Art of Mikaela Watson

Background Artist & Illustrator 🎨 Prior credits include Slumberkins, on AppleTV+ 🌈 Available for hire in 2023! 💼 Online portfolio at www.mindofmikaela.com 🖊 Lives in California, USA 🇺🇸 Find me on IG, Twitter & TikTok as @mindofmikaela 💻

[mindofmikaela]

To-do lists and plans have a way of ballooning up during summer, so working on this go-getter character portrait inspired me to keep focused and goal-oriented! We all are chasing after our own little victories day in and day out. I hope you achieve yours in this busy season! ✨ 🏆✨

[mindofmikaela]

I’ve polished up a series of character portraits recently, everyone with something different on their mind, and this blue-haired person is a special favorite. Painting dyed hair was a first for me, and I like how it paid off. Who else is thinking of a creative new hairstyle with which to welcome the summer? 💛⚡️💙

[mindofmikaela]

In honor of International Women’s Day, I wanted to share a character portrait from my series that definitely is the girliest of the bunch. Cheers to all you fabulous ladies, killing it in your equally fabulous shoes! 💃 ❤️ 👠

[mindofmikaela]

Another character portrait! I dubbed him “Brawny Guy,” but I’m open to a snazzier name. Who else is ready for a little liquid cheer to toast the weekend? 🍾

[mindofmikaela]

Yay, new self-portrait for the socials! This is actually part of a whole series of character portraits, everyone with a little something different on their mind. I’ll be posting more new faces in the weeks to come, so stay tuned for that! What icon is on your mind right now? 👀💕💭

[mindofmikaela]

The final pair of tetsubin from my larger series of these Japanese cast iron kettles. They ended up being a great exercise in pushing for a wide range of tone within a limited color palette. Now, time for tea!

[mindofmikaela]

Another pair of tetsubin from my larger series. Of course, painting these Japanese cast iron kettles only came about with much tea consumption! 🌱 🍵 🌿

[mindofmikaela]

A pair of tetsubin, from a larger series of these Japanese cast iron tea kettles. Much, much tea was consumed over the course of painting these! 🌱 🍵 💚

[mindofmikaela]

Thanks all for the birthday love! It truly means the world. I originally doodled this for Valentine's Day 2019, but since it's a perfect fit for my mood this past week, it's time for a repost! It's been an extra special birthday this year, as I recently accepted a dream job as a background and prop artist for UK animation studio Factory Create. I'm in love with the amazing projects they have going on there, and the team is just fantastic. Hopefully it won't be too long until I can share more details! 💫💖🎂💝✨

[mindofmikaela]

Halloween is by far my favorite time of year, and not just because of the candy, or the costumes, but more the existential contemplation all the decorations inspire. Nothing like long autumn walks to admire the spooky spectacle and overthink life! 🍂💀🍂

[mindofmikaela]

Some exploratory drawings of yokai, monsters of Japanese folklore, for future illustrations. Let me know in the comments if you have a favorite! 👹 ❤️ 👺

[mindofmikaela]

Character sketches for a self-assured and tea-loving little girl, who will figure in some future illustrations inspired by Japanese folklore! 🍵 💚 🌱

[mindofmikaela]

The final two oni portraits to wrap up my series! They’re oh-so-creatively named “Roundie” and “Red.” I have other art I’m wrapping up at the moment, but I have more yokai illustrations in the works! They’ll need more friends, after all. 👹❤️👺

[mindofmikaela]

Another process video I made for my most recent post! I started making these speed paints in the hope that my painting sessions would become more efficient and focused if I knew I was recording them, and I think it’s working so far. 🤞🏻🎨💪🏻

[mindofmikaela]

The second in my series of oni portraits! I named him “Greenhorn” for my labeling conventions, but in my head he’s known as “the one with Keith Richards hair.” 🖤👹🖤

[mindofmikaela]

A little process video I made for my most recent post, mostly covering all my fussing over shading. I love making my own speed paints, as they end up looking like I knew what I was doing all along! 

[mindofmikaela]

The first in a series of oni portraits! Because even Japanese monsters of myth deserve their moment in the spotlight. More of his buddies to come! 💙👹💙