iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 24/07/2025

So I have been in a drawing fit, throwing sketched characters at the wall and seeing what sticks. These two pages have lead to others down a theme for a project I have been long stuck on. Satyrs... They're cool.

Visual: rough sketch and layout for an ensemble cast of Satyr Revelers, or a secluded Performers group. Surrounding a single very nervous woman while her Reveler Partner (the smug one to the right) eggs on her colleagues to overwhelm an introverted newcomer.

a early rough for a ensemble of potential characters. This started with the joke "Mariya getting back at Moira" and has now swiftly spiraled into Lore development.

For both: the sketch follow a few rules: 1) they are all revelers (the group i wanted to expand on in story) 2) same outfit, but personalize per character. all (save one) is a Satyr. just an excuse to practice with a theme.

For this sketch I focused on Female characters... Ones that would likely see more focus from Mariya's Point of view.

Visual: a sketch of over a dozen male satyr characters crammed together for the picture. Was trying to shoot multiple sizes, ages, builds, expressions. The Revelers stand in the center "stage" while onlookers above look down. Center to all is Mariya's Grandpa ("Gramps") who is set to be the largest of the bunch in build and height. Above onlookers look down, one marked to be "Gram" smugly enjoying the show.

Which then spiraled to a separate sketch for the men of the same community. which has now spiraled into

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 18/07/2025

Progress is often something i struggle with, often wanting to just race for the Finished product... So the process:

This sketch was done partly at work. This was on a brief 10 minute. Vague sketch of Mariya with Moira. Moira had little to no form.

On lunch: i was moffed Moira didnt have a place, so sketched out the body. Still no idea exactly the subject but we press on.

With shape down and another 10 minute later: moira has an outfit, form, and were nearly there. I figure this is gonna be something in like part 2 of ghe story: little date moment for the pair. Very early for them.

And lastly: i got to this point here whilst at home. Moira flailing was actually an accident i then ran with. Those arms were simply me trying to find what angle her arm could be at, but then thought it far cuter/funny if this was Moira's FIRST Dance, and thus: a character moment born.

Ill have to return to this one. If not my fellow gremlin artist friend will hunt me down.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 18/07/2025

Been drawing the girls in the background. Cant call it true progress on the atory but it is fun.

A sketch of my characters Mariya (Satyr) and Moira (Human*) in what I'm imagining is their first time dancing.

Mariya is guiding Moira in this Moira is, clearly, flailing in the speed. Not to worry: Mariya got her.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 14/05/2025

All the supplies purchased over a year and finally gonna chew through it all. Make some dang terrain for my mini games. Starting out simple, but im gonna be real: im winging this terrain. Were gonna see where wimsy takes me. First up: Ruined wall sections

Round 1 of terrain: ruined wall sections. Bout the size or slightly taller then a guard model. Can just scatter these to break up open fields.

Foam board, masking tap, and tacky glue. We'll see how that

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 18/04/2025

Quick sketches for the evening. Although Mariya has not been human in sometime... its always fun to play with her old versions. Lot of New Vegas, combined with Fantasy trench warfare day dreaming...

Sketch 1: I think i was aiming for a mix of a menite zealot and a khador Kommando...

The rebreather (or amy half mask nonesense) is just an asthetic i like.

Mariya, if in a military setting, would favor the hyper agressive wings. Least she would have been trained by them.

Also: fantasy spin on modern(ish) warfare... love that spin.

It pays to be Short.
Mariya sitting comfy behind her shield. Though you cant see it under the rebreather: she has a stupid grin on her face.

Had to redraw this as comp froze and needed a hard reset. Lost all but the shoulder and head from ths first attempt.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 17/04/2025

Main OC aside: the side cast needs some love too... Adelard, who is on the list of "does not have a solid place" in the Order of the Broken Note save "Magi-tech(?)/Tristen's Boy friend"... I feel him building little guys and gizmos is probably the best fit.

Adelard (Right) and one of his Main service golems. How the golem works is not yet clear, but if my narrative tendencies from DMing will have anything to say about it: it is likely something he can keep active or replicate relatively easily.

and i lied, he has SOME consistant design elements. Average to heavier build, bout same height as Mariya, Kettle helm and easy to get on Armored coat is the only consistent features. Goal is is should look like he travels with most of a small workshop at all times.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 17/04/2025

My head wants to just keep yelling at me to redo Mariya as A) I keep forgetting to draw both sets of horns she's supposed to have. So if i skip past it why keep it? B) I have been running across AWESOME work of other's horned OCs and i know: don't get worked up but DAAAAMN its so good.

My OC Mariya, still not settled on design. This time: I'm doing only 1 set of horns (as the crown usually has 3 through stages of life and i kept forgetting to draw more than one. Her ears are longer and clearly furred, maybe fur on the forearms, and I'm gonna try a thinner legs.

More akin to goat satyr legs than the "sudo" Torren BIG legs i been doing for simplicities sake.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 03/04/2025

Cat Check: Yup... happy camper.

Picture of the handsom boi himself: sterling. He is a boulder sitting at 11.8 pounds and will just decide he must sit upon me reguardless of my OWN distress.

But look at him: how could i say no?

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 02/04/2025

Anothwr set. Experimenting with Mariya rocking black hair in other peices, but wanna explore that more. I blaim AoW4...

Breif comic for comedy. Mariya chilling in a spa day set up with Moira concerned over her sudden change in hair color. (TLDR: she kinda has the right to jump to that conclusion in her experience... but no: mariya just wanted to switch things up.)

A redraw with an actual attempt at panelling. Another to the "Go Back to" pile.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 02/04/2025

Sketches from work breaks. Real proud of the Mariya Stretch (no ref... but adding it to the "go back to" pile"

My Satyr Girl Mariya Stretching her arms back. Been a while since i sketched in a constrained time and feel like "ok... not bad."

I should draw My first Tav more. Fun playing BG3 with a Happy go lucky Duagar.

This is just a from memory sketch. Got some killer screenshots of him i should dig up.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 31/03/2025

On one hand: I want Delain in the story. Mounted Phoenix Knights... need I say more. On the other: Ariel backgrounds and high motion... so best get comfy with that I guess.

a quick sketch with loose color for Mariya & Tristen riding Delain and Xander. No background. Delain and Zander were found together in a currently undefined quest and the pair bonded quickly with their saviors. Adapting to the rider and taking much of their own quirks with them. (In theory: these birds will absolutely outlive the pair of Riders, as of this moment.)

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 31/03/2025

Mariya, for that matter, is probably that character that will just always be the one i mess with. Only DND character i had in a long running game. So long: she had 3 models through that time.

The 3 Markya models. Oldest to newest. And chestnut... who remains incomplete becuase he saw the table once and was promplty removed from the campaign without ever seeing combat.

Yes... I'm still bitter about the cavalier lacking a horse for 1 year real time.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 31/03/2025

The dread kicks in when I have to draw Mariya's Companions... Chestnut (her horse) and Delain (Her sudo-Phoenix mount.) (The first was absolutely a warm up after seeing @kabewski.bsky.social 's work. Great stuff!)

I was seeing a lot of @kabewski 's work and as a warm up: did this after seeing the adorable (sorry) Knight pieces.

Mariya confused how you COULDNT see her as adorable, with her companions and mounts Delain (large fire bird) and Chestnut (her faithful steed and friend)

I always imagined any of Mariya's companions were combination of comedic relief and those she can unabashedly talk with.

A much OLDER sketch of Mariya's Flying Mount and friend "Delain"... a phoenix themed large bird mount. Yellow gold feathers accented with Red on the tail, wing tips, and breast feathers. Also: shared the Cavalier's attitude when it came to flying into danger.

The specifics are spread between too many old notes, but Delain was to be found mid venture as a hatchling, noted as to "not grow as large" and then become one of the primary examples of how Mariya treats her animal companions and how they come out stronger for it.

Lastly: this is old enough that Mariya was still just a Human at the time.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 30/03/2025

The forever party takes a break. Was originally just a sketch dump with Mariya and a sandwich to start but hey: whole party is here.

Breaktime for the Forever party. From left to Right: Mariya devouring a sandwich. Moira trying to be patient for Peskii's cooking. Sir Artwa telling Peskii "no, I'm NOT going to let you use up my drink ration" and Peskii arguing it is ABSOLUTELY necessary for the best brew to make to date.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 22/03/2025

Im not gonna finish it per say... but Mariya is shattering Moira's world in this moment and gotta say: I need to know what it is.

Rough sketch of Loreling (Satyr) Mariya and partner Moira. While holding hands: Mariya is showing her something and Moira is bewildered. Meanwhile (though its not well drawn) Peskii is roaring with laughter at moira's expense.

She is pushing him off whatever elevatiob they happen to be on.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 19/03/2025

I need to just play with colors... the brain wants it perfect but obviously cant happen like that on whim... Aanyway: the blue is a keeper. That brighter purple less so, but it gives me an idea for the charcter down the line...

A sketch during a lunch break: my OC Moira. What was supposed to be a practice sketch for shape turned into me messing with her colors.

Mostly in the outfit: but her hair has gone dark pink bright purple, her clothes a close to cyan blue and her old pastel yellow going to gold. Not all keepers, but more to come.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 18/03/2025

D9nt mind me... just exploring the whole Dryad angle.

Sketch of Moira and Mariya sitting together, minding their busines while Moira nods off. Then a flower pops out of nowhere on moira head. Mariya catches notice, but before she can respond: Moira utters "Say anything, and I bury you."

Moira is not a fan when Magic decides to manifest when she doesnt want it to.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 18/03/2025

Moira sketch just makes me happy.

A sketch of my OC Moira. A still working out her design, but she is a lavender hair, possibly part dryad, alchemist/wizard apprentice.

Her costumes may have plant theming to them, the dress here possibly being the pedals in the skirt. Not totally sure yet.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 12/03/2025

Need to draw the Sisters together. Meedra (Left) and Mariya (Right.) Meedra isnt there yet, but i think her build as at least on point.

2 Loreling (Satyr) Sisters. Meedra (Left) A 7 foot tall with long horns. Mariya, always looked down on (literally) from most of her family, despite being the average hieght of many other groups.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 16/02/2025

Hobby Front: Blood Bowl, holy shit. This is fun. Playing the groups Human Nobles, got to paint em, and we got a range of teams going so games are getting... weird in a cool way.

Painted the Imperial Nobles Team. From the Starter box, painted with a Grey, white, blue theme. Got an Ogre, Star player, linemen, throwers, blitzers and Bodyguards. And had a Lion and Apothecary models lying around and painted them for support.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 12/02/2025

I debate how much "illusions of Grandeur" Moira has... but I occasionally default to. Least when she is starting out. Later on? ok, i can see it. Early? maybe not a noticeable trait. Anyway: best sketch of the night. Arms not withstanding but I need sleep.

Moira Noella, personal character. She is a wizard of unknown power and is looking smug while levitating. Originally had her "sleeping" and this image was what she was dreaming up.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 11/02/2025

I made a Template for Thumbnails and never once realized that "30" may be pushing it (as i have never completed one of these) and then also realized having space to actually work with is a REALLY nice thing...

A 6 page comic template I am trying out. Sketches for a comic i doodled up and will refine in the background. The idea is 3 pages each talk about 1 of the pair of characters (a lover adventurer duo) in a short I may or may not put out. First page is The character in question, their qualities. The 2nd we go from where they start, what they want, and then 3rd is how they "Escape" their starting point.

The other nifty thing is the narrator is the pair often talking about the other. Something I might play more with. I'd offer specifics but there really isn't many. Just an origin story for another characters of Grandparents and their "Second Hand Lions" esc story as adventurers. This is literally just the start of it.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 09/02/2025

SO I'm not often a player, and have not played 2024 version of 5e... but potential start of some test games with friends I'm low key excited. Going Halfling Fighter with a Riding Dog and were gonna see how they do. Skove and Siltak #OC #5eCharacter

A quick colored sketch for a Halfling Fighter "Skove" with his trusty Riding Dog "Siltak". Skove showing off the house color Orange with a lance as his preferred weapon. Siltak is PROBABLY Husky adjacent, but I need to practice animals before I can say with certainty.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 09/02/2025

I'm constantly worried of the "Not finishing" aspect of drawings but must remind myself: when the goal is to just "sketch a day"... why am I worried? Anyway: The tail end of January. Some characters have SOMETHING down now have something more than just bullet points in a doc to work up from.

Sketch of alternate costumes for (left to right) Mariya (Satyr Duelist), Moira (Fluffy gal who enjoys the gown), and Peskii. I saw a bard costume on a character through the timeline and whipped up this for the three. Sort of a iteration on the "flashy bard" outfits. Just a basic set of sketches. Frilly hat, patterns sporadic to the whole outfit. Poor Peskii just got a breast plate and kettle helm but he needs more work much more work.

a jumbled image of the concept sketches for all sorts of characters for a planned project. Jumbled because they are stacked on top of each other in the layer settings and the bleed together with the transparency. Besides the antagonists: this should be most the cast at least partially sketched out.

Drawing of my OC Mariya, standing sternly with some brush notes I was messing with. Keeping the tools down to a minimum and this visual aid helped reign in a lot of the constant "jumping through brushes" Mood over the last month. This was far earlier in the month, so even this was reduced down to "just use a Basic Round" you dork!

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 07/02/2025

Drawing a day is the simple part. Finishing them is another. I thought January would be the "get back in the swing of things" but na... I'm extending that into February.

a rough sketch for some characters. Separated into "Main" and "Mentors"... Though not 1 to 1 we have 2 satyrs, 2 halflings, and a human. I'll share more when I have more concrete but in short: many of my comfort characters.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 07/02/2025

The Boi (Sterling) refuses to be alone, and will sit where he likes. I get no say in the matter. Numb leg? Have a warm cat.

A grey coat cat named Sterling curled in my lap and if he isn't careful he'll fall straight down. I warned him, he has chosen to ignore me.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 05/02/2025

Tonight is barren for the drawing... I'm Zonked. anyway: Mariya has a message for DMs... let your players use mounts.

A Satyr Girl racing on horse back shouting while holding a sign saying "Free the Mounts"

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 25/01/2025

Ok. Calling the evening. Favorite sketch of the evening... Character Danny getting closer.

A sketch of my Satyr Girl Danny. Been working through the character concepts of various characters that I just want some visual library and I'm just happy Danny is finally on paper

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 23/01/2025

... but I am not without guilt. And often must, despite my wishes, act to balance the scales in such a venture (whether immediately after or after time passed.) Thus the burden, but it is entertaining from time to time.

Human fighter (mine) getting just retribution by the party's self claimed guardian. A Hefty Firbolg Barbarian delivering a diving elbow upon the sleeping fighter... and this barbarian is easily 2 to 3 times her size.

Also known as "a wake up call."

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 23/01/2025

as an artist... one can bring into existence something that only dwelled in their mind... and I just happen to be selectively Petty at oddly specific times...

Human Fighter demonstrating her expert athletics by flipping fellow party member (dwarven cleric) into a table. as his head spins on a shattered table, she sticks her tongue out at him, asserting dominance for once.

Don't worry, it is my unbiased take that he did in fact deserve it at this time. (Maybe.)

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 23/01/2025

May my assistant aid you. He is a menace when im trying to draw but that's also the good part: he's REALLY cute and I'm drawing again.

Sterling, my desk assistant, sleeping on the job. Fun fact: his head must sleep on the arm, and thats where i must have my arm to draw...

Hasnt figured out the "Assistant" part yet.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 22/01/2025

Same buddy... same. (My boi, the cutest little trouble maker.)

Sterling, my adorable grey cat. The look on his face just screamed "mood" to me... being it was clear he didnt wanna grt oit of his bed. (Prospect of food changed that real quick)

Often times he is talkitive, to an obserd degree. But other times: he just picks a spot and just conforms to lay down where ever he is.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 22/01/2025

Quick draw what you're wearing, 5 minutes max I dress like I'm waking up 5 minutes before a zoom call on a good day.

a quick (Ish) drawing of Myself, standing barefoot in a new sweater and the best PJ bottoms i have ever was gifted. a mug in one hand and a squirming feline named Sterling in the other. Mood: Content.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 13/01/2025

For YEARS I have been constantly thinking is "I cannot complete drawings." Never getting beyond the "Sketching" phase (ya know, sketch, lines, color, etc.) Objective has been just make sketch, get dark lines, color/shade SOMETHING. Done, move on to the next. so have some Satyr-ish concepts.

Group greyscale drawing of 3 Satyr characters for practice. Each with a tartan/kilt. An elder smoking and disapproving, a big guy with an ax, and a girl with an empty gourd and looks like she is doing great.

Big Satyr Character simply holding an ax and hand resting on a big gut. I sped through this one as he was just there for the scale of others.

The elder satyr woman. The pipe is non descript, he tartan/kilt draped over, and a attempt at a long ponytail pattern for her hair. I wish I gave her hair more focus.

Probably my favorite of the 3. Satyr girl with ribbons tied to her arm, a tartan, a gourd in one hand as she is hardly up staying up right as she waves a peace sign to the viewer. This was the first of the trio drawn.

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MJ @mjofthenorth.newgrounds.com · 12/01/2025

That's it, im Choke slamming the artist block and in whatever mode/mood/arc keeps the progams open. I have been drawing consistantly since the start of this year and my mood could NOT be better.

My personal Character Mariya, A young blonde Loreling (personal worlds name for satyrs) playfully mocking the viewer holding her gramp's greatsword. She is displaying a familial/troupe tarten (earthen shades: tan base with brown/umber lines in thw pattern) and the first time her fur shades (blonde, brown, and off white) are put to paper. A test image for later concepts.

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