Zarina Liew: Illustration & Comic Art

I'm an illustrator and comic artist. This is my online workspace where I share daily sketches & news. To view my portfolio, self-published work or to contact me, please visit the links below. Thank you.

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I just remember I had this in my archives 😬 Better late than never! Time flies so quickly, she's growing up too fast 🤷🏻‍♀️😭 #instaart #illustration #webcomic #comic #momlife #birthdays #toddlers #lol https://www.instagram.com/p/CS4Ypk6s2vk/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Finally got back into some #painting after such a long time 😭 I’ll have to explain in another post why I stopped #drawing ... until then, I hope you enjoy a #happy #dandelion - she’s celebrating loved ones & friends coming together this #spring 🥰👯‍♀️👯‍♂️ #illustration #instaart #watercolour https://www.instagram.com/p/COv3e38hozv/?igshid=14inia0grmct2

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#StopAsianHate A comic about my experiences as a #britishbornchinese and some common themes around them. I have put these together to illustrate that I, your average Asian, has experienced everyday racism, there’s nothing special about what I experienced – but someone we know will have experienced worse and the themes I have highlighted will have escalated badly for someone. It starts small, but the intention is there – the racism is there. If you would like to understand more about why I have put this together please read up about the recent murders of Asian people in the US, and the spike in racial hate crimes here in the UK since Covid-19. The virus unfortunately started in China. This does not mean that Chinese people, wherever they are from have the virus or are responsible for it. If you don’t understand the logic behind this then I’m very sorry, #bye. If you’d like to reach out to your Asian friends – they may be really upset about what’s happening – we are culturally taught to “shut up and put up” “stay silent don’t cause trouble” – but there has been a lot of racial trauma that has become so ingrained into our way of thinking that it’s hard to break it down ourselves or understand the world around us again. Simply reach out to say “I’m here to learn & listen”, “I’m here if you need me” is fine. We’d love that x It’s been hard to share these stories. But if you are wondering how we got to a time in place where a 21 year old white male could walk into an Asian spa/massage palor in Atlanta, murder 8 Asian humans only for the media to describe him as “someone suffering from a sex addiction” or the police to say “he had a bad day” – and NOT say what it was, racial & gender violence. Then look at how Asians have been treated for years here and how our “usuals” is how we have coped with racist views, threats, and unfortunately for some, violence all our lives. #StopAsianHate #illustration #comic #webcomic #instaart #covid19 https://www.instagram.com/p/CMsrG2gh69j/?igshid=1glyxvgsncss5

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You bet I had to microwave my coffee again. ☕️😂🥰 #comics #webcomic #illustration #markerpens #instaart #sketch #momlife #toddlers https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ4ftTjBIGm/?igshid=12xgls46yc31o

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I don’t think I have done much drawing this year 😱😫😢😔 Perhaps less then when I was actually pregnant in 2017/18. I think the pandemic, home childcare, racism, brexit & now more pandemic trouble on top of not seeing friends or going to comic conventions or art events just took its toll on me and I somehow lost my creativity. 🌸 It’s ok, I managed to get some of it back (& in different ways), and tonight, I just had to paint this. It’s not all dark, and I know it has been much harder for so many others. I guess what this picture/my state of mind is trying to say is that, no matter how low you might feel, there are some good things, small good things, that can bring some love & joy. Mainly hope! 😊🌸💕 I really hope next year will feel better. Not “normal”, I hope we can change our lives & the way we function in society better for the environment & our mental health. So just better is what I’m hoping for right now. 🤞 Gonna have a hot choc with a smudge of gin & run a hot bath because I’m recovering from covid & shouldn’t really drink haha. (It’s ok, we are ok, it was a mild infection!) 😬 Happy New Year & take care of yourself! 🥳🥰☺️ #illustration #instaart #watercolours #pencils #drawing https://www.instagram.com/p/CJeyczgB508/?igshid=13qq81lz1kwku

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#pinktober days 10 & 11 – Day 10 is #poison 💅– I remember reading something something online (as you do) about how nail shape determines how poisonous you are as a partner. Not sure that this person got the memo but #nailart isn’t there to attract partners. Also, no one asked a man for his opinion on how we dress ourselves, thanks 🤦🏻‍♀️🦹🏻‍♀️ Day 11 is #pop – Before I had Zadie, I used to think that #mothers just faded into the background 😟. But I remember seeing a black mum sitting on the tube, feeding her baby. And she wore bright pink lipstick, and colours that popped 💄. She looked amazing, happy & so vibrant. I really wanted to be her when I grew up. 🤩 Bonus panels – Me, grown up, now a mum. Do I look cool with bright pink lipstick? 😂 #illustration #instaart #sketch #watercolours #inks #drawing #dailyart #comic https://www.instagram.com/p/CGlMNmjhaV1/?igshid=a6pxdo59q0i6

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After a bit of radio silence I’m back 😅- we tested little one for covid (she came back negative) & then my routine of drawing, house DIY & exercise went off the rails and now I’m playing catch up. Anyway, #pinktober day 8 is #rebellion - I’m thinking about the ratio of #female #gamers in an industry that is rife with #sexism. I’m not a gamer myself but I do occasionally read the WORST reports of sexism & harassment towards female gamers – or any gamer who does not identify themselves as cis-male, basically. 41% of games are bought by women, this is only a slight uplift of 3% from 4 years ago (www.statista.com). This percentage increase is slow & painful. Surely anyone can play any #videogame, kick ass and not expect any backlash? Day 9 is #petty – interestingly I looked up the definition – it is both “not important and not worth giving attention to” and “complaining too much about things that are not important”. Confidence to call things out & express a need for independence, equality & respect can be hard to develop when you feel like you’re just being petty. I guess, if you know, you know? 😫 #illustration #instaart #watercolor #sketch #pinktober #drawing https://www.instagram.com/p/CGf5-hxhZm2/?igshid=6hwt9u8qxa13

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#pinktober day 7’s prompt is #slimy : And my fun fact for the day is a shout out to the wonders of #cervical #mucus – yup, you read that right 😉 But seriously, being on your #period is often a sign of great shame (so much so in some cultures that those on their period are seen as unclean & not able to participate in society 😢). Often those not #menstruating will just be like “yuk” “I don’t want to know”. But it’s a wonderful thing to know that the organ that bleeds in monthly cycles is the one that produces slime in order to help a spermy, high five with an egg. Isn’t it amazing that women’s bodies are so capable, and organised? 🤩 Don’t feel ashamed, feel amazed instead! 😁 And binge on chocolate, it’s OK 💃🏻🍫🤩 So far I’ve raised £4.20 for likes across #instagram #facebook & #twitter. Remember for every 💖 I’ll donate 2p to #breastcanceruk 🥰 #illustration #instaart #watercolours #sketch #drawing #womensawareness #genderquality #periodfacts https://www.instagram.com/p/CGDrY9bh3BU/?igshid=hjjqkyu58sxm

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#pinktober day 5 & 6 (already behind 😭😅). Day 5 #sassy – dictionary.cambridge.org has two descriptions #1 rude and showing no respect: a sassy young girl #2 confident or showing confidence: a sassy little black dress. Not sure about you but 🙄🙄🙄 How about a sassy woman eating a slice of patriarchy as a snack? 😂🌭 Day 6 #mirror – although this is a #tired #sketch (childcare duties ramped up over the last few days 😭) I hope the sentiment is illustrated – in that the way I feel about gender, is that everyone should have the freedom to be who they see themselves as. And sorry to those who think people will make decisions like this, like how you colour your hair but, it is a transformation that can take years, inner conflict, it is definitely not like changing your hair colour. The fact that trans people are stigmatise – even in their treatment, and that they are not allowed to self-identify, is sad. Why do we fear what we don’t know? I read a stat that said that less than 1-2% of trans ppl regretted their decision, however, the divorce rate is 50% and think of children who suffer from that! Just saying 🤷🏻‍♀️😁 #illustration #instaart #artist #watercolours #inks #midnight #sketch #drawing https://www.instagram.com/p/CGBHTG7hwij/?igshid=1kx4z37o11epy

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#midnight #sketch & day 4 of #pinktober ! Today’s prompt is #icecream 🍦 and I immediately thought about #bodyimage & the stigma around size & health that’s of out of control. 53% of girls age 13 are “unhappy with their bodies.” This grows to 78% by the time they reach seventeen. (source: National Institute on Media and the Family). The pressure to be perfect, look perfect & act perfect is crazy & unrealistic 🤯. Yet women are told to strive for a certain body shape, in the beauty & fashion industry, in the media, 24/7 x. Isn’t this tiring? Can’t we just enjoy that ice cream? 😒 I’m working hard to 😋🍦 #illustration #instaartist #watercolor #inked #ink https://www.instagram.com/p/CF79lT0ByUt/?igshid=crrdxyppvvbc

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Hope I’m not too late 😅 Here’s day 2 & 3 from @culturehustle ‘s #pinktober #prompts – Day 2 #bean – 1 in 4 women have experienced #miscarriage (ref: tommys.org) and it’s a difficult time because in the early period of #pregnancy, you have to pretend nothing is happening, because, well, it’s just a bean 🌱. But it’s not just a bean, its hopes & dreams of a beautiful future that could be. I wish we had more awareness of this, I wish we talked more & shared the pain of loss, emotionally & physically. My big love to anyone who has gone through this. Day 3 #boy – this was an easy one to think off. How many times do we discourage boys from loving, playing house, playing parenting & trying on make-up. Why do we need to split the world into #gender roles – it’s tiring & it helps no one. Every boy should aspire to fall in love & be a parent or whatever they wish! This sketch is dedicated to a friend who’s expecting her 2nd – hope her boy enjoys playing big brother, with lots of cuddles & care 🥰 Don’t forget for every like I’ll donate 2p to #breastcanceruk, up to £100 😊 #illustration #instaart #watercolours #sketches #drawing #pencils #inks https://www.instagram.com/p/CF5RhZEhYHq/?igshid=4xhktjfalgkd

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It’s Oct 1st! Which means it’s a month of daily #sketching for me 😅😬😍 This year I’m doing #pinktober prompts by @culturehustle and for every like I’ll donate 2p to www.breastcanceruk.org.uk up to £100. My monthly theme will be focused on topics around #genderequality & #womensawareness. Today’s prompt is #greedy. I still don’t understand why education, wealth, reproductive rights & equality can’t be shared equally with women today. When I hear the news around child marriages, violence against women, & the rest, I feel like the patriarchy are just greedy. 😡😞😢#illustration #instaart #watercolours #pens #midnightsketch https://www.instagram.com/p/CF0YTPIhfKP/?igshid=17zasw1hm17na

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A little #midnight #sketch 😀 I was looking forward to ink-tob-err this year because it's a great way to kickstart my #drawing habit and gain confidence again 💪. But after reading up on the latest fiasco about what has happened to the #illustration & #art community over this & rights & plagiarism (which has been really sad to learn about 😔), I've decided to follow prompts from @culturehustle & do #pinktober and tie my drawings with #womens & #breastcancer #awareness. Also my mini likes #pink so she can join in too 😅 https://www.instagram.com/p/CFamAx7hPR8/?igshid=1mvtje7u1w8wd

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In my story I mentioned replacing my #drawing #tablet because it was older than my marriage. 😱😂😅 Actually I meant it was older than my relationship, which would be a 16 year old right now, having issues with hair, wanting peace & quiet, whilst lovingly stroking the cat. 🐱😘 Also, being fed up with 16 years of washing the dishes. 😒😭 If you ever ask someone in a LT relationship what it's like. #housework & #chores really 🤣. At least the new drawing pen works well! #illustration #instaart #sketch #inks #digitaldrawing #comic #mood ✍️👌 https://www.instagram.com/p/CE2evh7BNNT/?igshid=1ivp9nwrn4jvz

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I decided to update my #yearago #comic since it was my daughter's #secondbirthday yesterday. They grow up so fast don't they! An interesting correlation between age & mothers' alcohol consumption too. 🍸Oh well 😅😂😭🤷🏻‍♀️ #webcomic #illustration #instaart #momlife #sketches https://www.instagram.com/p/B_gDtPShNtA/?igshid=83w1zrbv5f37

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My #midnight #sketch before another week of #groundhog day - Noticing new words that my daughter likes to use. They shouldn't sound right but somehow they are. I hope everyone is ok. I'm slowing pushing myself to #draw again after a stressful few weeks. Have even rationed my #crisp intake 😅😂😫😭😔. #webcomic #comic #illustration #sketch #instaart #toddlerhood #mumlife #frydar https://www.instagram.com/p/B-ncfBBhl80/?igshid=mcqoaovncoh6

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Part 2: They bounce back soon enough 👶🏻😆😊 - ps she had #HFM straight after so we #quarantined for another #fortnight! 😱😭😂 #illness #chickenpox #momlife #illustration #instaart #comic #webcomic #sketches https://www.instagram.com/p/B95MaO_hxh5/?igshid=18uip1cbgi170