © me (Jacqueline E. McNeese)!

"The Storyteller"

Here is the 3rd art piece for my “Countdown to Dragon Age Day” (which will be in December), where I plan on submitting artwork like this (for each playable character) every other Monday. If you could so kindly visit/view my previous Dragon Age fan arts, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, PLEASE let me know if you have done DA artwork as well, that way I can view it.

It's been a bit of a fun challenge to figure out what kind of background to create for each character. I am inspired by the DAI tarot artwork. Also, have you noticed I draw plants from DAI next to the names? With Inquisitor Bryony Trevelyan, it is Embrium. For Solas, it is Royal Elfroot. And for Varric, it is Dragonthorn!

I find Varric to be quite the intriguing character and he indeed brings comedic relief to the game (besides Iron Bull). I was so excited to see Varric the first time I played DAI, since I liked him in DA2. (I've played DAI twice!) His commentary is funny when using him in the battle party, especially the bantering between he and Cassandra:

Cassandra: How do you write as you do, Varric? I can never find the proper words.

Varric: You. Write. Really?

Cassandra: I've needed to describe events in reports. They always come off as...

Varric: Dry? Boring? Lifeless? Stale?

Cassandra: You... are an ass.

Varric: (Chuckling) Just... helping you find those words.

And one of the best between Varric & Iron Bull (which made me crack up):

Iron Bull: Hey, don't most dwarves have beards? Or at least mustaches or something?

Varric: I make up for it elsewhere.

And between Varric & Dorian:

Varric: I see you eyeing Bianca, Sparkler. Hands to yourself.

Dorian: I wouldn't worry, she's not my type.

Varric: Huh. And here I thought you're a man of refined taste.

Dorian: For fine wine and literature, Varric. Not for… whatever that contraption is.

Varric: Contraption!? Don't listen to him, sweetheart. His people are vilified for a reason.

Drawn with Sakura Pigma Micron pens, then coloured in with a mix of Copic Markers & Ohuhu Markers. White accents, crossbow bolts, & lines were done with a gel pen. The gold is Golden Paint acrylics, Font & glowing effect around the red lyrium was done in Photoshop Elements.

Fan artwork © Jacqueline E. McNeese

Dragon Age Inquisition/Varric Tethras © Bioware & Electronic Arts

"The Dreamer, Walker of the Fade"

Here is my second art piece for my "Countdown to Dragon Age Day" (which will be in December). Please visit my first DA Inquisiton piece (prior to this artwork) if you have not seen it yet. As mentioned in the first piece ("The Herald of Andraste"), I will be submitting a DAI character fan art every other Monday until DA Day.

Solas is quite the mysterious, intriguing character, isn't he? Especially at the end of the DLC Trespasser. I like his accent and his manner of speaking, and his views on the world. I also like his murals (in Skyhold) as the story progresses. My first DA character/Inquisitor actually wasn't Bryony (she is in my first/previous fan art)...it was an elven mage: Zephyra Lavellan, and I had made Solas her love interest. I also don't want to give away any spoilers, so I'll write more about Solas at the bottom of my description. Be warned!

I drew Solas in the outfit that I had him wearing [the 2nd time I played DAI]. He is wearing the "Overseer Cowl" schematic on his head, which gives him a totally different look rather than his well-known shiny bald head. Ha ha. His outfit was another mage schematic (I can't remember the name at the moment), and I had used Dales Loden Wool (the bluish-purple) and Royale Sea Silk (the silvery brocade). I drew him holding a "Magister Fire Staff".

I've never been good at backgrounds, but so far I am enjoying drawing the DAI characters with backgrounds inspired by their "tarot card" looks in the game. It's been interesting trying to figure out what kind of background & design to come up with, to suit the character.

Drawn with Sakura Pigma Micron pens, then coloured in with a mix of Copic Markers & Ohuhu Markers. White accents & lines were done with a gel pen. The gold is Golden Paint acrylics, but for some unknown reason, the scanner murders the spectacular shiny gold and it looks “flat”. Font & glowing effect around the orb was done in Photoshop Elements.

Fan artwork © Jacqueline E. McNeese

Dragon Age Inquisition/Solas © Bioware & Electronic Arts

All hearts/Likes are SO much appreciated!

***Spoiler Time!***

So...

...

...

The "end" of the game (before I had the Trespasser DLC) had me totally surprised the 1st time I played the game. Fen'Harel? Damn you, Solas! The whole time, he lied! He was very convincing. Especially when I had made my 1st character (Zephyra Lavellan, the elf) fall for him, and then he bloody breaks her heart! The first time I played, I didn't have the DLCs. The 2nd time I played the game (this past March through July), I made my character "Bryony Trevelyan" the human warrior, who fell for Cullen. Cullen & Bryony were so cute and I loved their relationship. Zephyra & Solas? Tragic! And the Trespasser DLC (2nd time I played the game) really tied everything together! I wish I had known about the DLC the first time, to see how Zephyra would have reacted to seeing Solas again. With Bryony, I just wanted to kick Solas/Fen'Harel's arse, but I made her calm and ask why he did what he did.

I so can't wait for Dragon Age 4!!!!! ***End of Spoiler***

"The Herald of Andraste"

So, have I told you how much I love the Dragon Age series, especially Dragon Age Inquisition? I adore it dearly...to me, it is one of the best games ever made (besides Skyrim and Witcher 3). The details & environments are gorgeous; I could run around forever just admiring the different sceneries/climates. Also, the interactions in the DA games are just the best, and I love how you can create relationships. I recently beat DAI for the 2nd time a couple of weeks ago. I'm always sad when I finish a game, especially one I thoroughly enjoyed. Do you feel that way, too?

My OC for DAI was the female human warrior, from House Trevelyan. I named her Bryony. I always try to make the characters look similar to myself, but I've got such odd features that I can never create a character that looks like *ME*. Of course I had to make Bryony go for Cullen. Cullen is so dreamy. He's hot for a video game character. ;-D I did make Bryony go for Dorian until it was discovered Dorian was gay! (So tempting to create a male character to get the relationship with Dorian. :3 ) But I adored the relationship between Bryony & Cullen. The 2nd time I played the game, I actually had all the DLCs, which are amazing additions to the game and overall storyline. I was stoked when Byrony got to marry Cullen. Made my fangirl self feel tickled to death.

The armour Bryony is wearing is a "heavy armor" schematic I crafted using Stormheart. Stormheart makes for pretty armour with the iridescent blue-pink-purple colours. The sword was a "Strong Brutal Claymore" schematic I used, also with Stormheart, equipped with the "Superb Corrupting Rune". I couldn't figure out how to make that effect as I drew it (it looked more like flames than the actual effect), so I actually "cheated" by using a smoke brush in Photoshop Elements to add to the sword. I drew this entire fan art before I equipped Bryony with that badass "Armour of the Dragon Hunter" (obtained from the Jaws of Hakkon DLC) and the Sulevin Blade.

Every other Monday [starting from today], I will be posting this specific kind of DAI fan art until I finish all 10 playable characters, which means it will be a countdown until Dragon Age Day (December 4th)!

Drawn with Sakura Pigma Micron pens, then coloured in with a mix of Copic Markers & Ohuhu Markers. White accents were done with a gel pen. The Inquisiton symbol, stars, dots, & blooms on the trees were done with a gold Golden Paint acrylics, but the scanner killed the gold and it looks "flat" (in real life, the drawing looks awesome with the super metallic gold). Font done in Photoshop Elements.

Fan artwork © Jacqueline E. McNeese

Dragon Age Inquisition/Trevelyan © Bioware & Electronic Arts

It's been a while since Iast posted here, ja? I was so busy for the past month and a half finishing up my Fennec Shand cosplay (and Boba Fett for my son). We wore it to WonderCon last month! (If you want to see photos, head on over to Instagram. My user name is the same as here on Tumblr: @midorisudachi )

Alright, so this more than likely seems random, weird, and nonsensical, but to me it makes total sense because this is for my own entertainment and a slight parody of my character & her companions in Skyrim. I was unsure of sharing it at first, but then I decided "Why not?", as this actually took a while to draw (with all the detail) and to colour in, so I actually am proud of this silly piece. It's 11" x 14" in real life.

Anywa: when my OC Katarzyna (an Imperial) first entered Morthal (swamp town), she and her two companions (a Steadfast Dwarven Spider & a Solstheim Dunmer Elf by the name of Teldryn Sero) went into the Moorside Inn. The moment my character stepped into the inn, some snarky broad named Alva immediately said, "Well...aren't you the pretty one? I bet all the men chase after you!" And I thought, "Who the hell are you, bish? You don't talk to the Dragonborn that way!" Lol! 

So this random scenario entered my head & it amused me & I just had to draw it. 

If you are not familiar with the game, you can carry a lot of items & also make your companion (who helps you fight enemies) carry a lot of stuff, too. I imagine that in "real life", it would be way too much to carry. I had to make the characters look ridiculous, such as Katarzyna dragging around a bag of dragon bones & holding her huge weapon; mismatched armour; looking tired as hell after running all over the place and fighting monsters and dragons; with dirt and blood on her. She's anything but "pretty". Lol. I'm always making Teldryn carry excess loot, armour, ore, ingots, herbs, etc all the time, so I had to draw him struggling as he hauls everything that Katarzyna cannot hold. My spider can't carry anything; it just follows me around and helps me fight.

And no, the men do not chase my character. In fact, a lot of them talk scheisse, because my character is an Imperial (who are despised by most Nords, the people of Skyrim).

I first played Skyrim in 2014. I had 220 hours invested into the game until I stopped in March of 2015 (2 months before my son was born) and never finished the game. It wasn't until this past February that I wanted to play it again! So far, I'm about 72 hours into the game and maybe 1/3 done with the quests? 

Who else has drawn Skyrim fan art? Please let me know and I'll check out your work!

Drawn with Sakura Pigma Micron pens & then coloured in with a mix of Ohuhu Markers & Copic Markers. Highlights done with a gel pen. The textured background  (and steam above the spider) were done in Photoshop Elements. 

Skyrim/Characters (c) Bethesda Game Studios

"Contemplation"

Where are these two? After that one particular The Bad Batch episode, I've had both Cody and Crosshair on my mind. Will they be in the next episode tomorrow (February 22nd)? I honestly am thinking, "No", as I believe that the next episode will continue from the previous one (which I loved, especially with Tech talking about emotions to Omega).

Cody and Crosshair have to show up soon, though!

I randomly drew these two this past Sunday, inked them yesterday, and coloured them in today. (As I type this, it is still Tuesday - February 21st - for me, 15:14 in the afternoon).

I don't normally do this type of lighting & shadowing (where the light is to the side, slightly behind the characters), so it was a good challenge and I'm pleased with the results. And no, Crosshair's arm isn't too short for him...I purposely foreshortened the forearm, as the due to the angle he is holding his helmet. :3 After all these years of drawing, I will still admit that I find anatomy to be hard to accomplish!

Drawn with Sakura Pigma Micron pens, then coloured in with a mix of Copic Markers & Ohuhu Markers. White highlights & white battle damage done with a gel pen. Darker battle damage (on Cody) done with a pencil. Ombre background is Ohuhu Markers, which is why it's a bit streaky. XD

Star Wars/The Bad Batch/Commander Cody/Crosshair  © Disney & LucasFilmLtd.

Artwork  © Jacqueline E. McNeese

Several months ago I was feeling nostalgic & played Dragon Age Origins and Dragon Age II again, about a decade after I had first played them. A few weeks I posted my fan art of my OC & Alistair. Now it's time for my Hawke OC & her love interest!

When I had first played DAII, I made Anders my love interest. This time around, I decided to change things up & make my character go for the broody Fenris. It took a lot to get him to slightly warm up to my character (whom I named "Chevaune Hawke), but then there was that sexy scene where Fenris couldn't help himself and he kissed Hawke, and then she returned the kiss by pushing him against the wall. (I never knew she had it in her! Lol!) But after they got intimate, darned Fenris was already getting dressed, so Hawke asked, "Was it that bad?" To which Fenris replied, "I'm sorry. It's not...it was fine. No...that is insufficient. It was better than anything I could have dreamed." I got why he was afraid to get close to somebody, so Chevaune & Fenris remained "just friends" (no intimacy" for a few years, but I made my character loyal to him.

Eventually, this conversation happened:

Fenris – “We have never discussed what happened between us three years ago.”

Hawke – “You didn’t want to talk about it.”

Fenris – “I felt like a fool. I thought it better if you hated me. I deserve no less. But it isn’t better. That night… I remember your touch as if it were yesterday. I should have asked your forgiveness long ago. I hope you can forgive me know.”

Hawke – “I need to understand why you left, Fenris.”

Fenris – “I’ve thought about the answer a thousand times. The pain, the memories it brought up, it was too much. I was a coward. If I could go back, I’d stay. Tell you how I felt.”

Hawke – “What would you have said?”

Fenris – “Nothing could be worse than the thought of living without you. ”

Hawke – “I understand. I always understood.”

Fenris – “If there is a future to be had, I will walk gladly into it at your side.”

Then they kissed. Awwwww. Ha ha. They had such a complicated relationship but I'm glad my Chevaune Hawke got his heart & affections. Especially at the end, before the final battle...Fenris said, "“I…may not get the chance to say this again. Meeting you was the most important thing that ever happened to me, Hawke. Promise me you won’t die. I can’t bear the thought of living without you.” Notice how I drew him wearing the Hawke logo at his hip? He eventually wears that in the game after a while.

At one point during the game (before all the final battle/ending stuff), Anders questioned Chevaune, stating that he did get what she saw in Fenris & hinted that she be better with him instead! In fact, all my companions questioned my relationship with Fenris! LOL! Varric once stated, "I haven't told anybody about you and that angsty Trevinter elf." Ha ha! Even Chevaune's grumpy arse uncle (Gamlen) said (in a snarky tone), "So you're into elves now? It takes all kinds of people." Oh, shut up. Ha ha. There was a lot more bantering & conversations, but I'm not going to type them here, because it would take up a lot of space! As it is, I already wrote too much! *Grins*

Drawn with Sakura Pigma Micron pens, then coloured in with a mix of Copic Markers & Ohuhu Markers.

Fan artwork © Jacqueline E. McNeese

Dragon Age II/Fenris/Hawke © Electronic Arts/Bioware