Tiny Dragon Dreams of Art

Main Blog: @Siarven I make art sometimes! ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ ♡ ko-fi ♡

[ettawritesnstudies]

Folks, we've made it. After 8 weeks, this is the final illustration reveal from my upcoming YA fantasy novel, Runaways.

This is a story about sisterhood, making mistakes, finding yourself, betrayals, forgiveness, redemption, bravery, and sacrifice. Hannah enters the woods to rescue her missing sister, but she finds so much more.

If you want to read their story, this book will be yours in two days. Preorder a copy now, it's releasing on Halloween. 🎃

Once again, I want to give all my thanks to @siarven / @siarvenart for bringing this story to life. It's so special to see my girls drawn and painted with so much care and detail. I loved working on these with you, and I'm so glad that now I can share this incredible artwork for everyone to enjoy!

You can check out the other illustrations here:

Illustration #7 - The Sacrifice

Illustration #6 - The Troll

Illustration #5 - the Punishment

Illustration #4 - The Truth

Illustration #3 - The Ambush

Illustration #2 - The Chase

Illustration #1 - The Storm

[ettawritesnstudies]

Runaways Illustration Reveal 7: The Sacrifice

Spoilers for the end of the book!

In case you’re new, Runaways is my debut YA dark fantasy faerietale adventure. It follows Hannah as she explores the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, trying to rescue her sister from faerieland. But secrets await in the woods, and she only knows stories, not the truth about the threat that stalks their family. Will she be able to rescue her sister, and return home before it’s too late?

You can preorder the book now!

You can check out the other illustrations here:

Illustration #5

Illustration #4

Illustration #3

Illustration #2

Illustration #1

Once again my artist @siarven outdoes themself! If you’re a fan of foreshadowing, go back to illustration reveal 5 and you’ll see that scene was all setting up for this moment, both in the prose, and the visuals. This illustration comes from Chapter 39 at the climax of the story and so while it’s very dramatic, it’s also very plot relevant. If you’re the kind of person who loves spoilers, read on…

“Why must you choose a path where I can’t follow? We can’t go home and pretend we won’t see your ghost!”

Cecelia blocks the falchion with the length of her spear, and they lock eyes. Hannah’s still in there - conscious, but out of control.

In this scene, the girls have almost escaped the faerie woods, but the Piper intercepts them at the last moment. With no other options, Hannah makes a sacrifice, and the Piper takes control.

Why does Hannah bargain with this trickster? Why does Cecelia choose to fight? Will the Taken intervene, before it’s too late? What stakes lead them to this moment, when everything hangs in the balance?

Its impossible for me to choose a favorite illustration but this one might be it. I just LOVE the emotion in this scene as tear tracks run down both girls’ faces, the movement as Hannah lunges and Cecelia braces herself, the splintering spear, and the way the Piper’s control echos the magic of transforming the rat-child in Punishment scene. It’s so sinister and I can’t wait for people to read this scene and experience this moment in full.

[ettawritesnstudies]

Like if you think Hannah's going to survive this battle, Reblog if you think every kid should have a sword

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ILLUSTRATION REVEAL FOR RUNAWAYS - click the read more to reveal the full picture, spoilers for chapter 33!

In case you’re new, Runaways is my debut YA dark fantasy faerietale adventure. It follows Hannah as she explores the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, trying to rescue her sister from faerieland. But secrets await in the woods, and she only knows stories, not the truth about the threat that stalks their family. Will she be able to rescue her sister, and return home before it’s too late?

You can check out the other illustrations here:

Illustration #5

Illustration #4

Illustration #3

Illustration #2

Illustration #1

And the book is available for preorder now!

This illustration is so fun and I have so much respect for my artist @siarven @siarvenart for balancing the number of poses. With four characters and all the complex poses, values, and scenery, this picture was a HUGE job! But I absolutely love how it turned out, and it captured the drama and energy in this scene so well!

“Come and get me!”

The Taken screams and flings another rock, taunting the troll as the vines pull him toward her. She can’t control a cave troll through a song. Her True Voice isn’t powerful enough to even have a rat of her own yet, but maybe she can puppet this thing to her wishes.

This excerpt comes from another chapter in the Taken’s perspective, one where she’s desperate to capture the other girls, desperate enough to antagonize a cave troll into attacking them. Will they survive the encounter with this beast? Will the Taken keep her control over the creature? And what will this meeting mean for Hannah and Cecelia as they try to bring the Taken home?

[ettawritesnstudies]

The magic of a skilled cover designer - in today's blog post I show how I did my research on popular book covers, then how my illustrator and friend @siarven / @siarvenart took my sketches from stick figures into thumbnails to the final cover.

It was so so much fun working with them! If you want to learn more about how the cover design process works and what choices went into this cover, be sure to check out today's post.

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Runaways is my debut YA dark fantasy faerietale adventure. It follows Hannah as she explores the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, trying to rescue her sister from the Pied Piper. But secrets await in the woods, and she only knows stories, not the truth about the threat that stalks their family. Will she be able to rescue her sister, and return home before it's too late?

It's available for preorder now in all formats!

[ettawritesnstudies]

ILLUSTRATION REVEAL #5: SPOILERS FOR CHAPTER 16

Illustration #4

Illustration #3

Illustration #2

Illustration #1

This illustration is probably the most terrifying one @siarven / @siarvenart drew and I absolutely LOVE it. This book takes place over Halloween, and this illustration really reminds you that the fae world is just as dangerous as it is beautiful. It comes during a major plot twist but if you’re the kind of person who loves spoilers, read on…

"You’re out of chances.” The Piper raises his flute to his lips, and the Taken stands frozen where she is, too terrified to cower. “You will sing your last song.”

This excerpt comes from the first chapter in the Taken’s perspective, and the first chapter where we see the Unseelie Court, in all its ugly truth. Where do the Piper’s rats come from? What is the Taken’s mission? And what fate will befall her should she fail her cruel master?

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In case you're new, Runaways is my debut YA dark fantasy faerietale adventure. It follows Hannah as she explores the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, trying to rescue her sister from the Pied Piper. But secrets await in the woods, and she only knows stories, not the truth about the threat that stalks their family. Will she be able to rescue her sister, and return home before it's too late?

You'll love Runaways if you like:

🌱Folklore and fairytale inspired Worldbuilding

💛Stories about sisterhood, betrayal, forgiveness, and redemption with no romance

🍁Spooky yet cozy autumn vibes - think Narnia meets the Spiderwick Chronicles meets Over the Garden Wall

🌿Nerdy protagonists who love nature

🎨A story filled with art and music

You can preorder Runaways now in all formats from various retailers, or you can buy a signed copy directly from me, the author! I'm also running a preorder giveaway. If you buy a copy, just submit your receipt to this Google form and I'll send you a bookmark and postcard.

Thanks so much for reading!

[ettawritesnstudies]

In case you're new, Runaways is my debut YA dark fantasy faerietale adventure. It follows Hannah as she explores the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, trying to rescue her sister from the Pied Piper. But secrets await in the woods, and she only knows stories, not the truth about the threat that stalks their family. Will she be able to rescue her sister, and return home before it's too late?

I'm so excited to share this Illustration because I absolutely love the emotion @siarven / @siarvenart into this expression. And all the details and the soft lighting just make this scene so moving. It comes at a major plot twist but if you're the kind of person who loves to spoil yourself, read on...

If you want to grab a copy of the book first, you can do that here!

"Cecelia is a changeling. She is a faerie. She is not supposed to be a sister."

Hannah finally makes it to the Seelie Court and discovers the truth. The POV changes to Cecelia, and we get to hear her side of the story. But how will Hannah react when she learns her sister has been an imposter all their lives? Will Cecelia be able to return home? Does she want to? What is her connection to the Piper? These questions hang heavy between the sisters in this moment as all is revealed.

I just love all the vulnerability that's captured in this illustration. If you want to read more about the sisters journey, you can preorder Runaways here!

[ettawritesnstudies]

Runaways Illustration Reveal #3!

This scene comes from Chapter 9: The Ambush. After narrowly escaping the Piper, Hannah realizes her spyglass is enchanted with the Sight, allowing her to see the true nature of the faerie world beneath the glamours that keep them hidden from the human eye. This leads her to the edge of a mushroom circle surrounding a peculiar tree. It has been struck by lightning, and it's still alive, yet aflame. As she has no other options, she crosses the circle, only to be ambushed by a mysterious child. One who wears a rat mask. One without a name.

I love how my friend Quinn @siarven / @siarvenart chose to portray the Taken in her introduction here! As Hannah's journey grows more dangerous, each of the illustrations grow more ominous, and I love how dark and light interplay together.

I'm also excited to announce that I'm doing a preorder giveaway!! Anyone who buys a copy of my book (in any format) before October 31st will get a postcard and a bookmark of these first two illustrations. There will also be a grand prize signed paperback!

Preorder Here (all formats available now!)

Signed Copies (US only)

Get Your Preorder Freebies (global!)

[ettawritesnstudies]

ILLUSTRATION REVEAL 2 + PREORDER REWARDS!

I'm so excited to share the second of eight full page *gorgeous* illustrations from my upcoming YA dark fantasy novel!

In this scene from chapter 7, Hannah encounters the Pied Piper for the first time. She's exhausted after hiking through the woods for hours, and desperate for a lead, narrowly escapes selling him her Name in exchange for information about her sister's location. Only when her animal companion, a weasel named Kit-Kat, intervenes, does she escape his glamour and flee through the forest, pursued by a hoard of rats.

My friend Quinn, @siarven / @siarvenart , is INCREDIBLY SKILLED. We decided to completely change art styles between illustrations to represent the human world (more defined, realism, lineart) vs the faerie world (more dramatic and stylized, high contrast, using light and dark to illustrate good and evil, Seelie and Unseelie alignment.) I am absolutely amazed at how they adapted to each of the different challenges, interpreting the world into these snapshots that each have a life of their own.

I'm also excited to announce that I'm doing a preorder giveaway!! Anyone who buys a copy of my book (in any format) before October 31st will get a postcard and a bookmark of these first two illustrations. There will also be a grand prize signed paperback! You can preorder here and submit proof to get your rewards with this form!

[ettawritesnstudies]

Illustration #1

[ettawritesnstudies]

ILLUSTRATION REVEAL + PREORDER REWARDS!

I'm so excited to share the first of eight full page *gorgeous* illustrations from my upcoming YA dark fantasy novel! In this scene from chapter 1, Cecelia crawls through a secret passageway on a dark and stormy night to spend Halloween Eve in her older sister's room. She's terrified of flute music on the wind, and Hannah tells her stories and sings to her until she's calmed down. But the next morning, Cecelia has disappeared, leaving Hannah to find the clues that lead to faerieland.

I'm so so pleased with how Quinn @siarven / @siarvenart illustrated this piece! The girls' expressions are so perfect, there are so many details in the plants and posters, and the lighting strikes the perfect balance of spooky, yet comforting and cozy. It was amazing working with one of my best friends on this project so be sure to check out their page!

I'm also excited to announce that I'm doing a preorder giveaway!! Anyone who orders a copy of my book (in any format) will get a postcard of this illustration, and a bookmark of the illustration I'm going to share next week. There will also be a grand prize signed paperback!

You can preorder ebooks through this link (Ingramspark says that hardcover preorders should be live but I cannot see them anywhere?? Will update ASAP.) Once you purchase, just submit proof through this google form and I'll send you freebies after Halloween. :)

[ettawritesnstudies]

I am SO EXCITED to be able to finally reveal the cover for Runaways!!!

This was painted by the INCREDIBLE Quinn @siarven @siarvenart who deserves the Artist of the Year Award for putting up with me. Quinn is also doing the internal illustrations for the book and I am so so so happy with how they've all turned out. Zoom in on the art to spot so many details from the story. My favorite is the tiny little weasel perched on Hannah's shoulder - we had to include Kit-Kat in the party :)

In case you're new, Runaways is my debut YA dark fantasy faerietale adventure. It follows Hannah as she explores the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, trying to rescue her sister from the Pied Piper. But secrets await in the woods, and she only knows stories, not the truth about the threat that stalks their family. Will she be able to rescue her sister, and return home before it's too late?

You'll love Runaways if you like:

🌱Folklore and fairytale inspired Worldbuilding 💛Stories about sisterhood, betrayal, forgiveness, and redemption with no romance 🍁Spooky yet cozy autumn vibes - think Narnia meets the Spiderwick Chronicles meets Over the Garden Wall 🌿Nerdy protagonists who love nature 🎨A story filled with art and music

PREORDER THE EBOOK NOW!

Print preorders are on their way very soon! Hang in there if you want to pick up a paperback or hardcover copy

Runaways Taglist: (ask to be added or removed for future announcements!)

@tiredlittleoldme @abalonetea @happyorogeny @weaver-of-fantasies-and-fables @quilloftheclouds @rainydaydarling @bladeverbenas-blog @andifthestarsweretodie @thelaughingstag @ladywithalamp @avrablake @prettylittlelyres @theroseempress @rainbowsnowflakee @lesleymoonwriter @writeblrfantasy @akiwitch

[siarven]

I’m genuinely so so happy to be a part of this project, it was such a joy to work on (even through the evils of figuring out physical printing XD). Thank you so much for letting me work on this with you, Etta <333

Runaways is absolutely fantastic (the characters, worldbuilding and sorry!!) and you should all read it! 💚

[siarven]

Saw this post by @doppelnatur how dandelions are pretty good trans symbols and got inspired! Happy pride everyone 🏳️‍⚧️

[siarvenart]

an encounter! 30min spitpaint from yesterday night :)

[moth-song-archives]

burning some leitners, as a treat <3 ( tma art tag )

[siarvenart]

Frogdragon! 💚🐸🐲

[siarven]

Happy pride everyone :D I felt it was time to remake my icon and because I liked how it turned out it gets to have its own post :3

[image ID: a painted side portrait of a smiling dark grey harpy bird with horns. Its eye is orange and pupilless. Its shape is offset slightly to the right, creating a purple shadow. It is surrounded by two non-overlapping black oval-shaped lines, creating three background sections. The first one directly behind the harpy has the trans flag colours painted with a textured brush, the larger oval/ring shape has the nonbinary flag colours, and the square background behind both is the aro-ace-agender flag. /End ID]

[siarvenart]

Have another daily landscape studies dump! <3 | Do not reupload to other sites.

1. a forest in California; photo ref by Pine Watt on unsplash 2. Loch Lomond in Scotland; photo ref by me in 2012; 3. sunset on texel; photo ref by my dad; drawn the day my grandpa died kinda for him bc we spent a lot of bigger-family vacations there; 4. the Havel from the perspective of the Grunewald (in Berlin); photo ref by me; 5. Mount Everest; photo ref by Alessio Soggetti on unsplash 6. a river in Poland during a kayaking tour; photo by my dad; 7. the danube delta in romania; photo by my mom; 8. yosemite national park in the US; photo by me; 9. hiking to Neuwerk (German island) during low tide; photo by me

instagram | art tag

[siarvenart]

Tired (but that, too, shall pass ♡)

grumpling 2021 tag | instagram | art tag